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      Newly-released audio reveals how VAR convinced ref Taylor to overturn Kai Havertz’s penalty shout in Arsenal vs Man Utd

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      AUDIO of the decision to overturn a penalty awarded to Kai Havertz during Arsenals’ victory over Manchester United has been released.The audio and video footage was released as part of the new Match Officials: Mic’d Up show on Sky Sports.
      Havertz was awarded a penalty initially for a perceived foul by Aaron Wan BissakaCredit: Getty
      But VAR intervened to overturn the decisionCredit: Rex

      The programme sees PGMOL chief Howard Webb review the weekend’s decisions alongside Michael Owen in the Sky Sports studio.
      The show sees the refs chief go through both correct and incorrect calls from the weekend in an attempt to increase transparency in the refereeing process.
      Tuesday’s show saw them break down the decision to overturn Anthony Taylor’s call to award a penalty to Kai Havertz after he was judged to have been fouled by Aaron Wan-Bissaka – with Webb concluding it was the right call.
      Webb said: “I was watching this game and thought to myself, that looks like a penalty kick. 
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      “At full speed as Kai Havertz goes between Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro. The penalty was given and we know that the VAR will always check every penalty situation.
      “It was a good use of VAR. The referee believed that Wan-Bissaka had tripped Havertz, but the video shows something quite different that there’s no actual contact initially.
      “Another step by Havertz, his leg goes into Wan-Bissaka. The VAR, really calm and concise, recognises all of that, thinks it’s a clear and obvious error. I agree. Recommends a review. We get to the right decision.”
      The man in charge of VAR that day was Australian Jared Gilette, who explained to Taylor that while on first watch it did seem as though Wan-Bissaka had tripped Havertz, replays showed that the German had let his leg trail – and initiated the contact as he went down.
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      After Gilette explained his view to on-field referee Taylor, the decision was overturned and a drop-ball was given to restart play.
      There was also VAR controversy late on as Alejandro Garnacho’s 88th minute strike was ruled out for a tight offside.
      The goal would have put United 2-1 up and possibly secured all three points for Erik Ten Hag’s side. Instead, Declan Rice struck a dramatic 96th minute winner for the Gunners before Gabriel Jesus scored a third to seal the win for Arsenal. More

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      Domestic abuse campaigners urge Man United to ditch Antony after claims he assaulted ex-girlfriend

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      DOMESTIC abuse campaigners urged Manchester United to ditch ace Antony amid allegations he attacked a girlfriend.The £85million winger was dropped by the Brazil national team after the woman went to cops — but the Premier League club have remained silent.
      Domestic abuse campaigners urged Man United to ditch Antony after claims he assaulted his ex-girlfriendCredit: Getty
      Rachel Riley — who spoke out against the Greenwood situation — said: ‘Is anyone doing any due diligence on these players?’Credit: Alamy
      The latest row comes after United were forced into a U-turn over Mason Greenwood coming back to the first team after charges of attempted rape and assault were dropped.
      Countdown star and fan Rachel Riley — who spoke out against the Greenwood situation — said: “Is anyone doing any due diligence on these players?”
      “This time domestic abuse experts need to be involved in the club’s processes.”
      Antony, 23, is alleged to have attacked then-girlfriend DJ Gabriela Cavallin in a Manchester hotel on January 15 — a day after United beat Man City 2-1.
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      She said she suffered a head injury and damage to a breast implant.
      She also claims he attacked her last June in Brazil while she was pregnant.
      Police in Manchester and Sao Paulo are investigating.
      United have not commented and campaigners said the club could not be trusted to investigate the claims, as it did with Greenwood.
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      David Challen, whose mum Sally killed her violent husband, said: “Man United must drop the player and hand their investigation to an independent body.”
      Pressure group Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return also posted: “The allegations against Antony are horrific and show that clubs and football authorities need to step their game up in how they respond to these issues.
      “There needs to be protocols in place that take decisions out of club hands as we know clubs are incapable of being objective and acting in the wider best interest.”
      Antony’s current partner Rosilene Silva was seen taking a suitcase out of his mansion in Hale, Cheshire.
      Ms Silva, who gave birth to his child in 2019, has not commented on the allegations.
      Antony, who signed from Ajax last year, has denied the claims.
      He said: “My relationship with Ms Gabriela was tumultuous, with verbal insults from both sides, but I never committed any physical aggression.”
      He played for United on Sunday at Arsenal but Brazil have now dumped him for their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.
      Antony’s current partner Rosilene Silva was seen taking a suitcase out of his mansion in Hale, CheshireHow you can get helpWomen’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

      Always keep your phone nearby.
      Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
      If you are in danger, call 999.
      Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
      Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
      If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
      Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

      If you are a ­victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support ­service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
      Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
      You can also call the freephone 24-hour ­National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. More

