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      Barcelona ace Lewandowski in astonishing rant with star at risk of lengthy ban after fuming ‘refs are killing league’

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      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI risks being slapped with a lengthy domestic ban after claiming “referees are killing” LaLiga.The former Bayern Munich hitman is two seasons into the Spanish spell of his career, which is seemingly close to coming to an end.
      Robert Lewandowski is two seasons into his Barcelona careerCredit: REX
      The Poland international is far from happy with the officiating in Spain’s top-flightCredit: GETTY
      Lewandowski has been nothing but prolific since moving to the Nou Camp, scoring 34 goals and racking up nine assists in 49 appearances.
      But the Poland international is far from happy with the state of officiating in Span’s top flight.
      The 35-year-old said: “LaLiga is not attractive and attacking enough.
      “Referees are killing the league. I didn’t expect Spanish league teams to be this reluctant to play football.”
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      Lewandowski’s comments could land him in hot water with Spanish footie chiefs.
      LaLiga bigwigs began stomping out inflammatory comments on officiating last season.
      Valencia skipper Jose Gaya is currently serving a four-match ban for his condemnation of referee Jorge Figueroa for not giving them a penalty in their 2-1 defeat to Osasuna last season.
      He said: “It’s what we’ve been dealing with all season, [VAR] should have advised him about a clear penalty, as keeps happening to us this year.
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      “The referee saw it and well, he didn’t want to call it.”
      Former Real Madrid man Sergio Canales was also slapped with a four-game suspension after claiming his 13-second dismissal in Real Betis’ clash with Atletico Madrid last season was premeditated.
      If LaLiga bosses follow their new protocol, Lewandowski will likely also be hit with a four-match ban.
      The Spaniards’ stamping out of critical comments comes in the wake of Barcelona being charged for alleged payments to the former vice president of the refereeing committee.
      Prosecutors in Spain filed corruption charges against the club’s former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu – as well as ex-executives Oscar Grau and Albert Soler – in March.
      Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is facing corruption chargesCredit: GETTY More

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      Rudiger sent flying into crowd after flattening Tchouameni as Alaba slaps Diaz celebrating last-gasp Real Madrid winner

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      ANTONIO RUDIGER launched himself into the crowd before David Alaba slapped Brahim Diaz as Real Madrid’s players wildly celebrated Jude Bellingham’s late winner on Saturday.Carlo Ancelotti’s men looked set to drop points at home to Getafe as they headed into stoppage time on course for a 1-1 draw.
      Jude Bellingham scored a last-minute winner for Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Antonio Rudiger launched himself over his team-mates during the celebrationsCredit: Twitter
      But Rudiger ended up in the crowd after misjudging his leapCredit: Twitter
      But a Lucas Vazquez shot was spilled by the visitors’ keeper David Soria and Bellingham, 20, was first to react and poke home the deciding goal.
      This sent the newly-renovated Bernabeu into meltdown as Real Madrid maintained their 100 per cent start to the season.
      And the celebrations fitted the importance of the goal.
      Bellingham, who now has five goals in four games for Real Madrid, ran off to the corner to soak in the moment with the fans.
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      His team-mates soon joined him as they piled on top of the England international.
      But as ex-Chelsea man Rudiger, 30, arrived on the scene, he misjudged his jump and accidentally leapt over the players and into the crowd.
      And the crazy scenes were not over yet.
      As the Real players made their way back onto the pitch and headed for the halfway line, Alaba was seen slapping Diaz in the face.
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      Reacting to the celebrations, one social media user said: “Alaba and Rudiger’s reaction to the goal is wholesome man. I love this club soo much 😭🤍.”
      Another added: “RUDIGER 😭😭😭😭😭.”
      A third replied: “Rudiger is the funniest player 😭.”
      While a fourth responded: “Alaba, what have you done?!”
      Bellingham has made a remarkable start to life in Madrid, scoring in each of his first four games in the Spanish capital.
      And Real sit top of the LaLiga table as the only side with a perfect record after four games. More

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      Jude Bellingham scores 95th minute winner to match Ronaldo record and sink Mason Greenwood’s new team on home Real debut

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM’S 95th-minute winner on his home Real Madrid debut equalled an incredible Cristiano Ronaldo record and sunk Mason Greenwood’s new club.Fans glimpsed the new Bernabeu for the first time as the England midfielder matched Ron’s feat of scoring in his opening four Real games.

