Premier League
FLASHBACK: ‘You are f****** idiots!’ – why Sir Alex Ferguson stormed out of press conference in defence of ‘f****** great’ Manchester United signing
“Be quick, I’ve only got a few minutes,” Sir Alex Ferguson harked to a tight and tense press room at Carrington back in May 2002.
The Manchester United manager’s relationship with the media was rarely affable, particularly at a time when press conferences were spiky and tense, confined to a claustrophobic media room and not streamed online to the masses. Journalists were often scolded or banned from future attendance if they rubbed the Scot up the wrong way.
Said journalists were on tenterhooks when coming together at United’s training ground for the penultimate game of the 2001/02 campaign. Arsenal were the visitors to Old Trafford that weekend, with Arsene Wenger’s side knowing victory against their fiercest rivals would secure the title.
It had been a disastrous six weeks for Ferguson and United, with defeat at home to Middlesbrough at the end of March seeing them lose their place at the table’s summit for the first time since January.
A month on from that, the Reds were dumped out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage by Bayer Leverkusen, having drawn both legs and losing on away goals.
Juan Sebastian Veron had been excellent for United during their European campaign, with the slower pace and more technical focus suiting his strengths. Ferguson brought the Argentinian across from Lazio the previous summer, sanctioning a then-British record £28.1million move and agreeing a lucrative five-year contract.
It was hoped Veron would lead the way in Ferguson’s latest squad evolution, and the United boss was at pains to accommodate his flashy new signing, often breaking up the tried and trusted midfield duo of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.
Four goals in his first eight games was about as close to a dream start as one could wish for and enough for Veron to claim the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for September. But as those goals dried up and the silky midfielder struggled with English physicality, so the media criticism inevitably followed.
The Argentinian was at the centre of media reports, with one in particular irking Ferguson. In the fallout from United’s Champions League exit, the Mirror ran a story alleging a row between Veron and some of his teammates which ended when the midfielder supposedly stormed out.
And so Ferguson entered his pre-game press conference – this time on a Monday, with the Arsenal game on Wednesday – with scores to settle and little tolerance of those reporters he was hosting. In a full transcript of the meeting with journalists, captured by the tape recorder of Telegraph reporter Sam Wallace, the fiery Scot took issue with the line of questioning.
The conversation initially drifted towards Ferguson suggesting Wenger had been arrogant in the build-up, but quickly spread to a more general back-and-forth in which the United boss brought up the Veron story.
With one reporter having already been labelled a ‘joke’ and a ‘disgrace to journalism’, they decided to press on and ask directly about the alleged row – and that was enough.
“That was answered with Paddy Harverson [United’s ex-director of communications],” Ferguson fumed before storming out of the packed media room.
“It’s absolute nonsense! Absolute nonsense! You know it’s nonsense! Absolute lies! I don’t believe that you write these things.
“Anyway, that’s a finish, on you go. Get going. On you go! We’re no f****** talking! [Veron] is a f******* great player! You are f****** idiots!”
Veron started against Arsenal but lasted only 58 minutes, coming off shortly after Sylvain Wiltord scored what would be the title-clinching goal for Arsenal. It was fitting that in the first game after Ferguson’s impassioned defence, the midfielder’s weaknesses came to the fore against a physical and dynamic Gunners side.
The Argentinian’s status as a club-record signing ended in the summer of 2002, with Rio Ferdinand joining from Leeds United in a deal worth around £30million.
And after a dismal World Cup campaign with La Albiceleste – they left at the group stage despite entering the competition as joint favourites – Veron endured another underwhelming season at United. The Reds retained their place at the top of the Premier League that season but lost to Liverpool in the League Cup final and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal in February 2003.
The former Lazio man bagged six goals and nine assists from 40 appearances, a tally that was far from terrible but continued to warrant questions with the caveat of his price tag. Just over 14 months after exploding at the press for their criticism, Ferguson cut his losses on Veron and sold him to Chelsea for £15million.
The midfielder would later suggest his struggles in England were due in part to a less intense pre-season compared to Italy, while Ferguson would admit his record signing was not cut out for the Premier League: “Juan Veron was capable of exceptional football and was talented. But at times, he found the Premiership a bit difficult. He was a European player and that was where we got our best form from him.”
Veron would spend four years at Chelsea, although three of those were on loan to Inter Milan and then Estudiantes in his home country – a side he would eventually join permanently in 2006 to wind down his career. He would never mirror his form for Parma and Lazio during his spell in England, but remained grateful to Ferguson for defending him.
“I was just very grateful for that, I always respected his defence of me,” Veron told Gambling Zone of Ferguson’s fiery press conference. “I know my English past isn’t so great – lots of ups and downs – I never had regularity in my football career over there.
“I don’t like this because in my seven years in Italy, I played a consistent level of football. In England there were so many ups and downs, so I am forever grateful to Sir Alex for defending me from the media. But my football, at that moment, was not that good.”
-MEN
Premier League
Arsenal Paint London Red with Premier League Victory Parade Despite Champions League Heartbreak
Thousands of jubilant Arsenal supporters flooded the streets of north London on Sunday as the club celebrated its first Premier League title in 22 years, putting aside the disappointment of losing the UEFA Champions League final just 24 hours earlier.
The celebrations came less than a day after Arsenal suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest. Yet the setback did little to dampen the spirits of the club’s faithful, who turned out in huge numbers to honour a historic domestic triumph.
Players and coaching staff paraded through north London aboard an open-top bus, proudly displaying the Premier League trophy that Arsenal had finally reclaimed for the first time since Arsène Wenger’s legendary “Invincibles” side lifted it in the 2003-04 season.
