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      Roman Abramovich’s ex-transfer chief watches Chelsea with fans and makes surprise comment on Stamford Bridge view

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      FORMER Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia was back at Stamford Bridge – this time amongst the fans. Granovskaia – who spent over ten years at the club – joined supporters to watch the Blues’ 2-1 win over Newcastle. Marina Granovskaia was back at Stamford BridgeCredit: InstagramBut the former Chelsea chief was in amongst the fansCredit: InstagramGranovskaia watched Chelsea beat Newcastle 2-1Credit: InstagramBut the Russian-Canadian businesswoman might not have been tall enough to catch Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer’s goals. She wrote on Instagram: “First time in with the supporters at Stamford Bridge and, no, I was not tall enough to see the goals! “But wonderful to be back to witness such a great performance and important win!” Granovskaia started working for Chelsea under ex-owner Roman Abramovich in 2010 on transfer and business dealings. READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSBy 2014, she was chief executive of the West London club and had a huge part in negotiating transfers. But Granovskaia left alongside Abramovich in 2022 when it was brought by American billionaire Todd Boehly. Her return to Stamford Bridge was a huge hit with fans as her comment section was filled with praise. One said: “The queen is back.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother added: “Welcome home!”One hailed: “Queen Marina Proper Chels always.”Another gushed: “One of our own.”Meet Ibrahim Rabbaj, 15-year-old English Chelsea wonderkid compared to Messi More

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      Ligue 1 captain hands referee document during match in unprecedented move to exploit little-known ‘replay’ rule

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      AUXERRE caused chaos in their showdown with Lyon after employing a little-known rule which could have seen the match replayed.The Ligue 1 side requested a “technical reservation” following a controversial penalty decision at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.Auxerre’s clash with Lyon on Sunday was marred by chaosCredit: GettyReferee Jeremy Stinat awarded a penalty to Lyon late in the first halfCredit: GettyThe visitors responded by presenting the ref with a written ‘reservation’ which could have seen the game replayedCredit: DAZNLyon were awarded a penalty in the first half of Sunday’s contest after a contentious VAR review.Georges Mikautadze hit the deck just moments before halftime following a challenge from Gideon Mensah. But a fuming Auxerre claimed referee Jeremy Stinat had already blown for a goal kick before the foul took place. Mikautadze stepped up and slammed in the spot-kick, only for chaos to reign on Auxerre’s bench.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAssistant coach Jean Marie Stephanopoli was sent off during the confusion before captain Jubal Junior presented the referee with a written technical reservation. In French football, this unusual written request can be made immediately after the referee’s decision, before play resumes. It gives the team the right to submit a direct complaint, in writing, to the French FA Referees’ Commission.Auxerre presented the written request to Stinat on the field, with the game delayed for almost 15 minutes.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe reservation allows a team to challenge a decision they believe has unfairly altered the outcome of the match.If successful, it can see the goal in question annulled and the match replayed.’I wouldn’t want to be the VAR’ gasps Mike Dean as Aston Villa goal overturned in controversial circumstancesAccording to Article 559 of the French football rulebook: “A reservation on technical issues is only admissible if it is made to the referee by the complaining captain at the stoppage of play which is the consequence of the contested decision. “If the reservation concerns a fact on which the referee did not intervene, it must be made at the first stoppage of play.”It adds: “The technical foul is only retained if the committee judges that it has an impact on the final result of the match.”To follow its course, this reserve must be sent, within 48 hours, by registered letter to the headquarters of the Professional Football League accompanied by a sum of €76.”The Professional Football League transmits the file to the Federal Commission of Referees of the FFF.”The latter orders the result [to stand] or decides that the match is to be replayed.”VAR: Imagine the future…Martin Lipton’s pro VAR viewFAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker.It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.But it’s OK. Every  one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the  Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you.Newly promoted Auxerre battled back in the second half to salvage an impressive 2-2 draw. Despite DAZN cameras spotting Jubal giving the ref the written technical reservation, the team did not follow up on the complaint after the final whistle.The result will therefore stand and the game will not be replayed.Auxerre coach Christophe Pélissier told DAZN after the match: “The flag is raised [for a goal kick], he whistles. READ MORE SUN STORIES”[The referee] tells me he whistled after.”We won’t keep the reserve. I saw the referee at the end, we talked. We shouldn’t sum up the match with that.” More

