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• Giampaolo Calvarese slams referee Davide Massa after Como 3-4 Inter Milan controversy

  Former Serie A official Giampaolo Calvarese has criticized referee Davide Massa for awarding a “dubious” late penalty to Como during their narrow 4-3 defeat to Inter Milan on Sunday. ​Former Serie A referee Giampaolo Calvarese has lambasted Davide Massa’s performance following Inter Milan’s 4-3 victory over Como. Writing for Tuttosport, Calvarese specifically targeted the 89th-minute penalty awarded to the Lariani. Despite Inter’s impressive comeback from two goals down, the match ended in controversy when Massa penalized Ange-Yoan Bonny for a challenge on Nico Paz, a decision Calvarese labeled an error. ​The veteran analyst argued that the contact was incidental, noting that Paz hit Bonny while shooting. Despite a VAR recommendation to review the footage, Massa maintained his original ruling. Calvarese described the officiating as having a “very low disciplinary threshold,” stating, “There is nothing foul about the Nico Paz–Bonny contact. Therefore, the decision to award the penalty was wrong.”

• Fabregas proud of Como’s courage against Inter in thrilling 4-3 loss

  Despite a narrow 4-3 defeat to Serie A leaders Inter Milan, Como manager Cesc Fabregas praised his young team’s bravery and attacking intent after they surrendered a two-goal lead.

  ​Cesc Fabregas expressed immense pride in his squad’s performance after Como pushed league leaders Inter Milan to the limit.

  After racing into a 2-0 lead, the hosts eventually succumbed to braces from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries.

  Fabregas remains undeterred by the defeat, stating, “My team once again proved it is courageous, eager, and even in defeat showed character.”

  ​The result leaves Como in fifth place, but Fabregas is focusing on the growth of his side rather than the standings.

  Highlighting their aggressive approach, he noted that few teams manage twenty shots against the Nerazzurri.

  Looking ahead to their upcoming Coppa Italia rematch, he added, “I see the desire to improve and the courage to compete against anyone we are up against.”

• AC Milan faces Champions League crisis after Udinese defeat

  AC Milan’s grip on a Champions League spot has loosened significantly following a demoralizing home loss to Udinese, leaving Massimiliano Allegri’s side under immense pressure from chasing rivals.

  ​AC Milan has entered a period of severe crisis following a disastrous home defeat to Udinese, marking their third loss in four matches.

  The performance at San Siro triggered a storm of jeers from fans, with star player Rafael Leão bearing the brunt of the frustration after a lackluster display.

  This downturn has allowed Juventus and Como to close the gap on the top four.

  ​Manager Massimiliano Allegri is facing intense criticism for his tactical choices, particularly the failed experiment of playing Leão as a central striker in a 4-3-3 system.

  The club is reportedly considering an immediate return to a 3-5-2 formation to stabilize results.

  As Champions League qualification hangs in the balance, the media suggests Leão’s tenure in Milan may be approaching an end.

• Luciano Spalletti set to sign Juventus contract extension ahead of Atalanta clash

  Juventus Head Coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to sign a contract extension through 2028, potentially finalizing the deal before this weekend’s crucial Serie A trip to Bergamo.

  ​Luciano Spalletti is reportedly on the verge of committing his future to Juventus with a new long-term deal.

  According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, terms are largely settled for an extension that would keep the veteran manager in Turin until 2028.

  The agreement is expected to see Spalletti earn upwards of €6 million per season, placing him among the highest-paid tacticians in the Italian top flight.

  ​While Sporting Director Marco Ottolini previously suggested there was “no rush” to finalize the paperwork, reports indicate an announcement could arrive before Saturday’s match against Atalanta.

  The club’s hierarchy, including Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli, has consistently backed Spalletti to lead the project.

  Talks are described as being at an “advanced stage” as Juventus focuses on a strong finish to the season.

• How much does representing England actually pay?

  The prestige of pulling on the white shirt of England is a dream nurtured in the muddy parks of Sunday league and the high-pressure environments of elite academies.

