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The 18-year-old broke new ground against South Africa, hitting Bangladesh’s fastest fifty in ODIs

Vishal Dikshit15-Oct-2025When Bangladesh middle-order batter Shorna Akter shovelled Nadine de Klerk over long-on in their last game, the dressing room stood up for raucous applause. They were riding high on watching her spell-binding sixes. Shorna herself would have been chuffed – her third six propelled Bangladesh towards a competitive total, it was her hardest hit of the night, and it took her closer to her maiden half-century.It would have hardly hit her – if she knew at all – that nobody else had even struck three sixes in an innings for Bangladesh in their 14-year ODI history of 81 games. And that wasn’t the only record the 18-year-old broke that night. In the next over, when she ran a second for the overthrow from wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, Shorna also registered the fastest half-century for Bangladesh in ODI. She reached the milestone off 34 balls, breaking her captain Nigar Sultana’s record of 39 balls from the World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year.Shorna’s power-hitting against an experienced South Africa attack hit everyone watching like a draught of cold air in a warm room. Bangladesh had ambled along to 150 for 3 in 40 overs, at under four an over, after a cautious start from the openers. Even touching 200 at the time seemed like a slightly distant dream because of the lack of power-hitters in their line-up.Related

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Rain, redemption and a race for the semis: SL face SA in crucial Colombo clash

'It was very difficult' – dew and drops dampen Bangladesh's spirits

Can Bangladesh spring a surprise on heavyweights Australia?

That’s when Shorna entered, ahead of the more experienced Sobhana Mostary. On her second ball she confidently swept Nonkululeko Mlaba, one of the best bowlers of the tournament, for a four. On her eighth delivery, she danced down to attack Chloe Tryon, another left-arm spinner, to send the ball sailing over the fielder stationed at long-on for her first six. South Africa would have hardly recovered from that when she dispatched Tumi Sekhukhune over long-on too. Bangladesh were suddenly racing towards 200 with more than four overs to go. For a batter who had a high score of 29 not out before this, and an ODI strike rate of just 61 in 17 innings, this daredevilry was stunning.After all the dabs, nudges, gentle flicks and some boundary strokes that relied mostly on timing from Bangladesh for 40 overs, Shorna came out all guns blazing, with a high backlift and a flourishing swing of the bat, exhibiting much more striking power than her team-mates.”She came in with really good intent,” Tryon said of Shorna after that game. “We knew we had to play with her pace, try and get under the bat as much as we could and she has a beautiful swing. I’ve watched her over the years and just see the talent that she has. So, we just knew that we didn’t want to let her get away from us and I felt like she did. Yeah, I feel like we just could have got a better plan towards that. But yeah, she played a good innings and I’ll give that to her.”Shorna’s third six was hit the hardest and it went the longest – 77 meters – as the cameras zoomed in on the young face under the helmet with steely-eyed determination before she bowed for the .She first emerged on screens around the world in the inaugural Under-19 World Cup in 2023, when she was just 16. After growing up in Jamalpur, a small town about 170 kilometers north of Dhaka, she first featured in representative cricket in 2021 before playing in the domestic zonal tournament and then the Women’s Dhaka Premier League, the most high-profile domestic tournament for women in the country.Shorna does not change her approach when the chips are down•ICC/Getty ImagesSoon, she was picked for the Under-19 World Cup and finished as the top run-scorer for her team in South Africa with 153 runs and a strike rate of 157.73. She also hit six sixes, the joint second-most, only behind Shafali Verma’s seven. The selectors fast-tracked her for a senior T20I debut next month, in February 2023, and an ODI debut in July.Shorna then played 35 T20Is and 18 ODIs until this World Cup, all this while training for her big hits and waiting for a day like the South Africa game. Having spotted her penchant for hitting big shots in training, the message from her captain and management was to stick to her natural game and not change her approach, even if the chips were down when she went out to bat.”She’s a very capable player,” Sultana said of Shorna after the South Africa match. “I’ve spoken about her before – she’s a powerful hitter and can rotate the strike really well. She used her skills brilliantly today. The way she batted was quite incredible, and she really helped our side reach a good total.”In a team not known for many aerial hits that clear the ropes, and in a tournament that has seen more collapses than big totals, Shorna is the breath of fresh air nobody saw coming.

