{"id":443123,"date":"2026-05-11T11:21:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T11:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/443123\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T11:21:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T11:21:11","slug":"tottenhams-strangest-season-takes-another-turn-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/443123\/","title":{"rendered":"Tottenham\u2019s strangest season takes another turn \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has, you\u2019ll have noticed, been a difficult old season for Spurs<\/a>, the threat of relegation looming large. At times like this, especially in the closing stages of an agonisingly awful campaign, supporters need all the pick-me-ups they can muster. And fair dues to Spurs, they have provided one for their faithful \u2013 they have launched a \u201cmarketing collaboration\u201d with Peppa Pig.<\/p>\n

Baseball caps, bucket hats, scarves and schoolbags festooned with Spurs\u2019 crest and Peppa Pig characters, you can buy them all in the club shop, perhaps the most common reaction to the announcement from supporters: \u201cIs this for real?\u201d<\/p>\n

But, as has been pointed out, Spurs have won every single one of their games (two) since signing Peppa. You can insert your own gags here about their transfer work.<\/p>\n

\"SpursSpurs and Peppa Pig A goalkeeper, an own goal and awkward questions in Panama<\/p>\n

Panamanian goalkeeper Jos\u00e9 Calder\u00f3n has had 16 clubs in just over 20 years, so there\u2019s a bit of wanderlust about the fella. And there\u2019s a very reasonable chance that he\u2019ll be on the move again after an unfortunate incident at the end of a recent game for his latest club, Sporting San Miguelito. <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s just say, his own goal, which gave Alianza FC a 3-2 victory, was rather unusual, not least because he diverted the ball into his own net with his chest. The upshot is that the Panamanian Football League have launched an investigation into the incident, with accusations of match-fixing swirling in the air. <\/p>\n

Esc\u00e1ndalo en Panam\u00e1 \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\udde6 <\/p>\n

El minuto 90 con el 2-2 que clasificaba a Alianza FC, un centro sin peligro termin\u00f3 en un ins\u00f3lito error de Calder\u00f3n, quien no logr\u00f3 controlar el bal\u00f3n y lo ingres\u00f3 dentro del arco para el 3-2. Los hinchas empezaron a acusarlo de un supuesto ama\u00f1o pic.twitter.com\/xVfgzE6wOj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Gime Osorio (@GimenaOsorio1) May 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Calder\u00f3n apologised for the goal, but insisted that it was \u201ca strictly sporting error of an involuntary nature\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cI categorically reject any attempt to link this play to conduct contrary to the integrity of the sport. I reserve the right to pursue the appropriate legal actions against any person who seeks to damage my honour and reputation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who was he referring to? Well, it might possibly have been his team-mate Gustavo Herrera who took to social media after the game and somewhat hinted at his disappointment in his colleague. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m naming names: Jos\u00e9 Calder\u00f3n is a damn match-fixer … a highly experienced player who once represented the country involved in this crap. Those who are tarnishing the sport should step aside and dedicate themselves to something else, and have the guts to admit what they\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

You\u2019d guess Herrera won\u2019t be providing a character reference to the investigative team. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Irish Liverpool fan injured in Roma attack presents thank-you GAA jersey to Mo SalahOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\"RealReal Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe. Photograph: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire Quote of the Week<\/p>\n

\u201cHow s**t must you be, we\u2019ve just scored a goal.\u201d \u2013 Chelsea fans serenading the Liverpool faithful after they scored just their second goal in seven games at Anfield on Saturday. <\/p>\n

Number: 70,000,000<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how many people have (allegedly) signed an online petition calling for Real Madrid to get rid of Kylian Mbapp\u00e9. The way things are going there, you\u2019d guess he contributed 69,000,000 of the signatures himself. <\/p>\n

World of Mouth <\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I think football is taken too seriously. The news says: Iran did this, the Israelis did that, and by the way, Lennart Karl injured his muscle. All that\u2019s missing is for that to be in first place.\u201d \u2013 Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness suggesting a little bit of perspective is required when talking football matters. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can\u2019t go, I would be disappointed.\u201d \u2013 Yes, Donald Trump expressing some concern about the price of World Cup tickets. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2 million, I will personally bring them a hot dog and a Coke.\u201d \u2013 A chuckling Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Give us strength.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said after 35 minutes, Uefa must intervene. They need to call London: get both teams off the pitch and let the final be between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.\u201d \u2013 How much did Wesley Sneijder enjoy that Champions League game between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid? Not a lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cArteta deserves a statue \u2013 he simply doesn\u2019t have any top players.\u201d \u2013 Sneijder again, this time stopping short of lauding Arsenal\u2019s quality. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt looked like we were still in our nice hotel for the first five minutes. The start of the game was atrocious. Some of them have got to go, it\u2019s been embarrassing.\u201d \u2013 Apart from that, Wolves gaffer Rob Edwards was happy with his players after their 3-0 defeat by Brighton.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0FAI director John Martin plans to secure John O\u2019Shea and Paddy McCarthy contract extensionsOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n