Franco Colapinto has been handed a 5-place grid penalty for the next race for causing a collision with Pierre Gasly.
#FIA #F1 #AzerbaijanGP
Saturday, 26 September 2026
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ OUT FOR TWO WEEKS OR MORE WITH KNEE INJURY
France star sidelined with knee hyperextension but expected back for El Clasico
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| France's Kylian Mbappe (C) reacts after picking up an injury following his team's first goal, next to France's head coach Zinedine Zidane during the UEFA Nations League (League A, Group 1) first leg football match between Turkey and France at the Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit, on September 25, 2026. AFP |
Paris: France captain Kylian Mbappe suffered a hyperextension of his left knee playing for France, his club Real Madrid said Saturday but could be ready to play again when La Liga resumes.
"Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid's medical department on our player Kylian Mbappe, he has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee," the Spanish club said in a statement.
New France coach Zinedine Zidane said France were "not going to take any risks" and that he would not use Mbappe in the three Nations League matches scheduled over the next 10 days.
France travel to Belgium on Monday before hosting Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France on October 2 and 5.
Real Madrid's first game after the international break, with Villarreal on October 10, might be too soon for an Mbappe return but Spanish daily AS reported Saturday he would ceratinly be ready for the Classico with Barcelona October 25.
- AFP
A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN | MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
I have been part of this Club for 18 years. I have had the privilege to stand with you in the Etihad, at Wembley, and in Istanbul. This Club matters to me, and you have shown and told me – time and time again - how much Manchester City matters to you. This is why I am writing to you today.
Following Friday’s media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I. Here’s what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.
There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies.
I ask you to please carefully read the statement below, which we gave on Friday, and the statement we issued in February 2023 (also below). Every word matters and holds true.
While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our Club. We will not give them that opportunity.
We have some exciting moments to look forward to after this international break. We travel to Anfield in a fortnight, and then host Paris St Germain in the Champions League back at Etihad Stadium - moments that give us an opportunity to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family.
Thank you, as always, for your constant support.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak
Chairman
Manchester City Football Club
MANCHESTER CITY 115-CHARGES VERDICT HAS FINALLY ARRIVED - NOW LAWMAKERS MUST DECIDE SANCTIONS THAT COULD CHANGE ENGLISH FOOTBALL FOREVER
The reliable reports that the dominant force in the Premier League over the past decade has been found guilty of financial breaches could have colossal repercussions
'The Damned United' is not a documentary. The accuracy of the story told by David Peace in his best-selling novel is disputed by a number of the real-life protagonists. But there's one thing that pretty much everyone agrees on: in July 1974, during one of his very first training sessions as Leeds United's new manager, Brian Clough really did get up in front of an undeniably gifted but notoriously aggressive group of players and tell them that they could throw all of their medals in the bin because they didn't win any of them fairly. "You've done it all by blooming cheating," Michael Sheehan's Clough so infamously declares in the film version of the best-selling book, alluding to Leeds' allegedly 'dirty' style of play rather than any level of corruption on their part.
You've probably already seen that clip doing the rounds again on social media - only now in relation to Manchester City, who, as first reported by the Athletic, have been found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges brought against them in February 2023 for breaching the Premier League's financial rules. It may even have been sent to you in a WhatsApp group - because the 'fun' has well and truly begun. It's all aboard the 'banter' bus because the meme machine has already gone into overdrive and rival fans are mocking Man City mercilessly.
But this is no laughing matter. On the contrary, this is a serious business, which has the potential to completely alter the future of English football by rewriting its past. Because while the Premier League has reportedly recorded a resounding victory over Manchester City, this will hardly feel like a win worth celebrating, given the very competition it runs could be stripped of all credibility.
