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Living legend Lionel Messi has opened up on the "break" in his relationship with the Paris Saint-Germain fanbase during his two-year spell with the club.

Why was Messi's relationship with PSG fans bad?

Earlier this summer, it was revealed that the Argentinian would be leaving Europe and heading to MLS to play for David Beckham's Inter Miami franchise.

And so, Messi left Paris having just helped his side win Ligue 1 for the second time since his arrival. He also scored 32 goals and provided 35 assists in 75 games during his time with PSG.

Despite this success, it appeared that he didn't always have the best relationship with the club's supporters, who had hoped he would deliver a first Champions League title to the club.

Shortly before he left, he was also criticised for going on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. All this meant he was booed during his final appearance for the club.

And speaking in an interview with Bein Sports, he accepted that he initially struggled to adapt to life in a new environment, and eventually, his relationship with the fans broke down.

He said (via Marca): "The truth is that it was a very difficult adaptation, much more than I expected. Beyond the fact that [I] had known people in the dressing room and had a relationship with them, adapting to a new change. I arrived late, I didn't have pre-season. I had to adapt to a difficult new city for my family and for me… It was complicated."

He added: "Afterwards, people began to treat me differently. A part of the PSG public, the rest and the majority continued to treat me as at the beginning, but there was a break with the PSG fans.

"It was not my… I don't intend to generate that break. It also happened with Neymar or Mbappe previously. I'll stay with all the people who did respect me as I always respected everyone since I arrived and it was an anecdote."

Why did Messi join PSG?

Messi left Barcelona in 2021 due to "financial and structural obstacles", ending a 21-year association with the Spanish club.

He departed a legend, having made 778 appearances for Barca, scoring 672 goals, including 120 Champions League goals, and a record 474 La Liga goals.

At the time, PSG were one of the few clubs who could afford his wages and in this same recent interview, Messi explained why he opted for Paris.

He said: "I came to Paris because I liked the club, because I had friends and a lot of people I knew in the dressing room, teammates or some I had already had [met]…

"It's a much easier adaptation than in other teams that I could have gone to, so that's why I decided to go to the club."

Despite his domestic success, you could say the move didn't really work out, and he will no doubt hope to have a better relationship with his new Inter Miami supporters.

Monty Panesar has been recruited by Cricket Australia as a spin-bowling consultant for their tour of India next month, after spending his winter as a club cricketer in Sydney

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2017

Monty Panesar has been recruited by Cricket Australia as a spin-bowling consultant for their tour of India next month, after spending his winter as a club cricketer in Sydney.Panesar, 34, played an integral role in England’s memorable series win in India in 2012-13, claiming 17 wickets with his left-arm spin in the final three Tests to help engineer a come-from-behind triumph.However, he made the last of his 50 Test appearances at Melbourne during the 2013-14 Ashes, and was not considered for selection for England’s recent 4-0 defeat in India, despite making a return to first-class cricket for Northamptonshire last summer following a spate of well-documented personal issues.Panesar’s recruitment to Australia’s ranks came at the behest of Pat Howard, Cricket Australia’s high performance manager, whose team were whitewashed 4-0 on their last tour to India four years ago, and recently succumbed to a 3-0 loss in similarly spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka.According to the Australian, Panesar will travel to the Centre of Excellence this week to work with left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, as well as Matt Renshaw, the opening batsman who was cleared of concussion on Sunday, following the incident that led to his withdrawal from action during the third Test against Pakistan.”Having Monty come up is a nice way to kickstart the squad’s thinking about playing in India,” Howard told the newspaper. “We want the batsmen to be thinking about what the bowlers will be trying to do to them over there and Monty can engage them that way as well as with the bowlers.”Phil Jaques will run the sessions with Matt, Monty and SOK, Phil has some nice ideas about how to challenge the batsmen,” Howard added. “In Australia we love big turners, but the successful bowlers like [Rangana] Herath and [Ravi] Ashwin are more likely to get you lbw or bowled than any other way, their accuracy and their length is absolutely outstanding.”Panesar was one of nine wickets for O’Keefe during their ongoing Grade match between Manly and Campbelltown Camden at the weekend.”He was brilliant on the weekend and must think cricket is an easy game after taking 9 for 54,” Panesar said.

