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    Xavi launches stinging attack on referee after Barcelona knocked out of Champions League thanks to ‘mistake’

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    BARCELONA manager Xavi lashed out at the referee following his team’s heartbreaking Champions League elimination.Barca hosted Paris Saint-Germain at the Nou Camp in the quarter-finals with a 3-2 advantage following last week’s victory in the first leg at Parc des Princes.Barcelona boss Xavi lashed out at the referee after the elimination by Paris Saint-GermainCredit: EPAXavi was furious with the referee, who sent him and Ronaldo Araujo offCredit: APThe Blaugrana opened the scoring after just 12 minutes to extend their lead but it all went downhill after that as they lost Ronald Araujo to a controversial red card after he tripped Bradley Barcola.PSG went on to punch their ticket to the semi-finals with a 4-1 victory thanks to goals by ex-Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha as well as a brace by Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe.Xavi’s evening got even worse after he was also sent off for angrily kicking Champions League padding around the VAR monitor near his dugout.As he walked away from the touchline, the ex-midfield maestro could be seen taking off his coat and having a quick chat with assistant Oscar Hernandez.Read More on FootballThe Spaniard was left fuming and confronted referee Istvan Kovacs at full-time, calling him a “disaster before giving him both barrels during his post-match interview.Xavi said: “It’s a pity, our Champions League is over due to referee’s mistake.“I just told the referee that he’s been a disaster. It’s the reality”.This officially marks Xavi’s last Champions League match as Barcelona manager.Most read in Champions LeagueThe Catalan tactician confirmed earlier this season that he will be leaving his beloved club after three years in charge.The 44-year-old head coach missed the chance of leaving the Catalan giants with silverware as his team are eight points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in the table.Football icons’ strange hobbiesPSG are now set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-finals.Dortmund made it to the final four after knocking Atletico Madrid out with an aggregate of 5-4. More

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      Xavi sent off for Barcelona after lashing out moments after PSG levelled tense Champions League tie

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      XAVI was sent off for kicking out during Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.The Barcelona boss lost his cool on the touchline as he booted padding around the VAR monitor.Xavi lashed out on the touchlineCredit: TNT SPORTSThe manager was not impressed with the refereeCredit: TNT SPORTSReferee Istvan Kovacs showed the Spaniard a straight red cardCredit: GettyXavi, 44, was given a straight red card for his outburst by Romanian international referee Istvan Kovacs.The Spaniard was clearly frustrated after signing his side lose a 4-2 aggregate lead on the night.As he walked away from the touchline, Xavi could be seen taking off his coat and having a quick chat with assistant Oscar Hernandez.Fans reacted to the moment as they flooded social media.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne commented: “So stupid from Xavi!”A second wrote: “Poor Xavi.”A third posted: “Xavi is a crybaby.”A fourth said: “Please Xavi, leave now.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother added: “Xavi really leaves our club.”Raphinha had scored the opening goal before Paris Saint-Germain hit back with goals from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersRonald Araujo was also shown a straight red card earlier in the match for a last-man challenge.To make matters worse, moments later, the Ligue 1 side were awarded a penalty as Dembele was fouled by Joao Cancelo.Kylian Mbappe converted from the sport to put PSG 5-4 ahead in the tie.Barcelona then had another blow as Hernandez was given a second yellow card and also handed his marching orders, leaving the team two coaches down.Mbappe sealed the win in the 89th minute as he fired in after a swift counter-attack.Barcelona had gone into the second leg 3-2 up, having won a thrilling first leg at the Parc des Princes. More

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      Footie clash descends into chaos as referee is bitten by SNAKE after bizarre backpack plan goes horribly wrong

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      A FOOTBALL clash descended into chaos after the referee was bitten TWICE by a snake.A game between GFS Leskovac Gornje Sinkovce and Radnik 2013 in Serbia was suddenly interrupted for the bizarre reason.One man decided to use his backpack to try and shove the serpent off the pitchThe incident happened during a game in SerbiaCredit: @fkgornjesinkovceThe game was halted as people tried to usher the serpent off the grass.Footage showed the referee, Aleksandar Gorcic, remaining calm as the snake slithered on.And in the video that has now gone viral someone off the pitch came in and bizarrely tried to throw out the snake with their backpack.But that did not work and the ref then stopped the snake in its tracks by putting his foot on it, picking it up and throwing it off the field.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd fans could only praise Gorcic for his courageous act.As one said: “This needs to be sent to Uefa this referee deserves to referee the Champions League final.Another then put: “Hats off to the courage of the referee.”While another joked about the snake: “Who is the referee?”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAfter the match, reports in Serbia said Gorcic had been bitten twice by the reptile.The club have also confirmed that the snake was not injured.Football stars’ weird phobiasAccording to eyewitnesses, it is a non-poisonous snake, but it still can sink its fangs down, which is what the referee felt on his skin. More