Relegation a real risk
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| A team containing Erling Haaland could be bound for The Championship. Getty Images |
We have, of course, yet to learn what sanctions the Premier League, headed up by chief executive Richard Masters, will impose on Manchester City, who still have the right to appeal. Indeed, some sceptical supporters of rival clubs suspect that the Etihad outfit will escape with a fine and an inconsequential points deduction. However, that's incredibly unlikely according to legal experts familiar with the case. The sport has never seen a financial scandal of this magnitude. The severity of the charges are unprecedented. In all probability, the punishment would be too.
Remember, Everton (six-point deduction) and Nottingham Forest (four) were only guilty of minor breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations. Chelsea, meanwhile, were only (controversially) fined for charges relating to illegal payments to agents and third parties but the Blues essentially reported themselves to the Premier League, as the breaches in question related not to the current owners but the Roman Abramovich administration. The Clearlake consortium, thus, co-operated fully with the investigation every step of the way. City did not. And they maintained their complete innocence throughout the entire process, meaning leniency is unlikely.
As a result, there is now a distinct possibility that City will be hit with such a heavy points deduction that it would make relegation probable rather than possible.
Trophies to be taken away?
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| Pep Guardiola always insisted that titles won on the pitch would always 'belong' to City. Action Plus |
Whether titles would be revoked remains unclear at this stage. There's certainly a strong case to be made that all of City's results between 2009 and 2018 (the subject of the investigation) should be declared null and void.
However, it could also be argued that nothing that's happened in the last eight years would have been possible without the alleged financial fraud that laid the costly foundations for City's emergence as the dominant force in English football - and eventual 2023 treble triumph.
Former City manager Pep Guardiola previously railed against the idea that the club should be stripped of their trophies in the event of a guilty verdict.
"Come on! Those moments belong to [City], regardless of the sentence," the Catalan argued back in 2023. "Think about what we’ve done... that goal from Sergio Aguero [against QPR in 2012]; nobody can remove that. I don’t know, are we responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping at Anfield?"
They obviously weren't. But they were allegedly responsible for financial fraud that put Manuel Pellegrini’s City in a position to take advantage of that slip. Furthermore, the magical moments Guardiola referred to arguably only belonged to City because they were stolen from someone else.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has already pointed out that the memories can't really be taken away. The medals and trophies can, though, and it's telling that Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool side were pipped to two titles by Guardiola's City, in 2018-19 and 2021-22, previously stated that if City were found guilty, he would get the beers in and host a parade in his own back garden for his former players.
Irreparable damage
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| Former cyclist Lance Armstrong still claims to be a seven-time winner of the Tour de France but nobody counts his titles. AFP |
Of even greater concern to City, though, are the potential legal and financial ramifications.
Manchester United, who have thrice finished second to City during the past 18 years, are already reportedly assessing the economic impact of City's breaches on their own earnings, and it would be a surprise if Liverpool (also three-time runners-up) and Arsenal (two 'lost' titles) are not doing likewise.
It doesn't end there, though, as City also repeatedly denied other clubs top-four finishes that would have secured qualification for the Champions League - and the lucrative prize money that comes with it. The possible cost of compensation is impossible to calculate at this early stage - just like the potentially irreparable damage done to the Premier League's integrity, given, if the guilty verdict sticks, the biggest case of fraud in football history threatens to expose the past 18 years of the Premier League as a lie.
Here's what we do know for sure, though: City's reputation will be in ruins. Their memories and titles have not yet been erased, and maybe they never will be. At the very least, though, subject to what is likely to be a lengthy appeals process, every accolade could now have an asterisk beside it and, in the eyes of most neutral observers, every triumph would be rendered utterly meaningless. Like Florence Griffith Joyner's sprint records. Or Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France wins.
And why? Because, unlike 'The Damned United', City, who, it should be pointed out, continue to deny all wrongdoing, might just have won all their medals against a backdrop of cheating.
- Mark Doyle
LAMINE YAMAL TALKS ORIGINS, BARCELONA, EURO, WORLD CUP, BALLON D’OR: 'THERE WILL BE A TIME WHEN THERE'S NO DEBATE'
In an extremely candid interview with The Guardian, FC Barcelona and Spain teenage superstar Lamine Yamal shed light on his roots and upbringing, while also giving an insight into what makes him such a top athlete despite his young age.
