Sports
Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan Appears to Laugh During Fan Ticket Protest
Liverpool fans are tearing into club CEO Billy Hogan after footage emerged of his ‘pathetic’ reaction during the Reds’ protest against rising ticket prices in Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. Those of an Anfield persuasion were already angered heading into the Premier League weekend after learning that they are expecting to put their hands deeper into their pockets again next season.
In response, the home crowd staged a protest, holding up yellow cards to oppose the decision made by owners Fenway Sports Group, while chants branding the hierarchy as “greedy b******s” echoed around the stadium.
The rally was intended to push for a change in ownership approach and address concerns over the impact on working-class supporters, many of whom fear they will no longer be able to afford matchday tickets. However, footage of Hogan’s reaction has only intensified frustration among fans, suggesting to some that the issues run deeper than first thought.
Footage widely shared online shows Anfield covered in yellow, despite suggestions that the protest would only be a ‘minority’. The camera then pans to CEO Billy Hogan, who appears to be smirking, hiding a laugh, as he scans the stadium. Reacting to his emotions during the protest, one X user remarked (watch the footage below):
“Billy Hogan seen laughing as Liverpool supporters protest against rising ticket prices?? Pathetic.”
Another supporter labelled him a “snake”, as a third wrote: “My blood is boiling,” and a fourth continued: “He knows he’s f***** up”. Meanwhile, a fourth concluded: “The fans are the soul of Liverpool, and laughing at their concerns is unacceptable. The board needs to show some respect.”
Liverpool Close in on Champions League Qualification
Money has been at the heart of Liverpool supporters’ frustrations in recent seasons. Throughout the Jurgen Klopp era, many fans felt uneasy watching the club’s Premier League rivals loosen the purse strings far more than FSG ever seemed willing to. However, the decision to finally splash the cash in last summer’s transfer window has hardly paid off.
Alexander Isak, the British record signing who cost the Reds £125 million, has found himself on lists detailing the worst signings of the season. Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz have not escaped criticism either, with Liverpool’s title defence threatening to go disastrously off the rails at times.
How FSG Took Liverpool From Brink of Administration to £5bn Powerhouse and What Comes Next
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Thankfully for the club, it now looks like they will finish in the top five and keep their seat at Europe’s top table next term. A run of three consecutive wins has seen them leapfrog Aston Villa into fourth place with just four matches left in the campaign, which should leave the owners breathing a little easier financially – especially compared to Chelsea, whose season continues to spiral and help the Reds out further.
Sports
Tottenham Open Club-to-Club Talks to Sign Marco Palestra
Tottenham Hotspur have opened club-to-club talks to sign the fastest player in Serie A alongside Sandro Tonali, according to journalist Damiano Er Faina.
Tottenham chiefs are on a roll in the transfer market as they look to significantly strengthen a side that has underperformed massively in the last two seasons.
Spurs were facing relegation to the Championship on the final days of the Premier League campaign, and ENIC know they cannot afford to repeat it and now is the time they must surge back up the standings under Roberto De Zerbi.
They are already backing the Italian in a big way, with deals already announced for Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to join the north Londoners on free transfers.
Tottenham have also reached a full agreement to sign Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, who De Zerbi worked with during his time at the south coast side, as Spurs aim to completely transform a defence that simply hasn’t been good enough for years now.
Spurs officials are looking at other positions too, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the club is working on two midfield deals in Joao Palhinha and Sandro Tonali, while they are also in talks to sign Manchester City winger Savinho.
Tottenham Swoop for Marco Palestra
Tottenham are currently working on deals to sign Palhinha, Tonali and Savinho, but Damiano Er Faina has added another name to the list in Atalanta’s Marco Palestra.
Posting on X, Er Faina claims that Spurs are in talks with both the player and his club over a summer move.
The 21-year-old is in demand following a successful season-long loan spell with Cagliari in Serie A, with champions Inter Milan heavily linked with a move for the right-back.
Palestra established himself as one of the most reliable in his position in Italy last season, registering four assists and one goal in 37 league games.
The youngster was also recorded as the fastest player in Serie A in 2025-26, clocking an average sprint speed of 27.96km/h.
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World Cup History Quiz
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Tottenham Move for Palestra Unexpected
Tottenham do have some clear weaknesses in their squad as things stand, but right-back certainly isn’t one of them.
Pedro Porro has only just penned a new long-term deal to remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he is a player who looks set to excel under De Zerbi’s leadership.
The Spaniard also has strong competition for the right side too in Djed Spence, who is currently away with England at the 206 World Cup.
Spence is also able to play at left-back, where he will compete with Robertson and Destiny Udogie for minutes.
The presence of Porro and Spence would therefore make a move for the highly-rated Palestra strange, even if he is emerging as an exciting young player.
Palestra and Porro would be able to play further forward if required, but you’d imagine that De Zerbi will use the players he has to fill the right wing slot, or bring in a specialist player for the role.
