North Sports

 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes his squad is capable of overcoming Fenerbahce in the Europa League, even with several players unavailable.  Captain Bruno Fernandes is sidelined due to a suspension from his red card in the 3-3 draw against FC Porto, and Jonny Evans will also be missing. "The players we have need to step up, and I trust they can," Ten Hag told reporters in Istanbul. "Our team is filled with experienced players who have encountered these situations before. We're looking ahead with optimism; the atmosphere will be electric, serving as motivation and a real challenge for us." Mason Mount is among those who won't be available for the 20:00 BST kick-off, and he would have been a prime candidate to step in for Fernandes in the no.10 position. "I'm afraid we’ll have to wait a bit longer for Mount, as we anticipated," the manager said. "But I believe he’ll be back soon." In-form defender Jonny Evans picked up ...

  Former Italian striker Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci, famous as the top scorer of the 1990 World Cup, died on Wednesday at the age of 59. Juventus are among the Italian football clubs who have paid tribute to Schillaci, who became an icon for his surprise goals during the World Cup at home in his country, saying only "Ciao Toto" on social media media with a photo of him wearing a Juve shirt. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has announced that all matches played in Italy between now and the end of next weekend will benefit from a "minute of reflection" before kick-off."His goal celebrations, in which his face became a symbol of collective joy, will forever remain an integral part of Italian football's heritage,"  FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said in a statement.Toto Schillaci played for Juventus and Inter after starting his career in the early 1980s in Messina and enjoyed modest success at club level.His best club season came just bef...

  In Santos, the home of his old team, thousands of mourners lined the streets as Pele was laid to rest. At the club's Urbano Caldeira stadium, Pele had been lying in state for 24 hours so that fans could pay their respects. On Tuesday, a large crowd of people lined the streets as a fire engine carried his casket to a private family funeral. Three-time World Cup champion Pele passed away on December 29th at the age of 82. He has been having treatment for colon cancer since 2021 and was arguably the greatest footballer to ever play the game. After his passing, the Brazilian government proclaimed three days of national mourning, and the nation's new president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, went to Santos to pay his respects. Pele's coffin was transported on a fire truck through the crowded streets of supporters while draped in the Brazilian flag. The home of his 100-year-old mother, Celeste Arantes, was also passed by during the procession. More than 230,000 people, according to...