News for 'football'

896 Balls, One GOAT: Inside Kolkata's Messi Fan Zone

896 Balls, One GOAT: Inside Kolkata's Messi Fan Zone

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Between 9 and 13 December, the Argentina Football Fans Club of Kolkata is turning Aikatan, a cultural hub just a short walk from Salt Lake Stadium, into a full-blown Messi fan zone, drenched in Argentina's blue and white.

Who is Michael Carrick? The man asked to save United

Who is Michael Carrick? The man asked to save United

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Manchester United have turned to one of their own, appointing their former midfielder Michael Carrick to steady the ship as interim manager until the season's end, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Why Messi left in 22 mins: Inside Kolkata's event failure

Why Messi left in 22 mins: Inside Kolkata's event failure

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

What should have been a landmark footballing moment in Kolkata turned into a cautionary tale on Saturday morning, as Lionel Messi's brief appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium was cut short amid crowd mismanagement

Indian football in crisis: ISL clubs warn of shutdown

Indian football in crisis: ISL clubs warn of shutdown

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

No headway in meeting between AIFF and FSDL

Messi to meet PM Modi, CJI, Army chief in Delhi

Messi to meet PM Modi, CJI, Army chief in Delhi

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

The final day of the GOAT India Tour will also see Messi exchanging greetings with two members of the Indian cricket team at the Ferozshah Kotla Stadium.

Chelsea axe Maresca after stunning slump

Chelsea axe Maresca after stunning slump

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

Chelsea parted ways with Enzo Maresca on Thursday, a dramatic fall from grace for the Italian who was named manager of the month for November before the club won just one of their last seven league games to fall out of the Premier League title race.

Hollywood-backed Wrexham knock Forest out of FA Cup

Hollywood-backed Wrexham knock Forest out of FA Cup

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Championship side Oxford United beat League Two's MK Dons on penalties after their match ended 1-1, while a couple of League One teams moved on, with Wigan Athletic beating Championship side Preston North End 1-0, and Port Vale defeating League Two's Fleetwood Town 1-0.

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Political parties in West Bengal, including the ruling TMC and opposition BJP, have condemned the organizers of an event featuring Lionel Messi in Kolkata after it descended into chaos due to spectators' inability to properly view the football star. Demands for action and accountability have been made.

Not pitch-perfect: Italy carry cricket hopes of soccer nation

Not pitch-perfect: Italy carry cricket hopes of soccer nation

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Italy are gearing up for their Twenty20 World Cup debut, hoping a strong showing next month will help the sport break into popular culture in a soccer-obsessed nation that does not have a natural cricket pitch.

Mamata apologises to Messi, fans after chaos at Kolkata event; orders probe

Mamata apologises to Messi, fans after chaos at Kolkata event; orders probe

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Stating that she was shocked and deeply disturbed by the 'mismanagement' at the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced the constitution of a high-level committee to probe the incident.

Mamata apologises to Messi, fans after chaos at Kolkata event; orders probe

Mamata apologises to Messi, fans after chaos at Kolkata event; orders probe

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered a high-level probe into the alleged mismanagement at the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata, after fans were unable to catch a glimpse of the football star.

Ambani Hosts Messi, Suarez at Vantara in Jamnagar

Ambani Hosts Messi, Suarez at Vantara in Jamnagar

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

According to ANI, citing sources, reported that the footballers will stay overnight at the facility, hosted by Anant Ambani, Director at Reliance Industries Limited.

Steve Waugh: 'Europe is the last frontier of cricket'

Steve Waugh: 'Europe is the last frontier of cricket'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Cricket legend Steve Waugh believes the European T20 Premier League can unlock new talent and expand cricket's footprint across Europe.

Why Manchester United Pulled the Plug on Amorim

Why Manchester United Pulled the Plug on Amorim

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

While there are suggestions that Ruben Amorim's comments at Sunday's press conference triggered his axing, the verdict was clear given his under-performance in the hot seat.

After Kolkata chaos, Messi thanks Hyderabad fans

After Kolkata chaos, Messi thanks Hyderabad fans

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Hyderabad delivered the perfect footballing spectacle on Saturday night as Lionel Messi lit up the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, offering fans a sharply contrasting experience to the chaos that had unfolded earlier in Kolkata.

Messi Tour: Bhutia lambasts VIPs for chaos in Kolkata

Messi Tour: Bhutia lambasts VIPs for chaos in Kolkata

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

Sports must get priority over political, bureaucratic formalities: Bhutia

Who is Satadru Dutta? The man behind Messi's India Tour

Who is Satadru Dutta? The man behind Messi's India Tour

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Satadru Dutta's rise was swift and ambitious. But that journey took a dramatic nosedive on Saturday.

Age 40, still hungry: Ronaldo sets sights on 1,000 goals

Age 40, still hungry: Ronaldo sets sights on 1,000 goals

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Ronaldo's double for Saudi side Al-Nassr on Saturday took his tally to 956 goals for club and country, and with the 40-year-old set to play on for "one or two more years" his target looks achievable.

AIFF Begins Process to Form National Players' Association

AIFF Begins Process to Form National Players' Association

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

The NPA office bearers will include a chairperson, treasurer and a secretary. A minimum of one office bearer in the NPA board shall be a woman, as per the AIFF Constitution.