After a historically bad season in Colorado, the Rockies have announced changes to baseball operations.

General manager Bill Schmidt has stepped down from his role with the club, effective immediately, following the 43-119 campaign.

"After a number of conversations, we decided it is time for me to step aside and make way for a new voice to guide the club's baseball operations," Schmidt said in a statement. "It's been an honor to serve in the Rockies family for over 25 years. I'm thankful to the Monfort family for the opportunity, to my family for their constant support, an dour staff for their tireless dedication. Better seasons are ahead for the Rockies and our great fans, and I look forward to seeing it come to life in the years ahead."

The Rockies will now commence a search for a new general manager, coinciding with a managerial search as well. Colorado fired Bud Black in May after going 7-33 through the team's first 40 games. Warren Schaeffer took over as the interim manager and went 36-80 the rest of the season.

Joining Manchester United in their pomp is easy. Joining Manchester United in their current state, fresh off the back of a worst-ever Premier League campaign at Old Trafford, requires a little bit of craziness.

Craziness to believe that you can be the man to lift the Red Devils out of their ongoing decline, with ex-Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo – signed on a £71m deal over the summer – already looking like he’s ready to do just that.

There may not have been the glamour attached to the deal that there was when names like Angel Di Maria or Radamel Falcao rocked up in Manchester, but that might be because this marquee move actually made sense, with Ruben Amorim and co forking out for a properly Premier League-proven figure.

Having netted 20 times in the top-flight last time out under Thomas Frank, there was a feeling that the Cameroonian was destined for the Champions League, with his former boss intent on taking him to Tottenham Hotspur.

The 26-year-old, to his credit, made it clear he only wanted United, patiently waiting out protracted negotiations to eventually seal his desired switch. Six goals in his first 12 games for the club have since followed.

Mbeumo is now the benchmark for further reinforcements to try and meet, with recent reports indicating that additional attacking recruits could potentially be in the works.

Man Utd's search for a forward

While the extent of his injury is yet to be known, the potential absence of Benjamin Sesko has brought the lack of genuine alternatives to the Slovenian into sharper focus, with Joshua Zirkzee the only other senior striker in Amorim’s ranks.

Sesko, signed for £74m from RB Leipzig, has made a promising albeit unspectacular start in English football with just two goals scored across league and cup, with questions to be asked over whether a more experienced marksman is still required.

According to reports in Spain, that very fact may well see United renew their interest in a certain Harry Kane in 2026, with the England skipper deemed to be a ‘proven solution’ to their long-standing centre-forward woes.

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As per the report, the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea are also paying close attention to the 32-year-old’s situation at Bayern Munich, with his existing deal in Bavaria set to expire in 2027.

Kane, the piece suggests, is keen to stay at the Allianz Arena, although the presence of a reported €65m (£57m) release clause in his current contract will certainly spark a raft of interest heading into the New Year.

Whether it is January or next summer, Kane – who was Erik ten Hag’s prime target back in 2023 – would still remain a significant coup if INEOS could pull it off.

Why Man Utd could land an even better signing than Mbeumo

2023 remains a frustrating window as far as United are concerned, with Ten Hag’s apparent interest in the likes of Kane and Declan Rice ultimately counting for little, as Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana all arrived instead.

Hojlund, as those at Old Trafford are aware, has since proved to be something of a mixed bag, having scored just 26 goals in 95 games in all competitions, alongside a further four goals on loan at Napoli this season.

Since leaving Spurs for Bayern two years ago, meanwhile, Kane has gone on to amass a ridiculous haul of 108 goals in just 113 games for the Bundesliga giants, becoming the quickest player this century to reach triple figures for a team in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Mbeumo might have stolen the show with a standout 2024/25 campaign for the Bees, but if it is true Premier League proven quality that you are after, then Kane is the man. 213 goals in England’s top-tier places him third on the all-time list.

