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Leeds United look to be on an upward trajectory following a difficult campaign last year and Daniel Farke has now received some "excellent news" that will boost his side in the hunt for promotion, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Leeds United look for new arrivals…

New arrivals are usually the appeal of any transfer window for supporters, who will undoubtedly be excited to see which players are on the market and in search of a new challenge. Leeds haven't managed to add anyone to the ranks this month as of yet; nevertheless, this hasn't stopped rumours circulating from far and wide concerning the Championship outfit.

EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer

As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

West Ham United defender Ben Johnson continues to be linked with a move to Yorkshire and journalist Dean Jones has indicated that there could be some substance to recent claims stating Farke is keen to bring him in, as he told GIVEMESPORT: "From a Leeds perspective, it really does seem like they are going after a few players that have specific experience and traits. Ben Johnson, from West Ham, is attainable and could be the one."

Bournemouth attacking midfielder David Brooks is a name doing the rounds in media circles and could be an additional reinforcement for the Whites as they look to find star quality this month, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook. In all likelihood, the Wales international could move over the next few weeks on a loan basis as he aims to get back to full stride following his incredible road to recovery from illness.

Now, transfer guru Romano has issued an exciting update involving an existing Leeds player in a massive boost for everyone connected with the club.

Fabrizio Romano buzzes over Archie Gray update

Taking to social media platform X, Romano has shared and reacted to some "excellent news" that youngster Archie Gray has put pen to paper on a new deal at the club that will see him remain at Elland Road until the summer of 2028.

Previously tied to the club he came through at until 2025, the 17-year-old has given Farke and company some much-needed security regarding his future following prolonged interest in his services last year from the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Crystal Palace.

Making a sustained breakthrough at Leeds United this campaign, the Durham-born midfielder has made 28 appearances in all competitions, registering one assist in his time on the pitch (Gray statistics – Transfermarkt).

Thorp Arch has produced some brilliant talent over the years so Gray looks to be the next one off the conveyor belt, and the club can now demand a massive fee if any suitors come calling.

Derby County will want to comfortably stroll to a win on Saturday after two games without a victory in a row, drawing blanks on the road to both Lincoln City and Reading with just one point picked up.

Cheltenham Town won't be complete pushovers travelling to Pride Park this weekend however, Darrell Clarke's Robins still battling away at the opposite end of League One to the Rams in a relegation battle.

To add some needed firepower into the ranks, Paul Warne could well be tempted to swoop in for this attacker this January with the likes of young Arsenal loanee Tyreece John-Jules falling down the Rams pecking order further subsequently.

Derby swooping for League One star

Derby had been cited as an interested party looking at Wigan Athletic star Callum Lang previously this transfer window, Football Insider even reporting that Warne's side had placed a bid for the Latics man earlier this month.

Their pursuit of the Wigan number 19 could be boosted by recent developments that Lang has now handed in a transfer request, as first reported by Wigan Today earlier this week.

Derby aren't alone in going after the versatile forward this transfer window though, with fellow promotion rivals Portsmouth also interested in landing the 25-year-old forward to boost their own hopes of going up to the Championship.

A loyal servant to the Latics – sticking it out at the DW Stadium even during precarious off-the-field turbulence – Lang could well sense that the time is right for pastures new finally.

The Rams will just hope Lang fancies a move to Derbyshire over relocating to Fratton Park, with Lang a useful asset that could help Warne out in a number of ways.

If utilised as a second striker at Pride Park, the end could be well on the horizon for John-Jules who hasn't really set the world alight since joining on loan in the summer from the Emirates.

January transfer window: All the deadline day deals from England and Scotland

Stay on top of all the latest transfer deals across the Premier League, EFL and SPFL as the January window closes.

By
Charlie Smith

Feb 1, 2024

How Lang would fit into the Derby team

Lang has played across every position in the Latics front line pretty much during his time in Lancashire, slotting into the side primarily at centre-forward, left winger, right winger and even as a second striker option.

Playing in that second striker role would see him come into Warne's first team, displacing the likes of John-Jules and Louis Thompson instantly.

Notching up ten goal contributions from that spot whilst with Wigan over 34 appearances to date – compared to John-Jules' lacklustre solitary goal in League One action this campaign – Lang also further excels deployed down the right-hand side.

As is seen in the table above, Lang is a flexible and adaptable presence and could come into the team even when Nathaniel Mendez-Lang is in need of a breather or James Collins is having a torrid time of it in front of goal away from just being a direct John-Jules upgrade.

With Derby falling short too often recently – with costly results potentially harming their push for automatic promotion as a result – Warne will need to add in players who can improve his faltering team this January and the 5 foot 11 Wigan forward could well fit that bill.