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      Listen to ref shout ‘GO NOW’ at Van Dijk after red card as VAR audio is released with Liverpool star set for longer ban

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      VIRGIL VAN DIJK ignored orders from referee Jon Brooks to leave the pitch after his Newcastle red card – and that seems set to hand the Liverpool skipper an extra match ban.Van Dijk’s dismissal by Brook was backed by refs’ chief Howard Webb during the first of this season’s monthly editions of “Match Officials Mic’d Up” to explain and clarify contentious Prem decisions.
      [embedded content]
      Virgil van Dijk reacts to his sending-of in a 2-1 win at NewcastleCredit: Getty
      Liverpool defender VVD was red-carded for his foul on Alexander IsakCredit: Reuters
      The show broadcast, for the first time, the communications between Brooks and VAR Stuart Attwell and the referee’s comments to Van Dijk, after he brought down Toon striker Alexander Isak.
      Brook instantly determined a red card offence, explaining “he comes through the man to play the ball” and telling the Liverpool players, firmly, to “move away” while the VAR check was undertaken.
      He then told Van Dijk to “wait” for the final decision, adding: “You will need to go immediately if I tell you you’ve got to go.”
      As Liverpool continued to try to persuade him to change his mind, Brooks went on: “It’s clearly a foul. Don’t do anything silly after. You will be sent off unless it’s offside.”
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      Despite then being told “Free-kick. Go. Go. Go now. No offside”, the Liverpool skipper refused to accept the decision until he was reluctantly persuaded to leave the pitch.
      That and subsequent comments to officials landed Van Dijk with an FA charge and Webb, speaking to former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen, confirmed: “It’s a good identity of a foul by John Brook and it has to be a red card.”
      Webb also backed ref Anthony Taylor and VAR Jarred Gillett after the Kai Havertz penalty decision against Manchester United on Sunday was overturned.
      The audio showed Taylor explaining he believed there had been a trip by Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the Arsenal man, but Gillett swiftly identified there was no contact before the German ran into the defender on his way down.
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      During the check, Taylor told both teams “I’ve explained why I think it’s a pen. He will check and if it’s wrong I will change it.”
      Webb said: “That was a good use of VAR. The ref thought Wan-Bissaka had tripped him but there was no contact.”
      The ref’s chief did, though, aim a pot-shot at United boss Erik ten Hag’s complaints that Alejandro Garnacho’s late strike at the Emirates was wrongly disallowed for offside.
      He said: “I was surprised by some of the comments post-game on this. It was a clear offside situation. The technology was used by the calibrated cameras to identify quite rightly that Garnacho was ahead of Gabriel and the goal quite rightly disallowed.”
      But while Webb also backed the red card for Burnley’s Anass Zaroury on the opening night of the season against Manchester City and the penalty awarded to the champions at Sheffield United, he admitted the champions’ second goal in the weekend win over Fulham was one of two significant errors that had taken place this term.
      Fulham were furious that Nathan Ake’s header stood after it went through the offside Manuel Akanji, with VAR Tony Harrington and his assistant Adam Nunn ruling the Swiss defender had not interfered with Bernd Leno’s view.
      Webb, though, conceded: “This should have been disallowed. The VAR and AVAR didn’t think it was clearly impactful but you can see Leno hesitates and waits for contact from Akanji. This was an error.”
      The other mistake was one Webb admitted to on the night when he told Wolves boss Gary O’Neill should have had a spot kick when United keeper Andre Onana bulldozed into substitute Sasa Kaladzic.
      Webb added: “The VAR over-thought this after going down the road of recommending a review. It was an error and a penalty should have been given.” More

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      Chelsea fans say ‘we might be finished’ as they discover Blues’ EA Sports FC 24 ratings despite spending £1billion

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      FANS fear Chelsea are “finished” after seeing brutal EA Sports FC 24 ratings – despite a £1BILLION spree over the past three transfer windows.Only seven Blues’ players scored 80 or more in the leaked ratings ahead of the video game’s release on September 29.
      Christopher Nkunku might be happy with his 86 but fans feel the ratings show what poor value Chelsea have got for their massive spendingCredit: EAFC
      Enzo Fernandez cost a then-British record of £107m but only rated 83Credit: Getty
      And Stamford Bridge supporters “don’t know whether to laugh or cry” after mediocre marks reflected a turbulent year.
      Summer recruit Christopher Nkunku tops the ratings with 86 – but ironically has yet to make his debut following a pre-season injury.
      And it was the mark given to £107m Enzo Fernandez that seemed to sum up Chelsea’s plight for many fans.
      One observer said of the score for the Argentinian World Cup winner: “83 for Enzo? What a joke.”
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      Fans were particularly dumbfounded by his modest rating for what’s regarded as one of his major assets.
      Such verdicts included: “Enzo Fernandez getting 81 for passing tells me everything I need to know about the EA FC ratings…”
      Thiago Silva and crocked Reece James scored two below Chelsea’s top man Nkunku on 84.
      Raheem Sterling’s recent resurgence failed to prevent his rating of 86 on Fifa 23 falling to 83 in the new game.
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      Ben Chilwell got 81, with £115m British record buy Moises Caicedo notching 80.
      Cole Palmer, whose £45m arrival from Manchester City surprised many, rated only 66.
      And when one fan posted, “We might be finished.” a rival supporter responded with: “It’s not might, you’re FINISHED!”
      New boss Mauricio Pochettino faces a daunting job to reinvigorate the Blues after their nightmare 2022-23.
      That leftone observer commenting on the club’s rating: “Tbf there all too high they finished 12th.”   More

