<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>FC Barcelona Archives - Sweet Melodies FM</title> <atom:link href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/tag/fc-barcelona/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/tag/fc-barcelona/</link> <description>Keeping You Sanctified Morning, Noon and Night!</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:47:47 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <image> <url>https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-Sweet-Melodies-FM_text_favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1</url> <title>FC Barcelona Archives - Sweet Melodies FM</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/tag/fc-barcelona/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been charged with bribery in the ‘Negreira affair,’ as authorities investigate alleged referee payments dating back to 2008.</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-president-joan-laporta-has-been-charged-with-bribery-in-the-negreira-affair-as-authorities-investigate-alleged-referee-payments-dating-back-to-2008/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:47:45 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=86440</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Barcelona president Joan Laporta is the latest figure to face bribery charges in connection with suspected payments to a refereeing official. Barcelona is being investigated for “active bribery” in connection with alleged payments to former refereeing vice-president Enriquez Negreira. The club is reported to have begun paying Negreira between 2001 and 2007, although the statute […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-president-joan-laporta-has-been-charged-with-bribery-in-the-negreira-affair-as-authorities-investigate-alleged-referee-payments-dating-back-to-2008/">Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been charged with bribery in the ‘Negreira affair,’ as authorities investigate alleged referee payments dating back to 2008.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Barcelona president Joan Laporta is the latest figure to face bribery charges in connection with suspected payments to a refereeing official.</p> <p>Barcelona is being investigated for “active bribery” in connection with alleged payments to former refereeing vice-president Enriquez Negreira.</p> <p>The club is reported to have begun paying Negreira between 2001 and 2007, although the statute of limitations on those alleged offenses has expired.</p> <p>So far, the Camp Nou team have been under investigation for a total of 33 payments <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/barcelona-33-payments-referee-vice-president-206-2018/bltbab0641faaf63e5e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">totalling €1.6 million</a> made to a company owned by Negreira between 2016 and 2018.</p> <p>However, the investigation may be extended to 2008, around the time of Laporta’s first term as Barcelona president.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-wants-to-move-forward-vitor-roque-from-athletico-paranaense-to-january-but-theres-a-catch/">Barcelona wants to move forward Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense to January, but there’s a catch.</a></li> </ul> <p>Laporta has now been implicated in the scandal alongside former Barca presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, as well as former directors Oscar Grau and Albert Soler.</p> <p>Judge Joaquin Aguirre has stated that there were “more than ample indications that Laporta committed the same acts as subsequent presidents,” amounting to paying “large amounts of money” to Negreira.</p> <p>The statute of limitations for such cases ends at the time of the last payment made, which would be in the summer of 2018, according to <a href="https://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2023/10/18/652f79fefdddffbb0a8b4587.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>El Mundo</em></a>.</p> <p>As vice president for the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Negreira is considered a public official and so the statute of limitations for the crime of continued bribery is 15 years. Thus, he and his son face punishment for cases that stretch back to 2003.</p> <p>However, for Laporta and his fellow Barcelona officials, the period they can be punished for is just 10 years, meaning the investigation can look into incidents beginning from 2008 until that last alleged payment in 2018.</p> <p>“It is proven that the payments were made over about 18 years and that they increased year after year,” the judge said. “It is proven that Enriquez Negreira stopped receiving emoluments from FC Barcelona once he ceased his position as vice president of the CTA in 2018.</p> <p>“It is proven that the investigated Enriquez Negreira sent a burofax (business communication) to FC Barcelona referring to the dissemination of possible irregularities of which he was aware and that would seriously affect FC Barcelona.”</p> <p>The payments are said to have increased from the initial €70,000 euros to €700,000 annually for 18 years until Negreira resigned from the CTA, and the judge has alleged that the club would have gained preferential treatment from officials.</p> <p>He added: “By logical deduction, the payments made by FC Barcelona satisfied the interests of the club in view of their duration and the annual increase. From here it is also deduced that the payments produced the arbitration effects desired by FC Barcelona, in such a way that there must have been inequality in the treatment with other teams and the consequent systemic corruption in the Spanish arbitration as a whole, which does not mean that each and every one of the referees were corrupt, but it did mean that a group of them.”</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-president-joan-laporta-has-been-charged-with-bribery-in-the-negreira-affair-as-authorities-investigate-alleged-referee-payments-dating-back-to-2008/">Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been charged with bribery in the ‘Negreira affair,’ as authorities investigate alleged referee payments dating back to 2008.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Barcelona wants to move forward Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense to January, but there’s a catch.