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UEFA urged to investigate ref after Inter vs Barcelona controversy

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Barcelona’s dramatic Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan ended in heartbreak, but much of the post-match conversation has centered around the officiating.

The Spanish side, eliminated in extra time after a 5-4 aggregate loss, voiced frustration with Polish referee Szymon Marciniak and his crew over a series of key decisions.

In a tense second leg that mirrored the first 3-3 draw, Inter surged ahead 2-0 before Barcelona staged a comeback, with goals from Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo and Raphinha. Just when it seemed Barca had sealed a trip to the final, Francesco Acerbi equalized in stoppage time. Inter’s Davide Frattesi later netted the winner in extra time.

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After the match, Barcelona midfielder Pedri urged UEFA to investigate the refereeing, suggesting a pattern of questionable decisions linked to Marciniak. Coach Hansi Flick echoed the sentiment, pointing to the 50-50 calls consistently going against his team.

Several moments from the match drew scrutiny. One came early, when Pau Cubarsi appeared to make a last-ditch tackle on Lautaro Martinez. Replays revealed the young defender had clipped the striker without touching the ball, and VAR correctly awarded a penalty.

On another occasion, Lamine Yamal was initially granted a penalty after Henrikh Mkhitaryan brought him down, but the foul was judged to have occurred outside the box upon VAR review.

The decision to overturn the penalty was in line with the rules, though there was debate over whether Mkhitaryan should have received a second yellow.

The officiating was not one-sided. Inter were also frustrated when Marciniak blew the whistle for half-time in extra time just as they launched a promising counterattack. Coach Simone Inzaghi was visibly furious as his team was denied a potential goal-scoring opportunity.

In this case, the referee should likely have allowed the move to play out before signaling the break.

Barcelona’s appeal for a handball by Acerbi in the first half was denied after VAR ruled the contact unintentional, the ball having ricocheted off the defender’s body onto his arm.

This was deemed a natural movement and thus not punishable, aligning with recent interpretations of handball regulations.

Arguably the most controversial decision came during Acerbi’s stoppage-time equalizer. Denzel Dumfries appeared to foul Gerard Martin in the build-up, but Marciniak allowed play to continue and there was no significant VAR intervention.

Video footage later suggested there was contact that may have warranted a foul and nullified the goal.

Adding to the drama, Inigo Martinez was caught on camera appearing to spit in Acerbi’s direction during a goal celebration. VAR reviewed the incident for a potential red card, but no action was taken as footage was inconclusive.

Martinez later admitted to spitting, but denied it was aimed at the Inter defender.

In the aftermath of this high-stakes clash, pressure is mounting on UEFA to review the officiating.

While some calls were supported by clear evidence, others were more contentious, feeding into a narrative that officiating inconsistencies played a decisive role in a match that could have gone either way.

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Dwight Yorke urges Man Utd to sign Liverpool flop and £17m Aston Villa star

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Dwight Yorke has encouraged Manchester United to set aside their historic rivalry with Liverpool and consider a bold move for Darwin Nunez during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Uruguayan striker is expected to part ways with Liverpool after a turbulent season under new manager Arne Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp.

Nunez, who joined Liverpool in 2022 for a potential fee of £85 million, has struggled to consistently deliver on expectations. With only five goals in the Premier League this season, the 25-year-old has faced scrutiny over his performances.

Despite this, former Manchester United forward Yorke sees untapped potential in the striker and believes a fresh start at Old Trafford could help Nunez flourish.

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While interest in Nunez is growing from clubs across Europe, Yorke believes Manchester United must act decisively. The Red Devils have endured a frustrating campaign in front of goal, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee—signed for a combined fee exceeding £100 million—failing to make the desired impact.

Manager Ruben Amorim is already eyeing attacking reinforcements, including Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap. However, Yorke insists that Nunez deserves serious consideration.

Yorke, speaking to GamblingIndustryNews.com, praised Nunez’s energy, presence, and adaptability. He acknowledged that the forward has not lived up to expectations at Anfield but argued that the situation at Liverpool—with stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk dominating the spotlight—has prevented Nunez from becoming a central figure.

In contrast, Yorke believes United could offer Nunez a fresh platform to lead the line and reach his full potential.

Despite the intense rivalry between the two clubs, Yorke emphasized the importance of looking past the history and focusing on the player’s attributes.

He noted that Nunez, now familiar with the Premier League and English football culture, could bring aggression, hunger, and a much-needed attacking threat to Manchester United.

Yorke also touched on Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation, suggesting another potential summer target: Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez.

The Argentina international, who helped his country win the World Cup, appears set for a transfer and may have signaled his exit after Villa’s final home game. Yorke believes Martinez is a significant upgrade over current United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has endured an inconsistent debut season.

