Football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal chief Edu is LEAVING after crisis talks with club hierarchy in major blow to Mikel Arteta

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA has been dealt a major blow with close ally and Arsenal chief Edu Gaspar set to QUIT the club.The highly-rated sporting director has helped transform the Gunners from has-beens into title contenders.Mikel Arteta has been dealt a blow with Edu Gaspar set to quit ArsenalCredit: PAThe Brazilian has been behind Arsenal’s brilliant recent signingsCredit: GettyArsenal have become title challengers under Edu’s watchCredit: GettyBut Edu’s time at the Emirates is coming to an end.He has been in talks with the club’s hierarchy after a reshuffle of key positions.And although his reasons remain unclear, Edu has decided to walk away from his backroom role.SunSport understands he is in line to take up a new role in charge of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ stable of clubs, which also include Olymipiacos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA similar position has been taken up by Jurgen Klopp with Red Bull, with the ex-Liverpool boss now their Global Head of Soccer.And Edu could TRIPLE his current Arsenal salary by becoming Marinakis’ go-to man at the head of his football empire.A former two-time title winner and Arsenal Invincibles champion, Edu returned to the club in 2019 – initially as technical director – before helping Arteta clear the decks.Big names like captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil were shown the door.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWhile new fan favourites including Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Declan Rice have been signed during his tenure.As a result, Arsenal have finished the last two seasons as runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League title race.Arsenal vs Newcastle: Player RatingsEdu’s exit comes on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday.The Gunners’ next match comes on Wednesday in the Champions League against Inter Milan.And boss Arteta will face questions over Edu’s exit at tomorrow’s press conference.Fans reacted quickly online to the news of his departure.One said: “The downfall of Arsenal begins.”Another declared: “I hate changes like this.”READ MORE SUN STORIESOne noted: “Heads starting to roll at Arsenal.”Another added: “Arteta could be the next to go.”Edu Gaspar’s Arsenal transfersSince 2019:David LuizNicolas PepeCedric SoaresPablo MariRunar RunarssonDani CeballosNuno TavaresAlbert Sambi LokongaFabio VieiraMarquinhosMatt TurnerWilliam SalibaKieran TierneyGabriel MartinelliThomas ParteyGabriel MagalhaesMartin OdegaardAaron RamsdaleTakehiro TomiyasuGabriel JesusOleksandr ZinchenkoLeandro TrossardJakub KiwiorDeclan RiceKai HavertzJurrien TimberDavid RayaRiccardo CalafioriMikel MerinoRaheem Sterling More

    • 225 Shares128 Views

      in Soccer

      Footballer instantly killed after he is struck by lightning mid-match as five are left injured in horror accident

      by

      THIS is the horror moment a footballer is killed and five others are left injured after being hit by lightning during a match in Peru.Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, 39, filmed falling face first to the ground moments after the ref had ordered the game to be halted as the sound of rumbling thunder echoed round the stadium, was killed instantly.A footballer in Peru was killed by lightning during a gameCredit: https://x.com/luchitobassGoalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, also received a direct strike and was rushed to hospital in a taxi with serious burns to his body.The other casualties, two teenagers aged 16 and 19 and a 24-year-old named locally as Cristian Cesar Pituy Cahuana, were said to be “stable” in hospital after yesterday’s drama.The tragedy happened during a regional tournament in Chilca, one of the 28 districts that form the central Peruvian province of Huancayo, between two local teams called Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca.Footage of the dramatic moment tragic defender Jose, pictured in online tributes, was killed showed the players appearing to walk slowly towards the changing rooms after the referee halted play when the storm intensified around 4pm local time. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was declared dead in hospital.At least eight players including Jose and the seriously-injured goalie ended up on the ground.The match, which Juventud Bellavista was winning by 2-0 with 22 minutes played, was abandoned after the horror lightning strike.The tragedy has led to calls for enhanced security protocols at sporting events, especially in high-altitude areas like Huancayo where the capital city of the same name is 10,659 feet above sea level.Most read in FootballEngineer Lucho Duarte wrote online: “This terrible incident reminds us of the importance of protection against lightning, especially in open-air events.“We need to implement protective systems in sports installations and security protocols involving the immediate suspension of activities during storms.”In February a footballer died after being struck by lightning during a match in Indonesia.He was named afterwards as Septain Raharja, 35. He was playing in a friendly between FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang.Local reports at time said he was rushed to hospital “still breathing” after being badly burnt but pronounced dead shortly after arrival. More

