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One of the biggest transfer flops in football history has got his career back on track since moving to Spain during the January transfer window

Old Trafford has become something of a graveyard for exciting young talents in recent years – but plenty of players have been reborn after leaving Manchester United.

To name but three examples, Angel Gomes is expected to return to the Premier League this summer after breaking into the England squad during a very successful stint in France with Lille, Anthony Elanga has just helped Nottingham Forest qualify for continental competition for the first time in nearly two decades, while Scott McTominay is the new icon of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona thanks to his MVP-winning heroics during Napoli's 2024-25 Serie A triumph.

However, Antony's revival ranks as the most surprising of all. Indeed, a nightmare spell at the 'Theatre of Dreams' appeared to have killed off any hope the Brazilian ever had of playing for another top European club. Now, though, he's back in the Brazil squad for the first time in two years and attracting interest from across the continent after resurrecting his career at Real Betis…

AFP'I had no fear'

Antony grew up in a favela in Brazil. He lived in poverty and was surrounded by violence. Football, though, offered an escape from the grim reality of daily life.

"I would elastico the drug dealers. Nutmeg the thieves. I really did not give a f*ck," he told . "With a ball at my feet, I had no fear."

Antony's upbringing sustained him through difficult times in his career. What he experienced at United was something different, though. Despite a promising start featuring three goals in his first three Premier League games, Antony struggled terribly to justify his £82 million ($111m) fee during his first season in England. Then, at the start of his second, he was accused of assault by three women, including an ex-girlfriend. No charges were ever brought against Antony but he said that his form was affected by the investigation, which concluded last August.

He also insisted that he had "learnt from it all" and that his third year at Old Trafford would be "totally different" to the previous two. "I've grown and matured," he told .

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Couldn't take it anymore'

However, by the middle of the 2024-25 campaign, it was clear that Antony's confidence was shot. During his childhood, there were times when he went hungry. But during his darkest days in Manchester, he couldn't even bring himself to eat. Or play with his son. Or even just leave his room.

"I even told my brother that I couldn't take it anymore," Antony revealed in an interview with. "But he told me to hold on a little longer, that things were going to change." And they have at Betis.

Getty Images SportTransfer masterstroke

There was very little interest in Antony's services during the January transfer window. Even Erik ten Hag, the coach who had helped turn him into a star at Ajax before bringing him with him to United, had lost faith in the winger before his own Old Trafford exit at the end of November.

Ten Hag's successor, Ruben Amorim, occasionally used him him a substitute during his first few months in charge, but it was clear that he didn't want Antony at all.

Betis did, though. Sporting director Manu Fajardo was in no doubt that Antony could get back to something resembling his best form in Andalusia. The only issue was the money.

Betis were not in a position to sign Antony on a permanent basis. Nor could they afford his salary. However, they managed to convince United to cover a significant chunk of his wages for the duration of a six-month stay at the Benito Villamarin. It's proven a masterstroke, with arguably the worst signing in United's history becoming one of the great January deals.

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On fire

After impressing on his Betis debut on February 2, against Athletic Club, Antony opened his account for his new club just six days later. He struck again in the midweek win over Gent in the Conference League before making it three goals in a week with a beautiful volley against Real Sociedad. He's not really looked back since.

Going into Wednesday's Conference League final against Chelsea, Antony has been directly involved in 14 goals in all competitions – that's more than fellow wingers Khvicha Kvartskhelia and Vinicius Jr, as well as world-class strikers such as Robert Lewandowski, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland in the same time period.

Manchester United have begun to find their shooting boots in recent weeks. Goals have, at times this season, been an issue for the Red Devils, under both former manager Erik ten Hag and his replacement Ruben Amorim.

However, in their last two games, the 13-time Premier League champions have had more joy in front of goal. United have found the back of the net seven times in their last two outings, beating Real Sociedad 4-1 at Old Trafford, and Leicester City 3-0 away from home.

Things have begun to pick up for United on the goalscoring front in the last few weeks. It seems like they want to continue this hot streak in front of goal, and have been linked with a new striker ahead of the summer transfer window.

Man Utd's striker targets for the summer.