علق ديلان كير المدير الفني الأسبق لنادي سيمبا، على مواجهة النادي الأهلي في دور الثمانية من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال كير في حديث لقناة النادي الأهلي: “سيمبا التنزاني يمتلك قاعدة جماهيرية مجنونة، كما هو حال الأهلي في مصر يحبون النادي بشكل كبير، يمكن أن نقول هما أكبر ناديين في مصر وتنزانيا، لديهما قاعدة جماهيرية كبيرة”.

وأكمل: “سيمبا يؤدي بشكل رائع في دوري أبطال إفريقيا، ستكون أجواء صعبة للأهلي إذا لعب أمام سيمبا في تنزانيا، لديهم عقلية جنونية بالنسبة لناديهم، وحينما يأتي سيمبا إلى مصر الأمور ستكون أكثر جنونية بالنسبة للجماهير المصرية”.

وأضاف: “الكرة المصرية لديها لاعبون جيدون وأيضًا مدربون لديهم خبرات جيدة، ويقاتلون كأنهم في معركة، وينقلون المباراة إلى مستوى رائع، لاحظت الكثير من الأندية الجنوب إفريقية تعلمت ذلك وتحسنت، وأصبحت منافسة لفرق كبيرة مثل الأهلي، صن داونز هو رقم واحد في جنوب إفريقيا وقد أثبت أنه يستطيع التغلب على الأهلي بقراءة هذه الطريقة”.

وختم حديثه: “المباراة على أرض سيمبا ستكون صعبة، والأهلي سيكون جاهزًا بشخصيته، واستطاع أن يسيطر على الكرة في إفريقيا ويثبت أفضليته على أندية جنوب إفريقيا وهي الأقوى في القارة الآن”.

إقرأ أيضًا..موعد مباراة الأهلي وسيمبا التنزاني في دور ربع النهائي ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وكان لاعبو النادي الأهلي تحصلوا على إجازة لمدة أسبوع بقرار من قبل السويسري مارسيل كولر في فترة التوقف الحالية.

ويلعب النادي الأهلي أمام سيمبا التنزاني يوم 29 مارس الحالي الموافق يوم الجمعة، في تنزانيا، على أن تقام مباراة العودة في القاهرة يوم 5 أبريل المقبل وذلك في دور الثمانية من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

الأهلي كان قد تأهل إلى دور ربع النهائي لـ دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعدما تصدر المجموعة الرابعة في دور المجموعات برصيد 12 نقطة من الفوز في 3 مباريات والتعادل في مثلهما.

بينما فريق سيمبا تأهل في المركز الثاني للمجموعة الثانية في دوري أبطال إفريقيا برصيد 9 نقاط من الفوز في مواجهتين والتعادل في 3 وخسر في لقاء وحيد.

يذكر أن الأهلي هو صاحب الرقم القياسي في التتويج ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا حيث فاز باللقب 11 مرة وكان آخرها نسخة العام الماضي على حساب الوداد المغربي.

Tottenham Hotspur could sign centre-backs Edmond Tapsoba and Micky van de Ven this summer, according to Alasdair Gold.

What's the latest on Tottenham's transfers?

Having recently made two new additions to their squad this summer in the form of Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison, attention has shifted to bolstering the centre of Spurs' defence.

Ange Postecoglou will be keen to improve a backline that conceded 63 Premier League goals last season and will have to explore the transfer market to make that happen.

Tottenham have been strongly linked with a number of defenders, but the most concrete of those surround Bundesliga pair Tapsoba and Van de Ven of Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg respectively.

According to Alasdair Gold, both centre-backs are appreciated by Spurs' hierarchy, and the journalist believes that there is a possibility of both of them arriving in north London.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Gold stated: "Obviously defence has to be dealt with now. The feeling that I get is that Edmond Tapsoba is the main target, as the top target at centre-back."