</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-wants-to-move-forward-vitor-roque-from-athletico-paranaense-to-january-but-theres-a-catch/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Oct 2023 10:37:42 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=86204</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Barcelona intends to sign Vitor Roque in January rather than July, since Deco planned to visit Brazil during the next international break. Barcelona had agreed to sign Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense in a deal worth €35m (£30m/$38m) in the summer as the Brazilian is set to arrive at the club in July 2024. But the club […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-wants-to-move-forward-vitor-roque-from-athletico-paranaense-to-january-but-theres-a-catch/">Barcelona wants to move forward Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense to January, but there’s a catch.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Barcelona intends to sign Vitor Roque in January rather than July, since Deco planned to visit Brazil during the next international break.</p> <p>Barcelona had <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/barcelona-chelsea-man-utd-psg-sign-vitor-roque-athletico-paranaense/blt95d9fc8a10c74859" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agreed to sign Vitor Roque</a> from Athletico Paranaense in a deal worth €35m (£30m/$38m) in the summer as the Brazilian is set to arrive at the club in July 2024. But the club are now planning to bring in the Brazilian wonderkid before time as Deco is scheduled to fly to Brazil during the next international break to hold talks with his current club, according to <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20231002/1002079445/deco-vera-vitor-roque-brasil-paron-liguero.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MD</a>.</p> <p>Although the Catalan giants seem confident of bringing Roque in January, the player’s registration will depend on whether the club will be able to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/barcelona-sell-player-january-register-eur35m-striker-vitor-roque/blte26e809f97b06841" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">accommodate him within their salary limit</a>. The reigning La Liga champions have already renewed the contract of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen on a reduced salary and are planning to do the same with midfielder Frenkie de Jong. But the main factor that will determine Roque’s future is whether the club receive €40m by October 10 from the sale of 29.5% of Barca Studios to Libero.</p> <p><strong>IN THREE PHOTOS:</strong></p> <p><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1" alt="Deco"></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li></li> </ul> <p><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" alt="Xavi Barcelona 2023-24" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(36).png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(36).png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(36).png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(36).png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(36).png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(36).png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(36).png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(36).png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf9e82490fdc78c36/65173d4dcf50e5470e303bf9/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_%2836%29.png?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" alt="Vitor Roque Athletico Paranaense 2023" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7df7718251d43f01/65035efbc680820345146555/GettyImages-1585639462.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty</p> <p><strong>WHAT NEXT? </strong>Xavi’s side will be next seen in action against Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-wants-to-move-forward-vitor-roque-from-athletico-paranaense-to-january-but-theres-a-catch/">Barcelona wants to move forward Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense to January, but there’s a catch.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Barcelona will proceed with care following Pedri’s latest setback, but he might return in time for the crucial Clasico against Real Madrid.</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-will-proceed-with-care-following-pedris-latest-setback-but-he-might-return-in-time-for-the-crucial-clasico-against-real-madrid/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Sep 2023 16:35:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pedri Gonzalez]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=85981</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Barcelona will be cautious throughout Pedri’s rehabilitation phase and won’t push him back to full fitness. The Barcelona midfielder had an injury to his right thigh while training on August 24 and was anticipated to make a full recovery in a month. But, Sport reports that Pedri will require additional time to heal and will […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-will-proceed-with-care-following-pedris-latest-setback-but-he-might-return-in-time-for-the-crucial-clasico-against-real-madrid/">Barcelona will proceed with care following Pedri’s latest setback, but he might return in time for the crucial Clasico against Real Madrid.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Barcelona will be cautious throughout Pedri’s rehabilitation phase and won’t push him back to full fitness.</p> <p>The Barcelona midfielder had an injury to his right thigh while training on August 24 and was anticipated to make a full recovery in a month. But, Sport reports that Pedri will require additional time to heal and will not be ready to play again until the end of October.</p> <p>The Catalan giants won’t make the same mistake they did in the past by forcing the player back onto the pitch; instead, they’ll give him the time he needs to heal completely. The good news for the Catalan giants is that the Spanish international might recover in time for the crucial El Clasico match against rival Real Madrid on October 28.