Atlético Madrid

FIFA has been threatened with legal action by FIFPro and the World Leagues Association, the bodies representing professional players and leagues, if it does not reschedule the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States. As first reported by The Times, the two organisations have written a joint letter to FIFA, seen by The Athletic, to raise concerns over the governing body’s expanding international match calendar and the impact this is having on player welfare and the organisation of domestic leagues. Professional players’ union FIFPro and the World Leagues Association — which...

Atletico Madrid are to appeal a two-game partial stadium ban imposed after Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams was allegedly targeted with racist abuse during Saturday’s La Liga fixture at the Metropolitano Stadium. The ban imposed by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will see the south stand, where the Frente Atletico ultras stand, partially closed for their final two La Liga matches of the 2023-24 season — against Celta Vigo on May 12 and Osasuna on May 19. The RFEF has also ordered the club to display an anti-discrimination message on the empty section of the ground, and fined...

Saturday’s La Liga fixture between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao was stopped midway through the first half after Nico Williams was allegedly targeted with racist abuse. The game was paused after Athletic winger Williams, 21, drew attention to something said to him from the Metropolitano Stadium crowd. The winger’s older brother, Inaki Williams, also spoke to referee Martinez Munuera, who went over to the sideline and asked the stadium announcer to read the La Liga protocol statement against all racist, xenophobic and violent speech. Atletico captain Koke and defender Jose...

La Liga president Javier Tebas insists league matches will be played abroad with his aim for games to be staged in the United States from the 2025-26 season. The possibility of playing domestic league fixtures abroad has increased after FIFA was dropped from a landmark lawsuit by the U.S. events promoter Relevent, who in 2018 were denied in their attempts to take a fixture between Girona and Barcelona in La Liga to Miami. Relevent, founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, accused FIFA’s directive, issued in 2018, of guiding that domestic games should be played in their home...

Borussia Dortmund have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2013 after a thrilling 5-4 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid. Edin Terzic’s side had trailed 2-1 from the first leg in Madrid, but scored twice in quick succession on two occasions in a pulsating return leg in Dortmund to seal a 4-2 win and their progress. Terzic said: “Extremely happy, extremely satisfied and very, very proud of the team and the club. The atmosphere in the stadium was extraordinarily good. “There were again two moments that hurt us and could’ve tipped...

Wednesday's result leaves Diego Simeone's side with plenty to do in next week's return leg in Germany

Nick Miller explains why the Atletico manager is arguably the most important figure in the club’s history

UEFA says this week’s men’s Champions League matches are on track to go ahead as planned despite an alleged terror threat made by Islamic State. The threats, which appear to have come from Islamic State but whose origins are unconfirmed, surfaced as images on social media on Monday evening. UEFA says it is “aware” of threats and is working with local authorities across Europe. With regards to Arsenal’s game against Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium, London’s Metropolitan Police says it will have a “robust policing plan in place”. The threats appear to target the...

Eight teams remain in the Champions League - which players would our writers select for their best combined XI?

Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao will contest Saturday's final, but no UK broadcaster deal means fans are stuck

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said it “hurt his soul” to hear the national team’s fans boo captain Alvaro Morata. Morata, 31, was jeered by fans as he was substituted in the 81st minute of Tuesday night’s friendly clash against Brazil. The Atletico Madrid striker endured a difficult evening and failed to find a net in the 3-3 draw, which was played at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium. “It hurts my soul that in my country, a national team player is whistled by the fans,” De la Fuente said after the game, referencing the reception of Morata,...

A depleted Barcelona put in one of their best performances of the season in Sunday's 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid

Once again the Portuguese forward shone on the big stage, but his future looks far from clear

The draw for the last eight is complete – and our experts have analysed the big storylines

La Liga has reported alleged racist chanting directed towards Vinicius Junior outside Atletico Madrid’s stadium to the Madrid prosecutor’s office. Real Madrid have also filed a complaint to the state attorney general’s office for “crimes of hate and discrimination”. The chants took place ahead of Atletico’s Champions League last-16 clash against Italian club Inter Milan on Wednesday, with the home side progressing to the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout win. Despite the racist chanting taking place ahead of a match under the jurisdiction of UEFA —...