* Promoter cancels ‘due to uncertainty generated in Spain’ * La Liga deeply regrets that this project cannot go ahead La Liga has announced that December’s planned move of Villarreal’s game against Barcelona to Miami has been called off, citing “the uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks”. The controversial move, along with that of a Serie A match between Milan and Como to Australia, was approved “reluctantly” by Uefa at the start of this month. However, the idea has met hostility from fan groups and players. More to follow Continue reading...

McBride is heading back into management in USL after his role as U.S. men's national team general manager

Almost three years after his last game the former Barcelona and Everton player is in Udinese’s gym each weekday morning, refusing to give up The morning light is still sharpening, training its beam through the windows at the far end of the gym. Around the walls, painted black up to halfway, are motivational slogans that have become common currency in training environments. “Go hard or go home,” one of them urges. “Hard work beats talent, when talent chooses not to work hard,” cautions another. Beneath the second of those messages Gerard Deulofeu stands in conversation with Angel Aceña, Udinese’s rehab fitness coach. They are a team now, working towards a goal that never quite stands still. It is 8.30am and, as always, Deulofeu has been here for half an hour. There has been a session on one set of weights and shortly he will cross the room for another, checking a monitor for the latest notes of optimism. There is not another footballer in sight. Continue reading...