PSG call for change after Dembele and Doue international duty injuries

PSG call for change after Dembele and Doue international duty injuries
France's forward Ousmane Dembele leaves the pitch after injury during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Europe zone group D football match between Ukraine and France, on September 5, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (AFP)
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Updated 07 September 2025

PSG call for change after Dembele and Doue international duty injuries

PSG call for change after Dembele and Doue international duty injuries
  • Club writes French Football Federation requesting better “medical and sporting coordination between clubs and the national team”
  • PSGwill be without a hamstrung Dembele for around six weeks and Doue for some four weeks with a calf issue

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday criticized the “serious and avoidable” injuries suffered by Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue while on international duty with the France national team.
After the PSG stars were both forced off during France’s 2026 World Cup qualifying win over Ukraine on Friday, their club sent a letter to the French Football Federation (FFF) requesting better “medical and sporting coordination between clubs and the national team.”
PSG, who will be without a hamstrung Dembele for around six weeks and Doue for some four weeks with a calf issue, are “urgently requesting a new protocol... that is more transparent and collaborative” regarding player health, they announced in a statement on their website Sunday.
The European champions said they “had provided the FFF with concrete medical information, even before the French team gathered, on the acceptable workload and injury risks for their players.”
PSG added they “regret that these medical recommendations were not taken into account by the (national team) medical staff,” as well as criticizing “the total lack of consultation with their medical teams.”
The club reaffirmed their commitment to Les Bleus, but added the “serious and avoidable incidents” must serve as a catalyst for change, particularly in the case of players “underdoing treatment for a medical issue.”
“(PSG) hope that these regrettable events will pave the way for the establishment of a new formalized framework for medical coordination, ensuring systematic, documented and reciprocal exchanges between the medical staff of clubs and the national team,” they said.
France coach Didier Deschamps said he sympathized with the French Ligue 1 champions’ complaints.
“If I were at a club, I would feel the same way,” he said, before adding: “There is no such thing as zero risk. If you leave players on the bench, you’re not taking any risks...”
The 2018 World Cup winning coach went on to defend Les Bleus’ practices.
He cited the examples of William Saliba and Rayan Cherki, of Arsenal and Manchester City respectively, whose pre-existing injuries had been announced by their clubs and who Deschamps allowed to stay at home.
“The protocol stipulates that they must come and have their injuries assessed on Monday morning (at the national team’s training camp),” he said. “I didn’t make them come.”
Deschamps also added he takes “the player’s feelings” into account when deciding to play them.
Dembele and Doue will miss PSG’s first domestic match after the international break, as well as the start of their Champions League defense at home to Atalanta on September 17.
The pair will also be doubts for the trip to Barcelona in the league phase of Europe’s top club competition at the start of October.
Following a short pre-season after playing key roles in PSG’s run to the Club World Cup final in July, Dembele and Doue had appeared in all three of the Parisian club’s Ligue 1 outings before the international break.


Kuwait and the UN launch ‘Football for Humanity’ initiative to support Palestinian children

Kuwait and the UN launch ‘Football for Humanity’ initiative to support Palestinian children
Updated 22 October 2025

Kuwait and the UN launch ‘Football for Humanity’ initiative to support Palestinian children

Kuwait and the UN launch ‘Football for Humanity’ initiative to support Palestinian children
  • Campaign, under the patronage of Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, is supported by nine embassies and private-sector partners in Kuwait
  • Initiative will channel proceeds from a youth football tournament, charity auction, and community activities to provide essential aid to Palestinian children

DUBAI: Football for Humanity, a Kuwaiti UN-backed humanitarian diplomacy initiative, announced the launch of its inaugural edition at a press conference on Wednesday at Al-Hamra Shopping Center in Kuwait City.

Under the patronage of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, and with the support of nine embassies and four UN bodies — including UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait — as well as Kuwait’s private sector, the initiative will channel proceeds from a youth football tournament, charity auction, and community activities to provide essential aid to Palestinian children through the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.

Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, assistant foreign minister for international organizations’ affairs and a member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “The ministry of foreign affairs’ patronage of Football for Humanity reflects Kuwait’s role as an international hub for humanitarian action and its steadfast commitment to supporting nations in times of crisis, alleviating human suffering around the world, and maintaining its principled position in support of the brotherly Palestinian people.

“This initiative presents an innovative model of humanitarian diplomacy as a means to promote lasting peace and strengthen international cooperation,” he added. “We also commend the United Nations for supporting this humanitarian initiative and extend our appreciation to the participating embassies for their collaboration in advancing the initiative’s message and supporting children worldwide.”

Ghada Hatem ElTahir, representative of the UN secretary-general and resident coordinator in the State of Kuwait, and a member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “On behalf of the United Nations in the State of Kuwait, I am pleased to express our sincere interest in co-organizing the Football for Humanity initiative in partnership with Alnowair. This initiative aligns with the principles of the UN, promoting humanitarian values and global solidarity through youth participation in sport. Together, we aim to amplify Kuwait’s message of peace and humanity — both locally and on the international stage.”

Football for Humanity is guided by a board of trustees comprising leaders from Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN, ambassadors from nine countries, and senior Kuwaiti officials, ensuring its diplomatic standing and humanitarian credibility. The initiative represents a unique UN-diplomatic-sports alliance, with Kuwait serving as the host nation for a global movement that transforms football’s unifying power into tangible support for children affected by crises. It also lays the foundation for future editions that will expand each year to address broader humanitarian causes.

Sheikha Antiwar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, chairperson of Alnowair Non-Profit Foundation, chair of the organizing committee, and member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “Today, from Kuwait, we launch Football for Humanity with a clear message, to create a global movement that unites governments, corporations, athletes, and communities by turning the passion for football into hope and opportunity for children, year after year. This initiative is especially meaningful because it is children supporting children, young players using their love of the game to help those whose lives have been upended by crisis.

“We believe in the power of the world’s most popular sport to transcend borders, connect cultures, and inspire compassion,” she said. “From this platform, we extend our gratitude to all our partners for their generous support, and we invite everyone in Kuwait to join us at the youth tournament and cheer for the young players, because every cheer, every presence, and every bid in the charity auction helps ease the suffering of Palestinian children.”

The youth tournament will take place on Nov. 6-7, featuring 32 teams and 256 boys and girls aged 9 to 11. The opening ceremony will be held at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium in Sulaibikhat, with family activities and a vibrant retail village surrounding the venue. Attendance for the event is free.

Tarek Sultan, vice chairman of sponsors Agility Logistics, said: “Agility KSCP’s support for Football for Humanity reflects our enduring commitment to community and humanitarian initiatives. We believe the private sector has a vital role to play in supporting communities, both in times of crisis and through long-term investment in youth, education, and public health.

“Through our support for Football for Humanity, we reaffirm our dedication to helping those most in need, working alongside the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, aid agencies, and other Kuwaiti companies.”

The press conference was followed by a media tour of the exclusive football memorabilia on display at Al-Hamra Shopping Center, featuring original items to be auctioned and provided by the embassies of participating countries, directly sourced from their national teams and clubs. The collection features major contributions from Brazil’s and Italy’s national teams, Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos, and Spanish and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta. Visitors can view the display at Al-Hamra Shopping Center and take part in the online charity auction through Nov. 7.

Mrs. Abrar Abdulaziz Al-Habeeb, general manager of Al-Hamra Real Estate Company and a sponsor of the initiative, said: “At Al-Hamra, we believe that our true success is not measured solely by our architectural or commercial achievements, but by the positive impact we create within our community. Support and empowerment are at the heart of our mission, and we constantly strive to innovate and open new horizons that foster a sustainable, integrated environment where people, especially children, are at the center of everything we do.

