Premier League

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO has escaped a ban for his social media “ape” comment.The Manchester United youngster faced disciplinary action after posting the response to Andre Onana’s last-kick Champions League penalty save against Copenhagen.
Alejandro Garnacho will not be charged by the FA over his ape emoji comment
Garnacho added ape emojis as a comment to a picture of the Cameroon goalkeeper celebrating his save.
It appeared that the Argentine would face a misconduct charge after Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva served a one-match ban in 2019 for a posting a cartoon character accused of racial stereotyping in a message to then-team-mate Benjamin Mendy.
But in a statement, Wembley disciplinary beaks announced Garnacho has merely received a warning about his social media posts and will face no further action.
An FA spokesman said: “We have concluded an investigation in relation to a recent post on Alejandro Garnacho’s social media.
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“We sought the player’s observations as part of our investigation, and he explained that the use of two gorilla emojis was intended to highlight the strength and power of his teammates – specifically Andre Onana and Harry Maguire – following the pivotal roles that they played in Manchester United’s win over FC Copenhagen.”
The FA added: “We are satisfied with Alejandro Garnacho’s explanation and the context that it provides, so we will not be issuing disciplinary proceedings on this occasion.
“However, we have reminded the player of his responsibilities around social media posts and the use of emojis in particular which can be interpreted in different ways.
“We also intend to liaise with Kick It Out and the PFA to discuss other potential issues around the use of emojis and similar forms of messaging, and education that can be provided about them.”
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Onana reacted to the situation by defending his team-mate on Instagram.
He wrote: “People cannot choose what I should be offended by.
“I know exactly what @garnacho7 meant: power and strength. This matter should go no further.” More

MIKEL ARTETA appeared to subtly take aim at Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou during a press conference on Tuesday.The Arsenal boss came under scrutiny at the weekend after berating VAR and officiating in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta appeared to take aim at Spurs gaffer Ange PostecoglouCredit: Getty
Postecoglou was booked during Tottenham’s match against Chelsea on MondayCredit: Getty
Following his team’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, Arteta told Sky Sports: “I have praised my players for the performance and the way that we played – we didn’t deserve to lose the match.
“We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. It’s a disgrace. That’s what it is, a disgrace.”
Unsurprisingly, Arteta was asked about his behaviour ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League match against Sevilla.
One reporter questioned him about his touchline antics, but the Spaniard quickly responded with an interesting remark.
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He said: “Your colleague has mentioned how emotional I was after the game, and how I acted on the touchline.
“I didn’t get a yellow, I didn’t get a warning from the referee, so I stayed focused on the game, trying to affect the game in the best possible way for my players, that’s it.”
Many fans are convinced that Arteta took aim at Postecoglou when responding to the question.
The Tottenham boss received a yellow card during Monday’s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.
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Arteta was criticised for his comments after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to NewcastleCredit: Getty
He then went on to discuss the treatment of referees after the match.
Postecoglou said: “At some point we have to accept the referee’s decision, that’s how I grew up…
“This constant erosion of referee’s authority is where the game is going to get: they’re not going to have any authority.
“We are going to be in the control of somebody a few miles away watching on a TV screen.
“The decision is the decision, you either accept it or you don’t… Trust me in 26 years I’ve had plenty of bad ones, I’ve had plenty that have fallen in my favor, it is what it is.”
Some fans praised the 58-year-old while others claimed that his comments were hypocritical.
Arsenal fans took to X to react to Arteta’s subtle dig at his rival, with one person commenting: “Peak Premier league is coming back. Managers going at each other. You live to see it 😂.”
Another added: “Managers sending shots at each other, Barclays is back ladies and gentlemen!”
A third fan wrote: “In Mikel we trust. This guy has rattled the entire Prem. Elite manager.”
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While a fourth joked: “Classic response from Mikel 😂.”
Arteta is expected to avoid punishment for his scathing comments about VAR and officiating. More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE is seemingly wasting no time in laying out his plans for the new-look Manchester United.The 71-year-old billionaire boss of Ineos is expected to take over ownership of 25 per cent of the Red Devils in a deal worth around £1.4 billion.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to assume control of Manchester United’s football operationsCredit: Reuters
Current chief executive officer Richard Arnold’s job could be at riskCredit: AFP
As part of the deal, Ratcliffe will also assume control of the club’s football operations.
And while the deal has yet to be finalized, Ratcliffe has reportedly held meetings virtually with co-chairman, Joel Glazer, as per the Manchester Evening News.
The two are said to have discussed structural changes and personnel changes.
Chief executive officer Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough’s days with the team could be numbered.
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Arnold first joined United back in 2007, going on to replace Ed Woodward who stepped down as executive vice chairman last February.
Murtough moved to the Theater of Dreams in 2013 as the academy director, eventually moving into the role of director of football in 2021.
Once he makes his way through the doors at Carrington, Ratcliffe’s focus is said to be on the club’s recruitment process, according to The Mirror.
United haven’t been afraid to splash the cash in recent years, shelling out £82 million on Brazilian winger Antony and £72 million on England winger Jadon Sancho – both of whom look set to leave the club in the near future.
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Antony is rumoured to be in line for a move to Flamengo, with Gabriel Barbosa heading to Old Trafford as a part of the deal.
As for Sancho, it seems a loan back to Borussia Dortmund could be on the cards.
In terms of broader changes, Ratcliffe is said to be setting £250 million aside to beef up the club’s infrastructure and potentially put his stamp on the recruitment team.
He also plans to back Ten Hag in the transfer market once again, with the Briton said to have the back of the ex-Ajax boss, as per The Mirror.
This news comes despite a poor run of results since the summer break, which has seen United win just six of eleven games in the Premier League.
Last week they were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the round of 16 by Newcastle in a dismal 3-0 loss.
Their rough run of results came to a end on Sunday thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, easing the pressure on Ten Hag and Co.
Erik ten Hag’s position is thought to be safeCredit: AFP More

