La Liga
Barcelona
LIVE Barcelona seeks return to LaLiga summit at Girona
Barcelona and Girona are live in Monday night LaLiga match
Top Headlines
Transfer News
Pinned
Today
Chris Kavanagh and his assistant have been dropped from upcoming Premier League matches after a series of high-profile errors during Newcastle’s FA Cup clash with Aston Villa.
Referee Chris Kavanagh and assistant Nick Greenhalgh have been stood down from this weekend’s Premier League appointments following a controversial performance during Newcastle United’s 3-1 FA Cup victory over Aston Villa.
The officiating team faced intense criticism for failing to penalize a reckless challenge by Lucas Digne and incorrectly awarding a free-kick instead of a penalty for a handball occurring inside the eighteen-yard box.
Pundit Wayne Rooney attributed the errors to an over-reliance on technology, suggesting officials are struggling without VAR support.
Despite the scrutiny, the PGMOL maintains that officials are encouraged to remain decisive on-field.
Rooney described the missed penalty call as “one of the worst decisions he had ever seen,” highlighting the significant impact these high-profile mistakes had on the match’s officiating narrative.
Hansi Flick has confirmed that Pedri is expected to return to the Barcelona squad by the end of February, providing a vital boost as Raphinha returns to action following the club’s Copa del Rey exit.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has provided a positive update on Pedri’s recovery, expressing confidence that the midfielder will return to the pitch before the month concludes.
While no specific date has been finalized for his comeback from a hamstring injury, Flick’s optimistic outlook suggests the 23-year-old is in the final stages of his rehabilitation.
The news serves as a significant lift for the Catalan side following their recent 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
The Blaugrana are already bolstered by the return of Raphinha, who is available for Monday’s La Liga clash against Girona after recovering from adductor discomfort.
Flick emphasized the importance of his squad’s depth, noting, “Raphinha will be able to play,” as the team seeks to regain the summit of the table.
With key players returning, Barcelona aim to maintain their league consistency while moving past their domestic cup disappointment.
Mansfield Town draws Arsenal in FA Cup.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a selection crisis ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Wolves after several key players suffered fitness setbacks during the club’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan.
Arsenal’s medical team is working overtime following a bruising week that has left captain Martin Odegaard and defender Riccardo Calafiori as major doubts for the upcoming trip to Molineux.
Odegaard missed Sunday’s FA Cup victory after over-stretching his knee during a mid-week draw with Brentford.
Regarding his captain and Calafiori, who withdrew during the Wigan warm-up, Mikel Arteta stated, “Yeah, him and Ben are the only doubts. We have to wait and see in the next 48 hours how things develop.”
While Ben White eased fears by suggesting his substitution was precautionary, the Gunners remain without several long-term absentees.
Kai Havertz is sidelined with a muscular issue until March, while midfielder Mikel Merino faces months out following foot surgery.
Despite the growing injury list, the Premier League leaders are boosted by the return of Max Dowman to training.
Reflecting on the physical toll of the campaign, Arteta noted, “Before it was the strikers and then defenders, now it is midfielders. We are still coping.”
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has warned that a “wounded” Real Madrid will be a dangerous opponent in their upcoming Champions League play-off first leg at the Estadio da Luz.
Jose Mourinho has launched a psychological offensive ahead of Benfica’s Champions League play-off against Real Madrid.
Following Benfica’s previous 4-2 victory over the Spanish giants, the Portuguese manager expects a fierce retaliation in Lisbon.
Mourinho emphasized the high stakes and the historical resilience of his former club, cautioning his squad that “They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous.”
Real Madrid is expected to start summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who impressed during a recent 4-1 win over Real Sociedad.
His creative presence on the right flank is viewed as vital to overcoming Benfica’s high-pressing system.
Despite the tactical shifts, Mourinho remains confident in his team’s preparation for the first leg, stating, “We will play the first leg with our heads, ambition, and confidence.”
