All posts by h716a5.icu

Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday but controversy soon followed, as they complained about the assistant referee spying on them after the match.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Barca celebrate narrow win over AtleticoNumber of controversial decisions Assistant caught eavesdropping outside dressing roomWHAT HAPPENED?

Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez was in charge of the match and the Montjuic home crowd felt that Barcelona had been given the short end of the stick on several occasions, particularly about Joao Felix's penalty appeal, Memphis Depay's two fouls, and his block of Ilkay Gundogan during the German's forward play. Linesman Raul Cabanero was allegedly discovered outside the Barcelona locker room following the game, according to [via ]. They claim he was listening in on the players throughout both half-time and full-time. Press officer Edu Polo instructed Cabanero to leave the premises of the locker room at full-time; however, the linesman summoned Sanchez over his radio, who subsequently inquired about Polo's identity. When Xavi Hernandez showed up, he verified Polo's identification.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

According to Diario AS [Football Espana], Sanchez urged composure, and a discussion was able to fix the matter. They do, however, support Sport's accusations, asserting that Cabanero entered the locker room at half-time to perform the routine player kit check, which is typically done outside the locker room.

DID YOU KNOW?

This season, the Catalans and referees have had a tense relationship that president Joan Laporta brought up last weekend when he insisted his club should have received a penalty for a foul on Raphinha in the LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Although there isn't likely to be any official process for this type of action, Barcelona will undoubtedly be tempted to vent their displeasure even more in a period when the big two have been eager to fuel the embers of refereeing controversy. All things considered, in recent seasons, officiating in Spain has far too frequently been a topic of discussion.

Goal looks at the kits of the teams participating in Euro 2020 this summer, from Germany's classic, updated strip to Spain's unconventional home kit

Euro 2020  (now taking place in 2021) will feature the top international sides from across Europe and they will all be wearing unique attire at the tournament.

Football kits are generally updated every season and, when it comes to international football, almost inevitably before each major competition.

Goal takes a look at what the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane and more will be wearing at this summer's European Championship.

GettyAustria – Home kit

Puma is the manufacturer of Austria's kit for Euro 2020 and it has received a number of outings already. Red on the torso with white sleeves and a round collar, the jersey is imbued with a classic Alpine design graphic, which is inspired by the Vienna Secession art nouveau style.

AdvertisementAustriaAustria – Away kit

The Austria away kit was unveiled by Puma in November 2019, featuring a sleek black and teal design with a feather pattern. The OFB crest appears on the left side, with the graphic and colours inspired, like the home kit, by Austria's art nouveau style from the 19th and 20th century.

Adidas/Goal compositeBelgium – Home kit

Belgium's home kit, made by Adidas, features a bold brushstroke graphic that forms the letter "B" on the front. The Belgian flag makes up the red, yellow and black colourway, with yellow hints also across the cuffs and collar.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AdidasBelgium – Away kit

Belgium's away kit is a grey-white number but with red and black embellishments. Adidas' trademark three stripes (in red) adorn the shoulders.

The Premier League is home to some of the greatest creators in football today, but who has the most assists this season?

Playmakers remain vastly underrated and under-appreciated today by most spectators of the Premier League, it is usually reserved for the top scorers who take most of the limelight.

However, without the creators the goal-scorers cannot do what they're best at. The Premier League is blessed to have some of the best creators and playmakers in football today.

Creative players like Kevin de Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Martin Odegaard, Bruno Fernandes and Cristian Eriksen have lit the Premier League up in recent times.

But who has the most assists in the current 2022-23 season? GOAL has all the details.

Getty1Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 16 assists

Not only the best playmaker in the league in the last decade, but perhaps even the best player. Once again he is leading the assists chart, now with Erling Haaland giving him a focal point to aim for. He will be aiming to break Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists.

AdvertisementGetty2Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 12 assists

Last year's Playmaker of the Season, Salah has had a slow campaign by his standards but is starting to pick up form as his team enters a crucial stage of the year.