Only 19 years old, the Barcelona wonderkid has won the Euro 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain, while also lifting multiple La Liga titles with Barcelona.
It has put him in the picture for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, after he finished second in the rankings last year behind Ousmane Dembele.
Lamine on his Ballon d’Or chances
Lamine faces competition from other top stars like Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane for the Golden Orb, but the youngster appeared very confident of his chances.
“Being completely honest, it’s not just this year I’ve been at a Ballon d’Or [winning] level, but longer. Everyone knows that; they know I am differential,” he said.
Continuing, he added: “I think people think: ‘Lamine is 19, he’ll win it at some point, so let’s say someone else …’ I just have to win, win, win, and there will be a time when there’s no debate.
“There will be people who love me, people who say: ‘What a pain in the arse he is’, and that’s fine.”
On tasting success so early
Despite having already won so much in his career at the age of 19, Lamine insists that he is very hungry and motivated to add more silverware to his cabinet.
“After the final, my family were so happy,” Lamine said. “The problem with that is they don’t know what it is to lose. I go to the Euros, I win it. I go to the World Cup, I win it. It seems easy.
"There was a moment I thought: ‘When I don’t win they’re going to think I’m terrible.’ I told them: ‘Calm down, there will be plenty more World Cups.’ I have to play more and win more.”
Further underlining his hunger and desire to succeed, Lamine elaborated: “At the Euros I didn’t even know who I was, where I was, the significance of it all. I could sit an exam and the next day play France because I wasn’t really conscious of the difference.
“I won it and said: ‘Well, that’s good, but a World Cup is better, no?’ Now I know what a Euros means. I know what a World Cup is, although I think you truly realise when you go to the next one and lose.
“There’s a lot still to do. Why not be the best national team in history? The best Barcelona? And if there’s anyone in the world who doesn’t ‘rest’ on success, who doesn’t have normal standards, it’s me.”
On his origins, rapid rise, and pressure
For someone to have made his first-team debut for Barcelona at 15, gone to the Euros at 16, and the World Cup at 18, and then having won it all, Lamine remains extremely mature and has not let the fame and wealth have an adverse affect.
“It depends how you’re brought up. I will never say: ‘Who are you? I won the World Cup.’ Only stupid people would do that. I know that football is 0.000001% of life,” he said.
There have been times when he has been accused of talking too much or showing some attitude, with his posts on social media, but for Lamine, it is just ‘fun’.
“Well, as long as I am winning … sport is serious but I want a show, some fun.”
On whether those watching from the outside know the real Lamine, he replied: “Only my inner circle know what I think, the way I am. People don’t have a clue – not a clue, Not. A. Clue.”
“I grew up in a barrio where the less people know about you, the happier you are, the quieter your life. Obviously I like a footballer’s life, but I would also like to live in peace, a normal life. The nearest I can get is for people to know as little as possible.
“If I post something, I need to know I can handle what comes. At first it annoyed me to read things because I didn’t understand it. My mum would read something, call me and say: ‘Son, what’s this?!’ That affected me but it doesn’t affect me now.”
Regarding the pressure that comes with his new-found fame and status, Lamine elaborated: “A bad game from Lamine equals 400 bad games for anyone else. I’ll produce a nine out of 10 and people will say seven out of 10.”
“There are times I enjoy the pressure. I enjoy going on to the pitch, when a lot is expected. Then there’s a different kind of pressure which is nothing to do with what people say, nothing to do with football; it’s life. I don’t feel pressure in football.”
Further opening up on how his family keeps him focused, he added: “I will never lie at home thinking: ‘I played really badly, I didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, we didn’t win the league.’ It’s responsibility: I have my family.
“I’ve suffered, struggled with them, we’ve been through bad times and now that we’re enjoying life, I have to continue.
“If I have played football all these years, it’s because I love football but also for them. I know life is much longer. I have to look after my family, my little brother.”
