Daily Mail

Spurs take aim at Ineos

Tottenham Hotspur have hit back at Manchester United co-owners Ineos in the latest episode of the pair’s court battle.

Spurs are suing the petrochemicals firm after they exited from a sponsorship deal with the club and have now filed the latest tranche of papers at the High Court, in which they reject a subsequent attempt by Ineos to counter-sue.

Tottenham initially took legal action claiming Ineos, led by billionaire businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had breached the terms of a £17m, five-year agreement which saw their Grenadier model named ‘official 4x4 partner’ of the club.

They are seeking more than £11m. However, last month Ineos fired back, accusing Spurs of lining up a sponsorship deal with rivals Audi, around the transfer of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich and demanding £1m.

Now, Tottenham have returned fire. While admitting to holding discussions with the German car manufacturer they say Ineos did not have the right to terminate the deal because they subsequently never entered into an agreement. Spurs’ lawyers add that even if Ineos’s termination was valid, they owed the club a payment of £4.25m on December 1 and the termination did not take place until December 6.

Ineos maintain they had a contractual right to terminate the contract, which they activated.

Lord Sugar to follow through?

It will be interesting to see if Lord Alan Sugar follows through with his threat to take legal action against Sky Sports after Jamie Redknapp claimed that Daniel Levy had inherited ‘a complete mess’ following his tenure at White Hart Lane.

The former Tottenham chairman and star of The Apprentice quickly took to social media to brand Redknapp a ‘double barrel idiot’ and added that Sky would be ‘hearing from my lawyers Monday’.

Should the legal challenge land, those at the broadcaster may well remind Lord Sugar of the 2007 deal which saw him sell electronics group Amstrad to BskyB - in a £125m takeover which reportedly saw him pocket a cool £34.5m.

Guehi's exit drama continues

The fallout over Marc Guehi’s failed transfer from Crystal Palace to Liverpool on deadline day continues. As part of what was a complex process, the Eagles agreed a move with Tottenham for forward Manor Solomon and went as far as signing a ‘deal sheet’, to allow them extra time to complete the switch.

However, Palace subsequently pulled out of the loan, leaving Spurs fuming. Inside Sport has since learned that Tottenham, who subsequently sent Solomon to Villareal, have suggested to the Premier League that such deal sheets become a binding document, which have to be honoured. They are, however, thought to be unlikely to succeed with their quest.

Family confusion raises eyebrows

The world of Olympic sport was left stunned following silver-medallist swimmer Ben Proud’s decision to join the doping-permitted Enhanced Games last week, with many wondering what former British Olympic Association chief Bill Sweeney, thought to be his godfather, would make of it all.

Inside Sport asked the RFU – where Sweeney is currently CEO - that very question, only to be told that he was actually godfather to Proud’s brother, Oliver. That raised eyebrows among many, despite previous reports to the contrary.

Indeed, in 2014 this very column noted that Sweeney had managed to secure tickets for Ben's parents to watch him in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Kirsty's not holding back

Kirsty Coventry continues to ring the changes following her election as International Olympic Committee president – and has placed two Brits in key roles within the organisation.

Jan Paterson, former director at the British Olympic Association and currently the MD of sport at the Saudi giga-project NEOM, is to become the new chief of staff at the IOC, and will reinforce the much-needed dramatic shift in gender equity at senior level within the IOC.

Paterson’s no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to issues is a signal that the IOC may also be ready to address the discrepancy between its policy on Russia and Israel, as well as dealing with the huge threat of the Enhanced (doping-permitted) Games in Las Vegas next year.

Elsewhere ex-BBC journalist James Pearce, who worked on Coventry’s campaign, has been named chief communications advisor.

Lord Alan Sugar has sensationally threatened to sue Jamie Redknapp and Sky Sports over comments the former Tottenham and Liverpool star made about his tenure at Spurs.

Redknapp, 52, was working as a pundit for Sky Sports during the broadcaster's coverage of Tottenham's trip to West Ham and later Chelsea's clash with Brentford.