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      Chelsea star singled out as one of ‘three little b*****s’ in furious attack by former fans

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      LYON ultras have blasted Chelsea defender Malo Gusto as one of “three little b*****s” who left the club.Fans humiliated their flops in a public confrontation following Sunday’s 4-1 home mauling by PSG.
      Malo Gusto has begun the season in fine form for Chelsea but has come under fire from fans of his old club LyonCredit: Alamy
      Kylian Mbappe hit a first-half double as PSG won 4-1 at LyonCredit: Rex
      But supporters were especially scathing of a trio of French starlets who landed big moves away this year.
      Gusto arrived at Stamford Bridge in January for £31million and was loaned back to Lyon for the rest of last season.
      But the right-back has started Chelsea’s last three Premier League games as skipper Reece James recovers from injury
      However, Lyon were more shocked by a double departure in the transfer window last month.
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      Central defender Castello Lukeba, 20, joined RB Leipzig and PSG pounced for £43m winger Bradley Barcola, 21.
      Lyon fans were particularly furious at Laurent Blanc’s men trailing 4-0 at half-time in Ligue 1 over the weekend.
      And after defeat, the club’s ‘Bad Gones’ supporters’ group – aka the ‘capo’ – unveiled a banner demanding “leaders” within the team speak out.
      The message read: “If there are leaders in the locker room, they no longer have the right to remain silent.”
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      The Lyon squad then walked to the main stand to receive a dressing-down.
      One fan representing the ultras told players they “don’t have the right to tarnish” the team shirt that former stars had “glorified”.
      He added: “Now that the transfer window is over, the squad is here. All we ask is to be by your side. 
      “But to do that, you’re going to have to earn it. We love and respect this shirt. 
      “There’s only one other thing we ask: to sing your names. Sing them with love, not like we sang the names of the little b*****s. who have left our club in the last six months.
      “We want to sing your names with respect, with love. Because we know you play with love.”
      In a later statement the capo added: “Lukeba and Barcola, where is your dignity and your respect when a few weeks after proclaiming the love of your club and the supposed journey that you still have to make under this jersey, you succumb as if by magic to the ringing and stumbling sirens of another club? 
      “Are you playing the Lyonnais at heart card? You are just paper Lyonnais that our memory will forget as quickly as possible without forgiving your lack of respect. 
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      “Contrary to the club’s communication, which is silly and inappropriate, we wish you an obscure career, polishing the sidelines.
      “May your bank account be as well stocked as the feeling of contempt you inspire in us.” More

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      Erik ten Hag ‘defied Man Utd chiefs who couldn’t agree on one of his three deadline day signings’

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      ERIK TEN HAG reportedly went against Manchester United chiefs by signing Sergio Reguilion on deadline day.Reguilion was one of the last-minute signings on September 1st including Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Sofyan Amrabat.
      Erik ten Hag defied Man Utd chiefs to sign Sergio ReguilionCredit: AFP
      According to The Athletic, the United hierarchy advised the Dutch boss to promote from within instead of recruiting Reguilion in response to Luke Shaw’s injury.
      The report claims Ten Hag “wanted a replacement with Premier League experience.”
      Despite this, the United chiefs advocated for youngster Alvaro Fernandez to get a chance for first-team play.
      Shaw’s injury meant the Manchester United boss was desperate to find a first-choice left-back replacement.
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      Ten Hag was keen on Marc Cucurella from Chelsea but the Londoners’ demand for a £7m loan fee led the Old Trafford side to move on to target Reguilon.
      The Spaniard was brought in last week on a loan from Tottenham.
      Spurs did not require a loan fee but United will cover Reguilon’s £115,000-a-week wages in full
      Shaw and other left-back Tyrell Malacia are both set for several more weeks on the sideline due to their injuries.
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      Diogo Dalot, a right-back usually has stepped in on the opposite flank for the time being.
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      Reguilion’s arrival will bolster Ten Hag’s options for the early part of this Premier League campaign.
      The 20-year-old had a remarkable season at Preston North End on loan last year.
      As a natural left-back, he would have surely been keen to fill in for Shaw and Malacia.
      Ten Hag’s insistence sent Fernandez on a loan late into the window with La Liga side Granada.
      The youngster will now get another chance to prove to his Red Devil employers that he is ready for first-team action. More

