With Chelsea gearing up for their much-anticipated FIFA Club World Cup final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, star forward Cole Palmer was seen unwinding in an unexpected way. The 22-year-old Blues standout was spotted cruising through New York City’s vibrant Times Square on a scooter, soaking in the atmosphere ahead of what is arguably the most significant match of his club career.

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• Chelsea to face PSG in CWC final
• Palmer relaxed before the summit cash
• Has firm confidence in his abilities

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  PSG have stormed into the final with dominant displays, living up to their billing as pre-tournament favourites. Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, the French giants dismantled Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid without conceding a single goal, racking up a staggering 10-0 aggregate scoreline across the three games.

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  Despite the looming pressure of facing Europe’s reigning champions, Palmer appears to be embracing the occasion with a sense of calm. Dressed casually in a black hoodie and matching black shorts, the forward appeared relaxed.

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• WHAT PALMER SAID AHEAD OF THE FINAL

  Palmer remains unfazed despite the magnitude of the match and said, "Obviously, we're confident. We know it's going to be a tough game, but it's a final. We're excited. Everyone's ready. You know, you want to play against the best team, and they probably are the best team in the world, but we're excited and we're ready. They do everything well, we've watched the games, but we've got a plan and we're going to try and do it."

MatériaMais Notícias

Pensando em combater o cambismo em jogos dentro do Allianz Parque, o Palmeiras planeja adotar o sistema de reconhecimento facial na entrada do estádio já na próxima temporada. Oclube tem negociações avançadas para essa utilização. A informação foi dada inicialmente peloGEe confirmada pela apuração do LANCE!.

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>PSG “de olho” no Endrick: veja 10 joias que podem sair do Brasil em breve

O Verdão pretende iniciar alguns testes na sede social ainda este ano antes de efetivar a mudança nas catracas do estádio palestrino. Hoje, o acesso dos torcedores consiste na apresentação de um código de barras gerado no momento da compra pela internet, três horas antes do jogo.

> Clique e confira a tabela completa e simulador do Brasileirão!

Por conta de problemas recentes com cambistas, que tiveram os perfis identificados e excluídos em partes, a diretoria palmeirense abriu um inquérito junto com a polícia para seguir investigando o caso. Além disso, ainda segundo a apuração do L!, entende que o reconhecimento facial pode ser uma solução para acabar com isso.

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O serviço de reconhecimento facial em todos os setores do estádio será algo inédito na América do Sul e pode ser um dos pontos mais altos de investimento do Palmeiras para a próxima temporada, visando facilitar a vida do torcedor.

Former New Zealand batter Lou Vincent can resume being involved in domestic cricket or any level below that with immediate effect, after the ECB revised the life ban imposed on him in 2014 for corruption.In a media statement on Friday, the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) said it was revoking the life ban having received from Vincent “compelling evidence demonstrating the very highest levels of contrition and remorse and the very best efforts to make amends wherever possible”.The CDC’s decision comes in response to a “clemency” appeal by Vincent. In 2014, the ECB had imposed a life ban on Vincent barring him from playing cricket at any level, entering any cricket ground, or coaching the game in a professional capacity after he admitted in an open letter that he was a “cheat”. Vincent had been handed 11 life-bans relating to events that occurred during his time at Sussex in 2008 and seven offences committed at the 2011 Champions League Twenty20.Related

• Nearly 17 years later, Lou Vincent receives special 100th ODI cap

• Vincent deserves clemency for speaking out, says McCullum

• Vincent's letter: 'My name is Lou Vincent and I am a cheat'

