May 2, 2025. Sport news round-up / last 24 hours

The last few days have brought a flurry of landmark events in international and Romanian sport, with a focus on the performances of English teams in European competitions, the intensification of internal conflicts in Romanian football and a series of dramatic or memorable moments in the careers of athletes. Football remains the core, but other sports such as tennis and Formula 1 have also attracted attention with powerful stories and spectacular comebacks. Meanwhile, scenes off the field - administrative conflicts, allegations of bribery and the health of some major figures - paint a full picture of a sports landscape in flux.

HOME FOOTBALL

FCSB: FCSB could become champions as early as this stage, depending on the results of their other games and if they beat Dinamo. Owner Gigi Becali is already making his calculations and says he wants FCSB to be champions before the final play-off match against Universitatea Craiova, a game he wants to see the Arena Națională full.
FCSB/Gigi Becali: Gigi Becali reacts to the accusations of the title contenders and tells Marius Șumudică (Rapid) and Mirel Rădoi (Universitatea Craiova) to stop making accusations.
Sepsi: Sepsi goalkeeper Roland Niczuly's wife Roland Niczuly intervenes in the scandal caused by Dorinel Munteanu's sacking with an insulting post against the "neamț" and his supporters, members of the Golden Generation. It was criticized by agent Laurette Nogo.
Gigi Becali: Gigi Becali told a sports program that he too was approached by Razvan Zamfir, CFR Cluj's sports director between 2007 and 2014, to make a "blat". The statement follows Mirel Rădoi's revelations that he knew that the CFR - Rapid match, 1-3 in May 2006, was going to be fixed and bet "all the money in the house" on the victory of the CFR team.
Istvan Kovacs: Istvan Kovacs is considered the favorite to referee the UEFA Champions League final. Istvan Kovacs has officiated eight matches in Europe's biggest club competition this season.

FOTBALL INTERNATIONAL

Manchester United/ Tottenham: Manchester United emphatically beat Atletico Bilbao 3-0 away from home to have the first chance of reaching the Europa League final. In the other semi-final, Tottenham win the first leg 3-1 against Bodo/Glimt and there are the prerequisites for an English final.

Transfers

Alex Mitrita: Alex Mitriță has become a topic of discussion after Gigi Becali suggested the striker is a transfer target for FCSB. The Bania management do not believe Mitriță will choose the red-and-blue team and will certainly move to the Bay area.
Denis Alibec: Denis Alibec is in negotiations with Universitatea Craiova to move under Mirel Rădoi. Sorin Cârțu is of the opinion that if the move were to go through, the Bania side would be a real force with Mitriță and Alibec.
Luca Băsceanu: Adrian Mutu proposes to Gigi Becali a swap between FCSB and Farul. The "Briliantul" sees Luca Băsceanu (Farul Constanta) as one of the most talented youngsters in the country and suggests to the FCSB owner to swap with Octavian Popescu.

TENIS

Iga Swiatek: Iga Swiatek has pulled out of the Madrid tournament after being beaten by American Coco Gauff in two sets 1-6, 1-6.

FORMULA 1

Michael Schumacher: Johnny Herbert hopes Michael Schumacher's signing of Jackie Stewart's racing helmet is a sign of the great Formula 1 champion's recovery.

Top Sportsmen and Teams
1. FCSB/Gigi Becali
2. Manchester United/Atletico Bilbao
3. Alex Mitriță/Universitatea Craiova
4. Iga Swiatek
5. Istvan Kovacs

***** Synthesis made using a monitoring feed provided by NewsVibe Romania. Top sports topics are identified from automated monitoring of topics from mainstream media sources. The analysis, data and images presented have been enhanced using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence tools.