Is City even threatened with the Premier League?
In the hot phase of the season, that’s the last thing Manchester City needs. It was announced yesterday that the Skyblues are facing charges for more than 100 violations of the league’s internal financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. If the Citizens are found guilty, they face a point deduction – or more? The ‘Mirror’ and the ‘Daily Express’ bring a far more drastic measure into play with a league exclusion. The first-named newspaper writes on its cover: ‘City could be kicked out of the Premier League for financial violations’.
Real on a mission in Morocco
Things haven’t been going well for Real Madrid recently in the domestic La Liga. Los Blancos lost 1-0 at RCD Mallorca, increasing the gap to FC Barcelona to eight points at the top of the table. The Madrilenians can confidently leave everyday league life behind them for now, because they are going to Morocco for the Club World Cup. There Real will meet Egyptian club Al Ahly in the semifinals tomorrow evening (8 p.m.). “Operation Club World Cup”, headlines the ‘as’. In addition, the Spanish newspaper reports that Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema and Éder Militão would be ready for a possible final at the earliest.
Milan is in crisis
At AC Milan, things are even bleaker in Serie A: five wins in a row and three losses in a row. Despite everything, the gap to a Champions League place is only one point. The headline of the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’ reads: “Pioli stays, ciao Leão”. Coach Stefano Pioli still enjoys the trust of those responsible, but at the end of the season it should be direct qualification for the premier class. Meanwhile, an extension of Rafael Leão’s contract, which expires in 2024, is a long way off.
