Ahead of its acquisition of Activision Blizzard that is expected to be finalized soon, Microsoft’s finances are expected to take a big hit thanks to the Internal Revenue Service slapping the company with a fee for $28.9 billion in back taxes.
This hefty tax bill was spotted in an 8-K filing this week (via CNBC), and according to the IRS, Microsoft owes some big cash from profits that it made from 2004 to 2013. The IRS is disputing how Microsoft allocated its profits during this period among countries and jurisdictions in which it operated, but Microsoft argues that up to $10 billion that it paid in taxes have not been taken into consideration by the IRS and its new figures.
“Microsoft disagrees with these proposed adjustments and will pursue an appeal within the IRS, a proce…
Jose Mourinho s Chelsea struggles do not surprise Roberto Martinez as his Everton counterpart thinks bumper television deals are starting to prove a real leveller in the Premier League.
Reports have suggested that Mourinho is on the brink of getting sacked as the champions sit just two points above the bottom three after 16 games.
The latest of Chelsea s nine league defeats this season came on Monday at Leicester City, who travel to Goodison Park this weekend two points clear at the top of the table.
While Leicester s success is not directly linked to money spent strengthening their squad – top scorer Jamie Vardy has been at the club since May 2012 and cost less than £2million – rival top-flight sides are undoubtedly splashing the cash to bridge the gap with…
Serie A giants Napoli are hot on the trail of FC Porto midfielder Hector Herrera, La Gazzetta dello Sport has learned.
The Azzurri are in the market for an attacking midfielder who can further improve team s performances and they have been linked with quite a few high profile players of late.
Nevertheless, La Gazzetta dello Sport is adamant that FC Porto s Hector Herrera has been chosen as the number one target.
The Azzurri believe they can secure the Mexican s signature at a reasonable price, and they appear to have given up pursuit of Andre Gomes.
Hector Herrera has largely impressed since joining the club from Pachuca in July 2013, as he went on to make 61 league appearances, scoring 9 goals in the process.
The 25-year-old has also been an int…
Out-of-sorts striker Krzysztof Piatek is not the root of Milan s problems, according to head coach Stefano Pioli.
Piatek joined Milan 11 months ago from Genoa and made an instant impression, scoring seven times in his first six games.
The Polish star finished the 2018-19 campaign with 22 Serie A goals, but he has struggled to hit those heights this season, finding the net just three times and failing to score in six successive matches.
Milan, down in 11th in the table, have struggled as a result, but Pioli feels their issues are collective, rather than individual.
There is no Piatek problem, he said at a news conference to preview Sunday s game against Bologna.
There is a Milan that is playing well, that is working hard to climb out of this sl…
Pep Guardiola has congratulated Jurgen Klopp on his new deal at Liverpool and has vowed to see out his own Manchester City contract.
Liverpool announced on Friday that Klopp has agreed fresh terms at Anfield to keep him in place for another four-and-a-half years.
Guardiola s long-term future appears less clear, though, amid reports his existing deal contains a break clause that will allow him to walk away at the end of the season.
However, the Catalan coach, who last month stated he is open to staying on beyond the end of his contract in June 2021, denied any truth to the rumours.
It s not true, he said at Friday s pre-match news conference ahead of this weekend s Premier League trip to Arsenal.
The power behind this wins s Goal of the Month…
Mohamed Salah warmed up for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United with a record-breaking goal in Liverpool’s 6-1 Europa League demolition of Sparta Prague at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were already virtually guaranteed a quarter-final place after their 5-1 first-leg victory but four goals in the opening 13-and-a-half minutes started the rout.
They were only the second team in major UEFA competition history to score four inside the first 14 minutes, after Chelsea against Jeunesse Hautcharage in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971-72, but Salah is one for setting standards not matching them.
Salah with three assists and a goal tonight
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
The Egypt international, playing his first 90 minutes since New Year�…
Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique insists his side want to be crowned champions “as soon as possible” as they prepare to visit Montpellier on Sunday.
Despite drawing their last three matches, the reigning champions sit 10 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table and also have hopes of securing a treble as they still remain in the Champions League and Coupe de France.
Luis Enrique hopes to wrap up their third straight league title as quickly as possible to free up squad members heading into the home straight of the season.
He told the PSG website: “We want to keep improving. It won’t be an easy game, it’s never easy away from home. We need to be focused. We’re fighting to win titles and win every game. We want to continue our good run.
Lu…
Didier Deschamps is confident Franck Ribery will not miss the FIFA World Cup despite being ruled out France s friendly with Paraguay.
The Bayern Munich man has been struggling with back pain and underwent further medical tests in Paris prior to the team s departure for Nice.
His absence for Sunday s friendly was confirmed by Deschamps at a press conference on Saturday, but the coach remains confident Ribery will not miss the showpiece in Brazil.
France open their World Cup campaign against Honduras on June 15 and Deschamps is still hopeful that the winger will be available for selection for that Group E clash.
It is not difficult, it is a situation to manage, he said.
I remind you that the goal is for everyone to be ready on June 15.
Ribery confirm…
Ligue 1 club Valenciennes have prised Daniel Sanchez from French second-tier side Tours, to replace Philippe Montanier as head coach.
Montanier took over Valenciennes in 2009, guiding the team to 12th place in the table last season before agreeing to join La Liga club Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Sanchez, 57, takes over after spending four seasons in charge of Tours, who finished 12th in the 2010-11 Ligue 2 season.
I m happy to be back (in the top flight) as a coach, Sanchez said.
Valenciennes is the place to come in Ligue 1. It is a thriving club.
We will stick to the spirit of the game and what has been done by my predecessors.
By playing well, we will get more chances to win and I want to see attacking football.
Sanchez w…