Brazil forward Neymar was involved in a furious altercation with officials after being wrongly substituted during Santos’ 3-0 defeat by Coritiba on the eve of the World Cup squad announcement.
The 34-year-old was aiming to impress just one day before national team manager Carlo Ancelotti names his selection for this summer’s tournament.
However, the veteran attacker was controversially withdrawn after 65 minutes for Robinho Jr.
The fourth official raised the number 10 on his electronic board while the Brazilian star was temporarily off the pitch receiving treatment for a calf injury.
Bizarre touchline mix-up leads to yellow card
It appeared that team-mate Gonzalo Escobar was the intended player to make way in the second half.
An incensed Neymar received a yellow card after attempting to re-enter the field of play to rectify the situation.
The frustrated forward then snatched the substitution slip from the technical area officials, holding it up to a television camera to prove Escobar was meant to be withdrawn.
He eventually accepted his fate, leaving the pitch and handing the captain’s armband to his colleague.
Santos condemn ‘inexplicable error’
The South American club quickly released a statement on social media to clarify the touchline chaos.
“The fourth official got the substitution wrong. This was confirmed by the television coverage and by the note used by the officials during the substitution. An inexplicable error that was not corrected.”
World Cup ambitions hang in the balance
The nation’s all-time leading goalscorer currently boasts 79 international goals but has not featured for his country since 2023 following a string of severe injuries.
The prolific talisman recently extended his club contract until the end of 2026 in a determined bid to secure a final global tournament appearance.
Ancelotti’s squad will begin their campaign against Morocco on 13 June, before facing Haiti and Scotland in a group stage hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group are prepared to sanction a £78m summer move for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola following a disappointing Premier League campaign.
The 23-year-old France international is reportedly increasingly eager to complete a switch to Anfield.
He previously attempted to orchestrate a transfer to Merseyside last year before the proposed deal ultimately collapsed.
French journalist Alexis Bernard claims the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are now completely willing to meet the hefty asking price set by the Ligue 1 champions.
Searching for Salah’s successor
The Reds are in urgent need of attacking reinforcements with talisman Mohamed Salah departing the club.
Long-term injuries to squad members, including Hugo Ekitike, have further depleted the final-third options available to manager Arne Slot.
While Cody Gakpo has struggled to deliver consistent performances, the versatile Parisian represents an ideal tactical fit capable of operating on either flank.
The forward boasts an impressive resume, having already secured both domestic league titles and the Champions League during his time in the French capital.
Slot survives difficult campaign
A marquee arrival would offer a significant boost to a squad recovering from a miserable title defence.
Friday’s 4-2 defeat by top-four rivals Aston Villa condemned the Anfield outfit to their 12th league loss of a highly turbulent season.
Despite mounting pressure from supporters, the club’s hierarchy intends to keep their Dutch coach in charge for the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
The incoming winger has seen his starting opportunities in Paris limited recently by the impressive form of Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Despite this recent squad rotation, Como football scout Ben Mattinson remains adamant about the player’s elite potential.
“He is one of the best wingers in the world.”
The highly-rated attacker has registered 38 goals and 37 assists across 150 appearances for his current employers to date.
Crystal Palace have suffered a major defensive setback just 10 days before their first Conference League final after Chris Richards and Chadi Riad sustained injuries against Brentford.
The Eagles face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on 27 May, leaving manager Oliver Glasner with a race against time to resolve his sudden defensive crisis.
Both centre-backs were forced off during a challenging Premier League draw where the south London club twice surrendered leads.
Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton had put the hosts ahead in the London derby, only for Dango Ouattara to strike twice for the Bees.
Glasner counts the cost of derby draw
Richards was introduced in the second half but lasted only 29 minutes before leaving the pitch visibly distressed.
Riad, who has impressed since returning from a long-term absence in January, also limped off with a suspected left leg problem.
Jefferson Lerma was brought on for the closing stages as the hosts struggled to cope with their makeshift backline.
