Bristol City head coach Liam Manning says the club had called for referee Oliver Langford to be removed from their Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Sheffield United.
Langford sent off Robins defender Rob Dickie just before half-time for a foul on Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore in the Bristol City penalty area.
Harrison Burrows dispatched the subsequent spot-kick and the Blades went on to beat their 10-man hosts 3-0 to secure a sizeable advantage heading into Monday’s second leg at Bramall Lane.
“A referee was put in charge of a game he should be nowhere near,” Manning told BBC Radio Bristol. “We called this week to flag our concerns with him doing it.”
Langford has issued six red cards in the past 12 games he has officiated – including four in matches involving Bristol City.
He sent off two Robins players in their draw at Oxford in February and then dismissed Sunderland’s Trai Hume in a City victory at Ashton Gate in April.
The Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) declined to respond to Manning’s comments, but pointed to its appointments policy, which determines the eligibility of referees.
“He was the one who sent [Liam] Walsh off the other week at Luton v Coventry, then it was changed because it shouldn’t have been a straight red,” Manning added.
That red card was overturned – although none of Langford’s other recent dismissals have been successfully appealed against.
Speaking about the incident in Thursday’s play-off game, Manning added: “It’s almost like [Langford] can’t wait to get [the card] out.
“First and foremost we didn’t defend well enough leading to us being exposed at the back and then Rob on the recovery, if he pulls him, fair enough, but he actually kicks the ball.
“The only reason it should be a red if there’s no attempt to play the ball. I don’t know how you can attempt to not play the ball and kick it; it’s madness.”
According to the FA, a penalty must be awarded when a player “commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity”.
Rangers have been asked by the SPFL to explain how a controversial banner was allowed to be displayed before Sunday’s Scottish Premiership draw with Celtic.
The tifo appeared to show an image of former Rangers manager Graeme Souness holding a gun.
The display was highlighted in the match delegate’s report.
Rangers have also been asked to comment on missiles, including a glass bottle, that appeared to be thrown on to the pitch from the stand.
Shortly after the 1-1 draw, Rangers released a statement condemning the throwing of a bottle and say steps had been taken to identify the culprit.
The club also described the banner as “unacceptable”.
‘It wasn’t just a bottle – there were lighters, vapes, coins, mugs, all sorts’
The bottle landed near Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the second half, with Rangers substitute Neraysho Kasanwirjo – who had been warming up nearby – entering the pitch to remove it.
On Friday, Sinisalo said other items were directed towards him.
“First of all, I was hit with something in my lower leg,” said the Finn. “It wasn’t just a bottle, there was lighters, vapes, coins, mugs, all sorts.
“Let’s say that glass bottle hits me or hits someone else, what happens next? What if it hits you in the eye and you can’t play football after that.
“Those are the questions that we need answers for.”
When Rangers and Celtic met at Ibrox in January, an object was thrown from the crowd and struck visiting midfielder Arne Engels, who required treatment.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened,” added Sinisalo. “I was there when Arne was hit, [team-mate] Greg [Taylor] has been hit, [former Celtic keeper] Joe Hart’s been hit, staff members have been hit.
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Interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson sympathised with Sinisalo, and said he had experienced a similar thing in a Europa League game earlier in the year.
He also voiced his hope that it would not stop fans from being allowed to attend derby matches in the future.
“When bottles come on, that’s something I don’t like to see,” he said. “It can harm a player.
“I’ve seen it in the past with lighters. And I had that issue when I was in Fenerbahce when there was stuff flying past my head. It’s not a nice feeling.
“You’ve got to be careful because the last thing we want to see is fans not being allowed because it’s been far too long.”
And Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said at his Friday news conference: “It’s clearly not nice to see and hopefully it can be addressed and hopefully players’ safety is of paramount and that can be looked at.
Rangers have been asked by the SPFL to explain how a controversial banner was allowed to be displayed before Sunday’s Scottish Premiership draw with Celtic.
The tifo appeared to show an image of former Rangers manager Graeme Souness holding a gun.