"But, you know, there's two ways of looking at this. There is one aspect of, a little bit like David Raya and Vicario himself, that if they can't get the price down on Tapsoba, then Micky van de Ven is a very, very good young centre-back on the market, the Wolfsburg defender. So, you could say if they can't get him [Tapsoba], they turn to him [Van de Ven]."

He added: "Depending on the departures at Spurs, there's no reason really, if they were able to make sure to get players out the door, of going for both."

Gold went on to reiterate that Tapsoba is indeed Spurs' "top target" but a deal may hinge on the potential transfer fee of the 24-year-old. He suggests that he has heard the Burkina Faso international valued at £25m, but also at a much larger figure, creating an element of uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Van de Ven has been valued closer to the £26m mark, making him a much cheaper alternative should Tapsoba's fee rise closer to £50m.

Spurs would need to move on several defenders to make all of this possible, with Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez already linked with moves away.

Would they improve Spurs?

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that Tapsoba would significantly improve Spurs but Van de Ven remains a slightly more unknown quantity.

While the Dutchman was just dumped out of the U21 Euros at the group stage, the 22-year-old still put in a respectable performance at the tournament. He has also been repeatedly praised for his Bundesliga performances this term.

One of the key attributes Van de Ven possesses is his ability on the ball. Compared to centre-backs in Europe's top-five leagues, the Champions League and the Europa League last season, the Wolfsburg man showcased his quality in possession.

He has a solid average of 87.7% pass accuracy, putting him in the top 27% of centre-backs, while he was also in the top 10% for progressive carries, carries into the final third and successful take-ons, highlighting his ability to step out of defence when required.

The former Volendam man also boasts tremendous pace, as has been shown in a widely-circulated clip on social media.

The ECB could be about to lose one of the key architects of their new T20 competition more than two years before it is launched

George Dobell20-Feb-2017

The ECB could be about to lose one of the key architects of their new T20 competition more than two years before it is launched.ESPNcricinfo understands that Gordon Hollins, the ECB’s chief operating officer, has been shortlisted for the role of chief executive at MCC. Derek Brewer, the current MCC chief executive, has already announced his intention to retire at the start of 2018.Hollins has been with the ECB since 2007. In that time, he has performed the role of Head of Venue Partnerships (2007-2012), Managing Director – Professional Game (2012-14) and, since 2014, the COO role which gives him responsibility for professional and recreational cricket in England and Wales.In those roles, he has been heavily involved in the major match allocation process as well as the Morgan Report (2011-12), which saw the revival of 50-over cricket, the re-scheduling of T20 cricket on an ‘appointment to view’ basis and recommended a cut to the County Championship programme. Before joining the ECB, he was commercial director at Durham CCC.Often acting as the bridge between the ECB executive and the counties, it was noticeable that the relationship between them deteriorated sharply during a period when Hollins was absent due to ill health. Now fully recovered, he has been heavily involved in thrashing out something approaching an agreement between the ECB executive and the counties over the introduction of the new T20 competition in 2020.With his experience across the game and his relationships with those in power at the ECB, the attraction of Hollins to MCC is not surprising. Concerned at the prospect of losing one of the two Tests they currently host most years, MCC seem increasingly keen on being at the forefront of the new domestic T20 competition.Others favoured for the MCC role are understood to be John Stephenson, who is currently head of cricket at the MCC, and Guy Lavender, who is currently chief executive at Somerset CCC.

تحدث وليد الركراكي، المدير الفني لمنتخب المغرب، عن اللاعب إبراهيم دياز وتفضيله الانضمام إلى أسود الأطلس بدلًا من إسبانيا، وإمكانية مشاركته في أولمبياد باريس 2024.

وقال الركراكي في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي إن سبورتس” في نسختها الإنجليزية: “لقد أعطانا كلمته ولم يكذب، لقد أوفى بوعده عندما كان يلعب مع ميلان”.

