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    Arsenal fans in disbelief as Wolves star grabs Gabriel Jesus’ bum before Brazilian wrestles him to ground

    GABRIEL JESUS refused to turn the other cheek after having his BUM grabbed during Arsenal’s clash with Wolves.The Brazil striker was bent over to put his right boot back on after a challenge.Gabriel Jesus fell pray to an unusual tacticHe was not pleased with the offenceJesus protests his innocence as Yerson Mosquera asks for a cardWolves star Yerson Mosquera saw his opportunity and pounced, reaching around and clearly grabbing Jesus’ rear.Jesus was understandably annoyed and shoved the defender to the ground.Somewhat harshly, he was given a yellow card.And Gunners fans were not happy with Mosquera, or referee Jarred Gillett.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne wrote: “The guy is something else…”A second posted: “Something has to be done with the officiating in this league. It’s outrageous.”A third added: “We all know about refs and VAR…joke.”A fourth fumed: “Welcome back to some of the worst referrees in Europe.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMosquera also clashed with Kai HavertzCredit: ReutersTo add fuel to the fire, Mosquera was lucky to still be on the pitch after an earlier clash with Kai Havertz.The German was initially at fault as he dragged his rival to the ground.Arsenal need major transfer clear out to beat Man City to Premier League title | Troy DeeneyBut Mosquera’s hands appeared to be around Havertz’s neck while he lay on the floor – although he withdrew them in time to avoid any attention from the officials.Arsenal ultimately had the last laugh as Havertz’s first-half header and Bukayo Saka’s superb effort secured the points.The Gunners were not at the best but did enough to win in front of their own fans.Next up is a trip to Aston Villa next weekend. More

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    Sky Sports forced to apologise as Championship clash disappears from live broadcast as fans moan ‘great start to season’

    SKY SPORTS were forced to issue an apology after two major cock-ups during their broadcast of Saturday’s early Championship fixtures.The broadcaster simultaneously aired Derby, Portsmouth and West Brom’s respective clashes with Middlesbrough, Luton Town and Leeds.Portsmouth’s Championship clash with Luton Town was aired on Sky SportsCredit: RexBut it switched to Derby vs Middlesbrough midway through the first halfCredit: REXFans weren’t impressed by the change of streamAnd they accidentally drew the ire of Pompey and Hatters fans by switching the stream of their match to Derby vs Middlesbrough midway through the first half.Fans weren’t happy with the accidental switch of the stream and the sound issues that followed.One wrote on X: “You’ve got Derby Middlesborough playing on the Portsmouth Luton stream you clowns.”Please fix.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnother said: “What the hell @SkySports, selected Portsmouth v Luton and now I’m watching Derby v Middlesborough?”What happened?”And another said: “@SkySports I want to watch Luton vs Portsmouth why are you showing me Derby vs Boro?”One remarked: “Fancy watching Portsmouth v Luton? Tough, @SkySports are playing Derby on it instead.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPortsmouth drew 3-3 with Leeds in their Championship opener last weekendCredit: Rex”S**t start to this amazing season of football they’re bringing us allegedly.”Another chimed in: “@SkySports what has happened to Portsmouth v Luton?EFL goalkeeper sends fans into meltdown with utterly ridiculous ‘skill of the season’ in pre-season clash”Got a full house to watch the game and now switched to Der v Mid.”Sky worked quickly to rectify their gaffe, news of which spread like wildfire on social mediaAnd they were quick to issue an apology to Portsmouth and Luton fans for the accidental switch-up and sound issues.Portsmouth kicked off their first Championship campaign in 12 years with a thrilling 3-3 draw with Leeds last weekend.Luton, meanwhile, were thumped 4-1 by Burnley on Monday. More

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    French star suspended by club ‘for wishing team-mate and ex-Premier League ace happy birthday on social media’

