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New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Row Z's end of season special: Gianni Infantino takes on Cristiano Ronaldo for the humility award
Welcome to Row Z, The Athletic's weekly column that shines a light on the bonkers side of the game. From clubs to managers, players to organisations, every Friday throughout the 2024-25 season we have brought you the absurdities, the greed, the contradictions, the preposterousness and the oddities of the sport we all love. We'll end on a high (low) note today with the Row Z 2024-25 Season Awards. Good luck Gianni, we're all rooting for you… Honourable mention: Al Nassr When a YouTuber named Abu Omar dared to do an innocent impression of supervillain Lionel Messi at the home of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr gave a calm and measured response. 'What happened yesterday inside the dressing room in terms of individual (irresponsible) actions is unacceptable by some people who do not appreciate the value of the party they represent, nor the place and entity that left it.' Runner-up: Chelsea If they weren't selling the women's team to themselves to help balance the books, or being busy compiling the most expensive football squad of all time so they could win a trophy having been pitted against part-timers and farmers, Chelsea were making a firm stand on racism. July 2024: Midfielder Enzo Fernandez was filmed singing an offensive song about France's black players, who included Wesley Fofana, after winning the Copa America with Argentina. Advertisement Fofana called it 'uninhibited racism'. He later accepted an apology from his team-mate and said he 'did not understand' what he was singing, with Fernandez making a sizeable donation to an anti-discrimination charity that Chelsea then match-funded. Fernandez also apologised in public with a post on social media. August 2024: Chelsea handed Fernandez the captain's armband. Winner: Manchester United What a season they've had! Some highlights… Sacking sporting director Dan Ashworth five months after spending £2.5million ($3.4m) to lure him from Newcastle. Sacking head coach Eric ten Hag and his staff (which cost them £10.4m) a few months after bankrolling Ten Hag's summer transfer spending to the tune of around £200m. And then spending another £11m hiring Ruben Amorim and his six coaching staff. No wonder they had to double some ticket prices for older people and kids, what with a leaky roof to fix as well. It's been a hell of a run for INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who took over a football club sixth in the Premier League and have currently rooted them in 15th. At least the women's team reached the FA Cup final, not that Sir Jim was able to attend for the second season in a row, having earlier turfed the team out of their own training ground building and told them to use portacabins. Then there were hundreds of redundancies, the cancelling of free lunches and Christmas parties, the organisation of a barbecue to celebrate winning the Europa League (which didn't go too well). Oh, and they designed a new stadium that looks like a circus tent. It's important to remember the INEOS mantra at times like these: 'Best in class.' 'Morale will be driven by success on the pitch,' Ratcliffe predicted in December. 'We want people here who are either happy or unhappy on a Monday morning depending on what happened at the weekend.' How's that going? Well, United were last seen throwing their goalkeeper up for a corner in stoppage time during a 1-0 defeat to ASEAN All-Stars. Club morale might need checking on. Runner-up: Cristiano Ronaldo During a discussion about who the greatest footballer of all time might be, Ronaldo's response was unequivocal. 'I believe so, sincerely,' he said, when naming who he think is the best player to ever kick a ball in the history of the sport. 'I've never seen anyone better… I say it from the heart,' he added, before calling the individual concerned, 'the most complete player that's ever existed, in my opinion'. Advertisement Who was he talking about? Pele? Diego Maradona? To be honest, there's no need for a punchline — you know the answer. Winner: Gianni Infantino But the winner has to be our Gianni, the man who has been the driving force behind the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament promises to be a roaring success – Robbie Williams is going to sing at it and he said it's going to be 'massive'. The tournament will determine once and for all who is the best club team in the whole world. Well, except it won't feature the current best team in England (Liverpool), because they're not invited. Neither are the second-best team in England (Arsenal). Or the current best team in Spain (Barcelona). Or in Italy (Napoli), come to think of it. Anyway, Austria's third-best team (Red Bull Salzburg) will definitely be