Arsenal had wrapped up the title before the final round of fixtures after establishing an unassailable lead over defending champions Manchester City, who eventually finished seven points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s side.
The league crown marked Arsenal’s first major trophy since Arteta guided the club to FA Cup success in 2020 during his debut season as manager. It also ended years of frustration after the Gunners had finished runners-up in the Premier League in each of the previous three seasons.
Red flares, fireworks and the sound of vuvuzelas filled the air as supporters celebrated a long-awaited return to the summit of English football.
“We’re not European champions, but we are champions of England, and that’s what matters right now,” said Arsenal supporter Julien Guillenenat. “We’re happy to celebrate with everyone.”
Another fan, 44-year-old Mathieu Garnier, believes the Premier League triumph has finally removed the psychological burden that had weighed heavily on the team.
“Three years in a row we finished second, and now that pressure is gone,” he said. “These players are going to be flying next season. I really believe that.”
Adding to the festivities was Arsenal’s women’s team, who joined the celebrations after their successful FIFA Champions Cup campaign this season.
Midfielder Declan Rice, signed from West Ham United in 2023 for a club-record £105 million, said the title triumph had silenced many of the club’s critics.
“People were pointing and laughing at us before,” Rice told Sky Sports. “What happened? They’re not laughing anymore. I love this team, I love this manager, and to see the joy we’ve brought to the fans is incredible.
“Next season we’re coming back for more.”
Despite the pain of falling short in Europe, many Arsenal supporters remain optimistic that the club will soon challenge again for continental glory.
Twenty-two-year-old fan Theo Grant believes the Champions League disappointment will only strengthen the squad’s resolve.
“Honestly, this loss will give the players even more motivation,” he said. “We’ll be back. I believe we’ll reach the final again next season.”
For Arsenal supporters, however, Sunday was not about what might have been in Europe. It was about celebrating the end of a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England once again.
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Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Tuesday and still face the risk of relegation from the Premier League in their final game of the season this weekend after goals either side of halftime from the home side’s Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos.
Fernandez let rip with a dipping shot from over 25 metres that Antonin Kinsky could not get close to in the 18th minute, electrifying the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as the home fans revelled in the misery of their North London rivals.
The Argentina midfielder turned provider for Chelsea’s second goal in the 67th, cushioning a high ball into the feet of Santos, who scored from close range.
Richarlison got one back for Spurs in the 74th minute, but the defeat means Tottenham remain two points above West Ham United, who currently occupy the last relegation spot.
However, Spurs have a much better goal difference, meaning a draw at home to Everton on Sunday would all but guarantee their Premier League survival.
Chelsea, fresh from announcing former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as their next manager after a limp 2025/26 campaign, climbed to eighth place, which offers a berth in the UEFA Conference League next season
The Blues, who lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, are one point behind Brighton & Hove Albion, who currently occupy the last of the Europa League spots.
Spurs had only themselves to blame for Tuesday’s defeat.
After Mathys Tel hit the post with a header in the 11th minute, they allowed Chelsea to dominate until Richarlison’s goal raised their hopes of rescuing the point they needed.
Substitute James Maddison looked sure to equalise in the 84th, but Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato stretched out a leg to block his angled shot.
The win was Chelsea’s first in the Premier League since March 4, giving their fans something to celebrate after a miserable run that included six consecutive league defeats.
It also means Spurs have only won once at Stamford Bridge since 1990.
-Reuters
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Arsenal F.C. have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City F.C. were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth, ending the most dramatic title race of recent seasons and completing a remarkable transformation under manager Mikel Arteta.
The title triumph marks Arsenal’s first league championship since the legendary “Invincibles” side led by Arsène Wenger went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 campaign.
For Arteta, it represents the crowning moment of a rebuilding project that began when he replaced Unai Emery in December 2019. The Spaniard inherited a struggling Arsenal side but gradually rebuilt the club into genuine title contenders, guiding them to second-place finishes in each of the previous three seasons before finally ending Manchester City’s dominance.
Arsenal appeared in danger of suffering another late collapse after surrendering a nine-point lead earlier in the campaign, particularly following City’s crucial victory over them at the Etihad Stadium in April.
However, the momentum shifted again when City stumbled with a draw against Everton, allowing Arsenal to seize control of the race.
The North London club responded impressively, winning four consecutive matches without conceding a goal, including Monday’s tense 1-0 victory over Burnley F.C. that piled pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side heading into their trip to Bournemouth.
City’s failure to secure victory finally confirmed Arsenal as champions, triggering emotional celebrations among supporters gathered around the Emirates Stadium.
Fans watching the decisive match in nearby pubs poured onto the streets at the final whistle, while thousands more marched toward the Emirates within minutes of the title being secured.
Arteta had admitted before the match that he expected it to be difficult watching City’s game because of the enormous stakes involved, but the Spaniard ultimately witnessed the completion of one of the most significant managerial achievements in modern Arsenal history.
The Gunners will officially receive the Premier League trophy after their final game of the season against Crystal Palace F.C. at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Arsenal’s triumph could yet become part of an even greater achievement.
The club now have the opportunity to complete a historic double when they face Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30.
Only five English clubs have previously managed to win both the league title and the European Cup in the same season, with Manchester City the last side to achieve the feat in 2023.
The title success also signals a changing of the guard in English football.
With Guardiola expected to leave Manchester City after a decade in charge, Arteta — once his assistant at City — is poised to become the longest-serving manager across England’s top four divisions, underlining how dramatically his status has risen since arriving at Arsenal less than seven years ago.
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