Today in Football – Things You May Have Missed

Football never sleeps. During any of the 86400 seconds in a 24-hour day, somewhere in the world someone is doing something related to the beautiful game, whether that’s scoring a last-minute winner in a high-profile match, posting their expert take on social media or simply booting a ball against a wall with their mates.

It’s therefore impossible for any human being to keep up with everything that’s going on in the game, and it’s often those little yet most intriguing moments, like a fan’s alternative viewpoint of a penalty save, or a three-second yet incredibly telling interaction between two arch-rivals, or thread on X explaining why N’Golo Kante is the nicest man in professional sport, which make football so great.

GIVEMESPORT have created our live blog to help solve that problem, providing the best social media has to offer and the greatest football mini-stories from the last 24 hours.

5th April: Dominik Szoboszlai’s Angry Reaction to Statue Unveil

The Liverpool man didn’t realise he was being pranked

Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai found himself the victim of a television prank when he was tricked into believing a statue of himself was being unveiled and it wound up looking horrendous and nothing like him. The midfielder was being secretly recorded as the statue was revealed and he couldn’t hide his disgusted reaction at the finished product.

The statue, which was made partially out of mobile phones, looked nothing like Szoboszlai, but he was told it was supposed to represent communication. He was clearly unimpressed with the statue and even said that it looked nothing like him as he was asked to pose next to it for a photo. Shortly after, he expressed his frustration with the design and when asked if he liked it, he said:

Things only got worse when he saw merchandise with the statue’s face, or its imitation of his face plastered all over it. He went on to say: “This resembles me as much, forgive me, as nothing. From the neck down, it’s fine. Just the head part,” and when describing the statue to someone on the phone, he claimed: “It just looks like my a** turned inside out.”

Fortunately, he saw the funny side when it was all revealed to be a prank and was seen laughing after.

4th April: VAR Official Suspended After ‘Betting’ During Game

The official was caught on camera on a betting app during a top flight fixture in Bulgaria

A VAR official in Bulgaria has been suspended pending an investigation as to whether or not he was using a betting app during a game in the country’s top flight. On Wednesday night, CSKA Sofia claimed a 1-0 win over Lokomotiv Sofia in the Parva Liga. However, it was off-field matters that caused greater headlines, as footage showed one of the VAR officials scrolling on his phone on what looked to be a betting app, before quickly putting it down after becoming aware that the cameras had cut to the VAR room.

Hawk-Eye Innovations, who are in charge of the technology in Bulgaria and other countries in Europe, released a statement confirming that the official in question had been suspended and that, if found guilty, he would be removed from his role moving forward.

“Hawk-Eye Innovations acknowledges with regret an incident involving one of its VAR operators during the Parva Liga match between PFC CSKA-Sofia and PFC Lokomotiv Sofia yesterday evening (2nd April 2025). Live footage from the camera situation in the VAR operations room documented the individual utilising a personal smartphone during the match and appearing to engage in inappropriate activities which would constitute gross misconduct in relation to the responsibilities of their assigned role.

“Hawk-Eye fully recognises the necessity for its personnel to act at all times with the highest levels of professionalism and integrity in its trusted position working with the Bulgarian Football Union and other customers, and the company has strong policies in place that explicitly forbid its employees and contractors from engaging in any betting activity in any sports or competitions where it provides officiating services.”

2nd April: Granit Xhaka Rages at Leverkusen Fan After Shock Defeat

Leverkusen were stunned by third tier side, Arminia Bielefeld, in the German Cup

Leverkusen were stunned by Arminia Bielefield in what could go down as one of the biggest shocks in German football history on Tuesday evening. The reigning German champions went into their German Cup semi-final clash against the third tier side as the heavy favourites. However, against all odds, Arminia’s fairytale cup run continued as they won 2-1 to progress to the final.

Footage emerged after the match of Granit Xhaka getting into a furious exchange with one of the travelling Leverkusen fans. It is unknown exactly what was said between the pair, but it’s clear to see that things got seriously heated. It’s not the first time Xhaka has clashed with his own fans, having also done so at former team Arsenal.

Arminia are now just one match away from glory. They will face either Stuttgart or RB Leipzig in the final on May 24.

Walker said what he thought about Felix

Tunnel footage has emerged of Kyle Walker scoling teammate Joao Felix at half-time of AC Milan’s match against Lazio on Tuesday afternoon. Despite struggling since joining the Italian club on loan from Chelsea in January, the Portuguese forward was named in his side’s starting lineup ahead of star player Rafael Leao.