Getty Images3Leandro Trossard | Arsenal/Brighton | 12 assists

The Belgian was having a great season in front of goal for Brighton, but ever since he signed for Arsenal in January, he has been great at setting up his teammates.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images4Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | 11 assists

Saka was Arsenal's best player last season, and it looks like he could one up his previous season from his performances so far this campaign.

Mohamed Salah has joined Manchester United legend David Beckham and Manchester City sensation Erling Haaland in an exclusive goal club.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Egyptian superstar on target againGoal contribution in six straight gamesEmulates Utd, City & Arsenal iconsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Liverpool forward was back on target for the Reds in their Premier League meeting with West Ham – with the Egyptian superstar opening the scoring in that contest. Said effort came on the back of having already found the target in meetings with Bournemouth and Aston Villa.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Salah also registered assists in clashes with Chelsea, Newcastle and Wolves – with his value to the collective cause at Anfield being further highlighted. He is now one of just six men in the Premier League era to have delivered a goal contribution in each of his team’s first six games of the season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Former England captain Beckham – who is now working with Lionel Messi as a co-owner at Inter Miami – was the first to achieve that feat for United in 2000-01. World Cup-winning Arsenal hero Thierry Henry replicated those efforts in 2004-05, while Sergio Aguero managed it for Manchester City in 2019-20 and Haaland for the Blues last season – as he helped them to Treble glory.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Salah has been a talismanic presence for Liverpool throughout his time on Merseyside, breaking countless records, and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to see him stick around for the foreseeable future after generating unwelcome talk of transfer interest from Saudi Arabia.

Continuing its arguments over the Lodha Committee report, the BCCI said that because of its status as a trust it was beyond the purview of the Supreme Court. The court responded by asking the BCCI whether it was “refusing to be reformed”

Nagraj Gollapudi08-Apr-2016Continuing arguments over the Lodha Committee report on Friday, the BCCI said that because of its status as a trust it was beyond the purview of the Supreme Court. The court responded by asking the BCCI whether it was “refusing to be reformed” and adjourned the matter to MondayA three-man panel led by Justice RM Lodha had recommended several changes to the BCCI’s functioning, but the board has been reluctant to implement some of them. The BCCI’s senior counsel, KK Venugopal, told the bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice Ibrahim Kalifulla, that the board was registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act and also reportedly cited Article 19 (C) of the Constitution of India, which allows for the formation of associations or unions, as one of the reasons the court could not interfere in the BCCI’s functioning.”This is a private body and can arrange its matters in whatever way it wants,” Venugopal told the court, according to the .Regarding the suggestion of “one state, one vote” and the recent critique against how the BCCI disbursed its funds to the state associations, Venugopal said, “Memberships are part of internal management. In case of complaints, approach the Registrar, Co-operative Societies or the police station or the court. There has been no instance of malfeasance to trigger interference which will change the very character and functioning of the Board.”During his submission, Venugopal also cited the Zee Telefilms judgement of 2005. In response to a writ petition by Zee Telefilms against the BCCI over the cancellation of telecast rights, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had ruled that the Indian cricket board was not a “state” as defined by Article 12 of the Constitution, and no fundamental rights can be invoked against it. At the time, however, the court had also ruled that the BCCI was a private body carrying out a public function and, therefore, could be taken to court for violation of a statutory court. According to this judgement, Venugopal said on Friday, the Supreme court could only examine the BCCI’s public function, which does not include its character or composition.Chief Justice Thakur had a pointed question for Venugopal: “Every single penny you hold in trust is for the benefit of the game and for those who play and for the millions of cricket lovers who pay you to watch the game… Are you not accountable to them? Are you refusing to be reformed?”Chief Justice Thakur had more rhetorical questions for the BCCI counsel. “[From] what we understand is that you are suggesting that I am answerable to Registrar of Societies. I will be accountable only to Registrar of the Society. I will be amenable to criminal law but I will not reform. Don’t ask me to reform. Is it possible? What have you done? We have seen the allegations of match-fixing and betting. You have no control over these. But you give money in crores. The Lodha committee has said something. It has been said to make the functioning more transparent and visible and the effort is to reform the BCCI.”The bench asked Venugopal, “When you collect thousands of crores of rupees, are you saying that we cannot question you as to how you spend the same?” The BCCI counsel nodded. “With respect, yes.”Venugopal said that broadcasting revenue accrued from selling media rights was the main source of income for the BCCI. He then argued that the court cannot say how the BCCI must run its business, but it can definitely look into allegations of malfeasance and misconduct. The court asked the BCCI: “The money that you have is in your trust. Are you not accountable to the beneficiaries? It is for the benefit of the people who watch matches. Are you not accountable to them?””We are accountable to the statutory bodies, the regulatory bodies like the Registrar of Societies or the Criminal Law,” Venugopal said. He told the bench that the BCCI was carrying out reform in a stage-by-stage basis.