“Through our sponsorship of the Football for Humanity initiative, we are putting our social responsibility into action and strengthening a culture of institutional and community solidarity,” she said.


PSG score seven and Barcelona hit six on a goal-filled night in the Champions League

PSG score seven and Barcelona hit six on a goal-filled night in the Champions League
Updated 22 October 2025

PSG score seven and Barcelona hit six on a goal-filled night in the Champions League

PSG score seven and Barcelona hit six on a goal-filled night in the Champions League
  • In all, there were 43 goals in nine games, with six teams scoring four or more
  • PSV Eindhoven routed Italian champion Napoli 6-2, while Arsenal and Inter Milan also had big wins to maintain their perfect starts in Europe
  • Haaland’s goal helped Manchester City to a 2-0 win at Villarreal

MANCHESTER, England: Paris Saint-Germain scored seven, Barcelona hit six and Erling Haaland struck his 24th goal of the season on an action-packed night in the Champions League on Tuesday.

In all, there were 43 goals in nine games, with six teams scoring four or more.

PSV Eindhoven routed Italian champion Napoli 6-2, while Arsenal and Inter Milan also had big wins to maintain their perfect starts in Europe.

But it is defending champion PSG that lead the way at the top of the standings after a wild 7-2 win against Bayer Leverkusen in a match that saw both teams reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Barcelona’s 6-1 win against Olympiakos saw them bounce back from a loss to PSG at the start of the month.

Premier League leader Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 4-0, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice, and last season’s Champions League runner-up Inter beat Union Saint-Gilloise by the same score.

Haaland’s goal helped Manchester City to a 2-0 win at Villarreal.

PSG run wild in Leverkusen

By halftime at the BayArena PSG was 4-1 up — but that didn’t come close to telling the full story of a chaotic first period, which included a red card for each team and two penalties for Leverkusen.

Two goals for Desire Doue put the French champion well in control and the action continued after the break with Nuno Mendes extending the lead within five minutes of the restart. Ousmane Dembele also came off the bench to make a scoring return after injury.

“That’s three games, three wins, and crucially we’re at the top of the UEFA Champions League table,” Dembele said. “We’ve started this campaign really well, especially considering how difficult it was last season.”

Spare a thought for Aleix Garcia, though. As well as his first half penalty, he scored the goal of the game in the second half with a swerving long range effort that was nothing more than a footnote.

Lopez treble

Fermin Lopez scored a hat trick and Marcus Rashford hit two goals as Barcelona blew away 10-man Olympiakos.

Barca took full advantage when Santiago Hezze was shown a contentious red card in the second half — scoring four goals to complete the rout.

It was Lopez’s first hat trick of his career, with Lamine Yamal also on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.

Olympiakos had no answer when Hezze was shown a second yellow card in the 57th minute, despite replays appearing to show he did not make contact with Marc Casado, who was trying to pull him back.

Just three minutes earlier, the visitors had got back into the game at 2-1 after Ayoub El Kaabi’s penalty.

Then with the extra man Barcelona overwhelmed Olympiakos with four goals in 11 minutes.

Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, now has four goals in three games in the Champions League this season.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to break opponents down, but we have so many goalscoring players in different areas that getting goals is the least of our worries,” he said.

Arsenal power past Atletico

Top of the Premier League and perfect in Europe, Arsenal are flying high.

A powerful second half at the Emirates saw Mikel Arteta’s team brush aside Atletico with summer signing Gyokeres sealing the victory with two goals in three minutes. Those goals ended the striker’s seven-game scoring drought for Arsenal.

“I am delighted as he fully deserves it. The workrate he brings to the team is outstanding. We value a lot of things that he does for the team and it was the biggest smile on his face today,” Arteta said.

Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli had given Arsenal a 2-0 lead before Gyokeres struck.

Arsenal are third in the standings — behind PSG and Inter on goal difference.

Red-hot Haaland

Haaland just can’t stop scoring right now.