The Red Devils are not short of options in the summer transfer market when it comes to signing a new striker with Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen said to be targets according to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The reporter name-checks the two forwards as players the Red Devils are ‘closely monitoring’. However, they are also targeting Eintracht Frankfurt’s France U21 international Hugo Ekitike.

Plettenberg notes that Amorim’s side are ‘looking to strengthen their attack in the summer’, with 22-year-old Ekitike one of the names on their list.

At the start of March, a report from French outlet L’Equpie valued the striker at an eye-watering £67m, linking United’s rivals Liverpool to him.

It remains to be seen if this valuation will stick for United, but it could be tough to meet if they fail to get into Europe next season, thus reducing funds available.

How Ekitike compares to Rasmus Hojlund

It has been an outstanding season for French striker Ekitike. He is an all-round centre forward, who can score and create.

The young striker has 19 goals and eight assists in 38 games across all competitions and was described at the start of the season as “one of the most in-form attackers in Europe” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Ekitike’s ability to link up with players around him could see him explode in Amoirm’s 3-4-2-1 system. He would be playing alongside two number 10s, flying wingbacks and Bruno Fernandes in his new deeper-lying role. He surely would not be short of service or players to link up with.

Should the Red Devils get this deal over the line, Ekitike could be a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund. The Dane’s form has been disappointing this season, with just eight goals and two assists in 39 games across competitions.

However, he did manage to get on the scoresheet in their last game against Leicester. It was a well-taken strike, too.

Fernandes clipped a ball over the top, with Hojlund bringing the ball under control, and driving his shot into the bottom left corner, across the goalkeeper.

Well, Hojlund’s form has certainly been a concern for United, and there is a report that Napoli could look to sign him this summer if the Old Trafford club decide to cash in on him. They are thought to want £50m for the striker.

If United do decide to sign Ekitike as a replacement for Hojlund, the stats via FBref from this season suggest it would be an upgrade. For example, the Frenchman averages 0.62 goals and 3.78 shot-creating actions per game, compared to 0.29 goals and 1.9 shot-creating actions per game for Hojlund.

Goals

0.62

0.29

Shots on target

1.51

0.72

Expected goals

0.73xG

0.31xG

Shot-creating actions

3.78

1.9

Goal-creating actions

0.61

0.13

As the goalscoring numbers, and the underlying stats, suggest, the sensational Frankfurt star would be a big upgrade on Hojlund for United. The Frenchman has been in superb form this season, and cannot stop scoring, which is exactly what United need to enhance their attacking prowess.

Even though the fee of around £67m is an expensive one, it could be the perfect investment for the Red Devils to take their goalscoring to the next level.

Amorim may have found the new Anthony Martial at Man Utd & it's not Obi

Man Utd may have their new Anthony Martial in the forward line

ByRobbie Walls Mar 19, 2025

For long periods of the chase Titans held a tight leash, but then they ran into Samson and Hetmyer

Shashank Kishore16-Apr-20232:59

Muzumdar: ‘Pandya should have given Mohit another over’

