UEFA DELETE SOCIAL MEDIA POST 'TROLLING' TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

UEFA have acted quickly after they unintentionally rubbed salt into the wounds of Tottenham Hotspur fans.

The official Europa League account on X posted a picture of Tottenham star James Maddison winking and giving a thumbs up to the camera.

The official Europa League account came under fire for this post of MaddisonCredit: @EuropaLeague - X

But it seemed those behind the account were unaware Maddison was set for a prolonged period on the sidelines after he sustained a knee injury in the first leg of Tottenham's Europa League semi-final tie against Bodo/Glimt.

Maddison bagged the second goal in Tottenham's 3-1 victory over the Norwegian outfit before he was taken off injured in the 65th minute.

Football broadcaster and host of talkSPORT's Trans Europe Express Danny Kelly took note of the initial post and wrote: "W****** @UEFA trolling Spurs!"

Kelly was not the only one who vented their frustrations on social media as other football fans felt the post was in poor taste.

One said: "Is this legit? Surely an organising body shouldn't be flaunting the disappointment of one of the participant team's injured players? @EuropaLeague needs to apologise."

Another posted: "No dog in this fight, but what a disgusting tweet. I don't particularly like James Maddison, but seriously, the lad is out for the season and this is what come from an official @UEFA account? Disgusting."

However, someone at UEFA evidently realised the error of their ways as the post was eventually taken down.

Although Tottenham are yet to confirm the severity of Maddison's injury, talkSPORT understands the midfielder is not expected to play again this season.

Maddison and Dominic Solanke were left out of the Tottenham side that drew 1-1 with West Ham on Sunday and manager Ange Postecoglou divulged the former was 'more of a concern'.

"We're pretty hopeful with Dom that it will be OK, he's improving every day but it made no sense to bring him on today," Postecoglou said post-match.

Star midfielder Maddison went down in the second half against Bodo/GlimtCredit: Gett

"Maddison's a bit more of a concern until we get some more information but he's the one that's more of a concern."

The 28-year-old has been a constant presence in Postecoglou's side this season having made 45 appearances across all competitions.

He also boasts 22 attacking contributions throughout the campaign having registered 12 goals and ten assists.

Maddison's tally of 22 contributions makes him Tottenham's equal-most productive player alongside Dominic Solanke and skipper Heung-min Son.

But he won't get a chance to add to that figure due to the knee injury.

The grim news of Maddison's injury comes as Postecoglou's side stand 90 minutes away from a berth in the Europa League final.

Postecoglou is two games away from ending Spurs' 16-year trophy droughtCredit: Getty

Tottenham travel to Norway on Thursday for the second leg of their semi-final with a two-goal lead.

Progression to the Europa League final would mark the third final Tottenham have made since the 2018/19 campaign.

The north London side reached the final of the Champions League that season but fell short at the last hurdle against Liverpool.

Tottenham then made the final of the Carabao Cup in 2021, only to lose to Manchester City.

But should all go to plan on Thursday evening, Tottenham will have another chance to win their first piece of silverware since 2008.

- Alex Conrad

PREMIER LEAGUE EXPLAIN LIVERPOOL PENALTY DECISION AT BOURNEMOUTH WHICH SPLIT OPINION

The Premier League have explained the decision to uphold a Liverpool penalty in the 2-0 win at Bournemouth.

Following a foul on Cody Gakpo by Lewis Cook, Liverpool were awarded a first-half penalty which Mohamed Salah coolly converted.

Gakpo felt that he was fouled by Lewis Cook which resulted in a penaltyCredit: Getty

Gakpo chased down Cook before the incident occurredCredit: Getty

Cook appeared to have clipped Gakpo's legs and after a VAR check, they stuck with the decision, giving Salah the opportunity to open the scoring at the Vitality Stadium.

After the incident, the Premier League Match Centre posted online to clarify the incident.

It wrote: "The referee’s call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed to have been a trip by Cook on Gakpo.

"The VAR also confirmed Gakpo was onside in the build-up."

Reporting on the game for talkSPORT, chief football correspondent Alex Crook was certain the decision was correct after seeing every angle.

Bournemouth fans did not agree - and Crook said: "We know it's a penalty. Why can't we show them a replay so they know too?

"Wouldn't that ease some of the vitriol aimed at officials?"

It comes after Michael Oliver was sent threats for sending off Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly at Wolves last Saturday - a controversial decision which has since been reversed.

The Liverpool penalty decision also caused a stir online as some believed that Gakpo clipped his own ankle rather than Cook.

Many took to social media to share their frustration at the decision.

Salah scored from the spot to make it 1-0 to Liverpool

"That’s not a penalty. Gakpo trips himself and goes down. If refs are going to give decisions like this in favour of Liverpool might as well hand them the title straightaway," one user wrote.

Another shared: "Definitely need to see a better angle of that Liverpool penalty because this one it looks like Gakpo trips himself. Bournemouth players didn’t complain much though so I assume another angle confirms it was a foul".

"What is the essence of having VAR if Liverpool can get a penalty for this!" a third added.

A final user penned: "The softest of penalties. Absolutely no way that’s given to anyone other than Liverpool."

Salah later doubled the lead for his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

It is his fifth 20+ goal season in the competition, something that only Alan Shearer (seven times), Thierry Henry (five), Sergio Aguero (six) and Harry Kane (six) have achieved previously.

- Poppy Treadaway

SACKED BBC PRESENTER

 

'I'M NOT HAPPY': JERMAINE JENAS SACKED BY BBC WHILE LIVE ON AIR AT talkSPORT

BBC

Former footballer Jermaine Jenas says he is "not happy" with his sacking from the BBC over claims of inappropriate behaviour.

