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    All hell breaks loose as riot police launch tear gas at warring fans after controversial refereeing at Olympiacos vs AEK

    THE DERBY between Olympiacos and AEK Athens descended into chaos following a dramatic encounter marred by controversial refereeing.AEK won 3-1 at Georgios Karaiskakis in the Greek Superleague’s play-off round and effectively dethroned the reigning Greek champions, who are now third in the table and nine points away from the top.
    The derby between Olympiacos and AEK Athens descended into chaosCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/
    Fans invaded the pitch and were dispersed by riot police who used tear gasCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/
    All hell broke loose following Davide Massa’s final whistle as fans invaded the pitch and faced off with riot police, who launched tear gas to disperse the warring crowd.
    The incident took place at the same ground that could see Manchester City competing at on August 16.
    That is when the UEFA Super Cup takes place between the Champions League and Europa League winners.
    The dramatic scenes ensued following a tensed encounter between the rival clubs that saw Olympiacos protesting four of Massa’s calls.
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    The hosts were denied penalty in the first half when Domagoj Vida pushed Cedric Bakambu from behind inside the box shortly after AEK opened the scoring with Mijat Gacinovic after just seven minutes.
    Damian Szymanski then escaped a direct red card when he stepped on Mathieu Valbuena’s ankle from behind.
    The visitors were awarded a soft penalty in the second half when Vida fell under pressure from Oleg Reabciuk 26 minutes after Bakambu equalised for the Greek giants.
    Levi Garcia defeated Alexandros Paschalakis from the spot eight minutes before full-time.
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    AEK sealed the win in the first minute of stoppage time with Petros Mantalos’ beautiful finish.
    But Nordin Amrabat, who is the brother of Fiorentina and Morocco star Sofyan, fouled Reabciuk before delivering the assist.
    Olympiacos, who are owned by Nottingham Forest supremo Evangelos Marinakis, issued a fiery statement after full-time.
    The Piraeus outfit lashed out as they described the Greek football governing body EPO as “hoodlums”, the refereeing as “disgusting” and the Greek government as “incompetent”.
    Olympiacos’ statement read: “Today, even the blind saw what is happening in Greek football.
    “[Football’s] Fraudsters, hoodlums and outlaws have shown that they have no qualms. We told you that our fans’ patience is running out! They were very patient.
    “They deemed a penalty in a challenge that had no contact. They didn’t even check with VAR when there was a clear foul before AEK’s goal.
    “The whole of Greece was left disgusted. The hoodlums from EPO and the government’s incompetence to deal with them killed football!”
    AEK defeated Olympiacos 3-1 in a match marred by controversial refereeingCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/ More

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    Rio Ferdinand was ‘so embarrassed’ after Man Utd fans’ ‘unheard of’ gesture during famous defeat

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he was “embarrassed” by the reception fans gave Ronaldo during the 2003 Champions League.Ferdinand starred for the Red Devils when they hosted Real Madrid in the second leg of the quarter-final 20 years ago.
    Ronaldo scored at Old Trafford and was applauded by Man UtdCredit: AFP
    Ferdinand has admitted that he was embarrassed by the reactionCredit: Youtube.com / FIVE
    Los Blancos went into the game with a 3-1 advantage over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side thanks to goals from Luis Figo and Raul at the Santiago Bernabeu.
    They added to that goal tally just 12 minutes into the second-leg clash at Old Trafford as Brazilian striker Ronaldo fired the ball into the bottom corner of Fabien Barthez’s goal.
    Despite United’s impressive fight back, which saw them earn a 4-3 victory on the night, Real Madrid progressed to the semi-finals thanks to Ronaldo’s now-iconic hat-trick.
    The Brazilian’s performance left the Old Trafford crowd in awe, so much so that he received an overwhelming round of applause from Man Utd fans while making his way over to the bench after being replaced by Santiago Solario.
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    However, the response from Man Utd fans left Ferdinand furious.
    The former England international told BT Sport: “A pleasure to be on the same pitch as the great man. But he’s getting a standing ovation, look.
    “The opposing striker is getting a standing ovation at our own ground. Unheard of. Nah, I was embarrassed, man. I was so embarrassed.
    “It’s [Ronaldo’s first] not a great goal. It ain’t. I don’t care. Zidane plays into Guti. What a run from Ronaldo.
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    “He’s running across there, he shoots an angle, he knows he can’t get away from me there. He knows he’s got to take it early.
    “Barthez, he can only go in the near post. I’ve got him where I want him, going away from goal. He can only go near post… Fabien? Fabien, man! Have you got Fabien’s number? Can we get it? We need to go back over this.
    “Let’s dissect this goal [the second]. He’s in the six-yard box. There’s no defender within touching distance. But I could have stopped it at the source. My fault, man. I take that. It was me. I take that.
    “We’re dropping off [for the third]. I’ve got to get up. I’ve got to squeeze the play a bit. But… Fabien, what are you doing?!”
    Real Madrid were eventually knocked out of the Champions League following a 4-3 defeat to Juventus on aggregate. More