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/fabrizio-romano-was-compelled-to-deny-his-involvement-in-the-significant-barcelona-transfer-i-merely-performed-my-job/" data-type="post" data-id="85946">Fabrizio Romano was compelled to deny his involvement in the significant Barcelona transfer: “I merely performed my job.”</a></li> </ul> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="696" height="392" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-6.png?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-85982" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-6.png?w=1080&ssl=1 1080w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-6.png?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-6.png?resize=150%2C84&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-6.png?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-6.png?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1 696w, https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-6.png?resize=1068%2C601&ssl=1 1068w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" /></figure> <p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Xavi Barcelona 2023-24" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt41232808112da8ae/65083604fbbab235be2cee6d/Xavi.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images</p> <p><strong>WHAT NEXT? </strong>Xavi’s side will next take on Antwerp in the Champions League on Tuesday.</p> <p></p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-will-proceed-with-care-following-pedris-latest-setback-but-he-might-return-in-time-for-the-crucial-clasico-against-real-madrid/">Barcelona will proceed with care following Pedri’s latest setback, but he might return in time for the crucial Clasico against Real Madrid.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Fabrizio Romano was compelled to deny his involvement in the significant Barcelona transfer: “I merely performed my job.”</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/fabrizio-romano-was-compelled-to-deny-his-involvement-in-the-significant-barcelona-transfer-i-merely-performed-my-job/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Sep 2023 12:56:16 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fabrizio]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Felix]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=85946</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>After speaking with the player this summer, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano refuted claims that he had a part in Joao Felix’s decision to join Barcelona, saying “it’s about Joao, not me.” The transfer window is not what it previously was in the current day. Once upon a time, sides wouldn’t know if a player wanted […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/fabrizio-romano-was-compelled-to-deny-his-involvement-in-the-significant-barcelona-transfer-i-merely-performed-my-job/">Fabrizio Romano was compelled to deny his involvement in the significant Barcelona transfer: “I merely performed my job.”</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>After speaking with the player this summer, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano refuted claims that he had a part in Joao Felix’s decision to join Barcelona, saying “it’s about Joao, not me.”</p> <p>The transfer window is not what it previously was in the current day. Once upon a time, sides wouldn’t know if a player wanted to join them until they contacted their club or representation, but that’s not necessarily the case today.</p> <p>Clubs might receive a hint that players are interested in a move through their social media activities.</p> <p>A well-known example from just last season was Moises Caicedo. The Brighton midfielder essentially pleaded with the Seagulls to release him after learning that Arsenal had made an offer.</p> <p>As it was, he didn’t manage to make the move, and a few months later went to Chelsea instead.</p> <p>This summer, Atletico Madrid man Felix announced <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhMdyzNCyno" target="_blank">in an interview with Romano</a> that he’d “love to join Barcelona” as the move was his “biggest dream”.</p> <p>A little over a month later, the forward had made the loan switch to Camp Nou.</p> <p>Having been asked about his involvement, Romano has since denied that he played a role in the move.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/deco-discusses-if-summer-acquisitions-took-wage-cuts-to-leave-atletico-madrid-and-manchester-city-while-joao-felix-and-joao-cancelo-face-challenges-to-obtain-permanent-barcelona-moves/" data-type="post" data-id="85860">Deco discusses if summer acquisitions took wage cuts to leave Atletico Madrid and Manchester City while Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo face challenges to obtain permanent Barcelona moves.</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Romano denies involvement in move</strong></h2> <p>“Absolutely zero role honestly and I don’t want any role into transfers,” <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://thedailybriefing.io/" target="_blank">he told the <em>Daily Briefing</em></a>.</p> <p>Romano suggested he simply did his job, and it was Felix’s desire to make the move to Barcelona that made it happen, and the club would have been made aware of that desire anyway.</p> <p>“I just did my job, getting an interview with Joao was a nice scoop but the deals depend on players, agents, clubs and not journalists in my opinion,” Romano added.</p> <p>“If it wasn’t me, it was probably another newspaper or journalist to get that interview. If Joao got the move to Barca is because he wanted that strongly, he sent clear message and it’s about Joao, not me.”</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Barcelona didn’t have to sign Felix</strong></h2> <p>Romano obviously has a big audience, and that may help news spread to the right places quickly. As such, Barcelona might have been made aware that Felix wanted to join because of his interview.</p> <p>However, the La Liga giants didn’t have to sign him.</p> <p>They could have learned that he wanted to join and done nothing about it if they didn’t want him.</p> <p>However, they clearly did want him, as they wouldn’t have signed him otherwise.</p> <p>As such, whether or not Romano did play some role, it was the club and the player that made the move happen, rather than the interview itself.