The French defender headed in the only goal of the game while the debutant goalkeeper made a series of saves to shut out an impressive Wolves side

This was far from the performance Manchester United would have expected after a summer of lavish spending but they somehow got away with it and beat an excellent Wolves side 1-0 to start the season with three points.

Mason Mount had a really disappointing competitive debut but his fellow new arrival Andre Onana made four big saves to keep out Gary O'Neil's rampant visitors, who also hit the woodwork and defied expectations just a week after parting ways with coach Julen Lopetegui.

United went ahead against the run of play when Raphael Varane headed home Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross in the 76th minute. Wolves will be wondering how they did not take more from the game, especially after having a strong penalty shout in added time when Onana collided with two players. GOAL rates Manchester United's players from Old Trafford…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Andre Onana (7/10):

The Cameroonian played with courage on his competitive debut and, unlike in the friendly against Lens, his tendency to roam did not get him into trouble. Made smart saves from Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto and Fabio Silva (twice) although was fortunate to not be penalised for clashing with two Wolves players in added time.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (8/10):

Attentive to the danger down his side and set up the only goal with a smart cross to Varane. Stayed focused until the end.

Raphael Varane (8/10):

Gave United leadership when they were struggling to hold Wolves off and, most crucially, found the breakthrough goal.

Lisandro Martinez (5/10):

Looked rusty on what was his first competitive game in more than four months. Got an early booking for a sliding tackle on Neto and that conditioned his performance until half-time, when Ten Hag took him off for Victor Lindelof.

Luke Shaw (6/10):

Some of Wolves best chances came down his left side and he was not very effective going forward. Made an excellent block late in the game.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Bruno Fernandes (6/10):

Was far from his dominant self but helped United find the breakthrough with a lovely through ball to Wan-Bissaka.

Casemiro (6/10):

Not as solid as usual defensively but was lively in attack.

Mason Mount (5/10):

An uninspiring full debut. Struggled to create much and his passing was imprecise.

GettyAttack

Antony (7/10):

United's liveliest attacker and a big improvement on many matches from last season.

Marcus Rashford (6/10):

Struggled to get much space as a centre-forward and had more joy when he returned to his favorite position on the left of the attack in the second half. Still created little to shout about.

Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):

Lively but frustrating. Got forward a lot but routinely made the wrong decision. Removed in the 68th minute.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettySubs & Manager

Victor Lindelof (6/10):

Played the entire second half and could do little to prevent Wolves' dominance.

Jadon Sancho (6/10):

Gave United a bit more fluidity when he came on.

Christian Eriksen (6/10):

His experience helped United get a win they did not deserve.

Scott McTominay (N/A):

Only introduced for the last 13 minutes.

Facundo Pellistri (N/A):

Only introduced for the final two minutes.

Erik ten Hag (6/10):

No complaints with his team selection and his substitutes helped improve the team and ultimately get the result.

