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      Nottingham Forest slapped with staggering fine after shocking tweet following defeat to Everton

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST have been hit with a huge fine after their shocking tweet following last season’s defeat to Everton.Forest lost 2-0 at Goodison Park in April’s potential relegation clash.Nottingham Forest have been fined after their tweet following last season’s defeat at EvertonCredit: GettyBut chiefs were left fuming as they felt Forest were denied three clear penalties.The club then published a wild post on X claiming that the VAR ref on the day was “a Luton fan”, with the Hatters also battling for safety at the time.It read: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.”We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”Forest were then hit with misconduct charges by the FA.And they have now been fined a massive £750,000.A statement read: “Nottingham Forest have been fined £750,000 and warned for misconduct in relation to comments posted on social media after their Premier League game against Everton on Sunday 21 April.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”The club denied that the comments posted on social media imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match officials and/or the video assistant referee and/or bring the game into disrepute.”An independent Regulatory Commission found the charge to be proven following a hearing and imposed the club’s sanctions.”Football icons’ strange hobbiesNottingham Forest have confirmed that they will appeal the decision.A club statement read: “Nottingham Forest Football Club is extremely disappointed with the decision of the Regulatory Commission to impose a £750,000 fine in relation to comments posted on social media following our Premier League fixture against Everton on Sunday 21 April.”We are particularly concerned that The FA, in its submissions, sought a sanction ‘in excess of £1,000,000’. “We believe that this request, along with the subsequent fine, is wholly disproportionate and the Club will be appealing the decision.”Following their initial tweet in April, Forest demanded the VAR audio from the game against Everton was released.Refs chief Howard Webb even went as far as to admit mistakes were made in the match.But that still didn’t save Forest from their FA charge.Thankfully for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, they ended up beating the drop last season.READ MORE SUN STORIESInstead it was Luton who dropped to the Championship.And Forest are now looking solid in 10th place this term. More

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      EFL boss reveals what sparked him squaring up to Shrewsbury player as he faces FA probe over moment of madness

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      BOLTON boss Ian Evatt has accused Shrewsbury captain Morgan Feeney of “grabbing” him during their post-match altercation but admits he “went too far”.The former Blackpool defender, 42, went over to the referee to protest the lack of stoppage time after the final whistle blew in his side’s 2-2 draw with the Shrews on Saturday.Ian Evatt is facing a ban for his altercation after Bolton’s draw with ShrewsburyCredit: GettyEvatt went on the pitch to talk to the referee but ended up in a row with Shrewsbury defender Morgan FeeneyA disciplinary hearing has begun regarding the incidentEvatt has given his side of the story and insists he will talk to the FAThe Wanderers gaffer began discussions with the official on the pitch but then became embroiled in a spat with centre-back Feeney, 25.He was subsequently sent off and a disciplinary hearing is now underway.Ahead of the decision, Evatt has given his side of the story, insisting he was provoked into a reaction.Speaking to The Bolton News, he said: “Obviously I am not going to say too much because I am part of a process with the FA but what I will say is that I am disappointed. I am not happy with the way things turned out.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”There wasn’t an issue with the referee at all, we were discussing the timing situation, and there was context to my actions.”Their player grabbed me, said some not very nice things, and I reacted in a way I shouldn’t have done.”Whether it was emotion, frustration, passion, whatever you want to call it, it probably went too far.”But as I say, there is context behind the way I reacted and I will be discussing that with the FA.”Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt is understood Bolton fear gaffer Evatt could face a more lengthy punishment than the regulation one-game ban.He is expected to miss their next game at home to Burton, but could also be absent for their following matches against Birmingham and Peterborough.Arsenal teenager Jacker Porter made his Gunners debut against Bolton and became a record breakerEvatt has been in charge of Bolton since July 2020, earning promotion to League One in his first season.He also led them to an EFL Trophy triumph in 2023.He has won 120 of 139 games as Bolton boss, but missed out on promotion to the Championship last season as his side were beaten 2-0 in the play-off final by Oxford.Bolton sit 13th in League One with 14 points from their opening nine matches. More

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      Kick It Out founder Herman Ouseley dies aged 79 after life spent campaigning against racism & discrimination in football