Manchester United reportedly held talks with Fulham boss Marco Silva before deciding to stick with Erik ten Hag ahead of the 2024-25 season.

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• United were uncertain over Ten Hag's future
• Held talks with multiple managers
• Fulham boss considered

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United endured a period of uncertainty after winning the FA Cup, as it was unclear if Ten Hag would stay on as manager. It was confirmed by multiple reports on Tuesday that the Dutchman would be remaining with the club, and could even sign a new contract, but it has now emerged that United held talks with a shock name before deciding to stick with Ten Hag.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe attempted to gauge interest from potential successors, the reports that United spoke to Silva. The Fulham boss guided his side to a 13th-placed finish last season and discussions were held over him potentially making a stunning move to Old Trafford.

  In a chaotic period, United also held talks with former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino following his Chelsea exit. Gareth Southgate was also seen as a frontrunner if he were to leave England after Euro 2024.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Silva guided Fulham to a 2-1 win over United at Old Trafford earlier this season, something that may well have figured prominently in their thinking. However, reports that most candidates were disappointed both with the wages on offer, and a meagre reported £35 million ($44m) transfer budget.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Ten Hag appears to be in talks over extending his contract at United, although that has yet to be announced. In the meantime, Silva will continue to prepare for 2024-25 with Fulham.

The Barcelona winger may only be 16, but after a breakout season in La Liga, he has the ability to take this summer's tournament by storm

Lamine Yamal has described himself as "mischievous." It is perhaps the perfect word for this nuisance of a footballer. A tricky winger, compared often to Lionel Messi, but stylistically similar to Bukayo Saka, the teenager has established himself as one of the best talents in Europe over the course of the past 12 months.

Everyone has seen it. Former Barcelona manager Xavi said Yamal could "define an era" in Catalunya. David Villa earmarked him as a top talent, while Dani Carvajal remarked that he is almost impossible to defend. There was a sense all throughout the 2023-24 season, as Barcelona struggled their way through a torrid campaign, that Yamal was special. At times, the 16-year-old starlet was the only reason to tune in and watch the Blaugrana – such was the lack of quality in their play.

Attention now turns to the stage where the youngster could make his biggest impact yet. Luis de la Fuente has made it clear that Yamal will be an important player for Spain this summer, and he will certainly be in the XI when La Roja play Croatia to open their Euro 2024 campaign on Saturday.

As long as Yamal is on the pitch, Spain, a footballing nation in dire need of an attacking talent to get behind, will feel like they have a chance.

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  Barca beginnings

  Yamal's promise isn't hard to trace. The winger was marked out as a top talent early on within La Masia, and he was training with the first team at 15 before making his debut at the same age. In an ideal world, the teenager probably wouldn't have played much for Barca during the past season, but a Messi-esque cameo in the Joan Gamper Trophy in early August forced him into the picture. By November, Yamal was a regular, and by January, he was indispensable.

  His stats – seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions – make for encouraging reading, but his impact expands further than that. Yamal spent most of his time in isolation, running at defenders and carving out opportunities for others. Indeed, his impact is best encapsulated in his three successful take-ons per 90 minutes (among the top 10 percent in Europe), and three carries into the final third per 90 (among the top 15%).

  Yamal is a player who is judged best by the eye test, taking in the directness and incisiveness of his dribbling, and the way in which he creates angles and passing lanes for others. He popped up with some crucial goals, too, but given his age, it would be harsh for a team to pin too much on him too early.

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  Defining a generation

  For a Barca side that has struggled immensely over the last 10 months, Yamal could be the key to them re-establishing themselves among Europe's elite. Hansi Flick has taken over a squad that is almost split in two between ageing veterans and uber-talented youngsters. Only a handful of his projected starters for next season are in what many would describe as their prime years.

  But it is that growing young core which offers hope for the future. In midfield, Gavi and Pedri are both 21 or younger, despite their immense experience at the top level already, while 21-year-old Fermin Lopez broke into the first team last season and has been rewarded with a place in the Spain squad this summer. At centre-back, meanwhile, 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi showed for stretches that he can be the player Barca – and Spain – build their next great defence around.

  Yamal, though, is the best of them all. The Messi comparisons are both stylistically inaccurate and entirely unfair, but this is a footballer that Barca can truly rest their hopes on. The talent is there, but Yamal has shown that he is mature enough, despite his age, to carry his 'star power'.

  He is a La Masia product, a Barcelona native who throws up his Catalan area code whenever he scores, but one who also has a massive shoe deal with adidas. Yamal doesn't just play football – he entertains while he does it.

