Mike Dean has admitted he failed to correct a mistake in a Chelsea-Tottenham match last season to prevent his friend Anthony Taylor receiving extra “grief”. Former Premier League referee Dean was on VAR duty at Stamford Bridge in August 2022 when Chelsea wanted Spurs defender Cristian Romero sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella to the floor by his hair. Dean says he made a “really bad call” in not sending Taylor to review his decision. Harry Kane equalised for Spurs from the following stoppage-time corner and the game finished 2-2. Both managers – Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and Tottenham’s Antonio Conte – received red cards from Taylor following an angry exchange at the end of the match. “I missed the stupid hair pull at Chelsea versus Tottenham which was pathetic from my point of view,” Dean told Simon Jordan’s Up Front podcast. “It’s one of them where if I had my time again, what would I do? I’d send Anthony (Taylor) to the screen. “I think I knew if I did send him to the screen…he’s cautioned both managers. “I said to Anthony afterwards: ‘I just didn’t want to send you to the screen after what has gone on in the game’. “I didn’t want to send him up because he is a mate as well as a referee and I think I didn’t want to send him up because I didn’t want any more grief than he already had.” Wirral-born Dean started his career as a top-flight referee in 2000 and went on to take charge of 553 Premier League matches. Dean retired from refereeing at the end of the 2021-22 campaign and became a dedicated Premier League VAR last season. But he was stood down from VAR duty for two months after the Stamford Bridge incident and admitted the role was something he ended up “dreading”. Dean said: “That was a major error. If they don’t score from the corner it is not as big an issue. “But I knew full well then I would be stood down the week after. I asked to take a bit of time off because it wasn’t for me. “I used to get in the car on a Friday and was dreading Saturday. I was thinking, ‘I hope nothing happens’. I used to be petrified sitting in the (VAR) chair.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Football rumours: Arsenal and Tottenham eye Ivan Toney once betting ban ends On this day in 2019: Ben Stokes seals an Ashes win for the ages Rory McIlroy three behind lead despite muscle spasms leading into tournament

Luke Shaw has been ruled out for several weeks in an injury blow to Manchester United and England. United are still waiting to assess the severity of the left-back’s muscle problem but he is certain to miss next season Sunday’s pivotal clash away at Arsenal and this weekend’s home game against Nottingham Forest. Shaw could also sit out the start of United’s Champions League campaign as well as an Old Trafford meeting with early season leaders Brighton. With his deputy Tyrell Malacia also injured, it means manager Erik ten Hag does not have a senior specialist left-back, with right-back Diogo Dalot perhaps the likeliest candidate to slot in as United look for their first win of the season. Ten Hag has lost a second England international this week, with Mason Mount also out with a hamstring strain he sustained in Saturday’s defeat to Tottenham. England manager Gareth Southgate will probably have to be without Shaw, and perhaps Mount, for the September games against Ukraine and Scotland. Shaw represents another defensive concern for Southgate for the two matches, with Reece James and Tyrone Mings definitely out and John Stones a doubt. Ben Chilwell would be the likeliest beneficiary of Shaw’s absence. Read More Why Manchester United are no longer big spenders in the transfer market Would a transfer to Man United or Liverpool suit Ryan Gravenberch most? Welcome to the remodelling of Mason Mount

Chelsea take on Luton hoping to bounce back from defeat to West Ham in their last Premier League game. Mauricio Pochettino’s side were unable to make their possession count at the London Stadium, with the 3-1 loss continuing a difficult start to the season that has also seen Reece James, newly installed as captain, lost to injury. Luton, meanwhile, enjoyed a weekend off, with their fixture against Burnley postponed while Kenilworth Road is brought up to Premier League standard. A fortnight between fixtures could be valuable to Rob Edwards and his team, who will arrive at Stamford Bridge hoping to cause an early shock in their first season in the English top flight for more than three decades. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fixture, and you can get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is Chelsea vs Luton? Chelsea vs Luton is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Friday 25 August at Stamford Bridge in London. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via Sky Go. Team news Chelsea remain without captain Reece James, who is set to miss a few weeks of action with a hamstring injury. Christopher Nkunku is a longer term absentee after undergoing knee surgery, while Carney Chukwuemeka will also reportedly miss about six weeks of football after sustaining a knee injury against West Ham. Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Armando Broja are also sidelined. Ankle injuries continue to keep Jordan Clark and Dan Potts out of Luton’s squad, while Gabriel Osho and Reece Burke are also absent. Veteran goalkeeper Tim Krul could figure for the first time after completing his move from Norwich. Predicted line-ups Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gusto, Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher, Chilwell; Sterling, Jackson. Luton XI: Kaminski; Andersen, Lockyer, Bell; Kabore, Mpanzu, Nakamba, Chong, Giles; Morris, Adebayo. Odds Chelsea win 2/9 Draw 6/1 Luton win 14/1 Prediction Chelsea emerge relatively comfortable winners. Chelsea 3-1 Luton Read More Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink calls for patience at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino Would a transfer to Man United or Liverpool suit Ryan Gravenberch most? Workmanlike James Ward-Prowse was the summer’s safest – and shrewdest – bet Manchester City secure winger Jeremy Doku from Rennes on five-year deal Aymeric Laporte completes move from Manchester City to Saudi side Al-Nassr Manchester City ready to walk away as Wolves dig in over Matheus Nunes transfer fee