Sports
Michael Owen Names 3 Subs England Should Make Every World Cup Game
England get their 2026 World Cup campaign up and running on Wednesday night, one of the last nations to take to the field for their first game in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.
It has been a thrilling start to the biggest tournament in history and the Three Lions will look to make their mark after impressive performances on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning by two of the favourites to win the tournament – France and Argentina.
Now, Thomas Tuchel will be looking on his side to follow suit as they aim to end 60 years of hurt by lifting the trophy for only the second time come July 19.
Four England stars were left at home
Tuchel has already made some bold calls in the build-up to the tournament, leaving some big-name players at home when naming his 26-man squad.
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all left to watch the tournament at home as the German head coach made some ruthless decisions. And it will be interesting to see what starting lineup he chooses for the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia on Wednesday night, with some key decisions to be made. The biggest talking points would appear to be in the three spots behind captain and striker Harry Kane.
Former England striker Michael Owen has suggested the decisions facing Tuchel are not as thought-provoking as people may think, because he should “play them all” in the three spots behind Kane to help England lift the trophy.
Speaking in his Daily Mail World Cup column, Owen said: “This may sound radical, but here is my plan for England to win the World Cup – change the three attacking players behind Harry Kane at half-time.
“We know conditions are going to be limiting and we have seen that already with the temperatures in North America and Mexico. Thomas Tuchel has also warned about matches being slow and potentially won by his ‘special teams’ from the bench late in the game. I agree with him – this World Cup will be won by attacking players who are fresh.
Owen think Tuchel’s selection dilemma is not an issue
“So why not quicken things up and play to our strengths? There is so much debate as to who should play on the left, who should play in the middle, who should play on the right. It is because we have brilliant options in all of those positions.
“My solution – play them all! If it is Anthony Gordon who starts on the left, tell him: ‘forget about conserving energy, you’ve got 45 minutes, give it everything you’ve got, empty the tank’. Then, at half-time, on comes Marcus Rashford. Make one player from two. This rotation also means they can go again a few days later.
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“It can be the same at No 10. Be it Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers who starts, send them out with the same message – don’t pace yourself, run yourself into the ground and get us ahead.”
Sports
Food and Drink Prices at Shinnecock Hills
The food and drink prices at this year’s US Open have drawn widespread criticism after they emerged on social media.
Some have even compared the costs to the sky-high charges being levied on fans at the ongoing 2026 football World Cup, which will run alongside the major.
The price of concessions at big sporting events and concerts is frequently discussed in modern times, with the surprisingly cheap fare on offer at The Masters each year being the exception to an increasingly more expensive rule.
Journalist Josh Carpenter posted a series of photos on social media which revealed the prices. The images have been met with cries of “robbery” and “yikes” and “bring back The Masters!”
Food and Drink Prices at the 2026 US Open Golf
Every alcoholic beverage, including beer, will run into double digits (in local currency) at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York this week.
The official beer of the Open is Corona Premium, and enjoying one of those will be $12.95 (£9.65), as will the alternatives Modelo and Coors Light.
Don’t fancy a beer? In that case, canned cocktails and canned wine come in at $14.45 (£10.77), and basic cocktails like Jack Daniel’s and a mixer are going to hit the attendees at $15.95 (£11.89) a piece.
Soft drinks are slightly more reasonable, but still pricey compared to their typical cost.
A bottle of water will apparently set you back $6.45 (£4.81), while soft drinks like Sprite and Coca-Cola will cost $3.79 (£2.83) for a single can.
It is the same story with the food being served at the event; snacks like Kind Bars will be $3.69 (£2.75), and if spectators want to indulge in a single pretzel, that will be $7.49 (£5.58). If you were after something a bit more fulfilling than that, a Caesar salad will be $10.95 (£8.16) and adding chicken will be a dollar. A turkey sandwich will be $12.59 (£9.39), and a foot-long hot dog is going to cost almost $20! (£15).
How Do The US Open Food and Drink Prices Compare With The 2026 World Cup?
These prices are obviously ridiculous, but they do seem very aligned with what is being seen across the USA, Canada and Mexico during the World Cup. Prices for tickets were already something of a concern going into the tournament, with backlash coming from all angles during the build-up.
Photos circulating on X showcase the prices for concessions at multiple host stadiums, such as MetLife; a bottle of water is $5, and a soft drink is $6. Beers are priced at $16, and canned cocktails and seltzers will set back fans $19 (£14.16).
Food is no better with a chicken-tenders and fries combo meal with a Coca-Cola, which is priced at $19. If you visit the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, you can expect to pay $20 (£15) for a match-day pizza or $24 (£18) for a meatball sub!
Considering the prices for tickets are already emptying spectators’ pockets, they will be disappointed looking at the price boards if they fancy some refreshments.
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