Glasner admitted the enforced changes completely disrupted his team’s momentum.
“This game, the first 60 or 65 minutes were really top.”
the Austrian manager told Sky Sports.
“Then it got really tricky because we had to make two substitutions in the back which were not planned. We had to take them, we already had two others. We were struggling at the end.”
European showpiece and international doubts
The injury to Richards is particularly concerning given his immense contribution of 50 appearances across all competitions during this brilliant campaign.
Palace must navigate their domestic finale against Arsenal before turning their full attention to the historic continental showpiece in Germany.
Glasner is expected to provide a crucial update on the fitness of both defenders later this week.
The physical setbacks also threaten to derail upcoming international plans, with both men’s World Cup campaigns now reportedly left in doubt.
The American international had been expected to feature for the United States, while his defensive partner is due to represent Morocco.
Martin O’Neill has masterminded a remarkable Scottish Premiership title win for Celtic after returning from retirement to rescue a turbulent season.
The 73-year-old initially answered an emergency call from major shareholder Dermot Desmond in October following the sudden departure of Brendan Rodgers.
Parkhead was engulfed in fan unrest after a dismal summer transfer window and a devastating Champions League play-off defeat by Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty.
Stepping out of retirement
The veteran Northern Irishman had not managed since leaving Nottingham Forest in 2019 and was working as a radio pundit when he accepted the interim role.
His immediate impact yielded five consecutive league victories, eradicating an eight-point deficit to Hearts before he stepped aside for Wilfried Nancy.
However, Nancy’s disastrous 33-day reign delivered six defeats in eight games, prompting the club’s hierarchy to issue a second SOS to their legendary former boss.
Restoring belief at Parkhead
Re-taking the reins, the charismatic tactician immediately picked up where he left off by churning out crucial results to stabilise the dressing room.
A formidable average of 2.57 points per game places him comfortably ahead of every other manager in Scotland’s top flight this term.
Alongside coaches Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, the experienced manager stripped the squad’s tactical approach completely back to basics.
While not replicating the exhilarating attacking play seen under previous regimes, this pragmatic strategy proved incredibly effective in securing the championship.
Cup final and future uncertainty
This latest triumph marks the Glasgow giants’ 14th domestic league crown in the past 15 years.
Captain Callum McGregor has publicly praised the aura and presence his manager brought back to a previously fractured squad.
Attention now turns to the Scottish Cup final next Saturday, where Dunfermline Athletic stand in the way of a domestic double.
The lingering question remains whether the three-time title winner will sign a long-term deal or return to his peaceful retirement.
Sunderland kept their Premier League European qualification hopes alive with a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts initially appeared on course to bolster their own top-eight ambitions when Merlin Rohl opened the scoring via a deflection just before half-time.
However, a disastrous second-half collapse culminated in the home supporters loudly booing their team off the pitch at the final whistle.
Brobbey sparks dramatic turnaround
The visitors initiated their impressive revival in the 59th minute through an emphatic near-post finish from Brian Brobbey.
The physical striker capitalised on a misplaced pass by Jake O’Brien before outmuscling James Tarkowski to blast the ball into the net.
Momentum shifted firmly towards Regis Le Bris’s squad, who were rewarded when Enzo Le Fee converted a close-range effort teed up by Chris Rigg in the 81st minute.
Final day European shootout looms
Wilson Isidor then sealed the crucial three points in stoppage time with a brilliant strike following a low cross from fellow substitute Habib Diarra.
This vital victory moves the newly-promoted Black Cats up to ninth place, trailing eighth-placed Brentford by just a single point.
They will now host tenth-placed Chelsea on the final day of the season in what promises to be a high-stakes shootout for European football.
Everton’s continental ambitions collapse
Conversely, the miserable defeat represents a devastating blow for the Merseyside outfit, who slip down to 11th in the table.
They face a daunting final-day trip to Tottenham Hotspur knowing their hopes of continental qualification are now effectively extinguished.
