Football
Atletico Madrid CEO blasts referee ‘system’ over Real Madrid defeat

Atletico Madrid executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has lashed out at the performance of referee Cesar Soto Grado in Thursday’s Copa del Rey defeat to Real Madrid.
Alvaro Morata had fired Atletico ahead early on and, while the score was at 1-0, Grado declined to show a second yellow card to Real midfielder Dani Ceballos – a decision which was amplified when he did give Atletico defender Stefan Savic his marching orders later on.
Numerous figures associated with Atleti, including manager Diego Simeone, have spoken openly to accuse Grado of bias towards Real, and now CEO Gil Marin has chimed in as well.
“I have the utmost respect for the referee group and I am convinced that their intention is always the best,” he wrote. “But anyone who observes it from the outside can see the same thing has almost always happened for decades.
“Unfortunately, it no longer surprises anyone, it is not news. It’s something very obvious and you just have to remember the story.
“Madrid is a club with a very strong environment, with many interests around it. They create such pressure that it is normal for it to affect the people who must make decisions. They are aware of what awaits them if they harm them with a mistake. The campaign against who they consider is harming them is common.
“The system is like that and, from Atleti, we cannot change it alone. We must compete as far as we can and continue working to have a stronger and fairer sector with all the clubs. That stadium [the Bernabeu] and the colour of that shirt should not weign when making fair decisions. Our players suffered the consequences of all this pressure on the field and that outrages me, as it does any fan or any team.”
Listen now as Scott Saunders hosts Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth to discuss the latest transfer news. On today’s agenda: Dusan Vlahovic, Anthony Gordon, Enzo Fernandes, Amadou Onana, Malo Gusto, Nicolo Zaniolo, Pedro Porro, Weston McKennie, Milan Skriniar, Maiximo Perrone & more!
If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
On Savic’s red card, Gil Marin insisted he had no issues with the decision but demanded equality across the board, in reference to Ceballos’ survival.
“The second yellow [for Ceballos] was obvious, unquestionable, adjusted to the regulations,” the CEO continued. “But, at 0-1, in the 71st minute and with a ticket to the cup semi-finals at stake in their own stadium, leaving Real Madrid with ten players is a big move.
“We’re used to the system. We read pages and pages in the press, hours on the radio and television in the days leading up to the derby talking about the need to protect a certain player from a specific team. I think those who were not protected were [Antoine] Griezmann or Morata, for example, who were kicked. But that’s the system.
“I almost never speak, because they quickly accuse you or being a victim, but whoever really knows the DNA of Atletico Madrid knows that we don’t like to make excuses. So that nobody doubts, we are responsibe for where the team is, for not making it past the group stages in the Champions League and for being seven points behind third place in La Liga. And it’s up to us to take advantage of the 20 league games to close the season as high as possible. No excuses, but just being aware of how the system works.”
EPL
Tottenham weighing up decision on Antonio Conte future

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is weighing up whether to sack manager Antonio Conte this week, 90min understands.
While Spurs remain fourth in the Premier League, limp exits in the FA Cup and Champions League threw the Italian’s future into doubt and his meltdown at Southampton plunged the club further into crisis.
90min revealed earlier on Monday Tottenham could be forced to pay Conte a whipping £15m if they dismiss him before the end of the season.
Now, sources have confirmed Conte is back in Italy for a routine trip to his homeland having held talks with Spurs boss Levy. A final decision has not yet been reached but a number of officials at the club believe Conte’s position is untenable.
Football
Players of the MLS Matchday 4

