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ألقى رئيس برشلونة، خوان لابورتا، كلمة مطولة منذ قليل خلال تواجده في مسرح لوسيو للاحتفال بالذكرى الـ125 لتأسيس النادي الإسباني.

وشهد الحفل تواجد لاعبي فريق برشلونة، إلى جانب أبرز نجومه السابقين على رأسهم جيرارد بيكيه، ومدربه السابق تشافي هيرنانديز، وآخرين.

وقال خوان لابورتا، في كلمته التي نشرتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “شكرًا لك الرئيس جامبر، نيابة عن جميع مشجعي برشلونة، شكرًا لك على الترويج لأفضل نادٍ في العالم منذ 125 عامًا في مثل هذا اليوم، أوافق على ذلك، برشلونة يجعل الأحلام تصبح حقيقة، الآن أصبح الحلم حلمًا جديدًا، ملعب يتسع لأكثر من 100 ألف متفرج، سيكون أفضل ملعب في القارات الخمس”.

وأضاف: “مرحبًا بكم في حفل الذكرى الـ 125، اليوم هو يوم عاطفي وتاريخي، إنه نادٍ فريد من نوعه، أكثر من مجرد نادِ، عندما أسس جامبر وزملاؤه الـ11 نادي برشلونة، أنا متأكد من أنهم رأوا كيف ستسير الأمور بعد ذلك، طوال السنوات اللاحقة، لقد رأوا ساميتييه وألكانتارا، برشلونة الثلاثينيات الذين دافعوا عن النادي بحياتهم خلال الحرب”.

وواصل: “من المؤكد أنهم رأوا هدف لويسيتو سواريز وإيفاريستو الذي أضاء الكامب نو، من المؤكد أنهم رأوا السنوات الصعبة التي نشأ فيها النادي، لقد رأوا بالتأكيد برشلونة يوهان كرويف، مع سوتيل وسادورني، لقد رأوا بالتأكيد تلك البطولة بعد 14 عامًا”.

وشدد: “لقد رأوا كذلك فترة الثمانينيات، ثم جاء فريق الأحلام بقيادة يوهان مع هذا الفريق بأكمله، كان هناك لاعب قادنا إلى المجد في ويمبلي، رونالد كومان”.

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واسترسل: “ثم جاء آخرون مثل سيرجي، روماريو، رونالدو، ريفالدو، كلويفرت، سافيولا، ومن المؤكد أن أصحاب الرؤى بعد ذلك رأوا ابتسامة رونالدينيو وتوجيهات ريكارد مع اللاعبين الأسطوريين الذين أخذونا إلى باريس، لقد فزنا بهدف إيتو، الذي كان يفتتح التسجيل دائمًا، وكان هناك ديكو وتشافي وإنييستا وبويول، لقد كان فريقًا رائعًا وسجل بيليتي هذا الهدف”.

وتابع: “ثم فزنا بالكؤوس الستة مع جوارديولا، ذلك الفريق الأسطوري وكان هناك لاعب هو أفضل لاعب في تاريخ كرة القدم، ليونيل ميسي، اللاعب الأكثر حسمًا في تاريخ برشلونة، ثم جاء عصر لاعبين مثل نيمار، سواريز، ألبا، راكيتيتش، تحت قيادة لويس إنريكي، الذي أرسل لنا مقطع فيديو حنونًا للغاية”.

واستكمل: “في اللحظات الأكثر أهمية، جاء تشافي وفزنا بالدوري وكأس السوبر، لقد أعاد لنا الأمل من جديد الأمل أصبح حقيقة، أود أن أشكر فليك وجميع لاعبي الفريق الأول على حضورهم، لقد جلبتم الفرحة إلى برشلونة، نحن الكوليز (مشجعي برشلونة) نحلم مرة أخرى، شكرًا لكم من أعماق قلبي”.

وتُعد تلك هي المرة الأولى التي يجتمع فيها لابورتا وتشافي في مكان واحد بعد توتر العلاقة بينهما قبل الإطاحة بالمدرب من منصبه، نهاية الموسم الماضي.

