Sports reports: O'Reilly's exclusion from the England national team, details of Zidane's salary, and the Los Angeles Clippers crisis

Nico O'Reilly, the left-back of Manchester City, was excluded from the England national team's match against the Czech Republic, in the third round of the first-level group matches of the European Nations League, scheduled to be held later today, Tuesday.

Sky Sports reported that the 21-year-old player, who committed a fatal error in Spain's decisive goal during the 3-2 loss last Saturday at Wembley Stadium, had missed training alongside fellow defender Ezri Konsa in preparation for traveling to the Czech capital, due to "minor injuries", but Arsenal's centre-back received the green light to participate, and was included in the match's roster of 23 players.

Thomas Tuchel, the coach of the England national team, said yesterday evening, Monday: “I am not sure yet whether they can play. They missed training due to minor problems, but they still exist.” “Their condition must be evaluated and a decision must be made on Tuesday morning.”

Tuchel had indicated that he did not want to make extensive changes to his starting lineup, but that he would put the safety of his players first, given the short period of time available for recovery after the loss to Spain.

“It's not fair to make so many changes,” he said. “You are playing with a new teammate or with a new style, and sometimes it is better for your health to make two or three changes, at most.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool striker Rio Ngomoha (18 years old) joined the England team delegation heading to Prague to play the match, as Tuchel's team seeks to quickly recover from its 2-3 loss to the world and European champions.

Today (Tuesday), French press reports revealed details of the salary that Zinedine Zidane has received since he took over as coach of the French national football team, indicating that his contract carries a surprise related to the mechanism for calculating his income and the bonuses associated with major tournaments.

The French website Foot Mercato, citing the French newspaper L'Equipe, reported that Zidane receives 300,000 euros per month before taxes are deducted, an amount almost identical to the salary received by his predecessor Didier Deschamps, despite the high figures that had previously been circulated regarding the French coach's salary.

What distinguishes Zidane’s contract is his decision to waive the bonuses for image rights that Deschamps received after international matches, which frees him from certain restrictions associated with the French national team’s commercial partners, even with the presence of special advertising agreements that bring him together with a number of brands, most notably the German “Adidas” company for sports equipment and supplies.

On the other hand, the French Football Federation has included a system for greater rewards during major tournaments, most notably the World Cup and the European Nations Cup, and therefore, the largest part of any increase in Zidane’s income depends on what the French national team will achieve in those competitions.

Thus, Zidane's agreement is based on a fixed monthly salary, with the possibility of his income increasing significantly if the French team achieves strong results in major forums.

The Los Angeles Clippers apologized to their fans on Monday and warned of serious challenges awaiting them after the team participating in the NBA was subjected to severe penalties for violations of salary cap rules.

Earlier this month, the Clippers were imposed on a record fine amounting to $30 million, stripped of five draft picks in the first round of the league, and a number of club officials were banned from exercising their duties, after an investigation revealed violations related to payments to former star Kawhi Leonard.

After initially pledging to appeal the sanctions, the Clippers later announced their commitment to the league's decision.

The team will begin its new season on October 21, facing the Sacramento Kings.

“Obviously it took a little longer than we had hoped,” interim president of sports operations Trent Redden said during the team’s media day. You deserved to hear from us sooner. Our fans also deserved to hear from us before that, and for that we apologize.”

Redden was acting on behalf of Lawrence Frank, one of a number of Clippers officials who were suspended in connection with this scandal, along with club owner Steve Ballmer.

Redden said that managing the team “will be a challenge in their absence,” warning that “the penalties we face are significant.”

He added: “These challenges are great, not only because of the sanctions, but also because of some of the infections we have already faced.”

Redden explained that winger Brandon Ingram, one of the two players the Clippers included in exchange for Leonard's return to the Toronto Raptors, will miss the start of the new season while recovering from surgery on the Achilles tendon following a partial tear.

Shooter Bradley Beal will also miss the start of training camp due to a knee injury, while young star Jordan Miller will not be available for several months after undergoing shoulder surgery.

“This team often gave its best when it was under pressure,” Redden said.

He added: “We hope to represent our fans in the same way we have always done in difficult times, by fighting and not giving up.”

The league's investigation concluded that the Clippers helped Leonard circumvent salary cap rules through multi-million dollar deals with the club's commercial sponsors when he signed in 2022.

The investigation revealed that the club urged companies to enter into agreements with Leonard by granting them business, paying personal expenses to Leonard and his representatives, and also failed to report illegal attempts to obtain additional income opportunities by Leonard's business manager at the time.

John Gibson, a Los Angeles lawyer and longtime Clippers fan, was named interim governor and CEO of the club during Ballmer's one-year suspension.