Chelsea say player was racially abused during Dynamo Kiev game

Chelsea say one of their players was racially abused by Dynamo Kiev supporters during their Europa League game in Ukraine.

Maurizio Sarri s side won 5-0 in last week s second leg to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, where they will face Slavia Prague.

Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick with Marcos Alonso and teenage winger Callum Hudson-Odoi also on the scoresheet for the Blues.

But on Monday, Chelsea revealed the club made a complaint to UEFA over racist abuse during the closing stages of the game.

We can confirm a report of racist abuse directed at one of our players in the final minutes of the match in Kiev from a small section of home supporters, said Chelsea s statement.

We wholeheartedly condemn such abhorrent behaviour.<…

Nice will not allow Favre to leave for Dortmund

Nice have stated that they have no interest allowing coach Lucien Favre to join Borussia Dortmund amid reports linking the former Borussia Monchengladbach boss with becoming Thomas Tuchel s successor.

Tuchel left his role as Dortmund coach on Tuesday, with Favre widely linked as a prime target for the Bundesliga club after leading Nice to third place in Ligue 1 this season.

But Nice have responded strongly, insisting that they have to prioritise sporting success over financial gain, and claiming the chapter is already closed .

A statement released by the club on Friday read: While the media circus around the interest from Borussia Dortmund for Lucien Favre intensified this week after the departure of Thomas Tuchel, OGC Nice wants to announce its position publicl…

Lewandowski reaches 100 Allianz Arena goals for Bayern

Robert Lewandowski celebrated a century of goals for Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena with his typically clinical 27th-minute strike against Schalke on Saturday.

Put through for a one-on-one by James Rodriguez, 30-year-old Lewandowski coolly beat Ralf Fahrmann to mark the impressive milestone.

His goal handed Bayern a 2-1 half-time lead after Schalke striker Ahmed Kutucu had earlier cancelled out Jeffrey Bruma s own-goal opener.

Lewandowski, signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2014, has now netted 13 in the Bundesliga this term as he rivals the likes of Frankfurt s Luka Jovic and Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus for the Golden Boot.

Lewandowski scores his 100th goal at the Allianz Arena 

The King   2-1

— Bundesliga English (@Bundesl…

Ancelotti apologises to unused Madrid star Hazard: Getting upset is normal

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti understands Eden Hazard s frustration and is sorry after being left on the bench again for Wednesday s 2-1 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Hazard has only made one appearance in Madrid s four Champions League games this season, starting in the 2-1 home loss to Sheriff.

Belgium international Hazard has only managed five starts and five appearances off the bench in all competitions, totalling 409 minutes this season, with Vinicius Junior excelling in an attacking role on the left side.

The situation has led to speculation Hazard, who was a record signing for Los Blancos from Chelsea in 2019, could leave Madrid in January, further fuelled after being left to warm up and remain unused on the bench as Ancelotti opted …

Leeds United cool interest in Michy Batshuayi

Leeds United have cooled their interest in Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, according to . It has been reported that the Champions League winners are looking for £15 million for the Belgium international.

West Yorkshire club Leeds do like Batshuayi, with head coach Marcelo Bielsa having worked with the 27-year-old at Marseille. However, £15 million is a bit too expensive for Leeds, whose main striker Patrick Bamford 17 goals and gave seven assists in the Premier League this past season.

Batshuayi has been on the books of Chelsea since 2016, but the 27-year-old striker has failed to establish himself in the first team at the Blues. The Belgian spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Crystal Palace. Batshuayi made seven starts and 11 substitute appearances in the Premier L…

Turkey 2 France 0: World champions shocked in miserable outing

Turkey stunned world champions France with a dominant and well-deserved 2-0 triumph in Euro 2020 qualifying on Saturday.

First-half goals from Kaan Ayhan and Cengiz Under sealed Turkey s triumph as their revival under boss Senol Gunes continued at pace.

Turkey have won all five matches they have played in Gunes second stint in charge of the national team and they now sit three points ahead of France in Group H after three games played.

Their latest triumph, achieved in front of a passionate crowd in Konya, came against a France side who simply were not at the races and did not manage a shot on target.

2 France  have conceded 2+ goals in the first half for the 1st time since June 2015 against Belgium. Surprise.

— OptaJean (@OptaJean)

T…

Tuchel demands more from Chelsea after Zenit draw

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has demanded more from his players after seeing his team lose top spot in Champions League Group H following a 3-3 draw against Zenit in Russia.

The Blues had come from 2-1 down at the break to lead 3-2 going into stoppage time, only for a fine Magomed Ozdoev strike to deny them victory, meaning that Juventus leapfrogged them into top spot after they beat Malmo 1-0 in Turin.

Two goals from Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku s first since returning from injury looked to be enough for Chelsea before Ozdoev equalised in the 94th minute in the Gazprom Arena.

Tuchel s side were forced to settle for second place in Group H, and the German was particularly annoyed to concede three goals in a game for the second time in a week, having seen Chels…

Pochettino suggests Spurs must ´move on´ if Eriksen deal is not struck

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has suggested the club will have to be ready to move on if Christian Eriksen does not sign a new contract.

Denmark star Eriksen has 18 months left on his deal but has yet to commit to new terms, despite seeing team-mates such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min sign extensions recently.

Pochettino insisted last month that he was not worried about Eriksen s future, amid reports Real Madrid are considering an offer for the playmaker.

However, while he remains optimistic over an agreeable resolution for both club and player, he says Spurs must be prepared to adapt to the dynamic and changeable nature of modern football.

Football is so dynamic, always changing every day, he said.  It s not only your decision but th…

Dani Alves to leave Barcelona

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has revealed Dani Alves has decided to leave the club as he closes in on a move to Juventus.

The 33-year-old has been at Camp Nou since 2008 and won six La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey crowns and three Champions Leagues as part of an astonishing 23 winners medals.

Juve director Giuseppe Marotta was very optimistic on the club s pursuit of Alves this week and the Brazil international – who is currently preparing for the Copa America in the United States – will now leave Barca.

Dani Alves has decided to leave – he has informed us of his intention and it is a personal decision that we respect, Robert said at a press conference.

I don t like that Alves is leaving  he is an extraordinary player and he is …

Boca sign Lisandro Lopez from Benfica

Lisandro Lopez has completed a return to Argentina with Boca Juniors.

The 29-year-old moves back to the Superliga after five-and-a-half years in Europe, although Boca have not released details of the deal. 

Reports suggest the Argentine defender has joined from Benfica on an initial loan switch with an option to buy.

Lopez has four caps for his country and joined Genoa from Argentine side Arsenal in a €4million deal in 2013.

The centre-back s form in LaLiga earned a move to Benfica, but he failed to establish himself in Portugal and similarly struggled for opportunities on loan at Inter and Genoa.

Lopez s deal at Genoa was terminated in order for him to join Copa Libertadores finalists Boca, becoming their sixth signing of the transfer window.<…