Sports
Iran’s Mohammad Mohebi Explains Controversial World Cup Goal Celebration
Iran footballer Mohammad Mohebi has spoken out after being accused of a controversial World Cup goal celebration after scoring against New Zealand on Monday.
Mohebi, who plies his trade with FC Rostov in the Russian Premier League, scored Iran’s second goal in a 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the Los Angeles Stadium in California.
Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand, either side of half-time, but the All Whites were pegged back on both occasions.
There was controversy before kick-off, with protests taking place outside the stadium, and a mixed response to Iran’s national anthem comprised of boos, whistles and cheers.
FIFA’s World Cup rule was also defied after world football’s governing body had successfully won a case to ban flags with the pre-revolution ‘Lion and Sun’ emblem on. Many of these ‘banned’ flags were seen in and around the stadium.
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Mohebi Goal Celebration Sparks Outrage
There was further controversy during the match after Mohebi scored Iran’s second equaliser of the night.
The 27-year-old has sparked outrage with a ‘gun’ celebration in which he was seen holding out two fingers, initially pointing them to the ground before waving them in the air. Watch the footage below:
Many fans have called on FIFA to examine the gesture more closely, per The Express, with the celebration coming under particular scrutiny due to the sensitivity surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament on US soil.
Amid the backlash, Mohebi has now spoken out to offer his version of events.
“First, I wanted to say thank you to all the Iranian fans that came to watch in Los Angeles. They made a great atmosphere in the game,” the Iran international said, per The Mirror.
“The celebration was just coming in the mind, in the moment. I do it like this [gestures with his hands] and I wanted to do it like this for all the fans. It’s just a celebration you know, and that’s it.”
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Ramin Rezaeian Explains His Own Goal Celebration
Mohebi’s teammate Ramin Rezaeian netted Iran’s first goal of the 2026 World Cup in the 32nd minute.
The 36-year-old, who pulled his shirt over his face, acknowledged that his own celebration carried a political message.
“It’s something political (his goal celebration),” he said. “I don’t want to talk about that. We are here to answer football questions. If there is a problem between us (the Iranian people), it is between us.”
Iran face Belgium in their second Group G fixture on June 21 before going head-to-head with Egypt five days later.
Arsenal are plotting a surprise move to sign a Tottenham defender during the summer transfer window, and he’s set to leave the club at the end of this month.
It’s not often that we see players move from Arsenal to Tottenham or Tottenham to Arsenal, and it would often be considered a controversial move.
Sol Campbell is certainly the most notable in recent history when he joined Arsenal after his Tottenham contract expired in 2001.
The English defender’s decision certainly didn’t go down well with Spurs supporters after he had made over 250 appearances for the club.
It is rare that Tottenham or Arsenal would sanction a move between the two sides, but when contracts expire in the summer, it is difficult for them to have any control.
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Arsenal Eyeing Tottenham Move
According to a report from The Athletic, Arsenal are interested in signing Tottenham defender Elijah Upson, who is set to leave Spurs at the end of his contract this month.
Upson is the son of former Arsenal and England centre-back Matthew. He joined Spurs at the age of seven, and now, over ten years later, he looks set to be heading through the exit door.
Reports emerged that Upson had been offered a professional contract by Tottenham, but he opted against putting pen to paper in order to move on.
Upson was a regular for Spurs’s under 18 side during the 2025-2026 season, and he even appeared for the under-21s.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Arsenal Planning Youth Recruitment
It’s clear Arsenal have a plan to improve their academy set-up heading into the summer transfer window.
After winning the Premier League title, the Gunners can switch their focus from bringing in mostly senior-level players to signing up-and-coming stars to improve their academy.
According to reports, Arsenal have agreed terms with Leicester City youngster Jeremy Monga ahead of a possible deal this summer.
There will be less of a worry on Arsenal’s end about signing players who can make an immediate impact, since they’ve clearly got a squad capable of being one of the best in the world.
Manchester United have opened talks to sign another West Ham star alongside Mateus Fernandes, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
The Red Devils have been pushing to secure the signature of Fernandes during the summer transfer window as they look to revamp their current midfield options.
Casemiro left the club following the expiration of his contract this summer, meaning United are looking to bring in at least one midfielder.
They will also be hoping to reinforce other areas of the pitch, especially after qualifying for the Champions League last season.
Michael Carrick needs to add more depth, competition and quality to his squad to deal with the extra fixtures and the better quality of opposition they will be facing.
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Man Utd Open West Ham Talks
According to Ornstein, Manchester United are paying serious attention to West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville ahead of the summer transfer window.
It is claimed that United have opened talks about his situation with the Hammers, and they are aware that he is expected to cost in the region of £50 million.
Any move could depend on the future of Marcus Rashford after Barcelona opted against activating his €30m buy option following his season-long loan.
The report also claims that talks are advancing for Manchester United to sign Fernandes so they could try to secure a double deal to raid West Ham this summer.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Summerville Destined to Leave West Ham
Summerville, like Fernandes, is destined to leave West Ham in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Dutch winger is currently starring at the World Cup and scored in their opening game of the tournament.
West Ham were recently relegated from the Premier League, so there is little chance that Summerville will want to continue plying his trade in the Championship.
With clubs like Manchester United showing an interest, there is certainly going to be a route back to the Premier League for Summerville, and it feels incredibly unlikely that he will be playing in the second tier.
Tottenham are pushing to sign a new central midfielder during the summer transfer window, with Roberto De Zerbi giving the green light for a deal.
It could be a busy few months for Tottenham in terms of reinforcements.
After a disappointing season that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League, Tottenham managed to avoid relegation after a resurgence under their new manager, and they’ll be keen to avoid being dragged into a battle once again.
That’s now two campaigns in a row that Tottenham have finished 17th, and it’s undoubtedly been a disastrous few years for the club.
Spurs acted fast to bring in new additions with Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson both arriving through the door on free transfers.
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Tottenham Pushing to Sign Midfielder
According to journalist Matteo Moretto, Tottenham have thrown themselves in the race to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali during the summer transfer window.
Tonali is also a target for Manchester City, but Spurs are now pushing to close the deal.
Tonali is open to joining Tottenham, with De Zerbi pushing to bring him to the club this summer.
It appears that a number of clubs are also interested in signing Tonali this summer, but Tottenham are pushing to secure his signature.
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Tonali an Upgrade in Midfield for Tottenham
Tonali, described as ‘one of the best CMs in the world’, would be a huge addition for Tottenham in the middle of the park.
The Italian international has been a key figure in Newcastle’s midfield over the last few years. If Spurs can convince him to join over clubs competing in Europe, it will be a massive coup.
It remains to be seen whether they can beat the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City in the race, but it’s a positive sign that he would be keen on the move.
Tonali would be a huge upgrade on Tottenham’s current midfield options, so they need to try to get a deal over the line as soon as possible.
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