</p> <p></p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/fabrizio-romano-was-compelled-to-deny-his-involvement-in-the-significant-barcelona-transfer-i-merely-performed-my-job/">Fabrizio Romano was compelled to deny his involvement in the significant Barcelona transfer: “I merely performed my job.”</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>‘A lot of things have to happen,’ says Barcelona’s Pedri in response to PSG transfer rumours.</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/a-lot-of-things-have-to-happen-says-barcelonas-pedri-in-response-to-psg-transfer-rumours/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:39:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pedri]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=85091</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Barcelona midfielder Pedri has addressed reports linking him with a potential transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. The Spaniard has claimed that he is only concerned with getting ready for the upcoming season with Barcelona and is not following any rumours about his future. Pedri has referred to Barcelona as “the club of his dreams” and stated […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/a-lot-of-things-have-to-happen-says-barcelonas-pedri-in-response-to-psg-transfer-rumours/">‘A lot of things have to happen,’ says Barcelona’s Pedri in response to PSG transfer rumours.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Barcelona midfielder Pedri has addressed reports linking him with a potential transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.</p> <p>The Spaniard has claimed that he is only concerned with getting ready for the upcoming season with Barcelona and is not following any rumours about his future. Pedri has referred to Barcelona as “the club of his dreams” and stated that, barring “extremely horrible and very painful” events, he intends to stay with the Catalan club for many more years.</p> <p><strong>WHAT THEY SAID: </strong>When asked whether he will be staying at Barcelona for the 2023-24 season and beyond, Pedri told <a href="https://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/20230802/9146733/pedri-entrevista-futuro-barca-dembele-gira-estados-unidos-capitanes.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>La Vanguardia</em></a>: “Yes, for sure. I’m very calm here. Enjoying myself, focused on the tour, and focused on being ready to play. I’m not paying attention to what people are saying elsewhere. I’m only thinking about preparing for the pre-season and enjoying my time with Barça.”</p> <p>Pressed on PSG’s reported interest in his services, Pedri replied: “I don’t keep an eye on the offers that come my way. My representatives receive that. I tell them that if they want to listen, they should do it. And they will tell me but I’m focused on what is important to me, which is to train, play and enjoy. But a lot of things have to happen for me to leave this club. It would have to be very bad and very unpleasant. I see it as very unlikely, Barça is the club of my dreams and I want to stay for many more years.”</p> <p><strong>THE BIGGER PICTURE: </strong>Pedri was believed to be running for captaincy for the 2023-24 season. However, it was Sergi Roberto, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, and Frenkie de Jong, who were eventually named as the four skippers after a dressing room vote.</p> <p>Although Pedri admitted that he wants to lead Barcelona in the future, he backed the decision of his team-mates as he feels that he is not ready yet for the responsibility. “I voted for De Jong and Araujo. And they’re the ones who won,” he said. “They deserved it more than anyone else. They have been at the club for many years and I think they show the image that a captain should give. Who doesn’t want to be captain of their dream team? I know someone voted for me but I think I’m still too young for that.”</p> <p><strong>IN ONE PHOTO:</strong><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Pedri" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt77c55445353e5b86/64c1845b4d93a985e8c73466/Pedri.jpeg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">(C)GettyImages</p> <p><strong>WHAT NEXT? </strong>Pedri will hope to star in the Joan Gamper Trophy final against Tottenham on August 8 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, with Barcelona set to open their latest La Liga campaign against Getafe five days later.</p> <p></p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/a-lot-of-things-have-to-happen-says-barcelonas-pedri-in-response-to-psg-transfer-rumours/">‘A lot of things have to happen,’ says Barcelona’s Pedri in response to PSG transfer rumours.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Atletico Madrid has given Joao Felix permission to complete his ‘dream’ transfer to Barcelona.</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/atletico-madrid-has-given-joao-felix-permission-to-complete-his-dream-transfer-to-barcelona/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jul 2023 14:28:50 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joao Felix]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=84702</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>According to reports, Atletico Madrid has agreed to let Joao Felix complete his “dream” move to Barcelona. The Blaugrana were close to signing the Portuguese winger on loan in December 2022. Nevertheless, Atletico pulled out of that deal and instead picked Chelsea as Felix’s preferred destination. This time, though, things may be different since, according […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/atletico-madrid-has-given-joao-felix-permission-to-complete-his-dream-transfer-to-barcelona/">Atletico Madrid has given Joao Felix permission to complete his ‘dream’ transfer to Barcelona.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>According to reports, Atletico Madrid has agreed to let Joao Felix complete his “dream” move to Barcelona.</p> <p>The Blaugrana were close to signing the Portuguese winger on loan in December 2022. Nevertheless, Atletico pulled out of that deal and instead picked Chelsea as Felix’s preferred destination. This time, though, things may be different since, according to AS, the Rojiblanocs have given Felix permission to join their archrivals. Any agreement will contain a buy option, allowing Barcelona to sign him permanently at the end of his loan period.