Rajasthan Royals had almost reached a point of no-return.Their chase of 178 was going nowhere at 66 for 4. They needed a further 112 more off 48 balls. Twelve of those were to be bowled by Rashid Khan.You sensed this was perhaps a task too steep, even for someone as pedigreed as Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer. But as Rinku Singh showed the other night at this very ground, it ain’t over till it’s over.Samson went 6,6,6 in Rashid’s third over that went for 20 runs, Hetmyer took the attack at the other end to his West Indies team-mate Alzarri Joseph. Within no time, momentum had swung the Royals way to such an extent that not even Samson’s dismissal at that juncture seemed a bother.Hetmyer stood tall to bring up his half-century off 25 balls, Dhruv Jurel contributed a cameo knock of 17 that was worth a lot more and R Ashwin came in to smack a six and a four in the penultimate over. All of this brought them within a couple of blows of victory.With five needed off five, Hetmyer sealed a win that seemed improbable at one stage, by biffing Noor Ahmad for six as Royals had comeback from nowhere to pull off a heist that took them to the top of the IPL 2023 leaderboard five games in.For Gujarat Titans, this was yet another heartbreak, eerily similar to the one they endured against Kolkata Knight Riders last week.Titans’ chaotic startWriddhiman Saha and B Sai Sudharsan were gone inside the powerplay as Titans limped to 42 for 2; the first time they didn’t cross 50 in the first six overs this season.Saha was out to a hoick that had three people going for it, only for a fourth, Trent Boult, take the rebound that followed a collision between Samson and Hetmyer. Sudharsan was run-out at the striker’s end by a yard, after he coiled himself at the bowler’s end; those precious seconds costing him the distance to make the ground.Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya put on 59 off 33 balls•Associated PressHardik-Gill get goingThe pair set about rebuilding the innings, and one of the ways they went about it was to try and attack the spinners. Ashwin was hit for 27 in his first two; Gill used his feet to score against him, while Hardik took down Adam Zampa. The pair added 59 in just 33 balls before Yuzvendra Chahal deceived Hardik in flight to have him caught for a 19-ball 28.Titans’ slowdownThe next 30 deliveries following Hardik’s dismissal went for just 31 runs as Royals brought their spinners into play superbly. Titans owed much of their momentum in the end to Abhinav Manohar and David Miller.Manohar made 27 off 13 in a game he may have not played had Vijay Shankar been fit. Miller did Miller things – taking the innings deep before unleashing some ferocious hits to make 46. Titans suddenly had 177 for 7, more than they looked like getting at one stage but perhaps less than what they would’ve liked anyway.Royals rocked earlyYashasvi Jaiswal was snuffed out in the slips, and Jos Buttler was clean bowled – only his second duck in the IPL – trying to scoop Mohammed Shami. At 4 for 2 in three overs, they needed some semblance of normalcy which Devdutt Padikkal and Samson provided, until Rashid entered and made a splash.In his first over, he had charging Padikkal slice a wrong’un to short third man. In his second over, the 11th, he had Riyan Parag flay one straight down long-off’s throat.Samson goes 6,6,6With Royals needing 112 off 48, ESPNcricinfo win probability had Royals at 2.01%. But Samson unleashed some big hits in Rashid’s third over. He got to the pitch to belt the first two down the ground and quickly transferred weight back to pull as soon as Rashid dropped short in trying to mix his lengths.It’s at this point that Titans introduced Noor Ahmad, the Afghanistan left-arm spinner, for his bag of tricks in place of Gill as the Impact Sub. After being hit for a six and four, he had Samson pick out long-off.Hetmyer sees Royals homeHetmyer was the perfect foil at the other end, feeding off Samson’s energy with takedowns off his own, more so Joseph. There was a moment when Royals could’ve had Hetmyer, but for Shami who stumbled a few yards in at third man for a catch that may have been straight down his throat had he stayed on the ropes. Royals needed 62 off 29 then. It’s a moment they could look back and wonder what could’ve been.Dhruv Jurel, coming in at the fall of Samson’s wicket, didn’t take time settling in. His impeccable six-hitting and gamesmarts of using pace to good effect to play behind the wicket helped Royals quickly bring the deficit down.Titans may have yet sniffed a chance when Jurel went for a 10-ball 17, but Ashwin wielded the long handle off his first two deliveries to bring the target down to single digits. From there on, Hetmyer wasn’t going to let this slip away as Royals pulled off a comeback win.

