Ronaldo protests innocence after court appearance
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo protested his innocence after testifying in court on Monday against charges of evading 14.7 million euros ($17.3 million) in taxes.
The 32-year-old Portuguese, who was in the Pozuelo de Alarcon court for about 90 minutes, declined to speak to reporters afterwards, but he released a statement through his agency Gestifute.
"The Spanish tax authorities know my income in detail, because we have given it to them. I have never hidden anything in my declarations, nor have I had the smallest intention of evading taxes," Ronaldo said.
"I always make my declarations voluntarily, because I think we all have to declare and pay tax in accordance to our incomes. Those who know me know what I ask my advisors: that they take their time on it and pay correctly, because I don't want problems."
Ronaldo explained that he did not create a special structure to manage his image rights after joining Real from Manchester United in 2010, saying he utilised the set-up which was deemed "legal and legitimate" by English tax authorities.
Spanish courts have recently cracked down on tax evasion among leading footballers.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi was handed a 21-month prison sentence this year on similar charges but under Spanish law was able to exchange the penalty for a fine.
Indian women's football team beat Malaysia 2-0
A double strike from substitute Pyari Xaxa helped a dominant Indian women's team beat Malaysia 2-0 in an international friendly match in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
After a barren first half, Pyari scored in the 79th and the 86th minutes of the match played at the MP Selayang Stadium.
India's dominance was complete throughout the match, except for a brief spell in the second half. Malaysia did not have much to boast about in the match.
Despite all the dominance, India were not able to find the back of Malaysian net. Too much excitement forced players to take a crack from long ranges even when their team-mates were in the clear, and at times they preferred to hold on for too long, enabling the rivals to outnumber them.
India's best chance came in the 24th minute but an acrobatic Nurul dived full length to deny Kamala Devi's header from entering the net, Then, in the 27th minute, even as Nurul missed the flight of a Prameshwori Devi free-kick, it was headed out off the goal-line by defender Eslilah Esar.
Head coach Maymol Rocky brought in her first substitution in the 28th minute -- Anju Tamang coming in for a subdued Sanju. Anju did add to the thrust but Malaysia were able to hold on as both teams headed to interval locked goal-less.
Changing over, Malaysia were faster off the blocks. For the first 10 minutes, India chased as the Malaysian girls played in the gaps. But the spell did not last long.
In the 70th minute, Malaysia's Malini hit the post but that the perhaps the only chance the home side had. Nine minutes later, Pyari went past her marker and placed the ball into the net.
In the 83rd minute, captain Bala Devi leapt higher than all to meet Dalima's corner but the ball rebounded off the post. But it did not matter much as Pyari scored her second in the 86th minute.
UEFA fines Man United, two players over anti-doping rules breaches
Manchester United and two of their players have been fined by UEFA after they failed to comply with anti-doping regulations, European soccer's governing body said on Monday.
Defenders Daley Blind and Phil Jones have been fined 5,000 euros ($5,900) each and the club were handed a 10,000 euro sanction for offences occurring at the Europa League final against Ajax Amsterdam in Stockholm on May 24.
Jones, who UEFA said used "insulting and directing abusive language towards the Doping Control Officer" has also been suspended for two UEFA matches and will miss the Super Cup match against Real Madrid on Aug. 8 and the opening Champions League game.
UEFA said the incidents breached the regulation which states that teams are responsible for ensuring that players selected to undergo doping controls are taken to the control station straight from the pitch as soon as the match is over.
United, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, can appeal against the decision.
Man United sign midfielder Matic from Chelsea
Manchester United have signed Serbia midfielder Nemanja Matic from Premier League champions Chelsea on a three-year contract with an option to extend for a further year, both clubs said on Monday.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but British media reported that United paid between 40 million ($52.48 million) and 50 million pounds to reunite the 28-year-old midfielder with manager Jose Mourinho.
"Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player," Mourinho said in a statement.
"I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31."
Mourinho signed Matic when he was in charge of Chelsea in 2014. Matic, who originally joined Chelsea in 2009 before moving to Benfica in 2011, became an influential part of Chelsea's title-winning side under Mourinho in 2014-15.
"To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down," Matic said.
"This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club."
Matic's arrival followed Mourinho's unsuccessful move for Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier as United seek to mount a serious Premier League challenge for the first time since the departure of Alex Ferguson as manager in 2013.
Matic made 40 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season as Italian Antonio Conte marked his first season in charge of the London-based club by winning the league.
However, Chelsea's signing of Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko in this transfer window was an indication that Matic could have struggled for game time next season.
United have also signed defender Victor Lindelof from Benfica and striker Romelu Lukaku from Everton.
Players running down contracts will become a norm, says Wenger
Players running down their contracts will become the norm in years to come due to skyrocketing transfer fees, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have both entered the final year of their deals, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs could also leave Arsenal for free in 12 months' time.
Wenger tried to see the positive side, saying it could be an "ideal situation" for the club as the players would be motivated to perform to impress potential suitors.
"I think in the future, you will see it more and more. Why? Because the transfers are so high, even for normal players," he told reporters on Sunday.
"You will see more and more players going into the final year of the contract because no club will want to pay the amount demanded... in the next 10 years, it will become usual.
"I think the performance on the day does not depend on the length of the contract, if that was true we would sign everyone for 20 years and be happy."
Sanchez, who was Arsenal's top scorer in the Premier League with 24 goals last season, has been linked with a move to Paris St Germain in the French media, but Wenger was adamant he would stay at the Emirates Stadium.
"Do I think he will stay? Yes, of course. How many times did I tell you that?," the Frenchman added.
"One day, he will go and Arsenal will go on. We will all go one day and Arsenal, hopefully, will go on."
Arsenal kick off their league campaign against Leicester City on August 11.
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