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    Tottenham ‘consider SACKING Cristian Stellini after hauling him in for showdown talks after Newcastle humiliation’

    TOTTENHAM are reportedly considering SACKING Cristian Stellini after the embarrassing defeat to Newcastle.Spurs were smashed 6-1 by the Magpies at St James’ Park which has seriously dented their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
    Tottenham are reportedly considering axing Cristian StelliniCredit: PA
    Newcastle surged into a 5-0 lead inside the opening 21 MINUTES of the game as Spurs were all at sea.
    Harry Kane did manage to get one back, but Callum Wilson restored the Magpies’ five-goal advantage.
    The club hauled Stellini in for showdown talks this morning following the defeat with Ryan Mason an obvious candidate to be another interim boss, according to the Standard.
    The report suggested that Stellini has “already lost confidence” from the players.
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    Stellini was been placed in charge while the club looks for a new manager following the sacking of Antonio Conte in March.
    Mason was overlooked by the club for Stellini, who was Conte’s No2, despite having taken the role in the 2020/21 season for the remaining seven games.
    However, the Italian coach has not been able to turn the club’s form around.
    With Stellini at the helm, Spurs have only won one of four games and has suffered morale-crushing defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle.
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    When he was named as interim boss, Tottenham were 4th in the Premier League.
    Now they are 5th, six points off Manchester United in the last Champions League spot.
    The club is also at risk of slipping further down the table with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Brighton breathing down their necks.

    Speaking after the defeat to Newcastle, pundit Jamie Carragher said it was time for Stellini to go.
    Carragher said: “Newcastle are brilliant, they have been all season.
    “Tottenham are a disgrace! How have they gone to a back four for the first time this season, with Porro a full back that can’t defend & Perisic who is a winger.
    “Get a proper manager in right now, not Conte’s mate.”
    Tottenham’s search for a new manager has seen the club linked with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Vincent Kompany and former boss Mauricio Pochettino. More

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    Barcelona ‘plot double transfer raid on Chelsea’ as they eye free signings amid financial crisis

    BARCELONA are plotting a double raid on Chelsea as they eye free transfers for N’Golo Kante and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang according to reports. Kante, 32, is currently in talks with Chelsea over extending his contract which expires at the end of the season.
    Kante is out of contract with Chelsea at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
    Aubameyang only left Barcelona last summer but is already linked with a returnCredit: AP
    However Aubameyang only arrived at Stamford Bridge on deadline day in September last year but has endured a difficult time in west London.
    The Mirror are reporting that Barcelona manager Xavi has a list of targets and is set to offer Kante a two year deal whilst the club want an answer from Aubameyang by the first week of June.
    Kante joined Chelsea in 2016 for £30million from then Premier League champions Leicester City.
    The Frenchman played a key role as France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia and has also helped the Blues win the Premier League Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
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    The 32 year old recently returned to action against Liverpool earlier this month having been out with a hamstring injury since last August.
    The midfielder is expected to sign a two year extension at Chelsea with the Blues having an option for a third.
    This hasn’t stopped Barcelona from trying to convince the French international to make the move to Spain.
    The Catalans are expected to have to rely on free transfers and sell players amidst their well documented financial woes.
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    Aubameyang made the move from the Nou Camp to be re-united with his former boss Thomas Tuchel but the German was sacked after the pair had just one game together.
    The 33 year old has struggled for playing time and was removed from the Blues Champions League squad to make way for new signings Joao Felix, Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk.
    This season the Gabon forward has only scored once in the Premier League and twice in the Champions League across 18 games this season. More