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      Borussia Dortmund have penalty overturned by VAR DURING ex-Man Utd star’s run up in never-before-seen moment

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND were denied a goal in a never-before-seen moment during their game against Borussia Monchengladbach.The Bundesliga giants were leading the match 2-1 at Borussia-Park as they looked to keep pace with RB Leipzig in the Champions League spots.Marcel Sabitzer had two penalties against Borussia MönchengladbachCredit: APHe converted both effortsCredit: GettyThe second was stopped for a VAR check during his run-upCredit: AFPThe referee could be seen blowing his whistle just as Sabitzer was about to strike the ballDortmund started the match well as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside 28 minutes thanks to a brace from Marcel Sabitzer.Monchengladbach found a way back into the tie as Maximilian Wober bagged in the 36th minute.Former Manchester United loanee Sabitzer then thought he had the chance to restore his side’s two-goal lead in the 51st minute.Karim Adeyemi appeared to be brought down by Jonas Omlin as the referee pointed to the spot.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSabitzer stepped up to take the penalty but as he was about to kick the ball the referee blew his whistle once again.As the ball hit the net, the players were subject to a very late VAR check on the incident.The decision arrived to overturn the penalty as Omlin was judged to have won the ball fairly.Fans were left in shock as they reacted on social media.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOne posted: “Sabitzer was taking a penalty, converted the penalty but just when he was about to hit it, the referee stopped him and went for a VAR check to CANCEL the penalty. Remarkable moment!”A second commented: “What in the name of VAR is that in Bundesliga?”I’m Dortmund’s sexiest fan and I double up as a lingerie model and nurse.. Marco Reus is the love of my lifeA third wrote: “The game is gone man honestly.”A fourth said: “Such a heartbreaker.”A fifth fumed: “Since when can you do that.”Another added: “Surely they can’t do that? the pen has already been called.”To make matters worse, the decision denied Sabitzer a hat-trick in the match.Adeyemi was then sent off in the 55th minute for a second bookable offence.However, Dortmund were able to hold on to the slender lead and take three points home with them. More

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      Mikel Arteta breaks silence on Gabriel ‘handball’ as Arsenal boss claims ref DID follow rules on ‘scandalous’ decision

