Football
Wayne Rooney sends Man Utd message to Marcus Rashford after PSG knock out Aston Villa
Wayne Rooney heaped praise on Marcus Rashford following Aston Villa’s dramatic win over Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
Despite Villa winning 3-2 on the night, it wasn’t enough to overturn PSG’s 3-1 first-leg advantage, and the French side advanced on aggregate. Still, Rashford’s electric performance stood out as a major highlight in a thrilling contest.

The evening looked bleak for Unai Emery’s side early on, with Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes scoring within the opening stages to extend PSG’s aggregate lead. But Villa didn’t give up.
Goals from Youri Tielemans and John McGinn brought the tie to life, and when Ezri Konsa found the net in the 57th minute, Villa Park erupted in belief and noise.
Rashford was at the heart of it all, looking revitalized and dangerous every time he had the ball. His pace and dribbling caused consistent issues for the PSG defense, and it was his clever play on the right wing that created the assist for Konsa’s goal.
Although he was substituted in the 76th minute, his impact on the match was undeniable.
Rooney, speaking on Amazon Prime, was impressed by what he saw. He applauded the way Villa came out in the second half with energy and belief, highlighting the attacking mentality that nearly flipped the tie on its head. However, the Manchester United legend also pointed to defensive lapses in the first half as the key reason Villa fell short in the end.
“They’ll be proud of that performance but also disappointed,” Rooney said. “The goals they conceded in the first half were avoidable, and at this level, you can’t give away goals like that. That’s ultimately what cost them.”
As Villa pushed for a fourth goal that would have seen them progress, PSG held firm, largely thanks to the heroics of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made several crucial saves. Despite the defeat, the effort shown by the Villa squad won the admiration of both fans and pundits alike.
Rooney didn’t hold back in his praise for Rashford, calling the display one of the best he’s seen from the forward in recent times. “He was brilliant,” Rooney said. “That’s the Marcus Rashford we all know. His skill, his movement, and the way he beat players was top class. His awareness to pick out Konsa was excellent.”

The former England captain was asked if Villa had a chance after Konsa’s goal, to which he replied, “100 percent. PSG were rattled, and Villa had them on the back foot. They probably just ran out of steam, but they gave it everything.”
While Rashford has been linked with a possible permanent stay at Villa, Rooney believes the striker’s future lies at Old Trafford. “I hope he goes back to Manchester United and plays like he did tonight. He can leave a real legacy there.”
Football
FIFA finally sanctions Israel and sounds message for peace: Here’s why
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has taken action against the Israel Football Association (IFA) after finding breaches of its rules relating to offensive conduct, fair play, and incidents involving discrimination and racist behavior.
As part of the ruling, the IFA has been fined CHF 150,000 (around €165,000), with conditions attached. The federation is required to roll out preventive measures, including displaying a clear anti-discrimination message at its next three home matches in FIFA competitions. The message, which promotes unity and rejects discrimination, must appear alongside the federation’s emblem, with its design, size, and placement submitted to FIFA for approval at least 15 days before each fixture.
Beyond matchday requirements, the IFA must also take longer-term action. Within 60 days, it is expected to allocate one-third of the fine toward a detailed anti-discrimination initiative. This program is set to include structural improvements, defined protocols, monitoring systems, and educational campaigns across stadiums and official platforms throughout an entire season, all subject to FIFA’s approval. The remaining portion of the fine must be settled within 30 days. FIFA has also issued a formal warning regarding future conduct, with the option for the IFA to appeal the decision.
In relation to a separate complaint raised by the Palestinian Football Association concerning teams based in disputed territories, FIFA chose not to impose any measures. The governing body pointed to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the legal status of the West Bank under international law, but emphasized its willingness to encourage dialogue and mediation between both sides.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated the organization’s stance on the role of football during periods of political tension, stressing that while the sport cannot solve global conflicts, it can still play a part in bringing people together and fostering understanding through competitions like the World Cup.
Football
New angle emerges of massive brawl in Brazil: Brutal close-range fight footage (VIDEO)
The Minas Gerais state championship final between Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atlético Mineiro ended in chaos on Sunday, with a massive on-field brawl. Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory, but the match will be remembered for the violent fallout.
Reports from Brazilian media indicate that the referee issued an additional 23 red cards following the melee.
The incident that sparked the conflict occurred in the 97th minute inside Atletico’s penalty area after a collision between Christian of Cruzeiro and home goalkeeper Everson. Everson reacted aggressively, first pushing Christian and then pinning him to the ground with both knees.
Close-range footage of the altercation later surfaced online, showing the intensity of the clash and adding fuel to an already controversial derby.
This extraordinary sequence will likely result in disciplinary action from the league and raises questions about player conduct in high-stakes matches.
Football
Michael Carrick blow as ‘prominent’ target on Man Utd’s managerial shortlist is ‘keen’ on Old Trafford job
Former Brighton & Hove Albion FC boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly “keen” on becoming the next manager of Manchester United FC.
The 46-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Olympique de Marseille by mutual agreement last month. Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur FC have been linked with a summer move for the Italian as they search for a permanent head coach.
According to reports from The Telegraph, De Zerbi would favour the Old Trafford role if given the choice.
His potential appointment could be a setback for interim United boss Michael Carrick, who has largely impressed since taking charge in January.
Carrick suffered his first defeat on Wednesday as United lost to Newcastle United FC, with goals from Anthony Gordon and William Osula sealing the result.
Despite that setback, several United players are believed to support Carrick being given the role permanently. Senior figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are reportedly impressed by his tactical ideas and deep understanding of the game.
United’s hierarchy have yet to decide whether to stick with the former England international or appoint a new manager. Other names linked with the role include Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Martínez.
De Zerbi has also been mentioned as a potential candidate at Tottenham. Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
The club dismissed former head coach Thomas Frank last month and appointed Igor Tudor as interim manager.
Tudor has yet to register a win, but after a recent defeat to Crystal Palace FC he insisted the team is still moving in the right direction.
“Unfortunately this is the moment we pay for everything. One red card changes everything,” Tudor said.
“Maybe it will sound strange, but I believe more after this game than before. I saw something. I need to choose the right players because the boat is going in the direction that I want it to go.
“When the injured players return, I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come. It’s not easy to accept where we are now, but it is how it is.”
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