Gerard Elias, representing the CDC, said that it had heard not just Vincent before it’s decision to revise the ban but also the ICC, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and the ECB. Elias said that “cogent and compelling” reasons were needed for the life ban to be downgraded, something Vincent provided. “In particular, this decision was taken in the light of Mr Vincent’s conduct following his sanction,” Elias said, “Namely: full and frank admissions and the fullest disclosures; immediate and total co-operation with cricket and civil authorities in various parts of the world; and, participation in anti-corruption education programmes for NZC and the ECB. I am satisfied that these factors justify an amelioration of the original sanction at this time.”In his first reaction to the relaxation of the life ban, Vincent, who’s now 45, said he was “very fortunate” to be able to return to cricket. “I made a terrible mistake many years ago, which I’ll deeply regret for the rest of my life, and I remain very sorry for the harm I caused,” Vincent said in a statement issued by NZC. “Being able to return to the cricket environment means the world to me and I feel very fortunate to again have that opportunity.”In the years after being banned, Vincent, who last played for New Zealand in 2007, started a new life as a builder in the small town of Raglan, a surfing destination in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Now, one of the things Vincent said he will look forward to is attending cricket matches with his family, something he was barred from during the life ban.Vincent thanked NZC and the New Zealand Players Association (NZPA), as well as his lawyer Chris Morris, for providing support and paving the way for his return. Heath Mills, the NZPA CEO, said Vincent had played a big hand in educating players in all sports about the evils of match-fixing, something the CDC had recognised. “The penalties have been particularly hard on Lou and he’s shown a lot of humility in owning his mistakes and setting about making amends,” Mills said. “I’m pleased the authorities have recognised his contribution to the fight against match-fixing and, also, his ongoing efforts to educate players and administrators around the world on anti-corruption.”NZC CEO Scott Weenink said though Vincent had “made a mistake… he’s given a lot to the game, not least in helping spread the anti-corruption message over the past decade, and it’s good and right that he can be more involved again.”

This will be the ninth consecutive edition of the Campeón de Campeones held at Dignity Health Sports Park

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Winner qualifies for the 2025 Campeones CupWill face LA GalaxyBoth moved up their Matchday 2 fixturesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

This Sunday, July 20, América and Toluca will face off in the 2025 Campeón de Campeones, a match that will determine Liga MX’s overall champion. The game is set for 5:30 p.m. local time at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

It’s a quick rematch of the recent Clausura 2025 final, where Toluca defeated América 2-0, ending the capital club’s hopes of a historic four-peat. Now, both teams have the chance to close out the season with another trophy – and a spot in the 2025 Campeones Cup, where they’ll face Major League Soccer’s champion, the LA Galaxy.

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Club América arrive in Carson as the reigning Apertura 2024 champion, while Toluca secured its place by conquering the Clausura 2025. With the Campeón de Campeones title on the line, both sides rescheduled their Matchday 2 fixtures to square off on U.S. soil, adding even more weight to this high-stakes clash.

But there’s more at play than just another trophy. The winner won’t just be recognized as the top team in Mexican football this season – they’ll also earn the right to represent Liga MX in the Campeones Cup final later this year. For América, the game represents a shot at payback after falling to Toluca in the Clausura Final. For , it’s a chance to make another statement under manager Antonio Mohamed and build on their growing momentum.

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

This will be the ninth consecutive edition of the Campeón de Campeones held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. – a city that has become the unofficial home of Mexican football in the United States.

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@ClubAméricaWHAT NEXT FOR CLUB AMÉRICA AND TOLUCA?

América will host Xolos de Tijuana this Wednesday at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, while Toluca will visit Santos Laguna before traveling to Los Angeles for the Campeón de Campeones showdown.

The South African wicketkeeper, who is currently in action in the ILT20, had relocated to the USA in 2021

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jan-2024Andries Gous, the South African wicketkeeper who holds the highest individual score of the 2024 ILT20 season, has declared himself available to play for co-hosts USA in the T20 World Cup in June.Gous, 30, represented South Africa’s Under-19s in 2013 and played domestically for Free State and the Knights. In 2021, he relocated to the USA with his family after signing a long-term deal with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), the company which runs Major League Cricket, and is due to qualify for the national team in April.The USA have not played a men’s T20I since the 2022 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, but have qualified for June’s World Cup automatically as co-hosts with West Indies. They have been placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, Ireland and Canada, against whom they will play the opening match on June 1 in Dallas.”If that opportunity arises, it’s always been a dream of mine to play international cricket, firstly, and secondly, to play at a World Cup,” Gous told MLC Network. “I think that’s every cricketer’s dream, to play at a World Cup: really testing yourself against the best in the world.”Just seeing the pool that USA is in, you’re definitely going to be testing yourself against the best in the world. It will be really awesome to play for USA, if we get the chance. We’ve still got to first make the side, but if the opportunity arises, it’s something that I’ll definitely take with both hands.”Gous represented Washington Freedom in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket and has also earned opportunities with Morrisville Samp Army, who play in the Abu Dhabi T10, and now with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. He hit a match-winning 95 not out off 50 balls on debut against Desert Vipers on Sunday.Corey Anderson, the former New Zealand international, also relocated to the USA and will be eligible to feature in the T20 World Cup. While playing for Hobart Hurricanes last month, he told the Tasmanian newspaper: “If the opportunity comes up, I’ll assess it. But I’m not focused on that at the moment.”