“In football there’s no fear,” he further noted. “I saw my mum struggle so that I could play football. I’ve seen my dad go round the streets collecting scrap metal so I could eat. That’s fear.
“Now if I had a son, I could look after him. If my mum or my dad need anything, I can help. I don’t have that fear now and that’s the only fear I could have in life.”
On Barcelona and love for football
Discussing his time at La Masia and how it helped shame the Lamine of today, the teenage winger stated:
“Barcelona give you good things but you also need something of your own, your roots. Barcelona gave me control, understanding, IQ. In the park there’s no IQ: you go at your opponent, then go back again.
“I have that. If I hadn’t come from where I came from and been at La Masia, I wouldn’t have come out like this.
Concluding, Lamine summed up what football meant for him, saying: “The thing is, I love football. I don’t play for money, I play because I love it. Players who obsess over goals or assists don’t enjoy it.
“I play for the fun: to dribble, to play one touch, two touches, to make a teammate who hasn’t scored score. For the fans’ happiness. To hear the olés. I play for that.
“I enjoy it. I get home and I say: ‘I’ve had a great time.’ If every player did that, we would enjoy it much more.”
Remembering the moments at the World Cup when the fans got excited to see him and how it made him feel, he added:
“At the World Cup, you heard it, felt it: when I got the ball, they would stand up, one after the other, all along the row. Like they were saying: ‘Let’s see if this guy is what they say he is.’
“At the Camp Nou, people know I’m going to go at someone. That feeling, that expectation, is something you can only experience in sport, being a player like me.
“It’s like there’s something inside that makes you feel more powerful than anyone and I hope it’s there until the day I retire. There’s a surge around you and you feel like Superman, you feel like Spiderman. You feel spectacular.”
- Michel Durant9
BODHANA SIVANANDAN MAKES HISTORY 😲
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| Micha Walusza/FIDE |
Bodhana Sivanandan Makes History!
11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan (2354)🏴 has become the youngest-ever Woman Grandmaster (WGM) after earning her third and final WGM norm at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Bodhana achieved the required norm by drawing IM Mai Narva of Estonia, completing all three WGM norms at just 11 years old.
Her WGM journey began in 2025, when she earned her first norm at the Trophée Dole in France, aged just 10. She secured her second norm at the Dole Open in July 2026, aged 11.
Now, with her third and final norm at the Olympiad, Bodhana has made chess history as the youngest-ever player to achieve the WGM title requirements.
Congratulations!
#Chess #ChessProdigy #BodhanaSivanandan #WGM #ChessOlympiad #ChessOlympiad2026 #Samarkand #ChessCommunity #ChessBaseNepal
📷: Rafal Oleksiewicz / FIDE
-- Chess Nepal
LIVERPOOL LEGEND COULD BE ABOUT TO LOSE TITLES AFTER MSN CITY GUILTY VERDICT
Some former Liverpool players are already expecting Premier League titles to come their way after Manchester City was found guilty of almost all its 115 charges, but the verdict could be bad news for one Reds legend
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| James Milner could lose some of his Premier League medals if Manchester City is stripped of its titles(Image: Getty Images) |
While Manchester City being found guilty of the charges brought against it by the Premier League might end up being good news for some Liverpool players of the past, for one Reds legend, it could mean his trophy cabinet takes a major hit.
According to reports, City has been found guilty on almost all of the charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations following an independent hearing, which concluded at the end of 2024.
That could lead to a serious punishment, with all manner of sanctions on the table from fines to relegation, and the possibility that the club could be stripped of some of its titles.
According to The Athletic, City has been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges, but while no sanctions have been handed down yet, the club is expected to appeal.
That could therefore delay any potential punishments being handed out - not that it’ll stop some players from dreaming.
Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has already declared himself a champion after news of the guilty verdict broke on Friday, and Reds fans will be hoping that Steven Gerrard will finally get the league title he craved throughout his career.
