Manchester City, the dominant force in English football for over a decade, finds itself once again under the Premier League's microscope. This time, however, the allegations are not about intricate financial dealings or sponsorship controversies, but something seemingly more mundane: breaches of kick-off timing regulations. Recent reports confirm that City has been hit with a substantial fine of £1.08 million for delaying kick-offs and re-starts on nine separate occasions during the 2024/25 season. While a million-pound fine might seem like a drop in the ocean for a club of City's financial might, these sanctions underscore a deeper tension within the Premier League – a battle between sporting integrity, commercial interests, and the relentless demands of a global broadcasting behemoth. This isn't merely a trivial matter of punctuality. It speaks to the meticulous choreography of modern football, where every second is accounted for, and every deviation from the schedule has...
Spain has announced a new contract for Luis de la Fuente, two years after he took over from Luis Enrique. After nearly a decade of coaching in the Royal Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) youth ranks, de la Fuente assumed control of the senior team in January 2023, following the 2022 World Cup.
During his first six months in charge, his hiring was heavily questioned due to his lack of senior football experience and a crushing defeat to Scotland in his second game. However, a Nations League victory that summer silenced critics and sent La Roja on a journey that would culminate in a European Championship.
During his first six months in charge, his hiring was heavily questioned due to his lack of senior football experience and a crushing defeat to Scotland in his second game. However, a Nations League victory that summer silenced critics and sent La Roja on a journey that would culminate in a European Championship.
Last summer in Germany, fueled by a passionate dressing room culture and a surge of fresh talent entering the club, de la Fuente's side outperformed every opponent, winning the trophy in the final against England with a late Mikel Oyarzabal goal. The Basque forward, like many of the senior team's current players, is someone de la Fuente knows from his experience coaching the under-19s and under-21s.
His contract will last until 2028, including the Euro 2028 campaign next summer, perhaps extending his tenure to 5.5 years. It has been a source of contention between the RFEF and de la Fuente, who believes he is underpaid. According to Diario AS, his new contract will pay him roughly €2 million per year as he aims to win the World Cup in 2026.
Rafael Louzan, the new President of the RFEF, had made de la Fuente's contract a priority, as former temporary President Pedro Rocha was unable to renew it due to constraints on his authority. Spain's next match is against the Netherlands in the Nations League quarterfinals in March.
His contract will last until 2028, including the Euro 2028 campaign next summer, perhaps extending his tenure to 5.5 years. It has been a source of contention between the RFEF and de la Fuente, who believes he is underpaid. According to Diario AS, his new contract will pay him roughly €2 million per year as he aims to win the World Cup in 2026.
Rafael Louzan, the new President of the RFEF, had made de la Fuente's contract a priority, as former temporary President Pedro Rocha was unable to renew it due to constraints on his authority. Spain's next match is against the Netherlands in the Nations League quarterfinals in March.
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