there, as will Inter Miami, despite them having never won the MLS Cup. Ronaldo might be crowbarred into the competition too, as Gianni told a lad on YouTube last week. So, all told, if you want a ticket for the final, £1,795 to sit in the lower bowl feels like decent value. Anyway, seeing as Gianni has planned it all, it's only fair that his name is engraved on the FIFA Club World Cup trophy (not once, but twice), including a line which says the tournament was inspired by him. We can't wait. Honourable mention: Jhon Duran, who posted a West Ham 'Irons' emoji on Instagram when being linked with a move from Aston Villa to the London Stadium in the summer, then flirted with Bayern Munich after scoring against them by calling them 'the club of my dreams', then signed a new contract with Villa and then fell in love with Al Nassr for a reported 320,000 reasons every week. Winner: Jurgen Klopp to Red Bull. 'I'm a football romantic,' Jurgen Klopp told Marca in 2017. 'I like tradition in football and all that stuff.' All that stuff. Winner: UR Cristiano If you're lucky enough to be one of Ronaldo's 75 million subscribers (sorry, siuuuubscribers… this is genuinely a thing) on YouTube you'll have enjoyed the following videos (again, these are genuine titles): The highlight, though, was undoubtedly an interview with his old mate Rio Ferdinand, during which Ronaldo referred to himself in the third person on no fewer than 10 occasions. During an intense Frost/Nixon-esque grilling about how great Ronaldo is, the subject turned to the thorny issue of Saudi Arabia and its 'issues'. Would Ronaldo use the opportunity to highlight horrendous acts of violence and oppression taking place in his new favourite country? Let's find out… Ronaldo: 'It was very easy for me (to decide to move to Saudi). We can speak about religion or the weather, but no country is perfect.' Advertisement Ferdinand: 'It's interesting what you said that no country is perfect. That's exactly what I was thinking when I saw you go (in 2022)… a lot of the western world are pointing the finger saying negative stuff, I'm like: 'Are we that good?' Everyone has problems but it's about facing the problems and taking a step forward.' Ronaldo: 'For me, all the countries have their issues, it's normal.' They're just normal men. Anyway, to be fair to Ronaldo it was probably for the best that he held back on any negativity given that, according to Amnesty International, people who are critical of the regime are imprisoned and even sentenced to death. Siuuuuuuu! Thomas Tuchel was appointed as England manager and the Daily Mail and Danny Mills took it well. 'A DARK DAY FOR ENGLAND' screamed the Mail, while adding: 'Now we have a gun for hire who owes us nothing and will pass through our game with a huge cheque and no connection to the fans or players. 'We are the laughing stock of the world game.' Meanwhile, Mills just said what we were all thinking: 'Often we see him in a hoodie and a cap on the sidelines, will that be his managerial stance as England manager? That's not really something we're used to, it's always a suit, effectively, and looking very, very smart.' Hull City sacked Tim Walter with the club third bottom of the Championship, which seemed fair enough, but the timeline of events was truly glorious. 6.37pm on Tuesday: Hull's owner, Acun Ilicali, said live on BBC Radio Humberside before the home match against Sheffield Wednesday: 'I would never put the blame on Tim. I'll put the blame on me too.' And the key question: 'If you were to lose tonight, would Tim still be in a job?' Ilicali: 'Yes, he will be in the job. If we lose tonight, he's going to be in the job.' Advertisement 9.39pm: Final score, Hull City 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday. 5pm on Wednesday: He sacked Walter. It was the final year at Goodison Park and Everton wanted fans to share their memories of the grand old place on social media. However, at the time, the team were heading for yet another relegation scrap and, well… — Mr Robot (@bittertoffee) September 1, 2024 — 𝗣𝗘𝗗 (@PED7) September 1, 2024 Still, all's well that ends well… Turns out me and flares dont mix too well — James (@Jab0702) May 19, 2025 When Chris Smalling was playing for Manchester United or Roma, he tended to tweet pretty generic pictures of himself from matches he'd played in. Then he went to the Saudi Pro League and was just so impressed by the future of urban living that he had to tell everyone about it. 'Can you tweet something like…' THE LINE A cognitive city stretching across 170 kilometers, from the mountains of NEOM across desert valleys to the Red Sea. A mirrored architectural masterpiece towering 500 meters above sea level, but a land-saving 200 meters wide. Unique solar and wind advantages for 100%… — Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) September 22, 2024 And finally…. Even the pros get it wrong from time to time… 🫣😂#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo — Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) November 17, 2024