      Jude Bellingham celebrates his record-equalling, last-gasp Real winnerCredit: Getty
      Bellingham was as composed as ever to see off Getafe with his fifth goal in four LaLiga matches for 100% leaders Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Bellingham clinched a 2-1 comeback win over Getafe as Carlo Ancelotti’s men made it four straight victories as the only 100% LaLiga team.
      Manchester United striker Greenwood was not in Getafe’s match-day squad following yesterday’s 11th-hour loan move for the season.
      But he must have been impressed when Borja Mayoral punished a mistake from Fran Garcia with a shock 11th-minute opener for the visitors.
      Spain striker Joselu conjured a close-ranger equaliser soon after the break as Real ramped up the pressure.
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      And although it came late, Bellingham’s clincher was no great surprise, such was the home side’s dominance of possession.
      The £115million summer buy from Borussia Dortmund nipped in for the decider after David Sorias could only parry Nacho’s shot.
      It means Bellingham, 20 is LaLiga’s five-goal top scorer – after emulating Ronaldo’s four-game scoring start.
      Portugal legend Ron, 38, amassed 450 goals and 120 assists in 438 matches for the Spanish giants from 2009-2018.
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      The ex-Old Trafford and Juventus attacker won the first of his five Ballon d’Ors aged 23.
      Ronaldo is now at Al-Nassr and seven-time world player-of-the-year Lionel Messi, 36, has switched to David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami.
      So who would bet against Bellingham winning football’s top individual gong by the time his Real contract runs out in 2029?
      In contrast, Greenwood must wait for his Getafe debut after Real’s city rivals gave the 21-year-old the chance to revive his career.
      Cristiano Ronaldo made a sensational impact on his Real arrival on 2009, just as Bellingham has done nowCredit: Getty More

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      Iconic stadium looks unrecognisable as new photos of demolition work show TWO historic features torn down

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      THE NOU CAMP looks completely unrecognisable as demolition work continues at the iconic football stadium.The home of Barcelona has been undergoing a huge renovation process since the World Cup in Qatar.
      The Nou Camp is being redevelopedCredit: Getty
      And is now completedly unrecognizableCredit: FC Barcelona
      And fans will now struggle to recognise the Nou Camp as two historic features have been pulled down.
      One element that has been removed is the visor that covered one side of the field and gave shelter to fans from the sun.
      Cranes have been brought in to remove what is left of it as much of the framework lies where the pitch used to be.
      And the third tier of the stadium has already been completely demolished.
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      While the work is underway Barcelona are currently playing at the Estadi Lluis Companys Stadium.
      The LaLiga giants will play the entirety of the season at the ground in southwest Barcelona.
      The stadium – which is the home of the Catalonia National football team – can seat up to 55,000 people.
      It is considerably smaller than the Nou Camp which was able to house 99,000 spectators.
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      The stadium has been the home of Barcelona for the last 65 years but it now having a major upgrade.
      The redevelopment will include a retractable roof 30,000 square metres of solar panels.
      Energy generated from the panels will be used to power a new 360-degree LED display which will span across the whole stadium.
      And new office spaces are said to also be incorporated in the plans while the area outside of the ground will feature a smaller stadium for the club’s basketball team, an ice rink, green space and a hotel.
      It has been reported that the transformation will cost approximately £1.3billion which will also see the venue expand to a 105,000-seater stadium. More

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      Forgotten Man Utd wonderkid ‘linked with surprise Saudi move with Al-Tai considering cut-price transfer swoop’

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      FORGOTTEN Manchester United wonderkid Adnan Januzaj is being lined up for a transfer to Saudi Arabia. Januzaj, now 28, is the latest star who could make the switch from Europe to the Middle East.
      Adnan Januzaj is being lined up for a transfer to Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
      The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan in TurkeyCredit: Getty
      The winger currently turns out for Sevilla but spent the second half of last season on loan with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.
      The La Liga outfit are looking to sell Januzaj in order to raise cash for a new midfielder and centre-back.
      And Mundo Deportivo now claim Saudi side Al-Tai could make the Spanish club’s wish come true.
      Al-Tai finished ninth in the Saudi Pro League last season.
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      With Januzaj appearing to not have a future in Spain, a deal would represent European quality heading to a lesser Saudi team.
      Most major stars have headed to one of the four clubs owned by the nation’s Public Investment Fund – Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahil and Al-Hilal – who also own Newcastle.
      While the European window shuts on September 1, the Saudi window does not close until September 20.
      This means there is plenty of time for the two parties to strike a deal.
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      Januzaj has an estimated market value of £5.2million.
      He showed promise when breaking into the United first team during David Moyes’ ill-fated time in charge of United back in the 2013/14 season.
      But he never managed to consolidate this momentum and was eventually sold to Real Sociedad in 2017.
      He then joined Sevilla on a free transfer on 2022.
      Januzaj broke through at United under David MoyesCredit: Getty More

