Arsenal have seen an array of world-class talent make north London their home over the years, with some living up to expectation and some not so much.

The Gunners are in the process of showcasing their new wave of superstars, as Mikel Arteta continues to gun for glory and major silverware with his generation of heroes at the Emirates.

So many with legendary status have come and gone over the years at Arsenal, not helped by their assumed captain's curse, which has seen the best at the time leave soon after taking the armband.

From William Gallas to even Thierry Henry, many have fallen victim to the curse after being handed captaincy, with Arteta hoping that the feat of bad luck will end at Martin Odegaard, who was named skipper last summer.

In recent years, the theme has continued, with Odegaard being selected to take the role from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was ironically handed it from fellow cursed captain Granit Xhaka in 2019.

For whatever reason, there has been a narrative of poor captains at Arsenal, whether it be poor performance, attitude or desire to leave, being handed the armband hasn’t seemed to hold the honour that it does to some.

It would be difficult to discuss the Gunners’ captains of Arteta’s era without delving into the history of Aubameyang at the Emirates, with the striker arriving as royalty and leaving far from his throne.

When did Arsenal sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?

In January 2018, Arsenal unveiled Aubameyang as their new addition, bringing joy to those associated with the club with reference to their lack of presence leading the line for years prior.

Captured for a club-record fee at the time of £60m, the former Borussia Dortmund hero arrived in north London with a stellar reputation due to his goal-scoring proficiency throughout his career, including bagging 141 goals in just 213 games in Germany.

The Gunners had only signed fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette in the summer of 2017, handing those at the Emirates a sense of belief in their squad as the goals looked as though they’d soon arrive.

What was the reaction when Arsenal signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?

The stage was set for Aubameyang to eclipse those before him, as he took Thierry Henry’s number 14 shirt and scored on his debut in the fashion of a true poacher, resulting in Arsene Wenger expressing his delight with the Gabonese gem’s arrival at his former club.

As relayed by The Guardian, Wenger tipped the forward to follow in Henry’s footsteps, calling comparisons to the French wizard a “good example to follow”.

The undefeated manager of 2003/04 went on to dub the £60m man as “tremendous”, hyping up his calibre by saying, “you don’t score by coincidence for so many years”, which wasn’t the end of the high praise for the new arrival.

A few years down the line, Gary Neville formed another comparison to Henry when analysing a goal scored by Aubameyang, as relayed by the Daily Mail.

“This is Thierry Henry, everything about it. As he went through on goal you just imagined the great French striker sprinting down on goal, setting it out to that far post. It’s Aubameyang now, wonderful.”

All the signs were there that the striker could in some ways replicate the quality and impact of Arsenal’s record goal scorer, and for the majority of his time in red and white, he was adored in a similar sense to the World Cup winner.

How many goals did Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang score at Arsenal?

Aubameyang left Arsenal 136 goals shy of Henry’s record of 228, netting 92 goals in 163 games for the Gunners over his four-year stay.

At the end of his debut half-season, the Gabon international had scored ten league goals in only 13 appearances, which was a subtle sign of things to come as he claimed the golden boot in his first full campaign in 2018/19.

The forward scored 22 league goals that season, a tally that was replicated the campaign after as he scored another 22 in the 2019/20 term to cement himself as one of the top sharpshooters in the Premier League.

Things couldn’t get better for Arsenal and their striker in 2020 as he signed a new three-year deal, after being named as club captain in the winter of 2019 following Granit Xhaka’s stripping of the honour.

How much did Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cost Arsenal?

Prior to signing his new contract, Aubameyang was earning £180k-per-week, amounting to £9.3m-per-year in wages alone.

The sum increased when he penned his refreshed deal, taking his salary to a monstrous £13m-per-year, equalling a weekly wage of £250k.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's career earnings

Club

Year

Weekly Wage

Borussia Dortmund

2014-2015

£40,000

Borussia Dortmund

2015-2016

£55,316

Borussia Dortmund

2016-2017

£79,237

Arsenal

2017-2020

£180,000

Arsenal

2020-2022

£250,000

Barcelona

2022

£41,529

Chelsea

2022-2023

£160,000

All figures via Capology

When adding up his wages over his time in north London, the figure amounts to around £52m, which when you add his transfer fee of £60m, reveals that Arsenal made an expenditure of around £112m to maintain their star striker at the Emirates.

Was he worth it?

Everything was looking rosy for both club and player following his renewal, until it all went very bleak very quickly.