Widely regarded as the best striker in the world, Kane has scored at least 17 league goals in every season stretching from 2014/15 to 2024/25. As for the new campaign, he already has 13 in ten in Germany’s top division. Mbeumo, for contrast, has five in 11.

Kane – League record (since 14/15)

Season

Games

Goals

2024/25

31

26

2023/24

32

36

2022/23

38

30

2021/22

37

17

2020/21

35

23

2019/20

29

18

2018/19

28

17

2017/18

37

30

2016/17

30

29

2015/16

38

25

2014/15

34

21

via Transfermarkt

Not your typical superstar, the former Spurs talisman is simply efficient to the extreme, with few players in the modern era having possessed such a ruthless, clinical streak in front of goal.

The beauty of Kane too, however, is that he isn’t just your average penalty box poacher. There are so many strings to his extraordinary bow.

Even deployed in almost a central midfield role at times under Vincent Kompany this season, namely in the win over Borussia Dortmund, England’s record scorer has that knack for being able to spray passes at will, having developed into an all-encompassing, playmaking number nine.

Such traits even led Tottenham great David Ginola to liken him to a legendary figure of the past back in 2022: “He is like the new Diego Maradona now. Long passes, short passes, he has it all.”

At 32, while he may be entering that ‘last dance’ territory, Amorim and United certainly shouldn’t turn their nose up at the chance to bring Kane back to England. There is Alan Shearer’s record to chase for him, after all.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Nov 14, 2025

A new Southampton manager update has been shared from St Mary’s regarding a full-time move for interim boss Tonda Eckert.

Eckert responds to permanent Southampton job rumours

The Saints made the perfect start to life without Will Still in the week, defeating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road.

Eckert was the man in charge of Southampton following Still’s exit, with second half goals from Jay Robinson and Leo Scienza lifting them above rivals Portsmouth.

The 3-4-2-1 caretaker is once again set to be on the touchline this weekend prior to the international break as St Mary’s play host to bottom side Sheffield Wednesday. Talking ahead of the game, Eckert was asked if he fancied the Southampton job on a permanent basis, to which he said:

“Look, the answer is very easy on this one. My job is to prepare the game today in the best way possible. My job is to prepare the game on Saturday (8th November) in the best way possible. That’s what all my focus is on. It’s going to be three very important days until Saturday. Then we can all take a breath.

“I think the only thing I can do is give energy and give a structure, and prepare them in the best way possible. We’re going to do the same thing for Saturday and hopefully confirm [the improvement] and then we’ll go into a break and go again.”

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Southampton’s position over Eckert.

How Southampton feel about full-time Tonda Eckert move

According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, Southampton now “consider Eckert a potential candidate for the full-time job” following his winning start in temporary charge.

The 32-year-old’s coaching career has mainly been as an assistant, helping some iconic names such as Patrick Vieira at Genoa and Miroslav Klose at Bayern Munich’s U17 side.

His experience in England came during 18 months as an assistant at Barnsley, with Eckert taking charge of Southampton’s U21s in the summer.

1.FC Koln U17

Assistant manager

2013-2016

RB Salzburg YL

Assistant manager

2016-2017

RB Leipzig YL

Assistant manager

2017-2019

FC Bayern U17

Assistant manager

2019-2020

Barnsley

Assistant manager

2020-2022

Genoa

Assistant manager

2022-2025

Saints gem Moses Sesay has been impressed under Eckert, saying he is an “experienced” coach who “demands a lot” in training and is “big on detail”.

“I’ve enjoyed working with him. I took some time to get a good connection with him, because he was new, but I really like him. He’s a good coach. He’s very experienced. He demands a lot from us in training, but I like that as a player. He knows what he wants, which is good.

“Comparing Calum McFarlane (former under-21s boss) with Tonda, I think Cal was maybe a little bit more technical, but there hasn’t been much of a difference.

“Tonda is big on detail. He’s a very good coach. We’ve had good results since he came in and went a few games unbeaten. It’s been good under him.”

Positive words indeed, and if Eckert makes it two from two on Saturday, his stock could continue to rise.

