Premier League
RANDY EVERTON PLAYER, KEAN, FINED £100,000-PLUS FOR HOUSE SEX PARTY
Moise Kean who was signed for £27.5m from Juventus last summer and scored just one league goal in the season faces a fine of £100,000-plus and the wrath of manager Carlo Ancelotti after flouting lockdown rules by holding a party at his flat.
The Italy striker uploaded footage of the gathering at his Cheshire apartment, featuring several women believed to be models, to social media platform Snapchat.
Everton, who have been proactive in helping fans in their community deal with the difficulties of self-isolation, were enraged after learning of Kean’s behaviour.
High-ranking Goodison officials are understood to be dismayed that the 20-year-old had shown such a lack of discipline and self-awareness and they have left him in no doubt that his actions were unacceptable.
Everton boss Ancelotti is bitterly disappointed that Kean has let himself down and he can expect to be hit with a fine of more than £100,000, which amounts to two weeks’ wages.
Everton wasted no time issuing a statement. It read: ‘Everton Football Club was appalled to learn of an incident in which a first-team player ignored Government guidance and club policy in relation to the coronavirus crisis.
‘The club has strongly expressed its disappointment to the player and made it clear such actions are completely unacceptable.
‘Everton has regularly stressed the importance of following all the Government guidelines — including rules and advice for inside and outside the home — through a series of official communications to all staff members, including players.
‘The amazing people in the NHS deserve the utmost respect for their hard work and sacrifice. The best way to show them respect is by doing everything we can to protect them.’
Kean’s agent Mino Raiola was unavailable for comment, but sources close to him confirmed Kean apologised to the club for the embarrassment he had caused and vowed there would be no repeats.
Ancelotti may seem avuncular but he does not tolerate breaches of discipline. He will be frustrated Kean has erred so badly.
Speaking to L’Equipe earlier this month about coronavirus, he said: ‘What matters is the health of all people is assured. It is for this reason we must follow the advice of the Government.’
Everton were thrilled when they signed Kean from Juventus in August in a deal that could cost £36million. But his first year has been problematic and he has been linked with a return to Serie A.
With one goal in 26 appearances, he has struggled for form and there have been disciplinary issues. Last November, he was dropped from the matchday squad for the win at Southampton after exasperating then boss Marco Silva by turning up late for a team meeting. He was warned then about his future conduct.
Then he was introduced as a substitute during the 1-1 draw at Manchester United in December, but taken off within 19 minutes by caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson, who felt his young striker was ‘struggling with the pace of the game’.
Kean remains a popular figure with his team-mates, but his actions have infuriated some of the club’s greats.
Kevin Ratcliffe — who led Everton to leagues titles in 1985 and 1987 — said: ‘Once again he’s let himself down and the club. How disrespectful can one be?’
England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court over a 2020 incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
Maguire, who was detained for two days following the incident and denied any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullified Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.
Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The 32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. His legal team will appeal against the guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.
Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
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Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.
Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.
But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.
Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.
-Reuters
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Premier League
Manchester United climb to third in Premier League table with come-from-behind win over Palace
Manchester United produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2–1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with captain Bruno Fernandes inspiring the turnaround that lifted the hosts into third place in the Premier League standings.
Trailing inside four minutes after a dominant start by Palace, United responded through a Fernandes penalty before his pinpoint free-kick was headed home by Benjamin Sesko to seal victory against the 10-man visitors.
The win extended interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run to seven matches since taking charge in mid-January. United now have 51 points from 28 games and are unbeaten since the January 5 dismissal of Ruben Amorim, climbing into third for the first time since May 2023. Palace remain 14th on 35 points.
“It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “There are a lot of games to go still, and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”
Palace, under Oliver Glasner, were electric in the opening half hour, capitalising on sluggish United play. Defender Maxence Lacroix powered home a header from a corner after muscling past Leny Yoro, scoring the earliest goal United have conceded this season.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage when Daniel Munoz latched onto an Ismaila Sarr through ball, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a crucial save.
United gradually found their rhythm before the break. Sesko forced Dean Henderson into action with a header from a Fernandes cross, and the Palace keeper also tipped a Fernandes free kick over the bar.
The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. Following a lengthy VAR review, Lacroix was shown a red card, reducing Palace to 10 men.
Eight minutes later, Fernandes’ delivery again proved decisive as Sesko rose highest to nod home the winning goal.
United pushed for a third, with Casemiro’s volley drawing a diving save from Henderson and substitute Amad Diallo testing the keeper from distance in stoppage time. Joshua Zirkzee saw efforts blocked, while Kobbie Mainoo’s fierce strike drifted narrowly wide.
Carrick praised his team’s resilience. “The biggest thing for us to take from the game is really the first time that we have been in that situation going in at halftime,” he said. “Being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and belief… to then come back as we did in the second half is the biggest thing for me today.”
Palace pressed late but could not find an equaliser. Glasner admitted his side had let the game slip. “It feels like there was more possible today. A great first 30 minutes, but the red card changed it completely. The second goal just happened too quickly.”
For United, the victory reinforces growing belief under Carrick that a top-four finish—and a return to Europe’s elite competition—is firmly within reach.
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