Yesterday
Supporters and pundits are calling for Alessandro Bastoni to be excluded from the Italy national team after his simulation led to an unjust red card in the Derby d’Italia.
Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is facing a fierce backlash following his role in the controversial dismissal of Pierre Kalulu during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Juventus.
Replays showed Bastoni simulated contact to earn Kalulu a second yellow card, an act branded as “anti-sportsmanship” by critics.
With Italy currently preparing for crucial World Cup play-offs in March, a growing number of fans and reporters have voiced that Bastoni’s actions do not align with the values of the national shirt.
The controversy has reached a boiling point just as Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso finalizes his 50-man radar for the upcoming semi-final against Northern Ireland.
Pundit Alessandro Jacobone urged Gattuso to “leave him at home,” while TMW’s Luca Calamai questioned if such a player deserves to represent Italy on the global stage.
As the federation and coaching staff weigh the outcry, the incident has overshadowed Inter’s derby win and cast doubt on the defender’s standing within the Azzurri setup.
Tudor fires staff, risks all.
Referee designator Gianluca Rocchi issued a formal apology after Pierre Kalulu was erroneously sent off during the Derby d’Italia, citing a refereeing blunder and Alessandro Bastoni’s blatant dive.
Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi has officially apologized for the “absurd” dismissal of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Inter.
Official Federico La Penna showed Kalulu a second yellow card following what replays confirmed was a dive by Alessandro Bastoni.
Rocchi admitted the officiating team felt “very sorry” for the error, which stood because current VAR protocols prohibit intervention for second bookings.
Rocchi confirmed that La Penna is “distraught” by the mistake but also took aim at Bastoni’s conduct. He noted that the referee was “not the only one who made a mistake, because there was clear simulation yesterday.”
The incident has reportedly accelerated discussions within IFAB to change rules at their next assembly, potentially allowing VAR reviews for all red card scenarios to prevent similar game-changing injustices.
Alessandro Del Piero criticized Inter Milan’s head coach and defender for defending a controversial second yellow card shown to Pierre Kalulu during Saturday’s Derby d’Italia.
Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero has condemned Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu and defender Alessandro Bastoni following a contentious red card in Inter’s 3-2 victory.
Pierre Kalulu was dismissed for a second booking after Bastoni appeared to dive.
Despite replays showing minimal contact, Chivu defended the decision, suggesting Kalulu’s experience should have prevented the situation. Del Piero argued that the league leaders should not rely on such errors.
The World Cup winner expressed disappointment in Chivu’s post-match interpretation during his Sky Sport Italia punditry appearance.
“Inter also don’t need this,” Del Piero remarked, suggesting that a dominant team should prioritize winning fairly.
He hoped Chivu would eventually admit that “what happened on the pitch wasn’t a touch for which a player should be sent off, and that Bastoni shouldn’t have gone down like that.”
Liverpool faces the prospect of losing star midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to Real Madrid after his international manager revealed the player has “always” dreamed of moving to the Bernabéu.
Dominik Szoboszlai has emerged as a primary target for Real Madrid following a sensational campaign as Liverpool’s standout performer.
The Hungarian midfielder has netted 10 goals this season, earning high praise from teammate Mohamed Salah, who stated:
“He is one of the best players in the world right now.” His dominant form has reportedly reignited long-standing interest from the Spanish giants.
Liverpool faces a fight to keep the 24-year-old as international manager Marco Rossi fueled exit rumors, claiming:
“Szoboszlai always had one dream: to play for Real Madrid.” With only two years remaining on his contract, the Reds fear losing another star to the Bernabéu following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure.
The lure of following Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas’s legacy remains a significant threat.
Trafford questions City’s goalkeeper decisions.
The majority of Manchester United stars believe it would be ‘madness’ if the club decide against trying to reach an agreement with Harry Maguire over a new contract, it has been claimed.
The England star, 32, has enjoyed a renaissance since losing the club captaincy under Erik ten Hag and there has been growing support from the fanbase when it comes to the possibility of a new deal, with Maguire’s current terms set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.