Soccer

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League admit state of the art new technology may not be ready until NEXT YEAR after series of concerns

      by

      PREM chiefs have admitted the new state of the art offside technology system may now not be ready until after CHRISTMAS.Club bosses voted to approve the use of Semi Automated Offside Technology – with special computer-aided tracking to pinpoint the exact position of players – at their summer meeting, with a promise that it would be ready by the end of the November international break.The new system is being extensively trialledSemi-automated offside technology was used at the 2022 World CupCredit: FIFAThe new system is designed to end the issues caused by PGMOL operators at Stockley Park drawing the offside “lines”.Last week, Leicester manager Steve Cooper accused Stockley Park of an “an awful human error” after a VAR intervention saw an offside call against Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta overturned.Cooper claimed the lines had been drawn from the wrong TV frame – emphatically denied by PGMOL in a meeting with the club.Mateta was ruled onside because of the agreed 5cm “tolerance” zone for close decisions and it is likely that, with no such margin of error when SAOT is used, the on-field ruling would have been confirmed.READ MORE TOP STORIESBut at their first “shareholders” meeting of the season yesterday, the 20 clubs were told by Prem chief football officer Tony Scholes that they should “manage their expectations” over when the new technology would be ready.The Prem opted against using long-term tech partners HawkEye in favour of US-based Genius Sports but that has meant extensive trials being required.In his presentation to the clubs, which also saw Scholes make a strong defence of referees and their decisions this season and question the behaviour of players and managers, he said League bosses were willing to wait until they had proof the system was foolproof before recommending its introduction.At this stage, despite lengthy trials, there are still some concerns that need to be addressed and it was suggested that deploying the technology might have to be delayed until the “winter”, potentially after the turn of the year.Most read in FootballThe Prem only want the system to come in when it’s foolproofFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSScholes, though, did push home the message that PGMOL HAS upped its game so far this season.Despite a series of moans from clubs, Scholes confirmed that only one incorrect Key Match Incident decision which was subject to VAR oversight had been awarded – Bournemouth’s wrongly chalked off “winner” against Newcastle.Gary Lineker makes bold prediction on Match of the Day that his ‘good idea’ to fix VAR will eventually come inBut he did point out that “participant behaviour” – including dissent from players and managers – was an issue that has not helped the situation.New time-keeping rules have reduced the average amount of added time per match by around 100 seconds while the average VAR check is now down from 44 seconds to 25 seconds. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Qarabag DELAYED as fans face frantic rush to get to stadium amid travel chaos

      by

      TOTTENHAM’S Europa League opener against Qarabag was severely delayed due to travel chaos.The Azerbaijani side were staying in Stratford but did not turn up to Spurs’ stadium until 7.45pm due to serious traffic.Spurs’ Europa League clash against Qarabag FK has been delayedCredit: PAThat was only 15 minutes before the planned kick-off – which was then pushed back to 8.35pm.Qarabag’s coach ended up having a police escort for the last mile of their 12-mile journey.While their late arrival could land them in hot water with Uefa, whose regulations state that both teams must be at the stadium at least 75 minutes before kick-off, as per article 54.01.But because this is their first offence this season, the club and their coach Gurban Gurbanov will likely only get a warning from European football’s governing body.READ MORE IN football Travel to Spurs was a nightmare due to a multitude of reasons.Part of the A10, the major road in the area, was closed, while for supporters coming from the south there were major delays on the M25.A person hit by train at Tottenham Hale train station meant many Greater Anglia trains were cancelled between there and Broxbourne.And there were severely limited trains coming in from the Hertfordshire direction.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGurbanov’s reigning Azerbaijani champions were not the only ones to get caught out by the issues.TNT Sports pundits Peter Crouch and Glenn Hoddle abandoned their car and legged it down the street to make it in time for the start of their coverage.Ex-Spurs striker Crouch, 43, said: “Hopefully (the Qarabag team) ran down the High Road like me and Glenn! We gave up wit the car.”Tottenham legend Hoddle, 66, added: “Peter and I limped.”Qarabag are not the first to be caught out by the congested roads in N17.Spurs’ last European fixture – the last-16 Champions League tie against AC Milan in March 2022 – kicked off ten minutes later than planned due to both sides being held up in traffic.It made Spurs’ fans wait an extra 35 minutes for their first European game in 18 months, who named a strong line-up.Captain Son Heung-min, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson all started up top, the latter two having netted in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Brentford.There were still six changes though, which saw 18-year-old pair Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall make their first European starts of their respective careers.Boss Ange Postecoglou, managing his first Spurs game in Europe, said: “It is going to be a great experience for our young players. It is different to domestic competition and they will learn a lot.”Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have shown great energy. They want to make a career for themselves and my responsibility is to give them opportunity.READ MORE SUN STORIES”For a club like us, all these competitions are important. We have not had success for a very long time.“For a club our size, not winning becomes a millstone around your neck and you have to win something to release that.”SunSport’s Jordan Davies reacts to Europa League draw as Man Utd face Mourinho More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Got to be higher than that’ gasps Jack Grealish after seeing England team-mate Ebere Eze’s EA FC 25 rating

