Bayern hit with 116,000 euros fine and partial stadium closure by UEFA
Bayern Munich were the most heavily sanctioned club in UEFA's latest disciplinary measures announced on Wednesday, receiving a total of 116,000 euros ($136,300) in fines and a partial stadium closure for their next Champions League home game, Reuters reported.
Bayern were charged with the blocking of public passageways and lighting of fireworks in their match against Sporting earlier this month.
As a result, UEFA ordered the enforcement of a previously suspended penalty, resulting in the partial closure of sectors 111 to 114 at the Allianz Stadium for Bayern's next UEFA home match -- against Union Saint-Gilloise on January 21, according to Reuters.
Man City reach League Cup semis, late Newcastle goal downs Fulham
Manchester City eased into the semi-finals of the League Cup with a 2-0 home win over Brentford on Wednesday, and will meet holders Newcastle United who needed an added-time Lewis Miley goal to beat Fulham 2-1 at St James' Park, Reuters reported.
Chelsea, who won 3-1 at Cardiff City on Tuesday, will face either Arsenal or Crystal Palace, who contest the last quarter-final next Tuesday, in the other two-legged semi-final.
Pep Guardiola made seven changes from the City side which won 3-0 at Crystal Palace on Sunday but the hosts had little trouble seeing off Brentford who offered very little going forward, according to Reuters.
Mbappe edges closer to Ronaldo record as Real survive Copa del Rey test
Kylian Mbappe moved tantalisingly close to Cristiano Ronaldo's calendar-year scoring record for Real Madrid with a brace as they earned a 3-2 victory at third-tier Talavera de la Reina on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey's last 16 after a pulsating encounter, Reuters reported.
The French striker's two goals, combined with an own-goal by defender Manuel Farrando, proved enough despite strikes from Nahuel Arroyo and Gonzalo Di Renzo that threatened to spoil Real's evening in front of a raucous crowd.
Mbappe, who came into the game with 56 goals scored in all competitions in 2025, is now one goal shy of the 59-goal calendar-year record set by Ronaldo in 2013, according to Reuters.
Dembele wins Fifa Best men's player of the year
Paris St-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele has been named the men's player of the year at the Fifa Best awards, BBC reported.
The 28-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in September, picked up the Fifa award in Qatar on Tuesday after helping PSG to four trophies in the 2024-25 season.
The former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund player, who joined PSG in 2023, had 51 goal contributions in 53 games for Luis Enrique's side last term.
After helping PSG to a first Champions League triumph, Dembele beat Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe to the prestigious individual award, according to BBC.