    A FRENCH star has been suspended for wishing his team-mate happy birthday on social media.Marseille star Rayan Hassad, 18, wished former Newcastle and Porto defender Chancel Mbemba happy birthday on his Instagram story.Rayan Hassad (left) has been suspended after wishing Chancel Mbemba (right) a happy birthdayCredit: InstagramMbemba, though, is currently banished from Marseille’s first-team for demonstrating “poor behaviour” in training according to regional French paper La Provence and reported by Get French Football News.Hassad’s message to Mbemba said “Happy birthday cousin”, with the term “cousin” allegedly a reference to an incident which caused Mbemba’s suspension.The message was said to be the “final straw”.Hassad is alleged to have already angered the club’s hierarchy by insulting a team-mate and refusing to carry out instructions given to him by the club.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHassad has since posted a message to his Instagram story apologising to the club, saying: “I was indeed suspended as a precautionary measure by Olympique de Marseille following an Instagram story where I wished a teammate a happy birthday.“I would like to clarify that at no time did I want to cause harm to my club and its management. “It was a simple birthday message, as I usually do with other teammates. If I hurt someone, I apologise but know that this was never my intention.”Hassad is a Marseille youth and reserve player and is yet to make an appearance for Marseille’s first-team.Most read in FootballMbemba had been playing regularly and helped Marseille reach the semi-finals of the Europa League last season.But he was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Roberto De Zerbi this summer.Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseMbemba was then told to train with the reserves while he found a move, which is where the incident that saw him suspended is said to have taken place.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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    Pregnant Laura Woods reveals she was sent death threats after wading into Imane Khelif Olympic boxing gender row

    LAURA Woods has revealed she was sent death threats after wading into the Imane Khelif Olympic boxing gender row.The TNT Sports host, 37, who recently announced she is expecting a baby with Love Island boyfriend Adam Collard, tweeted about an article in the Telegraph.TNT Sports TV presenter Laura Woods has revealed she was sent death threatsCredit: GettyGold medallist Algeria’s Imane Khelif poses on the podium during the medal ceremonyCredit: AFPKhelif faced criticism after beating Italian boxer Angela Carini in just 46 secondsShe replied, “Great article Oli” to a piece titled ‘Blinded by ideology: Inside boxing row that undermined IOC and tarnished Olympics’.Since the post, Woods said she has received “numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child”.She wrote on X: “Since I replied to this article I’ve had numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child.”Questions on my own gender (I’m pregnant so guess that clears that one up) calls for my employers to sack me, threats to my home.Read more Sports News”I’ve been called a racist, a bigot and a sexist as well as various insults – c*nt, sl*g etc.”I’ve also been asked why I haven’t raised any concerns on this topic before? See above for your answer.”Woods added: “When there are discrepancies with test results – which could impact the safety of another human being, in an environment that above all else should be fair – questions are quite rightly going to be asked.”The answers are still unclear, otherwise this topic would be closed.”Most read in BoxingKhelif won Olympic gold in the women’s 66kg boxing contest after critics said her participation risked women’s safety.The Algerian was born female and does not identify as transgender or intersex.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit’But Khelif faced criticism on social media from a number of public figures saying she is male and should not be taking part.She has reportedly named Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuit – with her lawyer claiming Donald Trump’s tweets will also be probed.Khelif is understood to have filed a criminal complaint to French authorities.The complaint details alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against the Algerian boxer.CLEMMIE MOODIE Imane Khelif is world’s first fictional trans Olympian – those who labelled her ‘male’ were deeply irresponsible”IF it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck . . . then get it the duck out of the Olympic GamesMany, then, think boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting will waddle their way to podium glory next week.But how deeply sad that a global event with so, so many stories — ones of triumph, adversity, heartbreak and sheer, hard work against all odds — should focus on the back stories of these two individuals.Everyone has their opinion. And everyone is entitled to their opinion.But those with the loudest, people such as JK Rowling — who should really get back to Privet Drive and lay off some of the militant anti-trans stuff — need to be careful.When the author labelled the athletes “male”, she knew what she was doing: Stirring up her cauldron of hatred and winding up the ill-informed masses.It was deeply irresponsible.Because in Algeria, where Khelif is from, it is illegal to be gay, let alone trans, which, let’s face it, is what the boxer stands accused of being.In effect, she has become the world’s first fictional trans Olympian.But she isn’t transgender. And never has been.Because, as is the case so regularly these days, mis-information, conspiracy and gross exaggeration are rife.And how tragically horrific if those vociferous individuals claiming to be standing up for women should see two women subsequently killed by hate mobs.Where was JK’s outrage over the convicted Dutch male rapist Steven van de Velde being allowed to compete in the beach volleyball?Or where, if she’s so concerned about advantageous hormones, was her anger over China’s gold medal-winning 4x100m medley team, which featured two swimmers who previously returned positive doping tests?Yesterday, the Algerian athlete tore into the scrutiny of her gender as “harmful to human dignity”, begging people to “refrain from bullying”.And then the International Boxing Association, the body which originally claimed the pair had failed “eligibility tests” without even categorically explaining what these tests are, openly bullied her.The IBA, which has been banned from regulating Olympic boxing because of governance problems, a lack of financial transparency and many perceived instances of corruption, let its clearly mad Russian chief Umar Kremlev do the talking.Kremlev ranted, sensitively: “The tests show they were men. We don’t verify what they have between their legs. We don’t know if they were born like that or if some changes were made.”Very unhelpfully, the boxers themselves and their governing bodies are also refusing to say exactly what tests they had done. And in this, some blame lies with them.Do the pair have conditions such as Swyer Syndrome which means they have female reproductive organs but higher levels of testosterone? Are they intersex? How raised is their testosterone?Of course, they shouldn’t have to drop their shorts and show the world their genitalia.But they must display more transparency.The IOC’s ham-fisted handling of testing procedures also needs addressing.And if these women really do have a grossly unfair advantage, then this must be dealt with — and yes, perhaps they should be competing against men, albeit in a lighter weight category.After all, the hurt feelings of these athletes mustn’t triumph over common sense and the well-being of their XX-chromosomed counterparts.Safety must come first, for everyone.And that means no more rumour, no more conspiracy theories and no more wild conjecture. Just facts.Khelif’s lawyer Nabil Boudi told Variety: “JK Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others.”Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary.”The Parisian lawyer added: “If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”Harry Potter author Rowling slammed Khelif after her win over Italian boxer Angela Carini.Carini quit the round-of-16 bout just 46 seconds in – refusing to shake Khelif’s hand and claiming she had never been punched so hard.Rowling accused Khelif of being a man “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head”.READ MORE SUN STORIESTwitter and Tesla owner Musk shared a post about Khelif claiming “men don’t belong in women’s sports”.And Trump posted a snap of the Khelif-Carini fight with the caption: “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”Harry Potter author Rowling slammed KhelifCredit: GettyTwitter owner Elon Musk shared a post calling Khelif a manCredit: Getty More

