HEROES & VILLAINS
BEN FOSTER
Watford’s goalkeeper pulled an 80-year-old fan suffering from dementia out of a roadside ditch after a game. He also invited the supporter to his home for Christmas dinner and offered to pay for his next season ticket.
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Praised for their mental health campaign as all the FA Cup third-round kick-off times were delayed by a minute in order to show a campaign message.
JOKIN APERRIBAY
After his side beat fourth-tier Becerril 8-0 in the Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad’s president invited the entire population of the northern Spanish village to a future match. The 754 villagers, along with Becerril’s players and staff, will have transport, tickets and dinner paid for at a top-flight game of their choice at the Anoeta Stadium.
PEDRO ORTIZ
The goalkeeper saved three penalties as Delfin won their first Ecuadorian title in the club’s 30-year history.
MARSEILLE
The Ligue 1 side, who beat fourth-tier side Trelissac on penalties, refused to honour a custom that professional clubs hand over their proportion of gate receipts to the opposition when playing an amateur team in the Coupe de France.
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Criticised for an FA Cup-streaming deal with betting companies which required fans to place a bet before they could watch thirdround matches.
HICHAM TIAZI
The referee was suspended for life by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation after giving four wrongful penalties in the game between Olympique Khouribga and Youssoufia Berrechid.
SAYED BAQER
The Bahrain defender was banned for 10 games after he made slanted-eye gestures towards home fans during November’s World Cup qualifier in Hong Kong.