واستأنف: “أنا متأكد من أن أصحاب الرؤى رأوا سحر كرة السلة وكرة اليد وكرة القدم داخل الصالات والهوكي، أنا متأكد من أن أصحاب الرؤى رأوا أن برشلونة سيكون لديه أفضل فريق نسائي في العالم، فريق يضم أليكسيا وأيتانا مع جائزتي الكرة الذهبية، لقد لمسنا السماء بسببهما، لا أريد أن أنسى الرياضة للهواة، إنهم يجعلوننا أفضل نادي رياضي في العالم، أيضًا الأساطير، الذين يمتلكون الموهبة في أحذيتهم، أنتم تجعلوننا فخورين، على أرض الملعب أو على المسرح هنا، لقد صنعتم تاريخًا لا يُنسى”.

وجعل التأثر، خوان لابورتا، يبكي لبرهة قبل أن يسترسل: “برشلونة نادي ذو قيم ومبادئ، وهو يمثل أيضًا كتالونيا وبرشلونة، الطبيعة الكتالونية لبرشلونة جعلت منه مرجعًا، لا يزال شيئًا مستمرًا، إنه أمر طبيعي، إنه يمنحنا جذورًا عميقة، وأسسًا تحول النادي إلى مرجع اجتماعي، إن هوية برشلونة وكتالونيا مفهومة من قبل الجميع، ولكن هناك ظاهرة قبول الهوية أيضًا”.

واختتم: “طريقة تفكير جميع المشجعين في العالم، إنه أمر مثير للغاية أن أرى مشاعر مشجعي برشلونة من كل ركن من أركان إسبانيا، كرئيس لبرشلونة، لا يسعني إلا أن أعبر عن إعجابي الكبير لأنه بفضلكم يبلغ عمر برشلونة 125 عامًا من التاريخ”.

Whilst the majority of Rangers' focus is transfixed on one of the most dramatic Scottish Premiership title races of the last 10 years, they look increasingly likely to green-light a sale in the summer transfer window.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers' late 3-3 draw against Old Firm rivals Celtic was as dramatic as it could have been to ensure that the title is still in their hands as we approach the finish line this season. Now, as things stand, Rangers sit one point adrift of Celtic with one game in hand with potentially even more twists and turns to come.

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Whilst the action takes place at Ibrox, however, those in Glasgow have already turned their attention towards Philippe Clement's first summer transfer window in charge. Already, the Gers have been linked with a permanent move for Fabio Silva, who is currently on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and a similar deal for Oscar Cortes. Both players have impressed on loan and a permanent move would be more than deserved this summer.

Alas, even if Rangers win the Scottish Premiership this season, departures may also be in the headlines, which could include a player who only arrived last summer.

According to journalist Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Rangers are ready to sell Sam Lammers at a "huge" loss this summer amid interest from current loan club FC Utrecht. This comes after recent reports indicated that the Scottish giants are ready to accept offers for the forward who only arrived last summer for £3.5m from Atalanta.

Set to suffer a loss, Rangers will more than likely look back on their deal for Lammers as one to forget and perhaps one that will forever sum up the Gers' failure under Michael Beale. Starting fresh ever since with Clement, the former AS Monaco boss is clearly in a ruthless mood.

"Superb" Lammers needs permanent exit

It's a shame that things just haven't worked out for Lammers at Rangers. The 26-year-old arrived with plenty of potential in a move that received high praise from Heerenveen boss Kees van Wonderen, who said:

“What you get from him as a player is first and foremost a superb work ethic. He’s a left-footed striker and is good technically.

"What you get from him as a player is first and foremost a superb work ethic. He’s a left-footed striker and is good technically. He knows how to play an opponent and is a very clever guy. I can see him being a big success in Scotland. Rangers have signed a quality player who can make a big impact.”

That impact never came, however, and Lammers was forced to find his feet on loan at Utrecht instead where he has scored seven goals in 13 appearances. Following a solid loan spell, it remains to be seen just how much Rangers will get for their forward in a sale that seems destined to end in a financial loss for those at Ibrox.

Clement and co will simply be hoping to be too busy with title celebrations to worry about Lammers' likely summer departure.

Manchester United appear to be in the race for a "wonderkid" this summer, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.

Ten Hag proves youth stands a chance at Old Trafford

Though it has been a disappointing campaign for the Red Devils, their bright sparks have largely come in the form of their young talents.