TMC, BJP spar over 'saffron flags' at Messi event

TMC, BJP spar over 'saffron flags' at Messi event

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The TMC and BJP have engaged in a blame game following a chaotic Lionel Messi event at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, which saw spectators storming the field and the main organiser being arrested for alleged mismanagement.

Such a mess! Chaubey & Co get an earful from minister

Such a mess! Chaubey & Co get an earful from minister

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

After marathon meetings with stakeholders, Mandaviya promises end to Indian football "stalemate"

India looks to clean up doping record ahead of 2036 bid

India looks to clean up doping record ahead of 2036 bid

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

India thus topped the list for a third consecutive year, something that might hurt its chances when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluates its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games in the near future.

Guardiola warns City stars: No Christmas kilos allowed

Guardiola warns City stars: No Christmas kilos allowed

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

'Imagine one player and now he's perfect but he will arrive with three kilos more. He will (stay) in Manchester. He will not travel to Nottingham Forest.'

French court orders PSG to pay Mbappe 60 million euros

French court orders PSG to pay Mbappe 60 million euros

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

The court found that PSG had failed to pay three months of Mbappe's salary, an ethics bonus and a signing bonus due under his employment contract.

'All The Ministers Surrounded Messi, We Couldn't See Anything'

'All The Ministers Surrounded Messi, We Couldn't See Anything'

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's much-hyped visit to the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday lasted 22 minutes, just enough to underline everything that is wrong in Indian football and the state administration's mismanagement.

PIX: A Dream Night at Wankhede as Messi Comes Calling

PIX: A Dream Night at Wankhede as Messi Comes Calling

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

For long stretches, the atmosphere felt less Mumbai and more Camp Nou. Chants of 'Barca... Barca' and 'Suarez... Suarez' echoed through the stands as Messi interacted with youngsters, celebrities and former India football captain Sunil Chhetri.

Messi arrives in Hyderabad for second leg of GOAT India Tour

Messi arrives in Hyderabad for second leg of GOAT India Tour

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad for the second leg of his GOAT India Tour 2025 on Saturday evening, after a chaotic start to the much-anticipated event in Kolkata.

Messi arrives in Delhi, meet with PM Modi cancelled

Messi arrives in Delhi, meet with PM Modi cancelled

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Messi is currently at the Mumbai airport and is expected to leave shortly for the final set of engagements, which includes an appearance at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium for a ticketed event.

'A dream and...': Chhetri's fan moment with Messi

'A dream and...': Chhetri's fan moment with Messi

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Sunil Chhetri penned an emotional tribute after meeting his childhood idol Lionel Messi during the Argentine legend's GOAT India Tour event at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium.

CM Reddy trains as Hyderabad awaits Messi visit

CM Reddy trains as Hyderabad awaits Messi visit

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is expected to kick off a friendly football match to be attended by legend Lionel Messi during his visit to Hyderabad on December 13.

Messi Returns To India But Won't Kick A Ball

Messi Returns To India But Won't Kick A Ball

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is not scheduled to play serious football on the 'G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025'.

FA Cup holders Palace knocked out by non-league Macclesfield

FA Cup holders Palace knocked out by non-league Macclesfield

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Non-league Macclesfield produced perhaps the FA Cup's greatest upset on Saturday when they beat holders Crystal Palace 2-1 in a thirdround thriller, knocking Oliver Glasner's team out of the competition and sending the Moss Rose crowd into raptures.

Football Friendlies: England rout Wales; Denmark batter Belarus

Football Friendlies: England rout Wales; Denmark batter Belarus

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

England racked up an eighth successive victory against Wales with a 3-0 cruise in an international friendly at Wembley on Thursday.

Why fan group wants FIFA to stop World Cup ticket sales

Why fan group wants FIFA to stop World Cup ticket sales

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Football Supporters Europe accused FIFA of imposing "extortionate" ticket prices that risk shutting ordinary fans out of the World Cup.

Messi Lands In Kolkata Amid Massive Fan Frenzy

Messi Lands In Kolkata Amid Massive Fan Frenzy

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi's touchdown in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday sent the city into a frenzy.

Messi in Mumbai amid 'World Cup level' security

Messi in Mumbai amid 'World Cup level' security

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Mumbai around noon on Sunday under "World Cup level" security measures, marking the second day of his four-city 'GOAT India Tour 2025'.

ISL clubs now risk losing AFC slots!

ISL clubs now risk losing AFC slots!

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

AIFF waiting for AFC response over continental slots for ISL clubs in case of fewer matches

PIX: When Messi met Tendulkar

PIX: When Messi met Tendulkar

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Tendulkar also hoped that 'India also reaches the height that we all aspire to (in football).'

Security breach, crowd chaos mar Messi's Kolkata visit

Security breach, crowd chaos mar Messi's Kolkata visit

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's brief appearance in Kolkata was marred by security breaches and crowd management issues, raising concerns about planning and coordination. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage reveal a chaotic scene with organizers and VIPs crowding the player, leading to his early withdrawal and subsequent protests.

Current situation of Indian football very concerning: Chhetri

Current situation of Indian football very concerning: Chhetri

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Sunil Chhetri said the current state of uncertainty in Indian football is very concerning and the sport's ecosystem is 'worried, hurt, and scared' by the top-tier ISL being put on hold indefinitely.