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    Watch bizarre optical illusion as Barcelona star sent off in Champions League… and commentator has NO idea what happened

    A FORMER Premier League star was incredibly sent off in a bizarre optical illusion.And it proved crucial as his side fell to a shock defeat in their Champions League opener.Eric Garcia appeared to only be shown a yellow card despite his blatant foulCredit: X @TNTSportsThe official Champions League graphic indicated he had received a straight red cardCredit: X @TNTSportsEric Garcia started in midfield for Barcelona as they took on Monaco.However, his game lasted just TEN minutes before he was given his marching orders… or was he? Garcia was put under pressure by a sloppy pass from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.And that allowed Takumi Minamino to pick his pocket.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLEx-Manchester City man Garcia then brought down the former Liverpool forward in a cynical foul as Minamino closed in on goal.It was a blatant goalscoring opportunity and with the incident taking place outside of the penalty area, the offence warranted a red card.But did the referee agree?Well, it was not immediately clear. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat is because official Allard Lindhout blew his whistle to award the free-kick and sprinted over to the two players sprawled out on the turf.He then reached for his back pocket and produced a card.’Brain-breaking’ intro to Champions League MOTD divides fans as BBC decision shows ‘game has never been more gone’However, on first viewing on the TV cameras, the card looked yellow. The commentator clearly thought so, too.Sam Matterface, calling the action for TNT Sports, said: “It’s just a yellow card. That’s a massive let-off for Eric Garcia. “Well, it looked like the yellow card came out. I was almost convinced the red card was incoming. The VAR will certainly check it.”Interestingly, as soon as the referee brandished the card above his head, it was the Barcelona players – rather than the Monaco stars – who immediately surrounded him and protested.That would therefore imply they were not happy with the decision – and surely would not have done so if Garcia escaped with only a yellow. Then the official Champions League graphic flashed up on the screen stating Garcia had received a direct red card – as he trudged off the pitch towards the tunnel. Matterface added: “Well, I wonder if the referee has brought out the wrong-coloured card because there’s absolutely no intention to win the ball and that would ordinarily be a red card. “We are being told on our information system it’s a yellow card but I think he’s walking here.”That’s a red card, a direct red card, that’s the right decision.”I think the referee pulled out the wrong card.”However, on further investigation, although the card seemed to be yellow on the screen, that actually appeared to be another footballing optical illusion due to a reflection of light.In fact, the referee DID pull out the red card.That was confirmed by photographs from the scene with Garcia and Minamino lying on the floor as the referee held up the card.The video footage also showed him putting the red back into his shorts during the commotion on the field.And Garcia’s early bath clearly had an impact as Maghnes Akliouche put Monaco ahead six minutes later.Lamine Yamal equalised just before the half-hour mark with his first Champions League goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut George Ilenikhena grabbed the winner for the Ligue 1 side 20 minutes from time to hand Barca the nightmare start to the new campaign. It was the 18-year-old’s first Monaco goal – and prompted hilarious scenes in the CBS Sports studios as Jamie Carragher butchered his attempt to pronounce Ilenikhena’s name. Referee Allard Lindhout clearly brandished a red cardCredit: GettyThe Barca stars complained as he put the card back in his pocketCredit: ReutersGarcia trudged off the field after just ten minutesCredit: Getty More

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    Fuming Leicester boss Steve Cooper accuses refs’ chiefs of ‘hiding’ footage that showed they made major VAR error

