The ripple effect from Cristiano Ronaldo’s bombshell interview isn’t just travelling throughout Manchester United but the Portugal camp too, it would seem.
Following his controversial comments in an exclusive with Piers Morgan released on Sunday, the 37-year-old travelled to join his compatriots ahead of the World Cup, but he wasn’t exactly welcomed with open arms by two of his fellow United teammates.
In footage released by the Portuguese FA, Bruno Fernandes can be seen entering the training camp and keeping somewhat of a distance as Ronaldo goes to greet him. It’s all in the face.
Bruno Fernandes gives Cristiano Ronaldo a frosty reception as Portugal meet for the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/W5rDdMirc8
As you can see, Fernandes not only limits himself to a civil but brief handshake while Ronaldo looks on despondently, but the midfielder then goes on to share an affectionate private handshake with one teammate and then hugs another.
ADVERTISEMENT
Currently acting as one of the leaders in the United dressing room, often captaining the side given the recent absence of Harry Maguire, Bruno will have no doubt been upset by his friend and colleague’s comments — especially when they came after such a hard-fought win against Fulham on Sunday.
Several figures around Old Tafford are said to be “extremely disappointed” that veteran footballer, sporting icon and United legend (or at least he was) would “disrespect” the club like this.
To make matters worse, the ‘Portuguese Magnifico’ wasn’t the only one to seemingly snub CR7, as United right-back Diogo Dalot was also pictured looking less than chummy with his fellow club and countryman.
In not one but two different photos, Dalot can also be seen keeping his distance from Ronaldo and one image, in particular, has unlimited meme potential.
We’d say these don’t look so bad if it wasn’t for the fact that even Portgual decided to crop his expression out of the right-most photo on their own Instagram.
ADVERTISEMENT
‘Smile for the camera!’Oh, nevermind…Credit: Portugal (via Instagram)
Some people are arguing that too much is being made of these images, especially given they were released by the team themselves. However, when you consider how these players normally are on the pitch, not to mention how friendly they are with their national hero usually, there is a marked difference.
Ronaldo is a player that both Bruno and Dalot, like the rest of their country, have obviously admired growing up in Portugal and have regularly displayed camaraderie with since Ronaldo returned to United.
With that in mind, even if they intend to play happy families for the sake of the tournament, it’s fair to say they haven’t made the best start when it comes to keeping up appearances.
Premier League Darts is returning to Manchester’s AO Arena in 2027
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Premier League Darts is confirmed to be returning to Manchester next year.
Now’s your chance to see the youngest world champion in darts history, AKA Warrington’s very-own Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, show us how it’s done, as next year’s BetMGM Premier League Darts lineup has just been announced this week – with various dates confirmed across 17 different cities in the UK and Europe.
And Manchester is one of those cities, as the AO Arena has shared that they are set to host an evening next April, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
This means that we will be lucky enough to witness the biggest names in world darts all under one roof, including headliners Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries, as well as Littler.
Manchester is the only northern city to get the pleasure of hosting the event next year, as Liverpool is also on the lineup, as is Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle, while elsewhere in the UK, the stars will travel to Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and several other major locations.
BetMGM Premier League Darts is to be held on Thursday 8 April at the AO Arena in Manchester, and to avoid being disappointed, fans are advised to register for presale ticket access.
Following a successful season of events in 2026, tickets are expected to be like gold-dust, so don’t say you haven’t been warned.
To access the first wave of tickets, fans must become an active PDCTV Annual Member before 23:59pm on Friday 9 October. Alternatively, general sale is on Thursday 22 October 2026, but make sure not to hang about.
Featured Image – Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)
Sport
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has claimed he wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on fans getting to drink alcohol in football stands.
It’s a ban that’s been in place in the top five tiers of men’s football since 1985, when fears over violence and hooliganism were at their height, but now the Prime Minister has raised the question of whether drinking in football stands – or ‘drinking in sight / view of the pitch’, as it’s known formally – is actually unjust, due to the fact that same rules don’t apply to fans of other sports.
“I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way,” Andy Burnham has declared this week, grabbing headlines in the process.
He continued: “I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
“I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.”
The Prime Minister’s comments have been met with mixed response.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands / Credit: James Kirkup | Julia Nastogadka (via Unsplash)
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), for example, has very much welcomed the idea, saying that it ‘totally agrees’ the legislation is ‘outdated’ and ‘deserves to be reviewed’.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, said in a statement: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.”
However, on the flip side, the UK Football Policing Unit said it would be ‘incredibly rash’ to change the rules without proper consultation.
“Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour,” it said in a statement on the matter.
The Prime Minister did state in his initial proposition though that ‘there are different ways it could be done’, hinting that it could be done ‘on a trial basis’ perhaps.
The English Football League (EFL) added that it would be ‘receptive to discussions around reviewing current legislation and permitting alcoholic drinks within view of the pitch’.
No formal details on a review have been confirmed as of yet, so fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates in due course.
Danny Jones -
15th November 2022 