The Norway international’s opener at Villarreal was his 24th in 14 games this season and extended his current scoring streak to 12 games in a row. He now has 53 goals in the Champions League in just 51 appearances.

The only game he didn’t score in this term was City’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in August.

Bernardo Silva was also on target as City moved up to fifth.

Napoli stunned in Eindhoven

The biggest shock of the night was Napoli’s defeat at PSV.

That’s back-to-back losses for Antonio Conte’s team, following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Torino. And such a heavy loss in Europe will be particularly humbling for the Italian champion, with three goals conceded in the last 10 minutes after going down to 10 men when Lorenzo Lucca was sent off in the 76th.

Napoli have just one win from three games in Europe so far.

It’s going better for Inter, who have a 100 percent record after three games and comfortably overcame Union Saint-Gilloise, with Lautaro Martinez scoring for the third time in the Champions League this season.

Newcastle and Dortmund win

Harvey Barnes scored twice in Newcastle’s 3-0 win against Benfica and Borussia Dortmund won 4-2 in Copenhagen.

Kazakhstani team Kairat picked up their first point in European soccer’s elite club competition with a 0-0 draw against Pafos.


Fermin hat-trick inspires Barcelona to 6-1 rout of Olympiacos

Fermin hat-trick inspires Barcelona to 6-1 rout of Olympiacos
Updated 21 October 2025

Fermin hat-trick inspires Barcelona to 6-1 rout of Olympiacos

Fermin hat-trick inspires Barcelona to 6-1 rout of Olympiacos
  • The match got off to a flying start when Fermin opened the scoring from a rebound in the seventh minute
  • Barcelona made the most of their numerical advantage as Yamal fired home their third goal

BARCELONA: A Fermin Lopez hat-trick and two goals from Marcus Rashford powered Barcelona to a crushing 6-1 Champions League victory over Olympiacos on Tuesday, with the Greek side left fuming over a controversial red card early in the second half.
The match got off to a flying start when Fermin opened the scoring from a rebound in the seventh minute. The 22-year-old pounced on a loose ball after Lamine Yamal’s shot was parried by the Olympiacos goalkeeper.
Fermin smashed the ball into the back of the net and he doubled his tally in the 39th minute by finishing off a lightning-quick counter-attack.
Pedri fed the ball to 17-year-old Dro Fernandez, who threaded a pass to Fermin and he coolly slotted the ball home to put Barcelona firmly in control.
Olympiacos had a glimmer of hope early in the second half when Ayoub El Kaabi’s header found the net in the 50th minute, but VAR ruled the effort out for offside.
However, the same review spotted a handball by Eric Garcia in the build-up, leading to a penalty which El Kaabi converted in the 54th minute to cut the deficit.

HEZZE SENT OFF
The visiting side’s momentum was short-lived, however, as Santiago Hezze was sent off in the 57th minute for a second yellow card.
It was a decision that left the Olympiacos players and coach fuming at official Urs Schnyder, as the replay showed that the Argentine barely touched his opponent’s face, but as it was a second yellow card offense a VAR review was not allowed.
Barcelona made the most of their numerical advantage as Yamal fired home their third goal from the penalty spot after Rashford was fouled in the box in the 68th minute.
The England forward added his name to the scoresheet with a strike from inside the box before Fermin completed his hat-trick and Rashford completed the rout in the 79th minute following a counter-attack.
“We needed a win like this ahead of Saturday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid,” Fermin told Movistar Plus.
“My first hat-trick with Barca is just a dream come true.
We’re going into to El Clasico feeling very positive. It’s a very important game for the club, for us and for the Barça fans.”


