Sports
Enzo Maresca Reacts To Man City 20,000 Empty Seats At The Etihad In Win Against AEK Athens
Manchester City saw off AEK Athens in front of an Etihad crowd that had pockets of empty seats, prompting Enzo Maresca to comment on the drop in attendance
Manchester City hammered AEK Athens on Tuesday night but the post-match talk was dominated by the rafts of empty seats at the Etihad Stadium, which was only two thirds full.
After continued renovation, the Etihad now boasts a capacity of 61,038, and yet the official attendance was a mere 40,024. That came as no surprise with the match action often showing pockets of empty blue seats whilst large parts of the upper tier remained unsold. The match was City’s third at home in seven days following defeat by Paris Saint-Germain and victory over Ipswich.
It must also be said that AEK Athens are not the biggest sell on the fixture list, with City always expected to win relatively comfortably, which they did thanks to a Phil Foden hat-trick. He scored three in their 5-1 success with Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also getting in on the act.
Enzo Maresca wasn’t concerned by the attendance, however, and told reporters after the game: “I think the ones in the stadium were good. The last game against Ipswich they were top and next week two games against Brighton and I’ve no doubt the environment will be good again.”
City fans have rallied recently in light of the guilty verdict, which was handed down by an independent panel and now threatens their place in the Premier League. An appeal has been lodged, but a major points deduction and relegation remains on the cards.
Amid accusations of cheating during a nine-year period that spanned from 2009 to 2018, City have come out fighting and their fans have waved large inflatable bananas during games, which stems back to the 1980s when fans took them to games following relegation.
City remain perfect in the Premier League, winning seven from seven to boast a three point lead over Arsenal in second. Maresca’s side face a challenging trip to Aston Villa at the weekend, they’ve lost their last three visits to Villa Park.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rescheduled the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony to December 2 in Lagos.
CAF announced the new date in a statement on Tuesday, with the event brought forward five days.
Although the football body gave no reason for the change, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Art Theatre, in Lagos, remains the venue for the ceremony.
The event will mark the return of the CAF Awards to Lagos for the first time since the 2014 edition, bringing together leading players, coaches, clubs and other personalities in African football to celebrate their achievements.
A total of 18 categories will be recognised at the ceremony, with the CAF Men’s Player of the Year and CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards among the major honours.
Other categories will recognise outstanding coaches, goalkeepers, emerging talents, clubs and national teams for their performances during the year.
Meanwhile, voting for the 2026 awards is ongoing and will run from November 5 to 20 across the men’s and women’s categories.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering standing against Gianni Infantino as a candidate in Fifa’s presidential election.
For weeks, senior figures in European football have been hoping the Frenchman would run for the job, and he is now giving it serious thought.
Wenger is 77, leading to questions over whether he could provide long-term leadership for the sport.
But according to report, some of his supporters have said that they would be happy for him to win the election, then stand down before serving a full four-year term.
Infantino’s position was plunged into crisis by a backlash caused by his failed plan to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
But he retains support in South America, Africa and Asia, and recently insisted he has the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of world football.
However, that support could be tested if Wenger stands.
Fifa’s head of global development would have the backing of Uefa, which has spearheaded opposition to Infantino, and he has credibility throughout the footballing world.
Sources close to Wenger say he is yet to decide whether to stand, and they still believe Infantino is favourite to win a fourth and final term in next year’s election.
The deadline for candidates to confirm they are standing against Infantino for the election in March is 18 November.
Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega was the first person to put his name forward in October.
Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima has also announced his intention to stand.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson says he wants to stay at Anfield beyond the end of the season when his contract expires.
The 34-year-old, who has come in for criticism from Liverpool fans this season, delivered a reminder of his quality in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace with a string of important saves.
Liverpool decided to keep Alisson in the summer amid interest from Juventus after triggering a one-year option in his contract in March.
Amid lingering doubts over his future, Alisson was asked if he wishes to continue at Anfield after his starring role at Selhurst Park.
“Yes, in my mind,” he said. “I’m focused on playing every game but in my mind I’m happy to stay. You know, that depends on a lot of aspects and different situations.
“But my will is to stay. I’m happy here, my family is happy here. I’m still hungry for titles and for delivering good performances. I still want to play at the top level for as long as I can. So that’s my thinking on that.”
Liverpool signed Alisson from Roma in 2018 for £67m, a world-record fee for a keeper at the time, and he has gone on to win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.
Andoni Iraola, the Liverpool head coach, said last week that he hopes Alisson will stay at Anfield, but said the decision rests with the goalkeeper.
Alisson’s latest comments will be sure to ease any concerns of Liverpool losing another high-profile player as a free agent.
Asked if he had held talks with Liverpool over a new contract, Alisson said: “No, but my agent is talking with the club.”
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