</p> <p><strong>THE BIGGER PICTURE: </strong>In a recent interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1681387182500479000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Fabrizio Romano</em></a>, Felix admitted that he would “love to play for Barca” and the Liga champions have always been his<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/joao-felix-barcelona-atletico-madrid/blt220734d69dcc0bd5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> “first choice” as it was his “dream”</a> to don their jersey since he was a child. Barca president Joan Laporta would love to welcome him at Camp Nou and they have already crunched the numbers that would take them to execute the operation, keeping in mind their fragile economic condition.</p> <p><strong>AND WHAT’S MORE: </strong>Felix has struggled to find his feet under Diego Simeone and has netted just 34 times in 131 appearances for Atletico. His loan spell with <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/joao-felix-drops-hint-chelsea-future-loan-atletico-madrid-ending/blt86a7763d61fef7c6" target="_blank">Chelsea saw him score four goals in 20 Premier League</a> appearances and has been linked with a permanent move away from the Wanda Metropolitano, with Barcelona now emerging as the favourites for his signature.</p> <p><strong>IN TWO PHOTOS:</strong><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Joao Felix" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltff049643b42a13ea/64ac0773828abb4087c48d11/GettyImages-1244318588.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Joao Felix" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(2).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(2).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(2).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(2).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(2).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(2).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(2).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_(2).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2749921a6f559bfa/64b79226c08a93f617f110ba/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook_%282%29.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images</p> <p><strong>WHAT NEXT? </strong>Atletico and Barcelona are figuring out the details of the transfer and Felix will hope to finalise a transfer to Camp Nou before the start of the new season.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/atletico-madrid-has-given-joao-felix-permission-to-complete-his-dream-transfer-to-barcelona/">Atletico Madrid has given Joao Felix permission to complete his ‘dream’ transfer to Barcelona.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Barcelona beat Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain to Vitor Roque as the Athletico Paranaense attacker completes a €35 million move to Camp Nou.</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-beat-chelsea-manchester-united-and-paris-saint-germain-to-vitor-roque-as-the-athletico-paranaense-attacker-completes-a-e35-million-move-to-camp-nou/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:48:43 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vitor Roque]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=84427</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Barcelona has defeated a slew of suitors to capture Brazilian sensation Vitor Roque. According to GOAL, the Catalan giants and Athletico Paranaense have negotiated a cost of €35 million (£30 million/$38.4 million) plus add-ons for the 18-year-old attacker. The deal might total €71 million (£60 million/$77 million), and Vitor Roque will come in Barcelona in […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-beat-chelsea-manchester-united-and-paris-saint-germain-to-vitor-roque-as-the-athletico-paranaense-attacker-completes-a-e35-million-move-to-camp-nou/">Barcelona beat Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain to Vitor Roque as the Athletico Paranaense attacker completes a €35 million move to Camp Nou.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Barcelona has defeated a slew of suitors to capture Brazilian sensation Vitor Roque.</p> <p>According to GOAL, the Catalan giants and Athletico Paranaense have negotiated a cost of €35 million (£30 million/$38.4 million) plus add-ons for the 18-year-old attacker. The deal might total €71 million (£60 million/$77 million), and Vitor Roque will come in Barcelona in 2024, as stated on Wednesday. It is still unclear if the Brazilian would leave in January or next summer.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/when-can-we-expect-jude-bellingham-to-make-his-real-madrid-debut-new-signing-might-be-forced-to-wait-to-make-his-debut-for-real-madrid-but-it-will-be-against-barcelona/" data-type="post" data-id="84381">When can we expect Jude Bellingham to make his Real Madrid debut? New signing might be forced to wait to make his debut for Real Madrid, but it will be against Barcelona.</a></li> </ul> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="lt" dir="ltr">𝖳 𝖧 𝖤 <br>𝖡 𝖫 𝖠 𝖴 𝖦 𝖱 𝖠 𝖭 𝖠 <br>𝖯 𝖫 𝖠 𝖭 𝖤 𝖳 <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f405.png" alt="🐅" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <a href="https://t.co/ttHvYSOLrU">pic.twitter.com/ttHvYSOLrU</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1679083357416615936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div></figure> <p><strong>AND WHAT’S MORE:</strong> Vitor will sign a contract that runs until 2030 with a release clause of €500m (£427m/$551m). The transfer fee will be paid in instalments and will be the biggest in the history of Brazilian football. The bonuses are related to the number of matches played, goals scored and individual and team awards.</p> <p><strong>THE BIGGER PICTURE:</strong> The deal, which has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/vitor-roque-barcelona-spending-35m-brazil-new-ronaldo/blt123dc2e69d191cb7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weeks in the making,</a> comes as something of a coup for Barcelona. Sporting director Deco is credited with helping <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/chelsea-man-utd-psg-vitor-roque-barcelona-striker-agreement-la-liga-champions/blt73e89fbb4902306c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">see off competition</a> from the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain to secure the player.