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The European football landscape witnessed high drama this week as Arsenal and Atlético Madrid played out a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Arsenal with a first-half penalty, but Atlético secured a vital draw after Julian Alvarez converted a second-half spot-kick following a handball by Ben White. While Arsenal remains focused on both European glory and the Premier League title race, Burnley FC has undergone a leadership change. Following the club's relegation from the top flight, Michael James Jackson has been named interim manager, stepping in to oversee the final matches of the season after Scott Parker departed the club by mutual consent.
Injury concerns continue to plague several of the game's biggest stars. Liverpool supporters received a boost with news that Mohamed Salah is expected to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the final games of the campaign and the upcoming World Cup. However, Paris Saint-Germain will face a significant hurdle as Achraf Hakimi has been ruled out of their critical second-leg encounter with Bayern Munich due to a thigh injury. Elsewhere, Jack Grealish, currently on loan at Everton, shared optimistic updates regarding his recovery from foot surgery, while in the world of tennis, Britain’s Jack Draper has withdrawn from the French Open to focus on recovering from a persistent knee injury ahead of the grass-court season.
Disciplinary actions and legal battles have also taken center stage. Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been hit with a massive 13-match ban by the Spanish football federation after punching Huesca captain Jorge Pulido during a violent derby confrontation. In London, Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is taking his fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, appealing a four-year ban imposed by the FA following an adverse drug test. Mudryk, who has been sidelined since late 2024, maintains his innocence and is represented by a high-profile legal team as he seeks to return to professional football as early as next season.
On the diplomatic front, the Iran Football Federation boycotted the FIFA Congress in Canada after their delegation, led by Mehdi Taj, reportedly faced mistreatment from Canadian immigration officials in Toronto. This political friction contrasts with a heartwarming moment currently circulating online: a resurfaced video showing the late Diego Maradona offering finishing and composure advice to England captain Harry Kane. This blend of tactical mentorship, administrative conflict, and the physical demands of the sport highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the global sporting industry this week.
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