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Chelsea vs Real Betis LIVE RESULT: Conference League final updates as Blues WIN to make Euro history
Chelsea team news Chelsea are boosted by the return of striker Nicolas Jackson after he missed the last two games of the Premier League season due to suspension. Maresca has had more positive news in the forward areas with Christopher Nkunku back from a knock. Romeo Lavia will be forced to miss out as Chelsea are unable to add him to their squad list for tonight's final. Elsewhere, Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman and Mykhaylo Mudryk are all unavailable.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Chelsea star banned from driving after racking up more points on license than Man Utd have in Premier League
CHELSEA star Wesley Fofana has been banned from driving for two years after racking up 47 points on his licence. The French international's tally would see him finish higher than several Premier League giants this season — including Manchester United, who sit on 39 points. 2 2 Lavender Hill magistrates' court in South West London heard on Wednesday that he had committed eight offences in three different vehicles in less than a year. Fofana, 24, who did not appear at court, was dubbed a 'habitual speeder' by chairman of the bench John Soones, who slapped the defender with a further 38 points on top of his previous nine. Mr Soones said: 'We take into account the fact he is a habitual speeder, with access to powerful motor cars, who speeds at nearly double the speed limit.' The earliest offence was last March when he drove his Lamborghini Urus at 26mph in a 20mph zone in Brixton, South London. Fofana was then caught five times behind the wheel of his £300,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan and twice in his blue 4.0-litre Audi — all in a 50mph zone on the A3 Esher bypass. He hit speeds of up to 88mph on the route he regularly uses to get to and from his home in Kingston-upon-Thames to the club's training ground in Cobham, Surrey. Fofana, who admitted all offences, had so many they were scattered throughout the building's courtrooms. Chairman Mr Soones said: 'He's got a flush. He is in court one, two and three. But we have gathered them all together'. His lawyer Imogen Cox told the court: 'He is a young man that plays football for a living and he works extremely hard, training, and has foolishly not complied with the rules of the road.' Fofana was fined £5,328, plus a £2,131 victim surcharge and £110 in costs. He was previously disqualified for six months in January 2023 for speeding. The player is regarded as a 'sick note' by Chelsea fans due to long absences after two major knee injuries since his £70million switch from Leicester City in 2022.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea star banned from driving after racking up more points on license than Man Utd have in Premier League
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA star Wesley Fofana has been banned from driving for two years after racking up 47 points on his licence. The French international's tally would see him finish higher than several Premier League giants this season — including Manchester United, who sit on 39 points. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Wesley Fofana has been banned from driving for two years after racking up 47 points on his licence Credit: Alamy 2 Fofana was then caught five times behind the wheel of his £300,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Credit: Alamy Lavender Hill magistrates' court in South West London heard on Wednesday that he had committed eight offences in three different vehicles in less than a year. Fofana, 24, who did not appear at court, was dubbed a 'habitual speeder' by chairman of the bench John Soones, who slapped the defender with a further 38 points on top of his previous nine. Mr Soones said: 'We take into account the fact he is a habitual speeder, with access to powerful motor cars, who speeds at nearly double the speed limit.' The earliest offence was last March when he drove his Lamborghini Urus at 26mph in a 20mph zone in Brixton, South London. Fofana was then caught five times behind the wheel of his £300,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan and twice in his blue 4.0-litre Audi — all in a 50mph zone on the A3 Esher bypass. He hit speeds of up to 88mph on the route he regularly uses to get to and from his home in Kingston-upon-Thames to the club's training ground in Cobham, Surrey. Fofana, who admitted all offences, had so many they were scattered throughout the building's courtrooms. Chairman Mr Soones said: 'He's got a flush. He is in court one, two and three. But we have gathered them all together'. His lawyer Imogen Cox told the court: 'He is a young man that plays football for a living and he works extremely hard, training, and has foolishly not complied with the rules of the road.' Fofana was fined £5,328, plus a £2,131 victim surcharge and £110 in costs. Chelsea player ratings: Enzo Fernandez silences his doubters but Robert Sanchez endures a few shaky moments vs Leicester He was previously disqualified for six months in January 2023 for speeding. The player is regarded as a 'sick note' by Chelsea fans due to long absences after two major knee injuries since his £70million switch from Leicester City in 2022.