Manchester City handed UEFA sanctions
Manchester City handed UEFA sanctions
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Manchester City have expanded their growing global portfolio by announcing the purchase of a minority stake in Japanese J-League club Yokohama F Marinos.
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The deal will bring the Marinos into a network which also includes new Major League Soccer franchise New York City FC and Australian club Melbourne Heart, as well as City's senior, youth and women's teams.
The partnership was announced in conjunction with the Marinos' owners, car manufacturer Nissan, and will see the four-times Asian champions gain access to the coaching, management, medical and sports science expertise of the City Football Group.
"We're thrilled to be able to play a role in investing and building on the ongoing success of YF Marinos," City chief executive Ferran Soriano told the club's official website. "We are proud to offer a collaborative and integrated approach to the football, marketing, media and commercial development of all the clubs in the City family.
"At the same time, we are proud that each of our clubs is firmly rooted and invested in its local community as well as connected and engaged with its supporter base.
"We are very much looking forward to starting our collaboration."
The announcement comes a year after City launched their MLS project in conjunction with baseball's most famous club, the New York Yankees. In January, they then acquired an 80 percent stake in Melbourne Heart as the major investor in a consortium that took over the A-League club.
Their latest project sees them invest in a long-established Japanese top-flight club. As well as their Asian titles, the Marinos have won the J-League three times and finished runners-up last year.
Carlos Ghosn, president and chief executive of Nissan, said: "The YF Marinos is an excellent soccer club with a rich history which has grown hand in hand with Nissan.
"This partnership will contribute to the growth of the club, the growth of our shared hometown, Yokohama, as well as Yokosuka and Japanese soccer."
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Ronaldo: I´m sure Real Madrid will win
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is confident his side can clinch their 10th European Cup on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real will face La Liga champions and city rivals Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Final in Lisbon after disposing of title-holders Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
Saturday’s clash in Portugal’s capital will be Real’s first appearance in a Champions League final since they edged Bayer Leverkusen in 2001.
And Ronaldo, who has already tasted European glory with Manchester United, is upbeat about Real’s chances of claiming a 10th-combined European Cup/Champions League trophy, as he returns to his homeland.
“Atletico are doing very important things, they’ve won La Liga and they are very motivated,” said the 29-year-old, who has declared himself fit for the final.
“They’ve played well in the Champions League and that’s why they are in the final but it’s a 50/50 final.
“As I said before it’s going to be a tough match that will be defined by the little details and I’m sure that Real Madrid will win.”
Ronaldo added: “Obviously this is the title that we all want, especially Real Madrid because it will be our 10th Champions League.
“I signed for Real Madrid to win titles, especially this one because it’s a great title that I had the opportunity to win with Manchester United and that was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had until now.
“So I want to feel that again and I hope that it’s a beautiful night and that Real Madrid wins.”
Meanwhile, Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas admits going head-to-head with Diego Simeone’s men will be difficult but believes his team deserve to end their trophy drought in Europe.
“We know that it won’t be easy. We’re going up against a fantastic opponent,” Casillas said.
“They aren’t just a city rival, but rather an opponent in all of our national competitions.
“We’ll see how it goes. I truly hope that we win this European Cup, above all for the Madridismo (Madrid fans), since they have suffered for the last few years.
“I believe that Real Madrid deserves to finally win this trophy.”
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