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      ‘Something is not right’ – Ex-Premier League referee ‘amazed’ West Ham penalty against Man Utd was given

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      I AM amazed referee David Coote overturned his decision — a penalty should not have been awarded.It was nothing more than a coming together and resulted in a game-changing decision that cost Manchester United.West Ham were awarded a penalty when Matthijs de Ligt collided with Danny IngsCredit: AlamyReferee David Coote was sent to the monitor and ended up giving the spot kickCredit: AlamyFormer Premier League referee Mark Halsey is stunned the penalty was awardedCredit: AFPDanny Ings lost the ball and then Matthijs de Ligt made minimal contact with the West Ham striker’s shin.The Premier League’s Match Centre said Man Utd defender De Ligt made “sufficient contact” on Ings to merit a penalty.But it is a contact sport — this should never be enough for a foul.Coote had a great view and he was initially spot on not to award a penalty.READ MORE ON MAN UTDReferees’ chief Howard Webb does not want VAR intervening with subjective calls that are not clear and obvious.This was a classic case of that — the incident was re-refereed.VAR Michael Oliver recommended a pitch-side review, then Coote crumbled and changed his decision, like so many other referees do in that situation.Something is not right with the training and education at the PGMOL.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDe Ligt appeared to be suggesting the ball struck Ings’ handCredit: GettyPremier League statementThe Premier League released a statement on the decision after the match.It read: “The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by de Ligt on Ings.Roy Keane left red-faced after Sky Sports colleague tells Man Utd legend to ‘bring this look back'”The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review.”The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty.” More

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      Arsenal v Liverpool player stats: shots, passes, tackles and key data from crunch Premier League clash

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      ARSENAL twice squandered the lead against Liverpool as they dropped two crucial points in the title race.Bukayo Saka fired the Gunners into an early lead, tearing Andy Robertson apart before blasting past a helpless Caoimhin Kelleher.Arsenal twice led against Liverpool at the EmiratesCredit: EPAMo Salah rescued a point for the Reds with his late levellerCredit: EPAVirgil van Dijk headed the Reds level before Mikel Merino put his new side back in front with an emphatic bullet header of his own.But Mo Salah rescued a point for Arne Slot’s men on the counterattack with nine minutes left. And the stats prove the 2-2 draw was a very fair result.That is because both sides managed nine shots in the match – with Liverpool edging their attempts on target by four to three. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLiverpool had 55 per cent of the ball with 16 tackles to Arsenal’s 17 and 14 fouls apiece.Arsenal, however, will regret only managing one corner in the match.Of course, Gunners players and fans alike were furious they did not get a second right at the end. Gabriel Jesus clearly knocked the ball off Kostas Tsimikas, who desperately tried to kick it again before it went out of play knowing he had made the last touch.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd given Arsenal’s propensity to score from set pieces, they were understandably apoplectic to see the controversial goal-kick decision.By that time, though, star man Saka had been taken off.Jamie Carragher and Theo Walcott have awkward ‘Thierry Henry moment’ live on Sky Sports after Arsenal vs LiverpoolThe England winger was an injury doubt but worked hard to get fit – and his return to the starting XI was a welcome bonus for Mikel Arteta.Saka managed 41 touches in his 85 minutes on the field and completed 15 of his 23 passes. His two shots – one less than Salah – resulted in the opening goal and he drew two fouls from the men in black. But Saka did his defensive work, too, succeeding with his one tackle and winning seven of his nine duels. Interestingly, his heat map showed a similar pattern to team-mate Kai Havertz with much of their action down the right channel. Saka produced a Thierry Henry-style celebrationCredit: APSaka – who celebrated with a cool shrug of his shoulders as he became the youngest Arsenal player to 50 Premier League goals – said: “I try to keep the keepers guessing. “I think it was a nice finish, I haven’t seen it back yet but it felt nice. “He has every record Thierry Henry so it’s nice but of course you wanna win the game but I have to be happy with this. “Everything is Thierry Henry-ish. If you score it’s Thierry Henry, if you assist it’s Thierry Henry. “I’m feeling good. I felt I could finish the game but the gaffer took me off.”Salah powered into the bottom corner for 2-2Credit: GettyThe average positions from both sides also made interesting reading.Saka was the most reserved of the Gunners attackers, with Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli operating further forward.Leandro Trossard and Merino virtually had the same spot in the left high No8 position alongside Declan Rice, who covered every blade of grass in a typically-industrial performance.Arsenal’s makeshift back four was made up of Thomas Partey, Ben White, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber – who kept it narrow as an organised unit.However, by the end of the game after two key injuries, the defence was even more unrecognisable as Partey and White were joined by Jakub Kiwior and youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly. READ MORE SUN STORIESFor Liverpool, though, Salah was the furthest forward – and made the most of the Timber going off to exploit the weakened left side of the Arsenal back line, exposing the space to score the final goal. Ryan Gravenberch was the deepest-lying midfielder, behind Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, who completed 41 of his 42 passes in midfield. More

