Premier League

ASTON VILLA have laid bare their frantic six-week scramble to avoid a double-digit points deduction for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules.Director of football Damian Vidagany admits their 150th anniversary celebrations came perilously close to being ruined amid fears they could cop a whopping 12-point penalty.Aston Villa sold Douglas Luiz to Juventus in the summer windowCredit: GettyAston Villa director of football Damian Vidagany has opened up about the club’s financial strugglesCredit: GettyAnd he confessed: “There was a bomb with a countdown clock — our job was to cut the cable.”While Villa fans enjoyed their summer break after qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 42 years, the club’s power brokers were frantically working behind the scenes to avoid a Profit and Sustainability Rules breach.Villa’s spending exceeded the £105million of losses permitted over a three-year period by the Premier League.There were fears they would suffer a similar punishment to Everton who faced a 12-point deduction for the three years to 2022.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Toffees were eventually slapped with a ten-point penalty — which was reduced to six on appeal.And now, Vidagany and transfer guru Monchi have lifted the lid on the frantic 40 days they had to balance the books and avoid disaster.Vidagany, who tasked Monchi with raising more than £40m in pure profit, revealed: “May 20 until June 30 is normally a holiday period for everyone in football — but not for us.“While everybody was cheering and celebrating at our club party when we qualified for the Champions League, Monchi and I were thinking, ‘How do we avoid spoiling this beautiful anniversary year by not having a points deduction?’ ”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSVilla slam Premier League’s financial rulesBy Graeme BryceASTON VILLA have launched a blistering attack on the Prem’s financial rules — branding them a “perversion” which protects the established elite.Villa were forced to sell Brazil international midfielder Douglas Luiz to Juventus this summer for £50million to avoid a potential 12-point PSR deduction.And director of football Damian Vidagany fumed: “The threat of points deductions is like a weapon on the head of the clubs with ambition. The system is a perversion because it doesn’t matter how committed your owners are, how wealthy they are or how good your accounts are.“You are forbidden to grow because you don’t have more revenues.“To get revenue, what do you need? To win. What do you need to win? To spend.“But you cannot spend. So if you don’t spend, you don’t win, you don’t get revenue and you stay in the same vicious cycle always.”Villa have billionaire owners and no debt — while rivals like Manchester United and Tottenham are both more than £600m in the red.Yet PSR rules meant the club made a net profit on transfers of around £7m this summer.Vidagany added: “We don’t owe money to anyone but clubs with more revenue but huge debts can spend much more than us. Where is the sense in that?“Many clubs borrow. We don’t have this problem, but we still can’t spend our money.“Our owners would like to invest, to spend, they would like to be at the top. But they aren’t allowed.”President of football operations Monchi explained: “It’s important to understand in this transfer window we had two different moments. Before June 30 we had to find the solution for the problem of Financial Fair Play.“After June 30, we had to build the best squad possible for the Champions League.PREM RULE CHANGES“One easy solution would have been to sell Ollie Watkins, our top striker, or Emi Martinez, the best goalkeeper in the world, because we had plenty of offers for him and also for Jacob Ramsey.”Vidagany added: “Rivals knew we were in a weak position because everybody knows who has PSR problems. Some tried to take advantage. It’s a jungle and everyone looks after their own interests.”Monchi was handed three crucial tasks: Solve Villa’s PSR problems. Produce a younger squad on lower wages.  Conjure up the new signings boss Unai Emery needed to bolster his squad to cope with additional demands of Champions League football — their first time in Europe’s elite club competition since the 1982-83 season when they qualified as reigning European Cup holders.Villa managed to sell £143.5m of talent this summer, while splashing out £136.6m on eight new players, including £50m on midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton and £37m for Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen.But the sale which saved them from PSR punishment was Douglas Luiz’s £50m move to Juventus.Vidagany said: “Negotiations with Juventus went to the final day because there were so many actors in the deal.“But that meant dealing with three agents, three players, two clubs. If one domino jumps out of line you can’t complete the deal.“It went to the final day of the PSR window — all the time there was a loaded weapon against our heads.”Monchi added: “We had another problem. Douglas Luiz was in the USA with Brazil for the Copa America and we needed to do the medical and sign the contract… it was crazy.”Vidagany revealed: “There was one sleepless night. Brazil played in Vegas and we were supposed to meet them in their hotel afterwards so Douglas could sign his Juventus contract.