More stories

  • in

    Footie cup winner Pablo Fornals gets wed to bride Tania in Spain hours after Europa Conference League victory

    FOOTIE cup winner Pablo Fornals stars in another big match — his wedding to bride Tania Lara.The West Ham midfielder, 27, married Tania, 26, in his native Spain 48 hours after helping the Hammers win the Europa Conference League trophy.
    West Ham’s Pablo Fornals stars in another big match — his wedding to bride Tania LaraCredit: Splash
    Ex-skipper Mark Noble was a guest at the ceremonyCredit: Splash
    Team-mate Michail Antonio was also on the guest listCredit: Splash
    Spaniard Pablo donned a dapper blue suit whilst his bride opted for flowing, capped-shouldered white wedding dress.
    Team-mates Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna and ex-skipper Mark Noble were among guests.
    On Thursday, the players had embarked on an open-top bus parade around the streets of East London.
    And on Friday, the party continued for a third straight evening as Pablo and Tania tied the knot.
    READ MORE ON PABLO FORNALS
    The pair then proceeded to sit down in a stunning courtyard as they took in the memorable occasion with friends and family.
    After the wedding, drum beaters dressed in colourful blinking lights provided the music for the guests to dance to.
    Before the big day, Fornals took to Instagram to post a short message.
    It read: “Best week of my life for sure. No worries my love, I’ll be there.”
    Most read in Football
    Angelo Ogbonna was also there to see Pablo tie the knowCredit: Splash
    Pablo was part of the Europa Conference League Final winning team days beforeCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Lisandro Martinez and his stunning partner frolic on a yacht as injured Man Utd star enjoys his off-season

    LISANDRO MARTINEZ is making the most of his time off with a romantic trip on a yacht with his partner.The Manchester United star’s season came to a premature end as he picked up an injury in the Europa League clash against Sevilla.
    Lisandro Martinez and his partner Muri López Benítez have taken a trip on a yachtCredit: Instagram/@lopezbenitezmuri
    The couple met when they were 14Credit: Instagram/@lopezbenitezmuri
    Muri has been by MArtinez’s side during stints at all his clubsCredit: Instagram/@lopezbenitezmuri
    Martinez, 25, was then forced to sit out the rest of the season as he worked on recovering from his fractured metatarsal bone.
    He missed the FA Cup final against Manchester City, which saw his side lose the chance of winning a cup double at Wembley.
    On his holidays during the off-season, Martinez has gotten away with his stunning partner Muri López Benítez.
    The pair have taken a trip on a yacht, soaked up the sun, and enjoyed some coffees on the ship.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    They have taken the yacht to some stunning places as they relax before the defender returns for pre-season.
    The pair met when they were just 14 years old, and together own a French bulldog called Polo.
    She has been at his side during his meteoric rise – from Newell’s Old Boys to Ajax and now Old Trafford.
    And when she gets the opportunity, she also likes a carnival – dressing up in extraordinary costumes.
    Most read in Football
    Muri often shows off her glam existence on social media – wearing designer Balenciaga clobber and enjoying amazing holidays.
    Back in June 2022, they headed to Dubai before taking a romantic trip to the Maldives.
    Martinez currently earns £120,000-a-week at Old Trafford.
    Now United want to reward the centre back for a brilliant debut season in England by upping his basic salary by around £50,000.
    There are no immediate plans to extend his current contract, which runs for another four years.
    Muri also posted this collage of snapsCredit: INSTAGRAM – @lopezbenitezmuri
    Martinez missed the end of the season with an injuryCredit: Getty More

  • in

    West Ham fans clash with cops in riot gear and set off flare as celebrations get out of control after team’s Europa win

