Chelsea, Real Betis Fans Clash Before Conference League Final

After a confrontation between Chelsea and Real Betis fans before Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final in Poland, Riot police deployed a water cannon and blocked parts of central Wroclaw.

We made four arrests, according to Wojciech Jablonski, a spokesman for the Wroclaw police.

He claimed that “a water cannon” was used to end fanfights between opposing fan groups.

According to Jablonski, “several hundred police officers came in there (…) to restore public order and identify those who broke the law.”

Before Real Betis and Chelsea FC’s UEFA Conference League Final, which will take place in Wroclaw on May 28, 2025, Real Betis supporters blocked tram tracks in the city center of Wroclaw. (Photo by Sergei GAPON/AFP)

Chelsea fans crowded inside the hurriedly put up security cordon.

An AFP reporter at the scene reported that “police in riot gear surrounded a bar occupied by Chelsea supporters.”

As riot police took up positions, Chelsea fans jeered as they arrived.

All “unauthorised” people were urged to leave the area by the police.

Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland, vowed “tolerance for violence on our streets.”

He thanked the police for their “steady action” against Chelsea and Betis t-shirts in Wroclaw. We advise that the police will be even more violent today. posted on X in the thread.

At the fanfest area, the city center was crowded with English and Spanish club fans who photographed the trophy before the kickoff at 1900 GMT.

The old town’s atmosphere was generally friendly, the bars were full of supporters, and there were occasionally police sirens.

Before the UEFA Conference League Final between Real Betis and Chelsea FC in Wroclaw on May 28, 2025, Polish riot police officers stand between Real Betis and Chelsea fans. (Photo by Sergei GAPON/AFP)

Real Betis are competing for their first European title in Wednesday’s final, and Chelsea are hoping to become the first team to win all five of UEFA’s major men’s club competitions.

The Blues can now complete the set if they defeat Betis in the final of Poland’s most recent competition, the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, and the no-winners’ cup. They have already won the Champions League twice.

More To Life Than Football, Says Klopp After Liverpool Parade Crash

After a car crashed into supporters at the end of a parade to celebrate the club’s Premier League title triumph, Jurgen Klopp, the beloved former manager of Liverpool, said there are more “serious things in the world than football.”

After 65 people were seriously injured in the shocking scenes of Monday, a 53-year-old man from the Liverpool area has been detained by police on suspicion of attempted murder and drug use.

Klopp, who left the English giants a year ago, was present for the parade.

As Klopp’s side won the 2019/20 league while there were restrictions on public gatherings as a result of Covid-19, the club and supporters had the first opportunity to celebrate a title triumph together for 35 years.

The League Managers’ Association awarded Klopp with an award after the presentation of an incredible mood and “from one second to the other, everything changed.”

“Thoughts and prayers go unquestionably to the injured people, as far as I am aware right now, and also to the families, of course, as well.

Because we didn’t get the chance to do that the last time, it should have been one of the best days in the city’s history.

Out of respect for the victims, Liverpool boss Arne Slot withdrew from the same occasion, where he was scheduled to receive a manager of the year award.

Even Liverpool’s most fervent rivals Manchester United, Everton, and Manchester City were among the clubs who showed their support for the Premier League champions and their supporters in the shock that followed.

Football is and always should be a game of rivalry, but it also provides a great sense of camaraderie, especially during times like this, Slot said in a statement.

I want to pay tribute to Liverpool’s emergency services and other authorities, who immediately took action.

I believe that everyone involved in the aftermath deserves our full appreciation, along with the supporters and bystanders who offered one another in times of need.

11 of the injured were still receiving treatment at a hospital on Tuesday, according to a press release from the police.

Future Of Maradona Death Trial In Doubt As Scandal-Hit Judge Steps Down

Due to a scandal that has cast doubt on the success of the well-known case, a key judge in the trial of late Argentine football star Diego Maradona’s medical team resigned on Tuesday.