Just two years after he was handed the captaincy due to Xhaka having the privilege revoked, Arteta dealt Aubameyang the same blow, taking the armband away from him due to disciplinary breaches.

The antics between player and manager away from the pitch resulted in a dip in form on the field, as the forward scored just ten goals in the 2020/21 league campaign, followed by scoring four the season after.

There was a clear breakdown in the relationship between Arteta and Aubameyang, which had made fans turn against the striker who seemed to have carried his “crazy boy” image from Dortmund to London, as he described himself in his farewell post to his former club.

In the winter transfer window of 2022, Arsenal mutually agreed to terminate the former captain’s contract, seeing him join Barcelona on a free transfer.

On his departure, Arteta told the media that his former striker’s “trajectory at the club and the importance of his goals was unquestionable”, however, the time was right for him to leave.

Aubameyang gave the Gunners plenty of things to cheer about during his time at the Emirates, reinstating the goals and the thrill of having a capable striker to the fans, yet his exit left a sour taste, with matters made worse by his moves following his exit.

What is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doing now?

After leaving the club in January 2022, it wasn’t long before the 34-year-old returned to the capital, as he signed for Chelsea in September in a transfer that left followers of the Gunners stunned.

To the joy of those bewildered by his decision, the Gabon international left the Blues after 21 appearances and just three goals, with him now representing Marseille in Ligue 1 with a market value of just €5m (£4.3m) – according to CIES Football Observatory.

From a cherished captain likened to Henry, to a villain representing Arsenal’s London rivals, Aubameyang’s trajectory took a sudden turn at the Emirates, as he failed to live up to the expectations he was showered with when he first arrived on English soil.

A record partnership of 223 and a record T20I individual score of 172 – Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short made a light snack of the Zimbabwean attack in the tri-series

The Report by Daniel Brettig03-Jul-2018Aaron Finch was in supreme touch•Associated PressRather than throw a kettle over a pub, it was Zimbabwe pasted all over the Harare Sports Club.Aaron Finch bludgeoned his way to within three runs of Chris Gayle’s world-record Twenty20 score and bettered his own chart-topper in Twenty20 internationals as Australia cantered to a second victory in as many days in the triangular series in Harare.Placing his stamp on the tournament and Australia’s short-form captaincy, Finch blazed 10 sixes in an opening stand of 223 – with a more subdued D’Arcy Short – that lasted until the final over of the visitors’ innings after they were sent in by Zimbabwe. Left with three balls to make the four runs he required to set a new world record score in all T20 matches, Finch was dismissed hit wicket when aiming for one more mighty blow. Still, he walked off having delivered a comfortably match-winning total for his team.Despite a rapid start, as Billy Stanlake struggled to replicate the rhythm he had achieved against Pakistan the day before, Zimbabwe never truly threatened in the chase. Ashton Agar and Andrew Tye both delivered tight spells for the Australians, on a sluggish surface that was by no means the easiest for batsmen.Given the heights to which Finch soared, the contrasting fortunes of Short put his innings in context, while evidence remained of Australian frailties against spin bowling via the isolated economy of the slow left-armer Tendai Chisoro, who gave up a mere 19 runs from four overs, six of those from one ball.Kyle Jarvis had dropped out of the Zimbabwe XI with a broken thumb, with his place taken by Chris Mpofu, while Australia were unchanged. Zimbabwe won the only previous T20 encounter between the two nations, at the inaugural World T20 tournament in Cape Town in 2007.Walking to the middle with Short, Finch found his range in the third over of the innings by clattering John Nyumbu for a trio of boundaries in as many balls, and the first six of the innings followed over wide long-on from Mpofu’s next over. From there the boundary was reached or cleared with alarming regularity for Zimbabwe’s captain Hamilton Masakadza, who tried hard but was unable to plug the holes in the field.Ryan Burl’s legbreak cost 30 runs from two overs, while a single over from Solomon Mire was hoisted for no fewer than 21. Finch’s half-century arrived in 22 balls, and he reached a second T20I century from his 50th. His previous T20 hundred for Australia had arrived in a flurry of shots at the Rose Bowl against England in 2013, where he set the mark for the highest international score of 156, made from a mere 63 balls.If Finch’s scoring pace was not quite that hectic this time around, there was a relentlessness in evidence that had him persevering until the final over of the innings, supported by Short who, while not striking the ball with anything like the same authority, showed a willingness to complement his captain by rotating the strike. Both were to depart in the final over of the innings, but only after the first ever 200 opening stand in T20 internationals and also the longest ever partnership in T20Is in terms of balls faced.Zimbabwe commenced their chase with only the faintest of hope, but the openers Mire and Chamu Chibhabha atleast provided the small crowd some reason for good cheer with an impudent opening stand that lifted the hosts to 42 in the fourth over. Chibhabha was then the victim of a curious caught behind decision, but Stanlake was unable to back up his Pakistan efforts, underlining the fact that a journey from promising fast man to consistent performer is still some way from completion.Jhye Richardson, Agar and Tye all fared rather better, steadily working their way through the Zimbabwe batting order while choking down on the run rate. Agar’s spin was at times beguiling, not least when he lured Masakadza down the pitch and then turned the ball past him for a deft stumping by Alex Carey.In the end, Zimbabwe were limited to the most minor of moral victories by not allowing themselves to be bowled out, but the margin was nonetheless Australia’s widest in T20 matches. Finch could not have done any more to make it so.