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      Eden Hazard ‘set to retire’ aged just 32 after Real Madrid injury hell with Chelsea legend snubbing Saudi transfer deals

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      EDEN HAZARD is expected to retire aged just 32 amid claims he has snubbed various offers from Saudi clubs.The Chelsea legend is a free agent after four injury-hit years at Real Madrid.
      Eden Hazard dreamed of joining Real but his career went downhill once he didCredit: Getty
      Hazard was a hero at Chelsea before leaving for the BernabeuCredit: Getty
      The 126-cap Belgian has reportedly interested Vancouver Whitecaps, Nice, Marseille and old club Lille.
      But Get Football News France say Hazard intends to quit playing – with an announcement imminent.
      He never reproduced the exhilarating form of his seven golden years with Chelsea after joining Real for £115million in 2019.
      Apart from his woe with injuries, there were even mutterings at times about his fitness and conditioning.
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      Hazard quit international football following Belgium’s dismal World Cup exit last December.
      And having been without a club since his Real contract expired in June, he’s believed to have decided he’d rather bow out than drift on.
      He could have taken twice the money in Saudi Arabia but been half the player he once was, judging by his decline since departing Chelsea.
      In fact, Hazard played just six LaLiga games for Real last season.
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      That meant, in total, his dream move to the Bernabeu amounted to just seven goals in 76 appearances.
      In contrast, Hazard’s stats at Chelsea back up his status as one of the club’s all-time greats.
      He amassed 352 appearances, 110 goals and 92 assists for the Blues, also making him one of the Premier League’s finest-ever players. More

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      Barcelona and Real Madrid ‘at risk of European AXE’ after Spanish FA ‘take drastic action over Rubiales kiss storm’

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      SPANISH FA bosses have “threatened to get themselves axed from Uefa” if Luis Rubiales is forced out as president by their government, according to reports.This would see the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona left unable to play in the Champions League, as a Uefa competition.
      Luis Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso without consent after the World Cup finalCredit: Rex
      The disgraced Spanish FA chief has refused to resign
      Disgraced Spanish FA boss Rubiales kissed star Jenni Hermoso as she went to collect her medal after the World Cup final earlier this month.
      Hermoso, 33, later admitted that she “did not like this” – with a host of players and clubs subsequently coming out in support of the 33-year-old.
      Rubiales has refused to resign, however, and called the backlash against him “social murder” at a press conference.
      His mum has this morning bizarrely locked herself in a church and gone on HUNGER STRIKE over the “inhumane witch-hunt” against her son.
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      According to Spanish outlet Onda Cero, Spanish FA chiefs have written to Uefa, pointing out what they believe to be a breach in rules by the government of Spain.
      Last week it was announced the Spanish government had begun the process of potentially suspending Rubiales for his actions.
      In a letter to Uefa, Spain’s FA are alleged to have pointed out that their government’s involvement in removing Rubiales would be a breach in the European football governing body’s laws.
      Revelo have since claimed that Uefa will ignore the RFEF – Royal Spanish Football Federation – and not intervene with no risk of Spain being left out of any European competition.
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      The rule in question states that Uefa associations “shall manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties.
      “Any body or decision of a body that has not been elected or appointed in accordance with said procedure, even provisionally, will not be recognised.”
      Pointing out this potential rule breach could get Spain kicked out of Uefa, which the Spanish government would not want.
      Such an outcome would see Spanish clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona kicked out of the Champions League.
      Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad and Sevilla are also in the Champions League this season.
      Real Betis and Villarreal are in the Europa League.
      All of them would be at threat of losing their place in those respective competitions.
      However, The Independent report that Uefa have no intention of removing Spain at this stage.
      Rubiales, 46, has been slapped with a 90-day suspension from all football activities by Fifa.
      Regardless, the Spanish FA appear hellbent on saving his job.
      Aside from controversial head coach Jorge Vilda, Spain’s coaching staff from their World Cup success have all resigned.
      Despite Hermoso stating that the kiss was not consensual, the Spanish FA have vehemently backed Rubiales – even threatening to sue their midfielder.
      Numerous players, including the entire 23-woman squad from the World Cup and men’s team striker Borja Iglesias, have stated that they will boycott the national side until Rubiales is axed.
      While David de Gea and Hector Bellerin have also criticised the under-fire Spanish FA boss.
      In addition to kissing Hermoso, Rubiales drew criticism after he was filmed grabbing his crotch while celebrating Spain’s win.
      He also entered the dressing room after the match, vowing to marry Hermoso.
      Rubiales eventually filmed an apology video, with Hermoso reportedly begged to take part – but refusing.
      Prior to his weak apology he had branded those criticising his lewd behaviour as “idiots”.
      While Vilda has not stepped down, and was seen applauding Rubiales’ speech on Friday, he has subsequently criticised his ally’s actions.
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      He wrote in a statement that his boss’ actions were “inappropriate and unacceptable”.
      Spain’s FA are set to hold an emergency meeting at 3pm following Rubiales’ suspension by FIfa.
      Rubiales astonishingly refused to resign in a press conference last weekCredit: Reuters More