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    Arsenal have an unlikely hero in title fight with Man City and I’m still confident they’ll win it, says Paul Merson

    ARSENAL legend Paul Merson claims there could be an unlikely hero to save his former club’s Premier League title challenge.And that is none other than Sean Dyche’s Everton, who face the Gunners’ Prem title rivals Manchester City in between their Champions League semi-final legs next month at Goodison Park.
    Arsenal can still win the Premier League title, claims Paul MersonCredit: Reuters
    Merson believes Sean Dyche’s Everton could be Arsenal’s unlikely heroCredit: Rex
    Merson believes Everton could hand Manchester City a title blowCredit: Getty
    The North Londoners dropped points in a shock 3-3 draw against bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Friday at the Emirates.
    And defeat against City, who have two games in hand, at the Etihad on Wednesday could officially end Arsenal’s dreams of a first title in 19 years.
    But Merson claims there could be some more twists and turns along the way.
    The TV pundit believes the Citizens could also fall victim to another relegation struggler that will leave it all on the pitch in their bid for survival.
    Read More on Arsenal
    And the 55-year-old reckons Everton could deliver a blow during a time when Pep Guardiola’s men may turn their attention to the Champions League, which is the one trophy they’ve never won.
    That is why the former England international is still confident Mikel Arteta’s men can win the Premier League.
    Merson told Sky Sports: “I’m still quite confident. I think the fixtures will catch up with Man City.
    “The one game you don’t want to play in between Real Madrid is Everton away.
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    “Sean Dyche is going to make it very difficult. This is why everyone loves the Premier League.
    “Top has just played bottom and they’ve had to score two goals in the last minute.
    “Someone’s only got to run through next week, or two weeks’ time, and Ederson comes out to give away a penalty or gets a red card. It changes that quickly.
    “Man City beat Arsenal 3-1 away, a few days later they went to Nottingham Forest and drew 1-1. They could have won 100-1!
    “That’s how quick it changes, and it was back in Arsenal’s hands. If I was Arsenal, I wouldn’t lose faith yet. Honestly, I wouldn’t.” More

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    Bayern bosses ‘do a Todd Boehly’ and go into dressing room after latest loss as Tuchel slams stars with team in turmoil

    BAYERN MUNICH bosses have reportedly ‘done a Todd Boehly’ after going into the dressing room after the club’s latest disappointing result. The Bavarian giants lost control of the Bundesliga title race with a calamitous defeat against Mainz.
    Thomas Tuchel has endured a challenging start to life at the Allianz Arena and is trying to stop Bayern’s season unravellingCredit: Getty
    SPORT1 journalist Kerry Hau reported that Oliver Kahn led a group of Bayern chiefs into the dressing room at full-time.Credit: Twitter – Kerry Hau
    It comes after Bayern, under new boss Thomas Tuchel, also crashed out of the German Cup and Champions League within weeks of the head coach’s arrival.
    The German boss has slammed his team for being unable to play football “without making mistakes”.
    Meanwhile, a photo circulating on social media claimed to show Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn leading a delegation into the dressing room.
    Other high-ranking chiefs including sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and chairman Herbert Hainer were believed to be present.
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    The trio are under pressure after the shock sacking of Julian Nagelsmann appears to have completely backfired.
    But similar to beleaguered Boehly at Chelsea, the bigwigs reportedly went into the dressing room to confront their struggling stars.
    Bayern lost 3-1 to Mainz while Borussia Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0, giving Edin Terzic’s side a one point lead with five games remaining.
    It is the latest setback for Tuchel’s nightmare start to life at the Allianz Arena.
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    After a brilliant debut win over title rivals Dortmund, the ex-Chelsea boss has seen his side meekly tumble out the Champions League, go out of the German Cup to Freiburg and watch two of his stars have a dressing room bust-up.
    And the fed-up manager, who has overseen just two wins in seven games, lashed out at his side after the Mainz defeat.
    He said: “We seem exhausted. We look like a team that has already played 80 games this season.
    “We are not able to play football without making mistakes. The games and the points go away and run through our hands like sand.” More