Jurgen Klopp has come to the defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold after he claimed that Liverpool's trophies "mean more" than Manchester City's.

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Liverpool to host Man City at AnfieldTempers are flaring in the build-upKlopp defended his star full-back(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The stage is set for a high-stakes encounter between Liverpool and Manchester City – a match that could significantly impact the Premier League title race. With the Reds holding a narrow one-point lead over City in the league table, Sunday's showdown promises to be a pivotal moment in the season.

However, tensions escalated in the lead-up to the match when Alexander-Arnold suggested that City had acquired their success through financial muscle-flexing and hence the titles won at Merseyside hold more value than at the Etihad. He emphasised the emotional attachment and significance of winning the title for Liverpool, claiming that it "means more" to his team.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Erling Haaland responded sharply to Alexander-Arnold's comments, asserting the importance of winning the treble and implying that the Liverpool full-back may not fully comprehend the feeling of such achievement as he has yet to win one. Despite the backlash, Klopp stood firmly by Alexander-Arnold, stating that he saw nothing wrong with his player's remarks. He further highlighted one of the club's slogans, "this means more," to emphasise the emotional connection and passion associated with representing Liverpool in the defence of his player.

WHAT KLOPP SAID

Speaking to reporters, Klopp said: "I had a few people telling me what I should say (laughs). I am not sure how often in this club that we have to say how much we respect City. Pep is the best manager in the world. They have incredible players. At the moment they have the best No 9, Haaland, who scores when he wants. Kevin De Bruyne will go down in history with players like Steven Gerrard! Phil Foden, the best English player at the moment. We all respect that.

"Trent respects that. But he is born in Liverpool, he stood on the bins [outside Melwood to watch players train as a kid]. What would you think in that situation? One of our slogans, that I love, is 'this means more'. It means more to us. This club is special to us. So if we feel it, why shouldn't we be allowed to say it? I am not really interested [in outside opinions]. It's just how he feels. How we feel and I have absolutely no problem about that. I just got told about it. I am pretty sure he showed total respect as well. In the last decade, Man City is the most successful team in English football and maybe Europe. It's ridiculous record they have. It means a lot for their people I am sure. We're still allowed to think what we want. But nothing wrong with what Trent said in my view."

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

The sentiment of "this means more" resonates deeply within Liverpool, reflecting the club's rich history, traditions, and the unwavering support of its passionate fanbase. As the Reds prepare to face off against City, the message is clear: for the players, the staff, and the fans, this match holds immense importance and represents more than just a game of football. Expect nothing short of a Sunday blockbuster at Anfield!

كشف الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم عن هوية الحكم الذي سيتولى مسؤولية المباراة المرتقبة مساء اليوم الجمعة، بين ألمانيا وإسبانيا.

ويلتقي المنتخبان في إطار منافسات دور الـ8 من مسابقة يورو 2024، بملعب “مرسيدس بنز أرينا”، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة.

وتأهل منتخب ألمانيا إلى منافسات الدور ربع النهائي من البطولة الأوروبية عقب فوزه على الدنمارك بهدفين مقابل لاشيء.

بينما تأهل المنتخب الإسباني إلى منافسات الدور ذاته عقب الفوز على جورجيا بنتيجة 4/1. حكم مباراة ألمانيا وإسبانيا اليوم في يورو 2024

حكم الساحة: الإنجليزي أنتوني تايلور.

حكم مساعد أول: الإنجليزي جاري بيسويك.

حكم مساعد ثانِ: الإنجليزي آدم نون.

حكم رابع: السلوفاكي إيفان كروزلياك.

حكم تقنية الفيديو: الإنجليزي ستيوارت أتويل.