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      I won LaLiga with Lionel Messi at Barcelona but was voted seventh worst transfer – I made ‘unacceptable mistakes’

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      LIONEL MESSI’s former team-mate Dmytro Chygrynskiy has admitted that he made “unacceptable mistakes” during his time at Barcelona.Chygrynskiy arrived at the Nou Camp in 2009 as Pep Guardiola’s statement signing at the heart of Barcelona’s defence.
      Chygrynskiy’s time in Barcelona was characterised by mistakes when he did make a rare appearanceCredit: AFP
      He joined a Barca side that had a young Messi coming into his primeCredit: AFP
      But his time in at the club turned out to be a nightmare and he went on to be voted as Bareclona’s seventh worst signing of all time.
      The defender had impressed Pep with his ability to pass out from the back when playing for Ukraine side Shakhtar Donetsk which led to Barca paying a then hefty £20million sum for him.
      He joined a star-studded side fresh off the back of winning the Treble and included the likes of Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Yaya Toure.
      Reflecting on the transfer in an interview with Spanish outlet Relevo in May, Chygrynskiy said he was struck with a degree of disbelief when he heard of Barca’s interest: “We [Shakhtar and Barcelona] were in the same Champions League group with Sporting and Basel. In Donetsk, we played very well although we lost 1-2 at the end [against Barcelona].
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      “After the game, Jordi Cruyff, who was at Metalurg Donetsk at the time, told me that Guardiola was raving about me. The truth is that I never thought it would go any further.”
      It was in the summer of 2009 that Chygrynskiy realised that Pep’s interest was very real indeed when the Catalan called him to try and secure his signature.
      He said: “The moment when I really saw that it was serious [Barcelona’s interest] was when Guardiola called me while I was in Switzerland for pre-season.
      “That’s when I really got ‘scared’. Pep told me: ‘I want you to be Piqué’s partner for many years. Trust me, I like your ball control, your first pass…’. I was in shock.”
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      Chygrynskiy would go on to make just 14 appearances for the Barcelona first team as he struggled to find a way into a side that contained Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez and Gabriel Milito.
      When he did get a chance in the starting XI, his game was often characterised by mistakes and his lack of pace was cruelly exposed in Pep’s high line.
      The defender said he has regrets regarding how he spent his time at Barca, and admits to making mistakes.
      He said: “I was in too much of a hurry. I put too much pressure on myself. Pep told me: ‘Just do what I ask you to do, don’t overthink.’
      “Unfortunately, experience comes with time, not when you’re young. I don’t regret anything, I gave my best. But if I could go back, I would listen more. To Pep, to the physical trainers, to my environment… But I wanted to do everything immediately.
      “Now I think about it and it was a great opportunity to learn without rushing from Márquez, Milito, Puyol… but at the same time you have the ambition to play. You’re not satisfied with just being there. You want to be important.”
      But instead of biding his time in the squad, Chygrynskiy was keen on a return to Shakhtar and would return to the Ukrainian side after just a year in Catalonia.
      Barca were so willing to let him go that they would recoup just £8m of the original £20m transfer fee they paid for him.
      He admitted that his time at Barca was a disappointment for him personally and his game was unfortunately full of errors, saying: “It’s Barca. You’re not going to get two, three, or four chances. If you’re not good enough, one year is a long time.
      “On a general level, I don’t think I failed, but if we talk about some specific games, yes, I failed. And that’s the price you pay at Barca.”
      After leaving the club, Chygrynskiy returned to Shakhtar Donetsk and spent close to five years at the club before signing for Dnipro.
      In 2016, he moved to Greece by signing for AEK Athens, where he was until 2021.
      Now aged 36, he rejoined Shakhtar for a third stint this summer.
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      The club has been decimated by foreign players leaving amidst the Ukraine war but having veterans like Chygrynskiy return has been a huge boost.
      Shakhtar currently play their home matches in Poland, like much of the Ukraine league, which has allowed Ukrainian football to start up again during the war with Russia. More