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    Arsenal target Moises Caicedo makes transfer U-turn in blow to Gunners as he reveals his ‘dream club’

    BRIGHTON star Moises Caicedo revealed Real Madrid are his “dream” club, just three months after trying to force a move away to Arsenal.Caicedo has stood out this season in the Premier League and attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and the Gunners, who had a £70million bid rejected in January.
    Moises Caicedo revealed he is “dreaming” of joining Real MadridCredit: Rex
    Caicedo tried to force a move away to Arsenal during the January transfer windowCredit: Rex
    However, the midfielder revealed his “biggest dream” would be to join Real and win the Champions League.
    Caicedo told Carrusel Deportivo: “I like Real Madrid. It has always been my dream to play for Real Madrid.
    “I’m doing things very well now, so why not join Real Madrid one day and win the Champions League? That is my biggest dream.”
    This comes after Caicedo pleaded with Brighton owner Tony Bloom to let him join Arsenal during the January transfer window.
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    The Ecuador international tried to force a move away from the Amex Stadium with a controversial Instagram post.
    However, the 21-year-old was denied a move to North London and instead signed a new deal tying him with the Seagulls until 2027.
    Caicedo recently revealed: “I was really close to going [to Arsenal]. I suffered a lot.
    “I’m sure I’m going to have many more opportunities. That’s why I continue to do things well. [But] it was tough.
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    “At the beginning when I didn’t end up going, lots of people would make fun of me on Instagram.
    “People treated me badly. I didn’t check my social media because it would hurt me to see things.”
    Caicedo has amassed a total of one goal and one assist in 33 appearances across all competitions so far this season. More

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    Mystery third name in Chelsea shortlist revealed as Blues lean towards naming ex-Tottenham boss Pochettino as manager

    A SHOCK name has reportedly been included on Chelsea’s shortlist to become their new manager.Mauricio Pochettino appears to be the frontrunner to take over at the Blues from the axed Graham Potter.
    Todd Boehly has started the search for a new Chelsea boss and has a three-man shortlistCredit: PA
    Mauricio Pochettino still appears to be favourite for the jobCredit: Getty
    That was after Julian Nagelsmann pulled out of the race for the job following a series of talks with the club.
    Poch has been out of work since he was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.
    Chelsea contacted him over the job and now several reports are claiming that he has boosted his chances of landing the gig after “a series of positive talks” between him and the West London club.
    Vincent Kompany, who has led Burnley to instant promotion back to the Premier League, is the other man on Chelsea’s three-man shortlist.
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    And now The Guardian have revealed the identity of the mystery third candidate – and it is Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou.
    The Australian, 57, looks set to win a second consecutive Scottish Premiership title and has impressed with his attacking style of play.
    The Hoops are currently 12 points clear of Rangers and have also won consecutive League Cups since his arrival in 2021.
    He also has experience of the Champions League after guiding Celtic into the competition this season, although they were eliminated at the group stage.
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    Postecoglou, who managed Australia at the World Cup in 2018, has also worked in his homeland, Greece and Japan but has not managed in any of Europe’s big leagues.
    He remains an outsider at the moment with Pochettino still firmly in the driving seat.
    Chelsea are also believed to have considered Feyernoord’s Arne Slot.
    Pochettino is one of Tottenham’s most successful and popular managers in recent history – despite failing to win a trophy with the club.
    He averaged 1.89 points per game – the most for any Tottenham boss in Premier League history with a minimum of 38 Premier League games in charge.
    The ex-Southampton chief capped off his five-year stint at White Hart Lane by leading Spurs to the 2019 Champions League final, where they lost to Liverpool.
    But he was sacked just months later following a poor start to the 2019-20 campaign before eventually taking over at PSG in January 2021, winning the Coupe de France and Ligue 1 prior to his departure.
    Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou has emerged as the mystery third man on the shortlistCredit: Kenny Ramsay More