Throughout the years, pretty much every club in the Premier League will have had their highs and lows when it comes to the kits that they’re sporting.

When it comes to Arsenal, it feels as if they’ve been on a very solid run recently, whether it be the revitalised bruised banana shirt or the classic red and white colours.

However, sometimes it doesn’t quite hit the mark. With these kits in mind, Football FanCast has looked back through history to find the 10 worst kits ever to grace the turf at Highbury or the Emirates.

10 Away kit 2020/21

Kicking things off with a shirt from a few years ago that certainly divided opinion – something which can be repeated for the majority of this list, in truth.

The 2020/21 season came with a very tidy home kit, as well as a navy and pink number for the third shirt, but the colour palette for the away strip wasn’t quite as well-received, with the red on the white looking more like blood splatter as opposed to the marble halls at Highbury.

In that shirt, Arsenal staggered to an underwhelming eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.

This was Mikel Arteta’s first full season in charge, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom with his side winning the Community Shield and getting to the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they lost to eventual winners Villarreal.

9 Goalkeeper kit 2010/11

We’re putting a goalkeeper kit under the microscope here, as it fits in well alongside some of these underwhelming outfits.

Wojciech Szczęsny was the Arsenal goalkeeper for most of the 2010/11 season, and along with some below-par green numbers that he wore, this snazzy pink shirt was a little garish.

One of the more notable moments from that season was not a positive one for Arsenal as the Polish shot-stopper wore the pink strip when he conceded four goals against Newcastle United.

The design on the sleeves is certainly a bit of an eyesore, but the pink just takes it up (or down) a notch from the black and light blue versions, which featured in the Gunners’ win over Barcelona and defeat to Birmingham City at Wembley respectively.

8 Home kit 2018/19

Red and white is so synonymous with Arsenal Football Club that one would be mistaken for thinking that there is no way to butcher that.

But in their last season as the manufacturers back in 2018/19, Puma did exactly that as they added a pink stripe on the sleeves, while the layout just seemed a bit clunky.

The aforementioned stripe was also accompanied by the Visit Rwanda sleeve sponsor.

The Gunners’ exploits that year appeared to mirror the kit itself, with Unai Emery failing to qualify for the Champions League in his first season by losing in the Europa League final and finishing outside of the top four.

7 Away kit 2017/18

Arsenal faltered in their final year under Arsene Wenger, and their underachievements in this blue effort from Puma were arguably foreshadowed by its iffy design.

In fact, Arsenal won just 2 of 12 outings in light blue, with both victories coming in the Europa League. They even lost at home wearing blue when beaten by Graham Potter’s Ostersund side, before prevailing on aggregate.

As for the kit itself, the transition from light to dark blue just didn’t work; it didn’t feel very ‘Arsenal’ at all.

6 Away kit 2007/08

Arsenal’s home kits have always been primarily red with some white to accompany it, so when the away kit in 2007/08 was the opposite, the Emirates faithful were intrigued.

The red was much darker, but either way, having white as a primary colour for the rivals of Tottenham Hotspur was a peculiar move, and one that shouldn’t be revisited anytime hereafter.

They did have their moments in this strip, though, with Arsenal pulling off a huge victory at the San Siro against AC Milan thanks to goals from Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor.

It has to be said that they did fall at the next hurdle in white, as late goals from Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel won the quarter-final tie for Liverpool at Anfield. Steer clear of white in future, please.

5 Away kit 2010/11

This could be a controversial one, but the yellow/burgundy mixture from 2010/11 receives a no from us.

While yellow has become synonymous with Arsenal – primarily with blue – it’s by no means a guaranteed hit on its own. This mustard yellow and burgundy combination was tidy enough, but fails to deliver on the kind of throwback we *think* Nike were going for, here.

Exiting the cup and Champions League in this kit won’t help the more recent memories, either. One look at this and you immediately picture Robin van Persie seeing red, right?

4 Away kit 2014/15

After beating Hull City in the FA Cup final when sporting the classic Arsenal red, they faced Aston Villa the following year at Wembley and took to the field in their yellow away kit.

The yellow aspect of it wasn’t anything bad, but the dark blue sleeves just didn’t really work alongside the red of the sponsors and squad numbers.

When you lift a piece of major silverware, though, no one can really have any complaints.

3 Away kit 2023/24

Another controversial one, here – and it’s Adidas’ latest effort. The fluorescent yellow is bad enough, but the needless tyre tracks and awful colour combinations just make it downright ugly.