Ahead of the first London derby, Redknapp reflected on chairman Daniel Levy's shock exit from Tottenham, which stunned world football last week when he called time on his 24-year-long spell at the club.

Spurs have undergone significant changes after winning their first trophy since 2008 under Ange Postecoglou last term, first replacing the Australian manager with Thomas Frank before parting ways with long-standing chairman Levy.

Keen to focus on the positives after Levy's exit, Redknapp urged that Spurs fans should view the future with optimism.

In doing so, the former England international said that Sugar, who acted as chairman of Tottenham between 1991 and 2001, left the north London club 'in a mess'.

Furious with Redknapp's comments, Sugar posted to social media on Saturday: 'Jamie Redknapp is a double barrel idiot. He talks a load of rubbish.

'He said when Daniel Levy took over Spurs, Alan Sugar left the club in a right mess. He and SKY will be hearing from my lawyers Monday.'

The British billionaire, 78, followed his post up with another separate message almost an hour and a half later, which read: 'I am coming after you Jamie Redknapp idiot.'

Redknapp appeared on Sky Sports alongside host Kelly Cates and former Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola.

The ex-England international admitted he was 'surprised' by Levy's exit and spoke highly of the former Tottenham chairman, whose tenure was widely met with criticism from Spurs supporters.

'Well, first of all I was incredibly surprised but probably not as surprised as Daniel Levy was,' Redknapp said. 'I'm sure it was a shock to him, nobody expected it.

'They won their first trophy in 17 years and then we see the manager and the chairman go within that six month period.

'I think from Spurs' point of view, it's a great time to be optimistic. You mentioned Vinai (Venkatesham), I think he's going to be a really good CEO of the club, he's got a great way about him - make the club a bit more friendly to everybody.

'I think that's maybe been a problem, there's been a disconnect with the fans when Daniel Levy was there.

'One thing I will say, and I've been critical with Daniel - there were a few things I didn't like with how he operated - but in terms of the training ground, the facilities, the infrastructure, one of the best stadiums in world - he's done a great job.

'The one thing I'll say is the wages at the club - everyone applauds that - but I think what that's done is not get the best players for the club. So that's always been a bit difficult.

'But whoever takes over - you think back to how Alan Sugar left the club, it was a complete mess - Daniel Levy has left this club in a really good way and Vinai will know that and the people in charge now can look at this club and really believe that this can go forward.

'And maybe, no disrespect, but a bit more likeable. I think that's what they'll be looking to do and get that relationship with the fans, with the club and make everybody proud to be Tottenham fans. It's a huge fanbase - so many opportunities for the club to move forwards now.'

Tottenham enjoyed a dominant second-half display against West Ham at the London stadium to triumph 3-0 in their first game without Levy, scoring all three goals after half time.

Pape Matar Sarr netted the first with a powerful header at the back post before Lucas Bergvall looped a stunning header of his own past West Ham's sprawling Mads Hermansen to double the lead, shortly after Irons midfielder Tomas Soucek was sent off for a poor tackle.

Micky van de Ven put the game beyond any doubt with a cool finish inside the area, handing Spurs their third win of the season from four matches so far.

Three goals up and the camera panned along the front row of the directors’ box where Tottenham’s new regime looked on grim faced. Somebody might want to tell them this was a good day.

Three goals up at the home of London rivals, with Thomas Frank’s set-piece machine wreaking havoc on a West Ham side unable to match their physical presence or quality on the ball.

There have been seasons in recent memory when it gets little better than this for Spurs.

Back on the winning trail a fortnight after a dispiriting defeat at home against Bournemouth in what would prove to be the farewell game for chairman Daniel Levy.

The new order moved in and promised better days ahead and here they were, Vivienne Lewis, her son-in law Nick Beucher and chief executive Vinai Venketasham, all utterly inscrutable, and yet surely, deep inside, highly satisfied with what they had witnessed.

Pape Matar Sarr headed Spurs into the lead from a corner early in the second half and Lucas Bergvall made it two with another header, moments after West Ham had been reduced to 10 men, Tomas Soucek sent off for a studs-up tackle.

