Carlo Ancelotti was reluctant to blame the referee for Real Madrid's defeat to Villarreal because he thought neither team's penalties should have been given.
Madrid were beaten 2-1 at Estadio de la Ceramica on Saturday as Los Blancos were denied the chance to return to LaLiga's summit ahead of Barcelona playing Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Yeremy Pino gave Villarreal the lead just after half-time, before referee Cesar Soto Grado took centre-stage.
Juan Foyth was penalised when the ball brushed his hand as he tried to grapple with Vinicius Junior, allowing Karim Benzema to equalise.
But Foyth then won a penalty at the other end on the very next attack as his pass was cut out by the hand of David Alaba, whose arm appeared to be outstretched to break his fall.
The second incident – which yielded Gerard Moreno's match-winning spot-kick – looked particularly contentious, hence Ancelotti being asked after the game if Madrid had been hard done by, but the Italian thinks his team's penalty award was harsh as well.
"We have to get used to this," he told Movistar+. "When there is a hand in the area, it is a penalty, for either side.
"If it was up to me, neither one nor the other [is a penalty]. We have to get used to it, because this is the rule."
During his press conference, Ancelotti added: "Soccer has changed in that sense. There is a clear rule, for everyone, if it is touched with the hand and it is not close to the body, it is a penalty.
"If you slip or don't slip, it's not important. You have to get used to this.
"The two penalties, with the rule, are correct. The fans don't like this, but the referees have to respect this rule."
There was not any doubt regarding Ancelotti summary of the match, however, adamant the Yellow Submarine were worthy winners.
"They played better than us and when you do, you deserve to win," he said. "The game was even, competitively, [but] Villarreal played better than us.
"The key is that we did not defend well in our half. We were not compact enough, we left balls between the lines and they took advantage of it.
"They played very well, at a high level. We didn't, especially defensively.
"We have been dangerous [going forward], but we have left too much control in things that we usually do very well. We must focus well to solve the problem."
The Elite 1 Caribbean Basketball League - Winter Season gets underway on Saturday at the National arena at 6:00 pm. Defending champions Elite Horizon will try to stave off competition from the likes of Elite Waves, Elite Rivers and Elite Storm.
The league will feature double-headers on Saturdays and Wednesday until the final week when matches are scheduled for Friday January 27 and Sunday January 29 with the top two teams competing for the title.
Paulton Gordon, President of the Jamaica Basketball Association welcomed the start of the league while saying that it is very good for the local basketball scene as it gives opportunities to many local players who get to play with professionals and get exposed to the game at a higher level than is currently available in Jamaica.
League President Wayne Dawkins was very optimistic about staging the league in Jamaica for the second time, following up on the Summer League last year. He said that the quality of the players who are drawn from Jamaica (50% of each team are Jamaicans), the USA, Canada, Barbados and Nigeria (who are all professionals) are ready to play ball and entertain the Jamaican audience while creating opportunities for the local players to improve on their game and eventually get contracts abroad.
Some of the players involved include USA's Tyran Walker, his countryman Brandon Armstrong and Jamaicans Antjuan McFarlane and Duante Millis. Bobby Gray, MVP of the last season, also returns.
Damar Hamlin continues to make steady progress as he recovers from his cardiac arrest even as the Buffalo Bills safety remains in a critical condition.
The 24-year-old collapsed after colliding with wide receiver Tee Higgins during Monday's NFL encounter with the Cincinnati Bengals, and had to be resuscitated on the field.
Fears for the 2021 sixth-round pick have been calmed by regular updates, revealing he is breathing unaided and has spoken with team-mates.
The Bills offered another update on Saturday, confirming Hamlin continues to show improvement.
"Per the physicians at UC Medical Center, Damar is making continued progress in his recovery yet remains in critical condition," a Bills statement read.
"He continues to breathe on his own and his neurological function is excellent."
The NFL confirmed the Bengals-Bills match would not be resumed after it was originally suspended and then postponed following Hamlin's exit at Paul Brown Stadium.
Buffalo, who are first in the AFC East with a 12-3 record, head into their final regular match of the season against the New England Patriots on Sunday, with plans approved by owners for playoff changes.
Juventus again left it late as they defeated Udinese 1-0 on Saturday through Danilo's tap-in to extend their winning run in Serie A without conceding to eight matches.
The hosts paid tribute to Gianluca Vialli ahead of their first match since the death of their former striker on Friday from pancreatic cancer at the age of 58.
