HEADLINES
U.S. Soccer Federation releases statement in favor of Ukraine
Arsenal announce financial losses of £107m
Russia suspended from all international & European club football
Antonio Conte claims it will be ‘very hard’ for Tottenham to win FA Cup
Jesse Marsch: Leeds appoint new manager until 2025
Rigobert Song has been appointed the new head coach of Cameroon
Buffon signals intent to play on until he is 46 with new Parma deal
Ralf Rangnick losing patience with Cristiano Ronaldo
Chelsea’s Abramovich ‘trying to help’ in Ukraine-Russia conflict
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea ‘set £50m price tag’ amid Newcastle interest
Pedri: I was ‘sh*tting myself’ during nutmeg
FA contact Elliott over flare celebration
Everton demand PL apology after Rodri handball debacle
Pep: Zinchenko will play in FA Cup amid Ukraine crisis
Schalke terminate partnership with Russian energy giant Gazprom
GERMAN PAPERS
FIFA and UEFA have confirmed that Russian clubs and national teams have been suspended from all competitions. Russia excluded from 2022 World Cup in Qatar – decision taken jointly by UEFA & FIFA in an emergency meeting yesterday.
Russia are considering appealing UEFA and FIFA’s decision to ban them and their teams from all competitions. “The Russian Football Union categorically disagrees with the decision of FIFA and UEFA. We believe that this decision is contrary to the norms and principles of international competition. It is obviously discriminatory.”
UEFA has also decided to end its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions. The decision is effective immediately and covers all existing agreements including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA EURO 2024.
After Russia’s suspension from football, Spartak Moscow are now disqualified from the Europa League with their round-of-16 opponents RB Leipzig advancing into the quarterfinals.
Poland is set to get automatic World Cup qualifying playoff final against Sweden or Czech Republic after FIFA suspension of Russia from all football competitions.
SPANISH PAPERS
Barcelona star Pedri says the club’s new signings, including Pierre-Emeirck Aubameyag, are playing a big role in his side’s recovery.
Barcelona have practically reached an agreement to sign Franck Kessié on a free transfer in the summer.
Jules Koundé’s agent recently met Real Madrid and Barcelona. Both Spanish clubs will compete with Chelsea for his signing.
The economic and political agreements between France & Qatar ‘forces’ President Macron to push for Kylian Mbappé’s renewal. PSG believe that they still have options to convince him.
David Alaba is very uncertain to play for Real Madrid in the Champions League return match against PSGm
Sergio Ramos expected to resume PSG training this week. He could play against Real Madrid on 9th March.
ITALIAN PAPERS
Gianluigi Buffon feels as young as ever after renewing his contract with Parma, with his new deal set to expire when he’ll be 46.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi says ‘strength, determination and motivation’ will make the difference in today’s Coppa Italia derby against Milan.
Salernitana announce Franck Ribery will ‘rest for a few days’ after being involved in a car accident last night.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s agent has reportedly denied Barcelona‘s interest in signing the Napoli star, while the Partenopei have begun contract extension talks with their defender.
Andre Onana prepares to be announced as a new Inter player: ‘My time at Ajax is over.’
Barcelona are reportedly a step closer to signing Milan midfielder Franck Kessie on a free transfer.
Juventus confirm Denis Zakaria will remain out of action for approximately 20 days because of a thigh injury.
According to Rai Sport, Napoli star Victor Osimhen is Manchester United’s main target to replace Cristiano Ronaldo next season, but Napoli want at least €100m for their striker.
BRITISH EXPRESS
FOOTBALL LONDON
Arsenal have announced losses of £107m for the 2021/21 season, with Covid-19 blowing a major hole in their club finances.
Chelsea could sell goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga if they receive a bid in the region of £50m.
Chelsea trustees are considering resigning as Roman Abramovich’s hand-over plan descends into chaos.
Roman Abramovich is in Belarus to assist in Ukraine-Russia negotiations. Alexander Rodnyansky, an Oscar-nominated producer born in Kyiv, says Zelensky( Ukraine President) staff reached out and requested help and ‘Abramovich decided to help.’
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
Pep Guardiola has told Jack Grealish to ignore public opinion as Manchester City’s £100million record signing gears up for his comeback.
Ralf Rangnick has major doubts about the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line for Manchester United next season.
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United face at least another two seasons in the wilderness before they can compete for major titles such as the Premier League and Champions League.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed Oleksandr Zinchenko will play in Tuesday night’s FA Cup tie at Peterborough.
LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Jamie Redknapp on Kepa Arrizabalaga: “Mendy is a better goalkeeper. How could you say that you wouldn’t win with Mendy in goal? I think it’s nonsense and it’s shown to be nonsense. Mendy is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but instead you put Kepa in.”
West Ham’s Ukrainian striker Andriy Yarmolenko has reportedly made a huge £75,000 donation to his country’s Armed Forces in the wake of Russia’s invasion.
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has his assets frozen in England and is hit with a travel ban by the EU as part of sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine reports 352 civilian deaths since the start of the invasion, including 14 children. The UN puts the civilian toll at 102, including seven children.
Leeds United have appointed Jesse Marsch as their new manager on a deal until June 2025.
DAILY MIRROR
Jamie Vardy will make his long-awaited Leicester return against Burnley in the Premier League on Tuesday, with Brendan Rodgers admitting his side have missed the striker’s leadership.
Real Madrid are keen to finalise a deal to sign France forward Kylian Mbappe from PSG before they pursue other transfer targets or offer contract extensions to current players.
Arsenal target Jonathan David is determined to leave Lille this summer, handing the Gunners the perfect incentive to strike a deal for the Canada international forward at the end of the season.
Juventus are also hopeful of keeping Spain striker Alvaro Morata at the club beyond his current loan spell from Atletico Madrid.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United are not prepared to pay £100m to sign 23-year-old Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli.
Premier League referees have been told to allow players to show support for Ukraine without receiving yellow cards following Matty Cash’s controversial booking on Saturday.
Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder faces Antonio Conte in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday and admitted he once accused the Spurs manager of stealing his tactics.
Tennis star Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has spoken out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as she insisted she is not afraid to state her position.
LIVERPOOL ECHO
The FA has written to Harvey Elliott for his observations after he was seen handling a red smoke flare at the Carabao Cup final yesterday. He could be fined by the FA
