Australian football officials agreed secret, multi-million dollar lobbyist fees and gifted jewellery and free travel in a bid to win hosting rights for an upcoming World Cup, a report said Wednesday.
An exclusive report by Fairfax newspapers cited private Football Federation Australia files that it said detailed 11.37 million dollars (9.68 million US) in payments to two consultants a quarter of the total bid budget.
It also listed gifts of pearl necklaces for the wives of FIFA executive committee members, who will decide in December which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The FFA also handed out pearl cufflinks, offered a free trip to Australia to a committee member for his birthday, and paid for a football team linked to FIFA vice president Jack…
Manchester United have been told that they will need to pay £65m if they are to have any chance of signing Romelu Lukaku from Everton, .
The Red Devils are considering a move for the Belgium international, who is currently the joint-top scorer in the Premier League with fifteen goals.
However, the Toffees will not let their star player go without a fight, and are set to demand what would be a British transfer record fee before considering any negotiations.
The twenty-two-year-old moved to Goodison Park, initially on loan in the summer of 2013 and has so far racked up one hundred and five appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring fifty-five goals.
Prior to his move to Merseyside, Lukaku spent a season on loan at West Bromwich Albion while…
Edinson Cavani netted with six minutes remaining as champions Paris Saint-Germain were forced to settle for a draw at Reims in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
With the game seemingly heading towards a goalless draw, Laurent Blanc s side were stunned when teenager Theoson Siebatcheu struck for the hosts after 83 minutes.
Cavani produced an immediate response, though, converting from Javier Pastore s assist just one minute later to make it five goals from six league appearances in 2015-16.
The draw means PSG sit one point clear of Rennes at the top of the table, while Reims drop down to fourth in the standings.
Elsewhere, the fortunes of Caen and Montpellier continued to move in opposite directions after Patrice Garande s side recorded a last-gasp 2-1 home victory th…
Paul Pogba s older brother Mathias has joined Tours in the French third tier after spending more than a year without a club.
While his younger brother is linked with a move away from Manchester United amid reports of a training-ground spat with Jose Mourinho, the 28-year-old striker has secured a deal at Tours after a gap in his career.
The Guinea international last played professionally for Sparta Rotterdam, his appearance in a 1-0 defeat to ADO Den Haag on April 23, 2017 being his final game for the club.
Pogba told his new club s official website: I chose Tours, because in the different interviews I had with all the interested clubs, only the leaders of Tours understood me and convinced me to join their project.
Info
Mathias Pogba, international guin…
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte believes Tottenham had an advantage over his side in this season s Premier League title race.
Mauricio Pochettino s Spurs have pushed Conte s league leaders closer than any other would-be challengers but a surprise 1-0 loss at West Ham on Friday moved Chelsea closer to glory.
If the Blues beat Middlesbrough on Monday at Stamford Bridge – a result that would relegate their opponents – and then claim three more points at West Brom four days later, they will be champions before Tottenham return to action against Manchester United next Sunday.
Chelsea have been free from the distractions of European football on account of their 10th-placed finish in 2015-16, while Spurs endured disappointment in both the Champions League and the E…
Kylian Mbappe has never told Paris Saint-Germain he wants to leave in January, says Luis Campos, despite continued reports of the forward s discontent.
World Cup winner Mbappe signed a new three-year deal with the Ligue 1 champions ahead of the 2022-23 season, seemingly ending speculation around a potential move to Real Madrid.
However, new reports have claimed the France international wants to leave Paris in January, with Madrid again said to be his preferred destination.
Ahead of a crucial Champions League clash with Benfica on Tuesday, PSG football advisor Campos refuted the suggestions Mbappe wants to depart.
It s information. We have rumours every day, and we can t come and talk about them every day, Campos told Canal+.
In this case, it s s…
Central Coast Mariners fought back impressively to earn a 2-1 win at Macarthur on Thursday, a result that moves them up to third in the A-League standings.
Sixth-placed Macarthur went in front at Campbelltown Stadium when Markel Susaeta raced onto a chipped pass before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
However, the Spaniard’s fourth goal of the campaign – coming from the first attempt on target by either team – only sparked the Mariners into life.
They were level before half-time thanks to Jack Clisby, who grabbed his first A-League goal since February 2020 when firing a left-footed shot in from a tight angle.
The defender was denied a second by a VAR check, replays showing him narrowly offside to rule out an effort similar to his eq…
2K Sports has revealed more information about NBA 2K22 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and the next-gen consoles are getting the most expansive experience, it seems.
NBA 2K22 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S will feature an upgraded version of the social hub called The City. In the new game, players can take on quests that advance their story career and upgrade their homes. As an example, 2K said players can attach a zipline to their penthouse so they can travel directly to a specific basketball court, because why not.
Overall, The City’s player population limit is increased with the aim of making it feel as if it’s “teeming with life.” There will be new NPCs in the game world, too, to help it feel more alive. New buildings have been added as well, including Club 2K, whic…
David Beckham predicted Thursday that his former club Real Madrid will win La Liga this season during an interview with Spanish television where he also praised Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.
As much as I respect Barcelona and think it?s a great club, my heart is always with Real Madrid, the former England captain told Antena 3 in Los Angeles where he currently plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
I think this year, with the manager (chairman) they have, Florentino Perez, I love Florentino. He is such a great man. He makes special things happen at the club. With him there and the players that they?ve got, I believe they will be number one this year.
Perez, a construction magnate who is one of Spain s richest men, was sworn in for another stint as president of R…
Aston Villa have agreed to sign former-Arsenal winger Robert Pires. The veteran star has been training with his former club since being released by Spanish side Villarreal in the summer.
At 37 years-old of age he is no spring chicken, so the question is can he still cut it in the English top flight?
Age
As previously mentioned Pires is 37 years-old. However he looks to have kept himself physically fit and healthy.
His game wasn’t always based entirely on pace or speed anyway. His greatest asset has always been his good technical ability and football brain.
Villarreal released him as they stated they will be ‘changing their philosophy’. I don’t know how they could be changing their philosophy and not include the former-French international…