It had looked like being a frustrating day for Massimiliano Allegri's in-form side as draw specialists Udinese held firm for 86 minutes at the Allianz Stadium until Danilo struck.
Juve, who also scored a late winner against Cremonese on their return to action on Wednesday, are now within four points of leaders Napoli having played a game more.
Mikel Arteta believes criticism over his touchline behaviour has been unfair following complaints about his conduct against Newcastle United.
Arteta clashed with Magpies' boss Eddie Howe during a 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, as the league leaders dropped points in the Premier League for just the third time this season.
Howe and Arteta were involved in an angry confrontation on the sidelines when referee Andrew Madley chose not to award Arsenal an injury-time penalty, with Arteta calling the decision "scandalous" after the game.
The Arsenal manager came in for criticism following the match for how he acted, and the Gunners were charged by the FA on Friday for failing to control their players in the aftermath of the late incident.
However, Arteta believes some of the commentary about his touchline actions has been unjust, saying he only acts in the best interests of Arsenal.
"I try to do my best for this football club, to defend it, to promote it, and to play with the passion that the game has to be played in," Arteta said. "Every game is special and every manager behaves very differently regarding the circumstances.
"You can't take the context out of a situation. That is not fair. That is me, here and on the pitch, for the good and the bad.
"That is me and I will try all the time to be better and whatever I do, if it is tomorrow, the next day, or the next one, is to make the club stronger and my players better, to play better, and to win.
"But if I have to do something, I will do it, and if I have to change something, believe me I will look in the mirror myself and change it very quickly."
Manchester City took advantage of Arsenal's draw with Newcastle by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, closing the Gunners' lead at the Premier League summit to five points.
Arteta's men turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they travel to play League One side Oxford United in the third round on Monday.
Arteta revealed Emile Smith Rowe could feature in that match, having not played for Arsenal since early September because of a groin injury.
"First of all we need him fit and at his best." Arteta said. "When we have that we have an incredible player that we have missed a lot in the last few months.
"Emile can play as an attacking midfielder, as a winger and even as a nine, I think he's played there before.
"If he trains tomorrow, hopefully he will be available to give us something in the game."
Edge rusher and highly regarded NFL draft prospect Jared Verse will delay the start of his professional career and return to Florida State next season, he announced on Saturday.
Verse declared his intention to return to campus for his redshirt junior season by posting a video of highlights and a simple message to his Twitter account: "We're not done yet. See y'all in 2023."
In his first year with the Seminoles after transferring from Albany, Verse emerged as one of the best pass-rushing defensive lineman in college football in 2022 by tallying nine sacks.
Verse had been viewed as a top-20 prospect in the 2023 draft class.
The announcement comes in the wake of starting quarterback Jordan Travis and leading rusher Trey Benson also committing to another year in Tallahassee under head coach Mike Norvell.
After a middling start, Florida State finished the season with six straight victories, including wins over rivals Miami and Florida, as well as a Cheez-It Bowl win over Oklahoma to finish the season 10-3 (5-3 ACC).
With perennial power Clemson facing questions at quarterback next season, Florida State will be gunning for a first ACC title since 2014.
Despite Verse staying in school, NFL teams eager to add defensive line talent in the draft will have plenty of options in what is viewed as a deep edge rusher class led by Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.
Suryakumar Yadav played a virtuoso innings for India as his rapid century set up a series-clinching 91-run victory against Sri Lanka in Rajkot.
In the third T20I, a one-sided tussle at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Yadav blazed his way to 112 not out from 51 balls as India piled up 228-5, setting the tourists a daunting target. He got to three figures from just 45 deliveries.
India then limited Sri Lanka to 137 all out, sealing a 2-1 series success after the teams split the first two matches, both far tighter affairs than this spectacle.
Yadav's third T20I century contained nine sixes and seven fours, as he went after Sri Lanka's attack and flayed them unrelentingly. Coming in at 52-2 after 5.5 overs, Yadav followed his 117 against England last July and his 111 against New Zealand in November with another devastatingly brutal innings.
Shubman Gill (46), Rahul Tripathi (35) and Axar Patel (21no) performed well, but it was the Yadav show and they were merely a supporting cast.
Sri Lanka needed a fast start, and they got that, but openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka both fell with the team score at 44, and Avishka Fernando followed soon after.
