Thursday’s briefing: Glasner leaves on a high and Barcelona agree Gordon deal
By Press Association Sport Staff
Oliver Glasner celebrated his final game in charge of Crystal Palace by leading the Eagles to Conference League glory.
FIFA’s World Cup ticketing practices came under scrutiny as the attorneys generals of New York and New Jersey launched an investigation, with world football’s governing body subpoenaed to provide information.
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon agreed a deal to join Barcelona, but Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill was going nowhere with a contract to stay on at the Irish Football Association until 2032.
Eagles fly high as Palace claim first European trophy
Crystal Palace won the Conference League by beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the Leipzig final.
The Eagles lifted their first European trophy as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half goal proved the difference.
It marked the final chapter of a fairytale run for Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who, after guiding the Eagles to an historic FA Cup triumph and the Community Shield, is departing the south London club after spearheading their most successful period in history.
Glasner told TNT Sports: “The players and the fans have given me and my family who were here incredible days in my life. That’s what I really appreciate.
“It’s a good chapter in the Crystal Palace book, but other chapters will follow.”
Palace will play in the Europa League next season, a competition they were demoted from featuring in this term after being penalised for breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
FIFA ordered to explain World Cup ticket pricing
https://x.com/NewJerseyOAG/status/2059645152919003527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
FIFA’s ticketing practices for the 2026 World Cup are to be investigated by chief legal officers in the United States.
The attorneys generals of New York and New Jersey insist FIFA must answer questions after allegations of “artificially inflating prices” and “misleading fans” over the sale of match tickets, with world football’s governing body subpoenaed to provide information.
It has been reported that fans may have been misled about the locations of the seats they were purchasing, and FIFA’s public statements and ticket releases possibly contributing to soaring prices.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and her New York counterpart Letitia James have specifically requested details about ticketing practices for eight World Cup matches hosted in New Jersey, including England’s group game with Panama on June 27th and the World Cup final on July 19th.
Davenport said: “Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated. But FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices – all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans.
“We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation of FIFA’s conduct, and we are proud to stand together with Attorney General James in protecting our consumers.”
Newcastle winger Gordon agrees Barcelona move
Barcelona and Newcastle have agreed a fee of more than £69 million for the transfer of England winger Anthony Gordon.
Sources on Tyneside have indicated that the Catalan giants have moved quickly in their pursuit of the 25-year-old after it emerged that they had opened talks with the Magpies.
It is understood the Spanish champions have agreed to pay the Premier League club in excess of €80 million – around £69.3 million – to get their hands on a player they saw at close hand in the Champions League this season.
Bayern Munich and others had also been keen on a player whom Newcastle paid Everton £45 million for in January 2023.
Manager O’Neill extends Northern Ireland stay
https://x.com/NorthernIreland/status/2059530560419041311?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Michael O’Neill signed a new four-year contract to stay as Northern Ireland manager just two weeks after turning down an offer from Blackburn.
O’Neill, 56, finished the season juggling dual roles with Northern Ireland and Blackburn and entered talks with the Championship club over extending his stay at Ewood Park after guiding them to safety.
But having chosen to stay in international football, O’Neill has committed himself to the Irish Football Association on fresh terms that run until 2032.
“I’m delighted,” O’Neill said. “As much as I enjoyed my time (at Blackburn) and the people there are really, really good people…I just didn’t feel it was the right thing for me stepping away from the international job at this minute in time.”
What’s on today?
The Republic of Ireland are back in action after missing out on the World Cup as Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side host Qatar in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium.
