MAN UNITED STAR SPOTTED 'LIKING' POST MOCKING RUBEN AMORIM FACES SUSPENSION

One Manchester United defender was spotted 'liking' a post that ridiculed manager Ruben Amorim for his tactical decisions

Patrick Dorgu liked a social media post criticising Ruben Amorim(Image: Poppy Townson - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Patrick Dorgu faces a one-match Premier League suspension if he picks up another yellow card. It comes as the defender seemingly 'liked' a social media post mocking Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. The Denmark international's Instagram account engaged with content criticising Amorim's decision to deploy Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as a midfield partnership.

The post, published by 'mufcunion', featured a comment from X stating: "Any coach that sees Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as a viable pivot is one that isn't serious."

The Instagram post's caption declared: "Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro CANNOT play together," which received a 'like' from the 21-year-old full-back's profile. Dorgu must now navigate his own challenges as he treads carefully ahead of Sunday's clash with Crystal Palace.

Should the left-back be shown a yellow card against the Eagles, he would be ruled out of United's home encounter with West Ham on Thursday. Amorim is yet to address Dorgu's social media activity, though many would suggest he has more pressing concerns given United's current form.

The Red Devils currently sit in 10th position after sliding down the table following a series of disappointing results. United had enjoyed significant momentum earlier in the campaign, defeating teams such as Liverpool, Brighton, and Sunderland during an impressive winning streak.

However, stalemates against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest halted this progress before it completely collapsed following their 1-0 defeat to Everton.

Despite Idrissa Gueye receiving his marching orders in the 13th minute following a confrontation with team-mate Michael Keane, United failed to make the most of their numerical superiority and succumbed to a 29th-minute effort from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

A fresh test now lies ahead against fifth-placed Palace, with United needing to deliver their finest performance against last season's FA Cup champions. With the Red Devils entirely committed to domestic matters, having failed to secure European qualification this campaign, Amorim requires his full squad at his disposal as he seeks to guide the club back up the league standings.

Ahead of the Palace encounter, Amorim said: "They are a different club [to us] and they are doing things better than us so that is quite simple."

"We play in a different way and they are just doing things better than us. They are doing things really well and they play more in transition than us. We have to look at all of these things when we compare our teams but of course, in every position, we can do so much better."

When asked whether his side possessed an edge due to their absence from European competition, the Portuguese manager added: "I said the same thing last year when we were in Europe and I say the same thing this year: there [is an] advantage and disadvantage of not being in Europe. There are no excuses. We have to always win games.""

 -  Abbie Meehan

 

ELON MUSK BOUGH TWITTER FOR €41B | HE COULD HAVE BOUGHT ANY OF THESE TEAMS

 

FORMULA 1 TEAMS' SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS

 

LUKE SAYERS RESIGNS AS CARLTON PRESIDENT FOLLOWING 'LEWD IMAGE' CONTROVERSY, AFL CLEARS' OF WRONGDOING

Luke Sayers has quit as president of Carlton Football Club.CREDIT:ELKE MEITZEL

Luke Sayers has resigned as president of Carlton Football Club following a controversial post on his social media account was judged to have the result of his account being ‘compromised’ by the AFL integrity unit.

Having been in the position since 2021, Sayers and the AFL have both released statements on Wednesday afternoon in regard to the January 8th incident, which saw Sayer’s X account post an obscene image, tagging an executive from one of Carlton’s corporate partners.

The image was quickly removed and Sayer’s account shut down – with the Blues taking the matter to the AFL integrity unit to investigate.

The unit has found that Sayer’s account appeared to have been hacked, but that Sayers himself had not breached its rules around social media.

The Blues have endured a tough offseason during 2025. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“The AFL has been in ongoing contact with Mr Sayers and his representatives, the Carlton Football Club and the club’s corporate partner including the executive tagged in the post, who have all assisted the AFL in its inquiries,” the AFL said in their official statement.

