General Football
Barcelona ditch Marc-André ter Stegen as captain over medical dispute
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Club’s financial plans hit by feud over injury status
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Ronald Araújo to step up from vice-captain
Barcelona stripped Marc-André ter Stegen of the captaincy on Thursday as a feud escalated between the Germany goalkeeper and the club over his injury status amid attempts to register signings.
The defending La Liga champions signed the 24-year-old goalkeeper Joan García from cross-city rivals Espanyol last month, with the club probably expecting to sell Ter Stegen, 33, to make space in their wage bill for García and the Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford.
‘Palestinian Pelé’ killed in Israeli attack in southern Gaza
Palestine Football Association says Suleiman al-Obeid, 41, died during attack on people waiting for humanitarian aid
A footballer known as the “Palestinian Pelé” has been killed in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza, according to the Palestine Football Association (PFA).
Suleiman al-Obeid was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces attacked civilians waiting for humanitarian aid, the PFA said.
Villarreal confirm Partey signing and address sexual offence charges in statement
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Midfielder signs in week when he appeared in court
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Club says it ‘firmly condemns … gender-based violence’
Villarreal have confirmed the signing of Thomas Partey on a free transfer after the expiry of his contract with Arsenal. The move was announced two days after the 32-year-old appeared in court charged with six sexual offences.
Partey was bailed to appear at the Old Bailey for trial later this year, charged with five counts of rape relating to two women and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman. The alleged offences are said to have taken place in 2021 and 2022 when Partey was playing for Arsenal.