VFF speaks out about fake statements related to Nguyen Xuan Son; Mourinho changes Turkish football.

VFF speaks out about fake statements related to Nguyen Xuan Son.

On the evening of January 11th, the Vietnam Football Federation's website issued a statement: "Immediately after the Vietnam National Team won the ASEAN Cup 2024, some social media sites used images of VFF leaders and some team members associated with false content, seriously affecting the reputation and honor of Vietnamese football in general, the VFF, and individuals in particular, with the aim of attracting views and public attention."

In recent days, many social media sites have posted images of a VFF (Vietnam Football Federation) leader along with negative content related to Nguyen Xuan Son. These sites distort the VFF leader's statements and claim that the Vietnamese national team won against Thailand without Xuan Son, proving that the 1997-born striker's role is not yet important to Vietnamese football.

Of course, many fans were misled by false information, inciting controversy and division. However, the reality is that the Standing Committee of the VFF Executive Board has always highly valued Xuan Son, and has consistently made efforts to visit and support the star of the Vietnamese national team.

The VFF homepage stated: "The Vietnam Football Federation requests that social media sites immediately cease disseminating this information. The VFF will cooperate with relevant authorities to strictly handle violations in accordance with the law."

We advise fans to exercise caution when accessing information on social media, always verifying sources to avoid being misled, misunderstood, and potentially acting wrongly, inadvertently contributing to the spread of harmful and malicious information that damages the image of Vietnamese football, organizations, and individuals belonging to the Vietnam Football Federation."

Currently, Nguyen Xuan Son is beginning his rehabilitation process after the injury he sustained in the 2024 AFF Cup final. The surgery for the Nam Dinh Steel Green player was successful, and he could return to playing in another eight months. It is expected that Xuan Son will gradually regain his form by the end of 2025.

Laos coach declares his intention to defeat Thailand at the 2025 SEA Games.

After making a strong impression at the ASEAN Cup 2024 campaign, Laos national team coach Ha Hyeok-jun has sent a powerful message.

In an interview with Sports Seoul, coach Ha Hyeok-jun emphasized: “I can smile and say that the tournament is over, a tournament that was not easy at all. After the ASEAN Cup concludes, there is still much work to be done. If I say this, people will think it's funny. But if possible, I want to reach the SEA Games final, and in that tournament, I want to defeat Thailand.”

I think we can do it if the whole team works together and maintains unity. After Laos drew with Indonesia, I saw someone say, "Shin Tae-yong lost to a third-rate coach." I felt like I was still a third-rate coach. And I will do better to become famous."

The 54-year-old coach's statement is not at all unrealistic. At the SEA Games, teams must use U22 squads, and the Laotian national team possesses a promising U22 generation. Most of these players have already excelled in the 2024 ASEAN Cup, leaving a strong impression thanks to their remarkable progress in technique, tactics, and individual skill. The team from the Land of a Million Elephants created numerous difficulties for Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Two-thirds of the Lao national team's squad is eligible to participate in the 2025 SEA Games. Young talents such as Peter Phanthavong, Damoth Thongkhamsavath, Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone, Phetdavanh Somsanith… have a lot of experience competing at the highest level and, with their proven skills, they are confident enough to shine in a competition for young players.

What they lack is mental fortitude. Coach Ha Hyeok-jun shared: "The players all have good technical skills, but their weakness is that if they concede goals repeatedly, their morale will plummet. I will try to instill confidence in the players."

Barcelona and Arsenal are competing for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.

Manchester United are ready to sell Marcus Rashford this month, after the 1997-born striker publicly expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford in search of new challenges.

Rashford's brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, recently traveled to Italy to negotiate with AC Milan but has yet to reach an agreement with the Serie A club.

Juventus and Como are also interested in Rashford, although MU maintains that any loan deal will require the club to pay more than half of the striker's £325,000-a-week salary.

In the Premier League, besides West Ham, Arsenal are also planning to sign the English player. In an appearance on Sky Sports Italy's Calciomercato l'Originale, Massimo Marianella revealed that Arsenal have had initial talks with Manchester United regarding Rashford.

Marianella revealed that Manchester United are demanding a transfer fee of €25 million (£20.9 million) for the 27-year-old, and Arsenal are willing to pay that amount.

Meanwhile, Relevo, citing journalist Matteo Moretto, reported that Barca also wants to acquire Rashford's services on a loan deal with an option to buy.

Furthermore, the Catalan club is also willing to pay the 1997-born player's full salary of £325,000 during the loan period.

Rashford's brother, Dwaine Maynard, is reportedly in Spain for negotiations with Barcelona. Rashford's representatives consider Barcelona one of the ideal destinations for their client.

A few years ago, Rashford leaving MU on loan was unthinkable. However, with his recent dip in form, coupled with the arrival of manager Ruben Amorim, the possibility of Rashford leaving Old Trafford is now very high.

Chiesa scored his first goal for Liverpool.

On the night of January 11th, Liverpool thrashed Accrington 4-0 in the FA Cup Round of 32 at Anfield.

Accrington, a club from League Two, the equivalent of the fourth tier of English football, had no chance of causing an upset at the home ground of the Premier League leaders.

"The Red Brigade" dominated the game with nearly 80% possession, 22 shots, 9 of which were on target, and 4 goals. Conversely, Accrington only managed one shot on target throughout the entire match.

After missing five consecutive matches, Chiesa was given a chance at the start of the second half. The former Juventus player shone with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, sealing a 4-0 victory for Liverpool in the 90th minute. This was the first goal for the Euro 2020 champion after five appearances for Liverpool this season.

Under manager Arne Slot, Chiesa only made appearances in the League Cup. In the Premier League, the Italian midfielder has only played one match, against Bournemouth in September 2024.

Returning to the match against Accrington, Diogo Jota opened the scoring for Liverpool with a close-range finish in the 29th minute. In the 45th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled the lead for the Merseyside team with a long-range shot.

In the second half, Chiesa was involved in both of the home team's goals. Before scoring to seal the 4-0 victory, he also unleashed a long-range shot that the goalkeeper couldn't hold onto, allowing Jayden Danns to make it 3-0.

Mourinho changed Turkish football.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) will hire foreign referees to oversee the VAR system during the second half of the national league season.

Eurosport reported that the TFF's adjustment came after coach Jose Mourinho repeatedly criticized the referees, sarcastically and mockingly suggesting they favored league leaders Galatasaray. "Why are people afraid to speak the truth? What are people afraid of in this country? Do you think this points gap only comes from football on the pitch?", Mourinho said on January 7th.

"Yesterday I heard the word 'scandal' again... I hear it constantly. Some people like it. Even the winners like to win that way, no matter what happens. That's the worst thing," the Fenerbahce head coach said, alluding to the referees' favoritism towards Galatasaray.

Mourinho isn't the only one in the Turkish Super League complaining about Galatasaray receiving preferential treatment from referees lately. Many other Turkish teams have also complained about facing the reigning champions. Therefore, the TFF (Turkish Football Federation) has decided to hire foreign referees to oversee the VAR system for the second half of the season.

Currently, Mourinho's Fenerbahce are second in the Turkish Super League, six points behind leaders Galatasaray. Fenerbahce haven't won the Turkish championship since the 2013/14 season. They have consistently watched major rivals like Galatasaray and Besiktas lift the trophy, with Galatasaray dominating the league for the past half-decade.

Fenerbahce's management is determined to invest heavily to reclaim the Turkish football crown. Mourinho has been chosen to lead this ambition. However, the "Special One" is under immense pressure as rivals Galatasaray have pulled far ahead in the domestic league race.