Archive June 27, 2025

After German authorities said their fans were unable to watch pre-season games in the country, Leeds has offered an “unreserved apology.”

As they get ready to reclaim the Premier League, the Whites will travel to Germany for an eight-day training camp.

Due to the resources required to host Euro 2024, Daniel Farke’s side traveled on a similar note last year. Police and local authorities instructed them not to bring supporters.

Leeds claim to have received “written assurances” from their tour operator and the German Football Association that fans will be able to attend this year but have since been denied that.

We were informed in the last week that the police and local authorities would once again refuse to let us play games in front of crowds, would not allow us to provide live updates and video streams, and have asked to discourage supporter travel, Leeds said in a statement.

“This occurs despite numerous attempts to find a solution, including considering alternative scenarios that would allow for fan attendance, and even considering moving camp to a different location on short notice.

Unfortunately, those efforts failed because of how quickly things changed in our society.

“We are deeply disappointed in this outcome, just as it will undoubtedly irritate and annoy you, our devoted supporters, to whom we express our sincere condolences.”

The Leeds United Supporters Trust said the club will be contacting the German authorities if there is “any reasonable explanation” for the decision.

The group expressed respect for the club and Daniel Farke’s desire to maintain a successful training camp in Germany, but they must provide a compelling reason why Leeds United fans are being unfairly excluded once more, according to the group.

Leeds fans can also watch pre-season friendlies against Villarreal on August 2 and 3 against AC Milan in Dublin and Manchester United in Stockholm on August 2 next month.

Celtic fans will naturally recall the legend Henrik Larsson, and is he, in the future when talks about signing another Swedish international forward arise.

He spent seven trophy-filled seasons with the Glasgow club before making an impressive comeback for Barcelona and Manchester United in his twilight years. He was bought for a pittance from Feyenoord for a pittance in 1997.

After moving from Nordsjaelland for a reported less than £2 million, Benjamin Nygren will have a dream job similar to that at Celtic Park.

The 23-year-old has been playing in the Danish Superliga for three and a half years, but he recently stated in a recent Swedish television interview that he thinks it’s time to switch to a bigger club, in front of a packed stadium, and to compete in the Champions League.

Before making his competitive debut as a 16-year-old in 2018, Nygren made his debut through IFK Goteborg’s youth ranks.

Despite being reportedly interested in Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Manchester City, that was shortly after he agreed to professional terms with his neighborhood club.

When he moved to Genk in Belgium’s top flight for a reported $4.2 million, a record-breaking sale by IFK, he was only 17 years old.

By that point, Nygren had only made 15 appearances, but the Swedish national had already scored six goals in his second season with the first team, which finished seventh in Sweden’s top division, scoring four more in 12 of those appearances.

He would only score once in his seven games for Genk, but his loan to the Netherlands came in the wake of his European travels.

Heerenveen finished 12th overall in the Eredivisie and advanced to a national cup semi-final with the help of Nygren scoring seven times in 32 appearances.

His second season on loan was less successful, with 19 net appearances. He left Nordsjaelland in January 2022, cutting the length of his Genk contract by two years.

His modest beginnings helped his new club avoid relegation, along with current Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande.

However, Nygren’s career was back on track after Nordsjaelland was tipped for the top of the table by the end of the regular season but was subsequently overtaken by Copenhagen after scoring six goals in 31 games in his first full season in the Superliga.

Although they would finish third behind Fenerbahce and Ludogorets Razgrad, finishing third at least gave rise to Conference League group stage football the following year.

The Swede scored a double in a 7-1 victory over the Bulgarians, and added a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory over the Turks, which undoubtedly helped draw Nygren’s attention.

With Nordsjaelland now minus Ibrox-bound Diomande, finishing fourth overall and a combined 12 goals from 31 games, Nygren would surpass that goal by finding the net 16 times in 32 games, despite his team being only fifth this year.

Nygren becomes Brendan Rodgers’ first true new face of the summer with Scotland defender Kieran Tierney returning from Celtic Park on a free transfer from Arsenal and Ross Doohan returning as Aberdeen back-up goalkeeper.

It should come as no surprise that Celtic paid for a player with Nygren’s qualities for their first outgoing fee since the start of the transfer window.

Daizen Maeda, a fellow Japan international, had occasionally been pushed up front from his usual wide left role as Kyogo Furuhashi was sold to Rennes near the end of the January window.

Even though Maeda outshined specialist Adam Idah, it left Celtic without options on the wings, especially with Jota’s injury, who had just returned from Rennes in January.

Another wide man with a goal threat was desperately needed, with the Portuguese being ruled out until the end of the year and right winger Maeda and the Portuguese being reported to be drawing interest from clubs all over Europe.

Nygren shouldn’t be seen as a radical right-winger.

Nygren frequently drifts infield with his preferred left foot to shoot for goal while impressing on loan from Wolfsburg last season, similar to Vaclav Cerny’s style.

In fact, Mats Gren, the IFK sporting director, claimed in a recent interview that he is the best at number 10.

For instance, his first two goals against Fenerbahce came from kicking the ball in the penalty box.

In addition, he has since added a curled finish against Hungary and his third against the Turks and his first for Sweden, both of which earned him his second cap in a 5-1 defeat of Northern Ireland in March.

No wonder Brendan Rodgers has described Nygren as an “exciting” player who will make people laugh.

The Swede leads in goals on goals, goals per game, and aerial duels won, despite the fact that the German has more dribbles and creates more chances for others.

After being unable to claim all the prize money he will receive from the Wimbledon main draw, British qualifier Oliver Tarvet has called for a change in the rules for colleges.

After winning his third and final qualifying match on Thursday, Tarvet, 21, made it to the first round, where players will receive $66, 000.

The Englishman has improved his game through the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) system while attending the University of San Diego.

Players are limited in what they can claim from professional tournaments in accordance with NCAA rules.

Players are permitted $10, 000 (£7, 290) in annual profit, according to Tarvet, who explained this on Friday, as well as any costs incurred during the events.

“But in my opinion, I’ve put in a lot of effort to obtain this.” The money I have is not something I don’t feel is undeserved.

I don’t want to get involved, but I think a change in the NCAA’s rules would be nice. Not really, but that’s where I belong.

“But I did well this week,” he continued. I believe I merit this sum of money.

Reese Brantmeier, an American college player, filed a class action against the NCAA earlier this year due to the restrictions.

Jay Clarke of Britain believes that there is still a “barrier” stopping young black tennis players from advancing in the country.

The LTA released its “equity, diversity and inclusion plan” last month, stating that it won’t be satisfied until the diversity of all players in tennis reflects that diversity of the nation’s diverse communities.

Heather Watson, Paul Jubb, and George Loffhagen are just a few of the top 200 players with black or mixed heritage in the UK, along with Clarke, 26.

In the first round of Wimbledon, Clarke, who plays Dan Evans, said, “It’s nice to see more black players breaking through.”

“I believe there is still a barrier, and black players won’t be able to play the sport,” she said.

The LTA did a good job of restoring park courts and providing opportunities for visitors.

The most crucial thing is witnessing talented performers on the big stages. It is crucial to represent you.

The All England Club’s Arthur Ashe victory this summer marked the 50th anniversary of his victory at Wimbledon. Ashe became the first black player to win a Grand Slam men’s singles title.

After hearing the story of the American player, Ashe, who won three major titles, has become one of Clarke’s biggest inspirations.

For my dad, it was amazing for him to see and that was passed on to me, Clarke continued.