The display was highlighted in the match delegate’s report.
Rangers have also been asked to comment on missiles, including a glass bottle, that appeared to be thrown on to the pitch from the stand.
Shortly after the 1-1 draw, Rangers released a statement condemning the throwing of a bottle and say steps had been taken to identify the culprit.
The club also described the banner as “unacceptable”.
‘It wasn’t just a bottle – there were lighters, vapes, coins, mugs, all sorts’
The bottle landed near Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the second half, with Rangers substitute Neraysho Kasanwirjo – who had been warming up nearby – entering the pitch to remove it.
On Friday, Sinisalo said other items were directed towards him.
“First of all, I was hit with something in my lower leg,” said the Finn. “It wasn’t just a bottle, there was lighters, vapes, coins, mugs, all sorts.
“Let’s say that glass bottle hits me or hits someone else, what happens next? What if it hits you in the eye and you can’t play football after that.
“Those are the questions that we need answers for.”
When Rangers and Celtic met at Ibrox in January, an object was thrown from the crowd and struck visiting midfielder Arne Engels, who required treatment.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened,” added Sinisalo. “I was there when Arne was hit, [team-mate] Greg [Taylor] has been hit, [former Celtic keeper] Joe Hart’s been hit, staff members have been hit.
SNS
Interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson sympathised with Sinisalo, and said he had experienced a similar thing in a Europa League game earlier in the year.
He also voiced his hope that it would not stop fans from being allowed to attend derby matches in the future.
“When bottles come on, that’s something I don’t like to see,” he said. “It can harm a player.
“I’ve seen it in the past with lighters. And I had that issue when I was in Fenerbahce when there was stuff flying past my head. It’s not a nice feeling.
“You’ve got to be careful because the last thing we want to see is fans not being allowed because it’s been far too long.”
And Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said at his Friday news conference: “It’s clearly not nice to see and hopefully it can be addressed and hopefully players’ safety is of paramount and that can be looked at.
Spanish world number three Carlos Alcaraz says he “passed the test” after earning a straight-set win on his comeback from injury at the Italian Open.
Alcaraz, 22, pulled out of the Madrid Open last month as he dealt with hamstring and groin injuries suffered in the Barcelona Open final.
When announcing the decision in the Spanish capital, the four-time major champion was unsure if he would be fit enough to play at this week’s Italian Open.
It also brought into question his condition going into the upcoming French Open, where Alcaraz is looking to defend the men’s singles title.
Before his opening match in Rome, Alcaraz said he felt “100%” and he looked in great shape – serving strongly and moving well – in a 6-3 6-3 win against Serb qualifier Dusan Lajovic.
“The body is feeling great,” said Alcaraz, who is also the reigning Wimbledon champion.
“I made a few good sprints today without any pain. It was great.
“I think I passed the test. Trying to feel more comfortable on the court, moving without thinking about the injury.”
The metal pergola is currently reduced to less than £250 in the Debenhams sale and is perfect for creating some shade in your garden on hot sunny days
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The Outsunny pergola is currently on sale at Debenhams(Image: Debenhams)
As the summer season rears its head, many are gearing up to make the most of their outdoor space. Depending on which way your garden faces, you might notice varying amounts of sunlight throughout the day.
For those seeking a chic solution to add some shade to their garden, a pergola could be just what’s needed. One particular model, available from Debenhams, has been racking up rave reviews.
The Outsunny 4×3(m) Metal Pergola, currently slashed from £329.99 down to £219.99, boasts a retractable canopy, letting you tweak the level of shade to your liking.
The canopy is treated with a UV-resistant coating for sun safety, and for those worried about longevity, the metal frame is bolstered with a powder coating for extra durability, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
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The Outsunny 4×3(m) Metal Pergola from Debenhams(Image: Debenhams)
However, keep in mind that pergolas demand a semi-permanent spot in your garden, so if you’re after a more temporary structure, a gazebo might be a better fit. There’s no shortage of budget-friendly options out there, including the Home 3m x 3m Pop up Garden Gazebo from Argos, priced at £110. Plus Amazon’s Pop Up Gazebo at £79.99.