وأكد الركراكري أن الأمر لم يتعلق بما إذا كان دياز قد وافق على اللعب لـ المغرب أم لا، بل تتعلق بالتوقيت، حيث اختار اللعب مع المنتخب العربي في وقت صعب.

وأضاف: “رغم أن إسبانيا استدعته، إلا أنه اختار اللعب للمغرب، من دواعي سروري أن يكون هناك لاعب من ريال مدريد في المنتخب الوطني”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مبابي يراوغ بشأن مستقبله مع باريس سان جيرمان ويعلق على إمكانية مشاركته في أولمبياد 2024

وواصل: “في المغرب، نحن سعداء للغاية بوجود لاعب مثل إبراهيم، ونحن على يقين من أنه سيقدم أشياءً عظيمة لمنتخبنا الوطني”.

وعن إمكانية مشاركة دياز في الأولمبياد، أجاب: “إذا كان مدرب المغرب تحت 23 عامًا يريد إبراهيم أو لاعبًا آخر مثل أشرف حكيمي، فسندعمه ليحظى ببطولة أولمبية جيدة”.

واختتم: “سيعتمد الأمر أيضًا على النادي لأنه ليس موعدًا للفيفا، ولكن إذا كان المدرب يريده وريال مدريد يسمح بذلك، سنكون سعداء برؤيته في الألعاب الأولمبية”.

An update has emerged on Sunderland and their plans to bolster Tony Mowbray's attacking options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…

What’s the latest on Sonny Perkins to Sunderland?

According to TEAMtalk, the Black Cats are one of a number of teams eyeing up a swoop to sign Leeds United striker Sonny Perkins on loan this summer.

The report claims that fellow Championship sides Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers are keen on landing the teenage talent’s signature.

It states that the Whites are prepared to sanction a temporary exit for the centre-forward and are willing to send him to another team in the division, with Kristjaan Speakman now pursuing his services.

Where would Sonny Perkins fit in at Sunderland?

The 19-year-old gem is a versatile player that could be deployed in a multitude of roles across the frontline for Mowbray next season.

He could, however, feature alongside current Black Cats marksman Ross Stewart to play a part in making the Scotland international unplayable.

The 26-year-old finisher enjoyed an immense partnership with former loanee Ellis Simms as a strike partnership at the start of the 2022/23 campaign, which showcased his potential as part of an attacking duo.

Stewart plundered a stunning five goals and three assists in six Championship starts alongside Simms in August of last year. He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.65 across those matches, which is higher than Ryan Manning’s league-leading average rating of 7.46 last term.

This suggests that the former Ross County star was one of the best performers in the division, if not the best, whilst playing next to another striker.

Therefore, Perkins could get the best out of Stewart as the Leeds prodigy, who can also play out wide or in midfield, has shown immense potential at youth level.

The £1.6k-per-week prospect scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 18 Premier League 2 matches last term, while the hotshot also managed 12 strikes in 21 league outings for West Ham's U21s in 2021/22.

His former youth boss Michael Skubala once described him as a "goal machine" and the exciting teenager's statistics back that up, with more than a goal every other game over the last two seasons.

This suggests that the potential is there for Perkins to be a prolific forward option for Sunderland, albeit he is yet to prove that at senior level, which could make him the ideal player to slot in alongside Stewart.

As was the case with Simms, who scored seven goals in 14 league starts for the club, opposition defenders would have another number nine to deal with and would not be able to focus all of their attention on the Scotland international, which could then open up the space for the exceptional striker to return to the unplayable form he displayed last year.