20 years on from the Invincibles season, you can’t help but feel Adidas has missed a trick in not going for the easy win of an anniversary-inspired strip – especially given their track record. And all this after coming up with one of the club’s best away kits in ages (perhaps ever) with last year’s all-black design.

You can’t expect perfection every time, but this feels like a major step backwards. Admittedly, it works rather well with the shorts, so maybe it’s a grower. Can’t help but feel next summer’s release will be a drastic improvement, though.

2 Away kit 2012/13

The sky blue and navy away kit of the 2011/12 season is very lucky not to have made this list, and it may have been slightly saved by the fact that an even worse strip was produced for the following season.

Signing Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla in the same window is a commendable feat, it has to be said, even when one considers the loss of Robert van Persie that same summer. Unfortunately, their transfer activity was not matched by Nike’s idea to a) go for stripes; and b) make a total mess of it.

1 Third kit 2014/15

The absolute monstrosity that tops this list is almost a decade old now, and it is definitely for the best that it is left in the past.

Having previously visited the 2014/15 season, we are back there, but with the third kit this time around.

Dark blue and light blue as a contrast is something which can be very hit-and-miss, and this shirt certainly fits into the latter category.

One memorable moment that Arsenal fans got to witness from this kit was when Danny Welbeck scored a winner in the FA Cup quarter-final against his previous employers, Manchester United.

But they suffered some chastening nights in Europe, including a poor showing against Borussia Dortmund before being dumped out of the Champions League by Monaco despite winning on the night.

At least Arsenal limited this embarrassment to the cup competitions.

The international break is always an interminable slog, but for Premier League table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur, it will feel like a lifetime after blitzing into form under the management of Ange Postecoglou.

Despite enduring a challenging 2022/23 campaign that resulted in an eighth-placed finish in the top-flight and the dismissal of Antonio Conte, the arrival of Postecoglou has stemmed the malaise and rekindled the fluidity that was so prominent during the days of Mauricio Pochettino.

The complete transformation has been commendable and the results are illustrated through the progress on the pitch, with there now a real sense that Spurs can compete against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool for the league title.

James Maddison is the salient arrival, pumping inventive creativity into the centre of the pitch and earning adulation from pundit Jermaine Jenas, who said that he is "on the verge of being a world-class talent."

But he's not the only contributor to the revival, with a host of existing stars now tapping into their potential and looking every bit comfortable in a Premier League side targetting silver-laden success.

With six victories and two draws from the opening eight matches of the term, the Lilywhites are indeed flying, but Postecoglou will have to contend with several issues following the conclusion of the international sojourn.

Indeed, Tottenham secured victory over Luton Town last time out, but did so at a cost, with the industrious Yves Bissouma picking up a red card after Manor Solomon sustained a lengthy knee injury in training and is now sidelined indefinitely.

What happened to Manor Solomon?

Solomon announced himself on English shores with a prolific purple patch on loan with Fulham last season, scoring five goals in as many matches earlier in 2023 and earning praise for his “stunning” efforts by journalist Josh Bunting.

Such feats earned him a free transfer to Tottenham, having concluded his contract with Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, and while he has not yet cemented a regular starting berth, the 37-cap Israel international has earned two assists – both against Burnley – from just five Premier League outings this season, starting twice.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 4% for goals scored, the top 4% for successful take-ons and the top 2% for tackles made per 90 – very much the protean threat.

The £60k-per-week gem offers a kind of dynamism that someone like Richarlison doesn't boast in the same regard, having been dubbed a "pocket rocket" by pundit Jamie Redknapp.

While Richarlison is indeed the first choice option on the left wing, he has not proved himself reliable despite improving on his dismal form from last season, and, as such, Postecoglou could use the current seasonal pause to assess his options and tinker at his team.

Heung-min Son, now club captain, has been exceptional this season and is thriving up front, having scored six goals across his last five Premier League matches, and while he will continue to serve in the role over the season, it might be wise for his manager to shift him back into his natural position on the left to accommodate summer signing Alejo Veliz.

How much did Tottenham pay for Alejo Veliz?

Several days prior to Tottenham legend Harry Kane's £86m plus add-ons transfer to Bayern Munich in August, young and exciting forward Veliz was added to the squad.

The 20-year-old Argentina prospect joined from Rosario Central for a reported £13m fee, signing a six-year deal with the London club and continuing the emphasis on fresh, younger arrival, reshaping and remoulding a Spurs side that has languished below the desired standard for some time now.

Fabrizio Romano hailed him a "talented" player and while he has yet to make his mark at Tottenham, he will likely get an increased opportunity over the coming months, with Solomon's absence something he could use advantageously to wedge his way into Postecoglou's plans.