</p> <p><strong>IN THREE PHOTOS:</strong><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Vitor Roque Athletico Paranaense" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blte2001be9d6190dc2/63d2499c339ecf33620e2812/GettyImages-1406440699.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Vitor Roque Brazil U20 2023" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt1d105996c1f24209/63e663187432ea74fe3f9793/GettyImages-1246773018.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Deco" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt8284b05b2617090b/6453a550f4d9cb88987a970f/deco.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images</p> <p><strong>WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?</strong> The deal will come as a relief to Barca fans after losing out to bitter rivals Real Madrid for the signature of another 18-year-old in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/real-madrid-turkish-messi-barcelona-gbp15m-arda-guler-pursuit/blt5b87f1c3a27e810d" target="_blank">Arda Guler</a>. Barca begin pre-season preparations in July as they head on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/barcelona-pre-season-2023-tour-fixtures-results-tickets-watch/blt8443417c3b3c7286" target="_blank">tour to the United States</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-beat-chelsea-manchester-united-and-paris-saint-germain-to-vitor-roque-as-the-athletico-paranaense-attacker-completes-a-e35-million-move-to-camp-nou/">Barcelona beat Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain to Vitor Roque as the Athletico Paranaense attacker completes a €35 million move to Camp Nou.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Barcelona is the destination! On a free transfer from Man City, Ilkay Gundogan agrees to a two-year first contract with Xavi’s team.</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-is-the-destination-on-a-free-transfer-from-man-city-ilkay-gundogan-agrees-to-a-two-year-first-contract-with-xavis-team/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jun 2023 17:53:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gundogan]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=83673</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Ilkay Gundogan, a midfielder for Manchester City, has decided to leave the Etihad and go for Xavi’s La Liga champions Barcelona. Gundogan, who won three trophies, is expected to depart City when his contract ends, and Barcelona appear to be the favourites to sign him. According to Fabrizio Romano, the German international has reached an […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-is-the-destination-on-a-free-transfer-from-man-city-ilkay-gundogan-agrees-to-a-two-year-first-contract-with-xavis-team/">Barcelona is the destination! On a free transfer from Man City, Ilkay Gundogan agrees to a two-year first contract with Xavi’s team.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Ilkay Gundogan, a midfielder for Manchester City, has decided to leave the Etihad and go for Xavi’s La Liga champions Barcelona.</p> <p>Gundogan, who won three trophies, is expected to depart City when his contract ends, and Barcelona appear to be the favourites to sign him. According to Fabrizio Romano, the German international has reached an agreement with the Catalan giants for a two-year contract with an additional year’s option. Barcelona is convinced that despite their continuous financial difficulties, the team will be able to sign Gundogan.</p> <p>Gundogan joins us after leading Manchester City to a Triple Crown last year. In Xavi’s midfield, which will be without Sergio Busquets next year due to his desire to depart as a free agent, the veteran will add depth and experience.</p> <p><strong>AND WHAT’S MORE: </strong>The midfielder’s departure will be a blow for Manchester City. Guardiola had made it clear he wanted Gundogan to stay but also said <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/pep-guardiola-ilkay-gundogan-stays-man-city-extraordinary-signing-barcelona/bltcaff4a31f089c901" target="_blank">he would be an “extraordinary signing”</a> for his former club. City are already negotiating to add to their midfield this summer, agreeing a deal with <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/mateo-kovacic-to-complete-gbp30m-man-city-transfer-pep-guardiola-primary-target-chelsea/blt4ce974cd5fd073ec" target="_blank">Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic</a>.</p> <p><strong>IN THREE PHOTOS:</strong><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="20230603 Ilikay Gundogan" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt6c38c706d4f03217/647b9e1e1263d37441bb1261/20230603.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">(C)Getty Images<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Xavi Hernandez" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt3a9f491ae7d4b815/647212ab089c6e23471846e4/GettyImages-1491878630.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Pep Guardiola Manchester City 2022-23" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_(14).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_(14).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_(14).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_(14).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_(14).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_(14).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_(14).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_(14).jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt76c4ada2fb844754/6484e783ff60e8246aca5dc0/Pep_Guardiola_Manchester_City_2022-23_%2814%29.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images</p> <p><strong>WHAT’S NEXT? </strong>Barcelona fans will be hoping to get their first glimpse of Gundogan in action in pre-season. The Catalans are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/barcelona-pre-season-2023-tour-fixtures-results-tickets-watch/blt8443417c3b3c7286" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heading to the United State</a>s in July for friendlies with Juventus, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-is-the-destination-on-a-free-transfer-from-man-city-ilkay-gundogan-agrees-to-a-two-year-first-contract-with-xavis-team/">Barcelona is the destination! On a free transfer from Man City, Ilkay Gundogan agrees to a two-year first contract with Xavi’s team.