Julieta Makintach, known as the “judge of god,” dissented after it became clear she had been filming a racy miniseries about the ongoing trial, potentially violating a number of ethics standards.

At the age of 60, Maradona underwent brain surgery and passed away in November 2020.

His seven-person medical team is accused of gross negligence in his home convalescence.

After a string of police raids and a one-week suspension of the case, Makintach, 47, was charged with violating her impartiality, selling influence, and even bribery for her role in the documentary miniseries “Divine Justice.”

In a courtroom video that featured Makintach strutting high heels through the streets of justice while grim details about the footballing legend’s demise were revealed, the film was shown.

Also Read: Cuban Olympic Organization Declares Denied US Visas

The miniseries would follow Makintach as she “reconstructs the death of Maradona and some painful milestones of his life related to abandonment,” according to the script.

In a violation of court regulations, the footage appeared to contain allegedly unauthorised recordings made inside the courtroom.

The hearing on Tuesday featured insults, repudiations, shouting, and tears.

Prosecutors’ attorney Patricio Ferrari blasted Makintach for acting “like an actress and not a judge” in a heated exchange.

Rodolfo Baque, the defense attorney, jumped out of his chair as the trailer was playing. at the judge’s discretion.

Gianinna Maradona’s daughter tried to calm him, but Veronica Ojeda and her ex-partner, Veronica Maradona, both started sobbing uncontrollably.

Makintach eventually said she had “no choice” but to recuse herself as one of the three justices in the case, sat with her head bowed, bit her lip, and sat with her lip.

“Dark, ugly, and lonely”

Her removal could potentially derail a trial being watched by football diehards all over the world and cause embarrassment to Argentina’s judiciary system.

Maradona, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in history, passed away from heart failure and acute pulmonary embolism.

If found guilty of homicide with probable intent, those responsible for his medical care could spend eight to twenty years in prison.

The charges relate to the circumstances surrounding his care and how they decided to allow him to recover from extensive surgery at home.

Gianinna Maradona claims that her father was kept “in a dark, ugly, and lonely place” by his caregivers, who were more concerned with his well-being than his welfare.

On Thursday, the court will decide whether the trial will continue or be halted before being resumed.

Some plaintiffs have argued that the trial has been tarnished by scandal.

“Everyone now feels that this is compromised,” said Mario Baudry, Maradona’s ex-partner Ojeda’s attorney.

Starting fresh from scratch is the healthiest idea, he continued.

Cuban Olympic Body Says Denied US Visas

In response to growing concern about US entry requirements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) claimed on Tuesday that Washington had refused to issue visas to officials and athletes.

Due to the COC’s lack of travel authorization, the organization announced that its president, vice-president, and secretary general were barred from this month’s regional Olympic committee meetings in Miami and Puerto Rico.

The national men’s basketball team missed the FIBA AmeriCup in Puerto Rico in February, all because they didn’t have visas, and 14 Cubans were unable to compete in an athletics championship in Florida in March, it added.

The COC attributed Washington’s “aggressive policy” toward Cuba to an “arbitrary and politically motivated handling of visa applications.”

Under President Donald Trump, relations between Washington and communist Cuba have deteriorated further, with the US having been a trade embargo for more than 60 years.

The committee called for “respect for the obligations and fundamental principles of olympism” and demanded “discriminatory practices that go against the spirit of sport” in a statement.

Trump has increased pressure on the Caribbean island, putting it back on the US list of “terrorism” sponsors, since making his return to the White House in January.

His administration has also taken steps to increase the number of undocumented immigrants, including those who are from Cuba, and has denied visas to people who allegedly harbor anti-Semitism or have “hostile attitudes” toward the United States.

The US, Mexico, and Canada hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are not affected by tightened immigration policies, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week.

We want the event to succeed. According to reports of a decline in tourism to the United States since Trump’s second term began, Rubio said. “It’s a priority for the president.”