How good is Alejo Veliz?

Last season, in the Liga Professional, Veliz plundered 11 goals and two assists from 23 matches, leading South American content creator Nathan Joyes to praise his "exciting" attributes.

Tall and imposing, Veliz has been noted for having the making of the "complete" centre-forward by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who also highlighted his "finishing, instinct, athleticism, movement."

So far, he has only made two appearances for Tottenham with both coming in the dying embers of the club's past two Premier League matches, but his natural prowess as a striker could be something well-placed for his outfit's success, especially during spells when Richarlison may fall out of form.

Son ranks among the top 15% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90 and has posted 151 goals and 80 assists across 381 matches since joining the club.

Alejo Veliz

Heung-min Son

0.55

0.37

0.45

0.32

3.03

2.47

4.78

0.20

And given that Veliz has been firing at a greater rate than the 31-year-old over the past year while also dwarfing his impact in aerial situations, Postecoglou must now provide him with his very first starting berth since arriving on English shores a few months ago.

Obviously, Son has been in fine form over recent weeks and his rate of scoring illustrates that, but Veliz offers a different dimension to the centre-forward position and could thrive as the focal point with his towering presence.

And while Son is indeed flourishing at present, he's hardly unproven as a threat from the left channel, and could offer the kind of offensive security to allow Veliz to integrate into the rigours of Premier League football.

By not pleading guilty to the charge laid by the ICC, Chandimal will attend a hearing by match referee Javagal Srinath after the conclusion of the Test

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jun-2018

AFP

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has denied charges of attempting to change the condition of the ball during the ongoing second Test against West Indies in St Lucia*. By not pleading guilty to the charge laid by the ICC for “changing the condition of the ball”, Chandimal will attend a hearing by match referee Javagal Srinath after the conclusion of the Test.The ICC release on Sunday also stated: “The officials laid the charge after television footage from the final session’s play on Friday appeared to show the Sri Lanka captain taking sweets out from his left pocket and putting these in his mouth, before applying the artificial substance to the ball which the umpires viewed as an attempt to change its condition.”The video evidence will be used in the hearing which will also be attended by the match officials as well as the Sri Lankan team management. The charges had been laid by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould, and third umpire Richard Kettleborough on Saturday. The charge constitutes a breach under Article 2.2.9 of the ICC’s code of conduct, which deals with altering the condition of the ball by “unfair” means.Article 2.2.9 of the ICC’s code of conduct

2.2.9 Changing the condition of the ball in breach of clause 41.3 of the ICC Standard Test Match, ODI and T20I Playing Conditions.
Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which were not specifically permitted under clause 41.3.2 may be regarded as ‘unfair’. The following actions shall not be permitted (this list of actions is not exhaustive but included for illustrative purposes):
(a) deliberately throwing the ball into the ground for the purpose of roughening it up;
(b) applying any artificial substance to the ball; and applying any non-artificial substance for any purpose other than to polish the ball;
(c) lifting or otherwise interfering with any of the seams of the ball;
(d) scratching the surface of the ball with finger or thumb nails or any implement.
The umpires shall use their judgement to apply the principle that actions taken to maintain or enhance the condition of the ball, provided no artificial substances are used, shall be permitted. Any actions taken with the purpose of damaging the condition of the ball or accelerating the deterioration of the condition of the ball shall not be permitted.

In a pre-emptive move on Saturday evening, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a media release saying it would defend any “unwarranted allegation” against any player. “The team management has informed us that Sri Lankan players have not engaged in any wrongdoing,” the release said. “SLC shall take all necessary steps to defend any player, in the event any unwarranted allegation is brought against a member of the team.”The SLC’s statement came after Srinath awarded five runs to West Indies in Gros Islet on the third morning, having laid down an initial charge of altering the condition of the ball on Sri Lanka.These actions resulted in a drama-filled morning in Gros Islet; Chandimal’s men had refused to take the field and, when the match eventually resumed after a two-hour delay, SLC pointed out that the players were continuing with the game “under protest”.It is understood that what raised tempers in the Sri Lanka camp was that the match officials had informed Chandimal that they were going to change the ball about 10 minutes before the start of play on day three.Three other players were recently charged by the ICC under the same article of the code of conduct: Cameron Bancroft (2018), Dasun Shanaka (2017) and Faf du Plessis (2016). Shanaka’s charge means this is the second time in two years that Sri Lanka have found themselves part of a controversy over the condition of the ball.Following the Bancroft incident, which resulted in three Australian players being handed lengthy bans by their own board, the ICC decided to consider severe sanctions against ball tampering. The ICC’s cricket committee deliberated on raising the penalty for ball tampering to a Level 3 offence from the existing Level 2 classification, and they could come into effect soon.*1630GMT The story was updated after the ICC release with details of Chandimal not accepting the charge

Rahul Dravid, the India A coach, has hailed the “bench strength” being developed for the senior side ahead of next year’s World Cup after his players secured victory in the tri-series final on Monday. Led by a strong bowling performance and Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 64, India A overturned England Lions’ home advantage for the second time in a week to make it four wins in a row and take the trophy.

