Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni has heavily criticised UEFA after being suspended for an alleged racial slur directed at Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Jr during their Champions League tie.
The Argentine was banned from the second leg of the last-16 encounter following an altercation in the opening fixture.
European football’s governing body suspended the player after Vinicius reported the incident to the referee in the aftermath of his opening goal.
Prestianni vehemently denies the accusation, insisting the Brazilian misinterpreted his words on the pitch.
‘Punished without any evidence’
The Benfica winger could still face a 10-match ban if a formal UEFA investigation finds him guilty of racist abuse.
Speaking to Argentine network Telefe, the player expressed his deep frustration at the disciplinary action taken against him.
“What really hurt me was being treated for something I never did.”
“I was punished without any evidence for something I didn’t say, but fortunately, I am very calm because everyone who knows me knows the kind of person I am.”
Mourinho defends Benfica player
Prestianni expressed immense gratitude towards his club and team-mates for their internal support throughout the ongoing controversy.
Real Madrid ultimately won the tie 3-1 on aggregate to eliminate the Portuguese side from the competition.
However, the aftermath has been dominated by comments from Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, who suggested Vinicius provoked the situation.
The Portuguese coach criticised the Real Madrid star for his goal celebration, which resulted in a yellow card during the first leg.
“When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way,” Mourinho stated.
The former Chelsea and Roma boss also questioned the recurring nature of incidents involving the Brazil international across European football.
“There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium; every stadium that Vinicius plays in, something happens.”
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak will return to full team training on Thursday after recovering from a broken leg sustained against Tottenham in December.
The British record signing has been sidelined for nearly four months following the severe impact injury and subsequent ankle surgery.
He began individual fitness work last month but is now ready to rejoin his teammates ahead of a crucial period for the club.
Champions League return targeted
Head coach Arne Slot indicated the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain is a more realistic comeback date than Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Manchester City.
The Dutchman believes the Swedish international is in high spirits after his national team successfully navigated their play-off against Poland to reach the 2026 World Cup.
Despite a slow start to his Anfield career, managing just three goals in 16 appearances, his manager expects a significant attacking boost upon his return.
“I think Alex is in a really good place because Sweden qualified for the World Cup and apart from that he’s going to train with the group again for the first time,” Slot said.
“If you’ve worked so hard for three, four months and then to return to team training, that’s for everyone very nice.”
Attacking reinforcements for run-in
The former Newcastle forward’s availability will provide vital firepower for a side that has struggled to convert chances in recent weeks.
“To have him again in a team that’s usually generating quite a lot of chances, but to have him back for the last two months is very helpful for us,” Slot added.
In a further boost to the Merseyside outfit, Mohamed Salah is also expected to be fit for the weekend trip to the Etihad Stadium.
The Egyptian winger missed a defeat to Brighton prior to the international break but looks set to feature in the vital domestic cup clash.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insists Mohamed Salah will leave Anfield as a club legend when the forward departs at the end of the season.
The Egypt international recently used social media to confirm an agreement to terminate his current contract one year early.
His early announcement concludes a sometimes turbulent campaign for the 33-year-old on Merseyside.
The prolific attacker previously claimed the Dutch manager had thrown him under the bus after being benched during a difficult run of results in December.
Putting differences aside
Both men now appear to have completely resolved their tactical disagreements behind the scenes.
The Liverpool boss is instead focusing on ensuring the veteran winger finishes his historic English career with a flourish.
“The first day I was impressed by his professionalism.”
Speaking to the official club website, the 46-year-old coach highlighted the player’s relentless hunger and unparalleled commitment to the team.
“He had nothing to prove but for himself he had a lot to prove because Mo always thinks he has to prove something every three days.”
Slot revealed that this elite mentality and desire to constantly score goals is what stands out the most about the former Roma man.
A fitting Anfield farewell
Confirming his departure early provides supporters with a rare opportunity to properly honour a departing icon before the summer transfer window opens.
The Dutch tactician believes the Egyptian heavily warrants a spectacular send-off from the Anfield faithful.
However, the head coach also urged the home crowd to channel their energy into supporting the entire squad during a critical fixture schedule.