Djokovic Cruises Into French Open Second Round

Novak Djokovic defeated Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the French Open, giving him a strong start toward a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic won the round of 64 at Roland Garros straight sets over his 98th-ranked American opponent in less than two hours, just after claiming his 100th tour title at Geneva last weekend.

The 38-year-old sixth seed’s only hic-cup was his failure to serve out the second set, which ended 5-2, but Djokovic quickly fixed his error by breaking McDonald to 15-man.

On day three of the French Open tennis competition at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 27, 2025, US Mackenzie McDonald plays a forehand return to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. (Franck FIFE/AFP photo)

The former world no. 1 would surpass Margaret Court’s total of 24 Grand Slam victories with a fourth victory at the French Open.

However, Djokovic has previously acknowledged that as he enters his late-thirties, and that his most recent major success occurred at the US Open two years ago.

After winning, Djokovic told Court Philippe Chatrier, “I don’t know how many Grand Slams I have left in my body.”

“I’m just trying to enjoy every second of this magnificent stadium.”

On day three of the French Open tennis competition, which takes place on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 27, 2025, Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits an overhead smash to US Mackenzie McDonald. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
On day three of the French Open tennis competition at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 27, 2025, US Mackenzie McDonald plays a forehand return to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)

Djokovic unfavors any rumors that he might end his career soon, despite speaking to the press following the game.

“I put a lot of time into making sure that every step of the way is followed in terms of preparation and prevention in order for me to continue playing at this level,” he said.

There are always challenges, of course, on the mental side. You are aware of doubts that always exist. However, there are also motivations and objectives, you know, what motivates you, and what keeps you from competing?

I’m fortunate that I have a variety of drives to keep going. Of course, history, breaking records, and accomplishing great things in this sport are all things.

Novak Djokovic, a Serbian tennis player, celebrates his men’s singles victory over US Mackenzie Mcdonald on day three of the French Open tennis competition in Paris on May 27, 2025. (Franck FIFE/AFP photo)

Teenage Barca Star Yamal Signs New Contract To 2031

After a fantastic season, Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal announced on Tuesday that she would stay with the Catalan giants until 2031.

The 17-year-old winger is already a key player for the club and contributed to their success with the domestic success of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

The Catalan club announced in a statement that Barcelona and Lamine Yamal have reached a contract extension agreement that will take effect on June 30, 2031.

The strength of Barca’s project is demonstrated by Lamine Yamal’s renewal, the statement read. His entry into the world football scene, which he made debut on April 29, 2023, was a milestone for the youngster.

He is one of Barcelona’s best-paid players, according to Spanish media reports.

In 55 matches across all competitions during a sensational campaign, Yamal scored 18 goals and contributed 25 assists to Spain’s victory at Euro 2024 last summer.

As Barca reclaimed the title from Real Madrid this year by scoring 102 league goals with the help of Yamal’s skill and speed while playing on the right flank.

At the age of 15, Yamal made his debut under Xavi Hernandez in 2023, graduating from the club’s highly regarded La Masia youth academy, which is frequently compared to Lionel Messi’s all-time best player.

He had become the team’s main attacking force by the end of the 2023-24 campaign, making him the difference-making player in a poor campaign that saw Barca leave with no goals.

Yamal perfected Flick’s attacking style after his heroics at the Euros, which showed he had advanced to the top of the game.

Yamal put together two outstanding Champions League semi-final performances against Inter Milan, but they must now wait for a 7-6 aggregate result.

After the game, Yamal pledged, “I will keep my promise and I will bring the Champions League trophy to Barcelona. We won’t stop until we get it.”

The winger has already played for Barcelona more than 100 times in his youth.

In the last few days, Yamal and team-mate Raphinha signed contact extensions, following team-mate Flick and Raphinha, who turns 18 in July.

According to Spanish media reports, his contract includes a significant pay raise, as well as a number of bonuses for various accomplishments, including winning the Ballon d’Or.

Yamal could become the world’s best player this year and claim the title.