      by

      JACK GREALISH was left in shock after Eberechi Eze revealed his rating on EA FC 25.The Crystal Palace midfielder is one of the most exciting players in the Premier League.Eberechi Eze is rated 81 on EA FC 25Credit: YouTube @EnglandJack Grealish was shocked by the ratingCredit: YouTube @EnglandEze, 26, impressed last season with the Eagles and earned his spot in England’s squad at Euro 2024.His performances for the South London side did see him get an upgrade on his rating from EA FC 24.The previous edition of the game saw him rated 79 overall, but he has had a plus-two upgrade.Eze is now rated 81 overall however it is lower than his two England international team-mates Grealish and Declan Rice.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe trio took part in a video showcasing their new cards while on international duty.Rice and Grealish were fairly happy with their cards, rated 87 and 84, respectively.However, when Eze revealed his card, there was a clear disappointment.The Man City star gasped: “Nah, it has got to be higher than that. You should be higher than that bro.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEze was less surprised as he said: “I expected it. It is what it is.”Fans also disagreed with the playmaker’s stats on the game as they commented on the video.The 25 top-rated footballers in EA FC25One posted: “Eze with less than 87 dribbling?”A second wrote: “78 pace for eze seems criminal. Bro put Casemiro into the Saudi league with one sprint.”Eze has already scored once in the Premier League this season for Crystal Palace.He was denied a wonder goal against Brentford due to an “awful refereeing decision” according to fans.Eze is not the only player to be unhappy with his rating as Richarlison hit out on social media over his “s**t” card”. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Anthony Gordon set to make Newcastle transfer U-turn after telling England team-mates at Euro 2024 he was leaving

      by

      NEWCASTLE are on the verge of tieing down Anthony Gordon to a new long-term contract – despite the star telling England team-mates at Euro 2024 he was heading to Liverpool.The 23-year-old moved to St. James’ Park in a £45m deal from Everton in January 2022 and has become a key man in Eddie Howe’s side.Liverpool and Arsenal eyed Anthony Gordon but he is set to stay putCredit: RexHowever, with his contract due to expire in 2026, pressure was mounting on Toon’s sporting director Paul Mitchell to sort out the winger’s future.The chief’s relationship with Howe has been the subject of much speculation since he failed to land any top transfer targets this summer.But the head coach will be delighted to discover that Gordon and the club are close to agreeing terms on an extension.Talks have intensified over recent weeks and Sun Sport understands that the final few details of the package will be completed shortly.READ MORE TOP STORIESIt comes after Gordon’s head was turned while on England duty at the Euros as he nearly returned to Merseyside to join Liverpool – the club he supported as a boy.The Magpies were desperate to meet PSR regulations at the end of June and there were talks over a potential £100m move to Anfield.Newcastle eventually sold Yankuba Minteh to Brighton instead but that was only after sources informed us he had told a number of people in the Three Lions camp that he was heading to the Reds.But the North East club want to reward him for his performances and secure his future, especially with Arsenal also interested in him.Most read in FootballThe Magpies aim to sort out a new Gordon deal to end speculationCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd Gordon himself is keen to put pen to paper and focus all of his efforts on trying to get Newcastle back into Europe.Howe stressed the importance of Mitchell sorting out Gordon’s contract last week, saying: “I think having your players secure in their futures is key to their performances. Newcastle star reveals gruesome scars after horror injury as he’s pictured back at work“You don’t want the transfer speculation or the contracts potentially running into shorter terms because I think that it distracts and rarely benefits the player or the club.“So, my wish is that players are always focussed on their performances and that the outside distraction is minimal.“Our best way to do that is to get them secure and happy but of course there is a balance because with wage structures and PSR we can’t be reckless with what we do either.“So we have to get those calls right but, of course, getting those players to play at their best levels will have a dramatic effect on our season.“I think that if there are issues with either player, or any player, then of course communication and resolving any issues is really important.” More

