Sports

Keith Hackett Says VAR Correct on Gabriel Penalty Call v Atletico

Published

3 weeks ago

May 6, 2026

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Ex-FIFA referee and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has dropped his verdict on one of the more controversial moments during Arsenal’s win over Atletico Madrid. The Gunners booked their spot in the Champions League final this week, with a 1-0 home win in the second leg.

Penalties from Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez had seen the first leg end in a 1-1 draw in Spain, leaving all to play for at the Emirates on Tuesday night. The home team were able to take a lead in the 44th minute, with Bukayo Saka bundling the ball into the back of the net after Leandro Trossard’s initial effort was saved.

This proved to be enough as Mikel Arteta’s men clung on to a 2-1 aggregate lead to make their first Champions League final since 2006, where they lost 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris. Naturally, as the game was so tight, a few refereeing incidents have sparked plenty of post-game discussion.

Gabriel Avoids Red Card For Last-Man Challenge on Guiliano Simeone

One of the more notable incidents came in the 51st minute, when Guiliano Simeone pounced on William Saliba’s error to round David Raya. It looked as though he would be able to poke the ball home but Gabriel came across and did just enough to put off the Atletico player.

Simeone and his teammates, as well as father and manager Diego Simeone, were convinced that he was brought down unfairly. This would have resulted in a penalty and quite possibly a red card as well, for the denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Referee Daniel Siebert was unmoved, though, and his decision was upheld after a VAR review. Ex-FIFA referee Hackett has now given his thoughts on the matter, agreeing with the on-field call, claiming there was “insufficient evidence” to justify a foul:

“This is certainly very untidy defending by Gabriel, who puts his left arm on the shoulder of his opponent.

“I do not believe that contact is sufficient to award a penalty kick followed by a red card for the obvious denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, when Simeone feels the arm, he starts to lean backwards into his opponent.

“VAR then has to look closely at the ongoing challenge where the feet of Gabriel came into contact with his opponent.

“VAR have reviewed this, and there is insufficient evidence to award a penalty kick and to issue a red card for DOGSO.”

Diego Simeone Reacts to Referee and VAR vs Arsenal

This wasn’t the only big shout for Atletico during the game, as Antoine Griezmann claimed a penalty after falling to the turf following a challenge from Riccardo Calafiori. On that occasion, Siebert had already called a foul by Marc Pubill on Gabriel, so VAR logically did not intervene.

Speaking to the press after the game, Simeone accepted the refereeing decisions without great complaint. He said: “I won’t focus on something simple like the Griezmann incident. It’s obvious, it was a foul. The referee said there was a foul by Marc [Pubill] on one of their players. I won’t focus on that. It would be an excuse, and I don’t want to make excuses.

“We got to a place nobody imagined, competing with a team with incredible power. I feel proud to be where I am. In preseason, when the team was presented, I said we’d compete. And we competed. Unfortunately, we haven’t won anything, but we’ve gotten to places it isn’t easy to get to.”

Diego Simeone Pushes Arsenal Man Who Used to Be at Atletico During Heated Moment

An 11-year working relationship out the window.

In another interview, he also refused to blame the referee for his team’s exit: “Controversies? Nothing to say, we’re out. Congratulations to Arsenal because they compete very well. They have a team and a coach that I like. They follow a coherent project with strong financial backing. Congratulations to them, and we focus on our work.” He added: “If we got knocked out, it’s because our opponents deserved to get through. They took their chances, including their big chance in the first half, and they deserved to get through. If you ask me how I feel, I feel calm and peaceful. The team gave absolutely everything.”

Arsenal will now play either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on 30 May.

Sports

Arsenal Close to Deal to Sign Jeremy Monga Ahead of Man Utd and Man City

Published

9 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

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Arsenal may have won the Premier League title this season, and they have a Champions League final to come this weekend, but they are not ready to rest on their laurels.

The Gunners are understood to be keen to strengthen their squad this summer despite their excellent campaign, with Mikel Arteta looking to bolster the side and add more quality and competition for places.

But he is also looking towards the future for his signings, as are the club higher ups, and they now have confidence that they are set to seal the arrival of one of the best young talents in England ahead of some direct rivals.

Arsenal Confident of Sealing Jeremy Monga Deal

According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are growing in confidence that they can seal a deal for Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga this summer.

The winger, who has been described as ‘the next Ousmane Dembele’, is expected to leave the King Power Stadium after they were relegated to League One after a nightmare campaign, and he has attracted the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs.

However, Monga is understood to be intent on staying in England at this stage of his career, and the 16-year-old winger is believed to be closer to a move to north London, despite interest from Man City and Manchester United.

Offers have been tabled and talks held, but Arsenal’s pathway plans, development structure, and recent success with involving elite young talents in the first-team picture are all understood to have made a big impression in the winger and the team around him.

Leicester expect to lose the forward following their relegation, and Arsenal are now very confident that Monga will be the next elite talent to come off their conveyor belt and into the first-team.

Monga a Major Coup for Arsenal

Arsenal have got some of the best young players in the world in their squad at the moment. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, and Ethan Nwaneri are all in and around the first-team at the Emirates Stadium, and have all been given opportunities by Arteta.

So it’s no surprise that Monga, who has excelled in a poor Leicester team as a teenager, would be excited about the prospect of making the move to the reigning Premier League champions, and continue his fine development in the coming years.

His skill set is excellent for a top club, and beating off direct rivals to secure his arrival would be the cherry on top of the cake.