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      MIKEL ARTETA has praised the referee for using “common sense” by not issuing a handball penalty in the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich.Gabriel caused a stir after picking the ball up from a short David Raya goal-kick before restarting play during the Emirates clash on Tuesday night.Mikel Arteta has praised the referee for using “common sense” for not giving a penalty against Gabriel in the 2-2 draw with Bayern MunichCredit: GettyThe Arsenal defender picked up the ball from a short David Raya goal-kick before restarting playBased on the word of the law, Arsenal should have conceded a second penalty against Bayern Munich with the referee reportedly “admitting” to seeing a clear handball in the box.Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel was left frustrated, claiming that whistler Glenn Nyberg told him he saw the bizarre incident.But Arteta hailed the Nyberg for making the right decision.He said: “I did notice the Gabriel handball story, especially after where there was a certain reaction from Bayern…”. READ MORE ARSENAL”The referees used the law and the law says to use common sense and whether you take an advantage from that situation which there isn’t any advantage”.According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB): “Referees are expected to use common sense and to apply the ‘spirit of the game’ when applying the Laws of the Game.”This use of common sense is commonly referred to as ‘Law 18′ in IFAB’s Laws of the Game, which does not actually include a Law 18.After the game, Tuchel told TNT Sports: “The referee did not have the courage today to give us a deserved penalty, in a bit of a crazy and awkward situation.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”He admitted on the pitch that he saw the situation and that in a quarter-final it’s not enough for him to give a penalty for a kids’ mistake.”So he admitted that he knows about the mistake the player made. That is a bit frustrating.”What happened to Highbury?In his post-match press conference, Tuchel, 50, later added: “I felt a lot of little decisions go against us… and a huge mistake in not giving us a penalty.”What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He said it’s a kid’s mistake and isn’t giving a penalty for that.”Arsenal will have to pull it back and win at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night to secure a spot in the semi-finals.How Arteta made Arsenal horrible again, with Tony Pulis tactic and gentle star turned into Diego Costa-style hate figureBy Dave Kidd
      BOTTLERS, chokers, shandy-drinking southern softies.
      These were the charges levelled at Arsenal when they blew the title last season.
      And even if the actual reason they failed was because William Saliba got injured and Rob Holding had to start, Mikel Arteta clearly took those accusations to heart.
      If his team are not crowned champions next month, the Gunners boss has categorically ensured that they won’t go down being accused of nicey-niceyness.
      Because, as well as being thrillingly entertaining and free-scoring when they want to be, this season’s Arsenal are also thoroughly horrible.They are not here to make friends. They are not interested in being anybody’s second-favourite team.
      And so, six days after stink-bombing the Etihad with a display of Mourinho-esque anti-football for a 0-0 draw, Arsenal turned up at the home of former bogey-team Brighton and s***housed their way to a thoroughly impressive 3-0 win.
      How wonderful for the travelling Gooners to witness Ben White — against his former club — going down as if he’d taken a bullet to his neck when Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan brushed against him.
      White is renowned as a gentle and decent bloke, intelligent enough to challenge the zeitgeist and claim there might be things in life other than football.
      And yet suddenly he’s become some Diego Costa-style anti-hero hate figure, his wife goading the masses by posting social-media pictures of them playing a childish card game on a sun lounger after he’d refused an international call-up.
      Because Arsenal are horrible again. Even Ben White is a villain.And that might just be Arteta’s greatest triumph.
      Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
      To read more from Dave Kidd, click here. More

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      Blunder ref to return to VAR duty for first time in SEVEN MONTHS after horror gaffe in Liverpool vs Spurs last September

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      DARREN ENGLAND will return to the Premier League VAR hotseat for the first time in seven months this weekend.England was moved out of the limelight following his huge blunder in the match between Tottenham and Liverpool last September.Darren England will be back in the VAR box for West Ham vs Fulham on SundayCredit: GettyEngland was responsible for a huge error in communicating the correct decision to the on-field referee in the Tottenham v Liverpool gameCredit: Premier LeagueBut it has now been announced the 38-year-old will be back on VAR duty for the West Ham versus Fulham game on Sunday.Wade Smith will be the VAR assistant for the London derby, while Stuart Attwell will lead the on-field team with assistants Harry Lennard and James Mainwaring and fourth official Michael Salisbury.In England’s last match as VAR on September 30, he disallowed a perfectly legal Luis Diaz goal for offside that would have changed the outcome of the match that ended 2-1 to Spurs. Footage released afterwards showed how England had incorrectly communicated a “check complete” decision to on-field referee Simon Hooper.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt reveals VAR officials England and assistant Dan Cook drew the lines showing that Diaz was onside, with an indication given by the officials that the check was complete.However, the officials then realised play had resumed without the correct decision being made.Assistant video referee Cook then backs this up by saying: “That’s wrong Daz”.Upon realising the error, England be heard saying: “Oh ****.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKEREngland was stood down in the weeks that followed to take the pressure off him, before he was eased back as a fourth official for the October 23 game between Brentford and Burnley.PGMOL bosses have been careful to ease him back into matches since then, with only six Premier League appointments in the last two months, including this months clash between Manchester City and Aston Villa.Dean Scoggins travels to FC Koln in Germany to find Europe’s best Away DayHe was back at Stockley Park’s VAR hub for two FA Cup ties, including Bournemouth vs Leicester in February, with Michael Oliver acting as VAR support on both occasions.The Premier League announced yesterday that it would be introducing semi-automated offside technology from next season.However, England’s blunder ultimately came from a communication issue rather than tech, so the move will not be able to fix the types of errors that were seen in north London in September. More

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      Premier League clubs blasted for ‘ludicrously’ introducing new technology AFTER next season starts

