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However, the veteran attacker was controversially withdrawn after 65 minutes for Robinho Jr.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slip from the technical area officials, holding it up to a television camera to prove Escobar was meant to be withdrawn.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.
World number one Jannik Sinner has defeated Casper Ruud 6-4 6-4 to win the Italian Open in Rome and become the youngest player to complete a Career Golden Masters.
By claiming victory on home soil, the 24-year-old joins Novak Djokovic as only the second man to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles.
The Serbian great previously achieved the historic feat at the age of 31 by beating Roger Federer in the 2018 Cincinnati Open final.
A historic triumph on home soil
The reigning Wimbledon champion extended his phenomenal winning run to 29 matches with this straight-sets success.
His victory in one hour and 45 minutes also marks the first time an Italian man has won the Rome tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
Sinner responded immediately after suffering an early break in the second game, gradually overpowering his opponent in a highly physical contest.
The top seed ultimately sealed his landmark victory with a blistering inside-out forehand winner before celebrating in front of a rapturous crowd.
‘An incredible two-and-a-half months’
Seventy-five-year-old Panatta was present in the stands to witness his successor end the nation’s long wait for a home men’s singles champion.
“This year was the 50th year since an Italian won and I’m really, really happy.”
Sinner, who fell short in last year’s final against Carlos Alcaraz, told Sky Sports.
“There was a lot of tension on both sides, it was not perfect tennis from both of us.”
“It has been an incredible last two-and-a-half months.”
“I try to put myself in the best possible position every time I go on court, trying to do the best I can – not every day is simple, but I’m really, really happy.”
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.
Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions centre Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61 following a battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The Edinburgh-born back, who played alongside his brother Gavin, was an integral part of the national side that famously clinched the 1990 Five Nations Grand Slam.
He earned 65 international caps during a distinguished career and toured twice with the Lions in 1989 and 1993.
A glittering career for club and country
The legendary midfielder spent his entire domestic club career representing his hometown side Watsonians.
He officially hung up his boots in 1999, cementing his status as one of the most beloved figures in Scottish sporting history.
His immense contribution to the game was formally recognised last year when he was inducted into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame.
Life beyond the rugby pitch
Following his retirement from competitive action, the 65-cap international transitioned seamlessly into the media.
He became a highly respected broadcaster, providing expert punditry and commentary for rugby audiences across the United Kingdom.
Away from the microphone, he was a dedicated philanthropist who campaigned tirelessly for various charitable causes.
His fundraising efforts provided vital support for mental health initiatives and motor neurone disease research.
The much-loved sportsman had publicly revealed in 2022 that he was undergoing treatment for an incurable form of cancer.
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.
Fabio di Giannantonio won a chaotic Catalonia MotoGP in Barcelona that was red-flagged twice after severe crashes sent Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco to hospital.
The Italian Ducati rider secured victory at the third attempt, finishing ahead of Joan Mir and Fermin Aldeguer.
However, the premier class race was overshadowed by two major incidents that halted proceedings.
High-speed collision causes chaos
The first major accident occurred on lap 12 when race leader Pedro Acosta suddenly lost power on the straight.
The Spanish prospect desperately attempted to warn the pursuing pack, but the second-placed Marquez had no time to react.
He slammed into the rear of the stricken KTM machine, sending his own motorcycle hurtling towards the wall before cartwheeling violently through the air.
Gresini Racing confirmed the younger Marquez brother was conscious as he was transported from the circuit in an ambulance.
Second red flag and Zarco injury
Following the initial stoppage, the restarted race was immediately suspended again when Zarco crashed heavily.
The former Moto2 world champion became tangled in his bike and will undergo tests on his left leg.
Eventual race winner Di Giannantonio was actually struck by flying debris during the first incident but recovered to take the chequered flag.
Riders reflect on inherent dangers
Speaking after the race, the victorious rider admitted the paddock was shaken by the terrifying scenes.
“Today has not been an easy day for everybody. I really hope that Alex is fine.”
“We’ve been really lucky. We know that our sport is amazing. We try to give an amazing show, but also we are humans and we are in danger. So I really hope that everybody is safe.”
The grid was already missing reigning world champion Marc Marquez, who was sidelined after fracturing his foot at the French Grand Prix last weekend.