“Mo definitely deserves that the fans give him a great farewell.”
The Merseyside club face a monumental fortnight, featuring an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City and a Champions League clash with Paris St Germain.
Securing victories in these vital knockout stages remains essential for a team determined to collect major silverware this season.
Isak poised for crucial return
In a significant boost for their European ambitions, £125m club-record signing Alexander Isak is finally set to resume first-team training.
The Sweden international has spent more than three months sidelined after suffering a broken leg.
The highly-rated striker could immediately return to the matchday squad for next week’s vital European away leg in the French capital.
“I think Alex is in a really good place because Sweden qualified for the World Cup yesterday evening and apart from that he’s going to train with the group again for the first time tomorrow.”
The Premier League has confirmed the live television broadcast schedule for the critical first two weeks of May, featuring crucial run-in fixtures for title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City.
The updated calendar highlights the intense race for the championship as the 2025-26 season enters its tense final month.
Current league leaders Arsenal and the defending champions are both set for pivotal televised encounters that could ultimately decide the destination of the trophy.
Gunners and City face crucial early May tests
The North London club will host local rivals Fulham on Saturday, 2 May in an evening kick-off.
Their closest championship challengers then travel to Merseyside two days later on the bank holiday Monday to face an Everton side still harbouring ambitions of European qualification.
This intense schedule continues into the second week of the month with both title contenders facing tricky weekend assignments.
Tricky trips and vital relegation battles
Manchester City will welcome high-flying Brentford to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, 9 May.
Twenty-four hours later, the current table-toppers make the short trip across the capital to face West Ham United at the London Stadium.
The latest fixture selections also feature significant clashes at the bottom end of the table, where the fight for top-flight survival remains incredibly tight.
Relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest are scheduled to host Newcastle United, whilst fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United meet in a potentially decisive Monday night encounter.
Historic rivalries highlighted in the run-in
Beyond the immediate title and relegation races, the updated broadcast schedule includes one of English football’s most storied fixtures.
Manchester United will welcome arch-rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday, 3 May, with vital Champions League qualification points potentially at stake.
Top-five hopefuls Chelsea are also featured prominently in the holiday weekend coverage when they face a desperate Forest side battling to avoid the drop.
Udinese striker Keinan Davis is targeting a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup following a remarkable goalscoring renaissance in Serie A.
The 28-year-old has registered 10 goals and three assists in 26 league appearances this season.
Only Bayern Munich captain Harry Kane currently boasts more goal contributions among English centre-forwards playing in Europe’s top divisions.
It marks an extraordinary turnaround for a player who found himself at a career crossroads after falling out of favour at Aston Villa three years ago.
Swapping the Championship for San Siro
Following a series of injury-hit campaigns and loan spells in the second tier, the former Stevenage prospect faced a significant decision regarding his future in 2023.
A conversation with his former youth coach Dave Northfield ultimately convinced the frontman to reject domestic offers and embrace a new challenge in Italy.
“Then he just set it out to me about playing at the San Siro instead of in the Championship,” Davis said.
“When I put it into perspective, I thought this is a no-brainer.”
Villa exit and Golden Boot pursuit
The gamble to swap English football for the Italian flight has paid spectacular dividends.
The powerful forward now finds himself firmly in the race for the Serie A Golden Boot, trailing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez by just four goals.
Such elite form is a far cry from the end of his six-year stint at Villa Park, where loan moves to Nottingham Forest and Watford signalled an impending permanent departure.
“When I finished with Nottingham Forest and came back to Villa, just from how I was being treated when I got back, I knew it was kind of over,” he added.
“I didn’t have conversations with anyone to stay.”
Solving Tuchel’s attacking dilemma
With the World Cup rapidly approaching, England manager Tuchel is actively evaluating his attacking options to support Kane.
The ex-Villa man’s physicality, hold-up play and newly discovered clinical edge could offer a highly effective tactical profile for the national team.
Having proven his ability to score consistently in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues, the Bedfordshire-born star has timed his peak form perfectly.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been charged by the Football Association following his reaction to a red card during last month’s draw against Bournemouth.