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Barcelona wants Joshua Kimmich to replace Sergio Busquets, and the Bayern midfielder is looking for a fresh challenge after the departure of Julian Nagelsmann.</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-wants-joshua-kimmich-to-replace-sergio-busquets-and-the-bayern-midfielder-is-looking-for-a-fresh-challenge-after-the-departure-of-julian-nagelsmann/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 17 May 2023 09:01:34 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kimmich]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=82828</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Barcelona have set their sights on Joshua Kimmich to replace Sergio Busquets, with the Bayern Munich midfielder keen on new challenge. WHAT HAPPENED? Midfield veteran Busquets has confirmed he will leave Barcelona this summer, with the player reportedly weighing up a move to MLS or the Saudi Pro League. The midfielder informed Barcelona of his decision to call […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-wants-joshua-kimmich-to-replace-sergio-busquets-and-the-bayern-midfielder-is-looking-for-a-fresh-challenge-after-the-departure-of-julian-nagelsmann/">Barcelona wants Joshua Kimmich to replace Sergio Busquets, and the Bayern midfielder is looking for a fresh challenge after the departure of Julian Nagelsmann.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Barcelona have set their sights on Joshua Kimmich to replace Sergio Busquets, with the Bayern Munich midfielder keen on new challenge.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Busquets set to leave Barca</li> <li>Catalan club eye Kimmich as replacement</li> <li>Midfielder looking for a new challenge</li> </ul> <p><strong>WHAT HAPPENED? </strong>Midfield veteran Busquets has <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/sergio-busquets-confirms-leaving-barcelona-in-emotional-video-summer-transfer-to-mls/blt00f13888a5e86779" target="_blank">confirmed he will leave Barcelona this summer</a>, with the player reportedly weighing up a move to MLS or the Saudi Pro League. The midfielder informed Barcelona of his decision to call time on his career at Camp Nou earlier this month. Despite<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/sergio-busquets-to-leave-barcelona-contract-mls-links/blt144e73edb51102a0"> Xavi’s efforts to convince him to continue for one more season</a>, he has stuck to his wish to seek a new challenge which has forced the club to hunt for a replacement.</p> <p><strong>THE BIGGER PICTURE: </strong>According to<a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20230517/1002006609/oportunidad-kimmich.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em> Mundo Deportivo</em></a><em>, </em>the Catalan giants have set their sights on Bayern linchpin Kimmich, who is considering leaving the Allianz Arena after the surprise exit of Julian Nagelsmann in March. However, it might not be a straightforward deal as Barcelona have soured their relationship with Bayern with the Robert Lewandowski transfer, and the Bavarian giants might force them to pay a premium for the disgruntled midfielder, who is valued at around €45m.</p> <p><strong>AND WHAT’S MORE: </strong>Meanwhile, Manchester City have also been linked with the German midfielder as Ilkay Gundogan looks set to leave the club. Pep Guardiola knows the player from his days in Munich and it was the Spanish manager who used him as a defensive midfielder from his erstwhile right-back position.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/during-the-title-celebrations-lionel-messi-and-neymar-were-video-phoned-by-barcelona-players-while-pierre-emerick-aubameyang-liked-a-post-congratulating-la-league-victory/" data-type="post" data-id="82771">During the title celebrations, Lionel Messi and Neymar were video phoned by Barcelona players, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ‘liked’ a post congratulating La League victory.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/will-vinicius-junior-depart-real-madrid-at-some-point-the-players-agent-makes-suggestions-and-future-plans-a-brazilian-superstar-will-compete-with-kylian-mbappe-and-erling-haaland/" data-type="post" data-id="82825">Will Vinicius Junior depart Real Madrid at some point? The player’s agent makes suggestions and future plans. A Brazilian superstar will compete with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>IN THREE PHOTOS:</strong><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Joshua Kimmich FC Bayern 2023" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook(372).jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook(372).jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook(372).jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook(372).jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook(372).jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook(372).jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook(372).jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook(372).jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt47bfc68759ea8d3e/645fa5bc5fd76206fb551a59/GOAL_-_Blank_WEB_-_Facebook%28372%29.jpeg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Busquets-barcelona" width="696" height="416" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt4b5765d96f4f0da8/64615af9ed74c5fb6d9ab6d2/Busquets-barcrlona.jpg?resize=696%2C416&ssl=1">(C)Getty Images<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="xavi hernandez" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt82f04568df42efa9/64616e44dafdff522d8f2304/fotor_2023-5-15_1_23_47.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Getty Images</p> <p><strong>WHAT NEXT? </strong>Kimmich will be in action against RB Leipzig on Saturday in the Bundesliga, whereas Barcelona, having already clinched the La Liga title, will travel to Real Sociedad on the same day.</p> <p></p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/barcelona-wants-joshua-kimmich-to-replace-sergio-busquets-and-the-bayern-midfielder-is-looking-for-a-fresh-challenge-after-the-departure-of-julian-nagelsmann/">Barcelona wants Joshua Kimmich to replace Sergio Busquets, and the Bayern midfielder is looking for a fresh challenge after the departure of Julian Nagelsmann.