    LEICESTER boss Steve Cooper has accused refs’ chiefs of ‘hiding’ footage that showed they made a major error.Cooper hit out after VAR ruled Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal for Crystal Palace was onside in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with the Foxes.Steve Cooper has accused referees of hiding footage that shows they made an errorCredit: PAVAR ruled Jean-Philippe Mateta to be onside for his goalCredit: X @PLMatchCentreLeicester maintained the decision had been made on the basis of the wrong piece of footage — and that the clip released to Match of the Day and Sky Sports was ‘false’.Cooper said: “It was an awful human error which has been hidden a little bit in the media. That’s been as disappointing as the decision.“Everything you’ve seen on Match of the Day or Sky has been false. I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t reach the public or the media.“Don’t hide away from mistakes — own them and stand up for it.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLeicester were 2-0 up at Selhurst Park when Mateta scored from Tyrick Mitchell’s cross.The assistant ref flagged for offside but VAR overturned the decision and gave the goal.Mateta then levelled with a late penalty.Cooper claimed: “We’ve seen different images which show that, when they froze the footage for offside, he was.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“In the meeting we had on Monday with the Premier League, we said we’ve had a massive error go against us.”Cooper had run-ins with referees’ body the PGMOL during his time as Nottingham Forest manager. ‘I’d expect a foul’ – Paul Merson claims Arsenal’s winner at Tottenham shouldn’t have stood as VAR fails to interveneBut he added: “I’ve never had to have a conversation like this before. The referees’ department met us on Monday, it should’ve been Sunday.“We showed them broadcast footage that’s been nowhere near the media.“We showed them extra footage, plus some we have, and there’s been no response.”Cooper said the footage Leicester showed at Monday’s meeting was available to VAR during the game, but was not used.Everything you’ve seen on Match of the Day or Sky has been false. I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t reach the public or the media.Steve CooperHe added: “Errors like that should never happen, particularly when VAR is in place.“Have the humility to admit you made a mistake. Show the footage, don’t show the wrong footage.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We can’t release the clips but the Premier League have it as part of our presentation.”The Premier League has been contacted for comment. More

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    Referee ADMITS refusing to give Lionel Messi a card just so he could get Barcelona legend’s shirt after match

    FORMER referee Carlos Chandia has admitted to purposefully avoiding booking Lionel Messi in return for the superstar’s match-worn shirt. Chilean referee Chandia was in charge of the 2007 Copa America semi-final between Argentina and Mexico when he took his opportunity to get a piece of history.Retired referee Carlos Chandia has admitted to avoiding booking Lionel Messi to get his match-worn shirtCredit: GettyChandia was in charge of Argentina’s Copa America semi-final clash against MexicoCredit: AFPArgentina led their semi-final 3-0 with just a few minutes to play thanks to goals from Gabriel Heinze, Juan Roman Riquelme and Messi himself.But despite being moments away from booking their spot in the final, they were close to being handed a huge disadvantage by losing Messi for the final.The Barcelona legend was one booking away from suspension and handled the ball in the middle of the park, giving Chandia no choice but to dish out a yellow and subsequently suspend him for the final – at least that’s what you would assume.Instead Chandia decided to bargain with Messi and offered him a spot in the final in return for his match-worn shirt.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking to ESPN on the FShow, Chandia explained: “Out of nowhere, Messi lifts a ball and touches it with his hand, but in the middle of the pitch. “There was no goal-scoring chance for the Mexican team or anything like that. So, I told him: ‘This is a yellow card, but it will cost you your jersey,’ and I didn’t show him the yellow card. “There were two-and-a-half minutes left, and the score was 3-0. Showing him a yellow card would have taken away his chance of playing in the Copa America final.”The incredible offer was accepted too, according to Chandia, who explained that Messi offered up his shirt at the end of the game.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “He gave me the shirt in the dressing room afterwards. In fact, he wanted to take it off on the pitch and I told him: ‘No, no, no, no; take it to the dressing room’. “And he came to the dressing room with the jersey and left it there for me.”Watch moment Cristiano Ronaldo mimics Lionel Messi’s ill-tempered rant as he cashes in on YouTube success Chandia has since admitted in a separate interview that he has now given the shirt to his son.While also suggesting that he wasn’t chosen as the referee for the final as a result of his sneaky on-field offer.Speaking to TNT Chile, he explained: “My son has it now, he keeps it. “The truth is that I think that because I didn’t give him the yellow card, Brazilians ended up saying something and that’s why I wasn’t the main referee of the Copa America final.”Fortunately for Chandia, his decision didn’t directly impact the outcome of the Copa America final with Messi and Argentina unable to life the trophy in Venezuela.Brazil ended up battering their South American opponents 3-0 thanks to goals from Julio Baptista, Roberto Ayala and Dani Alves. More