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      Man Utd coach Darren Fletcher in X-rated rant at West Ham penalty just two days after misconduct charge

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      MANCHESTER UNITED coach Darren Fletcher exploded at VAR with an X-rated rant after VAR intervened to award West Ham a controversial penalty.Erik ten Hag’s side lost 2-1 in dramatic circumstances on Sunday afternoon as a stoppage-time spot kick was given to The Hammers for a collision involving Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings.Matthijs de Ligt’s collision with Danny Ings handed West Ham a penaltyCredit: GettyDarren Fletcher was thoroughly unhappy with the penalty decisionCredit: GettyReferee David Coote did not give the penalty, but he was then instructed to go to the monitor.After consulting the pitchside screen, he pointed to the spot and Jarrod Bowen dispatched to earn Julen Lopetegui’s men a valuable three points.The Premier League released a statement on the decision by claiming there was “sufficient contact” to award the penalty.But Man Utd coach Fletcher, 40, clearly did not agree.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAccording to The Athletic, he was sat in the stands with Man Utd analysts and could be heard slamming the referee’s call.He is reported to have said: “One week it’s a high threshold, next week it’s not, f***ing joke.”The comment comes just days after he was charged with misconduct by the FA for “acting in an improper or confrontational manner” during Man Utd’s clash with Brentford.The former Red Devils midfielder protested the decision to allow Ethan Pinnock’s goal to stand.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd the FA released a statement which read: “Darren Fletcher has been charged with misconduct following Manchester United’s fixture against Brentford on Saturday, October 20, in the Premier League.”It’s alleged that the coach acted in an improper and/or confrontational manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official and the referee and/or assistant referees.Roy Keane left red-faced after Sky Sports colleague tells Man Utd legend to ‘bring this look back'”Darren Fletcher has until Tuesday, October 29, to respond.”Man Utd’s defeat to West Ham leaves them languishing in 14th in the Premier League table with just 11 points from nine matches.They are already seven points adrift of the Champions League places. More

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      Liverpool put Jurgen Klopp’s £4m mansion on Merseyside’s Millionaire’s Row up for sale after Arne Slot turned it down

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      LIVERPOOL FC have put Jurgen Klopp’s £4million home up for sale — after his successor Arne Slot turned it down.The Dutchman and wife Mirjam were shown around the seven-bed home but are deciding on their next move.Arne Slot turned down Jurgen Klopp’s £4million former homeCredit: GettyIn 2019 Liverpool bought it as an investment and are said to have allowed Klopp to stay on rent-freeCredit: GettyThe club have now put the gated property on the market — ending a 20-year linkCredit: PP.Steven Gerrard bought the home in Formby, Merseyside, in 2005 after it was built by a local developerCredit: Willie VassThe club have now put the gated property on the market — ending a 20-year link.A source said: “It was identified by the club as an ideal base for incoming managers.“Arne was offered it when he took over in the summer but has chosen to live elsewhere.“As a result, the club has decided to cut its losses.”Read More on SportEx-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard bought the home in Formby, Merseyside, in 2005 after it was built by a local developer.The property boasts three living rooms, a games room, swimming pool, two-storey gym, solarium, jacuzzi, sauna and cinema.When Gerrard left for US side LA Galaxy in 2015 he sold the house to incoming Reds boss Brendan Rodgers. He was sacked that October but kept the property and rented it to Klopp.Most read in FootballIn 2019 Liverpool bought it as an investment and are said to have allowed Klopp, 57, to stay on rent-free.The German and wife Ulla were often spotted in a local pub. Removal vans moved in after he revealed he was stepping down.Slot, 46, who impressed at Feyenoord, has enjoyed the best start of any manager at Anfield, winning 11 of his first 12 matches. The club was asked for comment.Fans stunned as Arne Slot ‘cooks’ Man Utd with savage statement after Red Devils’ Tottenham humiliation More