“But Brazil were scared about their players partying and decided against staying in Vegas!“From the moment we originally shook hands with Juventus until the final signing, it was one month and took until the final seconds on June 30.”One way Villa will ease their PSR concerns next summer is through the Champions League.And Monchi believes they have the man to guide them to success in Emery.READ MORE SUN STORIESMonchi added: “He is a game-changer for this club, one of the best managers in the world.“Without Unai, Aston Villa would have never escaped the loop between top ten and top 12.”Premier League sides deducted points and others at riskNottingham ForestDeducted four points during the 2023-24 season for breaching Premier League spending limit by £34.563m. Failed in their appeal with decision upheld.EvertonInitial 10-point deduction for 2021-22 Premier League breaches reduced to six points on appeal. Were deducted a further two points later in the 2023-24 season. Appealed, but since withdrawn following Prem survival.Sheffield UnitedHit with a two-point deduction for their finances during the 2022-23 EFL season. Will begin the 2024-25 Championship season on -2 points following their relegation from the Prem.OTHERS WHO COULD FACE PUNISHMENT…Manchester CityEtihad club emphatically denies the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.ChelseaBlues chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. Fined £8.6m by Uefa but still to be formally charged by the Prem despite an ongoing investigation.LeicesterFoxes breached Prem PSR loss limits last season but did not have to report their 2022-23 accounts until this month because of their relegation. That puts the timetable back and means that they will probably face a Prem points deduction for the 2024-25 season following their return to the top flight.Everton (again)The Toffees are again at risk of breaking PSR rules and are in a race against time to raise funds and balance the books. Not only could that lead to another charge but also administration. That would lead to an automatic nine-point deduction for the 2024/25 season. More

LEICESTER have won a huge legal battle with the Prem – and avoided a points deduction for Profitability and Sustainability breaches.In a landmark ruling which left Prem chiefs stunned, an independent appeal board backed Leicester’s argument that the League did not have the right to charge them for losses in excess of the limit of £105m in the three seasons up to 2022-23.Leicester have won their appeal against the alleged breachCredit: AlamyIt means the Foxes will now avoid the anticipated six-point penalty they had been facing – although they could be charged later in the season if they are in breach of the limit when the 2023-24 accounts are delivered to Prem chiefs.Leicester’s claim – which was rejected by the initial independent commission which sat in March – was that the Prem could not sanction them when the club had become a member of the EFL following their relegation that season.And in a shock ruling, the appeal board accepted that Leicester were not subject to Prem rules because the club’s accounting period ended on 30 June 2023, “after the point the club had ceased to be a member of the league”.Furious Prem bosses issued a statement in which they said they were “surprised and disappointed” by the ruling.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt added: “The Appeal Board’s decision effectively means that, despite the club being a member of the League from Seasons 2019/20 to 2022/23, the League cannot take action against the club for exceeding the relevant PSR threshold in respect of the associated accounting periods.”The Premier League is very disappointed with the Appeal Board’s decision, and the limited reasons provided for it.”The League remains of the view that the original Commission took the right approach in interpreting the rules in a practical and workable way that gives effect to their intended purpose.”In overturning the original Commission’s findings, the Premier League considers the Appeal Board’s decision fails to take into account the purpose of the rules, all relevant parts of the PSRs and the need for effective enforcement of alleged breaches to ensure fairness among all clubs.