One Liverpool legend, though, could actually end up losing two of his winners’ medals should City be stripped of any of its titles.
James Milner was, of course, part of the Liverpool squad that won the 2020 Premier League title, just a year after lifting the Champions League. Before that, though, he had already got his hands on a couple of league crowns while playing for City.
The former midfielder, who retired from playing earlier this year, was part of the City squad which won the 2011/12 title, with Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp goal on the final day seeing the club pip Manchester United to top spot.
Just two years later, Milner was celebrating again as City beat Liverpool to the 2013/14 title by two points, with Brendan Rodgers’ side running out of steam by the end of the campaign.
Both of those titles, along with the 2017/18 title, fall within the nine-year period that has been under investigation over the past few years, and although he joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2015, that means Milner could end up losing two of the three league titles he won during his career.
It’s unlikely that Milner will have to give up his titles anytime soon, with City expected to appeal the guilty verdict, having maintained its innocence throughout the process.
A City spokesperson told The Athletic: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
- James Findlater
CHINA OPEN WITHDRAWALS: JANNIK SINNER REVEALS INJURY BLOW AS REPLACEMENT FOR WORLD NO. 1 NAMED
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| Getty |
Defending China Open champion Jannik Sinner has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming ATP 500 tournament due to an ongoing knee injury.
The world No 1 hasn’t played since beating Alexander Zverev in four sets in the Wimbledon final way back in July, with his current issue forcing him to sit out the 2026 US Open.
Sinner beat Learner Tien in straight sets in last year’s final, but he won’t be able to defend his title in Beijing, which runs from 30 September to 6 October, something he is “very disappointed” by.
In a video on X, the Italian said, “I’m very sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play in Beijing this year. My knee is not where I would like it to be, and I’m not ready to compete yet.
“I will do everything possible to be there on court as soon as I can. What I miss the most is, of course, the tournament, the fans and the atmosphere. I’ve had great times there in the past, winning the title also last year. I’m very disappointed that I cannot defend it this year.”
Friday, 25 September 2026
HORNER ON F1 RETURN: FERRARI TEAM PRINCIPAL WOULD BE 'THE DREAM'
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| Red Bull team principal Christian Horner sits outside the team garage at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, File) (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) |
Christian Horner has described returning to Formula 1 as Ferrari team principal as “the dream,” saying it is the only role he would consider that does not involve a share of ownership in a team.
Horner was fired from Red Bull in July last year following a turbulent two years as the CEO and team principal of the championship-winning outfit.
In 2024, Horner faced two internal misconduct investigations based on allegations from a former Red Bull Racing employee, but was cleared in both by independent KCs.
His departure in 2025 followed a downturn in on-track performances and, with six years left on his contract, he was given a substantial payoff.
The agreement with Red Bull allowed him to return to F1 in spring this year, but despite months of speculation around the purchase of a minority stake in Alpine and connections with Aston Martin, Horner has yet to announce his next move.
Speaking to The Times ahead of a publicity tour for his upcoming book, the 52-year-old indicated Ferrari would be the only job he would consider that does not involve a shareholding in a team.
“At this stage in my life, there’s only one team for which I would accept non-participation in ownership,” he said. “Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It’s the dream. And arguably it’s the sleeping giant of Formula 1.”
As recently as May last year, while he was still in his position at Red Bull, media speculation linked Horner to Ferrari, but he denied he was interested in the role.
- George Russell leads Kimi Antonelli to Mercedes one-two in second practice at Azerbaijan GP- F1 teams to expect decision on Qatar, Abu Dhabi and where 2026 season will end by mid-October- Jamie Chadwick becomes first woman to test drive Williams F1 car since 2015: ‘Best day of my life’
In July last year, shortly after Horner’s firing from Red Bull, current Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur signed a multi-year contract extension to continue in his role until at least the end of 2027.