    • 288 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘This is what we demand’ fumes Erik ten Hag as he sends message to Man Utd players after dismal draw to FC Twente

      by

      ERIK TEN HAG says he wants to see more hunger from his team as the pressure builds on the Old Trafford boss.Manchester United have won just three of their opening eight games including the Community Shield.Erik ten Hag wants to see more hunger from his Man Utd starsCredit: PAIt comes after they played out a dismal 1-1 draw with FC Twente in their Europa League openerCredit: PAThey entertain Spurs on Sunday standing 11th in the Premier League and on Wednesday night could only draw their opening Europa League game at home to FC Twente.After that game Christian Eriksen admitted that Twente simply wanted the win more than them.While Ten Hag insisted that can happen as a one-off he clearly does not want to see evidence of it again.Ten Hag said: “I think every team has this in a season, when you play 60 games, sure there will be games where you are not happy with the performance, not happy when the opponent wants it more.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Always there will be a psychological side of top football where any team has more hunger than the other.“The team who can manage this the most will be most successful.“We are ambitious and always demand from ourselves to be hungrier.“That is what we demand from each other and we have to bring it in on a consistent basis, successful teams do this.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSuccessful teams also score goals and Ten Hag admits that remains their biggest problem despite investing in another striker this summer in Thomas Zirkzee.He said: “We are not scoring goals enough, That is the problem, the key area is to score more goals as a team.Man Utd player ratings: Joshua Zirkzee hooked again as Lisandro Martinez saves Erik ten Hag’s blushes (2)“We have players across the team who have the ability to score, that is clear, you see all the opportunities we are creating, we are not scoring enough.”Excuses are starting to wear a bit thin with Ten Hag now in his third season having spent over £600million.He continues to point out the two trophies the team has won in the last two seasons in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.Still fans are questioning whether there has been any real progression with a tilt at the title remaining as far off as ever.With more new signings made this summer Ten Hag says it will need patience for this side to bed in.He said: “I think you have to assess the situation.“We made a choice to sign very young players like last year [Rasmus] Hojlund like this year [Joshua] Zirkzee Leny Yoro, players we believe in them, this moment and also for the future and we have to build them.“We are a work in progress.“I think we have turned a corner and have to work with the squad and that takes time.“I am impatient and I want to go straight forward but also we had success in the last two seasons and we have to work hard to bring more success.“You have also to be fair, we won two trophies in the last two seasons and we are ambitious and we want to win another one and be as high as possible and go to win in every game, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is.”Sunday’s opponent is Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham and Ten Hag is expecting an exciting game.He said: “I think it will be a very intensive game, it is always against Tottenham and it is our style as well so I think it is going to be a very dynamic attractive game.“Tottenham have their strengths definitely.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Their philosophy is very clear very attacking but that leaves also space and that is what to take into account and maybe can help.“But you have to be very good against Tottenham if you want to control the game, you need again a high performance level and take your chances.” More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Redknapp, 77, tipped for stunning return to football as Premier League cult hero says ‘the game needs him’

      by

      HARRY REDKNAPP has been told “Football needs you back” – at 77.The former Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham chief was sacked from his last job, as Birmingham boss, in October 2017.Harry Redknapp has not managed for seven yearsCredit: GettyBut ex-Spurs and Pompey midfielder Pedro Mendes believes Redknapp offers “something different” from other managers.The former Southampton and QPR boss, who never got the England job he craved, has found fame away from the sport in the past seven years.Redknapp won I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here – sparking a string of TV appearances.But Mendes reckons the 2018 King of the Jungle deserves to come out of the wilderness and reign at another top club.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe former Portugal star told Gambling.com: “I think there should always be a place for a guy like Harry Redknapp in the game. “Everything around Harry is different. The way he trains, the way he speaks, the way his relationship is with the players.”Harry has been out of the game for a while now, and I think he should be back. “The game needs him, you know. He just brings something different.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRedknapp mainly played for West Ham and Bournemouth in his 17-year career on the pitch.He then launched 34 years in management with long spells at both those teams.Van der Vaart reveals Redknapp’s three-word half-time team-talk that inspired Tottenham to Arsenal triumphRedknapp bossed the Cherries from 1983-1992, winning the Associate Members Cup.He then took charge of the Hammers until 2001, guiding them to Intertoto Cup success in 1991.But his main claim to silverware was at his next job.He took Portsmouth into the top flight as second-tier champions in 2003 and FA Cup glory followed five years later.That aside, Redknapp’s peak managerial achievement was notching successive finishes of fourth, fifth and fourth at Spurs from 2008-2012.Mendes said: “When Harry’s not upset, and he’s not looking for the players to run kilometres and build stamina, he just loves when a player does a trick and scores a fantastic goal, or does something different.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 45-year-old singled out ex-Portsmouth playmakers Niko Kranjcar and Andres) D’Alessandro as stylists who Redknapp got the best out of.Now Mendes reckons it’s time his old gaffer got a chance to help a new generation of exciting players reach their Pomp. More