Their own Lampard: "Very intelligent" coach now wants the Southampton job

The seamers, in particular, have had to deal with a heavy workload, bowling 1105.2 overs in four Tests

Shubh Agarwal30-Jul-20252:08

How do India’s five regulars cope with the quick turnaround?

3 – Of the 26 five-match Test series played in the 21st century, only three times has play gone into day five in each of the five Test matches. The most recent such series was the 2017-18 Ashes in Australia, which Australia won 4-0. The other two instances were in the 2000s – South Africa’s tour of the West Indies in 2000-01 and England’s tour of South Africa in 2004-05. Notably, the first day of the fifth Test of the 2004-05 series was washed out.Five days of cricket in the upcoming Oval Test will make it only the fourth such series since the turn of the century.1566.3 – Number of overs bowled in this series, the third-highest in the first four Tests of a series since 2002, only 27 and 13 overs short of Australia’s tour of India in 2008-09 and India’s tour of Australia in 2014-15, respectively. In England, it is the highest.No series since 2002 has seen 2000 overs being bowled irrespective of the number of matches played. If the fifth Test between England and India reaches the final session on day five with a healthy over rate, then this could be the first series with over 2000 overs bowled. The record for most overs bowled in a series since 2002 is 1989.4 overs in England’s five-match Test series in India in the 2016-17 season.ESPNcricinfo Ltd391.3 – The ongoing England-India series averages 391.3 overs per Test, which is the fourth-highest for a series of four matches or more since 2002. Again, it is the highest overs per Test recorded in a series in England.4 – All the four Tests of the ongoing series have lasted more than 350 overs, the joint-second-most since 2002. A further 350 overs of cricket in the fifth Test at the Oval will level this series with Ashes 2017-18 for most matches lasting 350-overs in a series.In a similar vein, this series has had 12 innings lasting more than 80 overs, again the joint-second-most and only one behind England’s tour of India in 2016-17.12 – The number of times a team has scored 350 or more in this series across the 15 innings played. In only four matches, the series has topped the list for most 350-plus team totals, leaving behind some five-match series – the Ashes in 1928-29 and 1948 (ten 350-plus team totals each), India’s tour of the West Indies in 1970-71, South Africa’s tour of England in 2003 (nine each).ESPNcricinfo Ltd17 – The number of century partnerships in this series, the joint-most in a series since 2000, alongside the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2003-04. But the long spells between wickets have been more painful for the bowlers.There have been 15 partnerships in the series that have lasted more than 180 balls, that is 30 overs of play, approximately translating to the span of a session. It is the joint-fourth-most number of partnerships spanning over 180 balls (where the data is available since 2000).Hence, dismissing a set batter has been a laborious task. Eighteen of the 40 50-plus scores have been converted into hundreds. The 50 to 100 conversion rate in the series is 45%, second only to the 50% conversion rate in Australia’s tour of the West Indies in 1955 (among series with 35 or more 50-plus scores).1105.2 – Number of overs sent down by pacers in the series, bowling over a little more than 70% of the overs. It is the second-most bowled by fast bowlers in the first four Tests of the series since 2005. Only the Ashes series in 2017-18 had a greater bowling workload for pacers in the first four Tests (1133.2 overs).

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians segue em crise dentro e fora de campo. Após uma semana turbulenta, o Timão confirmou diante do Atlético-GO, nesta terça-feira (11), que seu ataque segue precisando de uma atenção especial no Brasileirão. Isso porque o time marcou apenas cinco gols em oito jogos até aqui e, apesar de ter saído da zona de rebaixamento, pode voltar ao final desta rodada.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

Diante do time goiano, Yuri Alberto, artilheiro do Timão na temporada com 14 gols, desencantou na competição e marcou logo dois gols, no entanto, não foi o suficiente para vencer o time da casa, que buscou o empate nos acréscimos.

A verdade é que o ataque do Corinthians vem passando em branco em grande parte do Nacional. O time de António Oliveira marcou em apenas dois jogos: na vitória sobre o Fluminense por 3 a 0, na quarta rodada, e nesta, ao empatar por 2 a 2 com o Atlético-GO.

