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French Minister Apologizes to Liverpool Fans for 2022 Champions League Final Blame

(FILES) Liverpool fans stand outside unable to get in in time leading to the match being delayed prior to the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
(FILES) Liverpool fans stand outside unable to get in in time leading to the match being delayed prior to the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
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French Minister Apologizes to Liverpool Fans for 2022 Champions League Final Blame

(FILES) Liverpool fans stand outside unable to get in in time leading to the match being delayed prior to the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
(FILES) Liverpool fans stand outside unable to get in in time leading to the match being delayed prior to the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)

France's former interior minister Gerald Darmanin has apologized to Liverpool fans for wrongly blaming them for the chaos at the Stade de France during the 2022 Champions League final in Paris.
Darmanin, now serving as the justice minister, admitted that security arrangements for the final between Liverpool and Real Madrid were inadequate, and that his previous public remarks blaming English fans were a mistake in reports carried by British media on Monday.
Fans were caught in dangerous crowd congestion outside the Stade de France before the match, which was delayed for over 30 minutes. French police were filmed using tear gas on fans, who complained of heavy-handed treatment as they were herded into pens outside the stadium.
Darmanin held a joint press conference with other French ministers two days after the match, and blamed the disorder on "English fans" and their possession of fake tickets.
He has now retracted his comments and called the night "the biggest failure" of his career in an interview on the French Legend show on YouTube, Reuters reported.
"What I did not appreciate that evening was that the real problem was not coming from English supporters, but from delinquents who were robbing fans," he said.
"Because I hadn't checked what was happening properly, which was my mistake, and because I gave in to preconceived ideas... the culprit was easy (to designate), and I apologize to Liverpool fans. Of course they were right to (feel upset)."
In March, European soccer governing body UEFA lost its bid to throw out lawsuits brought by hundreds of Liverpool fans who attended the Champions League final for personal injuries allegedly caused in the chaos outside the stadium.

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More Asian Champions League Matches in Middle East Postponed Indefinitely

A full moon also known as the "Blood Moon" is seen above the Abu Dhabi skyline on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
A full moon also known as the "Blood Moon" is seen above the Abu Dhabi skyline on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
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More Asian Champions League Matches in Middle East Postponed Indefinitely

A full moon also known as the "Blood Moon" is seen above the Abu Dhabi skyline on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
A full moon also known as the "Blood Moon" is seen above the Abu Dhabi skyline on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)

Next week's matches in Asian tournaments scheduled in the Middle East have been postponed until further notice due to the conflict in the region, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Wednesday.

The US and Israel's attack on Iran has affected countries throughout the Gulf, disrupting travel in some of the world's ⁠busiest transit hubs ⁠and forcing several sporting events to be cancelled.

Western region clashes in the Asian Champions League Elite, Champions League Two and the third-tier Challenge League, ⁠scheduled for next week between Monday and Wednesday, have been postponed, Reuters quoted the AFC as saying in a statement.

The AFC earlier postponed this week's Asian Champions League Elite round of 16 clashes in the Middle East, as Iran cancelled all sporting events and the Qatar Football ⁠Association ⁠suspended all matches in the country.

"The AFC’s priority remains the safety and security of all stakeholders including players, teams, officials, partners and fans and we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a secure environment for all," the continental body said in a statement.

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Arteta Shrugs off Criticism Over Arsenal’s Set-Piece Tactics

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
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Arteta Shrugs off Criticism Over Arsenal’s Set-Piece Tactics

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained defiant on Tuesday over criticism of his team's set-piece tactics, dismissing accusations of time-wasting while expressing frustration that his side doesn't score even more from corners.

The Premier League leaders have netted 16 goals from corners this season to tie the league record with nine games remaining, but the feat has also sparked debate about the tactical evolution of set-pieces.

It has also drawn criticism from Wednesday's opponents Brighton & Hove Albion, whose ‌coach Fabian Huerzeler ‌took aim at Arsenal's corner routine, claiming ‌the ⁠London side sometimes "spend ⁠over one minute" to take a corner.

But Arteta had little sympathy for such complaints, telling reporters: "I'm upset that we don't score more (from corners) - and we concede as well. We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game."

The Spanish coach shrugged off criticism as "part of the job" given ⁠football's tactical transformation, arguing that teams increasingly neutralize ‌open-play opportunities.

"Before, when you used to ‌do a game plan and you would invert a full back or ‌bring an extra player into midfield or a false nine, ‌four vs three inside, two vs one inside, everyone behind the ball," Arteta said.

"Teams are adapting, teams know after every sequence of play - whether it is a throw-in, a restart of play, an open-pitch situation - they ‌know exactly what they have to do and everything is almost man-to-man.

"So it is not going ⁠to be ⁠a different game unless we change the rules, because the evolution of the game is that."

However, Huerzeler called for clearer regulations around time management, arguing supporters deserve value for money.

"Every supporter who pays a lot of money to go to the stadiums and watch our games should see the same net game time because they pay a lot of money," the German coach said.

"We have a net game time of 50 minutes (with the ball in play) instead of sometimes 65 minutes, so the game is changing so much."

Arsenal hold a five-point lead at the Premier League summit, having played a game more than second-placed Manchester City.

Sports

Man United ‘Hungry for More’, Says Carrick

Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Crystal Palace, in Manchester, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Crystal Palace, in Manchester, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
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Man United ‘Hungry for More’, Says Carrick

Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Crystal Palace, in Manchester, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Crystal Palace, in Manchester, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)

Michael Carrick said Tuesday that Manchester United are "hungry for more" after their spectacular recovery under his leadership as they target a return to Champions League football.

United climbed to third in the Premier League with Sunday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, a sixth victory in seven games since Carrick was appointed, in mid-January, as manager until the end of the season.

The Red Devils, who have the best form of any side in the league since Carrick's arrival, travel to face Newcastle on Wednesday.

They are six points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea, with the top five almost certain to qualify for the Champions League thanks to the strong showing of English sides in Europe this season.

But Carrick said it was important to stay "in the moment" as United seek to maintain their momentum.

"We certainly won't get carried away," he said. "I think you've got to feed off the confidence and understand that runs of wins are hard to come by.

"But we're hungry for more, for sure, and we need to try and make it as long as it can last and stay consistent."

The former United midfielder said it was important not to look too far ahead as the three-time European champions seek to return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2023/24 season.

"I think we're in a good position and we've kind of earned it," he said. "The boys have earned it and we've got to try and make the most of it from now on.

He added: "Talent-wise, ability-wise, I think the boys have shown what they can do.

"And then there's that balance of good habits, good behaviors, and actually looking after each other in the certain times you've got to really dig in and show that good spirit and team spirit, so I can't speak highly enough of the players."