La Liga plan to hold Villarreal v Barcelona match in Miami off

La Liga plan to hold Villarreal v Barcelona match in Miami off
Updated 21 October 2025

La Liga plan to hold Villarreal v Barcelona match in Miami off

La Liga plan to hold Villarreal v Barcelona match in Miami off
  • La Liga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the organization of the event because of “uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks“
  • Tickets for the game at the Hard Rock Stadium were due to become available on Tuesday but organizers said the presale was “delayed“

BARCELONA: La Liga’s plan to hold a Barcelona match in Miami in December has been called off because of “uncertainty” about the game within Spain, the Spanish top flight said in a statement Tuesday.
Champions Barca were set to face Villarreal in the United States on December 20, which would have been the first European league fixture to be played abroad.
La Liga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the organization of the event because of “uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks.”
The Spanish topflight said they “deeply regret that the project, which represented a historic and unparallelled opportunity to take Spanish football to the international stage, cannot go ahead.”
Tickets for the game at the Hard Rock Stadium were due to become available on Tuesday but organizers said the presale was “delayed” before the plan was scrapped.
The match will now be held at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica home as normal.
European football governing body UEFA said they opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would allow it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.
The plan to hold the match in the United States was criticized by various parties.
The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) organized protests against it last weekend, with players from every team not moving for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.
Spanish giants Real Madrid also railed against it institutionally, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it would adulterate the competition.
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal told La Liga president Javier Tebas the game being held abroad would be “a stain” on the competition.
La Liga have been trying to hold a match abroad for several years.


Chelsea cautious on Fernandez return as Maresca dwells on injuries, red cards

Chelsea cautious on Fernandez return as Maresca dwells on injuries, red cards
Updated 21 October 2025

Chelsea cautious on Fernandez return as Maresca dwells on injuries, red cards

Chelsea cautious on Fernandez return as Maresca dwells on injuries, red cards
  • Midfielder Enzo Fernandez may return to action after missing a week with a knee issue
  • “It is not something we have to be worried about. It’s to try and protect Enzo,” Maresca told reporters

LONDON: A long list of injured players and a tendency to pick up red cards are among Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s main concerns before Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Ajax Amsterdam as they look to steady the ship after a tumultuous September.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez may return to action after missing a week with a knee issue but Maresca said Chelsea would not rush the Argentina international back as they look for their fourth straight win in all competitions.
“Enzo took part in the session yesterday. We have one more session this afternoon and we will decide with him tomorrow. It is not something we have to be worried about. It’s to try and protect Enzo,” Maresca told reporters on Tuesday.
Center-back Benoit Badiashile was the latest Chelsea player to pick up a knock last week, the sixth on the injury list.
“It’s difficult, especially because most of the injuries we had were one or two days before the game,” Maresca said.
“We’re trying to adapt. It’s complicated because sometimes you plan for some players to play one week, but then you need that player because of another injury.”

NO ‘PUNISHMENT’ FOR PLAYERS OVER RED CARDS
Chelsea are also facing an issue with player discipline after picking up four red cards in the last six matches.
“For sure, it’s something we can do better. Some of the red cards, we can avoid that ... the other side, they do not want to concede and they want to continue to be aggressive,” Maresca added.
“Personally, I’m not that kind of manager to punish players ... I have four kids, when they do something wrong, I do not punish them. I try to teach them to do the right things. I try to do this with the players too. This is the way I like to do things.”
But Chelsea, who had a three-match Premier League winless streak and lost their first Champions League game to Bayern Munich last month, have bounced back with a scrappy victory over Benfica and back-to-back wins in the English top-flight.
“We were not happy with the result at Bayern, but the performance, we were happy with. We knew that was a difficult game,” Maresca said.
“Benfica, we tried to prepare the game to win the game in the best way, but when you face this kind of club there are always things you can learn after the game. It is going to be exactly the same tomorrow.
“It’ll be a difficult game. (Ajax) are a club that have won this competition in the past. They want to prove to everyone that they can come here and beat us. We are going to try and do exactly the same.”
Chelsea are 18th in the Champions League table with three points from their opening two games, while Ajax are second-bottom without a point after two defeats.