FOOTBALL

Antony apologises after VAR upgrades high boot to red card

Antony (Real Betis)
November 2025

Real Betis winger Antony apologised to supporters after being sent off late in the draw with Girona. He caught defender Joel Roca in the face while attempting an overhead kick, an action initially punished with a yellow card before VAR intervention upgraded it to a straight red. Chasing a stoppage time winner, Antony went for an acrobatic cross as Roca headed clear first, leaving his boot to crash into the defender’s face and spark a VAR review. Posting on social media, he insisted the contact was completely unintentional and expressed sadness at letting Betis fans down.

Courtois ruled out of Olympiacos trip with viral infection

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
November 2025

Real Madrid confirmed Thibaut Courtois will miss the Champions League trip to Olympiacos after being diagnosed with a viral gastrointestinal infection, while Dean Huijsen has also been ruled out. The setback removes one of Madrid’s most trusted starters from a key away fixture. Courtois left Valdebebas before training and medical tests later revealed the infection, prompting the club to withdraw him from the travelling squad and monitor his recovery. His availability for the upcoming league game against Girona is unclear, forcing Madrid to lean again on their reserve goalkeeping options.

De Ligt questions United’s approach after limp defeat to 10-man Everton

Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United)
November 2025

Manchester United slumped to a 1-0 defeat against 10-man Everton, ending a five game unbeaten run and dropping to 10th in the Premier League. Despite a man advantage for over seventy minutes, United created few clear chances and never truly stretched the visitors. Everton lost Idrissa Gueye to a needless early red card and Seamus Coleman to injury, yet still struck first through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and then defended deep. De Ligt criticised United’s passive play, overreliance on crosses, lack of runs into the box and shortage of urgency in key moments.

European Super League backers hit UEFA with multi-billion claims

Real Madrid
November 2025

A22 and Real Madrid are filing separate lawsuits worth a combined €4.5 billion against UEFA, claiming the governing body’s attempts to block the European Super League caused major financial damage to the project and violated competition rules established by recent court decisions. Citing the CJEU ruling that UEFA and FIFA acted unlawfully in blocking the Super League and a Madrid court’s refusal to overturn that judgment, A22 has sent Ceferin a formal letter demanding UEFA approve the revamped proposal within eight weeks, warning of further legal consequences if it resists.

Sherwood says England must start Eze if Tuchel uses a number 10

Eberechi Eze
November 2025

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood insists Eberechi Eze has to start for England at the World Cup if Thomas Tuchel uses a number 10, arguing the Arsenal playmaker is now the country’s best attacking midfielder after his hat-trick in the 4-1 rout of Spurs. Eze, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in a big summer move, said he had prayed for a derby hat-trick and was grateful to deliver in such a statement win. Arteta hailed the performance and control as Arsenal dominated Spurs, reinforcing Eze’s case for a central England role.

Maresca tells Estevao to ignore Yamal comparisons before Champions League showdown

Estevao Willian
November 2025

Enzo Maresca has urged Chelsea winger Estevao Willian to ignore comparisons with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal before their Champions League clash, insisting the teenager must focus exclusively on his own development despite already producing goals, assists and eye-catching displays in his first season in England. Maresca praised Estevao’s maturity, work rate and impact in limited minutes while stressing that comparisons can create needless pressure when he is still adapting to Premier League and European football. Chelsea view him as a long term cornerstone but plan to manage his minutes carefully as he grows.

Amorim lashes into Manchester United after woeful loss to 10-man Everton

Ruben Amorim
November 2025

Ruben Amorim admitted Manchester United “deserved to lose” after falling 1-0 at home to 10-man Everton, warning his side are nowhere near competing for top spots and confessing he fears a return to the damaging mentality that undermined last season. Despite Idrissa Gueye’s early red card for confronting team-mate Michael Keane, Everton dominated early, struck through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and then defended deep while United wasted 75 percent possession. Amorim said his players lacked intensity, vowed to keep working and insisted he is not walking away.

Tottenham board stand firm behind Frank despite derby humiliation

Thomas Frank
November 2025

Tottenham intend to give Thomas Frank time despite a 4-1 thrashing at Arsenal, three defeats in their last five league games and a slide to ninth. The ownership still sees him as a long term appointment and are not considering a change. Club figures accept concerns over his constant rotation, with 29 Premier League lineup changes already, and some players want more focus on Spurs’ own strengths rather than opponents. Even so, the hierarchy believes stability is key and expects Frank to solve the creativity issues.

European giants circle as Stuttgart brace for bids on Angelo Stiller

Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)
November 2025

Stuttgart playmaker Angelo Stiller is attracting serious interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund after an outstanding season, although sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth insists there have been no formal offers and says it is too early to speculate. Wohlgemuth acknowledged that Stiller’s performances and potential World Cup prospects naturally draw heavyweight attention, but stressed the midfielder remains under contract and that Stuttgart are simply enjoying his influence for now while accepting that elite clubs will keep him under close watch.

Amorim warns Mainoo and Zirkzee that United’s needs override World Cup ambitions

Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
November 2025

Ruben Amorim has reiterated that Manchester United will prioritise the club’s needs when assessing January moves for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, despite both fringe players being linked with exits to gain minutes before the 2026 World Cup. Amorim said he understands their frustration and World Cup ambitions from his own playing days, but stressed that the team comes first, making clear he will only sanction departures that also help United and will otherwise keep them as depth options.