Latest news with #SegundaDivision
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Sevilla flops forced to spend night at training centre after defeat as ‘violent' fans launch horrific attacks
SEVILLA stars were forced to spend the night at their training ground after angry fans stormed it following their defeat to Celta Vigo. The club's poor season continued on Saturday thanks to a 3-2 defeat away to Celta Vigo. 4 Sevila suffered a 3-2 defeat to Celta Vigo on Saturday Credit: EPA 4 Furious Sevilla fans took out their season's frustrations by attacking the club's training ground Credit: X 4 Footage on social media showed fans storming the ground after breaking through a gate Credit: X And a small number of the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan faithful showed their anger by attacking the club's training ground. Footage on social media showed an angry mob attacking and breaking through the training ground's protective gate. According to READ MORE FOOTIE NEWS Sevilla issued a scathing statement on the incredible act of violence, in which they urged the authorities to take serious action. It read: 'Sevilla FC strongly condemns the organised vandalism that took place this Saturday night at the Jose Ramon Cisneros Palacios Sports City, following the first team's arrival at the facilities after the match against Celta de Vigo. 'Sevilla FC requests that the Security Forces and Corps exercise the utmost diligence to locate those responsible for these despicable acts, perpetrated by a gang of organized radicals who acted with extreme violence. 'Beyond the complaints, Sevilla FC is committed to doing everything in its power to assist in the pursuit of the perpetrators of these crimes. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 4 Sevilla are six points above the relegation zone with three La Liga matches remaining Credit: REX "It will try to help identify those involved in these actions and will act relentlessly in the event that they are Sevilla FC fans and members. 'Finally, Sevilla FC expresses its absolute condemnation of any protest that involves violence and criminal acts like those seen this Saturday, May 10. Ex-Premier League star Jesus Navas breaks down in tears as he plays final home game for Sevilla 'The club is certain that these actions do not represent the Sevilla fans, who are also aware of the significance of Tuesday's match against UD Sevilla are a mere six points above the relegation zone following Saturday's defeat to Celta. Hot on their heels are 18th-placed Las Palmas, whom they'll host at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on Tuesday night for an old-fashioned relegation six-pointer. Defeat to Los Amarillos could all but condemn Sevilla to the Segunda Division as they face tricky ties against Real Madrid and
New York Times
15-04-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Brentford owner Matthew Benham close to agreeing deal to buy Spanish third-tier side Merida AD
Brentford owner Matthew Benham is close to agreeing a deal to buy Spanish third-tier side Merida AD. Based in western central Spain, near the Portuguese border, Merida AD are currently fifth in the Primera Federacion's group 2 with six games to play, which would qualify them for the playoffs for a spot in LaLiga's Segunda Division. Advertisement Founded in 2013 after two previous Merida-based teams went bankrupt, the club have been owned by British/American businessman Mark Heffernan since 2021 and they play at the Estadio Romano, a 14,600-capacity ground owned by the local council. A former banker turned gambler, Benham is the founder of statistical research firm Smartodds and the owner of betting exchange Matchbook. Now 56, Benham is known for his data-based approach to decision-making and has been funding Brentford, his boyhood club, since 2007, when they were in dire financial straits. The deal for Merida AD is expected to be announced on Tuesday and it will be Brentford's new holding company that will own the club. Under Benham's watch, the west London club have climbed from English football's third tier to the Premier League, which they reached for the first time in their history in 2021. Benham's millions have also helped to build Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, which opened in 2020. Merida AD will not be Benham's first foray into multi-club ownership, as he was also the majority shareholder of Danish side Midtjylland between 2014 and 2023, during which time they won three domestic titles and became known as one of the best academies in Scandinavia. (Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
New York Times
17-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Real Madrid meet with Spanish refereeing body over VAR audio from Espanyol match
