Ballon d’Or awards to be co-organised by UEFA from next year

The prestigious Ballon d’Or awards will be co-organised by UEFA from next year.

European football’s governing body has reached an agreement with Group Amaury, the owner of media companies France Football and L’Equipe, to “enhance the stature and global reach of the awards”.

Argentinian star Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or title earlier this week after steering his country to World Cup glory last year, with Spanish World Cup star Aitana Bonmati winning the women’s prize.

Aitana Bonmatí made her way to the 2023 Ballon d Or!

— Ballon d Or #ballondor (@ballondor)

The merging of the awards means an end to the UEFA awards handed out in August each year, with the exception of the President’s Award which will still be present…

Baroness Sue Campbell sees ‘progress’ in bid to make women’s game more diverse

Baroness Sue Campbell says diversity in English women’s football is an area in which she hopes “we’re building”.

England’s squad for their victorious Euros campaign in 2022 featuring only three players of black or mixed heritage – a figure that dropped to two for the 2023 World Cup – was something highlighted in former Lioness Karen Carney’s women’s football review published last summer.

Describing it as a “glaring reflection” of a wider issue, Carney’s review said the Football Association “should urgently address the lack of diversity across the women’s game – in both on and off pitch roles.”

Campbell, who is this year set to retire from her role as the FA’s director of women’s football, has referenced the boost there has been…

Spain U21 5-1 Ukraine U21: Talking points as La Rojita book place at Euro final

Spain have earned a place in the final of this year s UEFA Euro Under-21 tournament at the expense of Ukraine, beating the young representatives of the war-troubled country by 5-1 at the Steaua Stadium in Bucharest. Ukraine took the lead after 13 minutes through Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Artem Bondarenko, sparking a fierce reaction from Spain.

It took Braga striker Abel Ruiz just four minutes to capitalize on a mistake by Volodymyr Brazhko and equalize, and another seven for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet to get his team in front with a lovely shot from outside the box. In the second half, Real Madrid s Antonio Blanco (54 ), Osasuna s Aimar Oroz (68 ) and Manchester City s Sergio Gomez (78 ) made sure Spain s triumph was comfortable in the end.

Obvious differenc…

Will Smith Refused Randy Arozarena's Fist Bump at World Baseball Classic

data-mm-id=”_zcjr6o0bp”>The United States and Mexico are facing off in the World Baseball Classic Sunday night in a bit of a rivalry game. At least someone is taking this pretty seriously, as in the top of the first inning, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith refused a fist bump from Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena. Check this out:This is completely speculative but it sure looked like Will Smith refused to give Randy Arozarena a fist bump.Rivalry game. pic.twitter.com/4IoeMwk5PM— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) March 13, 2023There's just something about guys named Will Smith on Oscar night…That honestly seems pretty lame from Smith. I get that you're a competitor but Arozarena is saying hi and probably wishing him luck. Smith looked right at him and essentially t…

Man Utd: Cristiano Ronaldo fires veiled dig at Erik ten Hag amid ‘behaved badly’ claim

Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has fired a subtle dig at head coach Erik ten Hag, insinuating that the Dutchman behaved badly .

Following spells at Real Madrid and Juventus, returned to Man Utd for a second spell during the 2021 summer transfer window.

Portugal international s first season was successful as he scored 24 goals in his 38 appearances for across all competitions.

However, Ronaldo was negatively impacted by Ten Hag s arrival in 2022 as the 39-year-old was not part of the Dutchman s plans.

Ronaldo only made four Premier League starts and he resembled a petulant child as he did not cope well with being a backup option in Man Utd s squad.

The forward had his contract terminated at the end of 2022 after he slammed Ten Hag, the…

UFC Vegas 94 Predictions, Odds & Picks: Lemos vs Jandiroba, Tavares vs Park

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