The broadcaster earlier confirmed Jenas is "no longer part" of The One Show's "presenting line-up".

The news of Jenas's sacking broke as he started presenting a three-hour drive-time programme on talkSPORT radio with fellow former footballer Jermaine Pennant.

Jenas, 41, has also been dropped from his punditry and presenting duties on the BBC's flagship football highlights programme Match Of The Day, as well as Match Of The Day 2 and Radio 5 Live.

BBC News reported his contract was terminated earlier this week due to alleged issues relating to workplace behaviour.

It also reported the termination followed allegations involving digital communications, such as texts, which were raised with the corporation a few weeks ago.

Speaking to a talkSPORT reporter on Thursday evening, Jenas said: "I can't really talk about it. As you can probably see, I'm not happy about it. But currently as it stands I'm going to have to let the lawyers deal with it.

"There's two sides... that's all I can say now."

He added: "I'm not happy about this situation. I'm going to be speaking to my lawyers about it, is all I can say right now."

Jenas said he couldn't talk about the subjects of most questions asked by the radio station but agreed with the interviewer when the latter said: "I can see you're fuming."

The former footballer also declined to say whether he has begun legal proceedings.

In an email to employees, seen by Sky News, the BBC said: "I wanted to let you know that Jermaine Jenas is no longer working for the BBC."

A spokesperson for talkSPORT said the station was "made aware of a breaking news story involving Jermaine Jenas as he went on air for a one-off presenting slot on talkSPORT Drive".

A statement added: "We made a decision - with Jermaine - that he should continue to present the show.

"Given the array of serious allegations being reported as the story continues to evolve, it's for Jermaine as a private individual to address them in the way he chooses.

"There are no plans for Jermaine to broadcast as a presenter on talkSPORT in the immediate future."

Jenas last presented The One Show in mid-July, and last appeared on Match Of The Day in May.

Jenas, who earned between £190,000 and £194,999 at the BBC for his work on the FA Cup, Match Of The Day and the World Cup in 2022/23, also works for TNT Sports.

His salary for presenting The One Show has not been made public as the show is made by BBC Studios, the BBC's commercial production company.

Jenas made his footballing debut aged 17 for Nottingham Forest and went on to play for Newcastle United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers during his career.

Jenas also made 21 appearances for England, scoring one goal.

The midfielder moved into punditry and presenting on the BBC and BT Sport after retiring from professional football in 2016.

The father-of-four joined The One Show in 2020 as a stand-in co-host following the departure of Matt Baker, and he was made a permanent fixture the following year.

His agency MC Saatchi also said it no longer represents him following the news of his sacking.

TNT Sports said it would not comment on Jenas's employment with the BBC but it is understood that he is not scheduled to appear on the platform's channels for a number of weeks.

Jenas was a co-commentator on the Ipswich v Liverpool match on TNT last Saturday as the Premier League returned.

It is believed that TNT Sports was unaware of the status of Jenas's employment with the BBC.

talkSPORT did not immediately respond to Sky's request for comment.

- Sky News 

ADIDAS UNVEIL ARSENAL AND MANCHESTER UNITED THIRD KITS IN EPIC FASHION USING CLUB LEGENDS PATRICK VIEIRA AND RIO FERDINAND

The third kits of Arsenal, United, Real, Juventus and Bayern have been unveiledCredit: X @adidasfootball

Adidas have won the summer award for the best kit announcement after unveiling the third strips of five European giants.

The new designs of Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich were confirmed on Sunday in an epic social media post.

Five football legends have used in a brilliant picture, which has sent social media into meltdown.

Each club have since shared their new strip, where they confirmed fans can get their hands on it from August 12.

Patrick Vieira modelled the Gunners' blue kit, which had been leaked in May, where it was well received by Gooners.

Meanwhile Rio Ferdinand wore United's slick white jersey, which boasts red and black stripes across the middle.

Supporters of the Red Devils though are all too familiar with the bold style after MUTV accidentally showcased the design last month,

As for Madrid, they were represented by Zinedine Zidane, with Alessandro Del Piero and Bastian Schweinsteiger wearing the new Juventus and Bayern kits respectively.

And just as talkSPORT reported in October 2023, all five of the shirts boast the iconic Adidas trefoil logo.

Ferdinand was quick to reply to the social media post, where he and his four fellow icons could be seen enjoying a laugh by a swimming pool.

He wrote on X: "5 aside team don’t get beat… Rush goalie vibes for me!"

Adidas' announcement has also gone down a storm with fans, as one user messaged: "Excellent way to announce the third kit."

MUTV accidentally leaked their third kit in JulyCredit: MUTV

Another commented: "So many legends in one picture."

A third added: "That's a great way to launch the third kits."

This fan then remarked: "This advert is insanely iconic."

One then posted: "This is one of the coldest jersey reveals ever! Fair play, Adidas."

Meanwhile another simply stated: "Goosebumps seeing this."

- Jake Lambourne

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LEHMANN MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN’S PLAYER ON INSTAGRAM AHEAD OF WORLD CUP

Reuters 

Switzerland's Alisha Lehmann, arguably as well known for her social media presence as her prowess on the pitch, is the top Instagram influencer heading to the Women's World Cup, according to Nielsen Sports, amassing 13.5 million followers to pass American Alex Morgan in the last year.

"The soccer players participating at World Cup 2023 are not only exceptional sportswomen but also social media powerhouses, capable of driving impactful conversations and fostering genuine connections with their followers," Jon Stainer, Nielsen's global managing director, said in a statement.

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