PSG Says Defender Nuno Mendes Target of Racial Abuse

Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese defender #25 Nuno Mendes runs with the ball during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at The Parc des Princes Stadium, in Paris, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese defender #25 Nuno Mendes runs with the ball during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at The Parc des Princes Stadium, in Paris, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)
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PSG Says Defender Nuno Mendes Target of Racial Abuse

Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese defender #25 Nuno Mendes runs with the ball during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at The Parc des Princes Stadium, in Paris, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese defender #25 Nuno Mendes runs with the ball during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at The Parc des Princes Stadium, in Paris, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)

Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes was the target of abusive and racist comments on social media after a French league game.
The club condemned the abuse and expressed its "full support” Sunday for the Portugal left back, who was targeted following PSG's 3-1 win against Brest on Saturday.
Mendes, who is Black, shared on his Instagram account a racist message he received.
During the match, Mendes brought down Ludovic Ajorque in the box for a penalty that Romain Del Castillo converted to give Brest the lead.
“Paris Saint-Germain doesn't tolerate racism, antisemitism or any other form of discrimination,” the club said. “The racial insults directed at Nuno Mendes are totally unacceptable ... we are working with the relevant authorities and associations to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”



Man City Will Adapt to Busy Week, Guardiola Says

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (AFP)
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (AFP)
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Man City Will Adapt to Busy Week, Guardiola Says

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (AFP)
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (AFP)

Manchester City will adjust to a demanding week ahead by using their academy players, manager Pep Guardiola said before the start of their Champions League campaign.

Guardiola's side are bracing for a whirlwind, as an independent hearing into City´s alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial regulations is set to begin on Monday, two days before they host Serie A champions Inter Milan in the Champions League.

City will then host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday and Watford in the third round of the League Cup next Tuesday. Guardiola said his side will need to acclimatize to the season ahead, in which they are projected to play about 75 games.

Many City players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, and Bernardo Silva, have voiced concerns about the crammed calendar this season with an expanded Champions League format and the Club World Cup.

"I have no opinion (on the format)," Guardiola told reporters. "UEFA decided this and we want to be there so we will play that format.

"Yes, there are more games (in the calendar), but it is what it is. What can we do? On Wednesday, we play the best team in Italy then on Sunday we play best contender of last two seasons.

"Then Tuesday another game. We have an Academy. We have to adapt and go. I like to play Champions League, so we are going to play."

All three European club competitions have been expanded to 36 teams this season and FIFPRO's European member unions have started legal action against FIFA over the expanded men's 32-team Club World Cup, starting next June in the United States.

Last season, England recorded the highest number of domestic back-to-back matches, 87, among top European leagues, with Premier League clubs averaging the shortest recovery time between games at 67.3 hours.