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Além de Yuri Alberto, Wesley também marcou dois gols, enquanto Cacá balançou a rede uma vez. Ou seja, apenas quatro gols anotados por atacantes em oito rodadas, o que explica parte dos maus resultados que o Timão vem acumulando neste início de campeonato.

Após o empate fora de casa, o volante Raniele comentou o momento difícil que passa o Corinthians e acredita que é preciso valorizar o ponto conquistado contra o Dragão.

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– Valorizar o ponto e a entrega. De nossa parte, nosso trabalho é vir a campo e trabalhar, a gente sabe o que tem acontecido, mas levamos campo a vontade de trabalhar e exercer nossa função. As coisas dando certo em campo, as de fora vão importar um pouco menos. Estamos tentando melhorar a situação – avaliou o jogador.

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BrasileirãoCorinthiansFutebol NacionalOriginalYuri Alberto

The batter said last week that he “should be right” for his hometown Test after suffering back spasms in Perth

Andrew McGlashan01-Dec-20257:36

Are England prepared for Brisbane pink-ball challenge?

Usman Khawaja batted for the first time since the Perth Test as looked to prove his fitness for the day-night encounter at the Gabba after the back spasms which curtailed his role in the opening match of the Ashes.Having done some physio and gentle fielding on Sunday, Khawaja was put through his paces by Australia’s medical staff on the outfield, including running and stretching, before batting for 30 minutes during the team’s day-time session on Monday.Khawaja purely faced assistant coach Michael Di Venuto with the sidearm during his half hour in the nets, of which a considerable number of deliveries were short, giving his back a good workout. The session was an optional one for Australia, although all the players were present, and they will have another full session under lights on Tuesday.Speaking last week at an event for his foundation, Khawaja said he “should be right” for his hometown Test and was not requiring further painkillers after initially suffering the back spasms on the opening day at Perth Stadium.Related

Ten years since Adelaide, pink-ball Tests remain an Australian speciality

Head 'happy' to keep opening amid Khawaja debate

Smith bats with 'eye blacks' ahead of pink-ball challenge

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Bashir, Jacks in frame as England mull taking the pink for a spin

England collapsed so quickly on the first afternoon that Khawaja was unable to open due to the time he’d spent off the field and when he emerged at No. 4 could only make 2 before gloving a short ball from Brydon Carse.On the second day Khawaja took his place at first slip, taking a catch to remove Harry Brook and then spilling a low edge offered by Jamie Smith. His back went into spasm while leaping for another edge provided by Smith, opening the way for Travis Head to make his 123 in Australia’s chase.Khawaja’s form was under scrutiny heading into the series – he is now averaging 31.84 since the end of the 2023 Ashes with one century in 45 innings – and coupled with the way Head threw down the gauntlet as an opener, and his public statements about being keen for the role, it has sparked a debate about whether now is the time to draw an end to Khawaja’s Test career.”I think Usman is a high quality player,” Marnus Labuschagne said. “You look at his record, 85 Tests and what he’s done for Australian cricket, especially since his comeback in 2021. He’s been super consistent; he’s been really the rock [in] the top there. I think there’s been a lot of talk about how many opening partners he’s had over his time.”He’s an amazing player. The way he’s gone about his game, the way he’s gone from a No. 3, 4 and then opened the batting…navigated some tricky scenarios, he’s just been awesome.”But I’m not a selector. I think whatever happens is up to the people above my pay grade and what they deem is the best way for us to win the game and win this series. I think it’s just game by game and you work out what’s your best team.”Ahead of the 2023 Ashes, David Warner laid out his retirement timeline, stating that he wanted to finish at the SCG in early 2024. In the end he made it, providing some useful contributions against England then starting his final series against Pakistan with 164 in Perth.Khawaja has never publicly outlined what his ideal finishing point would be, but the final Ashes Test at the SCG, the ground where he returned with his twin hundreds in the 2020-21 series, has often been thought of as the perfect stepping off point. However, Labuschagne said that what the team needed should be the over-riding factor.”I think the most important thing is the team comes first at any stage,” he said. “I know there’s different times where different people may have done that [picked a finishing point] in the past. But taking nothing away, he’s an amazing player…averaging 45 for Australia all around the world… [But] it’s just what is the best way we win the game and what does that look like, and that’s what’s most important.”Carse played a straight bat when asked who England would prefer to see at the top of the order. “I don’t have to make that decision, so that’s up to the captain and the coach of the Australian side, but whatever we’re presented with we’ll stick to our plans,” he said.”That was a phenomenal knock played by a high-quality player [Head], and if he does open the batting again we’ve got set plans that we’ll look to use, but I don’t think anything changes from a mindset thing. He had an incredible day that afternoon.”Meanwhile, Pat Cummins put in another impressive net session, bowling two spells either side of having a bat, as he continues his path towards returning from his back injury. Cummins is not part of Australia’s 14-man squad for this match with a return in Adelaide appearing the most likely scenario.

