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Elche

Elche news

Rafa Mir

Mir pleads innocence amid 10-year prison threat

The legal team representing Rafa Mir has taken a firm stance by requesting that his upcoming trial be held in public, directly opposing the prosecution's preference for closed-door sessions. Under the guidance of lawyer Jaime Campaner, the defence argues that there is no justification for a private trial and insists on the importance of public scrutiny regarding the evidence presented by the prosecution.

R. MirLaLiga
FBL-ESP-LIGA-REAL MADRID-ELCHE

📽️ | 'Don't try this at home!' - Guler scores from OWN HALF

Arda Guler produced a moment of pure magic to cap off Real Madrid's resounding 4-1 victory over Elche, launching a breathtaking 68-metre lob from inside his own half. The audacious strike left the Bernabeu in awe and perfectly encapsulated a dominant night for Los Blancos, with the 21-year-old playmaker proudly taking to Instagram to share the spectacular footage.

A. GulerReal Madrid
Jurgen Klopp Real Madrid

Klopp agent responds to Real Madrid links

The future of Jurgen Klopp has once again become the subject of intense speculation as reports suggest the former Liverpool boss is eyeing a sensational return to the touchline. Despite recently taking up a high-profile boardroom role within the Red Bull empire, rumors have circulated in Spain that the Champions League-winning coach is high on the shortlist for both Madrid giants as they consider their long-term managerial options.

J. KloppReal Madrid
Elche CF v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports

La Liga striker facing over 10 years in prison for alleged rape

Elche striker Rafa Mir is facing a potential 10-and-a-half-year prison sentence following a severe escalation in his ongoing legal battle. Spanish prosecutors have formalised their request for jail time in relation to an alleged sexual assault involving a 21-year-old woman in September 2024. The forward, who was on loan at Valencia at the time of the incident, now awaits a trial that could end his professional career.

LaLigaR. Mir
Barca

Yamal runs riot and Rashford scores again as Barca extend lead

The two forwards were on the scoresheet for Barcelona again, as Hansi Flick's side extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Elche. Yamal was in inspired form to score one and set-up another as Rashford bagged his second for the Catalans in a matter of days in a confident win for the defending Spanish champions.

Player ratingsBarcelona
Dele Alli England 2018

Free agent Dele receives offers from four La Liga clubs

Dele Alli has been a free agent since being released by Serie A side Como in September 2025, but he reportedly has four offers from La Liga clubs on the table. The former Tottenham and Everton midfielder has been working on keeping himself in shape and may decide to take on a Spanish adventure after seeing a troubled Italian job cut short.

D. AlliLaLiga
Elche CF v Levante UD - LaLiga EA Sports

Arteta to rival Alonso as he eyes move for Madrid target Mendoza

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly prepared to rival close friend Xabi Alonso as the Gunners eyes a move for Real Madrid target Rodrigo Mendoza. The Elche wonderkid, who has a €20 million release clause, has attracted widespread interest from across Europe following his eye-catching performances in La Liga. Premier League giants Manchester City are also keen on signing the youngster.

ArsenalR. Mendoza
Elche CF v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports

Revealed: Why La Liga won’t review Vinicius-Pena collision

Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw at Elche sparked fresh controversy after Vinicius Jr collided with goalkeeper Inaki Pena in the build up to Jude Bellingham’s late equaliser. Elche protested fiercely as Peña was left bleeding, but La Liga’s "Review Time" panel will not re-examine the incident and former Madrid star Fernando Morientes, an member of the panel, has explained why.

Real MadridVinicius Junior

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FBL-ESP-LIGA-ELCHE-REAL MADRID

Bellingham's late equaliser still infuriates Elche coach two days later

Elche head coach Eder Sarabia has still not gotten over the 2-2 draw against Real Madrid at the weekend, which saw Xabi Alonso's men come back twice from behind. Los Blancos equalised just three minutes from the end of normal time thanks to Jude Bellingham, but controversy erupted during and after the game as the Elche players and manager blasted the officials for what they believed to be an incorrect decision.

