Sport

Jude Bellingham given suspended one-match ban and fine for ‘inappropriate’ gesture

Losing Jude for even one game would be a big blow.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 5th July 2024

England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has been handed a suspended one-match ban after making a gesture towards the Slovakia fans following the Three Lions’ last-gasp win in the round of 16 of Euro 2024.

Bellingham scored what has already gone down as one of the greatest England goals of all time to equalise against their first knockout opponents of the tournament to put them through to the quarter-final stage.

However, it was his celebrations in the immediate aftermath following the goal that got him into a little bit of trouble, as a small gesture towards his genitals has seen the Madrid midfielder pick up a fine and a one-match ban that he will thankfully he doesn’t have to serve any suspension immediately.

ln case you missed it, this is the moment in question, as reshared by the player himself:

As you can see, Bellingham shrugged off the gesture as nothing more than an “inside joke towards some friends” who were in attendance inside Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins-Arena and clearly wasn’t willing to indulge any suggestion that he meant any offence despite the crude gesture.

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Regardless, UEFA’s ethics and disciplinary body, unfortunately, hasn’t seen it that way; they stated that he violated “the basic rules of decent conduct” with the celebration, being slapped with a €30,000 fine (approximately £25k) and the match ban.

They did go on to explain that the ban is “subject to a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision”, meaning that it will only have to be served if the 21-year-old re-offends in the next 12 months.

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A big relief for England supporters after he helped keep them in the game with his second goal in a competition where Gareth Southgate‘s side has still struggled to really get going.

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While Bellingham will be available for Saturday’s match against Switzerland, another player received a harsher punishment for his reaction following a goal at this year’s Euros.

Turkey defender Merih Demiral has been handed a straight two-match ban for a politically associated gesture he made during his side’s previous win, doing the wolf salute celebration after the second goal of his brace against Austria.

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The gesture is linked to the far-right Grey Wolves extremist group, who are also closely linked with Turkey’s ruling coalition National Movement Party. Bellingham’s behaviour pales in comparison when sized up against potentially inflammatory instances like this.

Meanwhile, back in the England camp, there is another member of the squad who Three Lions fans will be hoping can make an impact in upcoming games – we can only hope.

England fans are calling for Southgate to finally start Luke Shaw following Trippier’s injury doubts

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Featured Images — @343_digital (via X)/England (via Instagram)

Sport

Olympique Marseille submit ‘formal bid’ to sign Mason Greenwood from Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Olympique de Marseille submit bid to sign Mason Greenwood from Man United

Manchester United might finally be set to off-load exiled forward Mason Greenwood as French club Olympique de Marseille (OM) have reportedly sent a “formal bid” to sign the youngster.

Greenwood spent the past season on loan at Spanish side Getafe CF after he was suspended by Man United back in January 2022 following attempted rape, assault and coercive control charges.

However, since his loan has now expired and the 22-year-old is still named on United’s retained player list, many fans are understandably wondering what will happen next.

Now, even despite the controversy surrounding the Bradford-born player, several teams across Europe have expressed their interest in signing the undeniably talented attacker, with Marseille now having taken that a step further and submitting a formal bid for Greenwood.

As per ever-reliable transfer source Fabrizio Romano, talks with the Ligue 1 side are well underway and is thought that not only is Greenwood their “main target” but that an “agreement [is] getting closer.”

It’s said that the offer could be a loan initially with an obligation to buy and sell-on clause included, as United are not only just expected to sever ties with the problematic name but also make as much money as possible from a valuable asset that was once considered one of if not their most promising starlet.

A large group of female fans banded together to protest his potential return prior to his La Liga loan after some supporters still wanted him to be reintegrated into the squad and it was claimed former CEO Richard Arnold was keen to keep him at Old Trafford.

The club’s most recent position was seemingly that Greenwood would not be playing for the Red Devils again but with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS Sports having since taken over the board of executives, there is some uncertainty as to their stance on the matter.

Also reported by Romano earlier this month, Ratcliffe did receive some criticism for his lack of clarity on the matter in the few words that he has offered on the matter:

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While Getafe did cover roughly a third of Greenwood’s wages during the loan spell, United were still paying the academy product approximately £50,000 a week – a set-up that many more fans took issue with for various reasons.

A massive rebuild is now taking place throughout Manchester United‘s infrastructure and with more players already/soon to be offloaded from the books, it would seem the chances are Greenwood will be among the outgoing names.

Nevertheless, as financial specifics are yet to be revealed, it remains to be seen how much Marseille are willing to pay for him and whether it will prove a big enough figure for a club looking to be much more shrewd in the transfer market.

The latest signing in the backroom might also factor into where the chips fall.

Manchester United confirm appointment of Dan Ashworth as new sporting director

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Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)/Getafe CF (via Instagram)

Sport

Salford City FC debut 24/25 away kit as Fireball Whisky is revealed as new front-of-shirt sponsor

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Salford City FC has officially revealed its new shirt sponsor for the coming seasons as globally-known North American whisky brand Fireball is set to be splashed on the front of their home and away kits.

While Salford City‘s home kit for the 2024/25 season is still yet to be revealed, the away have now been debuted in line with Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey being announced as the Ammies’ latest commercial collaboration, which is said to be a “first-of-its-kind deal” for both parties.

The multi-year agreement will see the spicy cinnamon-infused whisky liqueur feature as the main sponsor on Salford shirts for the next three seasons as part of a “360-degree partnership”.

Confirming the front-of-shirt deal on Friday, 5 July, the two brands will also team up on “various touchpoints including broadcast and news media, custom social and digital content, in-store, and on-field branding experiences” on and off the pitch.

It’s the Canadian alcohol brand’s first foray into English football and a landmark moment for the Greater Manchester club which has been looking to expand its commercial portfolio and generate more revenue.

This comes since the Class of 92 group and co-owner Peter Lim opened the club to the floor for new investors earlier this year, with the club’s progress having slowed somewhat after they were promoted four times in five seasons following their 2014 takeover.

Fireball will replace nationwide property development and funding company, Salboy – which many Mancs will likely recognise from various bits of construction across the city centre and beyond – who served as Salford’s shirt sponsor for just one season to kick off their first year with Adidas as manufacturers.

The 40-year-old brand can be found in most alcohol aisles in the UK and is shipped all over the world, making the partnership a huge deal for the local outfit, not to mention just the latest in a series of global drinks companies sponsoring clubs – e.g. Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin on Wrexham kits and Red Bull partnering with Leeds United earlier this month.

Here’s how Salford’s new away strip looks:

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Commenting on the new kit deal, Salford City CEO and Manchester United legend Nicky Butt said: “We are excited to welcome Fireball as our men’s team front of shirt sponsor for the next three years, and we are really looking forward to working with them.

“Salford has a rich history of being creative and doing things in our way, so when this opportunity to partner with Fireball came about and we saw how they have made an impression on their sector, it resonated with us and the journey we have been on since taking over a decade ago.”

Lorenzo Farronato, Fireball’s European Marketing Director added: “Football is a game all about shots – taking them and making them is what the game is all about. So, as the number one shot brand in the USA, Fireball was inspired to enter the game but knew we needed to do it right.

“Fireball’s partnership with SCFC is a match made in heaven – just like our brand, Salford believes in working hard, playing hard and having a ton of fun every step of the way.  We share similarly dedicated fanbases, too, and can’t wait to deliver unexpected moments of mischief and celebration to them all season long.”

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Featured Images — Salford City (via X)/m01229 (via Flickr)

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