Ribery undergoes surgery

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been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order during Saturday s clash between Manchester City and Manchester United, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed.

During the second half of United s 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium, the visitors midfielder Fred appeared to be hit by an object thrown from the crowd as he prepared to take a corner.

Lighters and a plastic bottle could be seen by the corner flag, while television footage seemed to show a supporter making racist gestures in the direction of Brazil international Fred and his team-mate Jesse Lingard.

Shortly after full-time, City released a statement saying they were investigating and threatened to issue life bans to any individual found to have committed racial abuse.

In a s…

Dani Ceballos, currently of Real Madrid, passed through the youth ranks at Real Betis before moving to the Santiago Bernabeu two years ago. As the two clubs met in Madrid for the final matchday of the 2018/19 La Liga season, the midfielder was seen talking to Betis coach Quique Setien, and it has already sparked that Ceballos could be on his way back to his previous club.

Since his arrival at Real, the 22-year-old, who prefers to play in the middle of the park but is capable of roaming behind the striker too, has failed to impress. With the return of Zinedine Zidane to the dugout, his importance to the team has diminished further and he has reportedly been told already to look for another club.

In the past he has been with a big money move to Liverpool, but at the mome…

Julio Gomez produced a stunning acrobatic effort to see Mexico home 3-1 against the United States in the CONCACAF U20 final.

Mexico s 2011 Under-17 World Cup hero was at it again as he broke the deadlock in the 100th minute with a spectacular side volley.

The 18-year-old Pachuca forward came on as a substitute and made it 2-1 before Jorge Espericueta made sure of Mexico s 12th championship with a penalty seven minutes from the end of extra-time.

Jesus Corona opened the scoring for Mexico on four minutes before Benji Joya levelled the scores 10 minutes in.

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Freiburg have signed Germany international Sascha Riether from Fulham for an undisclosed fee.

Riether s departure from Fulham continues something of an exodus at the Craven Cottage club following their relegation from the Premier League.

A Fulham statement released on Thursday said: The club can confirm that defender Sascha Riether has joined Bundesliga side SC Freiburg on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old right-back moved to Fulham on a season-long loan from FC Cologne in early July 2012, with the club taking up an option to acquire the player on a permanent basis the following summer.

Capped twice by Germany, Riether made 72 appearances for Fulham during his two seasons at the club, scoring once in a 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

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Pedri believes that Barcelona completing the LaLiga and Copa del Rey double this season would represent the start of a new era in Spain.

The Blaugrana are nine points clear at the LaLiga summit with 13 matches remaining ahead of Sunday s blockbuster clash with second-placed Real Madrid.

Xavi s side are also a goal to the good in their Copa del Rey semi-final with Los Blancos, who they face in the second leg on April 5.

Pedri, 20, is one of several youngsters to play an instrumental role for Barca this season, scoring six times in 22 appearances with only Robert Lewandowski (15) netting more in the Spanish top flight.

And the midfielder, who will miss the latest Clasico after suffering an injury setback, feels a Barca double would represent a changing of …

Nikola Milenkovic feels Fiorentina have  great ambition after signing a new contract to end transfer speculation over his future.

The Serbia defender on Thursday signed a five-year deal with the Serie A club to remain at Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are among the clubs who have been linked with Milenkovic, but the 24-year-old says he is happy to stay with the Viola.

Talking to the club, I realised there is great ambition, the club is growing continuously, and it was very important for me that the coach was confirmed in his role, he said.

I also thank the fans, who gave me so much affection over the years, especially recently. I feel loved here.

The directors did great work to keep me here and give me th…

Championship strugglers Birmingham City have sacked manager Steve Cotterill.

Saturday s 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest made it five defeats in a row and leaves the club stuck in 22nd in the table two points from safety with 11 matches remaining.

Cotterill replaced Harry Redknapp at St Andrew s in September but won just six games during his tenure, with Birmingham now in serious danger of dropping into the third tier of English football.

The board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Steve, not only for his significant contribution at the conclusion of last season for which we will remain grateful, but also for his genuine efforts, contribution and hard work during his tenure in this 2017/18 campaign, the club said in a statement.

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Gianluigi Buffon admits that nothing would be more beautiful than to win the Champions League for the first time with Juventus.

The 38-year-old goalkeeper has won Serie A, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and UEFA Cup medals during a storied club career, while he also claimed the sport s biggest prize when Italy won the World Cup in 2006.

Success in the Champions League has so far eluded him, however, with Buffon having tasted defeat in the final against AC Milan in 2003 and Barcelona in 2015.

Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri wants to challenge for Europe s top prize in 2016-17 and has overseen huge investment in the squad in the transfer window, with Gonzalo Higuain s €90million move from Napoli the headline deal following the arrivals of Miralem Pjanic, Mar…

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil has pinpointed the Champions League as his main objective for the upcoming season.

The 23-year-old playmaker has become an important part of Real since moving from Werder Bremen in 2010 and has declared his team s desire to emerge victorious in all competitions.

The objective at Madrid is always the same to collect every trophy possible, Oezil told Bild. Both (La Liga and Champions League) are important, but the Champions League is a competition that I have not won yet.

This is my third season at Real Madrid. When I came, few people thought that I could achieve what I have achieved so far. Now that I have won the league and the cup, I m sure the next step is to come.

Winning the league last season has made us even st…

AC Milan have confirmed the signing of defender Cristian Zapata from Villarreal on a permanent basis.

The Colombian impressed on loan at Milan throughout the 2012/13 campaign and the club have decided to activate their option to bring him in on a permanent basis.

AC Milan announce that they have exercised their right buy Cristian Zapata from Villarreal, a statement on the club s official website read.

The Colombian defender s contract will expire on June 30, 2016.

The 26-year-old began his career at Deportivo Cali in his homeland and first made the move to Serie A back in 2005.

He spent six years at Udinese before moving to Villarreal in 2011.

He made 23 league appearances for Milan and had announced that he was desperate to remain at S…