Sports
Brahim Diaz’s Reaction to Senegal Being Stripped of AFCON Title
In what was an astonishing decision, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided this week that Senegal would be stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. In a statement, CAF said its appeals board ruled that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the final.”
Perhaps no man will be more delighted with that news than Morocco star Brahim Diaz. While he had a fantastic tournament, it ended in misery for the Real Madrid ace as his last-gasp Panenka penalty was easily saved in the final, with Senegal then going on to win the match in extra time thanks to Pape Gueye’s fine strike.
The award of that penalty is what sparked huge controversy, with Senegal incensed by the decision, as manager Pape Thiaw then ordered his team off the pitch in protest. Sadio Mane finally convinced his team to return to the field and carry on with the match after a near 20-minute delay.
With Diaz missing the penalty and Senegal going on to win the game, Senegal were crowned AFCON champions. Now nearly two months on, their decision to leave the pitch has seen CAF declare them to have forfeited the game, thus automatically losing the final 3-0.
Diaz Spotted After Morocco Announced As Shock AFCON Winners
Nobody saw the news coming as Morocco were suddenly declared AFCON winners late on Tuesday evening. Fascinatingly, Diaz was involved in another big football match at the time.
Indeed, the winger was sitting on the bench as Real Madrid took on Manchester City away from home in the second leg of their Champions League tie when he learned of the news. He was then caught on camera in two different clips, as his immediate reaction to the ruling was revealed.
With Madrid ultimately winning the tie 5-1 on aggregate, Diaz played 70 minutes before being replaced by Kylian Mbappe. As he spent the last 20 minutes on the bench, he appeared delighted, albeit a little bit confused, as he reacted to the news. The funny clip quickly went viral, picking up over two million views.
After the game, more fan footage captured him grinning as he walked along the Etihad turf. With a sheepish smile, he raised his hands in celebration as he delighted in the surprise change in AFCON events.
Senegal Denounce CAF’s Decision With Clear Statement
Of course, the drama won’t stop here. Already, Senegal have released a strong statement denouncing CAF’s decision. It read:
“The Senegalese Football Federation [FSF] denounces this unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football.
“In defense of its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter.”
Adding to that, Abdoulaye Sow, Secretary General of the FSF, has called CAF ‘corrupt’ and said ‘the cup will not leave this country.’ Even neutrals have been baffled by the call, with Mido, who played 51 times for Egypt and helped them to the AFCON title in 2006, labelling the decision ‘the biggest scandal in football history’.
Having been the villain of the piece originally, after missing his penalty, it will be a strange turn of events if Diaz does end up getting his hands on a winner’s medal.
Liverpool have already lost some key players from their dressing room this summer, and Alexis Mac Allister could be joining them through the exit door, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Just 12 months on from winning the Premier League title, Liverpool look set for a summer of wholesale changes, which has started with a switch in the dugout.
The Reds opted to appoint Andoni Iraola following the sacking of Arne Slot, impressed by how the Spaniard performed at Bournemouth, leading them to the Europa League this season.
The Merseyside outfit are already confirmed to be losing Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah this summer, with the former duo leaving Anfield on the expiry of contracts.
Make no doubt about it, those are three top players and big personalities in the dressing room, and Iraola will need to work out how to replace three players who were key to the Premier League title success in the 2024-25 campaign.
The trio may not be the last high-profile exits from Liverpool this summer, with Romano hinting that there is a chance that Mac Allister joins them.
Romano: Mac Allister Leaving Liverpool ‘Could be a Topic’
Liverpool had a number of players who underwhelmed this season compared to the 2024-25 season, and £55m man Mac Allister was undoubtedly one of them.
Dominik Szoboszlai often showed him up with his consistent performances, with the ‘world-class’ Argentine and Ryan Gravenberch often a shadow of the players that were so impressive in the title win.
Now, according to Romano, speaking in his latest YouTube video on Wednesday night, Mac Allister could leave Anfield if Liverpool and the player receive a proposal that is attractive, as clubs begin to circle.
The journalist said: “I wanted to mention another name, because there are some clubs starting to look at the situation of Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool.
“Mac Allister’s situation could be interesting this summer. In case of good proposals for Liverpool, for the player, I will not exclude changes in midfield for Liverpool.
“This obviously doesn’t mean that McAllister is 100 percent leaving. This doesn’t mean that McAllister is out of the Liverpool project. I’m not saying this. I’m saying that in case of a good proposal for the club and for the player, the situation of McAllister could eventually develop during the summer transfer win.
“So, I’m telling you today, this could be a topic. It’s not guaranteed, it’s not close, it’s not advanced, but could be a topic.”
