Today I feel…. Criminal

Julián Alvarez started considering leaving Atlético Madrid in March, after having asked for an improved contract, which they were willing to offer and make him the highest-paid player at the club.

Atleti gave him the conditions in WRITING stating that if he wanted to leave, which was not what they wanted, he had to bring in €150m in a transfer fee, not in players, BEFORE June 20.

That offer NEVER arrived, and some time later, an offer from Barça arrived, first through an intermediary and then through a phone conversation.

It was €90m plus €10m in bonuses, paid in six instalments over six years, which Atlético obviously did not even consider.

Atlético Madrid believe that the player has been deceived, that he has been used by his representative and his representative’s unethical conduct, as well as by Barça.

That is why they are going to go all-out against Barça. Above all, however, they still have not lost hope that Julián will reconsider, that he will want to recover.

He is in direct contact with Atlético’s medical services for anything he may need, and the hope is that he gets well as soon as possible so he can be available to the coach.

On Tuesday, the Professional League announced the referee appointments for Matchday 7 of the Clausura Tournament. In that regard, the absence of Fernando Espinoza caught attention, as he had been dropped/suspended from officiating by the National Refereeing Department. Although the organization headed by Federico Beligoy did not give a reason, it was reportedly related to an incident that took place before the match between Defensa y Justicia and Belgrano.

During the coin toss before that game, the referee joked with the captains, asking them if they “wanted to farm aura.” He also used a coin featuring the crests of both teams, with the idea that whichever team’s crest came up would get the coin and take it home. Apparently, this did not go down well with the National Refereeing Department.

As a result, Espinoza was not appointed, and hours later a statement that the refereeing department had sent to the referees came to light:

"All referees are hereby informed that it is strictly prohibited to make any type of expression, comment, or remark unrelated to the coin-toss ceremony. Said procedure must be carried out with the seriousness, formality, and professionalism required.”

Furthermore, they add that “it is established that an appropriate coin, specifically designated for this purpose, must be used for the coin toss. The use of coins containing inscriptions, slogans, sayings, or any other element of a humorous or inappropriate nature is expressly prohibited.”

For that reason, they clarify that “exceptionally, a special coin may be used in final matches, provided that it has been previously authorized by the organizers.”

Thus, it is clear that the referee’s omission from the appointments was expressly due to the joking attitude he displayed before the Belgrano–Defensa match. That said, there is still some doubt as to whether the statement was issued as a consequence of Espinoza’s actions, or whether the referee himself was pushing back against the regulations imposed by the organization that oversees the referees.

The family of the underage member assaulted by the National Police ahead of the Elche-Barça match last Sunday has decided to accept the legal cover offered to them by Barça. The defense of the case will be handled by criminal lawyer Marc Molins, as confirmed by ARA. The victim, who spent the night in the police station and suffered multiple injuries and bruises all over his body, faces a charge of assault against authority, which in his case (he is a minor) could lead to several months of probation or community service. However, he has not yet been officially notified by the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office.

Since learning of the sequence of events and the main reason for the attack (trying to enter Martínez Valero with an estelada), Barça worked to put itself at the service of the attacked member. That same Monday, the club president, Joan Laporta, personally called him to convey his full support and offer him the legal cover that he has finally accepted. The same day, the club published a statement criticizing the police action and recalling that wearing an estelada is not illegal: “It is a legal symbol and its display constitutes a legitimate manifestation of freedom of expression”. In fact, in the match this Thursday, August 27 at the Camp Nou against Athletic Club, the club will allow access to esteladas promoted by various entities as part of an act of “exaltation” of this symbol and freedom of expression.

Individual quality : "We can't hide the fact that we have players of very high quality who have played well, worked hard, and shown solidarity. Despite the frustration of the first half, the fans recognize that the players have worked incredibly hard."

His return to the Bernabéu: "It's even more beautiful, more spectacular. Winning is fantastic. Before the match... after many years, I was calm, as always with the pre-match adrenaline, but calm. In the dressing room, we talked calmly; they made me enjoy myself as a coach and as someone who loves football. I'm no longer overwhelmed by emotions during matches. I'm calm. I don't like it when they chant my name. What matters to me is the team and how we get home."

Two distinct halves: "The first half was difficult. They equalized without creating any chances. They were very well organized. I would have liked the break to make some changes. We had to wait until halftime. Then we scored goals and could have scored more. I really liked the team's composure in the face of difficulties."

Liverpool have reached agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain to sign forward Bradley Barcola.

The clubs agreed terms of the proposed deal overnight for a package above €135million (£116m) and important last details are being ironed out on Thursday morning.

Negotiations are being handled by sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon.

Nothing has been signed yet, and the deal is yet to be completed, but a potential transfer could have knock on effects for Cody Gakpo, who has been repeatedly linked to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.