“The integrity unit’s inquiries, which included multiple interviews and review of other evidence, have now concluded and the AFL has found, based on the available evidence, that access to Mr Sayers’ X account was compromised, resulting in the posting of the image (i.e. by a person not being Mr Sayers) and tagging of another person.

“Accordingly, the AFL has determined that Mr Sayers did not breach AFL rules in connection with the posting of the image.

“Once he was made aware of the post, Mr Sayers immediately acted to have the image removed and to shut down his X account.

“The AFL wishes to thank the executive who was unwittingly tagged in the post, her cooperation and assistance throughout the inquiries have been extremely helpful.”

The AFL integrity unit also acknowledge the “effect and distress caused to numerous individuals beyond those bound by the AFL rules and regulations”.

Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, Sayers has decided to step away from the club, citing ‘deep regret’ for the individuals caught up in the controversy.

Carlton President Luke Sayers celebrates during the 2024 AFL Round 1 match between the Carlton Blues and the Richmond Tigers. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“The past two weeks have been very tough for everyone who has been impacted by an unauthorised social media post,” Sayers’ expressed in his public statement on the issue.

“I did not post the image, either deliberately or accidentally.

“I fully cooperated with an independent inquiry by the AFL which concluded that access to my X account was compromised.

“I am aware of speculation that the naming of another person in the post explains why it happened. It does not, and that narrative is wrong. I am so sorry for the hurt that has caused.

“I deeply regret that many other people including my family, friends and colleagues, and my football club, have been caught up in this matter.

“That is why I have decided to step down as Carlton president and take some time away from work.

Leading the Carlton Football Club has been one of the great honours and privileges of my life. I leave knowing the club is in great shape, and with my deepest gratitude for its understanding and support.

“I will now deal with this away from the glare of the public and media spotlight. This decision draws a line in the sand.”

- Nick Wasiliev 

MARTIN BRUNDLE TAKES AIM AT ELON MUSK

 

BOXING ICON FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR RESPONDS TO VIRAL FOOTAGE OF A CONFRONTATION INVOLVING HIM IN LONDON

Floyd Mayweather Jr has been very vocal about his support of Israel

Footage of former American five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr went viral on Tuesday after he found himself at the centre of an altercation while shopping at a jewellery store in Hatton Garden, Central London.

Multiple clips circulated online, sparking various theories about what transpired, but the boxing icon has spoken out after the footage of him appearing to be confronted by an angry mob.

The 47-year-old was shopping in London's jewellery quarter when he got into a heated exchange with several people on the street.

The video, which was posted on X on Tuesday night, showed Mayweather's security stepping in and bundling him into the back of a blacked-out 4x4 before he was driven away.

Mayweather, who infamously fought Conor McGregor in a mega-money exhibition bout in Las Vegas back in 2017, has now responded to the incident on Instagram, denying any physical altercation.

“Let me set the record straight... there's no truth to the rumours going around,” Mayweather's statement began.

“I wasn't punched or touched in any way. What you're seeing is just my security doing their job to keep things under control.

“I was in the UK for a quick 48-hour stop to do some shopping, and unfortunately, people let jealousy and negativity fuel false stories. I'm perfectly fine, and there's really nothing more to it.”

According to The Sun, the altercation began when an individual inside the store approached Mayweather and asked if he supported Israel. Mayweather, who has previously voiced support for the Jewish state amidst its ongoing conflict with the terrorist group Hamas, reportedly responded, “Proud to support the Jews.”

This response allegedly provoked one individual, leading to what an eyewitness described as a physical confrontation. “Someone took a swing at him because of that. It looked very targeted,” the eyewitness reported. “He was bundled out of the shop, but by then, there were multiple people trying to hit him, and pushing his security guards.”

The eyewitness continued: “Floyd took a few hits during it, but his security was trying to push people back. I couldn’t really see Floyd trying to throw any punches back. His guards were just trying to get distance between him and them.

“They got him into a car and tapped the roof two times, then it sped off. Clearly, they were desperate to get him out of there. It was over within two minutes.”