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  Starring for Spain

  It was no surprise that Spain came knocking for Yamal as soon as they possibly could. This is a country who has shown little care in recent years for protecting its youth, and thus the youngster was thrust into action for La Roja in September 2023 as they looked to book their place at the Euros.

  Yamal wasted little time in making his mark on the international game, as he netted on his debut against Georgia to add Spain's youngest goal-scorer to his ever-growing list of records. He then turned in an eye-catching hour against Cyprus in the 6-0 win that followed a few days later.

  Manager Luis de la Fuente made little effort to hide his excitement about Yamal, saying: "Do you remember when Messi or [Diego] Maradona were 16 years old? We should not put limits on these good footballers. We must let them develop all their potential. That's what we're trying to do with this player here and at his club."

  Yamal has since followed that up with a superb showing against Brazil in a friendly in March, and will be the youngest player at the Euros, with the next-oldest player (France's Warren Zaire-Emery) 16 months his senior. It's easy to forget watching him play that Yamal is still just a child, though he offered a stark reminder of his age when speaking to ahead of the tournament.

  "I've brought my homework because I'm in the fourth year of ESO (the last year of compulsory school study), I have classes on the web and I'm doing well; I hope the teacher doesn't get mad at me!" he revealed.

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• Tiki-taka troubles

  Spain arrive at this tournament at an intriguing juncture, too. Though they reached the semi-finals of the last Euros, that was sandwiched between two World Cup exits at the last-16 stage where they passed Russia and Morocco, respectively, to death, but lacked the cutting edge required to win the game. In the end, they lost both times on penalties

  This current Spain team has a lot to live up to, too. That 'tiki-taka' generation that won three straight international tournaments from 2008-2012 is still in the public's consciousness. But those teams had strikers of the quality of Villa and Fernando Torres; Spain have too often been reliant upon the forlorn figure of Alvaro Morata to put the ball in the net in more recent times.

  And so while they remain the world-leaders in producing confident midfielders who can receive the ball in tight spaces, turn away from their markers and produce defence-splitting passes, La Roja need more up front if they are to once again challenge for trophies. That is where Yamal comes in…

Newcastle United are reportedly the front-runners to make a £34m offer for a talented European player – one who is admired by rap superstar Jay-Z.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies know the importance of trying to strike some late business in the January transfer window, giving their squad an injection of life, amid numerous injury problems this season. A host of difference players have been linked with boosting Eddie Howe's options and giving them the best possible chance of finishing strong in the Premier League this season, with midfield a key area of focus because of Joelinton's injury and Sandro Tonali's suspension.

Everton star Amadou Onana and Bournemouth ace Philip Billing are two players who have emerged as options for Newcastle before the end of the month, and the same applies to Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, with all three representing good choices for the Magpies but FFP constraints making life difficult.

There is also believed to be interest in highly-rated Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey, although the Villans are likely to be desperate to keep hold of such a talented player. At the other end of the age spectrum, experienced Tottenham stalwart Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has attracted the attention of Newcastle, too, in what would be a surprising but perhaps more affordable short-term signing.

Newcastle want Federico Dimarco

It's not only in midfield that injuries have struck the Magpies, and according to Inter Live [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are favourites to sign Inter Milan left-back Federico Dimarco, with the Magpies considering an offer of €40m (£34m) for his services.

It is believed that the Serie A outfit want more in the region of €50-60m for his services, but may have to accept that a lower amount will be enough to sell him. Manchester United are mentioned as being interested in the past, but it is Newcastle who appear to be pushing the most to get a deal over the line.

Dimarco could be a really good signing by Howe this month, at a time when more competition is needed for Dan Burn at left-back, even though Lewis Hall represents a good long-term option.

The 26-year-old is now a 16-time capped Italy international, scoring twice for his country in that time, and he has registered 22 assists in 123 appearances for Inter. This really highlights the attacking quality that he possesses, and he could provide more natural width and goal threat down the left flank than the more limited Burn.

Intriguingly, Dimarco has been personally praised by Jay-Z in the past, too, following an incredible goal against Frosinone, with the Italian now represented by the rapper's Roc Nation agency.

Latest Newcastle transfer news: Plans underway, Sean Rigg, Jonathan David

What’s going on at Newcastle United now the window is finished? Catch the latest news and rumours here…

By
Joel Bland

Feb 18, 2024

At 26, he would be coming in at a great point in his career, remaining in and around his best for four or five years, and giving Newcastle's team a different attacking dimension.

Ex-England boss Sven Goran Eriksson says he's been moved to "tears" by people's kindness after his terminal cancer diagnosis.

