Football
Antonio Rudiger issues statement as Real Madrid star faces ban for attacking referee

Antonio Rudiger has spoken out following his red card during Real Madrid’s dramatic Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.
The German defender could be facing a significant suspension after he appeared to throw ice toward the referee and had to be restrained by teammates late in the game.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea also sent off Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vázquez for protesting decisions during the intense final moments.

In the official match report, De Burgos noted that Rudiger threw an object from the coaching area, although it did not make contact. He also highlighted the defender’s aggressive behavior.
At the time of the incident, Rudiger had already been substituted and was seen clutching a small bag of ice while being physically held back by Real Madrid staff and players.
His angry shouts at the referee continued, adding to the chaotic scenes that marred the end of the final.
Rudiger addressed the situation with an apology shared through his Instagram account. He acknowledged his mistake, writing that there was no excuse for his behavior and expressing deep regret for letting down his teammates, the referee, and the fans.
He emphasized how proud he was of Real Madrid’s second-half performance, despite his early exit and the unfortunate conclusion to the night.
The final itself was a thriller, capped off by a late strike from Barcelona’s Jules Kounde. His decisive goal in the 116th minute, a low drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards out, sealed a 3-2 victory for Barcelona.
The win secured Barcelona’s 32nd Copa del Rey title, extending their record and giving manager Hansi Flick his first major trophy since taking charge.
Barcelona had dominated the early stages, taking the lead in the 28th minute through a stunning curling shot by Pedri. Real Madrid struggled in the first half, but turned the momentum in the second half.
Kylian Mbappe, who had not started due to fitness concerns, came off the bench to level the score in the 70th minute with a free kick. Just seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni rose highest at a corner to head Real into the lead.

However, Barcelona responded quickly with Ferran Torres finishing a rapid counterattack in the 84th minute, sending the match into extra time. Both sides had chances, but it was Kounde who ultimately delivered the knockout blow, sparking celebrations among the Barcelona faithful.
The defeat leaves Real Madrid with only the LaLiga title left to fight for, as they aim to avoid ending the season without silverware. Meanwhile, Barcelona remain in contention for a historic treble, with LaLiga and Champions League dreams still alive.
The fallout from the final, including potential suspensions for Rudiger, Bellingham, and Vázquez, could have a lasting impact on the rest of Real Madrid’s season.
Football
REVEALRD: Why do Man Utd have (Red) as their shirt sponsor vs West Ham

Manchester United host West Ham United at Old Trafford this Super Sunday with momentum on their side.
After securing a spot in the Europa League final by dispatching Athletic Bilbao 4-1 on Thursday night, the Red Devils are looking to continue their winning form in the Premier League.
They had already established dominance in the first leg with a 3-0 away win, and their emphatic performance in the return leg sealed the tie with authority.
Their upcoming final will be an all-English clash against Tottenham Hotspur, setting up one of the most highly anticipated matches of the season.

This weekend, however, fans will notice a subtle but meaningful change on the pitch. Manchester United’s players will not be wearing their usual kits with Snapdragon’s branding across the front.
Instead, their jerseys will feature the logo of (Red), a charitable organization focused on fighting health inequality and supporting life-saving initiatives in vulnerable communities.
The partnership is part of a wider campaign and has the backing of United’s principal shirt sponsor, Qualcomm Technologies, which holds a £60 million-per-year deal with the club.
The decision to highlight (Red) during Sunday’s match underscores the club’s commitment to global causes. (Red) was founded in 2006 by U2 frontman Bono and activist Bobby Shriver, with a mission to combat AIDS and address health injustice in some of the world’s most at-risk regions.
United’s women’s team also showcased the (Red) logo during their recent Women’s Super League match against Arsenal, aligning both men’s and women’s squads with the initiative.
In addition to raising awareness, the kits worn in these fixtures will be auctioned off on MatchWornShirt, an online platform dedicated to selling match-worn memorabilia.
Proceeds from the auction will go directly to (Red)’s campaign efforts. Jennifer Lotito, president and COO of (Red), expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting how collaborations like this one help drive meaningful change.
She emphasized that the jerseys are more than collectible items—they are symbols of solidarity and tools for impact.
As United push toward the end of the season with silverware in sight, their collaboration with (Red) brings additional purpose to their performance.
Supporters not only get to watch their team chase European glory but also participate in a campaign that reaches far beyond the pitch. The combination of high-stakes football and meaningful advocacy makes Sunday’s fixture one to watch—for both sport and humanity.
Football
Two Premier League clubs line up moves for ex-Man Utd striker Mason Greenwood

Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood is attracting fresh attention from Premier League clubs as the summer transfer window approaches.
The 23-year-old has been in strong form for Marseille this season, netting 20 goals in 35 appearances, marking an impressive comeback after his high-profile departure from English football.

