عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Some Fans Criticizing Villarreal for Signing Israeli Forward

Israel's Manor Solomon applauds supporters at the end of the Euro 2024 qualifying soccer match between Romania and Israel at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP)
Israel's Manor Solomon applauds supporters at the end of the Euro 2024 qualifying soccer match between Romania and Israel at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP)
TT
TT

Some Fans Criticizing Villarreal for Signing Israeli Forward

Israel's Manor Solomon applauds supporters at the end of the Euro 2024 qualifying soccer match between Romania and Israel at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP)
Israel's Manor Solomon applauds supporters at the end of the Euro 2024 qualifying soccer match between Romania and Israel at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP)

Spanish club Villarreal is facing backlash from some of its fans after a last-minute deal to sign an Israeli player who has publicly supported his nation in its war with Hamas.

Some fans criticized Villarreal through social media posts after the club signed forward Manor Solomon near the end of the transfer deadline late Monday.

The 26-year-old Solomon arrived after Villarreal struck a loan deal with Tottenham. The Israel international played last season on loan with Leeds United, which he helped gain promotion to the Premier League.

Solomon had already been criticized by some fans in England after posting messages in support of Israel in the war. He has previously played for Fulham and Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk.

Solomon's signing capped a busy transfer window for Villarreal, which is returning to the Champions League this season.

The club from eastern Spain spent more than 100 million euros ($116 million) in signings, the third highest amount in Spain, according to the Transfermarkt website. It earned nearly as much with the sales of playmaker Álex Baena to Atletico Madrid, forward Yéremy Pino to Crystal Palace and striker Thierno Barry to Everton.

Other signings by Villarreal during this window included striker Georges Mikautadze from Lyon and defender Renato Veiga from Chelsea.

Villarreal's first Champions League opponent will be Solomon's former club Tottenham on Sept. 16.

Revamped Atletico

Atletico was the club that spent the most in Spain with a total of more than 175 million euros ($203 million) in nearly 10 new signings, according to Transfermarkt.

In addition to Baena, Diego Simeone's club also added defender Dávid Hancko from Feyenoord, midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, forward Nico González from Juventus and playmaker Thiago Almada from Brazilian club Botafogo.

Real Madrid's top three

Madrid was the second highest spender (more than 167 million euros ($194 million)) but had the top-three most expensive signings.

It paid 62.5 million euros ($72 million) for defender Dean Huijsen, 50 million euros ($58 million) for left back Álvaro Carreras and 45 million euros ($52 million) for teenage forward Franco Mastantuono from River Plate, according to Transfermarkt.

Madrid also signed Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool for 10 million euros ($11 million).

Quiet Barcelona

Barcelona still isn't able to spend much because of financial fair play regulations. The Catalan club paid 25 million euros ($29 million) for goalkeeper Joan García from Espanyol, and reached a deal for the loan of forward Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.

It also added young forward Roony Bardghji from Copenhagen for 2.5 million euros ($2.9 million), Transfermarkt said.

Real Betis also made headlines by signing forward Antony for 22 million euros ($25 million) from Manchester United, according to Transfermarkt. Sevilla added veteran Chilean forward Alexis Sánchez on a free transfer, while Getafe sent forward Christantus Uche on a loan to Crystal Palace to try to clear some salary-cap space.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Bayern Youngsters Deliver Rousing Comeback Win to Stay on Course for Bundesliga Title

Bayern Munich players including Bayern Munich's German midfielder #20 Tom Bischof and Bayern Munich's Colombian forward #14 Luis Diaz (R) celebrate after the German first division Bundesliga football match between SC Freiburg and FC Bayern Munich in Freiburg, southern Germany on April 4, 2026. (AFP)
Bayern Munich players including Bayern Munich's German midfielder #20 Tom Bischof and Bayern Munich's Colombian forward #14 Luis Diaz (R) celebrate after the German first division Bundesliga football match between SC Freiburg and FC Bayern Munich in Freiburg, southern Germany on April 4, 2026. (AFP)
TT
TT

Bayern Youngsters Deliver Rousing Comeback Win to Stay on Course for Bundesliga Title