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• Coach diagnosed with terminal cancer
• Moved to 'tears' by people's kindness
• Unsure how long he has left to live

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Swede revealed earlier this year he had terminal cancer and that he had "at best" a year to live. The former Lazio boss got his wish to manage Liverpool in a legends match with Ajax at Anfield in March and now he has opened up on the heart-warming responses he has had since going public with his illness. The 76-year-old did admit he is not sure how long he has left to live, though.

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  WHAT SVEN GORAN-ERIKSSON SAID

  In a column for , he said: "Since the news came out that I have terminal cancer, I have travelled all over Sweden, England, Italy and Portugal, and I’ve had tears in my eyes so often at the kindness of people. You usually find that everybody talks very well about people when they are dead. I am lucky that they talk well about me while I am still alive.

  "The warmth and love has given me energy and happiness, and it has certainly helped me stay positive with my health. I have an illness and everybody knows about it, but so far it’s okay. I’m still on my feet. If you ask the doctors how long I’ve got left to live they can’t answer. Does that worry me? I think it’s better not to know. You have to try to stay positive in situations like this, that is how I have always lived my life."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The ex-Manchester City and Leicester City boss had a glittering managerial career, winning trophies in Sweden, Portugal, and Italy, while also having success on the international stage. His contribution to the game of football will not be forgotten.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Incidentally, Eriksson, who revealed that former England player David Beckham came to his house in Sweden in a touching visit recently, has backed the Three Lions to beat Slovakia in the last 16 of the Euros on Sunday.

  He added: "England were lucky to be in this side of the draw and it should be possible to beat any team in that half – and then it will get more difficult. The more the players train together now, and the more they play together, it will get better and better. England will beat Slovakia on Sunday and go far. Good luck to Gareth [Southgate]!"

Leeds United jumped up into second place in the Championship on Friday night as they secured a 1-0 win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Wilfried Gnonto scored the only goal of the game as the Whites ran out fairly comfortable winners in a game they dominated and, perhaps, should have won by more goals.

Daniel Farke's side created plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net, as Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter both missed big chances, but came away with all three points thanks to their one strike.

Gnonto caught the eye with his excellent display in place of the injured Dan James but the real hero of the night for the German head coach was towering defender Joe Rodon.

Wilfried Gnonto's match-winning contributions

The Italy international has had to wait patiently for his opportunity to impress in the Championship and grasped his opportunity to impress with both hands.

Junior Firpo's searching pass forward had too much on it for Georginio Rutter and Gnonto was intelligent enough to run across from his right wing position to pick the ball up and then expertly finish to make it 1-0 in the 48th minute.

He also completed 100% (25/25) of his attempted passes as the young gem held onto possession and played a part in his side's dominance of the ball.

However, the former Zurich star did not create a single chance for his teammates and that is an area he could look to improve in, with 0.3 key passes per game and zero 'big chances' created in the league this season.

Joe Rodon's defensive dominance at Ashton Gate

Whilst Gnonto deserves plenty of credit, as explained above, for his contributions, the real hero of the night for Farke was his Tottenham Hotspur loanee at centre-back.

Andy Hinchcliffe, who was the co-commentator on Sky Sports' live coverage of the game, described Rodon's last-ditch defending as "outstanding" for Leeds towards the end of the game.

The Whites enjoyed 61% of the ball and the hosts only mustered seven shots on goal, with one on target, and that was helped by the Wales international's strong play in and out of possession.

On the ball, Rodon had 99 touches of the ball – more than any other player on the pitch – and completed 88% of his attempted passes throughout the game, as he dictated play from the back and made sure that Leeds played through the thirds with poise and control.

Off the ball, the 26-year-old titan made a few vital contributions. He made two clearances and one block for his side and they all came within the last ten minutes of the match as Bristol City started to push for an equaliser with balls into the box.

Rodon made one huge block to stop Illan Meslier from being worked after a dangerous cross was sent into the box and the aforementioned Hinchcliffe described his subsequent header clear as "towering".

Therefore, the Spurs loanee, who dominated with three of his five duels won, was the real hero thanks to his composed and assured play in possession and his vital contributions within his own box to stop the hosts from equalising late on.

Manchester United have now won their previous four matches in a row and a clash against Luton Town this afternoon will give them the chance to apply more pressure on Aston Villa in the Premier League table.

Erik ten Hag’s side look a lot more comfortable now than they did during the first few months of the campaign and perhaps the tide has turned, and they are now ready to push for a Champions League slot.

With the clash against the Hatters representing an excellent chance at securing another three points, will Ten Hag make some changes to his starting XI? With Casemiro looking like he could drop out.