    • 250 Shares91 Views

      in Soccer

      How Channel 4 star helped non-league Chesham United to 3900 per cent increase in shirt sales in ‘first serious job’

      by

      CHANNEL 4 star Alex Horne has turned non-league Chesham United from minnows into potential FA Cup giant killers while also boosting shirt sales by 3900 per cent.The Taskmaster star joined Chesham’s board in 2022 in his “first serious job”, with his show becoming their sponsor.Channel 4 star Alex Horne has helped transform Chesham United over the past few yearsThe comedian stars alongside Greg Davies on Channel 4 show TaskmasterCredit: PAAnd the sixth-tier club have since gone from strength to strength on and off the pitch.They achieved promotion to the National League South last season.And their average attendance has increased from a few hundred to over 1,000 fans.Shirt sales continue to rise too, with last term seeing 1,200 jerseys flogged compared to just THIRTY the previous campaign.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAround 4,000 fans are now set to descend on The Meadow for tonight’s FA Cup first round tie against League One Lincoln City, with a second round trip to Crawley Town the reward.The match will be shown live on ITV, with Chesham having to quickly install TV gantries and even extra toilets.And Horne is hoping to find a way to see the action unfold as he will be performing a comedy gig in Edinburgh at the same time.He told The Guardian: “Elton John apparently watched Watford’s FA Cup final on an iPad on his piano during a gig in Copenhagen.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“But it’s mainly about the occasion, so it’s gutting I’m not there.”Chesham will be paid £50,000 in broadcast fees, a huge sum of money for the club.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersAnd it will immediately be spent on a new toilet block.Horne explained; “I haven’t chucked millions of pounds at Chesham because I can’t, and my wife would not let me.“Before, the chairman and owner had to dip into their own pockets a lot.“Now we’re doing repairs that we’ve needed to do for years. No one’s making money in non-league football.”In terms of the game, Horne also predicts Chesham will give Lincoln a run for their money.He added: “I actually think Lincoln won’t be miles ahead. They’ll be ahead in fitness but not in skills.“I speak with the players and they’ve said this is the biggest game of their lives. For our lot, this is possibly a one-off.” More

    • 250 Shares91 Views

      in Soccer

      Mo Salah casts fresh doubt over Liverpool future as striker, 32, posts ‘no matter what happens I will never forget’

      by

      MO SALAH cast fresh doubt over his  future  —  sparking  panic  among Liverpool fans.The Kop talisman fired the Reds top of the table with Saturday’s winner against Brighton.Mo Salah scored the winner for Liverpool against Brighton on SaturdayCredit: PAHis future at the club remains up in the air with his contract expiring in the summerCredit: APBut Salah, who is out of contract next summer, and can speak to foreign clubs in January, once again hinted he may quit Anfield.The Egyptian star, 32, cryptically posted on social media: “No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like.”Salah revealed in September there had been no talks over a new deal.And he suggested yesterday there had been no progress at resolving his situation after seven-and-a-half trophy-laden years as a Red.READ MORE ON LIVERPOOLFellow Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also have uncertain futures with their contracts up at the end of the campaign.Salah’s seventh goal of the season moved him into eighth in the Premier League all-time scoring charts.His 164th strike — one above Kop icon Robbie Fowler — saw the Reds go two points clear of title rivals Manchester City.However, it is unclear how many more Salah will net with just over six months left on his deal.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “Top of the table is where this club belongs. Nothing less.”Liverpool face a reunion with ex-midfielder Xabi Alonso when he brings his Bayer Leverkusen side to Anfield on Tuesday in the Champions League.Steven Gerrard mercilessly BOOED by Al-Ettifaq fans after losing local derby with Liverpool legend on brink of sackSlot’s side then host Aston Villa on Saturday. More