The Islamabad United captain expressed his disappointment after two of his players were provisionally suspended for alleged breaches of the PCB’s anti-corruption code

Umar Farooq in Sharjah18-Feb-2017

Misbah-ul-Haq, who did so much to steer Pakistan away from the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, has spoken of his disappointment at having to face up to another case of corruption in Pakistan cricket. Six years ago, Misbah took over a Test side gutted by the sudden loss of its captain and opener, Salman Butt, as well as its new-ball pair of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. This time, he was already captain of the Islamabad United side from which Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were chargedfor alleged breaches of the PCB’s anti-corruption code.”Nobody wants Pakistan and Pakistani players to be associated with fixing again,” Misbah told ESPNcricinfo. “After six years of hard work such things happening again is a matter of great concern and disappointment. I am really disappointed. But, I think whenever such things happen, you have got to be very strong to face them. Forget about the individuals who are responsible and try to make sure that things are not happening again; move forward, try to perform better, try to be disciplined and improve the reputation around the world.”This latest case, during the ongoing Pakistan Super League, has come as the Lord’s trio stands all but reintegrated into the Pakistan system. Misbah has captained Amir at the international level through the course of 2016, while Butt and Asif are back playing domestic cricket. ESPNcricinfo understands Butt is also in contention to make the national squad for the tour of the West Indies in March. But given what has happened in the PSL, the PCB could be forced to rethink that situation.Frustratingly for the Pakistan board, the latest incident has come after six years of concerted effort to tighten its anti-corruption code and practices. Men’s and women’s teams, at all levels, are given lectures before any tour or series, emphasising the dangers of corruption, as well as the ways in which approaches might occur. Players are given literature in Urdu as well. At the domestic level, apart from the regular programme, Amir, Asif and Butt gave anti-corruption lectures in which they spoke about their experiences.The alleged incidents of corruption in the PSL have come as big blow for the PCB, which had taken great steps to stamp it out of Pakistan cricket•PCB

Both Sharjeel and Latif are Pakistan internationals. Sharjeel, especially, was on the verge of becoming a vital cog in the national side. He has played 25 ODIs and 15 T20Is since his debut in December 2013, and over the last year or so, blossomed into the kind of opener Pakistan needed, especially in limited-overs cricket. He was one of the few bright spots in Pakistan’s chastening tour of Australia recently, from the time he made his Test debut in Sydney to his three fifties in the ODI series. Potentially, under the PCB’s anti-corruption code, he could be facing a life ban.Losing Sharjeel and Latif, along with Andre Russell before the season began for an anti-doping code violation, has hit Islamabad hard as they try to defend their title. At the halfway stage of the PSL, they have two wins and two losses.”It obviously affects you when your match-winners and best players go down, but then, there are other boys on the bench raring to go in, and they are equally good,” Misbah said. “There are tough situations, but it’s about the environment and the winning habit so that it doesn’t matter who comes and goes. The boys take inspiration from every win. They are building up, they are getting the confidence, and with couple of victories, we have a way forward in this PSL. They know their roles, they are always ready to chip in and win us games. Our squad is capable enough to retain the title this year.”Islamabad retained their 17 players this season. The core of their side, however, is an aging one, with several of them over 35 years old. But for Misbah, that is an asset.”Philosophy is just to have players who have better understanding about the game,” he said. “Players who are fit for the game, know their roles, handle pressure very well, and if there are younger players around, then they have good chance in making in our squad as well. It’s not deliberate, but this is actually helping us because we have players from around the world who are mature and experienced in this format. This is actually an advantage for us in many ways as we have players who are mentally strong.”

Dane Piedt is awaiting approval of his visa and is expected to join the group this weekend, with a view to be considered for the third Test in Hamilton starting March 25

