Sports
Argentina Coach Breaks Silence on Punching Spain’s Dani Olmo
Argentina coach Roberto Ayala has addressed his actions at the 2026 World Cup final, after he was filmed punching Spain’s Dani Olmo.
La Roja added a second star to their crest with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, in what could be Lionel Messi’s last-ever international game. Tensions boiled over after the final whistle, with several heated interactions.
Nicolas Otamendi furiously confronted Golden Ball winner Rodri, while Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina threw Gavi to the floor. Among the chaos, cameras captured Lionel Scaloni’s assistant coach striking Olmo in the face.
FIFA have since opened an investigation into the behaviour of Argentina following the chaotic scenes. The outcome of which is still unknown, but Ayala could be one of those in danger of punishment.
The video that surfaced online shows the coach approach Olmo, who appeared to be trying to diffuse a situation between Ayala and Eric Garcia. The former then swung his arm towards the Barcelona midfielder, making contact with the lower part of his face. Watch below.
Olmo decided to keep his response classy. In a post-match interview, the 28-year-old said: “Well… it doesn’t matter to us in the end.
“I think it’s also important to think about the values you want to convey to the outside. We are role models for many generations, and for many children, and I think they should also be role models in everything and for the better.”
Argentina Coach Breaks Silence on Olmo Punch
Ayala, who played for Argentina 115 times during his career, has now given his version of events. While stating his actions had ‘no excuse’ and he would personally apologise to Olmo, the retired defender claimed it was a push rather than a punch.
Speaking to Esports Migdia, Ayala said:
“When the match ended, my intention was to walk away, but then things happened with my heart rate through the roof. What occurred is no excuse, and I shouldn’t have done it. It was more of a shove than a punch; it was a reaction to some words. If I see Dani Olmo, I’ll apologise to him in person. What happens on the field stays on the field. Spain was superior and deserved to win.”
Emotions appeared to get the better of many Argentina players and staff members after the tough defeat. However, Spain players appear to be ready to move past it. Just like Olmo, Gavi stated that it should all be a thing of the past. He even claimed Paredes should face no further action after their altercation.
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 22-07-26.
Sports
Liverpool Offered Chance to Sign Paris Saint-Germain Star Illia Zabarnyi
Much more will be expected of Liverpool in the 2026/27 season after a nightmare year at Anfield under Arne Slot.
Having guided the Reds to the Premier League title in his debut campaign on Merseyside, Slot couldn’t build on his achievements from his first year and lost his job in May after only managing a fifth-place finish.
Andoni Iraola is the new man in charge at Liverpool following his tremendous work at Bournemouth and he is the man tasked with getting the club back into title contention.
Liverpool have so far added talented youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz to their squad, with 18-year-old Austrian centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe also making the move from Austria Wien.
Fans will be hoping more is done in terms of transfer incomings as Iraola looks to build a squad capable of challenging on four fronts.
Player offered to Liverpool
Liverpool have been offered Paris Saint-Germain defender Illia Zabarnyi, according to Alex Crook of talkSPORT.
The ‘incredible’ Ukrainian only joined the Champions League winners from Bournemouth last August but a possible move away from the French capital could already be on the cards.
Zabarnyi, who joined PSG for £57m, featured regularly in Ligue 1 after starting 26 of their 34 games but he found game time much harder to come by in the Champions League.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Crook claims that Chelsea have also been offered the 23-year-old as they look for defensive reinforcements, meaning Liverpool won’t have it all their own way if they press ahead with a move for Zabarnyi.
The Reds saw centre-back Ibrahima Konate depart for Real Madrid on a free transfer on July 1 following the expiration of his contract at Anfield.
The talented Jacquet has added to the defensive options following his move from Rennes but Liverpool could do with a further option in such an important position on the pitch.
Zabarnyi reunion
A move to Liverpool would see Zabarnyi reunited with Iraola after the pair worked together at Bournemouth.
The centre-back was such a key figure in Iraola’s Bournemouth team, with his outstanding form at the back leading to his big-money move to the French side.
Speaking in February 2025, the Spaniard gave an insight into Zabarnyi’s journey to becoming such a key player in his team.
“Zaba for me is even easier to explain, I think,” Iraola told the Daily Echo. “I’m not sure if we decided to change him one minute in the time I’ve been here.
“So that basically says everything about the confidence we have in him and how reliable and how robust also he is and he’s the kind of player that is very easy to coach.