Bayern Munich players including Bayern Munich's German midfielder #20 Tom Bischof and Bayern Munich's Colombian forward #14 Luis Diaz (R) celebrate after the German first division Bundesliga football match between SC Freiburg and FC Bayern Munich in Freiburg, southern Germany on April 4, 2026. (AFP)
Bayern Munich players including Bayern Munich's German midfielder #20 Tom Bischof and Bayern Munich's Colombian forward #14 Luis Diaz (R) celebrate after the German first division Bundesliga football match between SC Freiburg and FC Bayern Munich in Freiburg, southern Germany on April 4, 2026. (AFP)

Lennart Karl scored in the ninth minute of added time to complete a dramatic comeback 3-2 win for Bayern Munich over Freiburg and keep his team on track for the Bundesliga title on Saturday.

Freiburg was heading for an upset win at 2-0 up in the 81st minute before Bayern's young midfielders changed the game, 20-year-old Tom Bischof scoring twice with low shots from distance and 18-year-old Karl slotting in a low cross from Alphonso Davies to turn the game on its head.

Harry Kane was out with an ankle issue ahead of next week's Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid and Nicolas Jackson was suspended so Serge Gnabry was tasked with leading the Bayern attack but made little headway.

Bayern's defense was at fault for Freiburg's opening goal, giving Johan Manzambi plenty of space to cut in from the left flank and line up a powerful shot past Manuel Neuer.

Back in the team after injury, Neuer made strong saves in the first half but blundered for Freiburg's second, leaping out of his goal to palm a corner straight to Freiburg striker Lucas Höler for an easy second.

Michael Olise missed a huge chance for Bayern but it was Bischof who made the breakthrough, scoring once from outside the area in the 81st, then again in added time as Freiburg was caught out by Bayern's quick corner routine. Davies' assist for Karl's winner marked an encouraging return from a hamstring injury for the Canada left back ahead of the World Cup.

Leverkusen wins thriller

Bayer Leverkusen surged back from 3-1 down to beat Wolfsburg 6-3 in an action-packed game which pushed relegation-threatened Wolfsburg closer to ending its 29-year stay in the top division.

Leverkusen's Spanish wing back Alejandro Grimaldo scored twice to move to 14 goals for the season in all competitions as he competes for a World Cup spot. Patrick Schick, Edmond Tapsoba, Ibrahim Maza and Malik Tillman also scored for Leverkusen.

Tapsoba's goal marked redemption after he'd conceded a penalty which allowed Christian Eriksen to score Wolfsburg's third, but the Leverkusen defender wasn't the only one to achieve that feat. Wolfsburg defender Joakim Maehle scored with a low drive in the 31st barely 10 seconds after the kickoff following a penalty conceded for his own foul.

Leverkusen stayed sixth and remained firmly in the Champions League race. Wolfsburg was 17th in the 18-team league and winless since January.

Leipzig boosts CL push

Antonio Nusa and Romulo made the most of Leipzig's few chances in a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen to stay on target for a return to the Champions League in fourth.

Leipzig got another boost as fifth-placed Hoffenheim was upset by Mainz 2-1. Union Berlin and Augsburg drew 1-1 and Franck Honorat's goal rescued a 2-2 draw for Borussia Moenchengladbach against last-placed Heidenheim.

Second-placed Borussia Dortmund played third-placed Stuttgart later Saturday.

Sports

Slot Urges Liverpool to Stick Together After FA Cup Rout at Man City

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - Manchester City v Liverpool - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - April 4, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks to Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Alexis Mac Allister as they come on as substitutes. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - Manchester City v Liverpool - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - April 4, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks to Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Alexis Mac Allister as they come on as substitutes. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Slot Urges Liverpool to Stick Together After FA Cup Rout at Man City

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - Manchester City v Liverpool - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - April 4, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks to Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Alexis Mac Allister as they come on as substitutes. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - Manchester City v Liverpool - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - April 4, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks to Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Alexis Mac Allister as they come on as substitutes. (Reuters)

Arne Slot urged his Liverpool flops to stick together after admitting Saturday's dismal 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals summed up their turbulent season.

Slot's side wasted a series of early chances at the Etihad Stadium before capitulating when Erling Haaland bagged City's opener late in the first-half.