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    Female Champions League official reveals she’s sick of being called ‘sexy ref’ after being forced to delete Instagram

    A FEMALE Champions League official has revealed she is sick of being called “sexy ref”.She was also forced to delete her Instagram after receiving sexist messages on the platform.Emanuela Rusta has revealed she is sick of being called ‘sexy ref’Credit: GettyThe Champions League official was forced to delete her Instagram due to sexist messagesCredit: InstagramRusta has made history by refereeing in the Albanian top flight and internationallyCredit: GettyEmanuela Rusta is one of Albania’s top referees and has already made history in her officiating career.The 30-year-old is the first woman to referee in her country’s male top flight and the first Albanian international referee.She is now set to take charge of Thursday’s Women’s Champions League qualifying tie between Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid.However, ahead of the match, she has hit out at headlines calling her “sexy ref” instead of focussing on her ability as a referee.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRusta told AFP, via Marca: “They should focus more on my professionalism than on other things.”You have to fight hard to be accepted. You have to blow the glass ceiling to pieces.”Refereeing is not a question of gender, but of competence. To make good decisions you need to know the rules of the game perfectly, but also to be physically fit and have a great ability to concentrate.”Headlines written about Rusta include one calling her “the sexy referee who raises the temperature”.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMeanwhile, another from a Champions League match in 2022 claimed she “stole the show” despite only being the fourth official.She added: “The (Albanian) Referees Association has always focused on promoting women, so my case is not a coincidence or the end of the process.Refs’ chief Howard Webb reveals Declan Rice red card was correct – but Arsenal wronged by different incorrect decision”I hope that the day is not far off when there are four women refereeing a match in the top men’s category.”Although it is apparently a predominantly male environment, I feel respected and appreciated for the work I do on the field.”As long as you consider it a professional relationship, you are correct, objective and dedicated, there is no lack of help from colleagues or the Association.”Prior to becoming a referee, Rusta played basketball back in Albania before switching to football whilst studying physical education.She now balances her officiating career with working as a secondary school PE teacher.Thursday’s European clash will mark her first Women’s Champions League match as referee.However, Rusta has already taken charge of 15 Albanian men’s SuperLiga matches, including two this season.Rusta also works as a secondary school PE teacher in AlbaniaCredit: InstagramThe 30-year-old has taken charge of two men’s SuperLiga matches already this seasonCredit: GettyRusta will officiate the Women’s Champions League qualifier between Sporting Lisbon and Real MadridCredit: Getty More

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    Football match descends into chaos as red cards dished out for no reason by prankster referee

    FOOTBALLERS abandoned a game when red cards got dished out for no reason — from a TV prankster referee.The Sunday league match descended into chaos when four players were sent off within minutes.Sunday League footballers abandoned a game when red cards got dished out for no reason — from a TV prankster refereeThe match descended into chaos when four players were sent off within minutesPlayers from Bow Badgers and Limehouse Tigres stormed off and refused to carry onLads from Bow Badgers and Limehouse Tigres stormed off and refused to carry on at the ­famous Hackney Marshes in East London.They were then told Norwegian Mads Hansen was only pretending to be a bad ref for his TV show.Mads hoodwinked the players when he turned up on Sunday with a brand new kit, two linesmen and GoPro camera.He told the players he was on a “referee exchange” after roping both coaches into the plan.read more on footballHe then proceeded to hand out eight cards, including four reds, to mounting disbelief.Mads explained: “We wanted to help the real unsung heroes, the amateur refs. “So we decided to be as terrible refs as absolutely possible — so the players would miss the real refs. “I think we succeeded. They told us we’d ruined their day.” Most read in FootballThe Hackney and Leyton League Division 3 match was then played with a real ref, and Limehouse won 3-2.A Bow Badgers spokesman said: “It was the first time a Badger player has scored a goal after being sent off.”The prank will air on Mads’ TV show, Dommerjaevel.Refs’ chief Howard Webb reveals Declan Rice red card was correct – but Arsenal wronged by different incorrect decisionReferee Mads Hansen was only pretending to be a bad ref for his TV showCredit: X More