Arsenal Ready to Sign £400,000-a-Week Star on Free Transfer

Arsenal have a strong interest in bringing him to the Premier League

Sports

Man Utd Will Make Offer to Sign Mateus Fernandes

Published

33 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

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Manchester United will make a move to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the coming weeks, according to the iPaper.

Man United have made rebuilding their midfield the main priority of the upcoming summer transfer window, which officially opens on June 15.

The Red Devils are already closing in on a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, according to Fabrizio Romano, but they are unlikely to be done there thanks to the confirmed exit of Casemiro, and with South American compatriot Manuel Ugarte up for sale.

Despite the opening of the window being more than a fortnight away, United chiefs are already working on agreements ahead of time, and if a deal is completed for Ederson, he won’t be the last midfielder arriving at Old Trafford in this window.

One report has suggested that if Ugarte does go, United could attempt to sign up to three midfielders to significantly boost their squad ahead of a Champions League campaign.

The club is said to want to sign an elite, big-money replacement for Casemiro, with two lower-priced midfielders arriving alongside that player.

Priced at just below £40m, the Atalanta star would fit into the latter category, as could Fernandes.

Man United ‘Intend to Move’ for Mateus Fernandes

West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring vs Sunderland

While a deal for Ederson progresses, according to the iPaper, United will also make an offer to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham in the coming weeks.

The Red Devils were interested in signing the Portugal international even before the Irons’ relegation to the Championship was confirmed at the weekend, with many Premier League clubs likely to sense an opportunity to sign the 21-year-old at a lower price.

It had previously been suggested that Fernandes would be valued at £80m, so it will be interesting to see how much West Ham will demand now they have gone down to the second tier.

Man United Move is ‘First Pick’ for Mateus Fernandes

According to the iPaper’s sources, Fernandes has already made United his top pick if he is to leave West Ham this summer.

Previous reports have suggested that the youngster would love to play with one of his idols, Bruno Fernandes, at Old Trafford, with his more experienced compatriot also said to have suggested that the Red Devils sign him.

Despite suffering two successive Premier League relegations with West Ham and Southampton, the 21-year-old often stood out as being head and shoulders above his teammates, suggesting he is ready for a move to an elite club.

United have certainly been impressed with what they’ve seen in his two seasons in England, noting his ability to receive the ball all across the midfield.

Fernandes has shown that he can play as a number 6, 8 and 10 during his time with West Ham and Saints, and that versatility and his room for growth is unsurprisingly attracting the Red Devils’ recruitment team.

Sports

Neymar Could Still Be Excluded From Brazil’s World Cup Squad

Published

49 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

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Neymar’s hopes of leading Brazil at the 2026 World Cup have been thrown into doubt after confirmation that the forward has suffered a grade two muscle injury in his right calf, just three weeks before the tournament begins.

The Brazilian superstar picked up the injury ahead of Brazil’s opening match against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on the 13th of June, leaving fans concerned over whether he’ll be fit in time for the competition, with the injury carrying a 2-3 week recovery time.

Despite the setback, the Brazilian Football Confederation isn’t considering Neymar’s removal from the squad for the time being. Instead, the plan for the 33-year-old is to undergo treatment over the coming days before another scan takes place on the 12th of June in New Jersey.

FIFA regulations allow teams to replace injured players up to 24 hours before their opening fixture, meaning Brazil technically has until the day of the scan to make a final decision on Neymar’s availability.

Neymar Facing Race Against Time for the World Cup

Under FIFA rules, any replacement must first be approved by the organisation’s medical committee, with federations required to provide evidence that a player is unable to take part in the tournament (per ESPN Brazil).

That leaves Brazil with a difficult balancing act. If Neymar isn’t fit, but remains in the squad beyond the deadline, the Selecao risk carrying a player who isn’t capable of contributing during the World Cup at all.

Brazil Handed Neymar Concern Days After Including Him in 2026 World Cup Squad

Oh dear 😳

The situation is particularly worrying given Neymar’s history with injuries during major tournaments. He’s not featured for Brazil since 2023 and has spent time out injured in two of the last three World Cups.

Even if he recovers in time to stay in the squad, there’s no guarantee Neymar will be able to perform at his usual level straight away, if at all.

Who Could Replace Neymar in Brazil’s Squad?

Brazil's Joao Pedro — Brazil’s Joao Pedro

Should Brazil decide they can’t risk taking Neymar, any replacement would need to come from the provisional 55-man squad already submitted to FIFA.

Several attacking options are available to manager Carlo Ancelotti, including Premier League quartet Gabriel Jesus, Igor Jesus, Joao Pedro and Richarlison. Former Manchester United winger Antony is also part of the men ready to step in, alongside Kaio Jorge, Pedro, and Samuel Lino, who play in the Brazilian Serie A.

Gabriel Jesus possesses World Cup experience and versatility across the front line, while Richarlison has previously delivered for Brazil on the international stage, particularly during the 2022 World Cup, where he won the Goal of the Tournament.

Joao Pedro could also be an intriguing option after impressing in the Premier League and the Club World Cup in his first season for Chelsea. His omission from the Brazil squad came as a surprise to everyone, with most feeling as though he was guaranteed to make the squad before Ancelotti’s announcement 10 days ago.

As it stands, Brazil remain hopeful Neymar will recover in time, but with the deadline fast approaching, the pressure is growing ahead of the World Cup, and there’s a host of fine players ready to step up in his place.