ITV commentator Jon Champion has been heavily criticised for comments he made about Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum during the nation’s World Cup win vs South Africa.

Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored the goals as the Mexicans got off to a flying start at the Aztec Stadium. President Sheinbaum was not in attendance for the nation’s opening match.

Instead, the Mexican leader opted to give her ticket to Yolett Cervantes, a 21-year-old Indigenous footballer. She claimed it was a ‘symbolic gesture’ and a way to generate and promote football in the women’s community.

Jon Champion Criticised After Mexico vs South Africa

Raquel Cunha via Reuters

Champion, accompanied by Ally McCoist, was on commentary for the opening ceremony and the match that followed. Inside the first 90 minutes of the tournament, the experienced broadcaster managed to land himself in hot water with many fans.

Speaking about President Sheinbaum, he claimed: “The Mexican president actually gave up her ticket to be here, which has been the subject of fierce criticism from the population, she thought it would be a populist move to give it to a 21-year-old local lady who otherwise wouldn’t have had a chance to get into the game.”

McCoist responded by asking his colleague: “And it’s actually worked against her? In terms of the nation’s reaction?” The 61-year-old replied by saying it hasn’t gone a long way towards improving her popularity:

“You and me are not going there, that’s for sure,” McCoist agreed.

Hannah Mckay via Reuters

Social media was full of complaints immediately after Champion’s suggesting that the president is largely unpopular. Some fans watching the game even demanded an apology.

One X user fumed: “Will your ill-informed commentator now apologise to President Sheinbaum — who, far from being unpopular (as he insultingly suggested) is among the most popular leaders in the world?”

Another accused the English commentator of making an ‘outrageous and untrue slur’ against Sheinbaum. “She’s one of the most popular leaders in the world.”

One even suggested they were ‘taken aback’ by the claims made on ITV’s coverage. They came equipped with statistics, saying:

Champion has been urged to avoid politics in future, as one supporter said: “You know what, maybe I do support keeping politics out of football (if you are Jon Champion and/or have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about).”

Tottenham Hotspur could finally complete a deal for a player they were heavily linked with signing during the last summer transfer window.

So far this summer, even though the transfer window is not yet officially open yet, Spurs have been mostly focused on defensive reinforcements, with Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi already arriving on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively.

Spurs have also seen two bids rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion for centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and GIVEMESPORT understands Tottenham will go back to the south coast club with a third offer, likely to be in the region of £60million.

Spurs are in advanced talks to sign Savinho

But the north Londoners will also be keen to improve their attacking lineup for new head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Manchester City winger Savinho has been linked with a move to N17, with the two clubs in talks over a deal for the Brazilian.

Savinho was another who was linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Spurs could not get a deal over the line after the Citizens backed out of an agreement.

And now Maghnes Akliouche, linked with Spurs last year, has given the green light for the Lilywhites to reignite their interest. Tottenham found a deal too difficult to get done last summer, but now, with Akliouche looking to move, they might find things easier.

According to a report in Get Football News France, the 24-year-old was asked about his club future, while on duty with France at the 2026 World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico.

Asked by Nice-Matin whether the next step for him would be a transfer, Akliouche responded in the affirmative, although he caveated that by saying: “But I am focused on the World Cup. [The World Cup] is a huge window of opportunity but I am focused on the national team’s objectives. I don’t want to disrespect my club by talking about the transfer window now.”

Akliouche will have plenty of suitors this summer

If Spurs do intend to reignite their interest in the highly-rated forward, they will likely face competition from the likes of Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City for his signature.

Akliouche has just two years left on his current contract at AS Monaco, with this summer being the perfect time for the French club to sell to get optimum value for his services.

The 24-year-old scored seven goals and provided nine assists across 41 matches in Ligue Un and the UEFA Champions League this season and has been described as a “ridiculous” talent

Manchester United are planning to launch a huge first offer to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes imminently, according to Football Transfers.

Man United had been looking to wrap up some of their summer transfer business before the World Cup kicked off on Thursday night, with one deal over the line after they reached a full agreement, pending a medical, to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta.

The Red Devils have been tipped to be the busiest Premier League club in the summer transfer window by David Ornstein, so there will be a lot more business to come.

United chiefs are looking at bolstering different areas of the pitch, like at left-back, the left wing position and potentially in goal too, should Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana depart Old Trafford, but there is no question that the main priority is their central midfield rebuild.

Ederson is the first piece of the puzzle there following the exit of Casemiro, with Manuel Ugarte expected to join the Brazilian in leaving the club this summer.

While Michael Carrick will have Ederson and Kobbie Mainoo at his disposal if Ugarte goes, he will have few specialist senior options for the position beyond that.

It has been suggested that United could sign two more midfielders after the Atalanta star, although one is a certainty.

Man United Planning ‘Serious’ £65m Offer for Fernandes

via Reuters

According to Football Transfers, Manchester United are planning on submitting an offer to West Ham for Manuel Fernandes ‘in the coming days’.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a top target for the Red Devils with a deal for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson looking to be out of reach after Manchester City had a bid worth a total of £120m rejected by their Premier League rivals.

Fernandes is expected to leave West Ham by the end of the transfer window, and sources have told Football Transfers that the Red Devils are expected to make a ‘serious’ offer worth £65m imminently.

That offer is below the Hammers’ valuation of the ‘incredible’ one-cap Portugal international however, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Championship club are demanding £85m for their midfield sensation.

Man United Targeting Second Premier League Midfielder

via Reuters

Following Manchester City’s rejected Anderson bid, United are now looking elsewhere at midfielders that they think want to join them in the summer transfer window, according to Ornstein.

Fernandes is one of those, with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott another.

Like the Portuguese midfielder, Scott enjoyed another impressive season for the Cherries as they qualified for the Europa League next season.

And, like Fernandes, the 22-year-old also narrowly missed out on a spot in his nation’s World Cup squad, having been overlooked by Thomas Tuchel for his 26-man team.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Bournemouth value the Englishman at £80m ahead of the summer transfer window, with two years remaining on his contract at the Vitality Stadium.

United also continue to have an appreciation of Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion, with an agreement on personal terms dating back to last summer already in place for the Cameroon international.