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    Refs’ chief Howard Webb reveals Declan Rice red card was correct – but Arsenal wronged by different incorrect decision

    DECLAN RICE was rightly sent off for kicking the ball away against Brighton – according to refs’ chief Howard Webb.Speaking on this season’s first edition of decision review show “Match Officials Mic’d Up”, Webb said referee Chris Kavanagh had “no choice” other than to dismiss the England star.Declan Rice was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away against BrightonCredit: GettyThe midfielder was left baffled, but Howard Webb claims he was right to be sent offCredit: GettyRice was handed a second yellow by Kavanagh for nudging the ball away as Brighton’s Joel Veltman was taking a free-kick.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was outraged by the call – which cost him Rice’s services in the north London derby win at Spurs.But the audio of the conversations between Kavanagh and VAR Andy Madley shows the referee felt he had to give Rice the second yellow – even though he was unhappy at doing so.Kavanagh said “Declan Rice has kicked the ball away. I don’t like it, I don’t like it. But he’s knocked the ball. He’s kicked the ball.”Read More in FootballHis VAR, Andy Madley, confirms that decision, telling Kavanagh: “It’s all checked and cleared. It’s exactly as seen.”And Webb agreed: “As you hear from Chris Kavanagh, he’s clearly seen Declan Rice commit a foul, then kick the ball away for an opponent that was in the process of taking a free-kick.“We’ve messaged very clearly and strongly to the players in pre-season around the importance of not getting involved with the ball once the whistle is gone, not delaying the restart in that way.”Once he’s seen Declan Rice deliberately, clearly kick that ball away from the position of that free-kick, then I don’t think he’s got any choice.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWebb, though, did say Kavanagh was WRONG not to issue Brighton’s Joao Pedro with a yellow card for a similar incident in the first half of the game.He said: “It’s a different type of scenario. But it sits in the same kind of book around delaying the restart. Of course, he should have been cautioned here.Arsenal icon Merson says ‘I’ve got more chance of winning Strictly’ in reply to Postecoglou’s second-year trophy claim“The officials on the field gave him too much benefit of doubt, feeling that the actions weren’t really impactful because they felt that the Arsenal players were not ready to take that throw-in.“That should have been the yellow card. And we’ve certainly messaged that back to the officials.”The Rice incident was among five decisions from the first three weeks of the campaign that were reviewed by Webb.Webb said: “In this situation, the ball strikes Ouattara’s shoulder, upper-arm area. It’s hard to be totally conclusive as to exactly where and I don’t think that’s conclusive enough to intervene.“It goes back to ‘referee’s call’. It’s an important concept. And for those factual matters you need evidence. It’s very clear that the on-field call is wrong, I don’t think we have it here.But Webb confirmed that VAR was right to overturn a penalty initially awarded for a “foul” by Lewis Dunk on Dominic Calvert-Lewin in Brighton’s opening day win at Everton.He also agreed that Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic did not deserve to concede a handball penalty in the first weekend win at Chelsea and that Wout Faes’ goal for Leicester at Fulham, originally ruled out for offside against Jamie Vardy, was correctly awarded.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

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    Anthony Taylor not picked to referee Premier League game after setting yellow card record in Bournemouth vs Chelsea