Greenwood left Manchester United in 2023 following a lengthy six-month internal investigation prompted by his arrest in January 2022. The arrest stemmed from allegations after disturbing content appeared online.
He was initially charged with rape and assault, though those charges were later dropped in February 2023 due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence that no longer supported a realistic prospect of conviction.
Despite his on-pitch performances in Ligue 1, Greenwood’s time in France has had its challenges. Some Marseille fans and even head coach Roberto De Zerbi have expressed concerns about his work ethic.
A recent incident saw supporters unveil a large banner at the Stade Vélodrome urging the young forward to improve his efforts during games. Nonetheless, Greenwood remains a significant attacking asset for the French club.
According to reports from The Telegraph, a move away from Marseille could be on the cards as early as this summer or in the January window. While interest from Spanish and Italian clubs, and even Saudi Arabian sides, has been mentioned, a return to England seems to be his preferred option.
However, such a move would be controversial given the nature of his exit from Manchester United and the public scrutiny surrounding his case. Campaigners in the UK, including domestic abuse advocacy groups, have openly criticized the idea of Greenwood returning to English football.
Manchester United issued a statement last year confirming Greenwood’s departure, stating that both the club and the player agreed it would be best for him to continue his career elsewhere.
The club also said the online material that led to public concern did not offer a complete picture and concluded that Greenwood did not commit the crimes he was initially charged with. Still, United acknowledged Greenwood’s admission of personal mistakes and his responsibility for them.
Following the club’s decision, Women’s Aid, a leading UK charity working to end domestic violence, welcomed the outcome, noting that it would offer some relief to survivors of abuse.
They also emphasized how football clubs’ handling of such cases can influence broader societal attitudes about what is deemed acceptable behavior.
Greenwood made 129 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 35 goals. At one point, he was considered one of the brightest prospects in English football and had earned a call-up to the national team under Gareth Southgate.
However, a return to the England squad is no longer in the cards after Greenwood switched his international allegiance to Jamaica.
While Barcelona’s rumored interest in the forward has faded, at least two unnamed Premier League clubs are reportedly evaluating a move despite concerns over public backlash. Greenwood remains under contract with Marseille, but if the right offer arrives, a transfer could soon become reality.
Football
Chelsea star Cole Palmer hits back at journalist over Reggie Walsh question

Cole Palmer had a lively exchange with a reporter following Chelsea’s convincing semi-final victory in the UEFA Conference League.
After the Blues secured their spot in the final with a 5-1 aggregate win over Djurgårdens IF, the spotlight wasn’t just on the result, but also on the club’s youngest star, Reggie Walsh.
The 16-year-old midfielder made headlines by becoming Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in European competition during the second leg, just days after making his senior debut in the first leg.
Walsh, already turning heads in the England U17 setup, has made an impressive leap, joining a select list of teenagers trusted on the European stage by Chelsea’s coaching staff.

Palmer, who turned 23 this week, found himself being playfully compared to the teenage sensation.
When a journalist commented that Palmer must feel like an “old man” next to Walsh, the former Manchester City forward quickly replied with a laugh, saying, “F***ing hell, what are you then compared to Reggie?” He followed up by praising the young talent, stating, “He’s a very good player.
I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. I’m still young myself, so I have to keep growing and growing.”
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca echoed Palmer’s sentiments after the dominant win over the Swedish side. Maresca expressed delight at Walsh’s performance and potential, saying, “You can see that he is a good player.
He is the kind of player we like—very good. He’s young and has a lot of room to grow. We’re very happy for him and his family.
He has to enjoy this moment.” The coach’s confidence in Walsh suggests that more first-team opportunities could be on the horizon.
Captain Reece James also shared his thoughts after seeing Walsh in action during an official match. “I’ve seen him in training, but games are different. This is the first time I’ve watched him play properly and I didn’t realise how good he actually was,” James admitted.
That admiration was shared by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored the only goal in the second leg. The midfielder emphasized the importance of guiding younger players, noting, “Reggie is 16 and he was fantastic—composed.
My job is just to tell them to play the game that got them here. What you saw was composure and calmness, and that’s a credit to the academy.”
Walsh, who joined Chelsea at the age of seven, has grown through the club’s ranks with patience and maturity. Remarkably, he was born just five months after the infamous moment when Chelsea legend John Terry missed his penalty in the 2008 Champions League final.
Now, over 16 years later, the next generation is making its mark, and Walsh appears ready to carry the club’s future hopes. His recent appearances suggest that Chelsea’s long-term investment in their youth system is continuing to bear fruit.
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