Heroes & Villains
JULEN LOPETEGUI
In 2018, Lopetegui was sacked from two of the most prestigious jobs in the world within the space of five months – first Spain, and then Real Madrid. By guiding Sevilla to their sixth Europa League, he has reminded Europe of the coaching ability that made him so sought after two years ago.
BODO/GLIMT
The Norwegian side made an explosive start to the 2020 season, winning 12 of their first 14 matches and drawing the other two, averaging over three goals a game in the process. Glimt are chasing their first-ever top-flight league title after finishing second for the fourth time in 2019. No Norwegian team has ever finished runners-up as often without winning the Eliteserien, Norway’s top flight.
MAROUANE FELLAINI
The former Belgium, Manchester United and Everton midfielder netted a stunning hat-trick for Chinese side Shandong Luneng. With his team trailing 1-0 to Dalian Pro in the 79th minute, Fellaini rose to the challenge, scoring three headers in just eight minutes to fire the title-chasers to victory.
ATALANTA FANS
After Atalanta reimbursed the fans who had bought tickets for their Champions League clash with Valencia in March, club’s ultras arranged for the money to be given to a local hospital in Bergamo instead. In total, around 1,200 supporters donated €60,000 to the Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital, while ultras also sold T-shirts to pay for a new ambulance.
AU YEUNG WAI KAY
Reports have emerged that the businessman enquired about putting Wigan Athletic into administration before he had even completed his takeover of the club. The subsequent 12-point deduction cost the Latics their place in the English Championship, and they have been forced to sell many of their best players, with manager Paul Cook resigning in August.
ALEKSANDAR ANTONOV
The winner of the 2019-20 Fantasy Premier League was stripped of his title, following alleged offensive comments made about Raheem Sterling. Antonov, from Bulgaria, said on Twitter: “I am not racist...I would never say anything like that to a player with the intent to offend them. It’s a small chat with friends, in a different language and different culture.”
RUBEN SEMEDO
The former Villarreal defender was given a five-year suspended prison sentence and banned from visiting Spain for eight years after being found guilty of several crimes during his time in La Liga. The Portuguese centre-back, who is set to join champions Porto, was charged with offences including robbery, kidnapping, assault and possession of a firearm.
BOLI BOLINGOLI
The Celtic defender has been widely-criticised for a serious breach of Scotland’s lockdown rules. Bolingoli took a secret day trip to Spain, failed to quarantine, then trained with the squad before playing against Kilmarnock, resulting in the postponement of two Scottish Premiership fixtures. Eight Aberdeen players were also fined after visiting a bar together, leading to two of them testing positive for COVID-19.