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    Police probe into racist who abused Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is dropped after X refuses to reveal yob’s location

    A POLICE investigation into a racist who abused Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has been dropped because X/Twitter refused to reveal the culprit’s location.Winger Saka, 22, was targeted with a manipulated image and slur by the yob who said he “needs to be humbled before he ruins this sport any further”.A police investigation into a racist who abused Bukayo Saka has been dropped because X/Twitter refused to reveal the culprit’s locationCredit: GettyIt came after Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich in April when the England star went down and appealed for a penalty.Some fans believed he tried to con the referee by throwing himself into the opposition’s goalie.Arsenal contacted X to get the post removed but it took four weeks for it to suspend the account.The Met brought in specialist UK Football Policing Unit detectives to trace the racist.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey found the account-holder was based overseas but X would not say which country so it could not be passed on to the relevant authorities.Labour MP Clive Betts, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Football, said: “Simply because they are overseas and X is not prepared to take action is not good enough. “If we cannot rely on them to self-moderate then further regulation is required.”Sunder Katwala, of equality think-tank British Future, said: “When the police want to act, it is enormously disappointing if X are refusing to facilitate the effort to prosecute and show that extreme racial hatred should carry consequences.”Most read in FootballArsenal said it was supporting Saka. X has been approached for comment.Bukayo Saka breaks silence on amazing reaction to Watkins’ Netherlands winning goal to fire England into Euro 2024 final More