Real Madrid officials met with Spanish refereeing body CTA at the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) headquarters on Monday to listen to the audio files from the video assistant referee (VAR) of their recent La Liga match against Espanyol. Madrid were angered by a decision from on-field referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz to show Espanyol defender Carlos Romero a yellow card for a 60th-minute challenge on Kylian Mbappe that was not overturned by VAR official Javier Iglesias Villanueva. Romero went on to score the game's only goal on February 1. Advertisement The club's indignation led to them sending an official communication to RFEF president Rafael Louzan and the Spanish government's High Sports Council (CSD) in which they requested to hear the VAR audio. Madrid had the opportunity t0 listen to the audio from the VAR officials throughout the match and their communication with the on-field referee, while they would also have the opportunity to hear other dialogue throughout the game. Madrid were represented by their club CEO Jose Angel Sanchez and secretary of the board Jose Luis del Valle at Monday's meeting. CTA president Medina Cantalejo described the meeting as 'very cordial' and 'very transparent', and added: 'We are always open to explaining the decisions.' VAR audio tapes from La Liga matches are available to all participating clubs and it is not unusual for club executives to meet referees each week at Las Rozas, the headquarters of the RFEF. This was, however, the first time that Madrid officials had attended such a meeting and the club opted to not go to an extraordinary meeting of La Liga and Segunda Division teams earlier this month to address recent refereeing issues. Madrid's refusal to attend the meeting came immediately after the 1-0 defeat at Espanyol in which they requested the 'immediate submission of VAR audio' from the match due to their unhappiness at several refereeing decisions. The club's request of having the audio sent to them was rejected on the grounds that it could be manipulated, but they would be allowed to listen to them at the RFEF headquarters. Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti also criticised the decision not to send off Espanyol's Romero in his post-game news conference. 'The decision made by the referee and the VAR is inexplicable,' Ancelotti said. 'Everyone saw it. The most important thing is to watch and protect the player, fortunately, nothing happened.' Advertisement Madrid have subsequently felt hard done by officiating decisions in subsequent La Liga matches. In the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on February 8, when referee Cesar Soto Grado judged that Aurelien Tchouameni had stepped on Samuel Lino in the 18-yard box in the 35th minute, with Antoine Griezmann scoring the resulting penalty. On Saturday, Jude Bellingham was sent off in controversial circumstances in Madrid's 1-1 away draw against Osasuna for swearing towards referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, while Eduardo Camavinga conceded a penalty in the 57th minute in an incident which led to the equaliser. Madrid are top of La Liga but will be overtaken by Barcelona should they defeat Rayo Vallecano on Monday night, courtesy of the Catalan's superior head-to-head record. GO DEEPER Real Madrid vs La Liga's referees: A timeline of mistrust ahead of Atletico derby
Daily Tribune
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Merino's Arsenal double a belated Valentine's gift
AFP | Leicester Mikel Merino said his vital double in Arsenal's 2-0 win at Leicester on Saturday was a belated Valentine's Day present for his wife after he forgot to buy her a proper gift. Just 24 hours after his Valentine's faux pas, the Spain midfielder cemented his love affair with Arsenal fans. The 28-year-old came off the bench to serve as a makeshift striker for injury-hit Arsenal and rose to the challenge with goals in the 81st and 87th minutes. Serenaded by Arsenal fans in one corner of the King Power Stadium after his headed opener, Merino was quick to dedicate the goals to partner Lola Liberal, who he married in January 2024. 'I forgot to give my wife something for Valentine's Day so this goes to her. I think she will appreciate this more than a rose and some chocolate!' he said. It was the first time Merino had scored twice in a game since playing for Osasuna against Gimnastic Tarragona in the Segunda Division playoffs in 2016. Merino was only used as a striker out of desperation by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli left him with a threadbare attack. Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri made up Arsenal's starting front three without success, paving the way for Merino to make his super-sub impact after Arteta sent him on. 'Mikel told me to come in as a striker this morning. We were talking about it a little bit with one of the assistants. It is the first time in my career that I've played that position,' Merino said. 'He told me to go with my strengths and luckily I could help the team with two goals today.' Merino's brace was crucial for Arsenal's title hopes as they closed to four points behind of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who host lowly Wolves on Sunday.
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Leicester 0-2 Arsenal: Did you know?
Mikel Merino became the first Arsenal player to score twice as a substitute in a Premier League game since Gabriel Martinelli against Crystal Palace in January 2024 and the first to do so away from home since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Fulham at Craven Cottage in October is the first time Merino has scored twice in a game since scoring a brace for Osasuna against Gimnastic in the Segunda Division play-offs back in June 2016.
