Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Antonio Rüdiger, Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid)
12 March (match), investigation announced 28 March
UEFA is investigating four Real Madrid players for alleged “indecent conduct” during celebrations after their UCL win over Atlético Madrid.
Mbappé was caught making a crotch gesture; Rüdiger danced on the pitch after scoring the winning penalty. UEFA has assigned a disciplinary inspector, with possible suspensions before the Arsenal quarterfinal.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Manchester United)
March 2025
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed explosive details about Manchester United’s wage structure and player availability, highlighting that half of the club’s top earners have been unavailable under manager Ruben Amorim. He named Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount as players earning Premier League top-club wages but not contributing consistently. Ratcliffe warned this would not be tolerated under his ownership.
Ratcliffe said that the salaries of unavailable players amount to nearly half of United’s top payroll, likening it to the wage scale of a mid-table side like Nottingham Forest. With Rashford on £325k/week while on loan, Sancho costing the club half his wages at Chelsea, and Shaw sidelined for extended periods despite a lucrative renewal, Ratcliffe made it clear that future signings will follow stricter financial scrutiny. He also criticized Casemiro’s expensive deal and contrasted it with more sensible structures like Bruno Fernandes’. The club plans to reassess medical practices, reward performance-based contracts (e.g., Mainoo and Garnacho), and avoid bloated wage commitments going forward.
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Ongoing, post-Euro 2024
Manchester City players are reportedly concerned about Foden’s mental fatigue following his Euro 2024 struggles and a drop in club form.
Foden has been benched under England boss Thomas Tuchel and appears to have lost weight. He’s relocated his family to a quieter area near Northwich, possibly to decompress. Despite concerns, Pep Guardiola is staying calm, believing it’s a normal phase in a young player’s development.
Dorival Junior (Brazil)
Meeting set for Friday, following March 2025 loss
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will meet Friday to evaluate Dorival Junior’s future following Brazil’s 4-1 thrashing by Argentina in World Cup qualifying.
While post-window reviews are routine, the magnitude of Tuesday’s defeat has forced CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues to fast-track talks. Sources say several replacements are being discussed, including Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Flamengo), and Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal). Dorival, appointed just in January 2024, has failed to spark a turnaround. Brazil sit fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying, with pressure mounting after a Copa America exit and a shaky run of form. Dorival insists he still believes in the process, calling this “the most delicate moment” of his footballing career.
Todd Boehly (Chelsea)
March 2025
Chelsea supporters have called on the Premier League to investigate Todd Boehly’s connection to Vivid Seats, a resale platform known for listing tickets far above face value.
Boehly sits on Vivid Seats’ board, a site labeled by the league as “unauthorized.” The Chelsea Supporters Trust claims this is a “clear conflict of interest” and undermines anti-scalping efforts. They urge Premier League CEO Richard Masters to step in. Tickets on Vivid for Chelsea matches have soared to £3,000+, compared to the official £80 club price. The Premier League and Chelsea both warn fans that such ticket resales violate policies and could result in match entry being denied.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, Portugal)
March 2025 (ahead of 2026 World Cup planning)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s place in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad is under scrutiny, with rising pressure to give younger talents like Gonçalo Ramos a bigger role.
Didi Hamann questioned Ronaldo’s continued inclusion, saying he had little influence at the last Euros and may hinder development of players like Ramos and Trincão. Critics argue Portugal must look ahead if they hope to contend in 2026, as Ronaldo’s effectiveness wanes. Coach Roberto Martínez faces a crucial decision.
Alejandro Garnacho, Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United)
Post-Premier League season, starting 25 May, 2025
Garnacho and Ugarte are set to travel over 37,000 miles this summer due to international call-ups and Manchester United’s post-season tour.
The duo will represent their national teams in South America just 10 days after the Premier League ends. Meanwhile, United are finalizing friendlies in Malaysia and Hong Kong, potentially forcing both players to travel nearly 20,000 miles in just 10 days. Sources close to the players have expressed concerns over the physical toll following an already demanding season.
Joey Barton, former Premier League midfielder
26 March 2025
Found guilty of assaulting his wife by pushing her to the ground and kicking her in the head.
Barton received a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard of a 2021 incident at the couple’s home in south-west London. His wife suffered a bloody nose and forehead injury. The court noted his history of violence but chose not to impose immediate jail time, citing that the couple remain in a “happy relationship” and have a child. Barton plans to appeal the decision.
