Mohamed Saeed

The race for the Spanish league title has been rocked by an official admission of a high-profile officiating blunder. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has spoken out after the Spanish Referees' Committee (CTA) acknowledged that Girona’s winning goal in their recent 2-1 victory over the Blaugrana should have been disallowed for a foul on Jules Kounde. Despite the rare moment of transparency from the governing body, Laporta remains frustrated that the technical validation does nothing to alter the league standings or the damage done at Montilivi.

Galatasaray are no longer content with being the dominant force in Turkish football; they have set their sights on the European elite. Following a stunning 5-2 victory over Juventus in the Champions League, vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu has outlined a blueprint to transform the Istanbul giants into a global powerhouse within five years. Central to this revolution is the successful integration of marquee signings from Serie A, a market the club has raided with increasing frequency and financial might.

Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu has finally spoken out about the storm that followed his controversial dismissal during the Derby d'Italia. The Frenchman was at the centre of a heated debate after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Alessandro Bastoni, a decision that many felt was harsh given the apparent lack of contact.

The footballing world remains in a state of mourning following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and the void can be felt deeply within the Portugal national team dressing room. AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao has now spoken candidly about the "devastating" impact the loss has had on the squad as they prepare for life without the forward. Jota, who had recently secured the Premier League title with Liverpool, passed away in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, alongside his brother, after a tyre blowout caused their vehicle to veer off the road.

Inter head coach Cristian Chivu has admitted his side were simply outworked and "not competitive" enough as the Nerazzurri suffered a humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Bodo/Glimt. The Italian giants failed to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit, falling to a 5-2 aggregate defeat after losing 2-1 on a night of high tension at San Siro. Despite enjoying long periods of possession, the hosts lacked the cutting edge and physical intensity to break down the resilient Norwegian visitors

The race for the Spanish league title has taken another dramatic turn off the pitch as the Spanish Referees' Committee (CTA) officially admitted that a crucial goal against Barcelona should never have stood. During Barca's shock 2-1 defeat to Girona at Montilivi on February 16, Fran Beltran netted an 86th-minute winner that left the Catalan giants fuming. The club's hierarchy and fans alike were adamant that Jules Kounde had been fouled in the build-up, and those suspicions have now been validated by the governing bodies in spectacular fashion.

Inter’s European journey came to a shuddering and unexpected halt at San Siro on Tuesday night as Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt pulled off a historic upset. Despite entering the second leg as heavy favourites, the Nerazzurri failed to overturn a first-leg deficit, eventually falling to a 5-2 aggregate defeat. While the shock result sent shockwaves through the football world, midfield talisman Nicolo Barella was quick to point the finger at a controversial officiating decision from months prior as the true catalyst for their downfall.

The party truly started in South Wales on Tuesday night as American rap royalty Snoop Dogg finally made his long-awaited debut at Swansea's Stadium. The hip-hop legend, who joined the club's board as a minority investor last July, was the guest of honour as the Swans played out a dramatic 1-1 Championship draw against Preston. His presence sparked scenes of jubilation across the city, proving that the synergy between celebrity ownership and football culture is alive and well in the lower leagues.

The curtain appears to be falling on Antoine Griezmann's second act at Atletico Madrid, as speculation regarding a move to Major League Soccer reaches a fever pitch. Despite being in a rich vein of form for the Colchoneros, the French World Cup winner is increasingly expected to call time on his career in the Spanish capital at the end of the current campaign. While his existing contract at the Metropolitano is technically valid until 2027, there is a growing sense within the club and the wider footballing world that his departure this summer is becoming an inevitability.

Viktor Gyokeres appears to be finally silencing the doubters at the Emirates Stadium, but his recent scoring spree comes with a price tag for the Arsenal hierarchy. The Swedish marksman was the undisputed star of the show during Sunday's derby match, netting a clinical brace as Mikel Arteta’s side dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 4-1. While the Gunners celebrate a dominant victory over their rivals, accountants in Lisbon are also rubbing their hands in anticipation of a looming financial boost.

Juventus are moving swiftly to secure its long-term future under Luciano Spalletti. Despite a period of mixed results on the pitch, the hierarchy in Turin has seen enough to double down on the former Italy national team head coach. The message coming out of the Allianz Stadium is clear: Spalletti is the man to lead the Bianconeri restoration, and he is about to be rewarded with more than just a piece of paper. The tactician is currently locked into a deal that runs until the end of June, but the club are eager to rub out any uncertainty regarding his position before the current campaign reaches its climax.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has called for a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination, insisting that homophobia should be treated with the same severity as racism. The Belgian shot-stopper made the comments in the wake of a controversial Champions League clash against Benfica, where Gianluca Prestianni was hit with a provisional suspension for allegedly directing a discriminatory slur at Vinicius Jr. during Madrid's 1-0 win in Lisbon. While the initial accusations centered on a racial slur, reports have suggested the abuse may have been homophobic in nature, prompting Courtois to state that both are equally "deplorable" and have no place in the modern game.

Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid may have ended prematurely this year, but former team-mate Sami Khedira is adamant that the Spaniard’s story at the Santiago Bernabeu is far from over. The Basque tactician, who achieved legendary status after leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic domestic double in 2024, was forced to pack his bags in the Spanish capital after just half a season in charge. However, the legacy he left behind in Germany and his tactical acumen continue to fuel talk of an eventual blockbuster return to the dugout of the 15-time European champions.

The fallout from Leeds United’s painful slide out of the Premier League continues to simmer, as Jesse Marsch has launched a scathing rebuttal to claims made by his successor, Sam Allardyce. The American coach, who was tasked with the unenviable job of following the iconic Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road, has found himself at the centre of a war of words regarding the physical state of the squad during the club's ill-fated 2022-23 campaign. While the Whites eventually succumbed to the drop, the debate over who is to blame for the erosion of Bielsa’s high-intensity blueprint has now reached a boiling point on social media.

England international Ivan Toney has found himself at the centre of one of the more bizarre flashpoints of the Saudi Pro League season following Al-Ahli’s narrow victory over Damac. The former Brentford talisman, who has been in clinical form since his high-profile move to the Middle East, was involved in a heated and unusual exchange with an opposition defender that quickly went viral across social media platforms. While the match itself was a tight affair decided by a single goal, the post-match fallout has been dominated by Toney’s blunt assessment of his opponent's personal hygiene.

In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through South American football, professional clubs across Argentina have collectively agreed to go on strike. The decision, announced on Monday, serves as a direct protest against what footballing authorities have described as "judicial persecution" directed at Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia. The work stoppage is set to bring the domestic game to a grinding halt between March 5 and 8.

Chelsea legend Jon Obi Mikel has launched a scathing attack on the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, labelling the decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca as "ridiculous." The former Blues midfielder believes the club has significantly regressed since the Italian’s departure on New Year’s Day, despite a change in management aimed at steadying the ship.

Former Manchester United striker Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez showed his sensitive and compassionate side after being reduced to tears by a viral sensation. The 37-year-old Mexican legend took to social media to share his heartfelt reaction to the story of Punch, a baby macaque at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo. The infant monkey has gained global sympathy after being rejected by its parents and seeking solace in a stuffed orangutan toy.