    WEST Ham fans clashed with riot cops and set off a flare as celebrations over their side’s Europa win got out of hand last night.There were jubilant scenes inside the ground as the East London side lifted their first major trophy in 43 years with a 2-1 win over Italy’s Fiorentina.
    A West Ham fan lit a flareCredit: The Sun
    Cops moved in to remove the lad with the flareCredit: The Sun
    One witness told The Sun ‘all hell broke loose’Credit: The Sun
    As the celebrations spilled out onto the Prague streets, Hammers fans lined up against police dressed in riot gear.
    A flare was let off in the crowd with one witness saying “all hell broke loose”.
    Jurre Uijtendaal, 22, told The Sun: “Someone let a flare off – we were singing and it all got a bit too much for the police.
    “They decided to let off a strike to cool it down. They tried to take down the guy with the flare.
    Read More on West Ham
    “All hell broke loose and the police noticed they were outnumbered so they formed a circle.”
    The Prague cops resorted to using pepper spray after they moved in to cart off the lad with the flare.
    Jake Masterton, 23, from Kent, said: “There was a lad holding a flare – nothing more. Nobody kicking off or anything.
    “Police just stormed through and grabbed him and wheeled him off. He was a young guy too.
    Most read in Europa League
    “Then they just formed a little unit in the middle and all the fans started fighting back – then the pepper spray came out.  
    “It’s a shambolic showing from the police. We’re all just enjoying this win. We can light off a flare of two if we want.”
    Riot police in the Old Town area of the city stormed the group, with fans responding by pelting the officers with bottles and missiles.
    Earlier in the day Czech police said they had detained at least 16 Italian fans after they attacked West Ham supporters outside a bar, with videos shared on social media showing chairs and fireworks being thrown.
    Celebrations were overall good-natured after the match, with revellers hugging and kissing each other and dancing on tables in bars.
    Chants of “2-1 to the cockney boys” and “Irons” also broke out as the Londoners celebrated the win.
    The final took place at the Fortuna Arena, which has a capacity of around 19,300, with West Ham receiving an official ticket allocation of 5,000, although many more travelled from the UK to be in the city during the game.
    Supporters watched in bars around the city, including a group who went wild at McCarthy’s Pub in the Old Town area from the moment Jarrod Bowen gave the team the lead in the final minute of the second half.
    West Ham fan Aaron, 18, said it felt “unreal” to win.
    “(I’ve) never felt like it in my life,” he said.
    He said his plan for the rest of the night was to “stumble back to the hotel”.
    “How we get there I don’t care,” he added.
    It came hours after West Ham fans were ambushed by Fiorentina ultras armed with chairs and metal bars in what was called an unprovoked brawl.
    Czech police said three people were injured during the incident, with one police officer being attacked.
    One witness said fans of the Italian side were armed with “chains and belt buckles”.
    There was also controversy during the match as Cristiano Biraghi of Fiorentina was seen bleeding from the back of the head after he appeared to have been hit by an object thrown from the West Ham stand.
    Read more on The Sun
    Shortly before the game ended, the English club put out a statement condemning the behaviour of a “small number of individuals”, adding: “These actions have no place in football, and do not in any way represent the values of our football club and the overwhelming majority of our supporters, who have behaved impeccably in Prague this week and throughout our last two seasons in European competition.”
    The club said it would work with police to review the incident and take action against offenders, including implementing lifetime bans.
    Celebrations were initially good-natured after the matchCredit: The Sun
    West Ham has condemned the actions of a ‘small number of individuals’Credit: The Sun
    Cops are said to have used pepper spray to stop the disturbanceCredit: The Sun
    Trouble flared in the Old Town area of the cityCredit: The Sun More

  • in

    Jose Mourinho CHARGED with abusive language against Anthony Taylor after Europa loss amid calls for him to get huge ban