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    Imane Khelif breaks silence after ‘naming Elon Musk & JK Rowling in cyberbullying lawsuit’ over boxing gender row

    IMANE Khelif has broken her silence after reportedly naming Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuit.Khelif won Olympic gold in the women’s 66kg boxing contest on Saturday after critics said her participation risked women’s safety.Imane Khelif has spoken for the first time since reportedly naming Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuitCredit: ReutersKhelif was at the centre of a ‘gender row’ controversy at the Olympics after being allowed to compete in women’s boxingCredit: GettyThe boxing champion is understood to have filed a criminal complaint to French authorities which alleges “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against the Algerian from famous figures such as Rowling and Musk.Harry Potter author Rowling slammed Khelif after her win over Italian boxer Angela Carini.Rowling accused Khelif of being a man “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head” after Carini left the bout in tears.Meanwhile, Twitter and Tesla owner Musk shared a post about Khelif claiming “men don’t belong in women’s sports”.Read More in BoxingNow, the 25-year-old Olympic champion has spoken out after a successful Olympics campaign shrouded in controversy.Khelif told El Birad: “Immediately after there was a big uproar from big politicians around the world, athletes around the world, and even artists and stars, Elon Musk, Trump.. this thing….. that affected me.”I am not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, hurt me a lot. I can’t describe to you the amount of fear I had.”The scenario was very scary. Thank god, all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew Imane Khelif with her femininity, her courage, her will,’ said the Algerian boxer.Most read in Boxing”Honestly, I don’t like to get into politics in sports, but they got into politics in sports. Sports and politics are two separate things. “These politicians who are oppressing me, they don’t have the right to say that I’m a transgender.”Khelif’s lawyer Nabil Boudi previously told Variety: “JK Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others.”Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit’The Parisian lawyer added: “If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”The Algerian was born female and does not identify as transgender or intersex.But just last year Khelif was thrown out of last year’s World Championships in India after failing an unspecified gender test.International Boxing Association officials said tests showed Khelif had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.However, the IBA has still not revealed which tests it used or published the results.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.But Khelif faced criticism on social media from a number of public figures saying she is male and should not be taking part.READ MORE SUN STORIESPossible repercussions for cyber-bullying offences in France are prison sentences ranging from two to five years and fines ranging from £26,000 to £39,000. If prosecuted as online hate speech, perpetrators could even be fined £64,000 to £214,000. More

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    Premier League poised to make revolutionary change to VAR that is set to end huge delays in game

    PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are set to reveal a state-of-the-art VAR update to speed up decisions.The top flight will introduce a new version of the system using semi-automatic offside technology.VAR has had plenty of issues in the Premier LeagueCredit: AlamyFans have been subjected to long waitsCredit: GettyBosses claim the system – which uses artificial Intelligence – will lead to the best officiating in the world.Technology company Genius Sports which will install 28 special cameras at every Premier League ground. Fans were left fuming at lengthy VAR checks last season.It took nearly six minutes to disallow a West Ham goal against Aston Villa.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWith the average referral taking 64 seconds, games were regularly taking over 100 minutes to complete.Blunders were also an issue last campaign with a Brentford offside missed in the buildup to a goal at Arsenal, and manually drawn lines placed on the wrong Crystal Palace defender leading to a Brighton being disallowed on the SAME DAY.Not to mention the incredible blunder that saw Luis Diaz’s onside goal infamously ruled out against Spurs.Uefa deployed a version of SAOT in the Champions League and it was also in use at the Qatar World Cup.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother huge change to VAR has been announced in the build-up to the season.Fans will now be able to access updates from Stockley Park throughout each match, explaining the decisions made by VAR officials.Man United defender Harry Maguire wants VAR SCRAPPED…except in ONE way and gives Fury vs Usyk predictionThe updates will be provided on Premier League Match Centre, a brand-new X account.An official statement from the Premier League read: “The Premier League has launched a new X account @PLMatchCentre ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season.”For the first time, the social media account will provide near-live explainers and updates on operational and officiating matters for every Premier League match.”The account will post factual explanations of on-pitch refereeing decisions and the involvement of the video assistant referee (VAR) including the role of technology in the decision-making process.”In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game.”Premier League Match Centre – based at Stockley Park – is the operational hub of the League that helps with the smooth running of matchday operations of the competition.”It is linked into all 20 Premier League stadiums, the VAR Hub and broadcast partners around the world.”Wolves’ VAR complaintsWolves have listed nine negative repercussions from the introduction of VAR in their complaint.Impact on goal celebrations and the spontaneous passion that makes football specialFrustration and confusion inside stadiums due to lengthy VAR checks and poor communicationA more hostile atmosphere with protests, booing of the Premier League anthem and chants against VAROverreach of VAR’s original purpose to correct clear and obvious mistakes, now overanalysing subjective decisions and compromising the game’s fluidity and integrityDiminished accountability of on-field officials, due to the safety net of VAR, leading to an erosion of authority on the pitchContinued errors despite VAR, with supporters unable to accept human error after multiple views and replays, damaging confidence in officiating standardsDisruption of the Premier League’s fast pace with lengthy VAR checks and more added time, causing matches to run excessively longConstant discourse about VAR decisions often overshadowing the match itself, and tarnishing the reputation of the leagueErosion of trust and reputation, with VAR fuelling completely nonsensical allegations of corruption More