“For a coach, he pays attention, he comes every day to train with a great attitude and I am enjoying also his development because now when I arrived he was a great player but quite shy.
“He didn’t talk a lot and now you see him managing everything from behind, shouting to the ones in front asking for the others and this is a show of how he’s developing and he’s becoming a more important player even for us.
“I love him personally and as a player.”
Sports
Arsenal to Make £70 Million Offer for Newcastle Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes
Arsenal are accelerating with a move to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Gunners made their first significant signing in the summer earlier this week by bringing in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
The 24-year-old is a predominantly left-sided attacker who is well known for his ability to contribute in front of goal.
Arsenal have also signed Illan Meslier from Leeds after his contract expired, but he’s unlikely to be a starter for Arteta.
Outside of that, it’s been a relatively slow and quiet transfer window for the North London club, who are undoubtedly looking to up the ante in the market over the next few weeks.
Arsenal shouldn’t need too many additions, considering they won the Premier League last season, but they’ll be looking for players to help them get over the line in the Champions League.
Arsenal working on midfielder deal
According to a report from the BBC, Arsenal are set to make a £70 million offer to sign Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in the summer transfer window.
The Brazilian international is a priority target for Arsenal, and he wants to join the club this summer.
It’s claimed that talks over a potential move have accelerated in the last few days, but it remains to be seen if the Gunners can get a deal over the line for £70 million.
Guimaraes, described as ‘world-class’, is a clear priority target for Arsenal in the middle of the park, but it certainly won’t be an easy deal to get over the line.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Arsenal also eyeing new forward
Arsenal are also looking to strengthen in the final third during the final weeks of the summer transfer window, despite confirming the addition of Tzolis.
Reports have suggested that Arsenal are willing to pay over £85 million to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
The Ivory Coast international appears to be one of a number of targets for the Gunners in the forward position, including one of their previous targets, Morgan Rogers.
Arsenal missed out on a move to sign the English forward from Aston Villa, with Chelsea hijacking a deal and securing his signature for a fee in the region of £117 million.
Sports
Kasper Hogh ‘Will’ Sign for Celtic This Summer
Celtic are being tipped to complete a major summer signing for Martin O’Neill by Sky Sports, which would send out a strong statement to their Scottish Premiership rivals.
Despite a number of players leaving Celtic this summer, it has been a slow start to the summer transfer window for the Scottish champions in terms of incoming signings.
So far, the Bhoys have only landed Camilo Duran to strengthen their frontline, but Martin O’Neill says he wants more new faces to boost a squad that underwhelmed for the majority of the 2025-26 campaign, even though they ended up winning the double.
Duran may have arrived, but the Hoops are still looking at further attacking reinforcements with Kelechi Iheanacho moving to Turkey despite Celtic’s attempts to sign him again for next season, while Daizen Maeda is close to joining Premier League new-boys Ipswich Town.
There is a clear spot for an established number nine to join, with Johnny Kenny yet to show he can be trusted to start consistently in the role.
While the Glasgow giants will be looking at strengthening other areas of the pitch too, they could be moving one step closer to landing a long-term target after holding talks.
Celtic Signing Kasper Hogh a ‘Big Possibility’
Celtic have long been linked with a move for Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh, and they are now in talks with the Champions League club over a move for the ‘special’ 25-year-old, who shot to prominence for his role in the Norwegian club’s run to the quarter-finals of the competition last term.
Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio expects the Denmark international ‘will’ sign for the Scottish Premiership champions this summer.
He said: “Yes, I think Kasper Hogh will move to Celtic. It’s not because they necessarily have a deal ready already, but it definitely looks like there’s a really big possibility that he’ll move to Celtic.
“It is absolutely correct that Celtic and Bodo/Glimt are in contact with each other, and over the next few days we will find out whether they can land a deal.”
Hogh ended a sensational personal season with 15 goals in 30 games for Bodo, including five crucial goals in the Champions League against Manchester City, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Celtic Eye Move for Premier League Star
Maeda may be on his way to the Premier League, but Celtic are looking to bring in a player from England’s top flight at the same time.
Following Kasper Schmeichel’s summer exit, the Hoops are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and they are plotting a move for Manchester United stopper Radek Vitek.
The 22-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Red Devils, but he has impressed on various loan spells away from Old Trafford, including with Bristol City last term.
The Czechian stopper is now ready to leave the club again this summer for regular minutes, with Celtic one of the clubs at the front of the queue for his signature.
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