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      LORD Herman Ouseley, the founder of Kick It Out and anti-racism campaigner, has died at the age of 79.It is thought Lord Ouseley died on Wednesday, following a short illness.The anti-racism campaigner Lord Herman Ouseley, seen here in 2016, has diedCredit: Getty Images – GettyLord Ouseley outside the Palace of Westminster in 2018Credit: Tom Pilston – The Sunday TimesHe founded Kick It Out to tackle racism and discrimination in football and was its chairman for 25 years.Kick It Out paid tribute to Lord Ouseley this afternoon, calling him “a fearless advocate for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities and will be sorely missed”.The anti-discrimination charity announced Lord Ouseley’s death on its official X, formerly Twitter, account.”We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Lord Herman Ouseley after a short illness,” Kick It Out’s statement read.Read More on Football”Lord Ouseley was a titan in tackling discrimination in football over the 25 years he was chair of Kick It Out, having founded Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football in 1993.”He was also a fearless advocate for under-represented and disadvantaged communities and will be sorely missed.”Lord Ouseley’s vision to set up Kick It Out was the first true structural change in football to take on a problem that had blighted the game for decades.”Fans and participants are now more aware of discrimination and how to challenge it, which is a legacy of the tenacity and vigour he showed in ensuring football continued to change.Most read in Football”We owe him a huge debt of gratitude and vow to continue that legacy for the benefit of future generations.”Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”Birmingham star points out fan who racially abused him as police launch probe a week after crowd trouble hit FA Cup tieHe sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher from 2001 until his retirement in 2019.Lord Ouseley was also the chief executive for the Race Equality Commission after a long career in local government.Tributes have been pouring in with Troy Townsend MBE, a former footballer and fellow anti-racism activist, calling him “the greatest”.He wrote on X: “Back in 2020 I was so grateful to pay tribute to this legend of a man whilst he accepted a Special Recognition Award from Pride of Britain.”Lord Herman Ouseley, I owe you a debt of gratitude for everything you did for me, for football & society. May your pain be no more.”Mr Townsend added: “[He] stood up when others stayed silent. Took on an industry that allowed racism to flourish. “Looked people in the eye and demanded they change. Whether it was football or politics Herman took on all comers. I’m very proud to be part of his legacy.”The FA also wrote on the social media site: “We are extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Lord Herman Ouseley.”Lord Ouseley was a trailblazer in English football, having the original vision for @kickitout, and he played a hugely inspirational role in tackling discrimination across our game while advocating for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities.”Labour MP Diane Abbott also paid tribute to Lord Ouseley, calling him “a pioneer at the top levels of local government”.Herman George Ouseley was born in Guyana in 1946 and came to Britain when he was 12, attending William Penn Primary School and then Catford College. He started a successful career in local politics, going on to serve as chief executive of the London Borough of Lambeth.It was also the first black head of the former Inner London Education Authority, a body which oversaw more than 1,000 schools and colleges in in the capital.Lord Ouseley set up Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football in 1993 and served as the head of the Commission for Racial Equality from 1993 to 2000.He was then made a Life Peer in 2001, going on to pick up 13 honorary degrees.READ MORE SUN STORIESLet’s Kick Racism Out of Football altered its name to Kick It Out, with Lord Ousley heading the organisation until December 2018.The campaigner shared two children with his teacher wife, Margaret.Lord Ouseley with then England manager Roy Hodgson, right, in the stands during a match at Stamford Bridge in May 2015Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      FA Cup prize money dramatically increased as EFL and non-league clubs compensated for scrapping of replays

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      THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has significantly increased the FA Cup prize money after replays were controversially axed.EFL and non-league clubs were outraged back in April after a joint decision from the Premier League and the FA to scrap rematches in the legendary competition.The Football Association has significantly raised the FA Cup prize moneyCredit: GettyThe FA agreed to put an extra £2.34million into the prize pot for rounds one to threeCredit: PAOfficials announced they would seek compensation for their clubs and branded the initiative as “frustrating and disappointing”.They also claimed they had been sidelined and expressed fears that the new format would deny already cash-strapped sides lucrative fixtures with some of the country’s biggest clubs.The EFL believed the decision occurred as a result of the expansion of Uefa’s calendar with the controversial introduction of the repackaged Club World Cup, which led to furious reaction from players.According to The Mail, however, a compensation has now been agreed following a series of high-level talks.Read More on FootballThe FA agreed to put an extra £2.34million into the prize pot for rounds one to three.That means the total kitty could increase by 38 per cent compared to last season.Therefore, defeated clubs from Round One will make £15,000 compared to nothing from last year.Those who are defeated in the second round will receive a total of £65,000, which is up from £41,000.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd finally those who make it to Round Three before being knocked out will pocket £145,000.Replays had been a key part of the FA Cup tradition, which is why the new plans received such a furious reaction.My cousin is Man Utd FA Cup hero – now he’s helping me through my injury hell so I can shine for women’s teamWhy FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin LiptonTHE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.Read more on the FA Cup. More

