'Positive feeling' as Cifuentes gets to know his players
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Mark Clattenburg hits out at claims he tried to help Leicester City win Premier League title
Former official Mark Clattenburg has addressed the claims made by former Leicester City star Danny Simpson the ex-referee tried to help the Foxes win the Premier League title in 2016 Former referee Mark Clattenburg has fired back at allegations made by ex- Leicester City defender Danny Simpson that the official attempted to assist the Foxes in securing the Premier League trophy. Leicester shocked the world in 2016 when they achieved the impossible by claiming the title. But Simpson, the former City right-back, previously suggested that Clattenburg – who has been happy to discuss tales from his time in the game of late – chose not to dismiss a Leicester player during a crucial match. Simpson also claimed that Clattenburg, 50, told him directly that he was rooting for Leicester to lift the trophy. Appearing on the Undr The Cosh podcast, the former official vehemently denied Simpson's accusations and provided his version of events. "You had Danny Simpson on this podcast didn't you," Clattenburg began. "And I'd like to address it as I wasn't happy, because Danny made a comment, and you can say it in humour, but say it in humour. "You know, because I've met Danny many times, in Dubai for example at the horse racing, at the Dubai World Cup, and we've had a beer, we've had a laugh and when things cross a line... I think every football fan in the world wanted Leicester to win the title. As a human being, the romance of Leicester winning the title was amazing – as a human being, not as a referee. "But actually saying I was going to caution Danny Drinkwater, who I hadn't even cautioned earlier in the game, was like, crazy, do you know what I mean? Because if he's factually correct in that I had cautioned Danny Drinkwater and I gave him a second chance, and I hadn't sent him off, then fair enough you can make that argument." He added: "But I hadn't. I'd only cautioned two Leicester players that whole season because I found the Leicester boys really good crack, and because they were good guys, they probably got away with a bit because of the fine margins. Do you know what I mean? "But I never went around and said, 'I'm not cautioning you because I need you to win the title,' because I lose respect. If you deserve a second yellow, you go." During Leicester's title-winning campaign, Clattenburg officiated four of their matches but didn't issue a booking to Drinkwater. His sole booking was for Robert Huth in an April 2016 clash with Swansea, reports Leicestershire Live. Simpson hasn't specified which match Clattenburg allegedly refrained from giving Drinkwater a second yellow card, but in March 2023, he said: "I remember Clattenburg, mate. I think he should have sent someone off and he said something like, 'I should have sent you off there but I want yous to win it.' "It was mad. I swear to God. It's a good job there was no VAR. I had to pretend I didn't hear it. I was laughing my b******s off inside and I thought, 'Yeah, we're doing this.' "I think it was Drinky, actually. It was his second yellow or something and he could've easily sent him off but he didn't." Following Simpson's remarks, Clattenburg strongly rejected the accusations. Describing them as "ridiculous", he told The Daily Mail: "I fully deny the allegations made by Danny Simpson. I find them preposterous. They are very serious and could question my integrity." He also warned of potential legal proceedings.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
European giants make Liverpool star Darwin Nunez top transfer target
Darwin Nunez could yet leave Liverpool this summer despite Napoli moving on from the forward as one of their Serie A rivals enter talks for the former Benfica star AC Milan have made contact with the representatives of Darwin Nunez as they eye a deal for the Liverpool forward. The Italian giants are said to have made the Uruguay international their top target for the final weeks of the transfer window. Nunez has been widely expected to leave Anfield this summer and the arrival of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz would appear to have left him further down Arne Slot's pecking order. Liverpool retain an interest in Newcastle star Alexander Isak too and have seen a bid turned down for the Premier League striker. If the Reds are successful in landing the Sweden, Nunez's position would appear to be even more untenable. But thus far, Liverpool have not been able to find an agreement with any suitors for the former Benfica forward's signature. Napoli turned their attention elsewhere after being unable to find an agreement with the Reds' hierarchy. Antonio Conte instead added Lorenze Lucca to his side from Udinese on loan, with an obligation to buy for the forward for €26millon (£22.7m). But their Serie A rivals may yet afford Liverpool an opportunity to offload Nunez, who they signed in a deal worth £85m including potential add-ons. Milan are noted to be making a serious attempt to provide Max Allegri with a new forward with Arnaud Kalimuendo, Dusan Vlahovic and Rasmus Hojlund shortlisted alongside Darwin, per Sky Sports in Italy. The Reds striker, 26, did not feature in his side's friendly against Milan but came off the bench days later against Yokohoma FM. Nunez scored in the team's first two friendlies of the summer against Preston and Stoke City too. Slot's emphasis appeared to be on building the attacker's fitness rather than considering life without him, having also revealed Luis Diaz's absence against Milan was due to transfer speculation, before he eventually departed. 'In Darwin's situation, he has trained really well and played a few good games for us already this pre-season," said Slot said last week. "He was injured so we didn't want to take the risk. 'It was also the same with Wata (Endo) — trained with us all week but we didn't want to take a risk with him either. It is part of pre-season, the boys need to get towards match fitness and that is a thin balance, a thin line sometimes." A fresh offer from the Saudi Arabia is also awaited, with Al-Hilal claimed to have opened talks with the player and his representatives regarding a move. But the only bid for Nunez so far this summer has been from Napoli.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Bruno Fernandes responds to new transfer offer to leave Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes has received a new offer to leave Manchester United after rejecting a lucrative move to Al Hilal earlier in the summer. Al Hilal offered the Old Trafford captain a deal worth £200m over three years back in June but saw their advances rebuffed. 'There was an opportunity,' confirmed Fernandes, who has been United's most important player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. 'The [Al-Hilal] president called me and asked if I wanted to go there. They were waiting for me. I spoke to coach [Ruben] Amorim. He asked me not to go. 'Manchester United didn't want to sell me. They don't need the money. If I had wanted to leave, they would have made it happen.' Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. United fans were mostly relieved to keep hold of their talisman, although some suggested it would be wise to cash in given Al Hilal were offering over £100m. Club legend Paul Scholes was even of the opinion that Fernandes should be sold given the numbers on the table. A few months after rejecting Al Hilal, Fernandes has received a new transfer approach from fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. Reports in Portugal said Al Nassr were even optimistic of signing Fernandes given their head coach Jorge Jesus previously managed the midfielder at Sporting and the fact they have Cristiano Ronaldo on their books. However, the Daily Mail say Fernandes is 'unlikely to reverse' his decision to stay at Manchester United and is fully focused on the upcoming Premier League season. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also says Fernandes is 'fully involved' in Manchester United's project and wants to help bring the glory days back to Old Trafford. United endured one of their worst-ever campaigns last season, finishing just 15th in the Premier League and losing a drab Europa League final to Tottenham. Fernandes, who has made 290 appearances for Manchester United, is currently with his teammates in the United States ahead of their pre-season friendly against Everton on Sunday night. More Trending Discussing his future at the club at the start of the pre-season tour, Fernandes said: 'I will be here until the club tells me it is time to leave. 'I am available to make the club have great days again. The day the club thinks I am too much, or it is time to leave, football is like that and you never know. 'If the club thinks it is time to leave, because they want to make some money, that is what it is and football is like that sometimes.' Ruben Amorim's side face Fiorentina at Old Trafford in their final pre-season fixture before kick-starting their Premier League campaign on August 17 against Arsenal. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal in talks to sign Jeremy Jacquet to replace £17.6m star MORE: Manchester United set low asking price to sell Rasmus Hojlund after Benjamin Sesko bid MORE: Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho reacts to Chelsea transfer link