What the papers say Arsenal and Tottenham are both keen on signing England striker Ivan Toney in the winter transfer window, according to The Times. Brentford have placed an £80million price tag on the 27-year-old, whose eight-month ban for breaching gambling rules ends on January 16. Tottenham are also chasing Wales and Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson, according to the Independent. Forest are reportedly seeking at least £40m for the 22-year-old, who has also been linked with Chelsea. Manchester City are continuing their pursuit of Wolves’ Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes, according to the Telegraph. But the Independent says City are prepared to ditch a move for the 24-year-old if they feel it does not provide value for money, having already had an initial £47m bid rejected. Defender Jonny Evans, 35, is close to agreeing a one-year contract to return to Manchester United, reports the Telegraph. The move could cast more doubts over Harry Maguire’s future at Old Trafford. Social media round-up Players to watch Sofyan Amrabat: The Morocco midfielder, 27, has been left out of Fiorentina’s squad to face Rapid Vienna after interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. Eric Dier: Fulham are reportedly keen on the England defender, 29, after he was not included in Tottenham’s opening two Premier League squads.

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales is set to step down on Friday after heavy criticism of his behaviour at the World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday, according to reports in Spain. Rubiales’ expected resignation will come one day after FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old, who grabbed his crotch in celebration of Spain’s victory over England, then kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy celebration. FIFA said in a statement issued on Thursday afternoon: “The FIFA disciplinary committee informed Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on August 20, 2023.” FIFA’s statement added: “The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. “The FIFA disciplinary committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter. “FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary.” The sections of the disciplinary code referenced in the FIFA statement cover “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play”. The code cites examples of behaviour which could lead to disciplinary measures being taken, including “insulting a natural or legal person in any way, especially by using offensive gestures, signs or language” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute”. Rubiales issued an apology via video on Monday for the Hermoso kiss, but Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez described the apology as “insufficient”. The Spanish FA has called an extraordinary general assembly on Friday in response to the matter, while confirming it has opened internal proceedings. Rubiales is a UEFA vice-president and a member of its ruling executive committee, and the PA news agency understands if the Spanish federation was to dismiss Rubiales it could ask UEFA for the right to nominate a replacement. If FIFA suspended him, Rubiales’ seat on the ExCo would remain vacant until the next UEFA Congress, when a replacement would be elected. The FIFA proceedings could also hamper Spain’s bid to co-host the 2030 men’s World Cup finals, which Rubiales is helping to lead. Spain is bidding alongside Portugal, Ukraine and Morocco for the centenary finals, with a decision on who will host due to be taken at an extraordinary FIFA Congress in the final quarter of next year. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Shock Daniel Dubois win is only chance of possible undisputed fight – David Haye Brave Matt Hudson-Smith struggles to hide frustration despite silver in Budapest Matt Hudson-Smith claims silver medal for Great Britain in Budapest

The college football rankings feature teams with highly inequal strength of schedule. Some Top 25 teams have a tougher road than others.

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Tottenham have allowed young forward Troy Parrott to join Excelsior Rotterdam on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old Republic of Ireland international spent the 2022-23 campaign at Preston, where he scored four goals in 34 appearances for the Sky Bet Championship club. A groin injury prevented Parrott from joining the Spurs squad on their Asia-Pacific pre-season tour under new boss Ange Postecoglou and he will now continue his develop in the Eredivisie. Parrott made his Tottenham debut in 2019 but has only appeared a further three times for his boyhood club and now follows in the footsteps of another academy graduate in playing for Excelsior. Ex-Spurs youngster Marcus Edwards spent the 2018-19 season in Rotterdam, while former Ireland forward David Connolly scored 42 goals for Excelsior during two loan spells. “Last week I had discussions with trainer Marinus Dijkhuizen and technical manager Niels Van Duinen. The story they told appealed to me,” Parrott told the official Excelsior website. I think that way of playing football suits me and that's why I think Excelsior is the right choice for me now Troy Parrott on Excelsior “The way Excelsior play football and the ambitions of the club suit me. I have also obtained information from others and I think football in the Netherlands is more technical than in the English Championship. “I think that way of playing football suits me and that’s why I think Excelsior is the right choice for me now.” After allowing Parrott to leave on loan, Tottenham now turn their attention to further trimming their squad and will listen to offers for Hugo Lloris, Djed Spence, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga, Sergio Reguilon, Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bryan Gil during the final days of the summer transfer window.