عانى برشلونة مؤخراً من صدمة رحيل المدافع المخضرم إينيجو مارتينيز، الذي كان ركيزة أساسية في تشكيل هانز فليك الموسم الماضي.

وقد يؤثر رحيل مارتينيز على دفاع برشلونة الموسم المقبل، ومع ذلك يستعد النادي لرحيل المزيد من لاعبيه هذا الشهر.

اقرأ أيضاً.. برشلونة يتخذ خطوة مهمة نحو تسجيل الصفقات الجديدة

ويسلط الضوء بشكل خاص على مستقبل هيكتور فورت، حيث لا يبدو أن للاعب الإسباني أي مستقبل في برشلونة على الأقل على المدى القريب.

وقد ارتبط اسم هيكتور فورت بالانتقال على سبيل الإعارة من برشلونة طوال هذا الشهر، ولا يزال هناك عدد من الأندية المهتمة بضمه.

ووفقاً لصحيفة “سبورت” الكتالونية، فإن فورت سيحدد وجهته القادمة بعد مباراة برشلونة الافتتاحية في الدوري الإسباني ضد ريال مايوركا.

وقد تلقى الظهير الشاب عدة عروض منها عروض من أندية منافسة من الدوري الإسباني، وقد تضاءلت فرص مايوركا الذي كان من أبرز المرشحين لضمه بسبب رغبة اللاعب.

وكان فورت صاحب الـ19 عاماً قد تم تصعيده للفريق الأول في الموسم الأخير لتشافي هرنانديز ويتميز بقدراته على اللعب على كلا الجانبين من الملعب.

وقد تراجع دور فورت بشكل حاد تحت قيادة هانز فليك، الذي فضل جول كوندي وإريك جارسيا في مركز الظهير خلال الفترة التحضيرية وحظى الشاب بدقائق لعب محدودة.

India head coach Rahul Dravid has strongly endorsed Rohit Sharma’s leadership and presence within the T20I setup after the side sealed a 3-0 sweep of Afghanistan on Thursday. Having begun the series with two ducks, Rohit struck his fifth T20I century in India’s twin-Super-Over win in Bengaluru.The series marked the return of Rohit and Virat Kohli to T20Is for the first time since the T20 World Cup in 2022. Both had been rested from the format in the interim, with India’s focus in 2023 moving to Tests and ODIs with the year including the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup. With India now preparing for the T20 World Cup in June 2024, both Rohit and Kohli are back in the frame.Related

• The Rohit hundred that brought more relief than elation

• India win epic contest after two Super Overs against Afghanistan

• Dravid on Rohit retiring in Super Over: 'Ashwin-level thinking'

