Farhad Moshiri, the outgoing owner of Everton Football Club, expressed “mixed emotions” as he reflected on his eight-year tenure following the sale of his stake to the Friedkin Group in a deal reportedly worth over £400 million.

The British-Iranian businessman’s ownership concluded on Thursday, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter for the Toffees. In an open letter to supporters, Moshiri acknowledged both the challenges and achievements of his time at the club, expressing regret over missed opportunities, particularly referencing the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.

“We brought top-class managers like Carlo Ancelotti to the club, and who knows where we might have been had he not been lured back to Real Madrid,” Moshiri wrote.

During his tenure, Everton endured a series of difficulties, including managerial changes, strained fan relations, relegation battles, financial instability, and even a points deduction by the Premier League. Despite these struggles, Moshiri highlighted his contributions to modernizing the club’s infrastructure, including significant investments in a state-of-the-art training ground and the construction of Everton’s new “iconic stadium.”

“Leaving Everton with a stadium for all Evertonians and the wider community to enjoy for decades is something I feel real pride in,” he stated.

While acknowledging that on-field results “frankly haven’t been good enough,” Moshiri emphasized efforts to keep ticket prices among the most affordable in the Premier League, even as he personally bore the financial burdens of modernizing the club.

Fan groups have welcomed the sale with optimism, viewing it as a fresh start after a chaotic period. The Friedkin Group’s acquisition is seen as a potential turning point for Everton, which now looks to rebuild and stabilize both on and off the pitch.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed his disbelief after testing positive for a banned substance during a routine drugs test. The Ukraine international has been provisionally suspended by the Football Association (FA) while investigations are underway, though the player strongly denies any wrongdoing.

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £89 million, shared his reaction on social media, stating:

“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened. I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.”

Chelsea confirmed they had been contacted by the FA regarding “an adverse finding” in Mudryk’s urine test and are working to determine the cause behind the positive result.

The 23-year-old last appeared for Chelsea on 28 November and has missed the Blues’ last five matches in all competitions. Head coach Enzo Maresca previously attributed Mudryk’s absence to illness, particularly when the winger was included but did not feature in the squad for Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa on 1 December.

Under FA and FIFA guidelines, players who intentionally take banned substances can face suspensions of up to four years. However, the circumstances surrounding Mudryk’s case are yet to be fully clarified.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is expected to offer support to Mudryk as the investigation progresses. The FA, meanwhile, has refused to comment on further details, including the timing of the test or specific substance involved.

Mudryk’s performance since his high-profile transfer has seen him contribute 10 goals across 73 appearances.

Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Jr has been crowned the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year at the prestigious ceremony in Doha, Qatar. The 24-year-old winger’s stellar performances during Real Madrid’s Champions League and La Liga-winning 2023-24 campaign earned him the accolade, marking his first-ever FIFA Best award.

Vinicius contributed significantly to his club’s success, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists, solidifying his status as one of the world’s top football talents. His win comes months after Real Madrid and Vinicius boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Manchester City’s Rodri claimed top honors.

“It seemed impossible when I played barefoot in the streets of São Gonçalo, and now I’m here,” Vinicius reflected emotionally while accepting the award.

In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the FIFA Best Women’s Player award for the second consecutive year. Her victory highlights her dominant role in both club and international football.

The FIFA Best Awards are decided through a combination of votes from the public, journalists, and national team captains and managers, with each group’s votes carrying equal weight.

Spain’s Rodri, a key figure in his nation’s Euro 2024 victory, finished second behind Vinicius, while England and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham secured third place.

• England captain Harry Kane voted for Rodri, Bellingham, and Vinicius, respectively.
• Interim England manager Lee Carsley prioritized Bellingham, Rodri, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
• Brazil’s captain and coach both supported Vinicius.
• Notably, Spain’s representatives voted for Dani Carvajal, Vinicius’ Real Madrid teammate.

Vinicius’ triumph coincides with Real Madrid’s presence in Qatar ahead of Wednesday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican club Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.