    • 200 Shares137 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch astonishing FA Cup ghost goal as linesman appears to fall victim to ‘surreal’ optical illusion

      by

      PETERBOROUGH United were left miffed when they were denied a clear goal in their game against Newport County.The Posh travelled to South Wales to face off against the League Two side.Peterborough were denied a clear when the ball went in at the near post from a cornerThe officials had a bizarre theory as to why it wasn’t a goal despite the ball nestling in the back of the netAfter consulting his linesman, ref Stephen Martin ruled out the goalAt 2-1 down, they were awarded a corner which was swung in by Jack Sparkes.The ball appeared to loop all the way into the net, although some Peterborough players did not celebrate.However, some seemed to think it was in – and ran to the corner flag to congratulate Sparkes.But referee Stephen Martin wasn’t convinced and consulted his linesman.Read more football news Incredibly, the officials deemed that the ball was headed out of play before it made its way into the net through a hole in the netting.Later, Peterborough United’s social media shared video of the ghost goal that showed the ball clearly crossing the line.They amusingly captioned the video: “Well…”Peterborough chief Darragh MacAnthony was fuming with officials for missing the goal.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe wrote on social media: “Multiple officials missed this clear goal yesterday. That nonsense cant happen in our game in 2024 anytime ever.”Manager Darren Ferguson was equally as miffed and said it was a “surreal” moment when the goal wasn’t given.Abandoned ‘ghost stadium’ of EFL club given new lease of life with fans given once-in-a-lifetime chance to play on pitch“It’s a goal. The footage has showed that clearly. There’s good coverage of it to show it’s a goal,” he said.”I think I was the same as everyone in the stadium as it was a bit surreal and everyone sort of stopped like someone had pressed the pause button. Then we started celebrating.”The goal was the reverse of a phantom goal at Watford back in 2008.Back then, the ball went towards the touchline wide of the Hornets’ goal before now-Premier League ref Stuart Attwell consulted his assistant Nigel Bannister.Attwell then awarded a goal to visitors Reading despite the ball going nowhere near the goal, in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw.Luckily for Peterborough, the mistake on this occasion didn’t change the outcome of the match.They ran out 4-2 winners, and will play in the FA Cup second round against Notts County. More

    • 263 Shares91 Views

      in Soccer

      Bruno Fernandes apologises to Erik ten Hag as Man Utd captain says ‘it’s easier to sack the manager than 15 players’

      by

      BRUNO FERNANDES believes Manchester United’s players must take the blame for ex-boss Erik ten Hag getting the sack.The Red Devils captain apologised to the Dutchman in a phone call following his dismissal on Monday because he felt responsible due to his own poor form.Bruno Fernandes called Erik ten Hag following the Dutchman’s dismissalCredit: GettyTen Hag was sacked on Monday after two years in charge at Old TraffordCredit: GettyFernandes, 30, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea, reckons United’s flops — including himself — let Ten Hag down.The Portugal midfielder said: “We know Erik has gone and it is not good for anyone when the manager goes. The team is not the best, results are not the best and he is the one who pays.“Whenever you see a manager go, you have to take some of the blame on yourself — it is because the team is not doing so well.“It is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“I spoke to Ten Hag and apologised to him, I was disappointed he has gone and I tried to help him.“I wasn’t scoring goals, we are not scoring goals and I feel responsible. I normally score a lot of goals but I always gave 100 per cent. He is aware of that.”Ironically, Fernandes has scored three goals in the two games since Ten Hag, who will be replaced by Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim from November 11, was axed.TV pundit and United icon Roy Keane replied with a scathing attack on Fernandes and said the playmaker had failed as captain.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe ex-Red Devils skipper, 53, fumed: “I wouldn’t have much time and patience for a player to say, ‘listen, sorry we’ve let you down’. Too little, too late.“You’re judged by what you do on the football pitch. I don’t think Bruno’s done enough as a captain of Man United over the last year to help the manager out. Far from it.Chelsea ratings vs Man Utd“The proof’s there with all the results. It’s not just on Bruno, of course. I wouldn’t want to be in the trenches with these players. My eyes don’t lie to me. A lot of them don’t have the DNA of a Manchester United player.“When the going gets tough, you roll your sleeves up. You become a team and you win an ugly game, but this United team doesn’t do it.”United face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday and Leicester in the Premier League next Sunday, both at Old Trafford, before Amorim takes charge in the international break.Yet the Sporting boss will have a big task, with United currently on the club’s worst tally of points at this stage in almost 40 years after Moises Caicedo’s leveller on Sunday.Amorim’s countryman Fernandes said: “I am a big fan of Sporting and watch a lot of their games.“Ruben brought the excitement back to the club — it was a little bit split when he came to Sporting. He transformed everything.”Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted it has been a tricky few days for the club but he has masterminded a Carabao Cup win and now a point against Chelsea.The ex-United striker will focus on getting through the two games before the break before seeking talks with Amorim over the future.READ MORE SUN STORIESRVN said: “It has been very difficult from last Monday to today, six days, a rollercoaster of emotions“I look forward to getting to know the new manager better.” More

