Sports

European clubs have been included in Fifa 23 for the Women’s Champions League.

Published

2 years ago

October 19, 2022

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The Women’s Champions League will be added to the latest Fifa 23 game early next year as part of a new multi-year sponsorship deal with EA Sports.

In July, the Women’s Super League and France’s Division 1 Feminine became the first professional female leagues introduced to the game.

Chelsea forward Sam Kerr is on the latest cover of Fifa 23 alongside France World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.

“I’m still not used to seeing my face on a billboard in London,” said Kerr.

The Australia international added: “I think [the growth of the game] is down to the players. The quality has jumped up so much. If you look back to last year and the level that female athletes were working at, it’s incredible.

“The training I used to do, to what I do now is night and day. We have transformed into top professionals. It makes the game so marketable right now.

“There are so many of these top athletes too. It’s not one or two like it perhaps used to be in America. There are so many top female athletes and top leagues which is incredible to see.”

Kerr was speaking at a women’s football summit in London to celebrate the launch of the game alongside some of the game’s leading female players.

Former France international and current secretary of the French Football Federation Laura Georges told a panel: “There is a shift in investment from [the French] federation. Every game in Division 1 Feminine is on national television now.

“People are now saying ‘I want to invest in the women’s game.’ Sponsors used to say ‘ok well if we have the men’s competition then we can get the women’s as well, why not.’ But now sponsors want the women’s game exclusively.”

Following England’s success at Euro 2022 in the summer, the WSL has seen a rise in attendances and ticket sales across the league.

The north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium saw a record crowd of 47,367 in September, while a friendly between England and the USA at Wembley in October had 76,893 in attendance.

But Kerr wants to retain the close relationship women’s football has with its regular fans despite the growing crowds.

“It’s a beautiful side to our game. So many fans come to [Chelsea’s home ground] Kingsmeadow every week and we all know their faces. That’s very unique to the women’s game,” she added.

“There are so many fans around the world who have done so much for me that I really remember and I don’t think that’s quite so common in the men’s game.

“We know how important they are. They have helped grow the game. The whole game knows how much they mean.

“Without them really believing in the game five or six years ago, I don’t think women’s football would be where it is today.”

Source: BBC Sports

Sports

Black Stars fitness coach Ricky Roy reportedly dead

Published

5 days ago

April 29, 2024

Majesty

He remained with the national squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Roy rose to prominence as a member of the coaching staff for Division One League club Vision FC in February 2020, before joining the national squad.

Romeo Ricky Roy, the fitness coach for Ghana’s senior national team, has died.

According to Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku’s Facebook post, he died in Accra on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Roy joined the Black Stars’ backroom staff in 2021, during Milovan Rajevac’s second spell as coach.

He remained with the national squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Roy rose to prominence as a member of the coaching staff for Division One League club Vision FC in February 2020, before joining the national squad.

Sports

Veteran Sports Commentator Joe Lartey dies at 96

Published

7 days ago

April 27, 2024

Majesty

Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as "Over to You," was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG's founding president. Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC) in 1961. He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana's sports community. He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has reported the death of Joe Lartey, a veteran Ghanaian football pundit and sports writer.

He passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the age of 96.

Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as “Over to You,” was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG’s founding president.

Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in 1961.

He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana’s sports community.

He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.

In appreciation of his achievements in sports journalism, Lartey received the coveted “A Life in Sport” award from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) during the AIPS Sport Media Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, in June 2022.

Lartey’s impact stretched well beyond Ghana, with numerous Ghanaian football analysts praising him for moulding their careers.

Fans and colleagues alike will remember him warmly for his pioneering work in sports broadcasting.

Sports

Xavi to stay as Barcelona’s coach until at least June 2025

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

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Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23. However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season. Barcelona was eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to Paris St. Germain in the quarterfinals.

Barcelona coach Xavi will stay with the club until at least the end of his contract in June 2025, having changed his mind about this being his final season.

The 44-year-old stated in January that he will stand down as manager this summer.

However, with president Joan Laporta desperate for him to stay, the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has made a U-turn.

Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23.

However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season.

Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to PSG in the quarterfinals.

Xavi, who won 25 honours during his brilliant playing career at Barcelona, said he felt “liberated” with the revelation that he would leave the position at the conclusion of the season.

When he announced his departure following the defeat to Villarreal, he felt he was not being safeguarded by the club and there was no clear direction.

However, the team’s fortunes have improved since Xavi felt comfortable taking a more casual attitude.

They went ten games undefeated in the league before falling 3-2 to Real Madrid on Sunday.

On Wednesday, there was a meeting at Laporta’s residence, and the club’s desire for him to stay was clear.

If Xavi is unable to strengthen the squad before the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Barcelona will attempt to persuade one of the high-profile managers out of contract, including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Mikel Arteta.