England‘s last-16 tie with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium has been handed to Alireza Faghani — a referee who has already drawn heavy criticism at this World Cup for one of the tournament’s most contentious calls.

The 48-year-old Australian official, taking charge of his third World Cup after appearances in 2014 and 2018, steps into a fixture already overshadowed by kick-off time chaos. FIFA briefly proposed moving the game forward six hours before reverting to the original schedule following pushback from the FA over fan travel plans.

However, following the controversy surrounding Ilgiz Tantashev’s refereeing in France’s win over Paraguay, there will be a lot of eyes on Faghani in what are said to be trying conditions amidincredible home support that will meet the English.

Controversy Involving Faghani and Kylian Mbappe

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Vincent Carchietta

The Kylian Mbappe penalty call that sparked outrage at the time in France’s 3-1 group-stage win over Senegal is certainly a key moment to analyse ahead of the England clash.

Mbappe scored twice on the night but was denied a clear chance at a hat-trick when he went down under a challenge from Sadio Mane inside the box. Faghani waved play on in real time, then reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor — and still opted against a penalty, instead awarding Senegal a goal kick.

The decision triggered immediate backlash from current and former officials, with many questioning how a monitor review failed to overturn the call. This is the 48-year-old’s third World Cup after receiving call-ups to the 2014 and 2018 editions.

His reputation is that of an experienced and respected referee, but the moment in the group stages was certainly an error on his part.

Strong Reaction to Baffling Decision

Kyle Ross (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Darren Cann, who ran the line in the 2010 World Cup final, said the reaction from within refereeing circles was immediate, with several of the sport’s most respected officials reaching out to say they couldn’t make sense of the no-penalty verdict.

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara was blunter in his assessment on air, calling it “one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.” He went on to question how the tournament could let it slide, adding that Faghani simply wasn’t up to the standard required.

With that history now attached to Sunday’s appointment, both England and Mexico will be hoping they’re not left facing a repeat at the Azteca — especially in a game with quarter-final qualification on the line.

Arsenal transfer supremo Andrea Berta has entered talks to sign a £246m duo this summer, according to club insider Hand of Arsenal.

The Gunners are looking to build upon their Premier League title win and Champions League final appearance last season during the summer window, with Mikel Arteta looking to add more firepower to his attack.

But with a bloated squad, the team first had to make some sales, and they kickstarted the process by agreeing a deal to sell Leandro Trossard to Besiktas. Now, sporting director Berta is understood to be making his moves to bring players in.

Arsenal In Talks for £246m ‘Superstar’ Duo

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Caean Couto

According to the reliable Hand of Arsenal, the Gunners’ decision to sell Belgium international Trossard was the ‘first step’ to get the club’s transfer plans off the ground.

The deal has now opened up a ‘clear spot’ on the left-wing in Arteta’s squad, and it’s understood that Berta has engaged in talks with both Bradley Barcola and Morgan Rogers about bringing them to the Emirates Stadium.

The deals are being worked on simultaneously by the Spaniard, and while there have been no official club-to-club talks between Arsenal and PSG or Aston Villa, it’s understood that both players are ‘very open to the move’ to north London.

Villa have recently slapped a £130m asking price on Rogers, having seen Elliot Anderson sold for £116m by Nottingham Forest, while Paris Saint-Germain have also decided that Barcola’s price would be at a similar level to Anderson’s if he were to leave the Parc des Princes during this transfer window.

It’s highly unlikely that Arsenal would splash the cash to sign both players at those prices, but Berta is pushing both deals along in order to pull the trigger on one further down the line when he gets a deal he wants.

Arsenal Ready to Go Big

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It’s clear that Arsenal want to make a major statement in the transfer window this summer, and both Barcola and Rogers would definitely fit that bill.

The France international, described as a ‘superstar’, has lit up the World Cup this summer and is a more natural winger option that could fit into the squad seamlessly, while Rogers, who has also been described as a ‘superstar’, has struggled for game time with England, but he is a Premier League-proven playmaker who would need less adaptation time.

Both options would be excellent additions to the squad, and Berta knows that, hence working on both deals simultaneously to ensure Arsenal are well positioned and don’t miss out.

Manchester United have made direct contact with Bournemouth about sealing a deal to sign midfield star Alex Scott, according to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella.

The Red Devils have made it a priority to bolster their midfield this summer, but have missed out on top targets Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes to Man City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, having refused to meet their asking prices.

United are now looking at alternatives in the market and have identified the Englishman as a potential option heading into the new season.

Scott, who has been described as ‘unbelievable’, is entering the final two years of his contract at the Vitality Stadium, and is someone the Cherries are desperate to keep hold of after losing Antoine Semenyo and Andoni Iraola since the turn of the year.

The central midfielder is understood to be open to leaving this summer for a new challenge, but Bournemouth do not want to lose another key player and are keen to offer him a new contract to tie his long-term future to the club. They’ve also slapped an £80m asking price on his head to deter any interested parties, using the fees of Fernandes and Anderson as a measuring stick.

It’s reported by the BBC that Man Utd have in fact made ‘direct contact’ with Bournemouth about a deal for the 22-year-old, but the response they received at the time was that he is not for sale under any circumstances in this transfer window.

While talks over a new deal haven’t progressed, the club are planning to keep him for at least another season, leaving Man Utd forced to look at even more alternative options, having missed out on yet another midfield target during their summer rebuild attempt.

Scott is believed to be open to a move to Old Trafford, with Champions League football expected to be a key pulling point.

Scott and Mainoo Pairing is Lightweight

via Reuters

While Scott is undoubtedly a top, top midfield talent, a midfield pairing of him and Kobbie Mainoo would certainly have it’s flaws. Both players like to carry the ball from deeper positions and are more attack-minded, although they are both capable of doing the dirty work too.

But in a league that is so big on physicality, it may be a bit lightweight as a starting pairing, and Man Utd must look to address that issue with any other midfield signings they make, or risk struggling throughout the campaign.

Ederson is set to arrive from Atalanta which could help, while there is also interest in Carlos Baleba and Aurelien Tchouameni, but it seems that Scott is the man at the top of their wishlist currently.