03/03/2025

SPORTS MONDAY | MAR 3, 2025

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ON TELEGRAM m RAM

Pereira remains upbeat despite Wolves defeat

SHORTS Racism row mars Preston win BURNLEY players declined to shake hands with Preston striker Milutin Osmajic before their FA Cup fifth-round tie amid a racism row between the two clubs. Osmajic was accused of racially abusing Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri when the Lancashire rivals met in the Championship on Feb 15. Montenegro forward Osmajic, who “strongly refuted” the allegations, was named in Preston’s starting XI for the tie on Saturday, while Hannibal was left out of the Burnley squad entirely. During the pre-match handshakes at Deepdale, none of the Burnley players offered their hands to Osmajic, who was last in the line of Preston players filing along the Clarets XI. After attempting to shake hands with a couple of Burnley players, Osmajic then walked along the rest of the line without interacting with the opposition. Burnley manager Scott Parker said after the game that the decision not to shake hands with Osmajic was the players’ idea, but he was fully supportive of it. Osmajic scored during the first half to put Preston two goals ahead in their eventual 3-0 victory, and celebrated by taunting the away fans with his hands cupped around his ears before being SHEFFIELD UNITED showed there was no lasting hangover from Monday’s defeat at the hands of Championship pacesetters Leeds, responding with a 2 1 victory at Queens Park Rangers. Five days on from the 3-1 loss to Daniel Farke’s side at Bramall Lane, the Blades were quickly back on track in west London. Ben Brereton Diaz got them up and running with his third goal for the club, heading home from close range after 10 minutes and Tyrese Campbell added a scorcher from outside the box early in the second period. A converted penalty from Michael Frey on 72 minutes ensured QPR were never out of the fight. But despite a couple of late chances for the hosts, the Blades held firm. Victory for Chris Wilder’s men, combined with Leeds dropping points in a draw with West Bromwich Albion in an earlier match, meant Sheffield United narrowed the gap between first and second to three points. “It was so disappointing on Monday night because they deserved a little bit more than what happened. It definitely wasn’t a 3-1 and we were all pretty down on Tuesday. “But the reaction yet again was first class. It has never been an easy place to come here and we were up against a competitive team. “We defended in the second half… We still had a threat at the top of the pitch. And Ty’s goal was an amazing goal.” embraced by his teammates. Blades back on track

VITOR PEREIRA rued a costly day for Wolves’ survival hopes after their talisman Matheus Cunha was sent off in a moment of madness during their 5-4 penalty shootout defeat at Bournemouth in the FA Cup fifth round. Cunha had sent the tie to extra-time with a sensational 60th-minute equaliser from range but lost his head with spot-kicks on the horizon. After Cunha had been flagged offside in the 119th minute, he grabbed Cherries leftback Milos Kerkez around the neck before he appeared to punch, kick and push his head into the face of the same player. Referee Sam Barrott eventually pulled out a red card for Cunha, who had remonstrated with Pereira after the red mist descended and pushed

teammate Daniel Bentley as he was ushered towards the changing room. Cunha was banned for two matches earlier this season by the Football Association after he clashed with a member of Ipswich’s staff and could face further retrospective punishment, which may derail Wolves’ safety bid. The 17th-placed club face crucial Premier League games with Everton, Southampton, West Ham and relegation rivals Ipswich over the next month. “Matheus is a special player,” Pereira reflected. “In this game the emotional side was very high and not only inside the pitch, but on the bench and in the stands, everywhere and a lot of pressure.