Wickets kept tumbling and it became clear Sri Lanka would not find a Yadav-like effort from within their ranks, with Arshdeep Singh finishing the rout by bowling Dilshan Madushanka to complete match-best figures of 3-20.
Sri Lanka find no answer to India assault
This was India's fourth-biggest win, by runs, in T20Is. Their heaviest win remains the 143-run victory over Ireland in Dublin in 2018, followed by a 101-run win over Afghanistan in Dubai in 2022 and a 93-run success against South Africa in 2017.
Yadav closes in on Rohit
India captain Rohit Sharma, who has missed this series with a finger injury, is the only man to have hit more T20I centuries than Yadav, who showed why he is number one on the ICC T20I batting rankings.
Rohit has four tons in the short format, with Yadav now one of four men with three by his name, along with Australia's Glenn Maxwell, New Zealand's Colin Munro, and Sabawoon Davizi, who has achieved the feat with the Czech Republic.
New Zealand bowler Trent Boult is unlikely to be involved against England next month, with coach Gary Stead effectively ruling him out of their Test series.
The paceman turned down his central contract in August but has still appeared for the Black Caps in white-ball cricket since.
Boult is set to spend the start of 2023 in franchise cricket, with the fast bowler set to depart the Big Bash League for a stint in the inaugural ILT20 League in the United Arab Emirates.
With the competition scheduled to end only four days before New Zealand host Ben Stokes' side at Mount Maunganui for the first of two Tests, Stead does not see Boult playing a part.
"No, I wouldn't have thought so," he said. "Trent and I have had discussions.
"I think his return from the UAE would only be a day or two immediately prior. I think from a workload perspective that's out of the picture."
Stead offered a promising update on Kyle Jamieson, who has not played competitive cricket since a back injury sustained against England in June last year.
He is set to appear in the Super Smash over the next week, though the Stead could make no promises about his inclusion in the wider red-ball picture.
"We'll make a decision a little bit closer to the time around the England series, whether that is maybe a step too far, or whether it is the right time for him to play again," he said.
"He's been out of cricket for a long time now and I think it would be silly to push too quickly and set him back again with the long-term plan of what's ahead of us."
Gerard Moreno's penalty condemned Real Madrid to their second LaLiga defeat of the season as Villarreal beat the champions 2-1 on Saturday to do coach Quique Setien's former employers Barcelona a favour.
Madrid had hoped to return to the summit ahead of Barca's tough trip to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, but Villarreal were good value for victory during a thriller at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Villarreal created a host of promising openings during an entertaining first half but had to wait until just after the break to make the breakthrough thanks to Yeremy Pino.
Karim Benzema levelled with a spot-kick conceded by Juan Foyth on the hour mark, but the Argentinian then won one at the other end, with Moreno's confident finish ultimately sealing the win.
Villarreal had been the better side right from the start, going close after 28 seconds as Alex Baena sliced over. Francis Coquelin then saw an impudent backheeled finish clip the post following Alberto Moreno's low cross four minutes later.
Villarreal were indebted to Jose Reina just before the break, however, rushing out to deny Vinicius Junior.
The Yellow Submarine capitalised 65 seconds after the restart as Gerard Moreno released Yeremy into the box, his finish finding the net via deflections off Courtois and David Alaba.
Benzema spurned a glorious chance to level when Foyth blocked his goal-bound effort on the line, but the Frenchman made the most of his penalty reprieve after the defender's handball in the build-up was punished following a VAR review.
Villarreal went straight up the other end and won a penalty of their own moments later, though, Foyth seeing his pass handled by Alaba, and Moreno made no mistake.
Madrid's desperation led to Courtois going forward for a late corner and Arnaut Danjuma almost made it 3-1 on the break, though his inability to score into the empty goal did not matter.
Antony thanked Manchester United for their support an undisclosed "shock" ahead of his goalscoring appearance against Everton on Friday.
The Brazil international scored on his return to action in the FA Cup tie at Old Trafford, as Erik ten Hag's side claimed a 3-1 win.
It marked a return for the winger after his absence for Tuesday's Premier League victory over Bournemouth, with his manager only stating it was down to injury.
But Antony has now suggested he missed the 3-0 win over Bournemouth through another issue, though he refused to elaborate on its exact nature.
"First of all, it's a feeling of joy," he told TNT Sports. "I'm happy to score again, especially at home.
"I've set some goals for myself this season, and it's good to score as soon as I've started to think of personal goals.
"I also feel relieved, as in the last few days, I had a shock. I prefer not to comment on what happened. It was a personal matter, [and] really hard.
"[But I am] grateful to the club, to the players [and] to the manager that stayed by my side. It is in the past now. I'm happy to score and I hope to keep going."
Antony has scored four goals in 15 games across all competitions for the club so far this season, though a knock in late October sidelined his involvement ahead of the World Cup.
With progression to the fourth round secured, United next play in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup against Charlton Athletic, before they return to Premier League action for the Manchester derby.
Harry Kane is trying not to think about becoming Tottenham's record all-time goalscorer after he moved one shy of Jimmy Greaves' haul with an FA Cup winner against Portsmouth.
The England captain put Spurs into the fourth round with a clinical finish early in the second half of the tie at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
Kane's next goal will put him level with the legendary Greaves on 266 for the London club, a feat he could achieve against fierce rivals Arsenal next Sunday.
The prolific striker, who has scored four times in as many games since the World Cup and 17 this season, is determined not to let the prospect of making history play on his mind.
"I try to not think about it," he told BBC Sport.
"Sometimes you can think too much. Obviously I feel in good form and I feel fit. My mindset is to help the team and hopefully the goals will come.
"It was a tough game. We were clear favourites and people probably expected a bigger score but credit to them, they stayed compact and made it difficult.
"We thought after the first it might open up, but they stopped us getting the second one. It's good to get through – that was the objective – and we'll see who we get next."
Yves Bissouma was a late withdrawal from the Spurs team to take on manager-less League One side Pompey, Oliver Skipp taking the midfielder's place due to an ankle problem.
Cristian Stellini, Tottenham's assistant head coach, revealed the former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder pulled out as a precaution and will be available to take on Premier League leaders Arsenal next weekend.
He said: "The injury came from the last match. An ankle problem. He tried to push himself but he was not 100 per cent.
"It's very good when the player tells us they are not 100 per cent as Skippy was and he played well. He will [be] [for the Arsenal clash]."
Lisandro Martinez believes Marcus Rashford "can be anything he wants to be" after the forward extended his superb run of form with a sparkling FA Cup display against Everton.
Rashford headed into Friday's tie at Old Trafford having scored in four straight matches, and he played a part in all three of Manchester United's goals as they booked their place in the fourth round with a 3-1 victory over the Toffees.
His cross set up Antony to open the scoring just four minutes in, before more dazzling Rashford work on the wing forced Conor Coady into an own-goal to put United 2-1 up.
Rashford then capped his excellent performance by slotting home from the penalty spot after Alejandro Garnacho was brought down by Ben Godfrey, becoming the first United player to score in seven straight home games in all competitions since Wayne Rooney in 2012.
Rashford spoke after the match on his current form being "up there with the best" he has ever produced, and Martinez feels the sky is the limit for the 25-year-old.
"For me, Rashy is an incredible player," the World Cup winner told Sky Sports.
"He can be anything he wants to be, it all depends on him.
"I see him around the place and he's such a professional. I know how much he gives every day in the training sessions, and I like to think that I'm always there to help him and speak with him if he needs any advice."
Prior to the Everton win, United team-mate Casemiro labelled Rashford a "spectacular" player who can go on to be one of the top five players in the world, and Martinez agrees with the Brazil international, citing the work Rashford carries out for the team as a key part of his game.
"I totally agree with Casemiro," the centre-back explained. "He's a key player for us and he's the sort of player who can turn a game in an instant.
"He's got a great attitude and I think he's going to be one of the best players in the world.
"But it's not just about his individual aspects, it's his work-rate as well. He's got that team ethic and team spirit about him."
Friday's cup triumph was United's seventh consecutive win in all competitions, and Martinez believes players fighting for their places is one of the main reasons for that streak, saying: "I like when there's competition for places, I think it's a positive.
"The vibe and the atmosphere in the dressing room is really positive and I'm proud we're on this good run. It shows we are on the right road and we are making progress.
"Training is even more lively than it's ever been. We can't drop our guard, but three wins and three clean sheets is something to build on."
United boss Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, labelled Martinez as having the personality needed to succeed at the club, and did not hold back in hitting out at some of the club's previous signings over recent years.
"The club has bought an unimaginable number of players in recent years who have not been good enough," Ten Hag told VI Magazine.
"Most purchases have been average and at United average is not good enough.
"United's shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here.
"We needed personalities. That's why the acquisition of Casemiro was so important. Along with Raphael Varane, we now have a second player who has experience of winning titles.
"[Tyrell] Malacia, Martinez, Casemiro, Antony are all fighters, while Christian Eriksen is a technical winner and a great personality. We want the best of the best."
Martinez only returned to Manchester last week after his success in Qatar with Argentina, travelling back to his home nation to join the celebrations before switching his attentions back to club football.
"The celebrations were crazy," Martinez added. "One thing that really hits home is how happy you've made everybody back home.
"Growing up, we've all watched videos of previous World Cups, back in 1978 and in 1986 with Diego Maradona.
"I have to look at images and videos for it to sink in because the idea that we actually won it, to see the enormity of that reality, you have to look at the images to know it's true."
Chelsea new boy Andrey Santos is relishing the chance to make his mark at Chelsea after completing a move from Vasco da Gama.
Vasco announced on Friday an agreement had been reached with Chelsea for the 18-year-old midfielder.
The transfer, which is reported to be worth £11million, was confirmed on Chelsea's end on Saturday, making him their third signing of the January window after recruiting Benoit Badiashile and David Datro Fofana.
Santos scored eight goals in 33 games in the Brazilian second tier in 2022, as Vasco won promotion to end a two-season spell outside the top flight.
He will now experience football outside of Brazil for the first time and is looking forward to getting going at his new club.
"It's a very big opportunity for me," he told Chelsea's official website. "This is a big club playing in big competitions like the Premier League so I am very excited.
"The players here are so good and I am very happy to be here."
Santos has been capped six times by Brazil at under-20 level.
Chelsea have been busy strengthening following a disappointing run of form that has seen them drop to 10th after winning just one of their past eight Premier League games.
As well as Badiashile, Fofana and Santos, they have been attempting to negotiate with Benfica to sign Enzo Fernandez, who impressed for Argentina at the World Cup.
Graham Potter's side are back in action on Sunday with an FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Bayern Munich ruled out rushing through a deal for a new goalkeeper as Yann Sommer emerged as a prime target to replace the injured Manuel Neuer.
The 34-year-old Sommer has a contract with Borussia Monchengladbach that runs to the end of this season.
Bayern are weighing up a bid before the January transfer window closes, but they are away in Doha at a training camp for now, so nothing appears imminent.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic spoke at a press conference in the Qatari city on Saturday, where he said efforts were under way to resolve the problem that arose when Neuer suffered a broken leg on a post-World Cup skiing holiday.
Having confirmed Bayern's interest in Switzerland international Sommer on Friday, Salihamidzic has now stressed a deal is not yet in place.
"As I said yesterday, I don't like to talk about other clubs' players," said the former Bayern defender. "The topic of the goalkeeper is of course one where we're thinking about it, but we're working on everything.
"Of course, Manuel's injury is a big blow for us. We're going to continue our work, check options, and then make a decision.
"We have until January 31 and until then we'll either do something or not."
The prospect of the goalkeeper issue going to the wire still appears unlikely, given Bayern resume their Bundesliga campaign on January 20 after the extended winter break.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann would ideally want the situation resolved by then, with there being seemingly little prospect of Alexander Nubel returning from his loan at Monaco.
Nubel has indicated a reluctance to come back, having become a regular in the Monaco team, and Salihamidzic says Bayern are aware of his stance.
"We have had very good communication between us, him and his management. We know exactly what the situation is," said the sporting director.
Bayern will be without defender Noussair Mazraoui for several weeks after announcing on Friday that medical tests had showed up an inflammation issue relating to his heart.
The Morocco international tested positive for COVID-19 at the World Cup, before recovering in time to face France in the semi-finals.
Subsequent tests have shown Mazraoui has a mild inflammation of the pericardium, which is the fluid-filled fibrous sac surrounding the heart.
Salihamidzic said it was unclear whether Mazraoui had been brought back too soon by Morocco.
"It's hard to tell if it was too early or not. He talked to [Morocco] medical staff, he talked to our medical staff, and he had tests. The tests were okay," Salihamidzic said.
"We don't know how it is with post-COVID. It's quite a blow for us that we have to be without him now.
"We'll talk about why this has happened to us. He's an important player for us, so we'll have to try to replace him.
"Of course he will be able to take all the time that he needs to recover. We'll have a test every week and see how he feels from week to week, but for now we're without him."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