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Chelsea star banned from driving after racking up 47 POINTS on his licence through series of speeding offences in his luxury cars
Chelsea FC's Wesley Fofana was banned from driving for two years today after racking up 47 points on his licence following a series of speeding offences in his luxury cars. The £70m centre-back committed a further eight driving offences in three separate vehicles - and already had nine points on his licence. He was today slapped with a whopping thirty-eight penalty points - taking the total on his driving licence to forty-seven. The 24 year-old Marseille-born French national did not appear at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court, where he was also fined a total of £5,328, plus a £2,131 victim surcharge. Fofana must also pay £110 costs and was given fourteen days to pay the entire sum in full. 'The minimum disqualification today is twelve months, but we take into account the fact he is a habitual speeder, with access to powerful motorcars, who speeds at nearly double the speed limit,' said Bench Chairman John Soones. The injury-plagued star committed five of the speeding offences while behind the wheel of his white 6.7 litre Rolls Royce Cullinan, which go up for sale starting from £300,000. Two offences were while driving his blue 4.0 litre Audi and he was once caught speeding in his Lamborghini Urus, which retail from £200,000. All five speeding offences in his Rolls Royce were in a 50mph zone on the A3 Esher bypass, which Fofana regularly uses to get to and from his home to the club's training ground in Cobham, Surrey. A speed camera caught him driving at 77mph on December 26, last year; 68mph the next day; 90mph on December 30, 2024; 88mph on January 11, this year and 67mph on February 2. Prosecutor Laura-Ann Harding told the court it was 3.02am when Fofana was caught at 77mph; 1.00am when caught at 90mph and approaching 1.00am when caught at 67mph. The other two offences were at 10.00pm and 9.46pm. He was caught again in the same spot on the A3 while driving his Audi at 62mph on September 10, last year and at 83mph the next month on October 21. The earliest offence was when Fofana drove his Lamborghini at 26mph in a 20mph zone at just before 1.00am in Acre Lane, Brixton on March 12, 2024. Fofana had so many speeding offences at Lavender Hill they were scattered throughout the building's courtrooms and Chairman Mr Soones quipped: 'He's got a flush. He is in Court One, Two and Three, but we have gathered them all together' The French international admitted all the offences and his personal 'Executive Assistant' worked closely with Ms Cox to bring them all together to be dealt with at one hearing. The former Leicester City defender won the 2021 FA Cup with the Foxes, but has been struck down with injury, having missed the entire 2023-2024 campaign with an ACL. Fofana, who lives in a detached £2.8m seven-bedroom house in Kingston-upon-Thames, near to rapper Stormzy, has only made fourteen Premier League appearances this campaign. He signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea FC in August, 2022 and today his lawyer Imogen Cox told the magistrates he earns in excess of the £1,000-a week court maximum used for calculating fines. The court also heard Fofana was disqualified for six months in January, 2023 for speeding offences and before today's sentence had nine points on his licence - again for speeding in 2022 and 2023. 'Mr Fofana means no disrespect by not attending court today,' said Ms Cox. 'He clearly faces a disqualification and knows he is going to be disqualified and I asked him to not drive after 9.30am today. 'He has a significant gap on his driving record where he is not committing offences,' added the lawyer, referring to one in 2022 and one in 2023 before this latest batch. 'He was doing more driving miles and he accepts he disregarded the rules of the road and he asks me to apologise on his behalf. 'There is no 'exceptional hardship' argument put forward by Mr Fofana. He knows he is going to be off the road for at least twelve months,' added Ms Cox. 'He earns in excess of the one thousand pounds a week maximum we use for these offences and he realises he is likely to receive the maximum fine.