Haaland struck again on the stroke of half-time and completed his treble after the break following Antoine Semenyo's goal.

Liverpool's wretched performance, which also included a missed Mohamed Salah penalty when the score was 4-0, increased the pressure on Slot after a miserable campaign.

"It's very disappointing to be out, not only in the manner but also the result and the score. Another big disappointment for us," said Slot, whose team have only two wins in their last seven games.

"The first 35 minutes was the sort of team I would like to see but the 20 minutes after that, we have to defend so much better than we were doing today.

"It's not nice to go in at 2-0 just before half-time, not helpful for your mood especially after the season we have had. That was really hard to take."

In a frank admission of Liverpool's problems, Slot said he was concerned with avoiding an even bigger thrashing ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Paris Saint-Germain.

"The only good thing was that we didn't concede more. If you want to have a good game on Wednesday, a 4-0 loss is already not helpful but an even bigger loss would be a bigger problem for us to go there," he said.

"I tried to get us back into the game, to make it 4-1 or 4-2 but make sure that it stays at four and that was the main thing I thought about."

The Reds are languishing in fifth place in the Premier League, with their title defense in tatters and their bid to qualify for next season's Champions League far from certain to have a happy ending.

- 'A lot of setbacks' -

Slot was taunted by City fans who chanted "you're getting sacked in the morning" and while that might be premature the Dutch coach is under increasing scrutiny.

Liverpool supporters have grown frustrated with their team's limp performances.

The Champions League represents Liverpool's last chance for silverware this season, but they face a daunting task against holders PSG.

Calling for his team to stand up to the pressure against PSG, who knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League last term, Slot said: "We are really looking forward to playing against a very good side again.

"We have had a lot of setbacks and disappointments but that is also part of being a football player and being a human being. You have to stand there when things are not so positive and that's what it is about now.

"Players that have shown so much quality in the past now have a fantastic chance to show that against PSG."

With City boss Pep Guardiola serving a touchline ban, his assistant Pep Lijnders took the post-match media duties.

"Pep is really pleased, that is the most important. It's not easy to please him," Lijnders said.

"The first 25 minutes we were too open. Then we started to control the game and created more chances.

"Erling's header was insane. I love when a striker flies and attacks the ball. What a goal."

City's eighth successive FA Cup semi-final appearance keeps them in contention to win the competition for the first time since 2023.

They have already won once at Wembley this season, beating Arsenal 2-0 in the League Cup final just before the international break.

"Pep was really happy because it's special if you go eight times to Wembley," Lijnders said.

"It's the part of the season where the business has to be done. The boys feel that."

Sports

Tirante Topples Top Seed Shelton to Reach Houston ATP Semi-finals

Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
TT
TT

Tirante Topples Top Seed Shelton to Reach Houston ATP Semi-finals

Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Thiago Tirante stunned top-seeded Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-4 on Friday to book a semi-final showdown with friend and fellow Argentine Roman Burruchaga at the ATP clay court tournament in Houston, Texas.

Tirante, ranked 83rd in the world, notched his second career win over a top-10 player as he sent the ninth-ranked Shelton packing to reach the second ATP semi-final of his career.

"I knew that Ben was a very difficult player, a great player, so I had to take more risks at some times of the match," said Tirante, who fended off a break point early in the third set and broke Shelton for a 5-4 lead before serving it out with a comfortable hold.

"I did sometimes good, I did sometimes bad, but that's the key. (I had to stay) mentally strong all the time and try to break the serve -- he serves amazing."

Burruchaga, ranked 77th, upset third-seeded American Learner Tien, ranked 22nd in the world, 7-5, 6-4 to reach his first career semi-final.

The son of former soccer player Jorge Burruchaga, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, the 24-year-old had already knocked out another member of the world top 40 on Thursday, 33rd-ranked local favorite Brandon Nakashima.

Second-seeded American Frances Tiafoe saved a match point in the third set tiebreaker to reach the semi-finals with a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Australian Alexei Popyrin.

Tiafoe will face fourth-seeded Tommy Paul in an All-American semi after Paul beat Argentina's sixth-seeded Tomas Etcheverry 6-4, 6-2.