Another weekend of MLS saw action-packed scenes on the field from coast to coast.
From one-sided blowouts to records being broken, week four of MLS lived up to the expectations set by week three. On the field, many players stood out for their teams, making them worthy of praise for their efforts.
Here at the top five players from week four…
FC Cincinnati started off the season well; They are currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference with eight points through four games. Their latest match against the Chicago Fire was an all-out attacking spectacle.
Junior Moreno led the way for Cincinnati with a two-goal performance that saw the men in Orange take a point home. Though Moreno isn’t the most well-known player on the roster, his impact was felt on match date four.
Jesus Ferreira is a man in form. The 22-year-old was on the score sheet once again for FC Dallas as they beat Sporting KC 2-1.
Ferreira had a complete game, scoring once and also creating for his teammates. With this win, Dallas is now fourth in the Western Conference on seven points.
Here comes Joao Klauss!
The 26-year-old Brazillian notched his third goal in four games for St. Louis City as they beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0. Despite being a forward, Klauss was active on both sides of the pitch, ending the game with five passes into the final third, two interceptions, and three recoveries.
Talk about a well-rounded player.
CF Montreal got their first win of the season with a shock victory against defending Eastern Conference champions, the Philadelphia Union.
Romell Quioto led the way for Hernan Losada’s men scoring a brace to lift them over a struggling Union side. The Honduras international finished the game with four total shots, two passes into the final third on just 27 touches, the least of any outfield player.
What more can be said about Thiago Almada?
Arguably the best player in the league, the World Cup winner is having an incredible start to the year for Atlanta United. Not only did the Stars and Stripes put on a clinic against the Portland Timbers, but Almada scored a Goal of the Year candidate in the 45th minute with a looping free kick to beat Timbers netminder Aljaz Ivacic.
With performances like these, it’s only a matter of time before big European clubs come knocking for the young Argentine’s talents.
Football
Charlotte FC quiet the Lions as they pick up their first win of the season

Charlotte FC picks up their first win of the season with a challenging 2-1 win away at Orlando City.
With the pressure mounting after three straight losses to start the season, Charlotte FC broke their winless streak with a 2-1 triumph over Orlando City SC. Head coach Christian Lattanzio lined up his side in a slightly different starting XI, leaving Designated Players Karol Swiderski and Kamil Jóźwiak on the bench due to bad form. In their place were 21-year-old Kerwin Vargas and 25-year-old McKinze Gaines.
Since arriving in MLS, Jozwiak has fallen short of expectations, with the Poland international failing to score in the league and only assisting three times in 23 matches. This personnel switch saw Charlotte play an attacking brand of football with much more cohesion as a team.
“…I am very, very proud of the boys because they played a complete game in the sense that they attacked when they had the possibility to do it. They defended when they had to. In football, you need to fight to impose your game and impose yourself into the game. And I think that this has to be a part of our DNA.”
Lattanzio spoke about the lineup changes after the match, saying that he gave specific players chances to show their quality, but their on-field performances fell flat.
“I made the changes because we played three games and I gave certain players opportunities to play and I think it’s only fair to give other players opportunities when things don’t work the way we’d like them to work.”
He also touched on their roster depth and how it’s important to give chances to players who will perform well.
“It’s part of the team, that’s why we have a roster and on many occasions I said that I really trust all the players on the roster because they train well. We decided to give opportunities to guys that trained well, and they proved it.”
Though it is a massive win for Charlotte, rookie goalkeeper George Marks pumped the brakes on the hype train and said in his post-game comments that the team needs to continue to work hard if they want results like this to come.
“…Tomorrow it’s back to the grindstone, try to look at the performance objectively, not just throw it to the side because we won the game and try to look at the little details, what we could do better, what we need to continue to do, so we can get this thing rolling in the right direction.
“I said during the week not to talk, to put the head down, keep working. And despite the win, for me it’s the same. We keep the head down, we let other people talk now. We let people talk, we listen, whatever, but we are very determined to improve on a weekly basis”.
Charlotte FC will continue their MLS campaign this weekend as they take on the New York Red Bulls.
-
EPL1 week ago
Eder Militao names two Liverpool players as ‘dangers’ to Real Madrid
-
EPL1 week ago
Man Utd star spotted leaving Old Trafford in crutches
-
Football4 days ago
Victor Osimhen reveals his striker idol
-
EPL5 days ago
Thierry Henry gives verdict on Man Utd Osimhen or Kane debate
-
Champions League4 days ago
Official: Burna Boy set to perform live at Champions League final