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Liverpool Eyeing Adam Wharton Move
If Liverpool do sell Mac Allister this summer, then Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton might be the ideal replacement for the World Cup winner.
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, the Reds really appreciate the England international, who didn’t make Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the North American World Cup.
Wharton isn’t the only player on Iraola’s shortlist currently, with Liverpool working on a deal to bring RB Leizpig wing sensation Yan Diomande to Anfield.
The Merseysiders are making progress on player side as they look to land their ideal Salah successor, but the Bundesliga outfit are demanding a huge fee to let him leave.
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to strengthen all over the pitch after narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship this season, with Fabrizio Romano issuing a teasing late-night transfer update on signing a new midfielder.
Even though the summer transfer window is yet to officially open, Tottenham have already announced the signings of two free-agent defenders in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, after they left Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively, following the expiry of their contracts.
Spurs are far from done there, and they are still targeting deals at both ends of the pitch in the coming weeks and months.
The north Londoners are in talks to add another centre-back to De Zerbi’s squad in Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, who played under the Italian at the Amex Stadium, which adds further fuel to the fire that captain Cristian Romero will be on his way out this summer.
Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign winger Savinho from Manchester City, 12 months on from previous interest in the talented Brazilian.
While defence and attack appears to be the priority right now ahead of the start of the World Cup on Thursday, Spurs chiefs are also looking at other areas of the pitch too.
Romano: Tottenham ‘Busy’ in Midfield Market
Romano has already confirmed in recent days that Joao Palhinha has given priority to joining Tottenham on a permanent basis following his season-long loan spell from Bayern Munich.
The Portugal international has a strong relationship with De Zerbi, who confirmed at the end of the season that he wants to sign the 30-year-old full-time for next season after his crucial impact in the closing stages of the campaign.
While a move for Palhinha is in the works, Romano has hinted that there could be even more to come in a Wednesday late-night update on his YouTube channel.
The Italian journalist said: “There are things to clarify on midfielders. I think it’s been four or five months, I’ve been telling you here on my YouTube channel it’s going to be a summer of midfielders.
“Man United will be busy, Man City will be busy, Arsenal will be busy. There are more clubs, also Tottenham will be busy with midfielders. Don’t forget Tottenham in these conversations. So, for sure, there is going to be movement in England around midfielders.”
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Tottenham Eyeing New Goalkeeper
As well as the midfield, attack and defence, Tottenham could also add a new goalkeeper to their squad this summer.
Guglielmo Vicario had looked set for a move back to Serie A this summer with Inter Milan, but the champions have instead decided to promote in-house instead of investing in a new stopper.
Juventus are said to be keen on the 29-year-old, although they are also targeting Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa too.
According to TEAMtalk, Spurs are primed to make a move for Manchester City number two James Trafford should Vicario complete a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.
Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen is another potential target, with De Zerbi also working with him during the duo’s time together with the Seagulls.
Arsenal are now confident of securing a deal to sign a new forward ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners will be looking to build on a phenomenal 2025/2026 season, which saw them lift the Premier League title after years of heartbreak.
Arsenal also reached the Champions League final, but were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
The summer transfer window is an opportunity for the north London club to build on what they’ve already achieved, and Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be hoping to go one better in the Champions League.
Adding to their forward line could be one of Arsenal’s priorities, especially if they want to compete among the best in Europe.
Arsenal New Favourites to Sign £130m Star in Blockbuster Summer Deal
Arsenal are in the race to sign Julian Alvarez, and could steal a march over their rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid for the striker.
Arsenal Confident of Signing Forward
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are confident they can sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams during the summer transfer window.
Williams is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League, with the Gunners firmly in the hunt to secure his signature.
Arsenal have been admirers of Williams since 2024, and they’ve been given fresh hope of signing him in the coming months, as he aims to use the World Cup to platform himself.
Williams is considered Arteta’s ‘dream’ signing for the upcoming window, but it remains to be seen whether they can convince Athletic Club to part ways.
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Williams Could be Game-Changer for Arsenal
Securing the signature of Williams from Athletic Club in the summer transfer window could be a game-changing move from the Gunners.
Williams, who has been described as ‘absolutely frightening’, reportedly has a release clause of around £87 million, which you’d expect Arsenal would be willing to pay for a guaranteed starter at left wing.
The Gunners may be hoping to negotiate that fee down with Athletic Club, but either way, it’s a player Arsenal need to go all out for.
Arteta doesn’t have an elite-level left-sided attacker in his squad, and Williams certainly has the potential to reach the top.
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