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      I was BANNED from driving to training with Rasmus Hojlund – our manager made us sleep at the club instead of going home

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      JOAKIM MAEHLE has taken an astonishing swipe at Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini.The 26-year-old worked under the Italian for two and a half years before leaving to join Wolfsburg this summer.
      Joakim Maehle has hit out at the Atalanta bossCredit: Getty
      The Dane played alongside Rasmus Hojlund at AtalantaCredit: Getty
      Gian Piero Gasperini is claimed to have given players no ‘freedom’Credit: EPA
      After joining up with the Danish national team, Maehle lifted the lid on what life under Gasperini was really like.
      And the full-back didn’t hold back, even revealing the bizarre reason that he and Manchester United new-boy Rasmus Hojlund once got into trouble with their manager.
      Maehle told Danish outlet Tipsbladet: “He really decided everything.
      “Sometimes, when we had a double training session, he said we should stay and sleep at the training facility, so we were not allowed to go back home.
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      “You don’t feel like a person. You feel like a number. You have no relationship with the coach. He would stand there and blame someone for something strange.
      “For example, he was furious when Rasmus (Hojlund) and I came to training by car together.
      “He didn’t want us to drive together. Because then we could sit and talk together on the way to training, and enjoy ourselves.
      “He didn’t want that, and I got scolded even if it had been agreed with the club because he (Hojlund) had no driver.
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      “I don’t know if it’s typical Italians. But some things make you angry and tired in the long run.”
      Maehle also blasted the lack of “freedom” afforded to players by Gasperini, 65.
      He added: “The coach decided everything. And there wasn’t really any freedom.
      “Even though I lived in a nice place and the weather was good, I didn’t have time to enjoy it because we spent so many days and hours at the training ground.
      “It was super tough mentally. Even if you played a great game at the weekend, and the following one you didn’t play too well for 20 minutes, you would go to the back of the queue again.
      “There was not the continuity you see in other places. Mentally, I could feel that I really needed a change.”
      Despite Maehle’s concerns, Gasperini has led Atalanta to a quartet of top four finishes since taking over in 2016.
      He has also twice guided the Lombardy side to the Coppa Italia final.
      Last season Hojlund, 20, broke through under his guidance, with the striker scoring nine goals in Serie A.
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      His form earned him a £72million switch to Man United, for whom he made his debut on Sunday during the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
      Having been injured, Hojlund was introduced from the bench with 23 minutes remaining.
      Hojlund made his Man United debut on SundayCredit: Getty More

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      Phil Jones’ Man Utd shirt gets new owner as fans hail ‘biggest upgrade ever’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED new-boy Sofyan Amrabat has inherited Phil Jones’ No4 shirt.Jones, 31, wore the jersey between 2011 and May this year.
      Phil Jones left Man United at the end of last seasonCredit: Reuters
      Sofyan Amrabat is the Red Devils’ new No4Credit: Instagram @manchesterunited
      He left Old Trafford at the end of last season upon the conclusion of his United contract.
      The injury-plagued former England star, who was tipped for greatness by Sir Alex Ferguson when he joined from Balckburn, made 229 appearances for the Red Devils, but hardly featured in his latter years with the club due to injury.
      Jones suffered with persistent knee issues and played just five times in his final three years with United.
      Following Jones’ exit, Amrabat has taken on the Red Devils’ No4 shirt.
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      And fans appear to be pretty happy about the idea of finally seeing the shirt in regular action.
      One wrote: “from Phil Jones to Amrabat. biggest upgrade ever.”
      While a second tweeted: “From Phil Jones to Amrabat. The Ten Haag Effects.”
      A third similarly commented: “The No4 shirt going from Phil Jones to Amrabat is a big upgrade.”
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      Another added: “Sofyan Amrabat. He takes the Legends Phil Jones’ No.4.”
      Jones’ predecessor in United’s No4 shirt was also injury prone.
      Owen Hargreaves was the Red Devils’ No4 between 2007 and 2011.
      Like Jones, Hargreaves also only made five appearances in his final three years with United.
      Ironically, the Red Devils actually possess another player that has worn their No4 shirt.
      Jonny Evans was technically United’s No4 during the 2006-07 season, although he spent the majority of the campaign out on loan.
      He later switched to No23 and then No6 – but has taken No35 this time around.
      Jones was United’s No4 for 12 yearsCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag welcomed Sofyan Amrabat last weekCredit: Instagram @manchesterunited More