J. BellinghamE. Sarabia
Xabi Alonso

'We haven't fallen apart' - Alonso defends Madrid 'connection' after draw

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has adamantly denied that his team have "fallen apart" despite a recent string of disappointing results, culminating in a 2-2 draw against Elche. While admitting that they "can't be happy" with their latest setback, Alonso insisted that the connection between his coaching staff and the players is "improving" and that the team spirit remains good.

X. AlonsoReal Madrid
FBL-ESP-LIGA-ELCHE-REAL MADRID

'Vinicius knocked me out!' - Pena calls foul on Madrid equaliser

Elche’s 2-2 draw against Real Madrid erupted into controversy after Vinicius Junior collided with goalkeeper Inaki Pena in the build-up to Jude Bellingham’s equaliser. Pena was left bleeding after the incident and furious that no foul was given. What began as a brave Elche performance turned into a storm of complaints, shifting focus from their impressive display to referee decisions.

I. PenaVinicius Junior
Elche CF v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports

Elche coach blasts Madrid equaliser amid Vinicius foul claim

Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw at Elche delivered drama on the pitch and controversy off it, with a late equaliser following Vinicius Junior’s collision with goalkeeper Inaki Pena sparking fierce criticism from Elche coach Eder Sarabia. The result extends Madrid’s winless run to three matches and exposes deeper issues in Xabi Alonso’s side.

Real MadridE. Sarabia
Public Memorial Held For Diogo Jota And Andre Silva In Their Hometown Of Gondomar

Madrid sorry for showing wrong player in Jota tribute

Real Madrid have issued an apology after they showed the wrong player in a tribute to Portuguese striker Diogo Jota and brother Andre Silva. The Spanish giants made the mistake during the Ordinary General Assembly of Representative Members as they wished to remember the duo, who both tragically lost their lives in a car accident over the summer.

Real MadridD. Jota
Liverpool FC v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4

Alonso sends out strong message on TAA ahead of Elche clash

Xabi Alonso has offered a robust defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness, form, and future at Real Madrid, as the English defender prepares to make only his third league start of the season in Sunday’s away trip to Elche. The 27-year-old’s transfer from Liverpool has not yet ignited in the Spanish capital, with recurring injuries limiting him to brief cameo appearances and only two starts in La Liga.

T. Alexander-ArnoldX. Alonso

Frequently asked questions

Initially founded as Sunderland and District Teachers A.F.C. in 1879, the club was renamed to Sunderland A.F.C. in October 1880. The club turned professional a decade later, when it joined The Football League ahead of the 1890-91 campaign.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus (64% stake) and Juan Sartori (36% stake) are the co-owners of Sunderland. The former first acquired shares in February 2021, joining the latter who has been associated with the club since 2018.

Sunderland's home stadium is known as The Stadium of Light, which replaced the iconic Roker Park in 1997. Roker Park served as Sunderland's home ground for almost a century, from 1898 to 1997.

The Stadium of Light has a capacity of 49,000, making it England's ninth-largest football stadium.

Sunderland have won a total of nine trophies, which includes six top-flight titles as well as two FA Cups.

Sunderland have clinched the English top-flight title on six occasions. Their first win came in the 1891-92 season, while they haven't won a single league title since going all the way at the end of the 1935-36 campaign.

Former English goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery holds the record for making the most appearances in Sunderland history. Montgomery made 627 appearances between 1960 and 1977 and was a part of the Sunderland team that won the 1973 FA Cup.

The Sunderland faithful will never forget the contributions of legendary striker Bobby Gurney, who churned out 228 goals in 390 appearances in what is a club record.

Charlie Hurley, Simon Mignolet, John O'Shea, Jordan Pickford, Jermain Defoe, Bobby Kerr, and Jimmy Montgomery are among the most prominent players to have donned the Sunderland shirt.

Bob Kyle, Roy Keane, and Sam Allardyce are among Sunderland's most famous managers.

Previously known as The Rokermen when they played at Roker Park, Sunderland are now officially nicknamed The Black Cats based on 10,000 votes cast by the supporters through the official magazine in 2000. The nickname originates from the names of battery guns which protected the mouth of the River Wear in the 18th century.

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