Yorke described the potential acquisition of Martinez as a “no-brainer,” praising the Villa man’s experience and reliability.

With Manchester United finishing a disappointing 16th in the Premier League, the club has one final shot at redemption in the Europa League final against Tottenham.

Regardless of the outcome, major changes are expected at Old Trafford this summer, and Yorke’s comments underscore the need for decisive action in the transfer market.

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Man Utd flop tipped to become a ‘superstar’ under Ruben Amorim next season: ‘He’s a baller’

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Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee is poised to make a strong impact under Ruben Amorim next season, according to former winger Lee Sharpe. Despite enduring a tough debut campaign following his £36.5 million move from Bologna, the Dutch forward has shown flashes of promise that hint at a brighter future at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee, who has scored just seven goals in 48 appearances across all competitions, struggled to find his rhythm early on.

Used in a deeper attacking role, the 23-year-old began adapting to Amorim’s tactical demands before a hamstring injury in April sidelined him for several weeks.

Though back in training ahead of United’s Europa League final clash against Tottenham, his involvement in the crucial fixture remains uncertain due to his recent return from injury.

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Sharpe, however, believes Zirkzee has the talent to thrive. He expressed confidence in the young striker’s potential, stating that the player only needs a consistent run of games to truly shine.

Noting that Zirkzee hadn’t enjoyed a sustained stint in the starting lineup, Sharpe suggested that the forward was just starting to settle before injury struck. With a full pre-season ahead, he expects the Dutchman to become a key player in the upcoming campaign.

As Manchester United prepare for the summer transfer window, Zirkzee is set to face new competition in the squad. The club is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and has made progress in talks with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

Sharpe praised both potential signings, highlighting Delap’s physical presence and goal-scoring instincts, as well as Cunha’s creativity and ability to change games.

Sharpe emphasized Cunha’s standout performances in a struggling Wolves side and compared his dynamism to that of Kobbie Mainoo. He did caution that the Brazilian forward’s temperament may need refining but believes his addition would bolster United’s attacking depth.

Looking ahead to the Europa League final in Bilbao, much is at stake for Amorim and his squad. Securing victory would not only mark Amorim’s first silverware with the club but also secure a Champions League spot next season. Sharpe remains optimistic about United’s chances in the final, citing the club’s tradition of delivering when it matters most.

Despite an underwhelming domestic campaign, United’s unbeaten run in Europe this season offers a glimmer of hope. Sharpe underscored the importance of a single, decisive performance that could set the tone for a critical summer rebuild.

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Wojciech Szczesny says Arsenal transfer target is ‘best in La Liga’

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Wojciech Szczesny has spoken highly of Joan Garcia, describing the Espanyol star as the best goalkeeper currently playing in La Liga.

Garcia, who joined Espanyol at just 15, made his senior debut in 2021 and has since become a crucial figure for the club.

Given the number one shirt for the 2022/23 season, the 24-year-old has already made 64 appearances across all competitions, winning fans over with his consistent and confident displays.

Last season, Garcia was named Espanyol’s Player of the Season, which further raised his profile. Arsenal expressed strong interest and even agreed personal terms with the Spaniard. However, the move fell through as the Gunners were unwilling to pay the €30 million (£25 million) release clause set in his contract.

Despite the failed transfer, Arsenal remain keen. If Espanyol are relegated from La Liga, Garcia’s release clause will drop to €15 million (£12.6 million), reigniting hopes of a potential move to north London.

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Meanwhile, Real Madrid have also entered the race, reportedly holding talks with Garcia’s camp in an attempt to lure him to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer.

Within Espanyol, there is growing acceptance that Garcia may be destined for a bigger stage, regardless of whether the club avoids relegation.

Szczesny, who returned from retirement to win La Liga with Barcelona this season, added fuel to the transfer rumors by showering praise on Garcia in a recent interview.

Speaking to Eleven Sports, the former Arsenal shot-stopper said he believes Garcia is the best goalkeeper in the league and one of the finest in both Spain and Europe. His endorsement underscores just how much the young Spaniard has impressed within the footballing world.

Garcia, for his part, remains focused on the present. In a February interview with Estadio Deportivo, he emphasized his commitment to ending his time at Espanyol with dignity should he leave.

He acknowledged that the future is uncertain but expressed a strong desire to bid farewell in a respectful manner, noting the deep gratitude he feels for the club that has shaped his career.

Espanyol’s head coach Manolo Gonzalez also hinted that keeping Garcia might be out of their hands, admitting he cannot guarantee the player will remain at the club beyond the current season.

As speculation grows, all eyes will be on whether Garcia will continue his journey with Espanyol or take the next step in his promising career at one of Europe’s elite clubs.

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