FORMER Tottenham and Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is fighting to save his job at Saudi club Al-Ittihad.Following a historic victory in May that secured the league title, the Jeddah-based club have suffered back-to-back defeats – casting doubt on the Portuguese boss’ position.
Al-Ittihad manager Nuno Espirito Santo is fighting to save his jobCredit: Getty
After Nuno’s former side, Tottenham faced five defeats in seven matches he found himself unemployed in November 2021 – despite having been in charge for four months.
Just under a year later, the 49-year-old was appointed the manager of the Saudi Pro League side in July 2022.
Since his arrival, Al-Ittihad has won the Saudi Super Cup and the Saudi Pro League title.
But in a swift turn of events, the reigning champions suffered back-to-back losses against Iraqi side Air Force Club and Saudi rival Al-Shabab.
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And according to sports journalist Rudy Galetti, the Saudi side are undergoing an “internal evaluation of the position of Nuno” after the defeats.
Al-Ittihad currently sit sixth in the table with only six wins out of 12 games this term.
The report also claimed no final decision has been made yet but the club are exploring possible replacements including Jose Mourinho and ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.
The Saudi side appear to have a taste for former Molineux managers as Nuno led the West Midlands club from 2017 to 2021.
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Nuno had great success with Wolves, guiding them from the Championship to successive seventh-placed Premier League finishes and a Europa League quarter-final.
And only just months into his new role at Al-Ittihad, he held talks with his ex-club about a potential return.
But a sticking point in Nuno’s contract at the Pro League giants forced him to remain in the Gulf.
The ex-Porto star signed a two-year deal while also taking three former Wolves staff members with him to the Middle East.
First-team coach Ian Cathro, fitness specialist Antonio Dias and goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa all made the move to Saudi. More

BIRMINGHAM CITY full-back Ethan Laird has recalled the “scary” time he crossed paths with Wayne Rooney in Manchester United training.Laird, 22, joined United’s academy at the age of 10 and quickly caught the attention of several club coaches.
Ethan Laird came through Man Utd’s academy before making two senior appearancesCredit: Getty
The full-back now plays for Birmingham under the management of RooneyCredit: Getty
Just five years after arriving at the club he was promoted to train with the first team where he met Rooney.
The full-back recently admitted that the England legend’s elite mentality struck fear into him and his team-mates.
However, he is yet to reveal that to his new manager.
Laird said: “I haven’t actually told Wayne this! When I was really young, a couple of us trained up.
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“I must have been about 15 or 16. We went to the first team and saw all these stars.
“Wazza was there and you could see from the off his mentality, the tackles he put in, he worked hard.
“It was almost scary for us as young kids: this is the level.
“You see it in the way he is as a manager with us now and he wants that.”
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Laird joined Birmingham from Man Utd in June following several Championship loan spells.
Rooney was appointed as the club’s new manager last month after the dismissal of John Eustace.
However, the former Man Utd star has lost three of his first four games in charge and is yet to register a win.
Wayne Rooney was appointed as Birmingham manager last monthCredit: Getty More