    ANTHONY TAYLOR has not been selected to ref a Premier League game this weekend after his record yellow card haul in Chelsea’s win at Bournemouth.The match official left fans and pundits stunned as he dished out FOURTEEN bookings in Saturday night’s game at the Vitality Stadium.Anthony Taylor has not been selected for the latest Prem fixtures after his record yellow card haulCredit: ReutersThe ref showed an incredible 14 yellows during Chelsea’s win at BournemouthCredit: GettyTaylor went on the rampage, showing yellows for every single disruption to play.And even the benches were not safe, with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and a Bournemouth staff member’s bookings actually making it 16 on the night.But it was the 14 outfield yellows that saw Taylor make history.That easily beat the previous record of 12, which had been shown in two games.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe first was Wolves vs Newcastle in 2010.And it was matched six years later during Chelsea’s infamous Battle of the Bridge against Tottenham.The Blues and Bournemouth have since been fined £25,000 each for their yellows.But while they are both in action again this weekend, Taylor has not been chosen to officiate a top-flight game.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSInstead, the experienced ref will act as fourth official for Southampton vs Ipswich Town on Saturday.And the following day will see him take up the same role for Brighton vs Nottingham Forest.Chelsea boss Maresca aims cheeky dig at Erik ten Hag after Jadon Sancho makes dazzling debut after Man Utd transferSpeaking after his side’s late defeat to Chelsea, who won with a timely Christopher Nkunku strike, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said: “I will not talk about the referee.”I have been talking and it is not working so I have decide now I will try the opposite and see what happens.”Chelsea boss Maresca added: “I complained about a foul on Wesley Fofana which for me was quite clear but it can happen.”Eight yellow cards probably because these sort of games are about duels and fight and this can happen.”It is not a problem for me with this amount of yellow cards. It is what it is.”Sometimes the game demands the way you have to behave.”All 14 yellow cards17m 46s – Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) – Tactical foul30m 6s – Wesley Fofana (Chelsea) – Foul reckless34m 11s – Lewis Cook (Bournemouth) – Tactical foul35m 16s – Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) – Reckless offence36m 10s – Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) – Foul37m 25s – Adam Smith (Bournemouth) – Dissent51m 40s – Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) – Dissent56m 7s – Levi Colwill (Chelsea) – Tactical foul56m 14s – Jadon Sancho (Chelsea) – Dissent59m – Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) – Tactical foul79m 58s – Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth) – Foul reckless86m 2s – Renato Veiga (Chelsea) – Excessive celebration90m 31s – Joao Felix (Chelsea) – Foul reckless95m 36s – Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – Dissent More

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    Premier League could be hit by mass referee holidays as officials win landmark court case

    REFEREES’ CHIEFS have lost the latest round of their courtroom battle with the taxman and it could mean paid holiday for officials.The Supreme Court ruled that the PGMOL must treat part-time refs from League One downwards as employees and therefore provide benefits to go with that.Part-time referees must be paid holiday leave, rule the PGMOLIt means the body which oversees the officials from the Premier League downwards faces a huge bill for annual leave for around 60 referees and assistants.A whistle-blower told SunSport: “This could mean dozens of referees backdating claims for holidays in lieu. “Imagine them all deciding to take the rest of the season off on full pay? “Sitting on deck chairs with nobody to take charge of games in certain areas of the EFL.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAt present, referees in the lower reaches of the EFL are treated as self-employed and therefore not entitled to the trappings of permanent employment, although they do get expenses.Referees at this level tend to have other jobs in addition to taking charge of games. While PGMOL provides them with kit and equipment.The battle between PGMOL and HMRC is similar to that in 2021 when multinational online taxi service provider Uber was ordered to treat their drivers as paid employees.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPGMOL won the first round of the legal war. HMRC equalised by winning the second, sending the case to the highest court in the land. ‘I’d expect a foul’ – Paul Merson claims Arsenal’s winner at Tottenham shouldn’t have stood as VAR fails to interveneDespite the ruling by The Supreme Court, PGMOL can still appeal the judgement.The case has been dragging on since 2017 and may run for years.Our whistle-blower added: “And you thought VAR decisions took a long time?”The PGMOL claimed they were only contracted for services and therefore should be classed as self-employed.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