When the conflict with Hamas first began after October 7 last year, Mayweather pledged his allegiance to Israel on social media, insisting he "stands with" the country and flew there to show his support.

He wrote: “I stand with Israel against the Hamas terrorists. Hamas do not represent the people of Palestine but are a terrorist group that are attacking innocent lives!

“I stand for all humans and wish for the safe return of all Americans and Israelis and any human that were kidnapped as hostages during these horrific war crimes.

“This is not a time for politics. This is a time for safety first and foremost.

“God Bless America. God Bless Israel. God Bless Human Kind!”

- Online Editors

LAKERS STAR LEBRON JAMES SAYS HE'S TAKING SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK

LOS ANGELES -- LeBron James says he's taking a break from social media.

The NBA's all-time leading scorer and Los Angeles Lakers star posted on X and Instagram on Wednesday to announce that he's stepping away from his pages. James has 159 million followers on Instagram, 52.9 million on X.

James started the farewell by reposting something that Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant's longtime manager, posted to X on Oct. 24.

"We can all acknowledge that sports is the last part of society that universally brings people together. So why can't the coverage do the same?" Kleiman wrote that day. "It's only click bait when you say it. When the platform is so big, you can make the change and allow us all an escape from real life negativity. I for one find it all a waste of breath."

James, on Instagram, posted a screengrab of Kleiman's post and added the caption, "Amen!!" and then below it wrote, "Damn shame what it's come to!" On X, his repost of Kleiman simply said, "AMEN!!"

Kleiman has posted only a handful of times since his Oct. 24 post, and evidently, James isn't planning to post much -- or anything -- until further notice.

His announcement came one day after he said "everybody on the internet called me a liar all the time" when he said he was watching Dalton Knecht's college games last year at Tennessee -- long before the Lakers drafted the sharpshooting guard.

"And with that said I'll holla at y'all! Getting off social media for the time being. Y'all take care," James posted, followed by emojis of a hand holding up two fingers -- often symbolizing someone leaving a place -- and a crown, a nod to his "King James" moniker.

James, who will turn 40 next month and is the NBA's oldest active player, is a four-time NBA champion and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, the most recent of those coming earlier this year at the Paris Games.

The Lakers are 10-4, winners of six straight and next play Thursday at home against Orlando.

- Associated Press 

MIKE TYSON | @MIKETYSON POSTING ON X

 

MANCHESTER CITY MEME 😄

 

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

RYAN GARCIA CHARGED WITH ONE MISDEMEANOR COUNT FOR VANDALISM

X.com

Boxing star Ryan Garcia was formally charged with one misdemeanor count of vandalism following his June 8 arrest for allegedly vandalizing the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County district attorney George Gascón announced Thursday.

Garcia, 25, is set to be arraigned Aug. 7 at the Airport Courthouse. If convicted, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of one year in county jail.

"While we are grateful no injuries were reported in this incident, reckless behavior that damages property shows a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the safety and peace of our community," Gascón said. "Our office will work to ensure the responsible individual is held accountable."

Garcia caused an estimated $15,000 in damage, a Beverly Hills Police Department watch commander told ESPN the day he was arrested. The formal charge was for $400 or more in damage or destruction of property.

"No way I'm going to jail," Garcia posted on X after Thursday's announcement.

Garcia's attorney, Michael A. Goldstein, said in a statement that Garcia apologized to hotel personnel and reimbursed the hotel for the damage caused.

"The past several months have been difficult for Ryan and he understands he has reached a crossroads in both his personal life and career," Goldstein said. "Going forward, he knows the focus must be on his well-being and mental health issues which have been strained. There is no alternative. He apologizes to anyone he has offended with his behavior and words and hopes the investment in his own well-being will demonstrate the sincerity of his apology.

"With regard to the pending misdemeanor criminal matter, we expect to reach a resolution that recognizes his immediate reimbursement, his personal issues and lack of past criminal history. Ryan appreciates the love and support that he has received and hopes to remain in your prayers."

Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) was suspended one year last month by the New York Athletic Commission after he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine in the lead-up to his majority decision victory over Devin Haney in April in a major upset.

The result -- Garcia floored Haney three times -- was overturned to a no contest. Garcia is eligible to return in April.

- Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider

FRENCH FEDERATION TAKES ACTION OVER 'RACIST' ARGENTINA CHANT

Argentina beat Colombia in Sunday's Copa América final in Miami. JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images

 The French Football Federation (FFF) is filing a legal complaint over "racist and discriminatory remarks" by Argentina players in postmatch chants about France's team after the Copa América final.

Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 on Sunday. A video posted on Instagram by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández and widely viewed on X showed Argentina players singing about French players with African heritage.

Fernández later apologized for singing the song featured in the video.

The same chants -- by some Argentina fans -- emerged before France and Argentina met in the World Cup final two years ago, which Argentina won.

"Given the seriousness of these shocking remarks, which are contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the FFF president has decided to contact its Argentinian counterpart and FIFA directly to file a legal complaint for racist and discriminatory remarks," the French federation said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against the players of the France team as part of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team."

Diallo is a member of the executive committee of European soccer body UEFA with a growing reputation in the game's politics.

The derogatory chants single out France players of African heritage from several countries holding a French passport.

Fernández's Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, a France international, shared the video on social media Tuesday with the comment, "Football in 2024: Uninhibited racism."

In an apology on Instagram, Fernández said he was "caught up in the euphoria" of the celebrations.

"I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations," he posted. "The song includes highly offensive language and there is no excuse for these words.

"I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."

FIFA could not immediately confirm Tuesday if the French complaint had been filed.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said soccer and its 211 national federations must have a zero tolerance approach to racism and in May committed to relaunching a task force to monitor incidents.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services

"LOVE YOU" -R- TRUTH RECEIVES A MESSAGE FROM A FEMALE WWE SUPERSTAR DURING WWE RAW

WWE.com

During this week's WWE RAW, Carmella sent a message to R-Truth on Twitter/X. In the episode's main event, he and The Miz lost the World Tag Team Championship.

Truth and The Miz, collectively known as Awesome Truth, won the RAW Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XL, defeating Finn Balor and Damian Priest in a six-pack ladder match. Later, the titles were replaced by the newly introduced World Tag Team Championship.On Twitter/X, Carmella expressed her love for Truth. The duo previously teamed up in WWE and won Season Two of the Mixed Match Challenge.

R-Truth has found massive success since winning the World Tag Team Championship. Meanwhile, Carmella is currently inactive due to her maternity leave.Since winning the World Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XL, Truth and The Miz defended their titles against #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa). They also retained their belts against Alpha Academy (Otis & Akira Tozawa), The Judgment Day's Finn Balor and JD McDonagh, and The Authors of Pain. On this week's episode of Monday Night RAW, Truth and The Miz lost the World Tag Team Championship to Balor and JD McDonagh, courtesy of interference from Liv Morgan.

- Soumik Datta

 

FA CHARGES NEWCASTLE'S TONALI FOR ALLEGED BREACHES OF BETTING RULES

Sandro Tonali has been charged by the FA over alleged betting rules breaches. Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

 Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been charged by the English Football Association (FA) for misconduct relating to alleged breaches of the federation's betting rules.

"It's alleged that the Newcastle United midfielder breached FA Rule E8 50 times by placing bets on football matches between 12 August 2023 and 12 October 2023," the FA said in a statement.

The FA said Tonali has until April 5 to respond to the charges.

Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July last year, had been handed a 10-month suspension from football in October 2023 for betting on matches in Italy following an investigation by prosecutors in Turin.

The 23-year-old's agent, Giuseppe Riso, had claimed last year that Tonali suffers from a "gambling addiction."

In a statement on X, Newca6stle acknowledged the charges received by Tonali and said the Italy international continues to " fully comply with relevant investigations and he retains the club's full support."

