Man Charged with Assault After Alleged Slap on Jack Grealish

A 20-year-old man has been charged with assault for allegedly slapping Manchester City winger Jack Grealish following Sunday’s 0-0 Premier League draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, according to British media reports. Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Tuesday that the man has been charged and is scheduled to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on July 14. “This charge relates to an incident which took place at Old Trafford football club on Sunday,” a police spokesperson said in a statement. Manchester United declined to comment, while Manchester City have not yet responded to requests for comment.

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Kewell Calls Van Dijk the ‘Best Centre-Back’ in Premier League History

Former Liverpool and Australia player Harry Kewell has praised Virgil Van Dijk as the “best centre-back” in Premier League history in an interview with Sky Sports. Kewell, who spent five years at Anfield and made 139 appearances for Liverpool, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2005, shared his admiration for the Van Dijk qualities. The former winger also spoke highly of Liverpool manager Arne Slot,, who joined the club in 2024 from Eredivisie side Feyenoord. “He’s been fantastic. I don’t think he could have wished for a better opportunity,” Kewell said. However, he did add a note regarding Liverpool’s title challenge.

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Salah and Van Dijk Set to Sign New Liverpool Contracts

Liverpool stars Salah and Van Dijk are reportedly close to agreeing new contracts, keeping them at the club for the foreseeable future as their current deals wind down. According to Daily Mail, there is growing confidence that both players will sign extensions. Van Dijk confirmed last week that “progress” was being made on his contract, helping to quell doubts about his potential departure in the near future. Liverpool have long been optimistic that Salah, 32, will continue his eight-year tenure at the club despite recent interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, which could offer him a lucrative pay rise as he nears the latter stages of his career.

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Thibaut Courtois Declares Himself Fit for Clash with Arsenal

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has confirmed he is “fully fit” ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal. The 32-year-old Belgium international has missed Real’s last three matches due to injury but assured reporters on Monday that he is ready to return. “I am fully fit and I feel good,” Thibaut Courtois said. “It was not a big issue so I could train in the gym, and I have been on the pitch for the last day so I feel fine and 100 per cent.” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was forced to start 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez in their surprise 2-1 loss to Valencia at the weekend, after back-up keeper Andriy Lunin also suffered an injury. Courtois’ return comes as a timely boost ahead of the crucial tie at the Emirates.

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Lautaro Martinez Avoids Ban for Blasphemy

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has avoided a suspension after reaching a plea deal with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over the use of offensive language during a match against Juventus. The 27-year-old Argentina striker has agreed to pay a fine of €5,000 (£4,200) after being accused of using blasphemous language during Inter’s 1-0 loss in Turin in February. Under FIGC rules, taking the Lord’s name in vain is prohibited. Martinez had initially denied the allegations, saying the week after—following a match-winning goal against Genoa—“I have never done it, ever”.“I try to teach respect to my children, these accusations have caused me great irritation,” he added. Lautaro Martinez is not the first to fall foul of the FIGC’s strict blasphemy rules. Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon received a one-match ban in March 2021 for foul language directed at teammate Manolo Portanova. More recently, Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati was handed the same punishment in August 2023 for blasphemous swearing while playing for Frosinone in a loss to Napoli.

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Cantona accuses Ratcliffe of trying to ‘destroy everything’

Former Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has launched a scathing attack on the club’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, accusing him and his leadership team of destroying the club. British billionaire Ratcliffe took over football operations at United in February 2024 after acquiring a minority stake. Since then, his tenure has been marked by controversy. He sacked manager Erik ten Hag and brought in Ruben Amorim Amorim, but the team continues to struggle, currently sitting 13th in the Premier League. Ratcliffe, a lifelong United supporter, has also faced backlash for raising ticket prices and cutting costs, which led to around 450 staff losing their jobs. At the same time, he unveiled plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium, which has sparked further criticism. Cantona, now a co-owner of FC United, spent five successful years at United under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning four Premier League titles and two FA Cups. He warned that moving away from Old Trafford would be a major mistake. “This team of directors, they try to destroy everything. They don’t respect anybody. They even want to change the stadium. The stadium is iconic,” he said.   “For me, Arsenal lost their soul when they left Highbury and I’m sure a lot of fans miss Highbury. I don’t think United can play in another stadium than Old Trafford.”

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Cesc Fabregas Linked with RB Leipzig Head Coach Role

RB Leipzig are reportedly considering Cesc Fabregas as a candidate for their head coach position next season, according to Leipziger Volkszeitung. Fabregas, currently the head coach of Serie A side Como 1907, enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs including Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Monaco. He was also part of the Spanish national team from 2006 to 2016. The report highlights that Cesc Fabregas may have a connection to the club through his former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry, who reportedly has close ties with RB Leipzig supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff. RB Leipzig’s list of coaching candidates continues to grow as they look for a long-term replacement for Marco Rose and interim coach Zsolt Löw, who has already stated he does not see himself in the role permanently. Other names linked include Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Roger Schmidt, Danny Röhl (Sheffield Wednesday), Alexander Blessin (St. Pauli), and Matthias Jaissle, currently working in Saudi Arabia.

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Leeds Go Top of Championship After Crucial Win at Middlesbrough

There was a major shake-up at the top of the Championship on Tuesday as Leeds United jumped from third to first place with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough. Burnley slipped to second after a goalless draw with Derby County , while Sheffield United fell to third following a 1-0 home defeat against Millwall. With only five games remaining, the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League is heating up. Only the top two teams are guaranteed promotion, while the third promotion spot will be decided through play-offs involving the teams placed third to sixth. Leeds secured their vital win thanks to former Manchester United forward Daniel James, who struck just two minutes into the match at the Riverside Stadium. The Welsh international’s close-range finish marked his 12th goal of the Championship season.

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Manchester United Join Arsenal in Race for Matheus Cunha

Manchester United have expressed interest in signing Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, according to talkSPORT. Arsenal are also targeting the Brazil international as part of their plans for the summer transfer window. However, United are reportedly ready to rival the Gunners for Cunha’s signature at the end of the season. Despite signing a new contract with Wolves in February, the 24-year-old is open to considering offers this summer. His agent is expected in London soon for talks with interested clubs, with a meeting already scheduled with Manchester United. Cunha has enjoyed a strong season, scoring 15 goals for Wolves so far.

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Postecoglou Focused on Europa League

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has discussed the importance of their upcoming Europa League clash with Frankfurt, with the competition now central to the club’s hopes for silverware this season. After being eliminated from the EFL Cup by Liverpool, knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa, and falling out of the Premier League title race, Spurs’ focus has shifted to Europe to salvage their campaign. Postecoglou, who has previously spoken about delivering a trophy within a two-year window, believes that even if Spurs win the Europa League, many will remain skeptical about the club’s future. *”I just think we’re in that position now where even the good stuff we do is going to be turned into a glass half-empty rhetoric,”* he said.   “I came to this club with a clear purpose of rejuvenating a squad that was coming to the end of a cycle. Whatever noise there is, now or in the future, that shouldn’t diminish that desire. Everything in my professional life has come through a struggle.” The Australian manager also stressed the importance of home support as Tottenham aim to secure a place in the Europa League semi-finals.

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