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Football community sends messages of support for ailing Sir Alex Ferguson

The football world came together to send messages of support for Sir Alex Ferguson after the legendary Manchester United manager was rushed to hospital to undergo surgery Saturday for a brain hemorrhage.

United released a statement, saying that the procedure went “very well” and that Ferguson will enter a period of “intensive care.”

Following confirmation, best wishes throughout the football community began to pour in. From Premier League clubs and players, to teams throughout Europe, including Aberdeen who the Scottish gaffer led to European glory before his move to United, there was no shortage of messages wishing the 76-year-old a speedy recovery:

There was even a message of support from outside the football community, as the Chicago White Sox, a team impacted by a similar incident when pitcher Danny Farquhar suffered a brain hemorrhage last month, offered their “positive thoughts” to Ferguson:

Soccer

Pallotta 'dying of laughter' after UEFA charges him for referee rant

Roma president James Pallotta is still seething at the officiating during his side’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Liverpool on Wednesday, so is refusing to take his UEFA charge for “improper conduct” seriously.

The American ranted into a camera after the match, declaring that video assistant referees are needed in the competition. He cited several flashpoints from the semi-final second leg which could’ve been called in Roma’s favour, including when a shot from Stephan El Shaarawy was clearly deflected over by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hand.

Liverpool eventually won 7-6 on aggregate, although the scoreline wasn’t reflective of the clear superiority the Reds exerted over Roma during various chunks of the doubleheader, especially in the first meeting.

“I’m surprised by the opening of this disciplinary procedure,” Pallotta told Italian news agency ANSA, as translated by The Associated Press. “For me, it is UEFA’s conduct which is inappropriate. What do I think? I’m dying of laughter.”

Pallotta’s rant was a sorry end to an incredible run by the Giallorossi. The club was expected to be entering a period of transition following the arrival of sporting director Monchi and the departures of key players in Mohamed Salah and Antonio Rudiger. However, the windfall from this unforeseen charge into the Champions League’s final four should put Roma in fine financial shape at the beginning of this new era.

Related: Why Roma has reasons for optimism after deep Champions League run

Roma plays Cagliari, Juventus, and Sassuolo to round off its Serie A campaign, and possesses a four-point cushion in the Champions League qualification places.

Soccer

Klopp warns Liverpool there's room for improvement

Rome – Jurgen Klopp warned Liverpool they need to improve to match holders Real Madrid after riding their luck to advance to the Champions League final 7-6 on aggregate despite losing 4-2 in Rome.

Even goalscorer Sadio Mane and stars Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were told they weren’t at their best as Liverpool held on to avoid another Roma miracle comeback in the Stadio Olimpico.

“It’s the first time we were not really as good as we can be. We needed luck and that is what we had,” said the Liverpool manager.

“We can play much better, so Sadio – what a game, scored one goal, was really involved in good situations.

“But all the counter-attacks, we all know Mo (Salah), Bobby (Firmino) and Sadio can do it better. We were not patient enough.

“There is enough space for improvement and that’s no problem.

“We have to play much better, the good news is we can play much better.”

Liverpool were 90 minutes away from their eighth European final and first in 11 years as they held a 5-2 advantage over Roma after the first leg of their semi-final tie.

The five-time winners were 2-1 up at the break thanks to Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum but Roma roared back to score three in the second half, including a controversial penalty.

But Liverpool held in a breathless finale to avoid the fate of Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico last month. Barcelona had won the quarter-final first leg 4-1 only to lose out on away goals when Roma won the second leg 3-0.

The final in Kiev on May 26 will see Klopp target his first trophy since taking over in October 2015.

“Going to a final is really nice – I did it a few times – but winning it is even nicer. We will be ready,” said the German.

“They don’t hang silver medals at Melwood.”

‘On fire’

Klopp believes his side have been gaining momentum since coming through a two-legged playoff after finishing fourth in the 2016-2017 Premier League.

“You cannot plan a Champions League final if you are not Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich.

“They are constantly in the last four; going there is not normal for them but much more normal than it is for us.

“You cannot be more experienced in the competition than Real Madrid,” he added of the Spaniards who have won three titles in the past five years.

“I think pretty much 80 percent of their team played in all these finals – four times in the past five years and they are still together.

“So if you talk about experience, they are experienced and we are not. But we will be really on fire, you can imagine.”

Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum, who scored his first away goal in three years, added: “The Champions League is the biggest competition you can play at club level. We’re desperate to win it.”

The wild celebrations among the 5,000 visiting Liverpool supporters was restrained by tight security after Reds fan Sean Cox was attacked outside Anfield Stadium before the first leg.

Many supporters choose not to wear their red jerseys outside the stadium, with celebrations low-key in the Italian capital.

Roma fans paid tribute to Liverpool-born toddler Alfie Evans who died last week, following a long legal battle and a campaign by the parents that drew support from Pope Francis and in Italy.

“Bye little Alfie, rest among the angels,” read one banner unfurled by Italian fans in the stands.

Soccer

Poll: Who will win the Champions League final between Real Madrid, Liverpool?

Thanks to its 7-6 aggregate victory over Roma, Liverpool booked its place in the Champions League final – its first appearance in the competition’s finale since 2007. But in order to win Europe’s premier club prize, the Reds will have to defeat fellow heavyweight Real Madrid, who’s looking to cement its third consecutive Champions League trophy.

So, with a total of 17 Champions League and European Cup triumphs between them, who will emerge victorious at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine on May 26?

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