Alejandro Garnacho has become almost undroppable in Erik ten Hag's front line, while Kobbie Mainoo has done likewise in central midfield and has already seen his performances rewarded with an England debut over the most recent March international break.

There have also been Premier League appearances (though perhaps more due to necessity than choice) for centre-back Willy Kambwala and attacker Omari Forson.

United have previously missed out on young stars as a result of failing to offer first-team assurances, with Jude Bellingham a notable case in point when he turned down a move to Old Trafford in favour of a switch to Borussia Dortmund in 2019.

Manchester United's young talents in the Premier League

Player

Age

Appearances

Goals + Assists

Alejandro Garnacho

19

30

10

Kobbie Mainoo

18

18

2

Willy Kambwala

19

7

0

Omari Forson

19

3

1

But with Ten Hag in charge, that appears to have changed, and it is even reportedly a contributing factor in why he may keep his job at the end of the season despite finishing bottom of his Champions League group and on course to fail to qualify for next season's competition.

They remain in contention to lift the FA Cup, but that could only paper over the cracks of what has otherwise been a poor and inconsistent season. However, Ten Hag's youth policy could help them attract future stars once more.

Man Utd eyeing "wonderkid"

Now, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has given fresh insight into just that, in the form of League One sensation Baylee Dipepa, who was linked with a move to Old Trafford last month.

The 17-year-old is currently starring for Port Vale, where he has made 20 appearances this season, scoring three times and grabbing two assists in just 609 minutes of action. That has caught the eye of a whole host of clubs, and the Red Devils are firmly among them.

Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano confirmed that they have "followed and tracked" the teenage talent, but that any future move is currently uncertain.

“Finally on Man United, 17-year-old Port Vale wonderkid Baylee Dipepa has been followed and tracked by the United scouting team. Let’s see if they decide to proceed with negotiations, but it will depend on the new board they are building now, so we can just be patient on that one.”

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Port Vale chief Matt Hancock has already accepted that they may not be able to keep Dipepa should bids arrive, though he did reveal no official approaches had been made.

"We have had no official approaches or offers. We are not naive enough to think that someone who is playing ahead of Premier League forwards for England under-17s and then getting regular games and scoring in League One, won't have eyes on him. We will see what the future may hold."

That future may just be at Old Trafford.

Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright added a BBL-record stand of 207 against Sydney Sixers

Alex Malcolm12-Jan-2020Marcus Stoinis set a new BBL record with a staggering 147 not out as the Melbourne Stars sent a statement to their rivals with a crushing win over the second-placed Sydney Sixers at the MCG.Stoinis smacked 13 fours and eight sixes in an extraordinary display, eclipsing D’Arcy Short’s previous record of 122. His 207-run stand with Hilton Cartwright was also the highest in BBL history overtaking the previous record of 172 held by Stars duo Luke Wright and Rob Quiney from 2012. He also faced 79 balls, the equal highest ever in a T20 game.Stoinis told Channel Seven after his innings: “That’s just the most fun you can ever have in the world.”Marcus Stoinis walks off after his breathtaking innings of 147•Getty Images