The Chargers received news they were hoping to avoid on Monday, Left tackle Joe Alt will be out for the remainder of the 2025 season because of a high ankle sprain. He will undergo season-ending ankle surgery, ESPN’s Kris Rhim reported.

The fear on Sunday was that Alt’s season was over, and that fear came true on Monday. Alt was carted off in the second quarter of Los Angeles’ 27-20 win over the Titans. While Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert was throwing a pass, Alt was brought down by the Titans' defense while he was in the middle of blocking a defender who was charging at his quarterback. On the next play with Alt out, Herbert was sacked by Sebastian Joseph-Day for a loss of nine yards.

The Chargers now have lost both of their starting offensive tackles to injuries this season. Los Angeles’ other starting OT Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon during a practice in August, resulting in him being ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Alt was originally moved to the left tackle position to fill in for Slater. The Chargers’ starting right tackle Bobby Hart also suffered a groin injury in Sunday’s game.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reignited the drama surrounding Barcelona's Negreira case, as Los Blancos' chief pointed to the perceived injustice in Barca's "best sporting era" coinciding with alleged payments of more than €8 million to referees over a 17-year period. Perez also cited the clear imbalance in red cards issued to the two clubs during the period, stating that the situation is "not normal".

Perez reopens Barcelona's Negreira scandal controversy

Speaking at the latest Assembly of Representative Members, Perez used his speech to attack several major bodies, including UEFA, La Liga and, especially, Barcelona.

As reported by the Real Madrid president took the opportunity to reopen the controversy surrounding Barca’s referee scandal, where La Blaugrana were accused of paying approximately €8.4m (£7.3m/$9.7m) to referees in the Spanish top flight within a 17-year period, between 2001-2018.

The ‘Negreira case’, as it is often known, begun following accusations in 2023. Jose María Enríquez Negreira was formerly vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (TCA) of the Spanish FA (the RFEF). Negreira received these substantial payments from Barcelona, which the club claimed was in a consultancy capacity as Negreira offered refereeing reports and advice. Both the club and Negreira have denied accusations of bribery being involved, but a case into sporting integrity is still ongoing.

Perez has now relaunched the controversy amidst his claims that the situation is “not normal” and coincides with sporting success in a manner which the Los Blancos chief questioned in his speech.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesPerez questions Barcelona and refereeing scandal in fiery speech

"It’s not normal that Barcelona has paid the vice president of referees more than €8m for at least 17 years, whatever the reason," Perez denounced before the members. "I repeat: whatever the reason, it’s not normal."

He continued to say that Enríquez Negreira held "a key position in the refereeing hierarchy," responsible for referee promotions and demotions. "A period that coincides, coincidentally, with Barcelona’s best sporting results in our country," added Perez.

Perez used charts and data to back up his claims. "Real Madrid had a net balance of two red cards in 2021,” he explained. "And Barcelona, 61 red cards. That’s a difference of no less than 59. On the other hand, during the same period, the balance in Europe is almost identical: +12 for Barca and +13 for Madrid.

"Bayern and Dortmund have the same balance, and so do the major leagues. The red card balance during the Negreira period at Barcelona was +49 and at Real Madrid, -1. Draw your own conclusions."

'Who is going to forget it?'

"Real Madrid is the only club that has appeared in the trial. Four presidents have maintained millionaire payments for 17 years to the vice president of referees,” he stated.