    • 288 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘I don’t like to talk about other manager’s jobs… but yes,’ says Man Utd legend as he’s asked if he’d replace Ten Hag

      by

      OLE GUNNAR SOLKSJAER would be open to a shock Old Trafford return – as the pressure mounts on Erik ten Hag.The former Man Utd striker managed the club between 2018 and 2021. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested he would be open to managing Man Utd againCredit: GettyErik ten Hag is under pressure at Old TraffordCredit: AlamySolskjaer left the Red Devils in November 2021 following a string of poor results. He was replaced for the remainder of the season by Ralph Rangnick before current boss Ten Hag took over the following summer.The Dutchman looked to have secured himself time to win over Man Utd fans after signing a new one-year contract extension in July.But after another poor start to the season, including a draw with FC Twente this week, he is once again under pressure at Old Trafford.READ MORE ON MAN UTDSolskjaer appeared as a keynote speaker during the Oslo Business Forum on Thursday.In a tongue-in-cheek moment, he was asked if he would return to United as manager sometime in the future.The 51-year-old replied with a smile: “If the family [United] asks, I would say yes every day of the week.”It feels wrong to talk about jobs that other people have now, but I would say yes, of course.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTen Hag’s fellow Dutch countryman Ruud Gullit has piled in on the Red Devils boss claiming the players are not listening to him.Gullit cited the moment Ten Hag was trying to speak with Alejandro Garnacho as he prepared to bring him on in the second-half against Twente as evidence.Man Utd fans fume ‘how can he be saying this?’ after Eriksen’s worrying live TV interview following FC Twente draw Gullit said: “Ten Hag wanted to have a meeting with Garnacho, but he didn’t feel like it at all.“Garnacho was preparing to come on and Ten Hag kept talking to him.“You can just see it when a player thinks: ‘Dude, leave me alone, man!’”Gullit says he was not shocked by United’s performance as it is becoming a recurring theme.He said: “You could see that things just weren’t going well.“Am I shocked by the football? No, because I see this every week. I think Twente played sensibly.”’Welcome back’Fans have been reacting to the possibility of Solskjaer returning, with one saying: “Lowkey has a better game plan than Ten Hag. Would be a shrewd appointment.”Another joked: “Welcome back to OT, Ole.”While a third added: “He still has unfinished business at Old Trafford, and it would be interesting to see if he could bring fresh energy this time around!”But a fourth countered: “So Ole’s ready to step back into the chaos? Can’t decide if that’s bravery or pure delusion. Guess some people just love the pain!”And a fifth argued: “The end is near for Erik ten Hag.”Man Utd player ratings vs FC TwenteMANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League campaign got off to a less than ideal start with a miserable 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.That result dealt a big blow to their chances of finishing in the top eight and avoiding two extra fixtures.See how the players rated on an underwhelming night at Old Trafford.Andre Onana – 6Good save to push a free-kick from Sem Steijn to safety but might be disappointed to be beaten at the near post for Twente’s goal.Diogo Dalot – 6Early mistake near the corner flag could have been costly but he caused problems at the other end in build up to Christian Eriksen goal.Harry Maguire – 6Missed his tackle to put United on the back foot for the equaliser but almost won it late on with a header cleared off the line.Lisandro Martinez – 7Made several important clearances but one wild challenge on edge of his box could have proven costly.Noussair Mazraoui – 6New boy looks solid. Vital early tackle and another one later to stop Twente going in front.Christian Eriksen – 7Fourth successive start – and the veteran still looked sprightly. What a strike to give United the lead but then spoiled it with mistake for equaliser.Manuel Ugarte – 6A few good tackles from the new boy but might be disappointed not to clear his lines as Twente broke away for equaliser.Marcus Rashford – 8Much improved display in front of watching England interim boss Lee Carsley. Full of energy, a few tricks and a couple of dangerous crosses. More like his old self.Bruno Fernandes – 6Skipper had a hand in the opening goal and was so close to winning it with curler from the edge of the box.Amad Diallo – 6His pace was too much to handle for the visitors at times but not much of an end product this time and made way for Alejandro Garnacho midway through the second half.Joshua Zirkzee – 5A few good moments and forced a flying save from the visitors’ keeper after nice link up with Diogo Dalot – but then hooked for the fit-again Rasmus Hojlund.Find out how the Man Utd subs rated hereSolskjaer spent 11 seasons at Old Trafford as a player, scoring 91 goals in 235 Premier League appearances.He won six titles before hanging up his boots in 2007.The Norwegian enjoyed two spells as manager of Molde either side of an an ill-fated tenure with Cardiff City. He took charge of Utd in 2018 and led them to a third-placed finish.A year later, Utd finished second – 12 points adrift of Man City – before losing the Europa League final on penalties to Villarreal. On Wednesday, Ten Hag was left fuming as his Utd players laboured to a 1-1 draw against FC Twente. He raged: “We’re disappointed as a team. READ MORE SUN STORIES”We wanted more but it was far from good enough in the end.”They looked like they wanted it more than us and that can’t be right.” More