The Outsunny pergola is scoring big with customers for its snap assembly and snazzy look, earning praise from one satisfied shopper: “Took four of us to put it together, very sturdy, looks amazing.”
Another happy reviewer wrote: “Easy to order, fast delivery and helpful delivery driver. Price was best on (the) internet. This will be a great addition to our garden.”
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Someone else who snagged the deal shared their thoughts: “Fast delivery and quality product, much cheaper than other stores.”
The Princess of Wales dazzled as she attended a special concert to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with Prince William, the King and Queen, and one expert spotted the princess make a telling gesture at one of the event’s most crucial moments
The Princess of Wales at the VE Day concert last night (Image: Getty Images)
The Princess of Wales made a subtle gesture in a blink-and-you-will-miss-it moment at a special VE Day concert on Thursday – and it spoke volumes, according to an expert. Kate joined husband Prince William as well as the King and Queen for the historic event on Horse Guards Parade, which brought a close to the commemorations marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
She wore her hair half up, half down, pinned back with a large, black velvet bow and was dressed in a white boucle jacket and Self Portrait dress. Kate, who accessorised with a five-strand pearl necklace, and the rest of the crowd were treated to performances by Freya Ridings, Fleur East, Strictly dancers Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu and Kai Widdrington and actor Brian Cox.
William and Kate stand to listen to the King’s speech (Image: PA)
However, the most important part of the concert came when the King delivered an address at 9pm – the exact time King George VI spoke to the nation in a radio broadcast on May 8 1945, to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe.
He called for a global commitment to restoring peace as he paid tribute to the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation. And in a lighter moment, the King joked to the concert-goers that he did not have the energy to “lead you all in a giant conga from here back to Buckingham Palace” as he read an extract from his late mother Queen Elizabeth II’s personal diary.
And according to body language expert Judi James, it was Kate’s reaction at his moment that gave a telling insight into Kate’s royal relationships. She told the Mirror : “Her ‘moment’ came as she watched Charles making his speech.
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The pair smile as they listen to the speech(Image: Getty Images)
“When he came to the quotes from the late Queen, Kate’s smile became one of warm reflection, hinting at the warm relationship she had with the late Queen and also at an empathetic relationship of warmth that she might have with Charles himself, whom she was watching. Her cheeks became rounded, and her hands were clasped in front of her torso in a look of warmth as well as some sadness.”
During last night’s appearance at the concert, Kate was also seen exchanging several tender moments with husband William, who put a protective arm on her back. It comes as the Firm has put on a united front for all of the VE Day commemorations in the wake of Prince Harry giving yet another bombshell interview that would have left royal eyes rolling behind palace doors.
The couple arrive for the concert (Image: PA)
After losing a Court of Appeal challenge over his security arrangements while in the UK, Harry gave an emotional interview to the BBC, where he claimed his father the King doesn’t speak to him and said he could not see a world where he would bring his children to visit the UK and declared he felt he had been “stitched up”.
But it seems there was no hint of Harry being on royal minds last night, as Judi added that William and Kate looked very much like the power couple as they delivered a confident and charming display. She explained: “William walked with an elegant puffing of the chest to accommodate the line of medals while Kate adopted a more youthful look to her upswept, immaculate hair and styling during the daytime service.
“With her hair hanging in loose curls topped with a Gen Z-style large floppy bow that was also a nod to the ‘Pollyanna’ fashion trend of Victoriana soon after the War, Kate teamed a Chanel-style jacket with a full, flowing white lace skirt, ticking another very current box in terms of teaming tweeds with layers of lace and pearls.
“The ‘Disney Prince’ look was totally complimentary with Kate’s girlish froth and curls, and William adopted a rather serious, alpha facial expression on arrival to complement his wife’s more romantic styling and smiles.
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“His brows pulled into a sadder-looking, concerned frown, and, until Kate made him share a smile, he appeared to be taking quiet moments of more serious reflection.