However, things didn’t go to plan and Felix did not put in his best performance. Footage has emerged which shows that Walker wasn’t too impressed with his teammate. As Milan’s players were walking out of the tunnel for the second half, footage has emerged of the Englishman telling Felix, per football-italia: “Just pass the ball, we are not Messi. No-one here is Messi, pass the ball.”

31st March: Yeovil Town Give Fans 2-year Bans For Criticising Chairman

Club now put up for sale

​​​​​​

Two supporters of National League side Yeovil Town have shared letters they received directly from the club informing them they are not to visit Huish Park for two years due to negative comments made about chairman Martin Hellier on social media.

Hellier, a local businessman from the area, purchased Yeovil in May 2023. The club have recently shared club accounts showing losses of £2.8m last season. For a lower-league team, this sort of debt can be catastrophic.

Fans have been highly critical of Hellier and his running of the club, with the owner himself sometimes angrily replying back. One fan shared a message sent to him which said: “Following a thorough review of your recent conduct on the social media platform X, we are writing to inform you that, as a result of your negative comments and remarks regarding Yeovil Town Football Club and the Club’s Chairman, the decision has been made to impose a banning order on you.”

Amid the criticism, Hellier has announced his intention to put the club up for sale, saying: “It’s simply not worth losing the money to be abused.” He added: “I would ask in the meantime that you stop the endless online harassment and abuse. You’ve done enough, it’s worked.”

30th March: Andy Murray Asks Lionel Messi if He Can “Do it on a Cold Rainy Night in Stoke”

“Cállate la boca”

For some, it’s one of the biggest questions in football: ‘Can they do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke?’ It can be aimed at anyone as a way of testing their footballing credentials, to see if they can perform when conditions are far from perfect. However, it is often used during the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate.

As Ronaldo spent part of his career playing for Manchester United in the Premier League, with English football viewed as more physically demanding, it’s said that he could perform in tougher conditions than Messi, who never played for a club on British shores.

Playing upon the debate, tennis legend Andy Murray recently joked that he posed the question to Messi when they met. He wrote: “I asked him if he could do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke. He responded: ‘cállate la boca’ which I think means yes in Spanish.”

The joke is that the actual translation is closer to: “Shut your mouth.”

28th March: Memphis Depay’s Showboating Leads to Brawl

Palmeiras’ players were not happy with Depay’s actions

Memphis Depay sparked a mass brawl in the Campeonato Paulista final between Corinthians and Palmeiras on Thursday evening. Corinthians went into the second leg with a 1-0 advantage and, with the second leg goalless heading into stoppage-time, it looked as if the home side would hold on to victory.

With time whittling down, Depay had possession of the ball by the corner flag. After feigning to cross the ball, the Dutchman then stood on the ball before being sent to the ground by a Palmeiras player. A brawl soon erupted with numerous players from both sides getting involved. When the two teams had finally calmed down, the referee decided to give red cards to Corinthians’ Jose Martinez and Palmeiras’ Marcelo Lomba. With both sides down to 10 men for the remainder of the match, Corinthians were able to hold on and emerge victorious.

27th March: Argentina Fans Aim Brutal Chant at Raphinha During Brazil Defeat

“Sub on Raphinha”

It was a difficult day at the office for Raphinha and his Brazil teammates as they suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss at the hands of long-term international rivals Argentina. To make matters worse, the Barcelona star spoke a big game before the encounter.

Indeed, he unwisely said: “We will beat them, no doubt. On and off the pitch, if we have to…” This led to the opposition players attempting to rattle him throughout the game. What’s more, the home fans also targeted the winger.

Indeed, the Argentine support mercilessly sang: “Sub on Raphinha.” This coming despite the Barca ace playing the entire game.

26th March: Leandro Paredes Brutally Shuts Down Brazil Winger Rodrygo

The Real Madrid star may regret calling his opponent ‘terrible’

Argentina humiliated fierce international rivals Brazil with a 4-1 World Cup qualifying win. Not only did Lionel Scaloni’s men get the upper hand in footballing terms, but they managed to rattle their long-term foes throughout.

Barcelona winger Raphinha guaranteed a win for his nation and a goal for himself in the build-up to the highly anticipated encounter, but neither occurred. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo decided to have a go at Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes during a heated affair, a decision he may have regretted quickly after.