• Bedlam in Bengaluru: The drama of two Super Overs

“Honestly, I think he was brilliant today,” Dravid said of Rohit, while speaking to the host broadcaster. “He has just shown what a class player he can be. We were 22 for 4 at one stage and even when I went in [at drinks] in the 10th over, the talk was always about being positive.”Obviously, you had to protect the game a little bit [at 22 for 4]. You always have the mindset of going out and set the pace of the game, but in games like this, sometimes you have to hold back a little bit. You can’t hold back too much at this ground because you know you need a big score, towards the end, and I thought that level of hitting was incredible.”Dravid was particularly impressed with the carnage Rohit was able to inflict towards the end. Starting the 16th over on 55 off 47 balls, he finished unbeaten on 121 off 69. India posted 212 for 4 – 103 of their runs came in the last five overs, and a record 58 in the last two.”The thing with Rohit is the kind of range that he has, it’s hard to bowl at him when he’s set at the back end,” Dravid said. “You can’t bowl short because he’s really good with the pull, [can’t] bowl up and he’s got a great range as well. It’s really good to have him back, just his presence in the dressing room has been very helpful. Both Virat [Kohli] and him add a lot to this group.”All through India’s run to the 50-over World Cup final in October-November, Dravid was full of praise for Rohit setting the early tempo with the bat. On Thursday, he lauded Rohit for pushing boundaries and bringing in new innovations into his game, like the reverse-sweeps, a shot he isn’t known for but unveiled frequently on Wednesday.”We’ve been chatting about it,” Dravid said of India’s willingness to play some unconventional shots. “We’ve been talking to a lot of our players about opening up square parts of the wicket, looking to use the sweeps and reverse sweeps, and practicing them.Rinku Singh has scored 356 runs in 11 T20I innings at an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 176.23•Associated Press

“It was nice to see that Rohit is again leading from the front in that department as well. Sometimes you play good spin, and Qais Ahmad is one spinner who spun it early on. To counter him, to recognise that going straight [down the ground] to him would have been difficult and using the square part of the boundary was really clever thinking.”Dravid was equally effusive in his praise for Rinku Singh’s ability to adjust to different situations. Having played mostly as a finisher in his short T20I career, Rinku walked in to bat in the sixth over and remained unbeaten on 69 off 39 balls, and finished the innings with sixes off the last three deliveries.Rinku now has 356 runs in 11 T20I innings at an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 176.23.”For someone who is just starting out in international cricket, just the maturity he’s shown, the calmness is terrific,” Dravid said. “We’ve seen him come in at the back end of an innings and finish games off, but today [Wednesday] to see him come in at 22 for 4 in the sixth over and to just build that partnership and show what he can do at the back end, it was very good for us to see that.”When we have these conversations with him, he’s very clear about his skills, what he knows what his strengths are, what he needs to work on and how he’s going to go about constructing his innings.”Rohit shared similar views on Rinku. He was particularly impressed with the batter’s “mindset” and said he had the potential to be the finisher India were looking for going into the T20 World Cup in June.”In the last couple of series he’s played, he’s shown what he can do with the bat. He’s very fearless, keeps himself calm, he’s clear about his game plan and knows his strength petty well,” Rohit said. “He’s coming of age and is doing the job that is expected of him. Every time he gets an opportunity he creates an impression.”Last 10 innings for India, he has done really well and that augurs well for the team going forward. We wanted somebody who could finish off games at the back end and bat with a very clear mindset and Rinku has shown that. The confidence is there in the guy. You saw how he played in the IPL and he’s carrying that through here as well.”

The fifth-wicket pair hammered 58 runs in the last two overs of India’s innings, a new record in T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-2024

18.1: Azmatullah to Rinku Singh, 1 run
Full, outside off, single to deep cover18.2: Azmatullah to Rohit Sharma, SIX runs
RGS into the 90s. An on-pace ball right in his slot. Rohit clears the front leg, and slogs him effortlessly over midwicket. This is meat and drink for himRelated

