English Football Updates: Mejbri Suspended for Misconduct; Guardiola Says 'Back Line Has to Improve'
In the latest Premier League updates, a significant player was handed a substantial suspension, a head coach has pointed to a player's errors to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements after a wild victory.
1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Ban and Fine
The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine for misconduct in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri faced an independent regulatory commission after allegations of spitting in the direction of away fans around the 67th point of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.
An FA statement read: “A Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during their Premier League game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he acted in breach of the rules of football or in an improper manner and/or engaging in abusive and unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”
It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction are to be released in due course.” The team, now in 19th place in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.
2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Make an Argument
The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is no an issue for his club, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from having a bad game during the loss against Leeds United.
Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience played a part in their setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled display at the back.
“People always talk about a lack of experience after we drop points,” Maresca stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older personnel. I understand that when we lose, we are always searching for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”
He added, “Who is the most senior player for us in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”
Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'
Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from a recent thriller at Fulham and the game is now in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.
This followed they fought off a fightback to win 3-2 in their prior game, prompting further doubts about whether City possess resilient required to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he commented. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to learn from both good and bad in the good things and results and think of the next one.”
“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand what happened, to not allow so many goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see the two versions, correct? Therefore, we have we have done plenty of good things. Yet how many attempts did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded is is high. We must improve.”
4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts
The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.
This allows Wilson free to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed a certain urgency.
“My first few days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are underway.”
Manager Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to be out for a further period.
5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham
The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they play Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.
“That incident is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it won't happen again because he personally admitted his mistake. We spoke internally. I believe it is over and it will not happen again.”
He also understands the intense strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We have to confront it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”
6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino
Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
He scored the opener versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|