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”If the Appeal Board is correct, its decision will have created a situation where any club exceeding the PSR threshold could avoid accountability in these specific circumstances.”This is clearly not the intention of the rules.Everton points deduction explained”It is of critical importance that the Premier League is able to enforce its rules consistently to maintain the principle of fairness.”The League will now consider what further action it can take to ensure this is the case.”Despite that bullish response the ruling is a hammer blow to firm legal chiefs and chief executive Richard Masters as it undermines the League rulebook.Delighted Leicester “welcomed” the Appeal Board’s “comprehensive decision”.The King Power Stadium club added: “This supports our consistently stated position that any action against the Club should be pursued in accordance with the applicable rules.”Leicester also refuted the Prem claim, adding “to avoid any misunderstandings which may arise in light of the statement which has been issued by the Premier League, Leicester City wishes to emphasise the finding of the Appeal Panel that, when considering the wording which is actually used in the Premier League rules the Club did not breach the Premier League PSRs for the assessment period ending 30 June 2023.”In its decision, the Appeal Board identifies flaws in the drafting of the Premier League’s rules.”In challenging the Premier League’s attempts to charge Leicester City, the Club has simply sought to ensure that the rules are applied based on how they are actually written.”Despite the escape though Leicester could face a charge early in the new year which would apply this season if they are found to be in beach of the allowable loss limit.READ MORE SUN STORIESDespite their season in the championship Leicester can only make permitted losses of £83m over the three seasons until the end of last term and can no longer claim Covid-related losses in their calculations.All Prem clubs must supply their accounts by December 31 with charges following within 14 days if they are found to have breached the regulations.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are set to part ways with deputy football director Andy O’Boyle as their backroom shake-up continues.The transfer guru joined United two years ago to assist former chief John Murtough, who left Old Trafford in April.Andy O’Boyle is set to leave Manchester UnitedCredit: AlamyAnd he had a big say in this summer’s transfers, with Erik ten Hag splashing out on five major signings.United landed defenders Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, as well as midfielder Manuel Ugarte and forward Joshua Zirkzee.O’Boyle was also heavily involved in the exits of Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay.But the Athletic claims he will now leave the Theatre of Dreams after also enjoying spells with Liverpool, Wrexham and England’s U21s.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is unclear if United intend to replace O’Boyle after the club made a series of changes to its backroom following Ratcliffe’s partial takeover this year.The Ineos chief is in charge of all football-related matters, with the Glazers staying as majority owners.Ratcliffe is currently being assisted by Ineos No2 Sir Dave Brailsford.And the pair have put together a new hierarchy to help return United to the top.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOmar Berrada was poached from rivals Manchester City as the new CEO.While lengthy negotiations with Newcastle eventually saw Dan Ashworth arrive as director of football.Man Utd Player Ratings Casemiro’s Nightmare Against LiverpoolTen Hag’s five worst defeatsERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years.Former Southampton chief and City youth leader Jason Wilcox is the new technical director.And ex-Chelsea transfer guru Christian Vivell is interim director of recruitment.O’Boyle’s exit comes after reports claimed United boss Ten Hag was blocked from making a rogue deadline day signing.After landing Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain, talkSPORT claims Ten Hag tried to re-sign Sofyan Amrabat.The midfielder struggled to impress on loan at United last term.But Ten Hag felt the Moroccan could still make a valuable contribution.Unfortunately for the United boss, his attempts to re-sign Amrabat fell on deaf ears.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe deal was apparently blocked by Ashworth and Wilcox.And Amrabat instead ended up leaving Fiorentina for Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue. They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More

ARNE SLOT was “lucky” during Liverpool’s win over Manchester United, according to Ronald Koeman.The Reds thrashed their rivals 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday to make it three wins from three in the Premier League this season.Ronald Koeman said Arne Slot was ‘lucky’ in Liverpool’s win over Manchester UnitedCredit: RexSlot saw his Liverpool side clinch a comfortable 3-0 victory at Old Trafford on SundayCredit: GettySlot also maintained his 100 per cent start to life at Anfield, having succeeded Jurgen Klopp in the summer.He signed a three-year deal on Merseyside through to the summer of 2027.His latest test saw him come up against fellow Dutch boss Erik ten Hag in the United dugout.However, a Luis Diaz brace and a goal from Mohamed Salah proved the difference as the visitors ran out comfortable winners.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe presence of two Dutch managers prompted reporters to ask Koeman about the match during his latest press conference as Netherlands boss.Asked for his thoughts on the match, he said: “I watched because of the many Dutch players.”But of course I also looked at it from a manager’s point of view, Arne Slot is doing a slightly better job.”But if you have the front three that he has, you must realise you are lucky.