Rinku Singh nearly pulled off a stunning chase as KKR’s campaign came to an end

Hemant Brar20-May-2023Lucknow Super Giants 176 for 8 (Pooran 58, Shardul Thakur 2-27, Narine 2-28) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 175 for 7 (Rinku 67*, Roy 45, Bishnoi 2-23, Yash Thakur 2-31) by one runLucknow Super Giants survived a Rinku Singh scare to become the third team to qualify for the playoffs of IPL 2023 as they beat Kolkata Knight Riders by one run at Eden Gardens. They ended with 17 points, tied with Chennai Super Kings, but LSG’s inferior net run rate meant they finished third. They will now face the fourth qualifying team in the Eliminator in Chennai on May 24.At the start of the day, LSG had a chance to secure a top-two finish. However, CSK’s 77-run win over Delhi Capitals in the earlier game meant LSG needed to beat KKR by a margin of around 97 runs to go above CSK. That was not going to be easy, especially after LSG posted 176 batting first. At 73 for 5 in the 11th over, they didn’t look like scoring even that many, but Nicholas Pooran’s 30-ball 58 lifted them.KKR had a flying start before they lost their way in the middle overs. It came down to 56 needed from the last four overs, and then 41 from two. Rinku took 20 off Naveen-ul-Haq in the 19th, leaving 21 for the last.Vaibhav Arora took a single on the first ball of the final over, bowled Yash Thakur. That was followed by two dots and two wides, making it 18 required from three balls. Rinku hit the next one for a six but could pick up only a four off the fifth. A six on the final delivery only reduced the margin of defeat.LSG’s hit-and-miss startAfter being sent in, LSG lost a wicket in the third over of the innings when Harshit Rana bounced out Karan Sharma for 3. Prerak Mankad tried to attack but he was more like a cat on a hot tin roof. After being on 4 off eight balls, he picked up five fours in the next two overs but hardly looked comfortable. Once the powerplay ended, his attempted upper cut against Arora was taken at deep cover. Two balls later, Arora bounced out Marcus Stoinis for a duck, making it 55 for 3.Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine dragged LSG back further. Narine had Krunal Pandya mistiming a slog sweep to deep square leg in the tenth over, and Varun got Quinton de Kock to top-edge to deep midwicket. De Kock, who picked up two sixes in the powerplay – his only boundaries on the night – ended with 28 off 27 balls.Pooran hits them beyond the boundaryPooran came in at No. 7, a ball after the halfway mark in the innings. Varun induced an outside edge straightaway but Pooran had played it with soft hands, resulting in the ball falling short and to the left of first slip and going for four. The next ball, though, was too short, and Pooran cut it for four. Varun then overcompensated, erring on the fuller side and was duly smashed for a straight six.With another six in the spinner’s next over, Pooran moved to 23 off just ten balls. KKR had brought in Suyash Sharma as the Impact Player for Harshit, who had bowled three overs for 1 for 21. Pooran welcomed Suyash with yet another six, and ended the over with a four, making sure the legspinner didn’t bowl another over in the game.In the 19th over, Pooran brought up his half-century with a six off Shardul Thakur. He sent the next ball over the boundary line as well, but Thakur had him caught at deep third when the batter attempted a hat-trick of sixes. Andre Russell conceded only three off the first four deliveries of the 20th over before K Gowtham hit the last two for a six and four to take LSG past 175.KKR quick out of the blocksKKR had an almost impossible task in front of them: they needed to win in 8.5 overs to lift their net run rate above Rajasthan Royals’ to stay alive for the playoffs. Jason Roy and Venkatesh Iyer smashed 30 in the first two overs but the next two brought only 15. Roy did hit three fours off Krunal’s first three balls in the fifth over but Iyer fell to Gowtham in the next, and KKR finished the powerplay on 61 for 1.Rinku takes it closeAs far as this match was concerned, KKR were well ahead of the required rate. After eight overs, they were 78 for 1, but could score only 30 in the next six for the loss of three wickets. Ravi Bishnoi had Nitish Rana caught at extra cover, Krunal bowled Roy for 45 off 28, and Yash Thakur’s slower ball accounted for Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 10 off 15.With 63 needed from 28 balls, Russell hit Bishnoi for a six but was bowled on the next ball. Rinku was still in the middle, and if there is one thing this season has taught us, it is that no game is over till Rinku is batting. En route to his unbeaten 67 off 33 balls, he took Naveen for three fours and six in the 19th over but with 18 needed from three balls, he could hit only 6, 4 and 6.

Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are battling to sign Milan Skriniar from Paris Sainrt-Germain following his impressive loan spell in Turkey.

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Galatasaray and Fenerbache interested in SkriniarMatching PSG star's wages a hurdle for clubsDefender given ultimatum by Istanbul clubFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Skriniar joined Fenerbahce in January after being sidelined under head coach Luis Enrique at PSG. The defender's form in Turkey has impressed Fenerbahce while alerting other teams, with reporting that local rivals Galatasaray are also vying for the Slovakian defender failing to sign him in the winter transfer window.