    • 238 Shares128 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez endangered Cole Palmer’s safety and was extremely lucky not to be given red card

      by

      LISANDRO MARTINEZ was extremely lucky not to receive a red card for serious foul play on Cole Palmer.The Manchester United defender’s studs caught the Chelsea playmaker high on his left knee.Lisandro Martinez escaped a red card for a knee-high challenge on Cole PalmerCredit: PAVAR reviewed it and decided to stick with the on-field decision of a yellow cardCredit: PAFormer Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes Martinez was luckyCredit: AFPReferee Rob Jones deemed it was a yellow card for a reckless challenge — but VAR Michael Salisbury should have intervened to upgrade the punishment to a red.Martinez endangered the safety of Palmer and knew what he was doing by stopping the attack at all costs.The challenge occurred in stoppage time at the end of the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted during his post-match interview that it was an obvious red card offence.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe said: “I think there is not intention to take the ball and the foul is quite dangerous.”In his press conference he then added: “They show me before the press conference, I think it is quite clear for all of us.”The referee is there to make a decision, he took a different decision.”For me, when there is no intention to go for the ball and just the player, is a red.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMan Utd legend Gary Neville agreed Martinez was fortunate to avoid being dismissed.On commentary, the former England right-back said: “When you go that high I think you’re asking for a red card. I think he’s lucky.Manchester United vs Chelsea: Player Ratings Breakdown (2)”When you go knee-high and the ball’s gone, I think it’s a red.” More

    • 213 Shares147 Views

      in Soccer

      Sir Alex Ferguson steps down from another job as legendary ex-Man Utd boss resigns from £24.3m company

      by

      SIR ALEX FERGUSON has stepped down from another job just weeks after leaving his ambassadorial role at Manchester United.Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe continued his cost-cutting measures last month as he stopped paying Fergie’s £2million-a-year salary.Sir Alex Ferguson hasCredit: GettyThe move was widely condemned by a number of ex-Man Utd players – while it was also reported the iconic head coach had been banned from the dressing room.Now Ferguson has reportedly relinquished another of his duties – though this time it was solely his decision.According to The Mirror, he has resigned as director of his company ACF Sports Promotions Ltd. The business is understood to have made £24.3million in assets and investments.READ MORE ON SIR ALEX FERGUSONThey include a £2m collection of sporting memorabilia, a £19m investment portfolio, and a cash reserve of £5.1m.Fergie began the company during his time at Aberdeen, before he had started his 27-year stint as Man Utd boss.He stepped down as director on October 29, with sons Jason and Darren having resigned one day earlier.Another of Fergie’s children, Mark, is still a director of the company and is continuing in the role he has held for 12 years.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFerguson’s late wife, Lady Cathy, was also a director up until she passed away last year.Just a fortnight after Man Utd relieved Fergie of his ambassadorial role, they also sacked manager Erik ten Hag.Sir Alex Ferguson phoned and tried to convince me to join Man Utd – but their transfer plan made me say noFormer striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is currently in interim charge of the side.But Ruben Amorim will take over as the new permanent coach on November 11 after Man Utd agreed a deal with Sporting Lisbon. More