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSlot was able to name an attacking trio of Diaz, Diogo Jota and Salah at Old Trafford.It is a line-up he may not have at his disposal next season, though, after Salah dropped a huge hint over his future. Man Utd fans say ‘this is a tough watch’ as Ten Hag claims he ‘feels sorry’ for journalist in awkward interviewMan Utd player ratings vs LiverpoolMANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?Andre Onana – 5Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.Noussair Mazraoui – 5Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error. Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.Lisandro Martinez – 3Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.Diogo Dalot – 4Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.Casemiro – 2A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.Kobbie Mainoo – 4Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.Bruno Fernandes – 5Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.Alejandro Garnacho – 4Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.Marcus Rashford – 3Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.Joshua Zirkzee – 4Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.SubsTom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/ANot on long enough to make an impact.Following the match, he told Sky Sports that he wanted to “enjoy the last year” after entering the final season of his Liverpool contract.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Salah has helped Slot make a perfect start to his new role.Liverpool are currently second on goal difference behind Manchester City after three matches.Meanwhile, Koeman is preparing for Nations League matches at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany over the international break.He was involved in a heated press conference ahead of the matches, though, after slamming a journalist for their question about Memphis Depay.The former Everton boss told the reporter to “show some respect” after he was asked about the decision to select the forward despite their underwhelming run of form.Depay is also currently without a club after leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of last term.Slot overcame Erik ten Hag in a battle between two Dutch managersCredit: EPA More

PREM clubs splashed a quarter of the entire world transfer spending on “international” deals this summer.Fifa’s latest audit of cross border deals – which must all be cleared by the world body’s new legal base in Miami – showed nearly 11,000 deals totalling £4.95billion across Planet Football.World spending totalled almost £5billion this summerCredit: Instagram @alahliclub.saPremier League clubs splashed £1.29bn with Chelsea the biggest spendersCredit: RexPrem sides were responsible for £1.29bn of that total amount.That included the £46m Chelsea paid to bring Joao Felix back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell at the club and Manchester United’s combined £79.2m outlay on Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee.Other big deals saw Arsenal paying £42m to land defender Riccardo Calafiori and Bournemouth spending £40m of the £65m they received from Tottenham for Dominic Solanke on Porto’s Brazilian striker Evanilson.Fifa’s transfer management system only relates to cross-border deals, so Solanke’s move to Spurs, along with other big-money inter-Prem moves for PedroNeto, Elliot Anderson and Aaron Ramsdale were not included.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to world chiefs, Prem clubs accounted for 526 “incoming” deals, although 523 players – including Romelu Lukaku, Conor Gallagher and Douglas Luiz – left English shores for global destinations.Prem clubs received a total of £950m in international fees, for a net spend of £340m.That was slightly more than the net spend of the Saudi Pro League which has continued to recruit after the close of the main European windows and could yet surpass the Prem although with a far lower total expenditure – and Italy’s Serie A.Once again Portuguese clubs took advantage of the market, making £185m net when sales were balanced against incoming international deals.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTeams in Portugal managed to profit from the big sums spentBut while the total spend on cross-border deals was the second highest in history, it was down by £540m on the all-time record of £5.66bn set in 2023.The growth of women’s professional football, though, saw a record £518m spent on international deals, more than double the corresponding 2023 total, with more than 1,100 cross-border deals recorded by Fifa.Chelsea fans can’t name their OWN PLAYERS after another wild transfer window under owner Todd BoehlyFifa legal chief Emilio Garcia Silvera said: “This report provides a unique understanding of the key dynamics of the mid-year transfer window.“We have just completed a very intense window which, among others, confirmed the steady development of transfers in women’s football.“The current trends also highlight the importance of continuously enhancing the regulatory framework of the transfer system.” More