Author: Daily Sabah With Agencies

Turkish Süper Lig club Beşiktaş parted ways with their Dutch head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst on Saturday as the Istanbul giants grapple with poor results and internal turmoil. The sacking comes after the Black Eagles lost to Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-1 in the league UEFA Europa League on Thursday and a below-par run in the league. The 49-year-old had signed a two-year contract with the Black Eagles, along with a one-year option to extend back in June. He previously led Feyenoord to the Dutch top-tier league Eredivisie title in 2015-16 season. Van Bronckhorst then took the helm at the…

Türkiye, currently ranked 28th in the latest FIFA standings, will be placed in Pot 2 for the draw on Dec. 13 in Zurich. The draw will set the stage for 12 groups, each battling for a prized spot in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the U.S., Mexico and Canada set to co-host the tournament, the road to qualification is intensifying as European nations brace for the challenge ahead. Pots breakdown FIFA’s announcement confirmed the composition of the pots for European qualifiers: Pot 1: France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria Pot 2: Ukraine,…

Türkiye, currently ranked 28th in the latest FIFA standings, will be placed in Pot 2 for the draw on Dec. 13 in Zurich. The draw will set the stage for 12 groups, each battling for a prized spot in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the U.S., Mexico and Canada set to co-host the tournament, the road to qualification is intensifying as European nations brace for the challenge ahead. Pots breakdown FIFA’s announcement confirmed the composition of the pots for European qualifiers: Pot 1: France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria Pot 2: Ukraine,…

Authorities reported Thursday that three people have died from bootleg alcohol poisoning in Istanbul, as authorities launched operations across Istanbul, Aydın and Izmir to combat illegal alcohol distribution. Nine others were treated in hospitals in Istanbul’s Şişli, Beyoğlu and Ümraniye districts after being diagnosed with poisoning from counterfeit alcohol. The victims’ conditions worsened despite ongoing medical care. The Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Smuggling Bureau and local police units in Beyoğlu and Şişli dismantled a bootleg alcohol distribution network through their ongoing operations. In Şişli’s Bozkurt neighborhood, authorities raided a business suspected of selling counterfeit alcohol, leading to the arrest of two…

Authorities reported Thursday that three people have died from bootleg alcohol poisoning in Istanbul, as authorities launched operations across Istanbul, Aydın and Izmir to combat illegal alcohol distribution. Nine others were treated in hospitals in Istanbul’s Şişli, Beyoğlu and Ümraniye districts after being diagnosed with poisoning from counterfeit alcohol. The victims’ conditions worsened despite ongoing medical care. The Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Smuggling Bureau and local police units in Beyoğlu and Şişli dismantled a bootleg alcohol distribution network through their ongoing operations. In Şişli’s Bozkurt neighborhood, authorities raided a business suspected of selling counterfeit alcohol, leading to the arrest of two…

Thursday saw a second day of clashes between PKK terrorist sympathizers and police in north London following the arrest of seven people by the Metropolitan Police in relation to alleged terrorist activities associated with the group. A group of PKK supporters gathered outside the Turnpike Lane underground station chanting slogans against Türkiye and the United Kingdom while calling for “Freedom for Öcalan,” referring to Abdullah Öcalan, the convicted ringleader of the PKK, who is serving a life sentence in Türkiye. Later, they marched toward a community center in London’s Harringay neighborhood under intense police presence. Upon arriving, they began hurling…

NATO member Türkiye on Thursday slammed Greek Cypriot administration’s plans to apply for membership in the military alliance as “unacceptable.” The statement came after Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday that they plan to apply for NATO membership when the time is right. “The Greek Cypriot Administration currently has no application for membership in NATO, but even its attempt is an unacceptable development for Türkiye,” Turkish Defense Ministry sources told dpa. Speaking on the radio, Christodoulides said he is aware that Türkiye is opposed to the move as long as the island remains divided and Turkish Cypriots do…

Barcelona are reportedly planning a fresh attempt to sign Nico Williams next summer, as they continue their pursuit of the Athletic Bilbao forward to strengthen their attack. Despite being linked with a move during the recent transfer window, Williams, who has a 55 million ($58 million) release clause, opted to stay with Athletic to help the Basque club in their European campaign. Although Williams has struggled for form this season, registering just two goals and three assists in 16 appearances, he remains one of Europe’s most coveted forwards. According to SPORT, Barcelona are still keen on bringing him to Camp…

Barcelona are reportedly planning a fresh attempt to sign Nico Williams next summer, as they continue their pursuit of the Athletic Bilbao forward to strengthen their attack. Despite being linked with a move during the recent transfer window, Williams, who has a 55 million ($58 million) release clause, opted to stay with Athletic to help the Basque club in their European campaign. Although Williams has struggled for form this season, registering just two goals and three assists in 16 appearances, he remains one of Europe’s most coveted forwards. According to SPORT, Barcelona are still keen on bringing him to Camp…

Rumors about Paul Pogba’s possible return to Manchester United have intensified, with former defender Bacary Sagna hinting that his close friend could make a dramatic free transfer back to Old Trafford. Pogba, who received a four-year doping ban earlier this year, had his suspension reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after successfully claiming the substance was taken unintentionally. He is set to resume training in January, with full-match fitness expected by March. With Pogba available on a free transfer following the mutual termination of his contract with Juventus, his future has become a hot topic…