Dravid on India in England

“It should be an interesting series. The India batting line-up has been here before, which should give them a lot of confidence. Hopefully the bowlers, if they can keep them fit, we’ve got a very good attack; the spinners have been here before, too. India is well placed to do well, but make no mistake, England in these conditions are a very good side. I’m hoping for a great series.”

Victory at The Oval had several authors, as has been the case all series. Deepak Chahar claimed 3 for 58, including a wicket with the new ball and that of Sam Hain, the Lions centurion; Khaleel Ahmed also picked up three wickets, while only Krunal Pandya, who removed Liam Livingstone for 83, went at more than a-run-a-ball. Pant then sealed the chase with a sprightly half-century, after 40s from Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Iyer laid the platform on a sometimes-tricky pitch.Overall, India A had four hundreds by three batsmen – Agarwal, with two, was second only to Hain in the run-scoring charts – and four players averaging more than 50. They also piled up a record 458 for 4 in a warm-up match against Leicestershire. With the ball, Chahar claimed 10 wickets at 14.70, while Shardul Thakur, Khaleel and Axar Patel also impressed in unfamiliar conditions.With the 2019 World Cup taking place in England, Dravid said he had been encouraged by the strides the team had made after losing to the Lions in the opening match of the tri-series at Derby last week.”A lot of these tours aren’t necessarily about winning, but I think the quality of cricket we’ve played throughout this tournament – except for the first game where we didn’t bat particularly well – has been really good,” Dravid told ESPNcricinfo. “A lot of the boys have had their first-time exposure to these conditions; we tried to rotate the squad as much as we could and give everyone decent opportunities.”It’s been quite satisfying, some good performances. A tough game today as well, we had to fight back with the ball and the bat – so good to see them fight, good to see them compete in these conditions. Definitely some positives, as well as seeing some of the boys get into the national side as well, irrespective of the result.Rahul Dravid watches the India A side•Getty Images

“Especially with the World Cup in a year’s time, it’s nice to have bench strength, for the selectors to know there are good young players if the situation does arise. It’s nice to replicate this experience leading into the World Cup, to give these boys some exposure in these conditions.”Chahar, who claimed career-best List A figures of 5 for 27 against West Indies A following an impressive IPL, and Krunal have already been rewarded with maiden calls to the full India squad, for the T20I series against England starting on Tuesday. Dravid was particularly pleased with the performances of the team’s pace attack during the tri-series, which he suggested had matched that of the Lions, notably in the final and in their 102-run win in Leicester.”There’s a good bench strength being developed and I think it gives people a lot of confidence that there are players, if the situation arises, who are in good touch and playing well,” Dravid said. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve done really quite well in white-ball cricket at this level, built up quite a few players – so that’s a good thing for Indian cricket.”All the quicks were really good, we rotated the four of them and all of them had their moments and did well in the series. I think we’ve got a really strong bowling attack at the moment, with the India side, a lot of variation and depth, and it’s nice to see we’ve got another batch there in case of injuries. Especially with the fast-bowling department, you need back-ups and people who can come in – we’ve got Deepak and Shardul [in India’s last series before this tour] joining the national team due to injuries. It’s good to see the fast bowlers coming through and almost out-bowl some of the English seamers in these conditions, which is a really good sign for us.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been told by one pundit that manager Ange Postecoglou has a "liability" in his ranks at Spurs.

Who are Tottenham's star players?

The Lilywhites' incredible start to 2023/2024, where Postecoglou has cemented himself as one of the club's most popular managers of recent years, has been helped by a few key, key names. Summer signing James Maddison, who joined from Leicester City for around £40 million, is now a pivotal player at Tottenham and arguably their superstar man right now. His five assists and two goals over eight league games, not to mention all-round displays, played a heavy hand in Spurs' climb to the Premier League summit.

Son Heung-min has also rediscovered his 2022 Golden Boot form with a brilliant six goals already, prompting debate over both Maddison and Son's impact at Spurs – specifically who is more crucial.

