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      ‘Antony’s aura is enough’ – Fans stunned as Real Madrid’s title challenge derailed at Man Utd loanee’s Real Betis side

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      FANS have hailed Antony’s “aura” after Real Betis dented Real Madrid’s title hopes.The LaLiga hopefuls were beaten 2-1 at the Benito Villamarin and missed out on the chance to go top of the table.Antony played all 90 minutes against Real MadridCredit: APReal Madrid missed out on the chance to go top of LaLigaCredit: GettyIsco netted the winning goal from the spot for the hostsCredit: EPAAntony, 25, played the full 90 minutes for Betis as he continued his impressive run of form.The Manchester United winger did not score or assist but proved to be a constant thorn in the visitors’ side.Brahim Diaz did fire Carlo Ancelotti’s side into the lead in the tenth minute.However, Antony’s team-mates Johnny Cardoso and former Real star Isco turned the match on its head.READ MORE ON ANTONYCardoso scored the equaliser before Isco converted from the spot after Antonio Rudiger brought down Jesus Rodriguez in the box.But fans on social media are convinced that the result was down to the “aura” of Antony.One posted: “Antony’s aura is enough for a victory.”A second commented: “Antony’s impact is strong.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA third wrote: “Antony aura it is.”A fourth said: “Hail Lord Antony.”Antony shows his excitement as he joins Real Betis Antony is enjoying playing for Manuel PellegriniCredit: EPAHe has already scored twice in LaLigaCredit: ReutersAnother added: “Let’s all laugh at United for loaning out Antony.”The result leaves Real tied on 54 points with leaders Barcelona but the Catalonians have a crucial game in hand.Antony joined Betis on loan until the end of the season from the Red Devils.He has already made a good impression in Spain with two goals and two assists in his first five outings in LaLiga.His appearance against Getafe was cut short after he was sent off.But the suspension was then overturned – allowing him to play against Real.Old Trafford bosses will be hoping his good form continues so he can be sold for a hefty fee in the summer.Antony has admitted that he has regained his “confidence” since moving to Spain.He has also insisted playing under Betis boss and former Man City and West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has helped him.He told Estadio Deportivo: “The most important thing to regain my confidence was to reconnect with myself.”I found myself here and that’s why I’m very happy at Betis. Every day I feel more secure.”Pellegrini is very important to me. Before signing with Betis, I spoke with him, and he gave me a lot of confidence.”His experience and history give me energy every day to do well.”When I made the decision to come here, it was to find myself again, as I mentioned before.”There is always pressure, but the greatest pressure I felt was when I was living in the poor neighbourhoods of Brazil, thinking about my family and everything.”The club forked out an eye-watering £85.5million on the Brazilian back in the summer of 2023.Manager Ruben Amorim has been asked about the winger’s upturn in form since leaving Manchester.The Portuguese coach has insisted the different physicality level in Spain has helped Antony to shine.He told TNT Sports: “When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there.”If you don’t have physicality, you will struggle a lot.”Antony is so much better now in Spain. It’s [because of] a lot of factors but I guarantee you it’s physicality.”The former Ajax man has also revealed that he is “happy” in Betis but has remained coy on his future.Antony has been tipped to make a permanent exit from Old Trafford in the summer, but he is remaining tight-lipped on his future.He said: “I’m very happy here, but I don’t know what will happen in the future.”I always say that I enjoy every day with the club, the city and everything that surrounds me, and I give my best for the team.”It’s still too early to talk about my future.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I know how much money they paid for me.”I worked and continue to work hard to perform at the highest level, but I don’t focus on transfer prices, neither mine nor any other player’s.”Ruben Amorim has addressed Antony’s success since leaving on loanCredit: GettyHe is not concerned with his price tagCredit: Getty More

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      Real Madrid could be forced to close part of Bernabeu as Uefa release statement after ‘homophobic Pep Guardiola chants’