He also pressurised the stance of the TCA president: "Fran Soto has asked us to move on and forget the ‘Negreira case.’ Who is going to forget it? The reality is that they [the referees involved] are still there. It’s a situation that prevents them from acting with neutrality.

"How is it possible that, before the Copa final, the match referee said that referees were going to take action against our club? Before a Copa del Rey final? He should have been removed, and no measures were taken."

The president concluded by pointing towards La Liga’s role in the Barcelona match which was going to be held in Miami. "Not even their captain, Frenkie de Jong, thinks it’s normal," he claimed about the proposition to hold an official match in the US. "And it’s also not normal that La Liga supports two teams, Barcelona and Villarreal, who receive additional financial incentives for playing in Miami. And yet we have to listen to Mr Tebas trying to compare this with the NFL."

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Getty Images SportBarcelona's refereeing controversy goes on

The fact that Perez has taken such a high-profile opportunity to speak out on the case shows its continued importance to the Madrid president at Barca’s arch-rivals.

He feels that the case questions the integrity of La Liga and is not willing to hear La Blaugrana’s explained reasoning for the situation occurring. Whether Barca, La Liga or the TCA will respond to the outburst remains to be seen.

Aston Villa have successfully tied down star attacker Morgan Rogers to a new contract as they ward off Chelsea's transfer interest. Rogers, who moved to Villa Park at the start of 2024 and won the PFA Young Player of the Season this August, has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal. Rogers had attracted interest from the Blues, while Spurs were also urged to sign the youngster at one point in the summer.

Rogers signs new Aston Villa contract

After a very successful time with the Villans last season, where he scored 14 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions and also won the PFA Young Player of the Season, Rogers has endured a difficult start to the 2025-26 campaign, having scored just one goal and registering three assists. However, despite his dip in form, Villa decided to present the youngster with a new long-term deal, which will keep him at the club until 2031.

The 23-year-old agreed to the Villans' terms and has finally put pen to paper on the new contract, thereby ruling out the imminent possibility of joining other top English sides like Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesAston Villa delighted to tie Rogers down to a new deal

The official statement from Aston Villa read: "Aston Villa is delighted to announce that Morgan Rogers has signed a new contract with the club. The England international has agreed a deal that will keep him at Villa until 2031. Rogers signed for the club in February 2024 from Middlesbrough and has become a key member of Unai Emery's side, earning a debut for the Three Lions in November 2024. His stellar performances last term saw his peers vote him PFA Young Player of the Season."

Chelsea and Spurs wanted Rogers

In April this year, reports emerged that Chelsea were plotting a summer move for Rogers, who is known to be a close friend of their star player Cole Palmer, after the youngster's impressive performances throughout the 2024-25 season. It was further reported that the Villans might be forced to sell the forward to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The Blues, however, never formally approached Aston Villa over a possible transfer.

Spurs, too, had identified Rogers as a possible candidate they could sign in the summer after losing Eberechi Eze to arch-rivals Arsenal. However, the north London club eventually signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.

Rogers had even hinted in August that he could exit Villa Park as he had told : "I’m happy here [Aston Villa]. I love football. I love nothing more than just coming out on the pitch and playing football and that’s what I’m doing. I don’t think about anything else. I can’t predict the next 12 months or anything in the future. It’s just about playing football, enjoying my football and showing everyone what I can do."

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GettyRogers eyeing spot in Tuchel's World Cup squad

Despite a slow start for the club, Rogers has consistently made it into Thomas Tuchel's England squads in the last few international breaks and has also garnered praise from the German. After the Three Lions' 3-0 win over Wales last month, Tuchel said: "Morgan was excellent like the whole team, he's very humble, he's very physical. He has the ability to score and to assist. He had a fantastic season (in 2024-25) and was deservedly voted as the young player of the season in the Premier League. Morgan was one piece of the puzzle but it is a team effort. Morgan is what he is. He is a number 10 and he is competing for his place."

Rogers will hope to maintain his consistency for the Three Lions and book a place in Tuchel's final World Cup squad that will travel to North America next summer.