Firdose Moonda in Wellington14-Mar-20170:51

Piedt gets SA Test call-up after six months

Offspinner Dane Piedt has been called up to South Africa’s Test squad as an additional spin option. Piedt is awaiting approval of his visa and is expected to join the group this weekend, with a view to be considered for the third Test in Hamilton starting March 25.Piedt has been preferred to Tabraiz Shamsi, who was taken on South Africa’s Test tour to Australia and played in the day-night Test in Adelaide, and Imran Tahir, who has not played a Test since 2015.Piedt’s last Test was also against New Zealand in August 2016, after which he was dropped for Keshav Maharaj, the lone specialist spinner in the squad currently. Maharaj was preferred for his ability to control the run-rate and took his maiden five-for in Dunedin, but is expected to need assistance on slower, turning surfaces.Piedt’s inclusion will take the number in South Africa’s touring party to 17, after they included six pace options in anticipation of seamer-friendly conditions. Faf du Plessis admitted they have been surprised to find that is not the case, but have quickly adjusted to assuming New Zealand will look to play two specialist spinners as much as possible. As a result, South Africa are considering doing the same at Seddon Park in Hamilton, the venue that offered considerable turn during the ODIs.For Piedt, the chance to play again comes at the end of a challenging season, during which he considered seeking out a Kolpak deal in the midst of drama at his domestic franchise, the Cobras. The franchise changed coaches mid-season following a long-running battle between the players and Paul Adams, who had been in charge for five seasons.Adams was offered contract renewal despite facing a mutiny after a majority of contracted players launched a formal grievance against him. The players took their case to the country’s highest dispute resolution body, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and won the right to strike but never followed through on the threats. Instead, several senior players were sent on loan to other teams. Piedt was among them, and went to the Titans for the domestic twenty-over campaign, but only played two matches.However, when Ashwell Prince was appointed coach after Adams stood down at the end of 2016, Piedt was asked to captain the side, a role he accepted. He shelved his ambitions to seek opportunities elsewhere and committed himself to turning the franchise’s fortunes around.Remarkably, they rose from the bottom of the first-class points’ table to be in contention for the title on the final weekend. Although they did not lift the trophy, they had redeemed themselves. Piedt took 28 wickets in the campaign to finish eighth overall and of those, 17 came in the second half of the season.

Everton keeping Bill Kenwright on the board is only a "temporary measure", Paul Brown told FootballFanCast.

The club announced three weeks ago that Chief Executive Officer Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer Grant Ingles and Non-Executive director Graeme Sharp had left their roles.

What is the latest news regarding Bill Kenwright?

Everton had an abysmal season on the pitch last campaign, surviving relegation on the last day of the season thanks to a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park against Bournemouth.

Off the pitch, it was a tumultuous season with many Evertonians voicing their displeasure towards those in power about the situation the club was in throughout the previous two seasons. A number of fan groups including the All Together Now group staged protests throughout the season with the aim of the "removal of the Everton board", with the most notable run being nine straight protests pre-match before the club's final nine home games of the season.

Whilst for the most part, the protests were peaceful, a dark moment came when the Everton board of directors were forced to not attend the clubs home defeat to Southampton due to what the club described as "A real and credible threat to their safety."

Following the conclusion of the season, the Toffees announced the departures of three board members, however, Kenwright was convinced to stay on as the club's chairman by owner Farhad Moshiri. In a statement, Moshiri revealed that he had asked the 77-year-old to remain in his role to help the club in this "transition period".

Everton have since replaced the outgoing directors with interim roles instead, suggesting that the board of directors is due for another overhaul.

What has Paul Brown said regarding Bill Kenwright's future at Everton?

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Brown stated that Everton fans who are disappointed with the news shouldn't get frustrated just yet, as the move is only a temporary one, and Kenwright could still leave in the future.

The journalist said: "I don't think this is anything more than a temporary measure really, and the fans shouldn't be too frustrated with it. Because this is not the end game, yet. We haven't seen the end game for Everton yet."

What is the endgame for the Everton board?

Ultimately, the endgame for the club is to finalise their permanent new-look board, and they are closing in on achieving that goal, with Kenwright's future by no means safe.

Owner Moshiri has pressed ahead in his search for fresh investment within the club as he looks for help in financing the clubs new £760m stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock, and seems to have found his investor after a long search period.

US-based MSP Sports Capital entered exclusivity talks with the former Arsenal investor last month, and should an agreement be reached, MSP are expected to take a number of seats on Everton's permanent new-look board.

That could be the final piece that the club are waiting for before letting Kenwright go, and giving many disgruntled Everton fans what they are after.