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      REAL MADRID have been fined after homophobic chants were directed towards Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. The Catalan chief watched his side crash out of the Champions League following a 3-1 defeat at the Bernabeu earlier this month.Real Madrid have been fined after homophobic chants were sung at Pep GuardiolaCredit: GettyThe club will have to close 500 seats of the Bernabeu for an upcoming European gameCredit: GettyGuardiola was targeted with vile chants after the hosts took a 2-0 lead through Kylian Mbappe. The chants referenced an area of Madrid known as the heart of the gay district.Uefa have now taken action against the Champions League holders.They have ordered the LaLiga side to pay a fine of £24,800.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd the club has been hit with a partial stadium closure for its next European match. A Uefa statement read: “The AB has decided to fine Real Madrid CF €30,000 (£24,800).”It has also ordered the partial closure of Real Madrid CF’s stadium (i.e. at least 500 adjacent seats) during the next match Real Madrid C.F. will play as host club, for the discriminatory behaviour of its supporters.”Madrid’s partial closure has been suspended for two years.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt comes after Real’s 6-3 aggregate win over Man City secured a quarter-final showdown with cross-town rivals Atleti. Boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted the Madrid derby would be “difficult as always”.Pep Guardiola admits ‘best team won’ as Real Madrid knock Man City out of Europe But he backed Los Blancos to show their class over two legs.Ancelotti said: “It’s going to be a beautiful, entertaining, and balanced tie. “The quality of the two teams is similar.”Both sides are battling for the title in LaLiga, alongside Catalan giants Barcelona.And the ex-Everton boss is convinced the domestic season will go down to the final match. Ancelotti continued: “A competitive league like here in Spain is difficult. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Here are three teams with one point between them, and they are teams of a very high level. “It is a league that will be decided in the last game.” More

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      Man City compared to company behind one of biggest financial scandals ever and accused of HIDING losses by LaLiga chief

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      MANCHESTER CITY have been accused of an “Enron-style” financial deception by Spanish LaLiga boss Javier Tebas.Outspoken Tebas stunned an audience in London as he claimed the Etihad outfit had hidden losses that would have impacted their financial fair play status by hiding them in related Abu Dhabi-owned companies. More

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      Javier Dorado dead at 48: Former Real Madrid star dies after long illness as club pays touching tribute

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      FORMER Real Madrid star Javier Dorado has passed away aged 48 after a brave battle with cancer.The Spaniard was part of the Los Blancos academy system in 1996 before getting a promotion under Vicente del Bosque.Former Real Madrid star Javier Dorado has passed away aged 48Tributes have flooded in to honour and remember Dorado, who made his Madrid debut in 1999 against Valencia in the Copa del Rey.He won the Champions League a season later with Liverpool legend Steve McManaman, who scored an incredible volley in Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Valencia.Dorado was part of the squad that beat Manchester United over two legs in the quarter-finals of that winning 2000 campaign. But, in his second campaign, Dorado made only seven appearances due to a fierce competition with Brazilian icon Roberto Carlos.READ MORE FOOTBALLThe left-back was loaned out to UD Salamanca and Sporting Gijon, before leaving joining Rayo Vallecano on a permanent basis.He continued his career with other Spanish sides, such as Mallorca and Atletico Baleares, where he retired in 2012 at the age of 35.Dorado had been battling cancer since 2022, according to Spanish outlet Marca.The former defender told El Comercio a few months ago: “I’ve been here for a while now.Most read in FootballDorado won the Champions League with Madrid in 2000″And I hope that this time this nightmare will end, that we can go out and be at peace. “I’ve been fighting for years and the tough treatments take their toll , especially when they end because they leave me a little more tired and a little more affected, but I try to lead a normal life.”A club statement on Thursday read: ‘Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Javier Dorado.”We would like to express its condolences and affection to his family, his team-mates, all his loved ones and all the clubs he was a part of.”During the two seasons he played for Real Madrid, Javier Dorado won one European Cup, the Eighth in Paris (2000).”Born in Talavera de la Reina, Dorado also featured in four matches for Spain’s Under 21s between 1998 and 2000.He made eight appearances for Madrid’s first team, while most of his career games came in the Spanish second division.A fan honoured his memory saying: “What a great player. May you rest in peace.” More

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      Barcelona legend Gerard Pique proposes bizarre law change that would result in both teams getting ZERO points