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      PREM clubs have been blasted for their “ludicrous” decision to bring in semi-automated offside technology AFTER next season has started.The 20 top-flight sides yesterday unanimously voted to back refs’ chief Howard Webb’s recommendation to use the new system — which will slash the time on VAR offside calls.Prem clubs have voted to bring in semi-automated offside technologyCredit: TNT SportsThe decision was labelled ‘ludicrous’Credit: TNT SportsBut the limb-tracking cameras will NOT be ready for the August Prem kick-off.And ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey insists the clubs have scored an embarrassing own goal, fuming: “It’s ludicrous we are not bringing this in from day one next season.“The Premier League is awash with money and it needs to be operational for every match. “It’s got to be ready for the season kick-off. We can’t bring it in four, five or six weeks into the season as that will question the competition’s integrity. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”If it’s not ready, then wait until 2025-26.”The new SAOT system — which sees the Prem follow Fifa and Uefa’s lead — will not be used until after one of the three autumn international breaks in September, October and November.That allows an agreement over the right provider and the roll-out of the camera tech across the 20 grounds.Halsey added: “SAOT should have been introduced at the start of last season to follow on from the World Cup and the Champions League.Most read in Football“The clubs didn’t vote for it but the stakeholders of the League should have been working on it during the winter. What have they been waiting for?What are semi-automated offsides?
      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have voted in the use of semi-automated offsides from the 2024-25 season.
      The technology tracks 29 different points on the body of every player.
      Together with a chip in the football, the tech then can produce almost instantaneous decisions, even on the tightest of calls.
      These are then visualised with computer-generated 3D images which clearly show the offence on a screen for fans watching the broadcast from home.
      Referees on the pitch will need to step in and intervene if the offside call is subjective – ie the player in an offside position does not touch the ball.
      Here’s how it works:

      Each ground will have up to 12 special cameras with limb-tracking technology.
      These will focus on 29 goal-scoring body parts from every player on the pitch and will record their position 50 times per second.
      During the World Cup in Qatar, the microchip in the ball sent back data points 500 times every second to determine the  precise instant it was played by an attacker OR a defender
      That allowed the computer technology to alert the VAR that a player was in an offside position when the ball was played
      But all decisions were then checked to ensure the attacker was interfering with play
      The average time for an offside call in Qatar was cut to 25 seconds per incident
      In future, a 3D animation will “show” the decision to fans in the stadium and via broadcasters, and this will be available by the next stoppage in play after the decision.

      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“The Prem is the best in the world but we always seem to be behind. I’ve been championing SAOT for a few years.“We have seen too much controversy over offsides and the length of time taken. It’s great the change is finally being made.”Haaland slapped by referee during Man City’s clash with Real Madrid More

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      Fans left horrified at ‘worst decision of the football season’ as Championship club beaten after controversial penalty

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      FOOTBALL fans were left aghast after seeing the “worst decision of the season” in the Championship last night.Promotion chasing West Brom were up against already-relegated Rotherham at the Hawthorns, with the hosts running out 2-0 winners.If you haven’t seen it, check this out, from the West Brom game.It hits the player’s head, twenty yards from goal. Decision: handball. Penalty. PL fans moan about VAR and rightly so a lot of the time…but they might even have got this one right.pic.twitter.com/PwxXUObZFn— The Football Tavern (@TavernFootball) April 10, 2024