It meant the Stars’ in-form captain Glenn Maxwell faced just two balls for the innings as they posted the third highest total in BBL history. Hilton Cartwright played a critical hand making 59 from 40 in a supporting role that won high praise from his skipper for holding his nerve given Stoinis dominated the strike.Ben Dwarshuis broke an unwanted record for the Sixers, conceding 61 runs from his four overs, the most by any bowler in the BBL.The Sixers were never in the hunt in the chase despite scoring quicker than the Stars through the first 10 overs. Moises Henriques made a classy 41 but his departure in the 11th over snuffed out all hope. Clint Hinchliffe, who had never previously taken more than one wicket in a T20 match, finished with career-best figures of 3 for 20.A slow burnNeither Stoinis nor Cartwright exploded out of the blocks. Stoinis admitted after his innings that he was as nervous as he had ever been following a duck in his last game. They made 78 runs in the first 10 overs, absorbing 26 dot balls in the first 60 deliveries and struck just two sixes. Jackson Bird and Steve O’Keefe were particularly effective a really good batting surface, not allowing the batsmen to free their arms.No Maxwell, no worriesThere were concerns at halfway that Maxwell might be wasted sitting on the sidelines as Cartwright was 25 from 24 balls, but they had laid the perfect platform to target both Dwarshuis and Tom Curran in different ways. Stoinis sat deep in his crease and the Sixers failed to get their length full enough. Time and again he sat back and clubbed shorter length balls to and over the rope. Cartwright then punished the full balls, thumping them through the line down the ground. Stoinis reached his century off 60 balls in the 16th over but with four overs remaining the score was just 158. The last 24 balls were carnage as the Stars struck six fours and four sixes to all parts of the MCG. There were ramps, uppercuts, off drives, pull shots and an outrageous bottom-handed flick from Stoinis that cleared the long boundary at midwicket. Dwarshuis conceded 24 runs in the 19th over. Stoinis hit the last ball of the innings for six over square leg and the Sixers were fortunate it was not judged a no-ball for being a full toss above waist-high.The price of doing businessOnly once had a side ever chased more in the BBL, when the Hobart Hurricanes mowed down 223 against the Melbourne Renegades. That night the Hurricanes lost two wickets in the powerplay, including Short, in an attempt to stay with the required rate early. The Sixers went via the same route in the powerplay losing two wickets attempting to go all guns blazing. Josh Philippe skied one straight up in the air and Daniel Hughes holed out at deep square. James Vince also should have fallen but was dropped by Hinchliffe at deep square. They had two boundary-less overs in the powerplay, delivered by the wicket-takers Daniel Worrall and Haris Rauf. They managed to score 54 in the first six, which was higher than the Hurricanes’ 2 for 48 in that record chase, with both Vince and Henriques set.Scoreboard pressureHenriques was the biggest threat for the Stars. He thumped back-to-back boundaries in the seventh over and then a huge slog sweep for six off Sandeep Lamichhane over wide long-on. Vince rode his luck having been dropped twice, the second a sitter to Worrall at mid-on, but he didn’t survive the third chance he offered off Hinchliffe, picking out Maxwell. The Sixers were ahead of the Stars after 10 overs but the scoreboard pressure did for Henriques as he fell for a well-made 41. Maxwell was ruthless from there identifying Curran’s weakness against spin and he was stumped off Lamichhane. The Sixers never got close although Dwarshuis exacted some revenge with the bat smashing 42 not out from 17 balls.

Australia finished the opening day of their Test summer in a strong position on one of their happiest hunting grounds, although for periods either side of a five-wicket surge in the afternoon they were made to work hard by Pakistan.Whether Pakistan’s 240 – boosted by Asad Shafiq’s 76 – will be enough to keep them in the contest remains to be seen and rests with their bowling attack. At nine for 75, they would have hoped for much better; at 5 for 94, they probably feared much worse, before Yasir Shah helped Shafiq add 84 for the seventh wicket. For Australia, the feelings might have been reversed.Mitchell Starc, on his return to the Test side, finished with 4 for 52 – cleaning up the tail as he can do so well – and was on a hat-trick late in the day when 16-year-old debutant Naseem Shah faced up to the first delivery of his career and somehow squeezed the ball to the leg side.Mitchell Starc finished with four wickets•Getty Images

After not quite getting their lengths right in the opening session, Australia’s three quicks were excellent after the interval as Pakistan’s impressive morning’s work unravelled. That was compounded by the controversial dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan, who edged behind off Pat Cummins only for replays to suggest Cummins had no part of his foot behind the line, but third umpire Michael Gough gave him the benefit of some very slim doubt.That left Pakistan 6 for 143 and still in danger of folding for under 200. However, Shafiq, who scored 137 at the ground on his previous visit, continued his excellent form from the warm-up matches where he made hundreds against Australia A and a Cricket Australia XI. He was eventually cleaned up by a beauty from Cummins with the new ball during Australia’s strong finish as they claimed 4 for 13 to end the innings.Captain Azhar Ali had won the toss and despite a green tinge to the surface, was not lulled into bowling. He and Shan Masood then played superbly during the opening session, happy to give the two hours to the bowlers unless there was a loose delivery to attack in a session that brought just five boundaries. The pair left well, helped by the back-of-a-length approach from the quicks, and a lunch score of none for 57 – by the standards of visiting teams at the Gabba – was a fine start. To show how tough a place it is for visiting sides, their final partnership of 75 was the highest for a visiting team in the first innings of a Test at the ground.Then, however, things started to change. In the sixth over after the break, Cummins, bowling around the wicket, squared up Masood to take his outside edge. Three balls later, Hazlewood drew a nick from Azhar which carried low to first slip where Joe Burns held on. All of a sudden, two new batsmen were at the crease. One of them was Haris Sohail, who struggled in the warm-up matches, and he did not last long when he flashed at Starc.The fear that Pakistan were about to completely lose their way increased when Babar Azam played a horridly wild drive at Hazlewood to provide another slip catch. After such a build-up for Azam – including runs in the T20Is and the Australia A match – it was a hugely deflating shot.Asad Shafiq acknowledges his half-century•Getty Images