In the interview with The Times, Horner said his arrival at a team may mean a significant figure would have to make way, adding that he still envisages a return to F1 in which he resumes his rivalry with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
“There comes a point in time where a team’s competitiveness outweighs other egotistical stuff,” he added. “I’m in a very fortunate position that I can afford to be picky.
“If I don’t do anything, I can live here for whatever time I’ve got left on the planet, and just worry about whether it’s going to rain and make the grass green or not.
“But is that going to fulfil me? No. I still feel that there’s another dance. And Toto needs to have his hair f-----g ruffled up.”
- Laurence Edmondson
ARSENAL: THREE PLAYERS WHO CAN REPLACE KAI HAVERTZ AS NEW INJURY UPDATE DROPS
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| © Iconsport / SUSA/Azzuu/SPP Sport Press Photo. /Alamy |
Arsenal attacker Kai Havertz will reportedly be sent home from the Germany camp after sustaining an injury in Thursday's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League.
The 27-year-old started as Jurgen Klopp's central striker during the League A Group 2 clash at the Amsterdam Arena, but his race was run with just 30 minutes on the clock.
Havertz pulled up with an apparent hamstring problem and left the field alongside medical staff, being replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib shortly before Felix Nmecha opened the scoring.
The Arsenal man also came off worse in a collision with Netherlands midfielder Quinten Timber, and Klopp confirmed that Havertz would undergo an MRI scan to determine the severity of the issue.
Now, The Athletic reports that Havertz will withdraw from the Germany camp, but there is 'optimism' that the former Chelsea man has not suffered a serious problem.
Havertz will be assessed by Arsenal's medical staff and will miss Germany's next three matches against Greece, Serbia and Greece again on September 27, October 1 and October 4 respectively.
How many Arsenal games could Kai Havertz miss?
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| © Imago / Maximilian Koch |
If Havertz has indeed suffered the least severe hamstring injury - a Grade 1 minor strain - there is a chance that the Germany international will not miss any fixtures for the Premier League champions.
Grade 1 issues may take up to a fortnight to heal, and as Arsenal's first game back against Leeds United is more than 14 days away, Havertz may be given the green light to lead the line against the Whites.
However, given the attacker's recent misfortune with injuries, it would not be a shock if he missed the visit of Daniel Farke's side on October 10, and the Champions League clash with Lille on October 13.
A Grade 2 problem may take between four and six weeks to heal, leaving Havertz at risk of missing crunch matches against Bayern Munich and Liverpool on October 21 and November 1 respectively.
How can Arsenal replace injured Kai Havertz?
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| © Iconsport / SUSA |
Mikel Arteta is well-versed in coping without Havertz, as the attacker has missed 63 games for club and country since joining Arsenal in 2023, including a whopping 41 fixtures in 2025-26.
Havertz has forced his way above Viktor Gyokeres in the pecking order this season, scoring three goals in six starts in all tournaments, but the latter will now be at the head of the queue for starts.
Gyokeres is Arteta's only other recognised centre-forward in the squad following Gabriel Jesus's exit, but in spite of Arsenal's failure to sign a new striker in the summer, two other players can step in for Havertz.
Arteta could enact the emergency Mikel Merino number nine protocol, which he has done to stellar effect; the Spaniard has 16 goal involvements from 23 games as a striker for Arsenal, according to Transfermarkt.
Alternatively, Christos Tzolis could start up front with Eberechi Eze or Noni Madueke deputising on the left, although the Greek has played as a centre-forward just 11 times at club level - failing to score or assist in any of those games.
- Ben Knapton
ISRAEL FOOTBALLER SENT OFF FOR USING CORNER FLAG IN GUN FIRING CELEBRATION
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| Saied Abu Farchi scored his side’s equalising goal against Austria (Picture: AFP) |
Israel footballer Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for appearing to use the corner flag to simulate shooting a gun during his goal celebration.
Israel were beaten 3-1 by Austria in their Uefa Nations League clash on Thursday night with Farchi briefly drawing his side level in the second-half.
After finding the back of the net, the 20-year-old immediately ran over to the corner of the pitch, removing the corner flag from the ground.
