Movistar fires Burgos after controversial comment about Yamal

The Spanish television channel Movistar Plus+ announced on Thursday the end of its collaboration with Germán Burgos, following a controversial comment by the former assistant coach of Atlético Madrid about Lamine Yamal that prompted a boycott by Barcelona and PSG on Wednesday.

The controversy arose after the commentator said, "If football doesn't work out for him, he could end up working in traffic," while the 16-year-old Barcelona player was performing tricks during the warm-up for the match against the French champions in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

These words were deemed racist and elitist by both clubs, who refused to speak to the channel at the end of the match, leading Movistar to make the decision to sever ties with the Argentine coach.

Even before this decision was made public, Burgos, who had already apologized for his comment live on air to the broadcaster, furthered his statement with a post on social media, in which he argued that he never intended to be racist towards the player.

"I make this statement to reiterate my apologies for my words on yesterday's program. It was not my intention to hurt Lamine Yamal in any way, the people of Barcelona, the players, UEFA, or the Movistar Plus+ platform, where I work. In making my comment, I chose to play with his quality and highlight his virtues, never focusing on ethnicity or social class.

After so many years in football, it moves me to see young academy players. I particularly admire the quantity of new talents at Barça because I believe that quality always triumphs in the end. I am a coach who advocates for youth development, and in every team I have been in, I have made an effort to bring young players to train with the first team," he emphasized.

"I apologize to all those who were offended by my comment. My intention was not to abandon Lamine Yamal, quite the opposite. Football brings everything and everyone together, which is why it is the best sport, as it does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. That's what I believe in! See you in football," he concluded.

Benzema praises Sergio Conceicao

Karim Benzema reflects on his progression at Al Ittihad, admits his first season was average, praises Sergio Conceicao’s training intensity, and argues Saudi football is improving fast and is closer to Europe’s level than many believe.

Flamengo win the Brazilian title after winning the Libertadores

Flamengo crowned an historic season by clinching the Brazilian league title with a 1-0 win over Ceará, just four days after lifting their fourth Copa Libertadores.

Mbappé goes after reporter after four goal haul in the Champions League

Real Madrid’s forward scored four goals in a win over Olympiacos and, at the end of the game, was asked whether his team depends too much on him. Mbappé did not like the question.

Which players will Kompany be without in Berlin?

After the exhausting match in Paris, Bayern continue against Union Berlin. And Vincent Kompany once again has to find solutions.

French club emerges as the favorite for the loan

Real Madrid are preparing to loan out Endrick in January, with Lyon emerging as the frontrunner. The striker seeks regular minutes to regain form ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Kimmich on a BVB quality that has been added

In the top match between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, Joshua Kimmich would like to make a statement, but he also highlights a new quality in the opponent.

Athletic find in Adama Boiro a full-back with hunger and patience

Adama Boiro, the young Senegalese full-back who grew up in Pamplona, is steadily making his mark at Athletic Club.

FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the organization “cannot solve geopolitical problems” amid growing calls for Israel to be suspended from international football due to the Gaza conflict. While the UN and several federations demand action, Infantino insists FIFA’s mission is to unite people through football, leaving responsibility to UEFA.

'Mister Bundesliga' Gouweleeuw misses a match again after two years

Jeffrey Gouweleeuw will have to watch from the sidelines at FC Augsburg for the time being. A knee injury forces the Dutch captain of the German club to take a break for now.

The question for Werner: Who will replace Schlager and Nusa?

On Saturday, RB Leipzig will host 1. FC Köln and aim for a third consecutive victory. However, the Saxons will have to replace two key players. Timo Werner is likely to be in the squad.

Haaland can’t sleep because of former club

Erling Haaland is deeply unhappy with the current situation at Bryne FK, the first club of the Norwegian striker. On social media, Haaland criticized the present state of his former team, where he spent his entire youth development.

Tottenham Hotspur disgusted by online racism after Tel miss: ‘Anonymous cowards’

Tottenham Hotspur have spoken out, a day after the UEFA Super Cup, against the racist abuse directed at Mathys Tel on social media. The forward, like Micky van de Ven, missed a penalty in the shootout.

Darwin moves to Saudi Arabia for half of what he cost

Darwin Núñez is set to join Al Hilal for €53 million, just three years after Liverpool paid up to €100 million for the striker. The transfer marks a financial loss for the Premier League champions, while Benfica receives €530,000 through FIFA’s solidarity mechanism.

Bozeník finds shelter in the Championship after Boavista's downfall

Róbert Bozeník continues his career in the Championship. The former Feyenoord striker has signed a three-year deal with Stoke City, which is taking the 25-year-old Slovak over from Boavista.

Vázquez says goodbye to Real Madrid: 'A lifelong dream fulfilled'

The Lucas Vázquez era at Real Madrid has come to an end. On Thursday, the player bid an emotional farewell to the club he served for sixteen years, winning 23 trophies along the way.

Top Countries

Around the web

Relief at Bayer: Tella will not go to the Africa Cup of Nations

Bayer 04’s personnel shortage for next week’s year-end match in Leipzig has been eased somewhat. The Werkself will have to release “only” four players for the Africa Cup of Nations, because candidate number five, forward Nathan Tella, is not included in Nigeria’s final squad.

AC Milan teenager follows in Maldini footsteps

Davide Bartesaghi thought he would become AC Milan’s hero. Two goals from the 19-year-old defender proved not enough to help the top club beat Jay Idzes’ Sassuolo. The Italian did, however, follow in the footsteps of club legend Paolo Maldini.

The British press criticizes United’s weak defence

Manchester United and Bournemouth served up a real thriller on Monday night (4-4). The British press saw it the same way, although it was mainly United’s defence that came in for criticism afterwards.

Spanish media see in Vinícius’ embrace much more than just a gesture

The win over Alavés has given Xabi Alonso some breathing room. After Rodrygo’s winning goal, the embattled Real Madrid coach was hugged by Vinícius Júnior, who had been at odds with him earlier this season.

Klopp speaks out on Salah dispute at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp comments on Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool controversy after three straight benchings, a heated reaction toward Arne Slot, and Salah’s Champions League omission, stressing that Salah’s drive is both his strength and a potential source of tension.

These kinds of situations affect the rest of the squad

Arne Slot celebrates a crucial 0-1 win at Inter as VAR drama and a late Szoboszlai penalty lift Liverpool, while the coach calmly addresses the disruptive Mohamed Salah dispute and stresses team unity.

To cut costs, Jim Ratcliffe makes changes to the catering at Old Trafford

Manchester United’s owner is considering the option of hiring an external company to manage stadium catering, so the club would no longer handle that work itself.

FC Bayern report Neuer injury

Manuel Neuer will miss Bayern’s year-ending match away at Heidenheim. The goalkeeper picked up an injury on Sunday against Mainz.

Inter win away at Genoa and move up to first place in Serie A

Inter won 2-1 away at Genoa to move top of Serie A, with Lautaro Martinez decisive again, while AC Milan drew with Sassuolo and Napoli lost at Udinese in a table-shifting Sunday.

Juventus family rejects bid of over €1 billion for the Old Lady

A huge bid has been made for Juventus, according to various sources in Italy. A minority shareholder is said to have offered more than one billion euros to obtain a majority stake. However, the Agnelli family has no intention of selling the Old Lady.