🚨 Laporta and Font in the running to lead Barça, Ciria misses out — and more

The elections for the presidency of FC Barcelona will be a duel between two. After the validation of signatures, the Electoral Board of FC Barcelona officially announced the presidential candidates for the upcoming elections.

In the end, only former president Joan Laporta and the leader of the Nosaltres candidacy, Victor Font, will take part in the blaugrana elections.

Both candidates secured the necessary support to run on March 15, unlike Marc Ciria. The third contender in the race for the presidency submitted 2,844 signatures on Monday but did not reach the 2,337 valid ones required to run.

Laporta submitted 8,169 signatures on Monday (7,226 valid), while the leader of 'Nosaltres' handed in a total of 5,144 (4,440 approved).

The next step in the electoral process will be the start of the campaign for both candidates tomorrow, Friday, during a period that will last until March 13. The elections will take place two days later.

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Newspapers in Italy claim that Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri would want to bring both Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modric with him to Real Madrid if he were to accept an offer from Florentino Perez in the near future.

Could Allegri take Modric and Rabiot to Real Madrid?

Reports earlier this week claimed that Real Madrid are considering appointing Allegri as their next permanent head coach. The LaLiga giants cut short their agreement with the highly-rated Xabi Alonso and are currently under the interim stewardship of Alvaro Arbeloa, who is unlikely to take on the job on a permanent basis.

According to Tuttosport, Real Madrid and club President Perez have courted Allegri at various stages of the last seven years, dating back to his time with Juventus.

Los Blancos  could reportedly  be inclined to make another offer for the current Milan boss as they look to turn to a more experienced figure in the Carlo Ancelotti mould for their next head coach.

According to Tuttosport’s front page and reports from Calciomercato.com on Thursday morning, Allegri would want to bring both Rabiot and Modric with him if he were to accept an offer from Real Madrid.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Luka Modric of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Rabiot, like he has done at Milan, would serve as a trusted midfield reinforcement, while Modric is someone that Allegri would like to bring on in some sort of dressing room role, potentially as an assistant coach should the 40-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner decide to hang up his boots in the near future.

• Matildas lead 3-0 at half-time on the Gold Coast

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It’s obviously going to case a shadow over tonight’s match so, as a reminder, The Guardian is bringing you live updates on the crisis in the Middle East.

“These women are prisoners,” says Cyrus Jones, a human rights activist who will be attending the match. “Iranian security is up on their floor [of the hotel] at night. They can’t leave their rooms. They can’t use the public bathrooms. They’re monitored when they go for breakfast, when they get on the bus. They’re monitored in a way no other players from other teams are.

Liverpool and Galatasaray Clash Framed by Uefa Fan Ban

Liverpool’s Champions League tie with Galatasaray has been overshadowed by a significant disciplinary decision, after Uefa confirmed a Fan Ban that will prevent the Turkish club’s supporters from attending the second leg at Anfield. The ruling adds fresh tension to a contest already rich in narrative, history and expectation.

European football’s governing body acted following crowd disturbances during Galatasaray’s previous round against Juventus. The incidents occurred in Turin on 25 February, when supporters were found to have thrown objects and lit fireworks during the last 16 play off tie second leg. Uefa responded with a firm sanction, banning the Super Lig leaders from selling tickets to their fans for the away trip to Liverpool and issuing a fine of 40,000 euros, £34,800.

For Liverpool, now under the assured leadership of Arne Slot after his Premier League triumph in 2024-25, the absence of travelling support will alter the atmosphere inside Anfield. European nights on Merseyside are famed for their intensity, yet the dynamic shifts when one end of the ground sits empty of visiting voices.

Photo IMAGO

Uefa Decision After Turin Disturbances

Uefa’s statement was unequivocal in its reasoning. Supporters of the Turkish club had thrown objects and lit fireworks during the fixture in Italy. Those actions prompted immediate scrutiny and, ultimately, decisive punishment.

Despite losing 3-2 on the night in Turin, Galatasaray progressed 7-5 on aggregate, sealing their place in the quarter final stage with a late extra time goal that underlined their attacking threat. Baris Yilmaz was central to that dramatic success, his intervention ensuring that Juventus were eliminated despite victory on the evening.

The governing body’s intervention reinforces its ongoing campaign to clamp down on crowd disorder in European competition. Financial penalties, though significant, often pale in comparison to the sporting impact of a travel ban, particularly for a club whose supporters are renowned for their fervour and presence on the continent.

Impact on Anfield Atmosphere and Liverpool Preparation

Liverpool will travel to Istanbul first, with the opening leg scheduled for next Tuesday at 17:45 GMT. The return at Anfield follows on 18 March at 20:00. While Galatasaray will enjoy full backing at home, the second leg will unfold without their travelling contingent.

For Slot and his squad, preparation remains focused on the technical and tactical demands of facing the Super Lig leaders. Yet elite managers understand the psychological components of European ties. Anfield’s crowd has long been a catalyst in pivotal moments, and a Fan Ban inevitably shapes the matchday environment.

Liverpool’s players will be mindful that Galatasaray have already demonstrated resilience and firepower in overcoming Juventus. A 7-5 aggregate triumph is evidence of both defensive vulnerability and attacking potency, qualities that demand respect.

Picture:IMAGO

Galatasaray Appeal and Champions League Stakes

In a statement, Galatasaray said they would appeal against the punishment. The club’s response indicates a belief that the sanction may yet be reduced or overturned, though appeals in such cases rarely produce immediate reversals.

The broader Champions League stakes remain considerable. Liverpool are intent on adding continental success to their recent domestic achievements, while Galatasaray view this campaign as an opportunity to reaffirm their European credentials.

The Fan Ban ensures that this tie will be discussed as much for events off the pitch as those on it. For Liverpool, the focus will be on control, composure and capitalising on home advantage. For Galatasaray, the challenge is twofold, to contest the footballing battle while navigating the consequences of Uefa’s disciplinary reach.