Brian Brobbey scored a crucial 59th-minute equaliser for Sunderland after capitalising on a defensive blunder by Everton’s Jake O’Brien.
The Dutch international showed lethal instincts to pounce on a loose pass from the Toffees centre-back before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper.
It was a moment to forget for the Republic of Ireland defender, whose momentary lapse in concentration proved costly for the Premier League side.
The visitors had been trailing before the former Ajax striker shifted the momentum of the contest just before the hour mark.
Defensive frailties exposed by visitors
Sean Dyche’s men had initially controlled the tempo of the match but struggled to maintain their defensive composure as the second half progressed.
The Black Cats seized their opportunity with ruthless efficiency when the unexpected gift was presented to their attacking focal point.
Brobbey has proven to be a valuable asset for the Wearsiders, with his physical presence and clinical edge causing constant problems for opposition backlines.
Sunderland build vital momentum
Securing a positive result against top-flight opposition will undoubtedly serve as a significant confidence boost for the traveling supporters.
This resilient performance highlights the continued progress being made by the Championship outfit under their current tactical setup.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom is confident Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup following constructive talks with the nation’s football association.
The Middle Eastern nation’s involvement in the tournament had been called into question due to escalating geopolitical tensions following incidents between the US, Israel and Iran in February.
All three of their group matches are scheduled to take place in the United States, prompting severe logistical and security concerns.
Diplomatic hurdles and proposed solutions
Doubts intensified earlier this month when Iran FA President Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
The visa refusal was reportedly linked to his association with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In response to the challenging diplomatic climate, Iranian officials had requested their matches be relocated to co-hosts Mexico.
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejected the relocation proposal, insisting the original North American tournament schedule would remain unchanged.
FIFA remains optimistic
Despite these ongoing hurdles, world football’s governing body firmly expects the national team to fulfill their fixtures.
“We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran FA.”
Grafstrom stated, emphasising that the two organisations are actively collaborating to find solutions.
“We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.”
Iran satisfied with dialogue
While specifics regarding player visas remain unconfirmed, the Iranian football chief acknowledged that their grievances were being taken seriously.
“I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them.”
Taj confirmed to Reuters during a recent interview.
“I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there.”
Political tensions and US fixtures
The broader political context continues to cast a shadow over the upcoming tournament.
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump stated that while the team was welcome, he did not believe it was appropriate for them to be there for their own safety.
The Asian representatives will be based in Tucson, Arizona, for the duration of the group stages.
They are scheduled to face New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June in Los Angeles, before travelling to Seattle to play Egypt on 26 June.
A politically charged knockout fixture remains a distinct possibility depending on group stage results.
Should both nations finish second in their respective groups, Iran could face the United States in the last 32 in Dallas.
Bruno Fernandes has equalled the Premier League record for the most assists in a single season after registering his 20th of the campaign for Manchester United.
The Portuguese midfielder joins Arsenal great Thierry Henry and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne in reaching the prestigious milestone.
He surpassed Mesut Ozil’s previous tally of 19 by setting up Bryan Mbeumo with a precise cross from the right flank against Nottingham Forest.
The playmaker has enjoyed a stellar year under manager Michael Carrick, earning the FWA Footballer of the Year award ahead of Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
Elite company in English football
The United captain had previously moved to 19 assists after creating a goal for Benjamin Sesko in a 2-1 victory over Brentford.
His pursuit of the record was briefly delayed when a deflection denied him an official assist against Liverpool.
However, the wait ended against Forest, cementing his place alongside two of the most celebrated creators in top-flight history.
The former Sporting Lisbon star admitted the landmark had been playing on his mind in recent weeks.
One game remaining to make history
“It’s something that I think about because we are talking about Kevin and Thierry, they were two of the best players that the Premier League has seen in a long, long time,” he said.
“Having the chance to be up there with their names is very good and I’m very proud of that.”
The 29-year-old now has the opportunity to claim the outright record before the campaign concludes.
He requires just one more assist in the final match of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion to stand entirely alone in the history books.