Tonali has made 11 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions this season and scored one goal.

- ESPN

BASRBALL SUPERSTAR SHOHEI OHTANI AND HIS WIFE ARRIVE IN SOUTH KOREA 🇰🇷 FOR DODGERS-PADRE OPEBER

AP Photo 

 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Shohei Ohtani and his wife arrived in South Korea with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates on Friday ahead of their season-opening games with the San Diego Padres next week.

Ohtani, wearing a black training suit and a cap backwards, was the first Dodgers player who showed up at the arrival gate of Incheon international airport, west of Seoul. His wife, Mamiko Tanaka, walked several steps behind him.

As a crowd of fans, many wearing Dodgers jerseys, shouted his name and cheering slogans, Ohtani briefly waved his hand and Tanaka smiled, but neither said anything before they took a limousine bus. Fans held placards that read like “GOATANI (Greatest Of All Time is Ohtani) GO" and “Baseball genius Ohtani.”

Before departing for South Korea, Ohtani, a two-way Japanese phenomenon, revealed the identify of his wife by posting a photo of him and Tanaka, an ex-professional basketball player, on his Instagram account. Japanese media had already speculated that Ohtani’s wife was likely Tanaka.

FIA-COMMISSIONED REPORT TAKES AIM SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES FOR NOT CURBING ONLINE ABUSE I

AP Photo 

 An FIA-commissioned report on online abuse in sports released Thursday suggests social media companies should do more to curb targeted attacks toward athletes, officials and even fans.

The United Against Online Abuse Campaign surveyed 22 global sporting federations, among them FIFA, World Athletics, the International Tennis Federation, and the FIA, which is the governing body for Formula One and other European motorsports series.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem began planning the campaign when a female race steward received online threats after her ruling against Spaniard Fernando Alonso during a 2022 race. That came after Nicholas Latifi was subjected to death threats after his race-changing crash in the closing laps altered the 2021 season finale.

When people are abused online, the report's authors wrote, why do "the social media publishers fail to adopt more obvious forms of intervention?" The report asked why social media platforms aren't immediately removing harmful content, pursuing perpetrators and banning them.

DOG BLAMED FOR DENYING KENYAN MARATHON VICTORY

X

A senator in Kenya has criticised sports bodies for failing to act after a dog chased Robert Kimutai Ng’eno during last week's Buenos Aires marathon in Argentina.

Reports say the Kenyan runner was in the lead with 4km (2.5 miles) to go when the canine appeared and followed him. Despite efforts by some spectators to shoo the dog away, the encounter is said to have distracted Ng’eno and he lost his focus, eventually finishing in third place.

JAPANESE RIDER TAKAHASHI TO REPLACE RINS AT SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX

Takumi Takahashi will replace LCR Honda rider Alex Rins at the San Marino Grand Prix this weekend as the Spaniard continues to recover from an injury, the MotoGP team said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.

ESPN STRIKES $1.5B DEAL TO JUMP INTO SPORTS BETTING WITH PEN ENTERTAINMENT

AP Photo

You know ESPN the sports media giant. Now brace yourself for ESPN Bet, a rebranding of an existing sports-betting app owned by Penn Entertainment, which is paying $1.5 billion plus other considerations for exclusive rights to the ESPN name.

The deal, announced Tuesday, could take Walt Disney Co.-owned ESPN into uncharted waters. Disney is fiercely protective of its family-friendly image, not typically associated with the world of sports gambling.

Penn will operate ESPN Bet, which ESPN has agreed to promote across its online and broadcast platforms in order to generate “maximum fan awareness” of the app. ESPN Bet will also have unspecified “access” to ESPN talent, the companies said.

Penn's rights to the ESPN brand will initially run for a decade and can be extended for another decade by mutual agreement. In addition to the $1.5 billion licensing deal, which will be paid out over a decade, Penn will also grant ESPN rights worth about $500 million to purchase shares in Penn.

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