@skytv After being a sky customer for over 15 years, I cancelled my contract 3 months ago & don't miss it one bit.
The biggest rip off there is in TV packages
This couple have been caught on camera fly-tipping near Nuneaton. The evidence will be passed to the Leader of Warks County Council @_GeorgeFinch who, we have full confidence, will ensure these people are prosecuted. @bbcmtd
🚨🎙️Ian Wright on Matvey Safonov's towel for the TAB session during the penalty shootout in the champions league final against Arsenal:
“I’m sorry, but this has to be looked at properly. What Matvey Safonov did with that towel is straight-up cheating. Full stop.
“if we’re being consistent, football cannot pick and choose when information gathering is acceptable. We saw clubs investigated over scouting and intelligence-gathering scandals before. So explain to me the difference here.
You’ve got a PSG goalkeeper sitting there with a full tactical cheat sheet tucked into his towel, player names, numbers, flags, penalty tendencies, instructions like ‘FRAPPE FORT’, ‘SLOW SKIPPING’, ‘TAB 90’, the lot. He’s got Gyökeres, Kai Havertz, the works mapped out like it’s an open-book exam. This isn’t preparation, this is espionage in plain sight during a European tie against Arsenal.
“We’re not talking about instinct, preparation, or reading body language. We’re talking about a physical reference sheet being available during the shootout.
“If Southampton can face scrutiny over ‘spygate’ accusations, then UEFA should at least examine this as well. Either gathering opponent information is part of modern football or it isn’t. The rules cannot change depending on who wins the trophy.
“People will say, ‘Every club does penalty research.’ Fine. Do the research. But where is the line? Can you carry databases onto the pitch? Can coaches feed information every kick? Can players walk around with scouting reports in their socks?
“The problem isn’t PSG. The problem is consistency. Arsenal lose a Champions League final and suddenly everyone says it’s smart preparation. If Arsenal had won with a goalkeeper carrying a detailed PSG penalty guide, I guarantee half of Europe would be demanding an investigation.
“UEFA doesn’t even need to punish anyone. Just tell us clearly what is and isn’t allowed. Because if this is completely legal, then every goalkeeper in Europe will be turning up to penalty shootouts with a cheat sheet the size of a textbook next season.”
So close, Arsenal were so close, it’s so cruel, they’ve waited so long, this their 24th attempt to win the European Cup/Champions League, their 240th game in the competition, so many years of hurt going back to 71-72. So near and yet so far, so much heartache now, devastated players and supporters. Down and out for London against Paris.
Arsenal can take pride from Budapest if no trophy. They gave everything. They lived with PS-G, the European champions for two hours. They defended well, ran themselves into the ground in their 63rd game of the season. But that shootout. So cruel. Poor Eze, such an entertainer, so committed to the team and the club, one of the most likeable people in the game. Dragged his kick wide. Eze is a regular taker, took them for Palace and QPR.
Sapping conditions and extra time meant changes meant some of the first penalty picks, Havertz (22 out of 23 converted) Saka, Odegaard, were subbed off. And did David Raya commit early? Worked v Nuno Mendes tbf.
And particularly cruel that it should be poor Gabriel at the death, the sudden death, skying his pen. Gabriel’s been outstanding this season, taking responsibility when Arsenal needed him most in games, superb across two hours against PS-G. He took responsibility when his team needed him most in the shootout, stepping up for the fifth pen.
Pressure on, at the PS-G end, 4-3 down, he had to score but missed. Kudos to Marquinhos for consoling his compatriot. PS-G are great champions, back-to-back, a joy to watch but needing to battle here, in a scrappy final against Arsenal. They dominated possession and, just about, deserved the win. Never a penalty Mendes on Madueke. Vitinha immense. Again.
Those who mock Arsenal will say how fitting that Arsenal’s season decided by dead-balls. Arsenal will use this as further fuel for their fire. They will have to go again. Mikel Arteta’s side have built for this. Quarter-final in 24, semi-final in 25, final in 26. Go again for 27. Make Declan Rice captain, strengthen the squad, and go again. #AFC #PSGARS #UCLfinal