26/07/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | JULY 26, 2025

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‘No need to extend VAR powers’ FA chief Bullingham says there are ‘enough interruptions to the game in the current model’ F OOTBALL ASSOCIATION chief executive Mark Bullingham says there isn’t “any need” to extend the use of the video assistant referee system, because there are “enough interruptions to the game in the current model”. said: “We think there’s enough interruptions to the game in the current model.” referee Michael Oliver in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

SHORTS Arsenal sign Mosquera

ARSENAL yesterday announced the signing of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, taking their spending during the summer transfer window close to £140 million (RM796m). The Spain under-21 international joins for an initial fee of around £13m (RM74m), with performance-related add-ons, and is understood to have agreed a five-year deal with an option of a further year. The 21-year-old, Arsenal’s fifth signing in recent weeks, is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, but can operate anywhere along the back line. Mosquera, who played 41 times for Valencia last season, has joined Arsenal for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. “It means a lot to me,” he told the club website. “There’s been a lot of hard work behind all of this. “It’s an opportunity that came up and I couldn’t let it pass me by. I’m joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place.” Manager Mikel Arteta described Mosquera as “an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides”. The Gunners, who have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in a row, launch their 2025/26 campaign at Manchester United on Aug 17. Ter Stegen faces three months out BARCELONA goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen is set to undergo back surgery on a long-term problem and will miss three months as a result, the Germany international said yesterday. The Spanish champions signed Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer, who is expected to become the team’s first choice, with Wojciech Szczesny as back-up. “Today is a personally difficult day for me. Physically and athletically, I feel in very good shape, although unfortunately I am not free from pain,” said Ter Stegen on social media network Instagram . “After intensive discussions with the FC Barcelona medical team and external experts, the quickest and safest way for me to fully recover is through back surgery. Ter Stegen added: “Emotionally, it hurts a lot not being able to support the team during this time. Fortunately, the rehabilitation is manageable and the road back is clear. Don’t worry – I’ll be back.”

The midfielder was given a second yellow card in first half injury time for kicking the ball away following a foul on Bernardo Silva. Under existing rules, VAR was not able to intervene. Following the match, the Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel said Oliver made the right decision. But It was not unanimous, as one panellist thought the “split-second nature of the kick away was enough of a mitigating factor”. A Football Supporters’ Association survey in 2023 found almost two-thirds of fans opposed the use of VAR in English football. Last year a senior Premier League official admitted VAR decisions were taking too long and offering a poor in-stadium experience for fans. The 2023/24 Premier League season ended with Wolves triggering a vote to scrap VAR, though clubs voted 19-1 in favour of keeping it. The Premier League promised to improve VAR and has since worked to reduce delays, while introducing steps to make supporters more aware of what decisions are being made and why. AFP/Agencies “One of the things we’re constantly focused on is that ‘virtuous circle’. Trying to run the club in the right way to ensure that we can generate as much revenue as we possibly can. “That obviously helps in terms of being able to put more back into the team. “The difficulty is if you just look at one individual summer. That probably skews the data. “There were a lot of comments made last summer that we didn’t spend enough…” Hogan explained the approach reflects the ambitions of American-led Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who are seeking to build on last season’s Premier League title under manager Arne Slot. “We also recognise, having won the English league title for the 20th time, that this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. “We want to make sure that we are behaving like one,” he added. “Having massive global stars come and play at Anfield, filling out stadiums in Hong Kong and Japan, those are things we expect and want to do.” Liverpool face AC Milan in Kowloon, Hong Kong today, before taking on Yokohama FM in the J-League World Challenge in Yokohama on Wednesday. They begin their Premier League title defence at home against Bournemouth on Aug 15. – Reuters squad. But I can’t fault the players. “The players that are here, they’ve been working so well, so hard and you see some of the play and how they work has been very, very good. “However, if you want to progress, then, as I said, you need to bring in quality and that’s something that we hopefully can do… I think the scoreline didn’t quite reflect the game. “I think that the first 60 minutes we played a lot of really good football with physicality, we broke through their pressure, scored one, could have had more.” – Express Newspapers

Currently, the technology can only be used to rule in selected situations, including goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and mistaken identity, but some believe it should be expanded to help improve the accuracy of decisions. Calls on freekicks and corners are currently made by on-field officials. In 2023, Fifa’s referees chief Pierluigi Collina said that widening the use of VAR would be considered, but insisted it must not mean more delays. BBC Sport has been told by several sources that Ifab has not received any proposals to consider widening VAR’s scope, and that a number of board members would oppose any such move if it was submitted at its annual meeting in November. Any vote would take place at the body’s annual general meeting in March, set to be held in Cardiff. Each of the British associations has one vote on motions, while Fifa has four. Passing a rule change requires a three-quarters majority of the board to agree. Ifab and Fifa were approached for comment. Last season, Leandro Trossard was sent off by LIVERPOOL’S big-money investment on transfers is the result of long-term planning, club CEO Billy Hogan said, adding that winning a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title convinced the club it was time to act like a modern powerhouse. Liverpool’s latest acquisition, French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth £79 million (RM449m), including add ons, has taken the club’s transfer expenditure this window to nearly £300m (RM1.7 billion). Outgoings, six players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, have so far generated around £64m (RM364m). The outlay marks a sharp departure from Liverpool’s traditionally measured approach in the market. However, Hogan

There have been reports that the International FA Board (Ifab) which governs football’s laws, could be asked to consider widening video assistant referee (VAR) powers to include corner kicks and second yellow cards. However, the FA – which has a seat on the body alongside the three other British associations and Fifa – has now made its opposition clear. “We don’t think there’s any need to extend the use of VAR,” Bullingham told BBC Sport . “There are regular discussions in Ifab about what VAR should be, and how it should move forward. I think our position is that we’re in a good place now. “Of course if someone brings an item forward for Ifab to consider, then as a group we’ll consider it. “But as a group we don’t necessarily think that VAR needs to be extended at the moment.” When asked why he felt that way, Bullingham

Reds spending backed by title win, long-term plan

Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold

during round 16 of the CWC against Jeventus. – REUTERSPIC

insists the club has not deviated from the club’s policy of financial sustainability. “It doesn’t

just happen; it’s been years in the making,” Hogan told The Athletic in an interview.

Celtic and Ajax fans clash in ugly scenes on Como

THINGS turned ugly during Celtic’s friendly meeting with Ajax, as both sets of supporters clashed inside the stadium. The two clubs were competing in a pre-season tournament in Como when unsavoury scenes erupted between the fans in the terraces. A sizeable Ajax contingent is said to have made the journey to Northern Italy, with Celtic fans having also turned up in strong numbers. However, as the sun set on the picturesque Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, tensions boiled over in the stands. Social media footage captured depicts fans

Como. It comes just days after Celtic battered Newcastle United in an exhibition match, with the Ajax hammering somewhat of a reality check for the Scottish Premiership outfit. Speaking post-match, manager Brendan Rodgers urged the Celtic board to increase their investment in the squad ahead of the new season. Rodgers said: “Yes, it depends what your ambition is. “If your ambition is to really progress and push forward, then we need to improve the

from the two clubs banging on the perspex glass separating the sections, with security officials forced to intervene. Plastic pint pots filled with liquid can also be seen being thrown by both sets of fans, with some Celtic supporters also spotted waving Palestine flags. On the pitch, Ajax blew Celtic away, with the Dutch outfit running out comfortable 5-1 winners. Steven Berghuis side confirmed Ajax’s progression into Monday’s final (2am Malaysian time), where they’ll take on FC