Manchester City have completed the £55.5million signing of Belgium winger Jeremy Doku from Rennes, the Premier League champions have announced. The 21-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the treble winners to become their third major signing of the summer transfer window. City had an offer for the player accepted earlier this week and formalities have been completed over the past couple of days. Doku said: “This is a great day for me, both personally and professionally. Manchester City are the best team in world football, so to be joining them is something very special for me and my family. “I am a young player with so much learning and improving to do. Working with (manager) Pep (Guardiola) and his staff, and playing alongside these world-class players, will make me a much better player. I feel sure of that. “Watching City last season was amazing. To win the treble is the hardest thing in football and they did it. You cannot imagine how exciting it is to be joining this team. I cannot wait to get started. Hopefully I can make the fans happy.” Doku came through the youth ranks at Anderlecht before joining Rennes in 2020. Noted for his pace, he made his international debut in 2018 and featured at both Euro 2020 and last year’s World Cup. He said: “I am quick, I am strong, I like to dribble. Those are my abilities that I like to rely on. “I think the way I dribble, my speed – those are things that I can add to the group. “Of course, the group is already a top group with a lot of top players, but I think that I can add that to the group.” Doku’s arrival follows those of Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic earlier in the summer. The club have also been linked with moves for midfielders Matheus Nunes and Eberechi Eze, of Wolves and Crystal Palace respectively, but have not commented on the speculation. Guardiola’s midfield resources have been depleted following the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez this summer and with Doku’s international team-mate, Kevin De Bruyne, likely to be out injured for several months. City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Jeremy is a very exciting young player and I’m so pleased he’s joining us. “In terms of raw attributes, he has everything a winger needs. He has outstanding pace and he is exceptional in one-on-one situations. “I honestly believe working with Pep and the technical staff here at City will see him develop into a world-class attacking talent.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live England reeling from loss of Anthony Watson in troubled World Cup build-up Marriage proposal at World Championships – Thursday’s sporting social Geraint Thomas happy to compete in two grand tours as retirement looms

A limited number of replica Mary Earps goalkeeping shirts are finally being made available to buy by England kit manufacturer Nike. Earps had said prior to the World Cup it was “hugely disappointing and very hurtful” that the replica kits were not available to purchase. Calls for Nike to put things right have grown louder over the last week – including from former sports minister Tracey Crouch – after Earps saved a penalty for England in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain, with the Lionesses ultimately slipping to a 1-0 defeat. And the company has now acted, with a spokesperson saying on Thursday: “We’ve seen and share the unprecedented passion and interest in women’s football this year and remain committed to playing our part by offering the best products and services to athletes and fans. “We invested more in this year’s World Cup than any other global tournament to date. Nike has secured limited quantities of goalkeeper jerseys for England, (the United States), France and the Netherlands to be sold through the federation websites over the coming days, and we are also in conversations with our other federation partners. “We recognise that during the tournament we didn’t serve those fans who wished to show their passion and support to the squad’s goalkeepers. We are committed to retailing women’s goalkeeping jerseys for major tournaments in the future.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Aymeric Laporte has completed his move from Manchester City to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, the Premier League champions have announced. The Saudi Pro League outfit are understood to have paid a fee of £23.5million for the 29-year-old Spain defender, who has spent the past five-and-a-half years at the Etihad Stadium. Laporte follows former City team-mate Riyad Mahrez to the Middle East country after the Algerian joined Al-Ahli earlier in the summer transfer window. Laporte told City’s website, www.mancity.com: “I am proud to have represented Manchester City over the last six seasons. “When I first joined, I was excited about the prospect of winning trophies. However, I could not have imagined the success we would go on to achieve together. “I would like to thank the coaches, my team-mates and of course the brilliant City fans for all of their support throughout my time in Manchester. “I will always be a City fan and I look forward to seeing you all again.” Laporte, who joined City from Athletic Bilbao in a £57million deal in January 2018, won five Premier League titles, the Champions League and five domestic cups as a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad. However, he had fallen down the pecking order at City over the past year and the recent arrival of Josko Gvardiol had pushed him further to the fringes. City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Aymeric has been an excellent player for Manchester City during a great time for the club. “He fitted into the team seamlessly upon arrival in 2018 and played a key role in many of our successes over the years that have followed. “The form of the other defenders in the squad made it hard for him to find sufficient game time in 2022-23 and we respect his decision to seek a move elsewhere. “I look forward to following his career from afar.” Laporte joins an increasingly star-studded squad at Riyadh-based Al-Nassr, where his team-mates will include Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic.

Luis Rubiales’ future as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) could go some way to being decided on Friday, as the incident with Jenni Hermoso could yet see him banned from sport for two to 15 years. The 46-year-old is being described as “cornered” by those with knowledge of the situation, as scores of public criticisms have led to three formal complaints over whether his behaviour constituted an infraction of Spain’s sports law, which sanctions sexist acts. That comes amid increasing political pressure that is now affecting the country’s 2030 World Cup bid. It is understood that Rubiales is not yet considering resigning, though Fifa have also opened their own disciplinary proceedings against him. The controversial official has called an emergency meeting of the football federation’s general assembly on Friday, although it is expected to reject any resignation offer if there was one and support him. Should it be the case that Rubiales stays in the job after that, it is likely the case will be taken to a higher level, in a chain of events that could see the former Hamilton Academical defender declared unfit for office and ousted from sport. The RFEF has simultaneously launched an international investigation into whether Rubiales breached their protocol against sexism, which has “forced kissing” as a punishable act. Victor Francos – Spain’s secretary of sport and president of the country’s sports council (CSD) – has asked the federation to deliver the results of its own investigation by Monday and said his council will take action if the RFEF does not. The council, which is currently studying three complaints, can then raise the case to Spain’s Administrative Court for Sports (TAD). One of them comes from Miguel Galan, president of the Cenafe coaching school, whose legal department and government prosecutors are also weighing taking the case to the TAD. The court will assess the case against Article 104 of Spain’s Sports Law, which pertains to “very serious public acts that violate dignity and decorum in sports, as well as abuses of authority”. If the TAD decides that has been violated, Rubiales could be banned for between two and 15 years. Should it get to the point where Rubiales is charged by the TAD, meanwhile, Francos has the authority to convene the CSD's board of directors to vote on suspending the federation president while deliberations take place. A further dimension to the story is that it is now being seen as potentially influencing Spain’s World Cup bid for 2030, which Rubiales has been central to, such is the global publicity. Prime minister Pedro Sanchez has urged the official to “continue taking steps” towards accountability, which is being interpreted in some quarters as calls to resign, given how active his government has been on sexism. Sanchez’s second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Diaz, has meanwhile called for the application of sports law and federal protocols against sexist acts. “Sports federations are private entities, they operate with absolute autonomy,” Francos told radio station Cadena Ser. “In a case like this, we can’t remove the president of the football federation even if we wanted to.” “I imagine that what the responsible people will do is talk to the two parties involved and issue a report,” Francos told radio station Cadena Ser. “I have personally told the federation this report has to be transparent and urgent, because, if it is not, obviously we are obliged to take the corresponding additional measures.” Among the official complainants were Spain’s women’s league, LaLiga F, who also called for him to resign: “The Professional Women’s Football League has lodged a complaint with the president of the CSD after the very serious actions and behaviour of the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, at the final of the Women’s World Cup, and is calling for his dismissal.” Sports website Relevo meanwhile reported that Rubiales asked for Hermoso to appear on the video in which he apologised for kissing her, but the player refused. It also stated that people travelling with the Spanish squad back to Madrid saw coach Jorge Vilda trying to convince Hermoso’s family for her to appear in the video. Had Hermoso decided to press charges, Rubiales could have also faced a criminal prosecution. Francos similarly defended the player. “[Hermoso] can decide to speak out or not, and whatever she does she will be doing the right thing, because above all we cannot put the responsibility for this on her.” “The gesture of grabbing his testicles in the tribune is a gesture that no one can defend,” Francos added. “Things have happened that should not have happened. As president of the Higher Council for Sports, I can’t deny that this generates a bad image.” Rubiales has previously seen off controversies over moving Spain's Supercopa to Saudi Arabia in a deal that also involved Gerard Pique’s management company, as well as unethical recording of government ministers. This is widely seen as the greatest threat to his presidency, though. Fifa’s statement read: “The Fifa Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the Women’s World Cup on 20 August 2023. “The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code. The Fifa Disciplinary Committee will only provide further information on these disciplinary proceedings once it has issued a final decision on the matter.” The FA and Uefa have meanwhile been contacted for comment. Read More Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales Spanish FA chief Rubiales faces new accusations after Jenni Hermoso World Cup kiss Hermoso calls for ‘exemplary measures’ against Rubiales over kiss Megan Rapinoe: Luis Rubiales antics highlight ‘misogyny and sexism’ within RFEF Rapinoe condemns culture of misogyny in Spanish football Bayern Munich icon defends Spanish FA president at centre of kiss controversy