Casemiro’s performance against Aston Villa in numbers

The Brazilian played the full match against Villa, but he completed just 81% of his passes while making only one key pass, along with failing to have a shot on target, proving he did not offer much going forward.

The midfielder also lost possession 13 times during the match, and perhaps it is time for Ten Hag to mix things up slightly in the heart of the midfield.

Scott McTominay came on as a substitute for Marcus Rashford with just under 20 minutes left, and it soon proved to be an inspired change, as the Scot headed home the winner with just a few minutes left.

The player has shone for the Red Devils this term, while he certainly deserves to be unleashed against Luton today.

Scott McTominay has impressed for Man United this season

The 27-year-old has made just 17 starts across all competitions this term for the club, yet he has ended up scoring eight goals and providing two assists during his time on the pitch.

He scored late goals against Brentford and Aston Villa, while netting a double against Chelsea to secure a 2-1 victory, and his contributions simply can’t be underestimated.

The £60k-per-week gem was hailed as “all action” by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez and is currently ranked in the top 1% for both non-penalty goals per 90 (0.4) and the top 3% for total shots per 90 (2.24) when compared to his positional peers among Europe’s top five leagues in the previous 365 days.

This is further evidence that the midfielder can provide a reliable goal-scoring threat from the middle of the pitch and with a win today boosting their chances of a top four spot, Ten Hag must give him a place in the starting XI.

The Scot has a knack for appearing in the right place at the right time, and he has displayed these traits for both club and country since the start of 2023.

Indeed, he was even ranked joint fifth alongside Rasmus Hojlund in the scoring charts during the Euro 2024 qualification process, showing how impressive he was for Scotland as they reached just their second major finals this century.

Alongside Mainoo, the midfielder could give Ten Hag a solid option at the base of the midfield and, with his penchant for finding the back of the net in the top flight, he may even add to his goal tally.

Kasper Hjulmand was left furious after Denmark's loss against Germany as he alleged two VAR decisions cost them the match.

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• Hjulmand questioned VAR calls
• Andersen's goal ruled out
• Denmark boss calls handball rule ridiculous

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen saw his goal disallowed due to a tight offside and moments later found himself unintentionally handling the ball inside his penalty box while trying to intercept David Raum's cross.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  VAR eventually gave both decisions which proved to be detrimental to the Danes' dream of causing an upset and progressing in the Euros. Their manager was understandably disappointed with the verdict as he called the handball rule 'ridiculous'.

• WHAT KASPER HJULMAND SAID

  Speaking at his post-match press conference, the 52-year-old manager said: "I must congratulate Germany but the game was decided by two VAR decisions. I have the picture on my phone here. It is offside by one centimetre. And I am so tired of the ridiculous handball rule. We cannot make our defenders run with their hands behind their back. It's frustrating. This is not how football is supposed to be"

  He added: "I'm not against VAR but we have to be quicker and improve it. In my opinion, the decision should be as clear as the moon and not like we saw today."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  After extending their unbeaten run in the ongoing Euro 2024, the Germans will now face either Spain or Georgia in the quarter-final on Friday. That game will take place in Stuttgart, with Die Mannschaft set to be backed once again by a vociferous home crowd.

CONMEBOL has opened an investigation into Darwin Nunez's conduct after he was involved in a brawl with fans following Uruguay's loss to Colombia.

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• Uruguay beaten in Copa America
• Tempers flared after full-time
• Players jumped into stands

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After 10-man Colombia beat Uruguay 1-0 in a Copa America semi-final, tempers flared. Guillermo Varela was sent off, and a number of players then headed into the stands to berate Colombian fans. In a mass brawl, Nunez appeared to be punched by a fan, and in retaliation, he was seen throwing punches back.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Now, CONMEBOL has opened an investigation into the violent scenes. Objects were thrown and some supporters were visibly injured. Uruguay captain Jose Maria Gimenez claimed that there was almost a "disaster" in the stadium, as he joined Nunez in jumping into the stands.

• WHAT CONMEBOL SAID

  In a statement, CONMEBOL said: "The Disciplinary committee of CONMEBOL has opened an investigation to understand the sequence of events and the responsibilities of those involved in the acts of violence that occurred at the end of the match between the national teams of Uruguay and Colombia.

  "On the eve of the final of Copa America, we want to reaffirm and warn that no action will be tolerated that tarnishes this global football celebration, which involves both the players and the fans present in the stadium, and which will be watched by hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

  "It is unacceptable that an incident like this turns passion into violence. Therefore, no behaviour that harms the sporting competition and the most beautiful spectacle in the world, which belongs to the entire football family, will be tolerated."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Uruguay may not be able to win the Copa America but they have one more game to play. They will face Canada in the third-place play-off this weekend.