John Bracewell, Ireland’s new coach, “does not envy” Peter Moores’ task in trying to rebuild the England side and one of his first tasks will be trying to persuade Boyd Rankin to abandon his England ambitions

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-2015One of John Bracewell’s first tasks as Ireland coach will be trying to persuade Boyd Rankin to abandon his England ambitions and resume his international career at home.Bracewell will not officially be in charge of Ireland in Malahide on Friday, as he awaits his work permit, but is already considering how to strengthen the team as they look to build on another impressive World Cup display. There is also the motivation of earning a potential Test at Lord’s in 2019 through the ICC Test Challenge, the culmination of the Intercontinental Cup which is about to start. The return of Rankin would be a major fillip for Ireland whose pace bowling is their weakest suit.There was a suggestion that Rankin was set to be included in England’s squad for this match before suffering a back injury playing for Warwickshire. Under current regulations, which were amended last year, a player can return to their Associate country after a two-year gap since playing for a Full Member. Rankin’s last England was an ODI against Australia on January 17, 2014.”I will be going to meet him and Dougie Brown. In the very near future, I will go and visit him face to face,” Bracewell said. “I am going to sit down with every Irish player currently in the English game, and with their coaches, and work out what is in the interest of both parties.”Whether Rankin would have any long-term part in England’s future remains a moot point, and neither is it certain that Peter Moores will be the man in charge of the team beyond this ODI in Ireland with the ECB’s new director cricket, favoured to be Andrew Strauss, due to be confirmed shortly and the potential for more fallout after the drawn series in West Indies.After this ODI, England are then faced with the challenge of a confident New Zealand side before the Ashes later in the summer. Bracewell sees more tough times ahead.”The New Zealand side are one of the better nations in the world in all forms of the game, and they will give England a tough road,” he said. “They are going to be under the pump right from ball one this summer – and I don’t envy his task at all.”They had a period of strength and domination for quite some time. He’s got to work out whether those players need to be moved on because they’ve become complacent, or they’ve lost their fight or their ambition – or they’re starting to try to protect their own personal statistics.”They’ve got some tough decisions to make over the next few months, because this is the start of what is a very, very tough summer for them.”England’s white-ball cricket remains in a more parlous state than the red-ball version despite the defeat in Barbados and Bracewell picked out a reasonably obvious reason for their inability to match most other nations in the ODI game.”They pick their side to par scores, and par score means the bowlers have to win more than 50% of the games – that’s too much to ask of them under the playing conditions that currently exist,” he said. “You have to have a batting line-up that’s actually going to get you above par. It’s as simple as that. They’ve failed to do that – and they can’t hide from that, because the statistics say that.”

The Reds are set for a clearout as the transfer window closes in the next fortnight – but who is on their way out of Anfield?

Getty1Connor Randall – DefenderThis home-grown defender was on the bench for Klopp's first game as Liverpool boss, and made his debut soon after. He has been with the club's U-23 side this summer after returning from a productive loan spell with Hearts in Scotland, and looks set for a return north of the border. St Mirren, managed by former Everton boss Alan Stubbs, look the likeliest suitors. Advertisement2Pedro Chirivella – MidfielderThe Spanish midfielder has played a handful of senior games for the Reds, but spent last season on loan at Willem II and will be allowed to leave if the right offer arrives. Both Swansea and Nottingham Forest have made enquiries, with Liverpool ready to demand as much as £5m if the deal is to be a permanent one. Chirivella, who was signed from Valencia back in 2014, is also well rated on the continent, with teams in the Netherlands and Spain also monitoring.Getty3Ben Woodburn – MidfielderThere are people at Liverpool who believe this lad will play many, many games for the first team, but right now it looks as if his path is somewhat blocked at Anfield. Mind you, he's still only 18 and has a level-headed nature. He told Goal recently that he'll do whatever Klopp thinks best for him, and there is a growing feeling at Anfield that a loan move may be what he needs. Norwich and Sheffield United are the frontrunners, but there will be at least a dozen clubs that would take the Wales international. ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images4Sheyi Ojo – Winger Another talented youngster, Ojo is attracting interest from pretty much the entire Championship having enjoyed a promising but ultimately frustrating spell at Fulham last season. The England U-20 World Cup winner has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent at Anfield, even during this pre-season campaign, but it's hard to see a path into the first team for him at present. Liverpool, who will use the fees paid for the likes of David Brooks, James Maddison and even Richarlison as barometers for the market, reckon they could get up to £15m ($20m) for him if they were to sell. They did so with Jordon Ibe, after all.

