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Source: Foles gets raise in restructured deal

The Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Nick Foles agreed to a reworked contract Friday, a source confirmed to ESPN.

The restructured deal includes a $2 million signing bonus, incentives if he starts and hits certain benchmarks, and a mutual option for 2019. Foles was in the final year of his contract and was scheduled to make a base salary of $4 million this season.

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NFL Network first reported the contract restructuring.

Both parties would have to be on board to exercise the ’19 option. The move gives the Super Bowl MVP a pay bump and provides an avenue for Foles to remain in Philadelphia beyond this season, depending on circumstances.

Foles stepped in for the injured Carson Wentz, who tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee against the Los Angeles Rams in December, and guided the Eagles to their first Super Bowl win.

He completed 73 percent of his passes in the postseason with six touchdowns and one interception, including three TD passes in a 41-33 win over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Wentz has set the 2018 season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, Sept. 6, as his target return date. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Wentz said he is in the “running progression” stage of his rehab and is “feeling good with where I’m at” on the comeback trail.

Foles recently expressed the desire to be a starter again during an interview with a Texas ABC affiliate, while also highlighting the positives of remaining with the Eagles for another season.

“We love Philly. I know there was some stuff going around [about] a possible trade, and I would love the opportunity to be a starter again,” Foles said. “I know my spot in Philly. I think I’ve shown what I can do. I’m signed for one more year and I love the team, I love the city. I’m excited for Carson to get back on his feet. I’ll be ready to go whenever they need me. But we’ll see; just living in the moment.”

While some teams inquired about potentially trading for Foles at the beginning of the league year, the Eagles set the price high and no deal was struck.

Soccer

Italian, Catalan press blast late penalty decision that knocked Juventus out

The Champions League quarter-final encounter Wednesday featuring teams from Italy and Spain triggered another round of emotional reactions from the great footballing nations following Tuesday’s dramatics.

Juventus’ attempt to repeat the unlikely feat that Roma accomplished a day before against Barcelona ended in heartbreaking fashion. A controversial penalty, followed by the sending-off of legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, helped Real Madrid progress to the semi-finals.

Unlike the reaction that followed Roma’s triumph, the Italian press was up in arms over Juve’s elimination, while the outlook of Catalan papers contrasted with the views of other Spanish outlets that praised the tenacious Los Blancos. Here’s a look at the front pages and headlines (translated by Football Italia).

Related: Italian press hails Roma while Spanish papers lampoon Barca’s humiliating loss

Italy

‘What a robbery!’

Corriere dello Sport was outraged by Juve’s elimination, suggesting a non-existent penalty benefited Real Madrid and that referee Michael Oliver should be ashamed.

‘The rage and the pride’

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the penalty call that paved the way for Juve’s elimination was “very dubious.”

‘Not like that! Immense Juve go out’

Tuttosport saluted Juventus for putting up an admirable fight at the Bernabeu.

Spain

‘It was a penalty!’

Madrid-based outlet Marca, meanwhile, didn’t see what all the fuss was about and declared that Oliver made the correct call.

(Photo courtesy: Marca)

‘Master in refereeing’

Mundo Deportivo chose a somewhat controversial image of Medhi Benatia appearing to win the ball fairly for its front page. Although some accused the Catalan-based paper of photoshopping the image, it appears that Mundo Deportivo chose a picture of the incident after Benatia made contact with Lucas Vazquez.

‘The theft of the century’

Catalan newspaper Sport didn’t sugarcoat its opinion on the penalty decision, as it slammed Oliver’s call and subsequent sending-off of Buffon in what was expected to be the goalkeeper’s final Champions League match.

(Photo courtesy: Marca)