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Negreira scandal: Barcelona president Joan Laporta launches defiant tirade against Real Madrid’s ‘team of the regime’ – ‘They have always been favoured by refereeing decisions’</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/negreira-scandal-barcelona-president-joan-laporta-launches-defiant-tirade-against-real-madrids-team-of-the-regime-they-have-always-been-favoured-by-refereeing-decisions/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 17 Apr 2023 11:53:26 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FC Barcelona]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=82300</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Barcelona president Joan Laporta has taken aim at Real Madrid during the ongoing Negreira scandal, branding them the “team of the regime”. WHAT HAPPENED? Laporta has also claimed that the Blancos have historically “been favoured by refereeing decisions”, with Barca fighting to clear their name after being accused of buying favour among match officials after admitting […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/negreira-scandal-barcelona-president-joan-laporta-launches-defiant-tirade-against-real-madrids-team-of-the-regime-they-have-always-been-favoured-by-refereeing-decisions/">Negreira scandal: Barcelona president Joan Laporta launches defiant tirade against Real Madrid’s ‘team of the regime’ – ‘They have always been favoured by refereeing decisions’</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p>Barcelona president Joan Laporta has taken aim at Real Madrid during the ongoing Negreira scandal, branding them the “team of the regime”.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Payments made to former referees chief</li> <li>Rivals taking legal action</li> <li>Catalan giants maintain their innocence</li> </ul> <p><strong>WHAT HAPPENED? </strong>Laporta has also claimed that the Blancos have historically “been favoured by refereeing decisions”, with Barca fighting to clear their name after being accused of buying favour among match officials after admitting to making payments to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira – form vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees – between 2001 and 2018. Laporta maintains that the Blaugrana did nothing wrong, with shots fired at Clasico rivals Real – who are among those pushing for action to be taken by La Liga and UEFA.</p> <p>WHAT THEY SAID: During Monday’s press conference, Laporta stated, “I want to refer to the presence of a club, on its own, as a private accusation in the trial.” A club that claims to have been harmed. A club that has always benefited from referee decisions. It has been referred to as the regime’s team. Because they are close to political and economic power. It’s worth noting that for the past seven decades, the majority of CTA presidents have been former Real Madrid members, players, or directors. For 70 years, those who appointed those who had to deliver justice on the pitch were ex-Real Madrid partners, players, or directors. All of this, in some cases, at the same time.”</p> <p><strong>THE BIGGER PICTURE: </strong>Barca are preparing to argue their case in court, while facing possible sanctions from UEFA, but Laporta added on the allegations being made against them: “When this controversy came out, about the case of Negreira, what became clear is that it was a campaign against the reputation of Barcelona. FC Barcelona has never done any kind of activity with the intention of swinging the competition in our favour. We have never done anything with the intention of taking a sporting advantage. We have suffered a public lynching. They have assumed we are guilty before we were judged fairly. This lynching is not deserved. Our good game is in play, as well as our credibility and that of the referees, and that of football.”</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/ex-barca-teammate-iniesta-praises-neymar-hes-a-machine-and-always-puts-up-a-show/" data-type="post" data-id="79744">Ex-Barca teammate Iniesta praises Neymar: “He’s a machine and always puts up a show!”</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>IN TWO PHOTOS:</strong><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Joan Laporta Barcelona" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt7a5e32a61e80fd28/643d0c825966c32e4c857419/Ft56nRAWwAIFT4T.jpeg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">FC Barcelona<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Enrique Negreira" width="696" height="392" srcset="https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=640&quality=60 640w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=750&quality=60 750w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=828&quality=60 828w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1080&quality=60 1080w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1200&quality=60 1200w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1920&quality=60 1920w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=2048&quality=60 2048w, https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60 3840w" src="https://i0.wp.com/assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt62a9a6662e02e3b8/6410bb48a556910c5ab2c3c2/dazn-2022-master-feature-tile--4ca70b9b-fbfe-4294-a4cb-699d54ab9296.png?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1">Sport</p> <p><strong>WHAT NEXT? </strong>Barcelona are currently top of the Liga table, but they have been experiencing financial difficulties and any fines relating to the Negreira case would hit them hard – with the Catalan giants being linked with a move to bring seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi back onto their books.</p> <p></p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/negreira-scandal-barcelona-president-joan-laporta-launches-defiant-tirade-against-real-madrids-team-of-the-regime-they-have-always-been-favoured-by-refereeing-decisions/">Negreira scandal: Barcelona president Joan Laporta launches defiant tirade against Real Madrid’s ‘team of the regime’ – ‘They have always been favoured by refereeing decisions’</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>