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After a spell as a substitute in France, the 30-year-old became a key figure in Istanbul, scoring three goals and providing an assist in 20 games for Fenerbahce. Jose Mourinho's men hope to make Skriniar's loan move permanent, but Galatasaray's reignited hopes and the ex-Inter star's unclear verdict have complicated the situation. Fener have now given Skriniar an ultimatum to clarify his stance by the end of June.

TELL ME MORE

Things are a bit more complicated than they seem, as the PSG defender also has many clubs in Italy, England, and Spain interested in signing him and matching his expected €12m (£10m/$14m) annual wages. To bring the ball back in their court, Fenerbahce tried to up their efforts, with club president Ali Koc talking to PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi in Munich during the Champions League final. Meanwhile, Galatasaray have also made a move by offering an initial fee of €10m (£8m/$11m) to PSG and contacting the player's camp to check if Skriniar would be willing to make a move to Rams Park.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR FENERBAHCE?

Meanwhile, Mourinho's side are also looking to bolster their squad in other departments with the club interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus and Noa Lang from PSV as a replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin. Having lost the league this season against rivals Galatasaray, the club will be more determined to clinch the trophy in Mourinho's second season at the helm.

Fulham have now made contact with a 23-year-old full-back in a bid to bring him to Craven Cottage, according to a new report.

Fulham planning raid on free transfer market

Marco Silva will have 100% focus on what remains of this Premier League season, but it appears the powers upstairs are already turning their attention to the summer transfer window. The Cottagers are still in the hunt for a European place, and that could mean their plans are changed, but as of now, they have their eye on two players who are set to become free agents at the end of the campaign.

Fulham now hold talks to sign "special" 24 y/o on free transfer for Silva

Fulham are now looking to sign a player on a free transfer in the hope it will convince Marco Silva to remain at the club.

ByBrett Worthington Mar 20, 2025

Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof is one player Fulham are looking at possibly signing this summer, as he looks set to be a free agent as his contract comes to an end at Old Trafford. The Red Devils don’t look like they are going to offer a new deal, and therefore, Fulham, as well as teams such as West Ham, Everton and Wolves, are all interested in a possible swoop for the Sweden international.

Angel Gomes, a former United player, is another soon-to-be free agent that Fulham are not only considering signing but have held talks with over a possible move to London. The Englishman looks set to leave Lille, and the Premier League side believe he would fit into Silva’s team perfectly.

Fulham could sign £8m Greek star Vagiannidis to replace Castagne

As the Cottagers continue to scour the free transfer market, according to A Bola, relayed by Sport Witness, Fulham are also interested in signing defender Georgios Vagiannidis and have already made contact.

The report states that not only are Fulham interested in signing the 23-year-old right-back, but European giants Sporting CP and Ajax are also keen on securing the transfer this summer. It goes on to state that Fulham, as well as the two other teams, have followed Vagiannidis closely since the January transfer window and have already made formal contact in a bid to sign him for next season.

It isn’t clear if Fulham made contact with Panathinaikos, his camp or both, but the Cottagers are keen to strike an agreement. Sporting CP are said to have already made an offer worth €6 million, but the Greek side have rejected this as they want €10 million, which is roughly £8 million, and Fulham are now ready to step up their efforts to sign the defender.

Apps

7

Starts

4

Assists

1

Big chances created

2

Key passes per game

1.0

Interceptions per game

0.3

Tackles per game

1.4

Vagiannidis’ potential arrival at Craven Cottage could see him be a replacement for current first-choice right-back Timothy Castagne, who has played 19 times in the Premier League this season. The Belgian has started the last 13 league games, but given he is 29 and is out of contract in 2027, Silva may have his eyes on an upgrade.

Vagiannidis could become first choice when Kenny Tete departs as a free agent this summer, relegating Castagne to a support role.