“In the end it happens what can happen. It should not happen but this is something that happens in football.” Bournemouth were deserved winners after 31 shots and 68% possession during a one-sided encounter. “Definitely emotional. I think today, I don’t remember a game within my career where we came to a game and it is difficult to explain how we didn’t win in the 90 minutes, in the extra time,” said Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola. “We have to accept and finish in penalties. Luckily for us we could finish it very happy and celebrate we are in the last eight. That is a good achievement.” – The Independent

Ain’t that a kick in the head

Mateta gets 25 stitches after Millwall keeper’s horror challenge

Millwall’s Liam Roberts (left) fouls Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta. – REUTERSPIC

Mateta lies injured after a dangerous challenge from Roberts (3rd right) and was later sent off by the referee (right). – REUTERSPIC

JEAN PHILIPPE-MATETA said he is doing well and hopes to be back soon after being hospitalised by a horrific challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. Roberts was sent off just eight minutes into yesterday’s FA Cup fifth round tie, which Palace won 3 1, after catching Mateta’s head with his boot as he raced out to clear the ball. Referee Michael Oliver only issued a red card after a VAR review. Mateta received lengthy treatment, including oxygen, on the pitch before being stretchered to an ambulance and transported to hospital. “Thank you for all your kind messages. I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for a great job today,” Mateta posted on

Instagram . Palace said later that Mateta had been discharged from hospital. “He received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear. All scans were clear and JP is feeling well,” the club said. “He will now rest and recuperate over the following days where his progress will be monitored by our club doctor.” Palace manager Oliver Glasner said the challenge could have ended the Frenchman’s career. “His ear looks terrible. It’s a very serious injury so we hope all the best for him,” Glasner said. “Just imagine if he hits his face straight, with his power, with the studs, it is the end of JP’s career. “I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to injure JP in this situation, but I also think that you have to decide when

“That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen and I think he needs to have a long hard look at himself, that lad, because he’s endangering a fellow professional, maybe his life, with a challenge like that.” Palace made use of the man advantage for virtually the whole game to book their place in the quarterfinals. Japhet Tanganga’s own goal broke the visitors’ resistance before Daniel Munoz prodded in a second. Wes Harding pulled a goal back for the Lions, 13 minutes into first half stoppage time added on for Mateta’s treatment. Palace were made to wait until 82 minutes to ensure progress when Eddie Nketiah’s looping header found the far corner. – AFP/The Independent

you make such an impact, you just can’t do it in this way. “We are not really happy, we can’t be really happy. Of course, it’s a great win and into the quarterfinals but when you lose a player, especially with a foul like this, you have two different feelings in your stomach.” Mateta had scored eight goals in his previous nine games and has 15 in total for Palace this season. The 27-year-old also netted five times as France won silver at the Paris Olympics last year. Palace chairman Steve Parish described as the “most reckless challenge” he had ever seen. “What we know, he’s got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury. Obviously he’s at the hospital. So, we hope for the best,” Parish told the BBC .

PSG send Liverpool warning with Lille rout

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN cruised to a 4-1 win over Lille yesterday to extend their lead in France to 16 points ahead of their heavyweight Champions League clash with Liverpool. Bradley Barcola, Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue all struck in the first half at the Parc des Princes as PSG extended their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 this season to 24 matches. “It’s a perfect scenario ahead of a game like the one against Liverpool,” said PSG captain

“We really wanted to prepare well for the Champions League and that’s what we’ve done.” Luis Enrique picked a strong team to face Lille including a number of probable starters against Liverpool on Thursday (4am), and PSG put the result beyond doubt inside the opening half hour. “I’m not going to cry but the scheduling is scandalous and questions need to be asked,” said Lille coach Bruno Genesio, who had hoped the fixture would be rearranged given their game in Dortmund just 72 hours later. – AFP

Marquinhos. “We’re in great shape and all the signs are good. We’re winning and we’re full of confidence. We must not stop and the staff are pushing us hard to give it our all.” Jonathan David grabbed a consolation after coming on as a substitute for Lille, who go to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (4am

Malaysian time) in the first leg of their last 16 tie. PSG are cantering towards an 11th league title in 13 years but will face the biggest test of their season over the next two weeks against runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool, who had a rare weekend off. “I don’t know if we sent a message today, we’ve been in good form for a while,” said Marquinhos.