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    Man Utd fans gush ‘Adidas are absolutely killing it’ as ‘genius’ video showing off 2024-25 third kit is released

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans have fallen in love with the Red Devils’ third kit ahead of the new Premier League season.The strip was launched with a captivating video on social media, featuring the likes of Hollywood’s actor Barry Keoghan – who is a lifelong United fan – and a breadth of talent, young and old.Man Utd and Adidas have launched their third kit for the 24/25 seasonSaltburn actor Barry Keoghan featured in the new Adidas adCredit: X @ManUtdAnd Hojlund, Garnacho and Mainoo created their iconic celebration from last seasonCredit: X @ManUtdWell known United fan on social media Angry Ginge was also brought inCredit: X @ManUtdAdidas have brought back their classic trefoil logo to mark the brand’s 75-year anniversary in 2025.Other changes see a Red Devil emblem coming in to replace the club’s traditional badge.And Adidas Originals released a unique advert – led by BAFTA winning star Keoghan – at United’s old training ground, The Cliff, to launch the kit.The sportwear brand invited a raft of stars from both the present day and decades gone by to grace the sentimental production.READ MORE ON MAN UTDSuch is the wealth of talent in the film, you’d be forgiven for blinking and missing two Treble winners, and even the club’s longest-serving skipper.The first face seen, after Keoghan’s, is long-serving left-back Luke Shaw, who was tasked with getting some pitchside coffees.Eagle-eyed fans then spotted United’s much-loved trio of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo perched on a wall – recreating their viral celebration against West Ham last season.Denis Irwin, Bryan Robson, Jaap Stam, and two-time FA Cup winner Frank Stapleton, who is the Saltburn actor’s second-cousin, also featured. Most read in FootballThe idea stems from the celebration after Garnacho scored against West HamFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmad Diallo can be seen shaking his head after one of the players receives a yellow card for taking his shirt off after scoring a goal.This was a clear nod to last season’s last-gasp FA Cup victory over Liverpool, where Amad – who scored in the final seconds of extra-time – was sent off for taking his shirt off in celebration.Man Utd complete stunning £60million Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui transfers as duo arrive from Bayern MunichFans were quick to fall in love with both the kit and the advert, with one person taking to X to write: “Adidas are absolutely killing it!!”A second said: “This is probably my favourite piece of content United have ever produced 🖤.”A third read: “This is such an incredible piece of production. It’s a perfect vibe for this new kit.”A fourth wrote: “Who’s the genius behind this. WOW!”Meanwhile, the officially verified Adidas UK account wrote: “The original Manchester.”While another replied: “This is unbelievably class. I have Goosebumps.”New signing Noussair Mazraoui wearing the new third kitCredit: Instagram @manchesterunitedFormer Man Utd star Rio Ferdinand helped out with the launch of their new third kitThe new look is a hit with supporters More