Paul Stirling takes interim command of the limited-overs teams

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jul-2023A week after Ireland failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, their captain Andy Balbirnie has stepped down from his post in limited-overs cricket.”After much thought and consideration, I have made the decision to step down as ODI and T20I captain,” he said on Tuesday in a Cricket Ireland press release. “It has been one of my great honours to lead this team over the last few years and I am hugely grateful for all the support I received on and off the pitch from the many players, coaches, Cricket Ireland and supporters of the Ireland team.”Paul Stirling will take command of the limited-overs teams but only until the end of the ODI series against England in September, with Balbirnie adding he will remain available for selection. “I feel this is the right time for me, but more importantly the team. I will continue to do my best for this team and work hard to contribute towards what I hope will be a successful period over the next number of years.”Ireland won three of six matches at the Qualifier and finished seventh in a 10-team tournament. All of their victories came after they were knocked out of contention for the World Cup, against USA, UAE and Nepal.Their next assignment is the T20 World Cup European Qualfiers which begin on July 20, followed by a three-match T20I series at home against India in August and that three-match ODI series away against England in September.Balbirnie led Ireland 89 times (four Tests, 33 ODIs, 52 T20Is) across formats since taking over the reins in late 2019. He remains the captain of their Test side.”Andrew has been an exceptionally dedicated leader during his time in charge,” Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director at Cricket Ireland, said. “He managed through the Covid-19 pandemic, a transition of coach from Graham Ford to Heinrich Malan – and not forgetting the brief stint with interim coach David Ripley that ended with a memorable series victory over the West Indies. When I reflect on the tenacity of the squad under Andrew, I think back to the T20 World Cup Qualification campaign in 2022, then on to the tournament proper with wins over Scotland, West Indies and, of course, England.”But it was the Covid years when he really displayed his ability to galvanise his players and keep them focussed on the job at hand, and for that, we are thankful to him for his unstinting commitment.”

Rayados will remain in Los Angeles for the duration of the group stage, where they are set to face Inter Milan

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Monterrey in Group E with Inter Milan, Urawa Red Diamonds, River PlateCoach Domènec Torrent will make his debut with RayadosVeteran defender Sergio Ramos expected to start
Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Ahead of their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debut, Monterrey have encountered logistical setbacks, claiming that the training pitch assigned by FIFA at Loyola Marymount University is in substandard condition.

As a result, the Liga MX side was forced to relocate its training sessions to Dignity Health Sports Park – also used by the Mexican national team – while awaiting a resolution from tournament organizers. Club executive vice president Pedro Esquivel voiced his frustration and called on FIFA to ensure fair conditions for all participants.

“We trust the issue will be corrected, but for now we’re staying positive," Esquivel told reporters. "As a club competing in a FIFA-organized tournament, we expect the necessary conditions to perform at our best."

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There is a sense of concern within the Monterrey camp, as the team is set to play all of its group-stage matches in Los Angeles. The club’s leadership hopes the issue will be resolved swiftly to avoid further setbacks. Monterrey executives have also urged FIFA and local organizers to ensure that similar problems don’t arise later in the tournament.

“There have been too many surprises,” Esquivel said. “We’re working to ensure these issues are addressed. The excitement is there, but as an institution, it’s our responsibility to demand better from FIFA.”

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

Despite missing the Liga MX playoffs due to a leg injury, Sergio Ramos has been training at full capacity with his teammates in Los Angeles and is expected to start in the team's Club World Cup debut.

The appearance will mark his fifth time competing in the tournament, a competition he won four times during his illustrious career with Real Madrid.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MONTERREY?

Rayados will remain in Los Angeles for the duration of the group stage, where they are set to face Inter Milan on Tuesday, followed by River Plate (June 21) and Urawa Red Diamonds (June 25).

Tottenham are suing Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's firm INEOS over the company withdrawing from a sponsorship contract.

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Firm quits deal two years earlyINEOS blames cost-cutting on green policiesDispute comes one month after Europa League finalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Tottenham's lawyers filed a lawsuit on Thursday against INEOS Automotive as a consequence of the firm exiting a sponsorship agreement with the club three years into the five-year deal. According to , the multi-million pound deal was signed in December 2022 to promote the Ineos Grenadier car as Spurs' official 4×4 vehicle partner. INEOS had held talks over the last few months over withdrawing from the deal but failed to come to an amicable agreement, leading to the lawsuit.