The veteran centre-back was dismissed in the 78th minute of the 2-2 Premier League stalemate after bringing down striker Evanilson inside the penalty area.
Referee Stuart Attwell’s decision was subsequently upheld by the video assistant referee, allowing the hosts to convert the resulting spot-kick.
Infuriated by the dismissal, the England international openly confronted both Attwell and fourth official Matt Donohue before leaving the pitch.
FA statement outlines alleged improper conduct
This touchline outburst has now prompted formal disciplinary action from English football’s governing body.
An official spokesperson confirmed the specific details of the charge relating to the chaotic scenes that unfolded on 20 March.
“It’s alleged that the defender acted in an improper manner and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal.”
The former Leicester City player has been given until 2 April to provide a formal response to the allegations.
Upcoming fixtures impacted by potential extension
The defender was already serving an automatic one-match suspension for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
This initial ban rules him out of the Red Devils’ upcoming domestic clash against Leeds United on Monday, 13 April.
However, any subsequent guilty verdict from the regulatory commission could result in an extended period on the sidelines.
Such an outcome would create a significant defensive headache for the Old Trafford side ahead of their crucial away trip to Chelsea on 18 April.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres scored an 88th-minute winner against Poland to secure Sweden’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, sparking wild celebrations in Stockholm.
The £64m forward had promised to mark the historic achievement in style, leading his international team-mates to one of the Swedish capital’s most exclusive nightclubs.
The squad’s jubilant scenes began in the dressing room, where Braga defender Gustaf Lagerbielke sprayed champagne over Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
After returning to their team hotel to greet family members, the players travelled to the vibrant Stureplan district to continue their revelry at the V nightclub.
Lindelof leads the festivities
Aston Villa defender Victor Lindelof arrived at the venue carrying a Swedish flag, having previously described his post-match refreshments as a “few quick calories”.
The national team captain had earlier outlined his intentions to guide the younger squad members through the evening’s celebrations.
“There will probably be a lot of good drinking, a little dancing and then we’ll see where it leads us,” Lindelof said.
“I’m definitely not the first to leave, I’m usually the last.”
Social media posts from the former Manchester United centre-back’s wife suggested the squad continued their celebrations well past 04:00 local time.
A night of zero sleep
Midfielder Besfort Zeneli admitted that the squad had no intentions of getting any rest after securing their ticket to the 2026 tournament in North America.
“I don’t think the club will be too happy about this interview but there will be no sleep tonight,” Zeneli told Sportbladet.
He also detailed the chaotic dressing room scenes, noting that almost everyone was caught in the crossfire of the champagne celebrations.
Meanwhile, Gustav Lundgren conducted his post-match media duties with a celebratory drink in hand, eagerly anticipating the long night ahead.
Sweden’s dramatic late victory ensures they will compete on the global stage once again, ending a tense qualification campaign on a historic high.
Robert Lewandowski has hinted at retiring from international football after Poland missed out on World Cup qualification following a late playoff defeat by Sweden.
The 37-year-old posted a picture on Instagram holding his captain’s armband accompanied by the song “Time to Say Goodbye”.
The social media update comes shortly after Viktor Gyokeres scored an 88th-minute winner to secure a 3-2 victory for the Swedes.
An uncertain future for Poland’s talisman
The Barcelona striker has yet to issue a formal statement regarding his international status.
The veteran forward would have been among the oldest players at the upcoming tournament had his nation secured their spot.
He previously considered stepping away from the national setup following the 2022 World Cup before deciding to continue.
The prolific goalscorer also threatened to quit last year due to a dispute with the former head coach, ultimately returning to lead the side in August.
Record-breaking international career
The Polish captain holds his country’s all-time records for both appearances and goals.
Since making his debut against San Marino in 2008, the former Bayern Munich star has amassed 165 caps and scored 89 times.
Despite his individual brilliance, he has only reached the World Cup finals twice, peaking with a round of 16 appearance two years ago.
The national team must now regroup and prepare for their next scheduled fixtures in the Nations League this September.
Club contract entering final months
Speculation also surrounds his club career as his current deal in Catalonia expires at the end of the season.
The veteran attacker has remained in fine form this campaign, netting 16 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions.