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Xavi believes Barcelona are "paying the price" of the Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira corruption case after Vitor Roque was sent off during their 3-1 win over Alaves on Saturday.

Roque was brought on in the 59th minute, scored Barcelona's third goal of the game in the 63rd minute, and then picked up two bookings in the 67th and 72nd minute of the game, receiving his second for challenging Alaves defender Rafa Marin.

Xavi, who announced his decision to leave his position as Barcelona head coach at the end of the season on January 27, believes that referee Martinez Munuera's decision to send the 18-year-old Brazilian forward off is related to the corruption case brought against Barcelona in March 2023 over payments made to Negreira, the former vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee, between 2001 and 2018.

Xavi said: "You have all seen it again. I don't need to say the word but I only ask to the competition to let us compete.

“I won't say anything more about referees. Today's mistake (on Roque) was flagrant again. I believe we are still paying the price of the Negreira case. I don't have a single doubt this is it. But from now on, I'm not talking more about them."

Barcelona, who are third in La Liga, are next in action against Granada on February 11.

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Former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe made his National League debut for Ebbsfleet United during their goalless draw with Oldham Athletic earlier today.

The 28-year-old, who joined the side last October, replaced Tobty Edser in the 84th minute of the game at the Kuflink Stadium.

Ibe, who has previously spoken about his mental health struggles, had spells with Derby and Turkish side Adanaspor after leaving Bournemouth.

Upon signing for the club, Ibe said: “I just want to get back out there, show people what I can do again and play football.

“I’ve worked hard to be in a position where I am able to focus on football and believe in myself and my ability to contribute on the pitch. Being back out there is where I love to be and where I’m most happy but I needed to be healthy and prepared to give myself that chance.

"The way Ebbsfleet have helped me and put a process in place so I can be ready has been really supportive. I came in and have had to back myself and prove I’m here to succeed to earn my chance. The gaffer and staff have built up my fitness to the point where I’m ready to go with a ball and I’m really pleased to be able to concentrate on my game while at the same time being really supported.”

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Duncan McGuire’s transfer to Blackburn Rovers from Orlando City is once again on the verge of collapsing due to Blackburn’s error in registering the player, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic. Blackburn is appealing the decision.

It’s a stunning turn of events in a deadline-day saga that won’t end.

McGuire was on a flight to England on Wednesday morning with a deal agreed to Blackburn, only for Blackburn to call Orlando and McGuire’s agent to say they had to pull out of the deal.

McGuire still flew to England and went to a hotel in Sheffield as clubs attempted a deadline day deal to sign him. Blackburn got back into the mix on a different deal, with Orlando agreeing to new terms.

Orlando City feels awful for the player if no appeal reverses the decision. Orlando never wanted to lose McGuire in the first place, but accepted his desire to push for a move and twice agreed to terms with Blackburn, despite the club abruptly pulling out of an agreed deal on Wednesday.

Full story below

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Blackburn Rovers’ Duncan McGuire transfer on verge of collapse after registration error

Mali players had to be kept away from referee Mohamed Adel following their dramatic 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Members of the Mali squad surrounded referee Adel after he blew the final whistle directly after Mali had won a corner in the final throes of extra time.

Defender Hamari Traore, who plays for Real Sociedad, was shown a straight red card for shoving the Egyptian referee. Members of the Malian coaching staff were forced to step in and usher their players away.

Full story below

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Mali players had to be kept away from referee after chaotic end to AFCON quarter final against Ivory Coast

West Bromwich Albion have confirmed in a statement that Birmingham City's Juninho Bacuna reported an incident of racism during their game earlier today.

The 26-year-old midfielder reported the incident to referee David Webb, with West Brom confirming that they will work with the Football Association (FA) to resolve the incident.

West Brom's statement read: "Albion will offer its full support to West Midlands Police in their criminal investigation of this matter. The club will also remain in contact with Birmingham City to ensure Juninho Bacuna receives the support he requires at this time.

"The club takes a strong stance against all forms of discrimination and will do all it can to ensure anyone found guilty of racism faces the toughest available legal punishment, in addition to a lifetime ban from The Hawthorns.

"Albion will continue to work with the Football Association (FA), the EFL and all relevant authorities to rid the game of racism."

This is not the first time Bacuna has reported an incident of racism this season. This is not the first time Bacuna has reported an incident of racism this season. The Curacao international flagged alleged racist abuse during Birmingham's 4-1 victory over Huddersfield Town last October.

Andreas Weimann's 85th minute secured the victory for West Brom over Birmingham at the Hawthorns.

Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi is relieved to have Kaoru Mitoma back for next Saturday's visit to Tottenham following his side's 4-1 win over arch-rivals Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium.