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      Son Heung-min admits Tottenham team-mate Bentancur ‘almost cried’ in public apology to him as he faces SIX-MATCH BAN

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      SON HEUNG-MIN maintains there is no problem between himself and team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur – only love.Midfielder Bentancur has been charged by the FA for his discriminatory comments about Son and faces a maximum punishment of a 12-game ban.Tottenham star Son Heung-min maintains there is no problem between himself and Rodrigo BentancurCredit: GettyTottenham ace Bentancur has been charged by the FA for discriminatory comments about SonCredit: GettyThe 27-year-old was asked by a presenter on Uruguayan TV in June for a Tottenham shirt and replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”He apologised to Son afterwards and is awaiting his fate, with the FA likely to recommend at least a six-match suspension to the regulatory commission that will hand down his sentence.Spurs skipper Son, 32, said: “At the moment, there’s a process from the FA, that’s why I can’t say much about it. But I love Rodrigo, I love him.“We have a lot of good memories, we started playing together when he joined.Read More on Football“He apologised straight afterwards when we [were on] holiday.“I was at home, I didn’t even realise what was going on. He just sent me a long message, and you could feel it was coming from his heart.“When we came back to the training ground for pre-season, he was really sorry and he almost cried.“He apologised in public and personally as well. It felt like he was really sorry. We’re all human, we make mistakes, we learn from it. I love Rodrigo, I love him, I love him.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“He knows he made a mistake but I have no problem at all. We move on as a teammate, as a friend, as a brother. We move on together.”Both Bentancur and Son could start Thursday’s Europa League opener against Azerbaijani side Qarabag.Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror showLast season, Tottenham played just 41 games as they were not in Europe and crashed out of the cups early.But they face an extended schedule this year and Son joined Manchester City star Rodri in speaking out against the dangers of a fixture overload.The South Korean icon said: “We’re not robots. We have to look after that and reduce the games definitely – better quality definitely should be the aim.“It’s normal that everyone is at high risk of injury. It’s not fair. Rodri said the right things. We play 50, 60 games and not more than 70 games. It’s not fair.”Son is closing in on 10 years at Spurs but only feels he will earn “legend” status for the club if he wins a trophy.His current deal expires at the end of this season, though SunSport understands Spurs will trigger an option to extend his deal until the summer of 2026.Son discusses contractWhen asked about his contract situation, Son replied: “We haven’t talked [about] anything yet.“I’m just fully focused on this situation and this year. I just want to win something that everybody in this club and these players and all around deserves.“That’s what I’m working for. In the future, you never know what’s going to happen.“But I will make sure I give everything for this club. It’s almost ten years that I give everything.”Cristian Romero is suspended for Thursday’s match, while Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon are ineligible.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt will be Ange Postecoglou’s maiden European game as Spurs boss. The Aussie added: “For us as a group it will be the first time, the squad has changed a lot in the last 12 months.“I see it as a fantastic opportunity to evolve as a team in a footballing sense and hopefully gets us closer to our goal.” More

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      Women’s FA Cup clash abandoned as goalkeeper rushed to hospital after medical emergency

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      A WOMEN’S FA Cup tie was abandoned due to a goalkeeper’s medical emergency.Salford’s Grace Pomfret went down off the ball in “very visible distress” at Wythenshawe FC and was rushed to hospital after treatment. The Women’s FA Cup second qualifying round tie was ended early due to a ‘distressing’ medical problem for Salford stopper Grace PomfretCredit: GettyHer club released a statement, explaining it was “too upsetting to continue” the match following the worrying incident in the 34th minute.Salford later said Pomfret was in a “stable condition” in hospital.Fans shared their relief on social media and posted get-well wishes to the stopper, who has been with home-town team Salford since 2020.The club said in a statement: “The game was stopped after goalkeeper Grace Pomfret went down off the ball in very visible distress.READ MORE FOOTBALL”Salford medical staff were quick to respond and call for emergency assistance, and we are thankful to all involved for their hasty and attentive response.”Due to the distressing scenes, it was decided that it was not possible to continue playing the game.”At Salford, we know that ‘The welfare of the people is the highest law’ and as a family of players and staff it was noted the environment was too upsetting to continue.”Grace was in a conscious state and was applauded off the pitch as paramedics took her to hospital, and we all wish her well for a full recovery.”Most read in FootballThe specific problem suffered by Pomfret during the second qualifying round game has not been disclosed.But fans were just encouraged to hear she was “stable”.One posted: “I was at the game and saw her go down, really upset me to see that, hope she makes a speedy recovery god bless Grace and her poor mum x”Another wrote: “Glad she’s doing better, I hope she recovers well .”Many others sent their good wishes.Meanwhile, with Pomfret’s condition rightly the priority, Salford explained that “a further update about the tie will be provided in due course”. More

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      A sparkie, night shiftworker and sweet shop owner shooting it out for FA Cup golden ticket at Wembley

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      A SWEET shop owner, electrician and a telecoms engineer are all shooting it out to be at the FA Cup Final – one way or another.The trio would all love to fire their respective non-league sides to a miraculous Wembley triumph.Jonathan Lacey was last season’s top goalscorer in the FA CupCredit: X @EmiratesFACupAshford United’s Gary Lockyer is leading the way in this season’s competitionCredit: X @AshfordUnitedFCHe has eight goals so far and is gunning for more this weekendCredit: X @EmiratesFACupHowever, it’s fair to say that they all stand a much better chance of being a VIP under the arch instead of actually playing on Saturday 17 May. And that is because all three are currently battling to be crowned this season’s FA Cup top scorer and land themselves the Mitre Golden Ball award.The Football Association created it three years ago, and the winner gets the honour of not only collecting the trophy from an FA Cup legend but also walking the cup final match ball out onto the Wembley pitch before the final.The competition has already provided Tilbury hotshot Sam Bantick, who has five goals so far, with his greatest football memory.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe 32-year-old, who owns Sam’s Sweets and Shakes near Brentwood station, tasted the magic of the cup firsthand back in 2017.That was when he helped fire Heybridge Swifts into the first round proper and scored in their 3-1 defeat against their Football League opponents at St James Park.He moved to Isthmian League North Division outfit Tilbury this summer and capped his home debut with a hat-trick against Buckhurst Hill.But his exploits were caught on camera, and he soon went viral when his third, an audacious effort from inside his own half, was shared online.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I’ve tried it a few times but it hasn’t always come off. If I could do it all the time then I wouldn’t be playing the level that I’m playing at,” he told Sun Sport.“I hit that perfectly and as soon as I did I knew it was going in. I’ll always remember it.” I broke FA Cup record against Man Utd in final.. 20 years later I’m playing for non-league side in qualifying roundBantick has never been to an FA Cup Final, but after discovering the prize that awaits the top goalscorer, he says it would top the “best day of my life” at Exeter if he went to Wembley to collect the trophy.He said: “I’ll have to try a bit harder on Saturday now.“We don’t often get exposure or the chance to play big sides, of course you want to help your team out, but to get the chance to get honoured on a personal level like that is unreal.”And ahead of welcoming National League South outfit Chelmsford City to Chadfields, he added: “It’s going to be really tough, but it’s XI vs XI.“We know we’re massive underdogs but they’ll have to come to our ground, the changing-rooms will absolutely stink and we’ll try and make it as hard as we can for them.”Sparkie Sonnie Coleman, 27, is another looking to continue his hot-streak of six goals in three matches.And the Northern League Crook Town striker, who scored to help Hardwick Social retain the FA Sunday Cup in 2018 at Bramall Lane, has even played at Wembley before.He was part of the Stockton Town side that suffered FA Vase Final heartbreak at the hands of Thatcham Town six years ago.Tilbury hero Sam Bantick went viral earlier in the competitionCredit: Focus PhotosHe runs a family sweet shop near Brentwood stationCredit: Focus PhotosHe said: “Winning the Sunday Cup two years running was great but the Vase was the biggest game I’ve played in. That was the first and only time that I’ve ever been to Wembley. “So it would be amazing to get there and I have been keeping my eye on it.“I’ve seen the leader has eight, but I feel a bit ripped off as we haven’t had one replay and just gone straight through. He’s had a couple of replays but he’s obviously doing very well.”Coleman is gunning for Witton Albion, who are a step above them in the pyramid, on home turf on Saturday and added: “It’s already the furthest the club have been in the cup this century.“We’ve beaten Ashington already, who were from a step above, so let’s see if we can go even further.”The man they are all chasing is Ashford United’s Gary Lockyer.He already has EIGHT – including a four-goal haul in the last round – but was only told about JJ Lacey’s haul of ten being enough to secure the Golden Ball last season a fortnight ago.Sonnie Coleman of Crook Town already has some fabulous Wembley memoriesCredit: Si CrumbsLockyer, who works night shifts as a telecoms engineer for Network Planning Solutions, said: “After the four goals took me to eight, my manager said ‘you should be really up there’ but I hadn’t really thought or known about it.“I then looked it up and saw that the gentleman won it with ten goals last time and instantly thought ‘I’m quite close here’ and it would really be something to remember.“So I’m definitely hoping for a few more.”Man Utd fan Lockyer, 31, has experienced the first round proper when he was 17 at Hyde Town but didn’t play and he has also attended finals under the arch as a spectator.But the father-of-four is determined to stave off his competition and beat the likes of Erling Haaland and Mo Salah in the scoring stakes to land himself and his wife a VIP day out under the arch.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd after being informed that his rivals were desperate for him to draw and blank and for Ashford united to be eliminated, Lockyer added: “I’m exactly the same!“I’m one for healthy competition and I’m eager to get it now that I know I’m in the lead. Hopefully I can get a few more this weekend.” More

