1 week ago ‘You tried to kill us’: Real Oviedo make emotional return to La Liga

Spanish club return to the top flight for the first time since 2001, having dropped several divisions and been saved from oblivion by loyal fans“When the players went out, they were like ‘pfff, what a great atmosphere’,” Xabi Alonso said at the close of a night so long-awaited many didn’t make it, and many of those who did were actually experiencing primera for the first time. At the north end of the Carlos Tartiere, Real Oviedo’s fans prepared to reveal another gigantic work of art, 1,800m square metres of tifo sent tumbling across the terrace. Beneath the west stand, the city’s bagpipers got ready to play the Asturian anthem. Near the tunnel, Elena and Carlos, the embodiment of an entire generation, waited to kick it all off. And everywhere, in the city and the stadium, there was blue. Into it all, Real Madrid stepped on Sunday night. And, their manager said, it was “spectacular.”They had missed it. The last time Madrid had been to Oviedo was 10 June 2001, the last first division ...

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1 week ago European football: Mbappé and Vinícius fire Real Madrid past Oviedo

La Liga newcomers beaten 3-0 at homeDavid and Vlahovic give Juventus victoryReal Madrid claimed a 3-0 La Liga win at promoted Real Oviedo on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappé scoring in each half before Vinícius Júnior added a late third to seal the match.Mbappé put Real ahead in the 37th minute after Aurélien Tchouaméni won the ball off Leander Dendoncker in midfield and quickly fed Arda Guler. He slipped a pass to the Frenchman who turned sharply on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot into the net. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Thomas Partey is booed by fans on his Villarreal debut as he faces multiple rape charges

With the game heading into the closing stages, Partey was handed his debut, coming on as a substitute for Santi Comesana with less than ten minutes remaining.

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3 w. ago Thomas Partey protests notable by absence on Villarreal debut against Oviedo

Midfielder comes off bench in 82nd minute in La LigaPartey, 32, has denied rape and sexual assault chargesThomas Partey was greeted with some whistles, a little applause and no major protest as he made his competitive debut for Villarreal. The 32-year-old former Arsenal midfielder has been released on bail, charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, which he denies, and his signing had drawn complaints from supporters in Spain but on his first La Liga appearance at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Friday night there was mostly indifference.Partey was introduced in the 82nd minute, alongside Alfonso Pedraza, with Santi Comesaña and Nicolas Pépé making way. As the two players entered the pitch, with Villarreal already 2-0 up against Real Oviedo and the game drifting to a conclusion, some whistles could be heard among the clapping. Partey touched the ball 13 times, and the first four or five of those were met more clearly with whistles, although they soon faded. The...

Events

3 w. ago Thomas Partey protests notable by absence on Villarreal debut

Midfielder comes off bench in 82nd minute in La LigaPartey has denied rape and sexual assault chargesThomas Partey was greeted with some whistles, a little applause and no major protest as he made his competitive debut for Villarreal on Friday. The 32-year-old former Arsenal midfielder has been released on bail in England, charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, which he denies. His signing had drawn complaints from supporters in Spain but on his first La Liga appearance at the Estadio de la Cerámica there was mostly indifference.Partey was introduced in the 82nd minute, along Alfonso Pedraza, with Santi Comesaña and Nicolas Pépé making way. As the two players entered the pitch, with Villarreal 2-0 up against Real Oviedo and the game drifting to a conclusion, some whistles could be heard among the clapping. Partey touched the ball 13 times and the first four or five of those were met more clearly with whistles, although they soon faded. They did not come fr...

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3 w. ago Thomas Partey makes Villarreal debut off bench in victory over Real Oviedo

The Ghana international left Arsenal after his contract expired in June and joined Villarreal on August 7.

Politics

last month Villarreal confirm Partey signing and address sexual offence charges in statement

Midfielder signs in week when he appeared in courtClub says it ‘firmly condemns gender-based violence’Villarreal have confirmed the signing of Thomas Partey on a free transfer after the expiry of his contract with Arsenal. The move was announced two days after the 32-year-old appeared in court charged with six sexual offences.Partey was bailed to appear at the Old Bailey for trial later this year, charged with five counts of rape relating to two women and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman. The alleged offences are said to have taken place in 2021 and 2022 when Partey was playing for Arsenal. Continue reading...

Politics

last month Villarreal sign Thomas Partey and condemn ‘violence in all its forms’

The 32-year-old appeared before magistrates on Tuesday.

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