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Spurs are not the only team to have been left angry over INEOS withdrawing from a sponsorship deal. The firm stopped sponsoring Sir Ben Ainslie's sailing team earlier this year and pulled out of a deal with the All Blacks rugby team. The All Blacks also took legal action against Ratcliffe's firm but withdrew it after a deal was reached.

WHAT INEOS SAID

INEOS explained in a statement to that the firm had a contractual right to terminate the partnership and did so in December 2024.

"Ineos Automotive has been a partner of Tottenham Hotspur since 2022, taking on a partnership agreement that Ineos Group had in place with the club since 2020.

"Like any business, we have to be diligent in how we operate and where we invest marketing budgets. It’s completely normal for partnerships to be reviewed on a regular basis, and we’ve decided that the partnership wasn’t working out for us. We have the right to terminate the partnership."

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DID YOU KNOW?

The legal dispute between Tottenham and INEOS comes less than a month after Spurs beat United in the Europa League final to earn qualification for the Champions League, worth an estimated £100m ($135m).

Emily Windsor’s 84 goes in vain as Grewcock stars with bat and ball

ECB Reporters Network02-Jul-2023Jodie Grewcock haunted Southern Vipers for the second time this season as Sunrisers completed a double over the south coast franchise in this season’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Grewcock, whose half-century was pivotal to the first win at the Ageas Bowl back in April, this time starred with bat and ball, scoring 76 before taking 4 for 45 as they won by 28 runs at Chelmsford.Emily Windsor threatened to undo Grewcock’s good work with 84 in the Vipers’ run chase, but Alice Monaghan, who earlier taken three wickets was left stranded on 34 not out as Sunrisers recorded just their second win in this competition.Both sides were understrength for the contest due to England call-ups and bloodied a number of youngsters.Grewcock and Lissy MacLeod began circumspectly before the former threw off the shackles with three boundaries in one over off Monaghan and a pair of gorgeous cover drives off Elwiss in the next.MacLeod briefly caught the mood, pummelling successive balls from Monaghan to the fence at mid-on and mid-wicket respectively, only to be trapped in front by Elwiss with the score on 66.The wicket didn’t stall Sunrisers’ progress as Cordelia Griffith scored at close to a run a ball and it came as something of a surprise when the right-hander was stumped for 29 by Rhiana Southby – a first wicket in Vipers’ colours for spinner Lee.Skipper Dane Van Niekerk didn’t stay long, but Grewcock, dropped on 38, moved to 50, courtesy of a seventh four, and with Mady Villiers, back from England A duty bedding in well the hosts looked set for a big score at 164 for 3.However, Villiers slog-swept Lee to deep mid-wicket and the tide of the innings turned. Grewcock’s excellent vigil ended when she sent a half-tracker from Nancy Harman straight to mid-wicket and wickets fell steadily before debutant Amu Surenkumar steered the hosts beyond 250 in company with Kate Coppack.There was joy for another debutant early in the Vipers’ reply as Esmae MacGregor castled Ella McCaughan. And the Colchester medium pacer might have had a second had Amara Carr clung on to an edge from the visitors’ own debutant Abigail Norgrove. The reprieve was short-lived as the youngster was soon bowled by Kelly Castle.Windsor though latched onto anything loose to keep the scoreboard moving and Elwiss proved an excellent foil, forcefully driving one from Grewcock to the mid-off boundary as the 50-partnership came up in 56 balls.Windsor caressed a sixth four through wide mid-off to reach 50 in 69 balls and another imperious drive was unfurled soon after the drinks break.Grewcock took a return catch to send Elwiss on her way, so ending a stand of 70 and later removed Freya Kemp, who injured her shoulder while batting, with the help of a catch in the deep, for a breezy 22.With 91 needed from the final 14 Windsor’s was the wicket Sunrisers wanted and Grewcock obliged here too, yorking her with the first ball of her next over and she wasn’t done yet as Southby chipped back the simplest of caught and bowled chances in a double wicket maiden.Monaghan and Harman threatened/produced another twist, the former hitting successive fours off MacGregor in a stand of 48. However, Coppack returned to have Harman caught and then ran out Taylor with a throw from the deep, before Surenkumar struck with successive balls to seal victory.