ARSENAL fans are showing support for Mikel Arteta after he doubled down on his comments slamming the decision to award Newcastle’s goal on Saturday.The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat at St. James’ Park after officials controversially allowed Anthony Gordon’s goal to stand.
Mikel Arteta doubled down on comments criticising refereeing in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
Arteta fumed after the match as he felt there were several reasons to disallow the goal, believing Gordon was in an offside position while Joelinton fouled Gabriel to feed him the ball.
Arsenal released a statement supporting Arteta’s explosive comments blasting the referee and VAR, and now fans are backing the Spaniard after he refused to backtrack.
Ahead of Arsenal’s game against Sevilla, Arteta said: “It is my duty to stand in front of the cameras and give a very clear and honest assessment of what happens in the game.
“This is what I did, reflect very openly how I felt the team played and how the game was conditioned by the decisions that were made.
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“My duty is to defend my players, club and people in the best possible way. This is what I’m going to do time after time and I do it, not the way I feel, (but) with the evidence and being as clear as possible. I always do it. It’s the way I am and I have to defend my club.”
Rival fans hit out at the Arsenal boss following his comments with one saying: “Arteta is a cry baby. He can never ever accept his team lost. He does it every time.”
Another added: “Still crying on Tuesday 😭”
And a third said: “There’s defending and then there’s being downright rude, dramatic and disrespectful to the team that beat you. Be gracious, work out where it went wrong and go again. This crying feels endless. It’s one loss, get over it.”
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Arsenal supporters leapt to Arteta’s defence and showed support for the 41-year-old after he came under fire.
A supporter wrote: “I love my manager 🤩”
Another said: “Love you Mikel, never change.”
And a third commented: “My gaffer! ❤️” More

FRANK LAMPARD has revealed why he didn’t invite former team-mate John Terry to join his backroom staff at Chelsea.Lampard, 45, made a shock return to Stamford Bridge at the end of last season following the dismissal of Graham Potter.
Frank Lampard returned to Chelsea at the end of last seasonCredit: The Times
The former midfielder recently revealed why John Terry wasn’t part of his backroom staffCredit: AP:Associated Press
The ex-midfielder was appointed as Chelsea’s interim manager in April as the Blues looked to get back on track following a dismal start to the year.
Some fans had expected former Chelsea captain Terry to join him as an assistant coach, but the 42-year-old didn’t receive a call-up and subsequently joined Leicester as Dean Smith’s right-hand man.
Lampard has since revealed why he decided against calling on his good friend after accepting the job.
Speaking to John Obi Mikel on The Obi One Podcast, the legendary midfielder admitted that he couldn’t ask Terry because he was only allowed to bring two staff members back to Stamford Bridge.
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He said: “I have the upmost respect for JT on every level, so in terms of the club asking John that’s not for me to answer.
“In terms of me, the club came to me and it happened very quickly. The first time they came to me I probably had about a day to say yes or no.
“They wanted me to bring in two staff. Anyone who works in this game will know that when you are bringing in staff it is a big question, who are your staff and how many do you want to bring.
“I had been at Chelsea before that, Derby, Chelsea and Everton working with my staff. I ended up bringing in three as Ashley [Cole] came in to do set pieces for me at Everton.
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“The people I was working with were Chris Jones and Joe Edwards, so there was nowhere for me to go.”
Chelsea won just one of Lampard’s 11 games in charge during his second managerial spell.
Mauricio Pochettino took over as the club’s full-time manager in the summer.
Terry recently admitted that it is his “dream” to manage Chelsea.
However, he does not believe that it will ever happen.
Speaking on John Obi Mikel’s podcast, the former defender said: “Now I’ve realised it’s not going to happen.
“My one dream I had when I left Chelsea is that I was going to come back as manager, but now I know it won’t happen.
“It hurts me and it’ll constantly be niggling away at the back of my mind.” More