Farchi crouched down and took aim, smiling as he made gun-firing gestures.
Farchi had been booked just four minutes before his goal with the referee producing a second yellow card to leave Israel down to 10 men.
Austria took the lead again in the 90th minute through Philipp Mwene with Sasa Kalajdzic adding a third in stoppage time.
Israel are set to play Republic of Ireland on Sunday.
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| Farchi was sent off moments later (Picture: AFP) |
Earlier this week, the Israel Football Association accused Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson of ‘hypocrisy and stupidity’ over comments he made regarding the upcoming Nations League fixtures between the two countries.
Campaigners have stepped up their bid to convince the Ireland team to boycott Sunday’s opener in Hungary, with a group gathering outside the team’s hotel in Dublin on Monday evening.
At last week’s squad announcement, Hallgrimsson admitted many squad members were uncomfortable about playing Israel, adding: ‘We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide.’
In a furious response on social media, the Israel FA wrote: ‘We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way.
‘Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach.
‘We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.’
Hallgrimsson later admitted hie comments were ‘not clever from me.’
He added: ‘Myself and the players need to be focused on the game. It’s a tricky time for us. We are grateful for the support we get.’
- Tony Mogan
MARC-ANDRÉ TER STEGEN RESCUES GERMANY WITH CLINICAL GOALKEEPING
The veteran goalkeeper is expected to be a prominent member of the new Germany side.
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| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) UEFA via Getty Images |
Germany opened the first international break of the season under new coach Jürgen Klopp with a 1-1 draw over the Netherlands. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen had a literal and figurative hand in keeping the draw from turning into a defeat. His heroics for Germany earned him a Man of the Match award.
Immediate result for Klopp
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| Photo by ANP via Getty Images) ANP via Getty Images |
Jürgen Klopp is the newly appointed coach for the German national team. The 58 year-old overhauled the team with a plethora of new selections. Replacing the retired Manuel Neuer in goal was Ter Stegen. Though far from his Barcelona days, Ter Stegen showed some immediate impact for his manager.
Making nine saves in total against the Dutch, Ter Stegen held a clean sheet until the final moments. A mistake by Serge Gnabry that could not be made up for Nathaniel Brown at the back saw Germany concede a late equalizer. It was disappointing to concede after making some fantastic saves. However, Ter Stegen has given a glimpse that he is a practical option who has the experience and skill to be relied upon in the tournaments by Klopp.
Xavi Hernández’s Dutch side was the more creative team on the pitch. With four big chances, 22 shots of which 10 were on goal (Fotmob), the Oranje dominated Die Mannschaft on pure attacking ability. The Dutch’s 3.12 xG vs 1.50 of Germany is a scary stat whose impact was suppressed by Ter Stegen.
Not the perfect solution, but a practical one
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| Virgil Van Dijk’s glancing header beats Germany’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen during a corner kick. (Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images) Getty Images |
Ter Stegen’s genuinely superb performance did have its downsides. The 34 year-old was brilliant in anticipation and reaction saves, but he was not immune to mistakes. Virgil Van Dijk’s disallowed goal was misread by Ter Stegen at the near post. As difficult as it may be, the goalkeeper has to be ahead of the opposition in anticipation of corner kick trajectories.
Another minor goof-up that could have turned fatal was a giveaway to the pressing of Cody Gakpo in the 43rd minute. The Liverpool attacker pounced on the goalkeeper’s mistake and fired a shot that was fortunately saved by the German.
Having pointed out a couple of major issues, the save against Denzel Dumfries needs a special shoutout. Just before the clock hit the hour mark, the Xavi’s men conjured a spicy chance. Mexx Meerdink’s flick to Dumfries went through two Germans; the Dutch fullback held off pressure from his marker and fired at the near post. Ter Stegen had very little time to anticipate the height and direction of the powerful grounded shot. His body angle and split second reaction to get his foot in the way is a neat highlight.
- RuneKingThor
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