24/06/2025

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Rudiger complained of racist insult: Alonso

SIDENETTING

REAL MADRID coach Xabi Alonso said his defender Antonio Rudiger had complained of a racist incident at the end of yesterday’s 3-1 Club World Cup win over Mexican side Pachuca. Rudiger was visibly angered following an exchange of words with Pachuca’s Gustavo Cabral after the final whistle and spoke to Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel. Cabral denied he had racially abused the German centreback. Asked about the incident in the post-match press conference, Alonso said: “Toni told us something, we support Toni and we will see what happens. “I think the Fifa protocol has been activated to

Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano was also asked about the incident but said he was unaware of what had happened. “I just found out from you, you are letting me know, we did not talk about it in the dressing room, I haven’t spoken to Cabral about this, I cannot give you an explanation about it because this is the first (I have heard of) this news,” he said. “It cannot be justified at all but I will talk to him, I’ve known him for a little while and and I have never heard of something like that with Pachuca players. I cannot defend my captain at any cost but I will talk about it with him,” he said. Fifa did not immediately respond to a request for comment. – AFP

investigate, but if it has happened, all measures should be taken and we support Antonio because it’s something unacceptable. “In football there is no tolerance for this, and if it happened, then measures should be taken. This is what Antonio has told us and we believe him. It’s being investigated now,” he said. Cabral, 39, spoke after the game and said his words had been misinterpreted by Rudiger. The Argentine said he had called the defender a “coward”, with the Spanish phrase he used similar to another which is linked to racist abuse. “The referee made the racism sign but I was telling him the same thing the whole time – (coward),” said Cabral.

Jeremie Frimpong. – REUTERSPIC

Frimpong ready to fill ‘big shoes’

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD left “big shoes” to fill after leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid last month but new signing Jeremie Frimpong has no doubt he has the ability to replace the England international in the Premier League champions’ defence. “Liverpool. It’s a big club, so it’s big shoes regardless,” Frimpong told Sky Sports in an interview published yesterday, when asked if he would compete with Conor Bradley to succeed Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool’s first choice for rightback. “It’s a winning team … they win trophies for a reason. If you play for a team like Liverpool you have to fill in the shoes and perform. I’ve always believed in myself. I’m a winner. That’s what I’m going to bring to the team.” Amorim given brutal headache RUBEN AMORIM is overseeing a desperately needed attacking overhaul this summer after Manchester United scored just 44 Premier League goals in an abysmal 2024/25 campaign. United’s likely first two signings of the transfer window managed a combined tally of 35, which indicates the upgrades in sight. Matheus Cunha is through the door already from Wolves in early June. Bryan Mbeumo is expected to follow him to Old Trafford, with negotiations ongoing. The Portuguese head coach would enter the 2025/26 campaign with more confidence in his attack to produce goals, he has given himself a headache elsewhere. Cunha and Mbeumo will be viewed as starters next term, likely in the two ‘No. 10’ positions on either side of the striker. That has sparked suggestions that Amad Diallo could grow frustrated if he receives most of his minutes at right wingback as a result. But while Amad is primed to stay put at Old Trafford, his permanent tenancy at right wingback brings Diogo Dalot’s role into dispute. Given United’s limited budget, Amad could feature in attacking midfield with one of Cunha or Mbeumo playing up front. That would allow Dalot to continue at right wingback.

Real show class Los Blancos beat Pachuca with 10 men to go top of Group H R EAL MADRID shrugged off an early red card to defeat Mexico’s Pachuca 3 1 and take a big step towards the knockout stage of the Club World Cup situations, the structure, the context and we understand what it takes in each moment, with strong principles. “I think that game intelligence gives you another edge and today I am pleased how they understood the quick change in the cooling break that we had,” he added.

yesterday. The result leaves Madrid, under new head coach Xabi Alonso, on top of Group H with four points while Pachuca are eliminated after two defeats. RB Salzburg and Al Hilal played to a scoreless draw in other Group H match in Washington yesterday.

Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano said his team had failed to make the most of the extra man. “We had a great start, (but) we did not make the most of our advantage. They have the strongest players in the world and their players were amazing. Their strongest feature is that they don’t need to play at their best to win any match, they were amazing,” he said. Meanwhile, England midfielder Jude Bellingham confirmed yesterday that he will undergo surgery to address a long-standing shoulder issue after the conclusion of the Club World Cup in the United States. The 21-year-old, who has been managing the injury since 2023, has played through discomfort for both club and country. The Spanish giants have scheduled the operation to follow the tournament, which concludes later this month. Speaking after the victory over Pachuca, Bellingham explained his decision to proceed with surgery. “I’ve reached the point where the pain isn’t so bad, but I was sick of playing with the sling,” he told reporters.

Salzburg will face Madrid in the final group match in Philadelphia, while Al Hilal will play Pachuca in Nashville on Friday. In North Carolina, Madrid were in trouble after just seven minutes when Raul Asencio was shown a straight red card after he pulled

down Salomon Rondon with the Venezuelan clear on goal. That left the Liga MX team

sensing the chance for an upset in front of 70,248 fans at the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. “We had to be defensively, for almost all the game with one player less and it became really intense for us, but we defended with a lot of sacrifice and solidarity which is what it takes,” he said. “We waited for our chances, so I was

“I’m losing a lot of weight from sweating so much, and I’ve decided that I’ll have surgery after the tournament. I’ve been waiting for a long time, and my patience is running out, but the physios and doctors have

really pleased with the performance with a player less,” he added. The Real coach said he was pleased to see his team’s ability to change plan during a game. “We want to have the culture that we understand

Valverde

been incredible. I just want to feel free,” he added. – AFP/Reuters

Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio (back) fouls Pachuca’s Salomon Rondon before being shown a red card. – REUTERSPIC

USA scrape past Haiti in Gold Cup, Saudi Arabia advance

THE United States wrapped up their Concacaf Gold Cup group phase campaign with a nervy 2-1 victory over minnows Haiti in Texas yesterday. Mauricio Pochettino’s side had already made sure of their place in the quarterfinals after opening Group D with wins over Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia. However, the Gold Cup hosts were fortunate to preserve their 100% start to the tournament with a lacklustre performance at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. PSV Eindhoven midfielder Malik Tillman fired the USA into the lead in the 10th minute, cleverly steering a header from Brenden Aaronson’s cross

Costa Rica, in the quarterfinals after the Los Ticos and Mexico drew 0-0 in their final group match to come in second on goal difference. Saudi Arabia notched a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago yesterday in Las Vegas, ensuring the Concacaf’s guests would advance to the knockout stage of the Gold Cup. In the other Group A match, Dominican Republic played to a scoreless draw against Suriname in Arlington, Texas. Both teams fail to reach the knockout stage. – Reuters

no mistake with the finish to level it at 1-1. The USA continued to dominate possession but struggled to break down the Haiti defence following that setback. The hosts finally made the breakthrough on 75 minutes when John Tolkin’s pass sprang the Haiti offside trap and sent Patrick Agyemang through on goal. The Charlotte FC player rounded Placide and tucked away the finish to make it 2-1. The USA will face the runner-up of Group A,

back across goal past Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide. But Haiti stunned the hosts with an opportunistic equaliser in the 19th minute after a blunder by USA goalkeeper Matthew Freese. There appeared to be little danger when defender Tim Ream covered a speculative ball forward and calmly rolled a pass to Freese on the edge of his six-yard box. But Freese’s attempted clearance went straight to Haiti forward Louicius Don Deedson who made