Barcelona came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday, likely sealing a first league title under Xavi.

Barcelona probably only needed one point here. Instead, they got three. Sergi Roberto grabbed the first goal, and Franck Kessie slotted home a late winner to see off Real Madrid and establish a 12-point lead atop La Liga.

Real Madrid went ahead much against the run of play, with Vinicius Jr's speculative cross deflecting into the net off Ronald Araujo's head.

Barcelona grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, with Sergi Roberto capitalising on a series of deflections before curling the ball home from ten yards out.

And they found a late winner, with Alejandro Balde feeding Kessie at the far post for an easy finish in second-half stoppage time.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Camp Nou…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):

Entirely wrong-footed by Madrid's opener after a nasty deflection.

Ronald Araujo (6/10):

Unfortunate to concede an own goal. Was otherwise reliable against Vinicius.

Jules Kounde (7/10):

Defended Benzema well and offered valuable cover for Araujo.

Andreas Christensen (7/10):

Put a free header off target. Help dig in to prevent a late winner from Los Blancos.

Alejandro Balde (7/10):

Loads of running and ever-improving in his defensive positioning. Nice assist late on.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Sergi Roberto (7/10):

A surprise inclusion in the XI. Rewarded his manager's faith with the equaliser.

Sergio Busquets (7/10):

Made the standard range of tackles. Was worryingly slow to recover on a couple of occasions.

Frenkie de Jong (8/10):

Created five chances, completed most of his passes, relieved pressure with some wonderful dribbles. A lovely showing.

GettyAttack

Gavi (7/10):

Scrappy, energetic, reliable on the ball. Lucky not to get a red card for barging Dani Ceballos over off the ball. Seems to lose his head a bit in the big games.

Robert Lewandowski (7/10):

Forced some good saves out of Courtois, blasted a scissor kick over the bar. Unlucky not to find the net.

Raphinha (7/10):

Dangerous in his running, regularly cutting onto his left foot. Fired in four shots on goal.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Franck Kessie (8/10):

A bit of a surprise that he didn't start. Grabbed the winner in stoppage time.

Ferran Torres (6/10):

Stretched the game with some neat runs.

Ansu Fati (N/A):

Almost started a fight after tripping Ceballos off the ball. Booked

Xavi (9/10):

Went for his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, and it all worked out for him rather well. Selecting Roberto over Kessie seemed a big call, but the surprise inclusion grabbed a goal. Title sewn up?

Paul Mullin is “second to none” when it comes to goalscoring, with Wrexham team-mate Steven Fletcher claiming the prolific striker has no weaknesses.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Forward helped to secure promotion last seasonUp and running in the current campaignOne of the best finishers in the businessWHAT HAPPENED?

The Dragons frontman has become a talismanic presence at StoK Racecourse – with club co-owner Ryan Reynolds among his biggest fans – and has now found the target on 81 occasions through 101 appearances for the Welsh outfit.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Mullin fired Wrexham to promotion back into the Football League last season and is up and running in 2023-24 after recovering from a punctured lung. Summer signing Fletcher is among those to have been left mightily impressed by the 28-year-old’s skill set, with the veteran Scotland international telling of his fellow forward: "I have played with a lot of good strikers and Paul's finishing is second to none. Left foot, right foot, it doesn't matter where it lands for him, he will hit the target and I am delighted for him to get off the mark this season."

WHAT THEY SAID

Fletcher has also been among the goals for Wrexham since joining them as a free agent, with his account opened when netting a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in a 3-3 draw with Crewe. The 36-year-old said of his experiences with the Dragons: "What a feeling. Brilliant. You want to get off the mark as a striker and score as many goals as you can. To get one in the 95th minute was great. I got eye contact with Jacob [Mendy] straight away, he knew I would make that run and it was a great, pinpoint cross. I didn't have to do much."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Wrexham are still looking for consistency this season, with Phil Parkinson yet to settle on a winning formula that works every week, and they will be back in action on Tuesday when taking in a trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Mansfield.