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      BARCELONA legend Gerard Pique has proposed a new rule change that he believes would make football more exciting.The 38-year-old previously suggested that the game needs a revamp in order to keep audiences entertained and engaged.Gerard Pique has suggested that teams should not receive any points for a goalless drawCredit: The Mega AgencyAnd one thing he believes should be cut out completely is goalless draws.Pique has suggested that neither team should get a point if they fail to score during a match.Speaking to former Spain team-mate Iker Casillas on the goalkeeper’s new podcast, he said: “It can’t be that you go to a football stadium, spend €100, €200 or €300 and the match ends 0-0.”Something needs to change. One proposal to consider would be that if the match ends 0-0, the teams would score zero points.Read More in Football”The match would open in the 70th minute.”Pique previously recommended that draws should be scrapped from the game entirely.He said: “Maybe there are no draws, why not? In baseball and basketball there are no draws. You go to a game and it ends with a draw and the feeling is, ‘Who won?'”Football is afraid of change. It has a huge history, it is very traditional, but change will happen, it has to happen.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”A 90-minute game that can finish 0-0 is difficult to understand for the new generation.”In order to make football more entertaining and engaging for younger audiences, Pique created a new format called the Kings League.Spectacular Timelapse of the works in the Spotify Camp Nou It’s a seven-a-side format with 40-minute games – none of which end in a draw.Instead, if the score is level at full-time the winner is decided with a penalty shootout whereby each taker goes one-on-one with the goalkeeper.The rules are completely different to the traditional football format, with cards drawn at the start of each match.Each team picks a card which could include double goal, sanction, penalty or star player to name a few.The cards can be activated between half-time and the 38th minute. More

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      Moment Antony told red card has been OVERTURNED and he can play Real Madrid as Man Utd flop celebrates with team-mates

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      ANTONY celebrated with coaches and team-mates when he was told his red card had been overturned and he can play Real Madrid. The Manchester United flop, 25, joined Real Betis on loan in January.Antony was all smiles when he found out his red card was rescindedCredit: Real BetisThe winger received the good news from a first-team coachCredit: Real BetisAntony saw red for this needless sliding tackle in injury timeCredit: LaLigaBut his stunning start – including three goals and two assists in six games – hit a stumbling block when he saw red on Sunday. Antony controversially received his marching orders for a needless and cynical late sliding tackle in injury time during the 2-1 win over Getafe.And that looked set to prompt a suspension – and crucially the Brazilian winger would miss Real Madrid’s visit to the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Saturday. The game will have major implications on both the LaLiga title race and battle for European places.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLos Blancos are second but level on 54 points with leaders Barcelona while Betis sit seventh as one of three teams on 35 points. And Antony’s absence at the weekend could have been hugely significant.However, Betis appealed the red card, arguing the tackle was reckless but not dangerous or displaying serious foul play.And the Spanish FA’s disciplinary committee agreed – and wiped out the sending off, thus making Antony available for Saturday’s crunch clash.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSReal Betis’ social media team captured the moment Antony heard the good news from first-team coach Alexis Trujillo alongside manager Manuel Pellegrini. Antony hugged Trujillo then shook hands with various coaches and fellow players before sharing a joke with Pellegrini on the training pitch. Antony shows his excitement as he joins Real Betis The £85.5million man vowed to make the hassle and stress worthwhile.He said: “I was always hoping. I’m very happy, very happy.”I’m ready for Saturday’s game. I was just leaving training and someone from the staff told me and everyone is very happy now.”I have to be focused. We know what we’re playing for in front of our fans.”Playmaker Isco added: “Have they taken it off? Thank goodness.”And ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian joked: “Don’t throw yourself on the ground like that again or I’ll kill you.”Antony enjoyed a joke with Manuel PellegriniCredit: Real BetisThe Manchester United flop has been in great form during his loan to SpainCredit: Getty More

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      Zinedine Zidane makes £4MILLION investment in new sport as Real Madrid legend contemplates next move