  For the 35 men recently selected by Thomas Tuchel for the March international break, that dream is a reality.

  However, in an era where the Premier League is awash with television gold and astronomical transfer fees, the question of what players actually “earn” for their country remains a fascinating, often misunderstood topic.

  ​The Charity Tradition

  ​Representing England is, financially speaking, a world away from the weekly grind of club football. While Thomas Tuchel himself reportedly earns a cool £5 million per year to navigate the tactical nuances of international football, his players operate under a different fiscal code.

  ​The financial side of representing the Three Lions is somewhat shrouded in secrecy, but historical data and insights from former players provide a clear picture.

  Former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster recently pulled back the curtain on his podcast, The Fozcast.

  ​Foster, who earned eight caps and traveled to the 2014 World Cup, explained that while match fees exist, they aren’t exactly “life-changing” for players already earning millions.

  “The way England works is you get a match fee for playing the game – it’s nothing major in broader football terms,” Foster revealed. “You might be talking £2,000 per game or something.”

  ​However, the defining characteristic of the England squad is what they do with that money. For decades, the squad has collectively agreed to donate these match fees to the England Footballers Foundation, supporting various charities.

  While it is occasionally debated whether every modern iteration of the squad maintains this 100% donation rate, the precedent remains a core pillar of the team’s identity.

  ​The Commercial Pot

  ​If the match fees are donated, how do players see any financial return for the weeks spent in international camps? The answer lies in commercial rights. England is a massive global brand, and the players are its faces.

  ​“Every single player’s match fee has always been signed off to charity,” Foster added. “What you do get is a percentage of the sponsorship.

  Every company that sponsors an international team, everybody that sponsors England – whether it’s McDonald’s, Carlsberg or Heineken – all of that goes into a big pot.”

  ​This pot is then distributed among the squad on a pro rata basis. It’s a system that ensures that while the direct “pay-per-game” goes to good causes, the players are fairly compensated for the use of their image and the commercial value they bring to the FA.

  ​The Club Context: The 2026 Earnings Hierarchy

  ​To understand why a £2,000 match fee is viewed as nominal, one only needs to look at the club salaries of Tuchel’s current 35-man squad.

  The gap between the top earners and the emerging youngsters is vast, reflecting the diverse stages of their careers.

  ​At the top of the mountain sits the captain. Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich didn’t just bring goals; it brought a staggering weekly wage of £414,509. Close behind is Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who commands £345,369 per week.

  ​The rest of the squad follows a hierarchy of Premier League dominance:

  ​John Stones & Marc Guehi: £250,000

  ​Declan Rice: £240,000

  ​Marcus Rashford: £232,125

  ​Phil Foden: £225,000

  ​Bukayo Saka: £195,000

  ​Harry Maguire: £190,000

  ​Eberechi Eze: £175,000

  ​Pickford, Madueke, Gordon, & Bowen: £150,000

  ​Dominic Solanke: £140,000

  ​Cole Palmer: £130,000

  ​Aaron Ramsdale: £120,000

  ​Henderson & Calvert-Lewin: £100,000

  ​James Garner: £80,000

  ​Trafford, Konsa, Rogers, & Jordan Henderson: £75,000

  ​Fikayo Tomori: £74,731

  ​Dan Burn: £70,000

  ​Jarrell Quansah: £62,508

  ​Tino Livramento: £50,000

  ​Lewis Hall: £45,000

  ​Spence & Anderson: £40,000

  ​Adam Wharton: £35,000

  ​Nico O’Reilly: £30,000

  ​Kobbie Mainoo: £25,000

  ​Jason Steele: £20,000

  ​While England fans obsess over these figures, fans across the English Channel have been watching a different financial experiment.

  ​Ultimately, for the 35 men in Tuchel’s squad, the money is a byproduct of their talent at the club level. When they step out at Wembley, the £2,000 fee is a footnote—the real value is in the legacy they leave behind.