    JOSE Mourinho has been charged by Uefa for his Europa League Final verbal assault on ref Anthony Taylor.Nyon chiefs announced a huge list of charges against Mourinho, Roma and Sevilla following the tempestuous clash in Budapest.
    Jose Mourinho lambasted Prem referee Anthony Taylor during the Europa League finalCredit: Alamy
    The Special one branded Taylor a ‘f***ing disgrace and a crook*Credit: Alamy
    Mourinho continued his tirade in the car park and has since been chargedCredit: TV@DELLOSPORT
    But it is Mourinho’s attack on the Wythenshawe official, both in the post-match news conference and the subsequent four-letter fusillade in the Puskas Arena car park, that is certain to bring the heaviest punishment.
    Mourinho faces a multi-game ban, potentially ruling him out of bench duties in next season’s European group stage, after being charged with using “insulting and/or abusive language against a match official”.
    The Portuguese insinuated Taylor and his PGMOL colleagues, including fourth official Michael Oliver, had “seemed Spanish” during the game, which saw Sevilla win the deciding shoot-out.
    He then screamed at Taylor that he was a “f***ing disgrace” and a “crook” as the refereeing team were attempting to board their mini-bus out of the stadium.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Mourinho has been widely condemned, with his ambush blamed for encouraging the mobbing of Taylor and his wife by angry Roma fans as he made his way through Budapest airport on Thursday.
    In response to those awful scenes, which saw chairs thrown at the referee, a Premier League spokesperson said: “We are shocked and appalled by the unacceptable abuse directed at Anthony Taylor and his family as they travelled back from the UEFA Europa League Final.
    “No one should have to suffer the inexcusable behaviour they had to endure yesterday.”
    In addition to the charges against Mourinho, both clubs were accused of “improper conduct” after Taylor brandished a record tally of 14 cards in the game.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    Roma were also hit by four charges relating to the behaviour of their fans, relating to throwing objects, lighting fireworks, damaging the stadium and “crowd disturbances”.
    Sevilla, who won the tournament for the seventh time since 2006, were hit by three fan-related charges, for object-throwing, fireworks and “invasion of the field of play”.
    All the charges have now been referred to Uefa’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body to determine the punishments.
    Uefa fans are facing strong calls to throw the book at Mourinho, including from former Prem referee Mark Halsey.
    He told SunSport: “I have never seen that sort of appalling behaviour from a manager towards an official.
    “As much as football people like Mourinho, you cannot chase officials after a match.
    Jose Mourinho could be banned from being on the touchline in European competition next seasonCredit: REX
    “What message do his words and actions send to everyone watching around the world?
    “Fourth official Michael Oliver had an impossible job due to the level of protests and appeals from both sides during an ugly 120 minutes.
    “It reminded me of a Sunday league football match and the technical area became unmanageable.
    “Both sides lost discipline and there were 16 yellow cards but the punishments were all deserved.”
    Read More on The Sun
    Halsey added: “I would deduct Sevilla and Roma three points from their next European campaigns with another three suspended for the rest of the group stage.
    “And I would also ban Mourinho, wherever he goes, for six games because of his unacceptable conduct.” More

  • in

    Jeff Stelling demands ‘strongest possible punishment’ for Mourinho after shocking footage of Anthony Taylor being mobbed

    JEFF STELLING has demanded that Jose Mourinho gets the “strongest possible punishment” for his part in the “disgraceful” abuse and attacks on Anthony Taylor.English referee Taylor took charge of the Europa League final between the Italian side and Sevilla.
    Jose Mourinho confronted Anthony Taylor in the car park after the Europa League finalCredit: TWITTER@TVDELLOSPORT
    Angry fans then mobbed the official at the airport as he returned homeCredit: Twitter
    The Special One has been blasted for his actions after the defeat to SevillaCredit: Alamy
    Jeff Stelling has called for the Roma boss to get the ‘strongest possible punishment’Credit: Getty
    The Spanish side won the trophy after a tense 1-1 draw was followed by a 4-1 penalty shootout.
    But Taylor infuriated Roma fans when he gave Sevilla’s Gonzalo Montiel another chance to take his winning penalty after he correctly adjudged Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio to have come off his line.
    The official also denied Roma two penalty kicks in the game, waving away the passionate protests of the Italians.
    Taylor also dished out 13 yellow cards to players and handed one to Mourinho.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager Mourinho was fuming with the decisions and lashed out at the official in the stadium car park afterwards and branded him a “f***ing disgrace”.
    An the anger towards Taylor shockingly continued as he and his family were disgracefully ambushed by a mob of angry Roma fans as he entered the airport ahead of leaving Hungary.
    At one moment, a water bottle was thrown towards Taylor, narrowly missing a woman who was close to tears, causing him to look around nervously.
    After he was taken into the safety of a different room, one fan even lobbed a chair towards the police standing guard.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    PGMOL released a statement in light of the footage as the organisation admitted to being “appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse” aimed at Taylor.
    Refs Support UK also took to social media to air its concerns about the treatment Taylor and his family have suffered.
    Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand replied to the tweet as he said that the “thugs” involved need to be “held accountable”.
    Now Stelling, who last week bid an emotional farewell to Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, has called for the Special One to receive the “strongest possible punishment” for his role in the “disgraceful” episode.
    He tweeted: “Jose Mourinho actions and words contributed massively to the disgraceful behaviour towards Antony Taylor.
    “He is a repeat repeat repeat offender . Needs the strongest possible punishment.”
    Ex-Premier League ref Mark Halsey has called for Mourinho to get at least a six-game ban for his actions.
    Mourinho has a long history of clashes with officials, including serving a two-match ban for accusing Swede Anders Frisk of allowing Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard into his dressing room at half-time during a contentious Champions League game against Chelsea in 2005.
    He was also sent off for the third time this season during Roma’s 2-1 defeat at Cremonese in Serie A in February and received a fine and two-game suspension. More