India win epic contest after two Super Overs against Afghanistan

18.3: Azmatullah to Rohit Sharma, FOUR runs
One short of another hundred. Makes room early, Omarzai goes for the slower short ball, but Rohit manages to beat short fine with the pull. Rolls his wrists on it18.4: Azmatullah to Rohit Sharma, FOUR runs
There it is. A special hundred. A fifth in T20Is. That’s massive. Makes room again, Omarzai tries to slip one wide, but Rohit gets under it and clears the man at point. They came to see Kohli mainly, but Rohit has provided Chinnaswamy a bonus. Incidentally, Kohli also turned around his form with a century against Afghanistan in a dead rubber two years ago. Rohit is not out of form but his T20 numbers haven’t been great last few years. So hopefully this is the start of something special18.5: Azmatullah to Rohit Sharma, 1 run
Misses out on a thigh-high full toss, gets just the single to long-off18.6: Azmatullah to Rinku Singh, SIX runs
Now Rinku brings up his fifty. Omarzai misses the yorker again, and you just can’t bowl slot balls to these batters. Over long-off it goes19.1: Karim Janat to Rohit Sharma, FOUR runs
Rohit predicts a wide ball with the field given to him, shimmies across and laps a wide full toss over square leg for four more19.2: Karim Janat to Rohit Sharma, (no ball) SIX runs
Call the police. Rohit is stealing the show. Juicy full toss. And also a front-foot no-ball. Rohit has sent this into orbit. These balls he can hit eyes closed. especially when he is 108 not out19.2: Karim Janat to Rohit Sharma, SIX runs
Rohit’s highest T20I score now. Short of a length, slower ball, just what you should be doing on this pitch, but Rohit has deposited it over wide long-on for another six19.3: Karim Janat to Rohit Sharma, 1 run
Lands the yorker, Rohit opens the face, but can’t get it past short third19.4: Karim Janat to Rinku Singh, SIX runs
Slower ball, 111ks, but right in the slot. Rinku creates the power with his bat speed in the slog. Clears deep midwicket. Carnage19.5: Karim Janat to Rinku Singh, SIX runs
Absolute mayhem. Janat misses his length again. Another juicy full toss, and Rinku has flicked it ways into the stands. What power in his wrists19.6: Karim Janat to Rinku Singh, SIX runs
36 off the over including five sixes, a four and a no-ball. Rinku has ended it with 6, 6, 6. Janat goes short this time, but he is hitting everything clean now. Manages to clear deep square leg with the pull

AC Milan and Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo will mark his return to football management with a stint at second-tier Emirati club Dubai United.

• Pirlo set to return to management
• Has been appointed head coach of Dubai United
• Aims to guide club to UAE Pro League promotion

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pirlo is set to mark his return to football management less than 11 months after his last job. The legendary midfielder has been announced as the new head coach of UAE's second-tier side United FC, more commonly known as Dubai United. In his last job, he was the coach of Serie B side Sampdoria from July 2023 to August 2024.

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  The Italian manager will be tasked with guiding the Emirati outfit to promotion to the top flight, UAE Pro League, which has been the club's goal since its foundation in 2022. Pirlo will try to put aside the disappointment of his time at Sampdoria, which ended on 29 August 2024 due to his dismissal following the Blucerchiati's poor start to the league season.

  Two years ago, his stay in Turkey at the helm of Fatih Karagumruk ended prematurely with the termination of his contract three games before the end of the Super Lig. His first-ever job was with Juventus in the 2020-21 season.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  "United FC is delighted to officially announce the appointment of Andrea Pirlo as the new head coach of the first team," a press release from the club read.

  "We are proud to welcome Andrea to the United FC family. He embodies the values and ambitions of our club, and we believe he will be a key figure in taking us to the next level," president Ilie Cebanu stated.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ANDREA PIRLO?

  Pirlo is already in Dubai where, in the coming days, he will begin preparations for the new season with the team. The UAE First Division League kicks off on September 19, with Dubai United playing away against Al Thaid the following day.

  .

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to offer €30 million for Galatasaray star Gabriel Sara.

Man Utd eye Galatasaray's SaraPrepared to offer €30mPlayer keen on Premier League moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Turkish publication Aksam, United are prepared to make a move for former Norwich City man Sara. However, their rumoured proposal of €30m (£26m) is €5m short of Galatasaray's valuation of the midfielder.

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Brazilian Sara is said to be keen on a Premier League move, which gives United hope of landing the 26-year-old. However, Galatasaray are 'not keen on a sale' and will not entertain lowball offers for his services. Whether the Red Devils make a move for him remains to be seen.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sara swapped Norwich for the Turkish giants last summer for €18m (£15.6m) on a five-year deal and scored two goals and added 10 assists in 45 games in all competitions last season. The ex-Sao Paulo man also started 41 matches, highlighting his importance to the team.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

United are about to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for an initial £65m ($87.5m), barring any last-minute hitches, so it seems that player sales may need to happen before any new signings can be made ahead of the new season.