The influential left-winger will be available for the first time since December after Japan lost 2-1 to Iran in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup in Qatar to a 96th minute penalty by former Brighton winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

De Zerbi said: "I am really sorry for Japan for their defeat, because I love Japan, I love the Japanese people, but I am very happy that we can have one of the best players for us, because Kaoru Mitoma is crucial for us and I am looking forward to watching him playing with us."

Mitoma made his second substitute appearance in the Asian Cup against Iran since suffering an ankle injury in Brighton's 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in December.

De Zerbi was delighted by his team's response in the return meeting with Palace to Tuesday's 4-0 defeat at Luton. He said: "I'm not surprised by the reaction. Our win started on Tuesday evening after the Luton game."

Brighton are back up to seventh in the Premier League table after stretching their unbeaten home run across all competitions to six wins and five draws since losing to AEK Athens in the group stage of the Europa League in September.

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Roy Hodgson has defended his decision to bring on Michael Olise during Crystal Palace’s 4-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Olise, 22, was a doubt heading into the game at Amex Stadium after being forced off with injury during his side’s 3-2 victory over Sheffield United on Tuesday.

On Saturday afternoon, with his side 3-0 down, the winger came off the bench to replace Jeffrey Schlupp at half-time, only to re-aggravate an injury and be replaced by Matheus Franca just 11 minutes later. He walked straight down the tunnel.

Hodgson said after the game that he had been cleared to use Olise if he wanted to, saying: "I was told he couldn’t start the game and everyone was quite comfortable with that. They (medical staff) told me and he told me he was fine to be on the bench and play in the second half.

"Unfortunately because I don’t have a crystal ball, I have no hindsight, I wasn’t to know that was to lead to him getting a recurrence of his injury, that’s exactly what we did. It’s the same with the hindsight that says you’re losing 3-0 why put one of your better players on.

"The answer to that is we brought him all the way here to be on the bench to play in the second half and we wanted our better players on the field. It’s not easy when you've got a player of his quality able to play to just say ‘oh by the way, I know we’ve brought you all the way here to play, I’ve changed my mind, you’ll just have to sit on the bench and watch it'."

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Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson defends bringing on Michael Olise after new injury

Anthony Gordon left the stadium on crutches after being forced off in "a lot of pain" with what looked to be an ankle injury.

Gordon was taken off at half-time of the 4-4 draw with Luton Town at St James' Park and was later seen limping away after the match.

"It looked like he twisted his ankle," manager Eddie Howe revealed afterwards before indicating he hoped it wasn't anything too serious.

"I wasn't sure on the incident, I didn't see what happened. But he was in a lot of pain at half-time and had to come off."

Newcastle are next in action away against Nottingham Forest next Saturday.

Sean Dyche will be banned from the touchline for Everton's Premier League trip to Manchester City after picking up a third booking of the season.

The Everton manager was shown a yellow card during Saturday's draw with Tottenham after complaining about the non-award of a penalty.

As a result he will serve a one-match touchline suspension when his side travel to the Etihad Stadium next Saturday.

He was also booked in games with Newcastle United and Liverpool.

Asked about the caution afterwards, he said: "Can they rescind them? You are not allowed to show passion about decisions.

"It is a poor decision, I reacted and got booked for that. Surely there is a bit of common sense."

Both Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag have already served bans this season after also picking up three cautions.

A Newcastle United fans group has criticised “greedy” broadcasters for “making a mockery” of English football’s ‘Green Football Weekend’ (GFW) by scheduling matches at “disgusting kick-off times”.

Ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League home match against Luton Town, Wor Flags’ pre-match display cited recent away fixtures which have been at times that have prevented away fans from travelling back on public transfer the same day. The banner reads, “TV before fans.”

In the Premier League, for example, Newcastle had an 8pm kick-off on New Year’s Day at Liverpool, an 8.15pm kick-off at Aston Villa last Tuesday and will travel to Arsenal for a Saturday 8pm kick-off later this month.

Their FA Cup fourth-round tie at Fulham last month was also at 7pm on a Saturday.

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What should have been a hugely satisfying afternoon on Merseyside for Tottenham Hotspur turned into one of bitter frustration.

An injury-time equaliser for Everton at Goodison Park dented Ange Postecoglou’s side's hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League, just when it seemed his team were destined for victory.

It stripped the gloss of a fine afternoon for Richarlison, whose first-half brace took his tally to nine goals in his last 10 matches.

We analyse the main talking points from Goodison Park.

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Brighton will be boosted by the return of winger Kaoru Mitoma from international duty for next Saturday's game at Tottenham after Japan's exit from the Asian Cup.

Japan lost 2-1 to Iran in the quarter-finals in Qatar on Saturday, former Brighton winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh knocking them out with a 96th-minute penalty.

Mitoma made his second substitute appearance in the tournament midway through the second half after recovering from an ankle injury.

He has not played for Brighton since sustaining the injury in a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in December.