  • in

    Jose Mourinho will be loving all the fuss created by his latest X-rated tantrum.. but irony is lost on him

    THERE is only one thing worse in life than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.Jose Mourinho has lived his entire life by Oscar Wilde’s doctrine and will be loving all the fuss created by his latest tantrum.
    Hot-head boss Jose Mourinho clashed with ref Anthony Taylor as Roma lost the Europa League final on penaltiesCredit: Alamy
    Mourinho was seen waiting for Taylor afterwards as he let rip againCredit: Twitter @tvdellosport
    The 60-year-old teenager was filmed in the Puskas Arena car park hurling abuse at the match officials following Roma’s Europa League final defeat by Sevilla on Wednesday.
    “F***ing crooks, f***ing scandalous,” he screamed at referee Anthony Taylor and his assistants as they left the stadium.
    And on the night irony died, he then declared in his post-match press conference: “I always tell my players you can lose a match but you can’t lose your dignity.
    “We have lost the match but we haven’t lost our dignity.”
    READ MORE TOP STORIES
    Says the man who wouldn’t know  dignity if it bit him on the backside.
    For this is the guy who could start an argument in an empty room, the coach once dubbed “the enemy of football” by Uefa’s referees chief.
    A parody provocateur whose hissy-fits have become as predictable as they  are boring.
    It has been a long-established pattern of Mourinho’s behaviour to overshadow every defeat by creating chaos.
    Most read in Europa League
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    His team or his tactics are never to blame. It’s always someone else’s fault.
    And you cannot argue that his siege mentality hasn’t paid dividends over the years.
    He never tires of reminding us of how many trophies he has won as a coach (26 if you count the various Community Shields and Portuguese, Spanish and Italian Super Cups — which he definitely does).
    Yet all that silverware still hasn’t been enough to keep him in a job for more than three years because he’s fallen out with virtually every club which has ever employed him.
    It wouldn’t be so bad if he achieved all his undeniable success with attacking, champagne football.
    But it’s the relentless win-at-all costs negativity which grinds everyone down until they simply can’t stomach any more.
    Not all of his clubs were glad to see the back of him but Chelsea (twice), Real Madrid, Manchester United and Spurs were all ready to drive him to the airport after losing the will to live.
    No matter what punishment, it won’t change Mourinho’s puerile behaviour. Because as long as it’s all about him, he doesn’t care.
    And now he’s doing his best to p*** off Roma by constantly flirting with Paris Saint-Germain, which would be football’s ultimate marriage made in hell.
    Roma are currently clinging on to sixth place — and a spot in next season’s Europa League — by a single point in Serie A.
    But Mourinho is suspended for Sunday’s final game against Spezia — which gives him plenty of ammunition for another conspiracy theory.
    He’s already outraged the Italian FA by wearing a hidden microphone to “protect himself” against a referee he labelled “the worst I have ever encountered”.
    Presumably he has revised that opinion following Wednesday’s run-in with Taylor in Budapest and he now faces yet another disciplinary charge from Uefa.
    Read More on The Sun
    But no matter what punishment they throw at him, it won’t change Mourinho’s pattern of puerile behaviour.
    Because as long as it’s all about him, he really doesn’t care. More

  • in

    Terrified ref Anthony Taylor abused by furious Roma fans in airport and has CHAIR aimed at him before police steam in

    FUMING Roma fans hounded and tried to get at ref Anthony Taylor and his family at Budapest International Airport, forcing the police to rush them into a private room.And things almost took a horror turn when a CHAIR narrowly avoided hitting him and his family.
    Anthony Taylor was swarmed by Roma fans at Budapest International AirportCredit: https://twitter.com/momo50SSL/status/1664333852376965137
    Many unhappy supporters could be heard chanting at himCredit: https://twitter.com/momo50SSL/status/1664333852376965137
    One fan even threw a chair once he had been escorted into another roomCredit: https://twitter.com/momo50SSL/status/1664333852376965137