Nathan Lyon then returned to the attack for his second spell and struck first ball when a hard-handed Iftikhar Ahmed inside-edged to short leg and it had the feel of a full-blown collapse that could decide the Test by tea on the opening day.That did not transpire, thanks to a mixture of punchy and pugnacious batting. Rizwan, playing just his second Test, counterpunched strongly either side of tea to score at better than a run-a-ball before the nick off Cummins prompted significant amount of slow-mo replays of the front foot. When it comes to calling no-balls on replays, the benefit of any doubt goes to the bowler. Cummins, though, may still have got lucky.There was no great expectation that Shafiq would now have much support, but Yasir proved otherwise in a stand that spanned 26 overs. The pair took advantage of a period where Tim Paine sat back a touch, using Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne ahead of the second new ball – Australia’s over rate was poor for much of the day, which can now lead to points deductions in the Test Championship.Shafiq’s fifty came from 99 balls and when the pair made it to the 80-over mark there was a chance that if they survived to the close Pakistan could yet eye 300. However, those hopes were dashed in the amount of time it took Starc to get loose as he speared a yorker through Yasir then found Shaheen Afridi’s edge first ball, although it needed a review which Paine, perhaps still haunted by his DRS errors in the Ashes, was reluctant to take.When Shafiq’s fine innings was ended by Cummins, it looked as though Australia would bat before the close, but Naseem – who generated one of the biggest cheers of the day when he on-drove Starc for his first boundary – and Imran Khan took the innings deep enough that when Naseem lobbed a short delivery in the air, Australia’s openers would not have to contemplate batting until the morning.

Harry Kane suggested that England were fortuitous to be awarded the controversial penalty against the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

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• England received a controversial penalty decision
• Kane stepped up and equalised from the spot
• Striker expressed his views on the contentious call

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Three Lions fell behind to a wonder strike from Xavi Simons in the eighth minute. However, they did not trail for long after VAR handed them a lifeline when it adjudged that Denzel Dumfries had impeded the English skipper inside the box and awarded the Three Lions a penalty. Kane, known for his composure under pressure, stepped up and converted the spot-kick, levelling the score.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The penalty decision drew sharp criticism from several quarters. ITV pundit Gary Neville labelled the decision a "disgrace," echoing the sentiments of many who felt that the call was unjust. Co-commentators Ally McCoist and Lee Dixon also expressed their bewilderment at the video referee's intervention. Even Kane acknowledged the contentious nature of the decision while humorously suggesting that his foot was "hanging off" to jokingly justify the penalty decision.

• WHAT KANE SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Kane said: "My foot’s hanging off so he definitely caught me! Sometimes you get them sometimes you don’t. I was happy to step up and see that go in the back of the net. It was a nice feeling for sure."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  In the second half, Kane appeared to struggle, leading to Gareth Southgate’s bold decision to substitute him. The England manager’s gamble paid off when Kane’s replacement, Ollie Watkins, scored a dramatic winner in the 90th minute. Watkins’ goal ensured a 2-1 victory for England and secured their place in the final.

  Kane praised Watkins' readiness and contribution, stating, "We talk about being ready. We’re a big team at being ready. When it matters, you might get five minutes, or one minute, but you can make a difference, you can win us a tournament. He’s been waiting, he’s been patient. What he did was outstanding and he deserves it."