      West Brom’s Thomas-Asante struck a shot from distance that hit the head of Rotherham’s Lee PeltierCredit: EFLThe referee awarded West Brom a penalty despite the ball hitting Peltier outside of the boxCredit: EFLRotherham stars argued their case with Geoff EltringhamCredit: RexBut he struck to the controversial decisionCredit: RexHowever, they were given a mighty helping hand by a shocking decision from referee Geoff Eltringham to award a penalty when the ball struck a Rotheram defender outside of the box.Carlos Corberan’s side were already leading through a Brandon Thomas-Asante strike after 23 minutes.But just before half-time, Thomas-Asante fired a shot towards goal from distance.His effort was closed down by Lee Peltier who rushed out to the edge of the D to meet the shot, with the ball hitting his face while his arms were raised in the process of making the block.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWest Brom players cheekily appealed for a handball, with ref Eltringham incredibly pointing to the spot – despite it not being a handball AND occurring outside the penalty area. The Millers were left stunned by the call and remonstrated with the referee and officials, leading to assistant coach Rob Kelly being booked for his protests.John Swift made no mistake from 12 yards to double the Baggies’ lead.Rotherham manager Leam Richardson slammed the officials for the decision but stopped short of questioning their integrity.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “It’s three yards outside the box and it hits him in the face. I’ve not seen that before. It was a wrong decision, and a poor one in my opinion.“I never question anyone’s integrity but I can’t explain that decision. You can’t get those decisions wrong. Biggest football kit fails after controversy over new England shirt”The assistant was maybe 10 yards away looking down the line of it.“Then my assistant manager, Rob Kelly, gets booked for telling the ref: ‘The linesman can help’.“It changed the outcome of the game. You should have a consistency of professionalism regardless.“We’ve had a number of similar decisions and apology letters. But I have no interest in that.”Fans were equally disgusted by the decision, with one fan saying: “Worst decision of the football season.”A second said: “How on Earth is that a pen ahahahaha.”A third said: “Wow. If anyone gets the chance to see the award of the West Brom penalty tonight… Rotherham lad handball’s it three yards outside the box and the ref gives a penalty. Unreal.”Another said: “That West Brom penalty decision. Come on Specsavers help out these referees,” with Specsavers also cheekily replying: “Thanks for bringing this to our attention.”A fifth added: “People who moan about VAR are quick to forget the terrible decisions without it.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe win saw West Brom strengthen their position in the playoffs, now holding a nine point gap to seventh place Coventry. Meanwhile, Rotheram racked up their 27th defeat of the league season.John Swift made no mistake from the spotCredit: PARotherham boss Leam Richardson slammed the decisionCredit: PA More

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      I almost had my leg snapped in two playing football – but referee brushed it off and gave a DROP BALL

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      A FOOTBALLER has blasted referees after claiming he was lucky not to break his leg when suffering a shocking injury and seeing only a DROP BALL given.Tom Beere demanded a “serious discussion” on match officials as Cray Wanderers posted a photo of their sub’s gruesome gashes after he hobbled off following a fierce challenge at seventh-tier rivals Hornchurch.Leg-injury victim Tom Beere was angry at the ref’s responseSome fans who saw a clip of a home player catching the midfielder reckoned it was a freak follow-through collision rather than a foul.But Beere hit out on X: “We need a serious discussion about referees… if my leg was planted it would’ve been in 2 pieces but let’s all stick up for refs they got such a hard job.”He was responding to a post from his own club Cray, who shared a photo of the injuries and added: “Ref said ‘He caught him on the ankle’ and then gave a drop ball.”Some viewers reckon Beere’s cuts against the newly-crowned Isthmian League Premier Division champions would have been less severe had he worn traditional big shinpads.READ MORE TOP STORIESBut the ex-AFC Wimbledon youngster rejected that argument, saying the “only pad that’s stopping that is a cricket pad”.However, one football supporter posted a video – reportedly of the incident – that divided opinion amongst viewers.He wrote on X: “Seen some bad tackles and bad refereeing on here lately but this isn’t either of those surely … “Another fan responded: “That’s a great challenge and notice how nobody complains about it.”Most read in FootballA third observer argued: “Looks ok, wouldn’t say it was a great tackle though.”And a fourth commented: “Normal Jack Grealish leg after every match.”Spine-chilling footage shows ‘GHOST’ running through stands at football match as fans fear curse on their clubBeere then took on fans online who backed ref Elliott Mayer’s decision over the challenge.And asked if he would be a match official himself, the 29-year-old replied: “Wouldn’t want to be because I can play football.”Beere later clarified he was more annoyed by “the referee reaction after and being arrogant and in denial to me and coaching stuff”.One fan fired back at him: “Referees make mistakes and miss things or don’t act accordingly to a situation , possibly like you as a player ? Do you win every header ? Every tackle ? Take every chance in front of goal?”But he insisted: “We as players acknowledge our mistakes the refs don’t, their arrogance is crazy.”Ironically, Hornchurch’s 2-0 win had begun on a far more harmonious note – as Cray gave them a guard of honour for having already clinched the title.Some fans incredibly told Beere to wear ‘bigger shinpads’ More