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Why Europa Conference League final referee Irfan Peljto was banned for SIX matches this season

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Irfan Peljto is set to make history on Wednesday night as he officiates the Europa Conference League final between Chelsea and Real Betis in Wroclaw, Poland. The 40-year-old from Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes the first referee from his country to oversee a major UEFA club competition final.

Peljto has been an international referee since 2015 and has had a notable season, including seven Champions League matches, with the high-profile quarter-final first leg between Arsenal and Real Madrid among them.

Despite his international assignments, Peljto’s season hasn’t been without controversy. He was suspended for six matches in the Bosnian Premijer Liga following his performance during a 1-1 draw between Zrinjski Mostar and Borac Banja Luka back in September. The Bosnian FA criticized his officiating in that game, citing three significant mistakes.

In the 25th minute, he missed a clear foul that should have resulted in a penalty for Borac. A minute later, he failed to call a direct free kick for the visiting team, which led to a goal for the hosts. Then in added time, he did not award a penalty to Zrinjski despite another obvious foul.

Following that match, Peljto and the VAR officials were suspended domestically and didn’t return to league duties until early November. However, this suspension did not impact his standing in UEFA competitions. During the domestic ban, he continued to officiate in Champions League fixtures and a UEFA Nations League match, maintaining his international profile.

Now, Peljto prepares for one of the biggest nights of his career. Speaking to UEFA.com, he expressed deep pride in the appointment and credited his team of assistants for their support.

He described the moment as a dream come true and a proud occasion for both his career and his country. Acknowledging the contributions of Senad Ibrišimbegović and Davor Beljo, he said they are the wings to his engine and emphasized their collective effort as essential to success.

He also hopes this milestone inspires the next generation of referees in Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing them with a clear path to follow.

Peljto stressed the importance of preparation and focus, underlining that every match should be approached as if it were the last of one’s career. With Chelsea and Real Betis boasting rich histories and talented squads, he knows the pressure is on, but he’s ready to meet the challenge.

As the football world turns its attention to Wroclaw, Peljto aims to deliver a performance that reflects the responsibility of the occasion and highlights the quality of officiating in European football.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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