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE has made a £4MILLION investment into a new sport project.The Real Madrid legend has been out of work since leaving the club as manager in 2021.Zinedine Zidane has invested in a padel centre in FranceCredit: SplashZidane, 52, has often been tipped with a return to management, with the likes of Manchester United and France suggested as options.But after winning three Champions League and two LaLiga titles he seems no closer to coming back to the dugout.The Frenchman is still busy away from the pitch and, according to Padel Paper, is taking a dive into a new sport.The outlet claims that Zidane has made a huge £4m investment into a new padel centre in France.READ MORE ON SPORTThe centre will feature 13 padel courts as well as two five-a-side football pitches and a beach volleyball court.Construction is expected to get started in early 2026.It will be built in the Aix-en-Provence with a second base also opening 50km west in Istres.Toulouges will be the fourth centre that Zidane has built.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe has also got a hosting centre in Turin thanks to his ties to Juventus from his playing days.Racket sport padel originated in Mexico and has become hugely popular in recent years.Arsenal wonderkid Miguel Azeez stars opposite Zidane, Beckham and Pogba in Adidas Predator ad Zidane won three Champions League titlesCredit: GettyCristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed playing padelCredit: Instagram @cristianoCristiano Ronaldo has bought a racket centre in Lisbon after gaining interest.Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also opened the doors to a centre in his homeland.Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted he is “addicted” to the sport.He told Wilson: “Padel is, besides football, the best game I’ve ever played.”I’ve only known it in the last five years or so, but since then, I’m really addicted to it.”You make big steps in a short period of time. It’s really fun to play.”Jurgen Klopp has called it the ‘best game’Credit: xZinedine Zidane’s managerial careerZinedine Zidane began his career in management in June 2014 when he was appointed coach of Real Madrid’s B team.Zizou spent 18 months in charge of Real Madrid Castilla before being given his shot at the big time following the sacking of Rafael Benitez.Zidane, 51, took charge of the first team in January 2016 and guided them to a second-place finish in his maiden season at the Bernabeu helm.But he went one better in the Champions League, sealing Real’s 11th European Cup triumph with a shootout victory over Atletico Madrid.The former Los Blancos star went one better in the league in the 2016-17 season, in which they also won the Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.A second successive Champions League triumph also followed, with Real beating Italian giants Juventus at the Principality Stadium.He would create history the following season by becoming the first manager to win the tournament three times on the bounce.A 3-1 win over Liverpool saw Real become the first team to win Europe’s elite club competition three times in a row.Zidane announced his resignation five days after the final, insisting the club needed a “change” of direction.He would return to the Bernabeu in March 2019 following Santiago Solari and Julen Lopetegui’s short reigns.A return to the summit of Spanish football would follow in the 2019-20 season, in which Real also scooped the Spanish Super Cup.Zidane would leave the Bernabeu again in June 2021 after overseeing Real’s first trophyless season in 11 years.Zinedine Zidane’s Honours:- La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20- Supercopa de España: 2017, 2019–20- UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18- UEFA Super Cup: 2016, 2017- FIFA Club World Cup: 2016, 2017 More

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      ‘I’m dying’ – Dani Ceballos’ antics on Real Madrid bench go viral as he pulls bizarre facial expression

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      DANI CEBALLOS has gone viral after pulling a bizarre facial expression on the Real Madrid bench.The midfielder appeared to let his boredom get the better of him as he sat and watched Real’s 2-0 win over Girona.Dani Ceballos made a bizarre facial expression on the Real Madrid benchThe TV camera zoomed in on Ceballos at the perfect moment to capture a moment of weirdness from the Spaniard.With his chin resting on his hand at an awkward angle Ceballos opened his mouth wide open while rolling his eyes in a scene that would not have looked out of place in a horror film.The clip was shared on X where it quickly racked up millions of views and thousands of likes.Ceballos, 28, responded to the tweet by laughing and commented: “I’m dying.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans found Ceballos’ antics both amusing and unnerving.One reacted saying: “Is bro possessed😭”Another added: “What the hell happened here?”A third wrote: “Highlight of the season.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd another commented: “What are you doing bro?”Ceballos has played himself back into Carlo Ancelotti’s plans this season and has made 29 appearances this season, including eight in the Champions League.Pep Guardiola admits ‘best team won’ as Real Madrid knock Man City out of Europe More