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      Enzo Fernandez set to escape FA punishment for racism storm despite Bentancur facing 12-game ban for Son comments

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      ENZO FERNANDEZ is set to escape punishment from the FA for his Argentina racism storm.However, the Chelsea midfielder could still be charged for the incident which marred their Copa America celebrations.Enzo Fernandez is set to escape FA punishment over his Argentina racism stormCredit: Instagram @enzojfernandezFernandez could still be charged by Fifa after filming himself chanting racist and homophobic slursCredit: PAFernandez was caught on video chanting racist and homophobic slurs after the Copa America final in July.The chants were aimed at members of the France squad during Argentina’s title celebrations following their win over Colombia.He later apologised to his Chelsea team-mates face-to-face on their pre-season tour of the USA.Meanwhile, Fernandez has captained the Blues in each of their opening three Premier League matches this season.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSThe FA have now deemed his racism case a Fifa matter and opted not to charge the 23-year-old.Fernandez could still be punished by Fifa, though, with legal officials in Zurich awaiting an update from Conmebol.It is understood that the world governing body will then decide if they need to take disciplinary action.The FA’s decision comes after Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur was charged over comments he made about team-mate Heung-min Son.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBack in June, Bentancur suggested all South Korean people “look the same” during a Uruguayan TV interview.He has been charged with breaching FA Rule E3 as “he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute”.Bentancur charged by FA over Son commentsMatches Rodrigo Bentancur could missRODRIGO BENTANCUR has until next Thursday to respond to the FA charge.Here is a list of the games he could potentially miss if he receives a maximum ban:Brentford (h)Man Utd (a)Brighton (a)West Ham (h)Crystal Palace (a)(Carabao Cup 4th round)Aston Villa (h)Ipswich (h)Man City (a)Fulham (h)Bournemouth (a)Chelsea (h)Southampton (aBentancur apologised to Son after the incident, with the Spurs forward forgiving him and insisting he made a mistake.The former Juventus star could now face a minimum six-match ban, with the maximum suspension being 12 games.He has been given until September 19 to respond to the FA charge.Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur could be banned for 12 matches after being charged by the FACredit: Getty More