    The Brit took charge of the Europa League final between the Italian side and Sevilla.
    The Spanish side won the trophy after a tense 1-1 draw was followed by a 4-1 penalty shootout.
    However, Taylor did not win over many fans as he gave Gonzalo Montiel another chance to take his winning penalty after Rui Patricio’s encroachment.
    The official also denied Roma two penalty kicks in the game, he also waved away protests for two penalties for the Italians.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Mourinho was fuming with the decision and lashed out at the official after the game, branding him a “f***ing disgrace” while in the stadium car park.
    The club’s fans then mobbed Taylor as he entered the airport ahead of leaving Hungary.
    Supporters can be heard chanting at him as he walks through the crowd with a police escort as they desperately try to bundle him and his family into a private room.
    Italian media have labelled the incident as “chaos Taylor” as angry fans surrounded him.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    At one moment, a water bottle was thrown towards Taylor, narrowly missing a woman who was close to tears, causing him to look around nervously.
    After he was taken into the safety of a different room, one fan even lobbed a chair towards the police standing guard.
    PGMOL released a statement in light of the footage as the organisation admitted to being “appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse” aimed at Taylor.
    It read: “PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport.

    Jose Mourinho was fuming with Taylor’s performanceCredit: Alamy
    “We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final.
    “We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family.”
    Taylor dished out 13 yellow cards to players and handed one to Mourinho, who also clarified his feelings in his post-match interview.
    He told Sky Sports Italia: “Each of us react in a different way, one cries, another doesn’t, but the truth is we are all very sad.
    “We return dead tired, dead with feeling it is unjust.
    “It was an intense, masculine, vibrant game with a referee who seemed Spanish. It was yellow, yellow, yellow all the time.
    “The injustice is shown by the fact Lamela should’ve had a second yellow, he didn’t, and he converted a penalty in the shoot-out.
    “What I said is we either leave here with the Cup or we leave dead. Well, we’re dead.
    “We’re dead tired physically, dead tired mentally, dead because we think it is an unjust defeat with lots of incidents that are debatable.”
    Taylor officiated the Europa League final between Roma and SevillaCredit: Alamy
    Refs Support UK also took to social media to air its concerns about the treatment Taylor and his family have suffered.
    It tweeted: “This is so so worrying to see and we hope Anthony and his family are ok.
    “This is why we believe organisations like the @LMA_Managers and the @PFA as well as the @WeAreTheFSA need to come out and condemn such behaviour in this country.”
    Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand replied to the tweet as he arguing that the “thugs” involved need to be “held accountable”.
    He wrote: “Wow…I hope Anthony Taylor and his family are ok after that bull****.
    Read More on The Sun
    “How has he been left to walk without security – all of the authorities have to start thinking worst case scenarios the way things are.
    “These thugs should be held accountable asap😱🙏🏽.” More

  • in

    Watch moment Premier League flop finds out his Sevilla loan transfer has been made permanent DURING Europa celebrations

    PREMIER LEAGUE flop Loic Bade had his transfer to Sevilla sensationally confirmed amid the club’s joyous Europa League celebrations last night.The Seville club won their record seventh Europa League title after overcoming Jose Mourinho’s Roma side.
    Loic Bade on his Instagram storyCredit: Instagram/@l.bade28
    Bade with his winners medalCredit: Instagram/@l.bade28
    Sporting director Monchi says Sevilla will make the transfer permanentCredit: Instagram/@l.bade28
    Bade did not make a competitive appearance for ForestCredit: Getty
    Sevilla’s victory finally broke Mourinho’s record of winning every European cup final he has been involved in.
    And Sevilla’s win was made doubly as sweet for Nottingham Forest flop Loic Bade as the club’s Sporting Director, Monchi, confirmed the club would make his loan permanent.
    Bade filmed himself clutching his winners medal and said to Monchi: “please, please sign me!”
    To which Monchi responded: “It’s already done! We have signed you.”
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    Bade arrived at the City ground last summer as part of owner Evangelos Marinakis’ massive squad overhaul that saw him sign 21 players.
    Bade’s stay in Nottingham was more miserable than most.
    He made zero appearances for the club before having his loan terminated in January.
    Speaking to Marca ahead of the final the defender said: “It’s a dream (to be in the final).
    Most read in Europa League
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    “A very nice dream because my season, when I started with Rennes and Nottingham Forest, was very tough.
    ” It has been a very difficult year for me, but now I try to play as many games as possible, playing the best possible game that I can give.”
    Since moving to Sevilla on loan from Rennes, Bade made 26 appearances, scoring two goals and keeping seven clean sheets.
    The centre back played the Europa League final in its entirety as the game went to extra time and penalties.
    Fabrizio Romano reports that Sevilla will pay £10 million to make the loan move permanent.
    When asked by Marca if moving to Sevilla had changed his life he said: “Yes, of course. That is why it is a very special season. It’s football, that’s how this sport is.” More