Seven-time French champions Lyon, owned by American businessman John Textor, have been relegated to the second tier of French football due to the club’s financial problems, the French Professional League announced on Tuesday evening. Lyon, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 and reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League last season, plan to appeal the decision in the hopes of retaining their top flight status.
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Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been discharged from hospital after being admitted with “acute gastroenteritis”. Mbappe missed Real’s opening Club World Cup match against Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal on Wednesday, with head coach Xabi Alonso revealing he had a fever. The club subsequently confirmed Mbappe was suffering from “an acute case of gastroenteritis” and had been admitted to hospital for further tests and treatment.
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Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by the Football Association with violating anti-doping rules. The 24-year-old has not played since being handed a provisional suspension in December after he returned a positive test, reportedly for the banned substance meldonium.
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Italy have appointed former midfielder Gennaro Gattuso as their manager. The AC Milan legend replaces Luciano Spalletti, who announced his own sacking at a news conference last week. Gattuso, 47, made 73 appearances for Italy and was a member of their 2006 World Cup-winning squad, and will now lead his country into the same tournament 20 years later.
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Tottenham have appointed Brentford boss Thomas Frank as their head coach on a deal until 2028. The 51-year-old Dane replaces Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked earlier this month despite leading Spurs to victory in the Europa League final in May. Frank spent seven years in charge of Brentford, guiding the club from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021.
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