Having told the opposing player: “You are terrible,” Rodrygo was quickly reminded by Paredes: “I have 1 World Cup and 2 Copas America, you have zero.” Brutal.

24th March: Robbie Keane Shows Yellow Card to Tottenham Teammate

Spurs hero ‘booked’ Michael Dawson during Legends match

Tottenham hero Robbie Keane showed teammate Michael Dawson a yellow card during Sunday’s Legend’s match against AC Milan. The Irishman, who scored a hat-trick in Spurs’ 6-2 victory against a Milan side featuring the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Cafu, took the card from the referee before flashing it in Dawson’s direction.

Keane decided Dawson deserved the booking after failing to pick Jermain Defoe out with a long-range pass. Dawson had plenty of time and space to play a pass to Defoe, who would have been through on goal, but the defender-turned-pundit messed up the final ball. Watch the funny moment by skipping to 1:08:15 on the following video…

23rd March: Germany Score Genius Goal vs Italy, Who Were Caught Sleeping

Italy stopper Donnarumma was too busy complaining to his fellow countrymen

Gianluigi Donnarumma and the Italian defence were caught sleeping in their Nations League encounter by Germany’s slick thinking – and it was Jamal Musiala who benefitted from the Italian’s lacksidaiscal nature. Donnarumma tipped Tim Kleindienst’s header over the bar, which allowed Joshua Kimmich to restart play as soon as he wanted.

Kimmich took little to no time to receive the ball from a ballboy, switch on and play the perfect pass to an eagerly waiting Musiala, who had an empty net to finish into. That was because Donnarumma had evaded the vinicity of his goalmouth to complain about how poorly his compatriots had begun the second leg of their quarterfinal.

23rd March: Cristiano Ronaldo Misses Penalty vs Denmark

Ronaldo’s tame effort was easily saved by Kasper Schmeichel

Cristiano Ronaldo is perhaps the greatest penalty taker ever. Whenever he steps up to take a spot-kick you can almost guarantee that he will smash the ball into the back of the net. However, when presented with the opportunity to score from 12 yards in Portugal’s clash against Denmark on Sunday evening, he was unable to take the opportunity.

Ronaldo won himself a penalty with barely 5 minutes on the clock and he confidently placed the ball down on the spot. Surprisingly, his shot was tame and his effort was easily saved by Denmark number one, Kasper Schmeichel. It was a poor penalty and could go down as one of the worst spot-kicks he’s taken in his career.

Barry Town United release statement after Evan Press is sentenced

Welsh outfit Barry Town United say they are “shocked” after learning that vice-captain Evan Press, 24, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for dealing cocaine. The midfielder had played every game this season for the Cymru Premier outfit but now finds himself behind bars, leaving his football team stunned.

“Being brutally honest we only heard about this on the day he was sentenced,” Barry Town told Wales Online.

The club spokesman added: “Since the sentencing we’ve heard bits about the case but we don’t have all the information. We have been processing the news. It is a real shock. Evan is a wonderful young man. He’s been part of our club for seven years. He has made a mistake and my understanding is it happened some time ago. We are a family club who want our players to be role models. This was news to us.”

22nd March: Peter Crouch Brings Back Iconic Celebration in Liverpool Legends Match

‘The finish and THAT celebration’

Peter Crouch rolled back the years with a towering header in Liverpool Legends vs Chelsea Legends at Anfield. The retired England striker rose highest in the penalty area to nod home a Florent Sinama Pongolle delivery to give the Reds’ heroes of yesterday the lead.

The Kop were delighted to see the forward – who spent three years on Merseyside – hit the target once again and waited with bated breath to see how he would celebrate. Crouchy, of course, pulled out his famous robot celebration from retirement, much to the joy of the home faithful. His moves may be a bit rusty these days, but it was a special moment for the striker-turned-pundit.

22nd March: Solanke Ranks Saliba, Van Dijk and Dias From Worst to Best

Solanke has played against all three in recent years

William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk and Ruben Dias are the Premier League’s three standout centre-backs, but who is the best of the trio? Dominic Solanke has played against all three and he was asked to rank them on Sky Sports programme Saturday Social. Solanke believes Liverpool legend Van Dijk is the best of the trio as he called him the toughest opponent he has faced in his career.

Solanke then described Van Dijk as the best centre-back in the world. The English striker proceeded to place Saliba in second and Dias third.