“I find Heung-min Son to be the difference-maker for the team," said pundit Alejandro Moreno this week.

"And while I agree James Maddison and the connection with Heung-min Son has become a really important part to what Spurs do, and Heung-min Son – in some ways – depends on James Maddison, and James Maddison has been really good for Spurs, Heung-min Son is still the difference guy.

“He’s still the guy that’s going to score the goals for you. And I go back to scoring goals because this game is about scoring goals. This is how you win matches. And if Heung-min Son is scoring goals for Spurs, they’re winning games. If he’s not scoring goals for Spurs, they’re going to have a difficult time doing so, because James Maddison is not going to score those goals.”

The likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Micky van de Ven, Yves Bissouma, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie have also earned praise for their stellar performances this term, but there have been a few casualties of Tottenham's excellent form.

Eric Dier update

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is yet to start a single league game despite being crucial for Antonio Conte last season, and defender Eric Dier are now unfavoured by Postecoglou – watching on from the side as Tottenham blow away supporters. The latter man hasn't played a minute in any competition for Spurs, and with his contract expiring in the summer of 2024, all the signs point towards an exit in the next eight months.

ESPN pundit Stuart Robson, speaking on the broadcaster's Gab's and Jule's show podcast, suggests that Spurs would be making the right decision by letting him depart – as his lack of awareness and pace make him a "liability" for Postecoglou.

“What do you want? Do you want someone who is quite good on the ball and can play passes into the front players or a good defender? If you want a good defender I would say don’t get Eric Dier, he’s not quick enough, he doesn’t read danger quickly enough, he’s a liability, if you want someone who will just play out from the back, you might want him, but I would say no, I’m not an Eric Dier fan at the moment.” Robson stated.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em partida realizada na noite deste domingo (8), pela 20ª rodada do Brasileirão Série, CRB e Juventude entraram em campo no estádio Rei Pelé, em Alagoas, em busca demais um feito na competição.

Com o resultado final de 1 a 0, o Ju chegou aos 34 pontos, mantendo-se na quarta colocação. Já o Galo, mesmo sofrendo o revés em casa, acabou estacionando na 10ª colocação com seus 26 pontos.

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O jogo

Tentando assustar o CRB nos primeiros minutos, o Juventude chegou pela primeira vez apostando na lateral. Ao fazer o cruzamento, a bola de Igor caiu rapidamente quase surpreendendo Victor Souza.

No entanto, a resposta do time da casa veio rápido. Minutos depois, aos 9, Robinho recebeu boa bola em profundidade, porém cara a cara com o goleiro Marcelo Carné, o camisa 1 conseguiu fazer uma bonita defesa evitando o que seria o tento do Galo.

Até meados dos 25 minutos, era o CRB quem ainda tinhas as melhores ações no duelo. Entretanto, mesmo aparecendo com certa frequência em seu campo de ataque, a equipe local teve um gol anulado, após a arbitragem flagrar o impedimento de Robinho no lance, após rebote dado pelo goleiro do Ju.

Na reta final, o duelo passou a ficar equilibrado. Com uma chance para cada lado, sendo a primeira de Luidy, para o Galo, arriscando de fora dando trabalho a Carné, o Juventude não desanimou e, já os acréscimos, tentou uma cabeçada com Bareiro, mas Igor conseguiu salvar em cima da linha.

Já na segunda etapa, a equipe gaúcha voltou com duas alterações. Wallace Tarta e Maciel, entraram nos lugares de Neto e Rafael Silva, respectivamente. Com isso, a qualidade de passe melhorou no meio-campo, porém foram poucas as investidas contra o gol de Victor Souza.

Até os 20 minutos, o panorama do confronto era melhor para o Ju. Com boas descidas ao seu campo de ataque, Gum e companhia mantinham-se atentos a qualquer investida rival, que martelava em busca de seu gol.

Após algumas tentativas, finalmente aos 24 minutos os visitantes inauguraram o marcador no Rei Pelé. Em jogada iniciada com Gustavo, o meia encontrou Tarta sem marcação que, por sua vez, bateu na saída do arqueiro. 1 a 0.

Vendo sua equipe ser pressionada, além da desvantagem, Gabriel Cabo promoveu então suas primeira trocas. Entretanto, mesmo aparecendo mais em seu campo ofensivo, o duelo ficou marcado por um certo equilíbrio até o fim, com direito a bola de Marciel passando muito próximo ao travessão , sendo esse o último lance de perigo antes do apito final do árbitro.