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      Jamie Carragher and Theo Walcott have awkward ‘Thierry Henry moment’ live on Sky Sports after Arsenal vs Liverpool

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER hilariously joked Theo Walcott was recreating his famous “Thierry Henry moment” during an awkward moment on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday.Liverpool legend Carragher, ex-Arsenal winger Walcott, and Manchester United icon Roy Keane joined presenter Dave Jones at the Emirates for the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Arne Slot’s men.Jamie Carragher reacted hilariously to Theo Walcott putting his hand on his thighCredit: Sky SportsThierry Henry famously put his hand on Carragher’s thigh live on air nine years agoCredit: TwitterDuring the post-match analysis, Carragher was making a point when Walcott suddenly put a hand on his thigh.The former Reds defender looked down and asked: “You alright there?”The whole panel burst into laughter before Carragher added: “I thought that was a Thierry Henry moment there.”The reference relates to a moment caught live on Sky Sports nine years ago.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe panel had learned on air that then Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had been sacked.Arsenal legend Henry was sat next to Carragher and could be seen putting his hand on his colleague’s thigh upon hearing the news.The clip became a meme often used on social media to evoke shock or surprise.And Carragher’s call-back to it with Walcott pleased a lot of fans.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOne said: “Yes Theo! That is brilliant 😂.”Another added: “This is too good! You can’t help but compare the two moments! 😂”Man Utd ratings vs West Ham: Bruno Fernandes causes endless problems but Marcus Rashford entirely absentA third replied: “Who knew a little nostalgia could be so funny? 😂”While a fourth responded: “Looks like history is repeating itself! 👀” More

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      Chelsea facing huge fine after becoming first Premier League team in history to break yellow card record

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      CHELSEA are set to be hit with a record-breaking fine after making Premier League history.Enzo Maresca’s side secured a 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday courtesy of goals from Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer.Chelsea have made history by landing at least six yellow cards in three different games this seasonCredit: GettyAnd it will see Chelsea given a record-breaking fineCredit: GettyHowever, it was the Blues’ lack of discipline which has landed them in hot water.According to Daily Mail reporter Kieran Gill, the club’s six yellow cards against the Magpies has seen them become the first side to receive six yellow cards in three games in a season.Chelsea saw Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku all booked during the Stamford Bridge clash.The Prem fines clubs that do this in one match £25,000, with the penalty increasing for repeat offenders. Six teams suffered this fate last season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChelsea were first caught foul of the six-card threshold against Bournemouth, when they picked up eight yellow cards and were fined £25,000.The second occasion saw them fined £50,000 as they registered six yellows against Nottingham Forest at the start of October.And today’s six cautions have landed them a fine of £75,000, taking their total for the season up to a staggering £150,000.Fofana and Marc Cucurella have been given the most cards of any player in the league this season, with six and five apiece.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMeanwhile, the 36 yellow cards they have picked up puts them seven ahead of the next worst teams, Southampton and Wolves, who have 29 each.Despite their excessive yellow card count, Chelsea are yet to see a player shown a red this season, with Arsenal leading that list with three.Meet Ibrahim Rabbaj, 15-year-old English Chelsea wonderkid compared to Messi Speaking about his side’s seeming lack of discipline after the Forest draw earlier this month, Maresca said: “I like the team the way they are fighting for each other and becoming a team.”I like the spirit of our team.”They are currently on course to break their own unwanted record of 105 yellow cards set under Mauricio Pochettino last season.On the game today, Maresca said: “I am very happy with the performance today because in some moments on the ball, we were unbelievable. “There were some good combinations and the way we prepared the game was exactly there. “Off the ball, they fought together and showed they deserved to win. This is important.” More