Micky van de Ven scored the third in the 64th minute. The London Stadium emptied at remarkable speed and West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen made a fine save to prevent a goal by Mohammed Kudus on his return to the club he left in the summer.

It could hardly have gone much better for Tottenham head coach Frank before his new bosses. He didn’t even have to send on deadline day striker Randal Kolo Muani, who was an unused substitute.

Xavi Simons, a £51million signing from Leipzig, made his Spurs debut, playing wide on the left. His first positive impact came after 17 minutes, jinking inside and taking aim.

His effort was deflected wide and from the corner that follow the visitors had the ball in the net.

Kudus took it. You could tell by the noise. The Ghana international was jeered when the teams were announced and every time the ball came his way. Every successful tackle on him was cheered by the home crowd.

His corner on this occasion was headed in at the near post by Cristian Romero but referee Jarred Gillett was quick to blow for a foul. Van de Ven pushed Kyle Walker-Peters who had been marking Romero.

It might easily have been construed as nothing more than the usual pushing and shoving at any given set-play but VAR John Brooks backed Gillett’s call.

Tottenham are a serious threat from set-plays under Frank. For starters, they have players with towering presence and here a series of inswinging corners pinned West Ham ‘keeper Hermansen to his line.

There were eight in the first half alone, whipped into such a crowded goal area that it was difficult for defenders to climb and get the leverage required on any headed clearances. They ended the first half under siege from one set play after another.

Van de Ven claimed a penalty when Mateus Fernandes wrestled him to the floor. Van de Ven’s point must have been that if his push was a foul then so was this. The officials did not accept it.

Potter’s team made it to the sanctuary of the interval on level terms, which is a credit to their resilience under pressure, and yet they had carried a flicker of a threat on the break during the earlier phase of the contest.

Malick Diouf was effective whenever he tore forward, overlapping from left back and delivering teasing crosses on the run but West Ham, with Lucas Paqueta at centre forward and Niclas Fullkrug on the bench, did not look like getting anyone on the end of them.

Their best effort of the first half came in the 14th minute, a slick move down the left, started by Walker-Peters culminated in an interchange featuring Jarrod Bowen, Fernandes and Paqueta who dragged a low shot wide on the turn.

But Spurs took control and two minutes into the second half took the lead and ran away with it. Not surprisingly the opener came from a corner, their ninth of the game.

This time taken by Simon and swung in deep with his right foot. Sarr appeared unmarked beyond the far post and headed it in, his first of the season for Spurs after two for Senegal during the international break.

There was an instant reaction by West Ham. Bowen forced Guglielmo Vicario into his first save of the game but the task suddenly became far more difficult when Soucek was sent off.

It was a straight red. Brandished for a studs-up tackle in midfield on Palhinha. Soucek tried to control a ball but it spilled away from him. Palhinha nipped in and won possession and was cut off around the shins.

The big Czech had barely disappeared from view when the 10 men left behind conceded again. Spurs passed the free-kick short and worked it along the back line to Romero, who clipped a pass forward.

Bergvall darted behind West Ham’s centre halves and looped a header over Hermansen.

Van de Ven poked in the third, which was the cue for thousands of home fans to head for the exits and for the those in the away end to start the ‘oles’ and songs about fire drills and libraries.

If this is life after Levy they are going to enjoy it.

Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as West Ham welcome Tottenham to the London Stadium in the Premier League.

Arsenal fans wasted no time letting their feelings about Ange Postecoglou be known as the former Tottenham Hotspur boss made his return to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

When Big Ange checked the Tricky Trees' fixture-list after getting the job earlier this week, he would've known a trip to the Emirates would be a tough start - and that's exactly what it was.

It took 32 minutes for Arsenal to break the dead-lock after a cagey opening third, with Martin Zubimendi connecting sweetly with a volley to send it past Matz Sels in the Forest net.

Viktor Gyokeres later made it two just after the interval when he tapped home a teasing cross from Eberechi Eze, before Zubimendi leaped to flick home a header and seal the victory for Mikel Arteta's men on 79 minutes.

It was far from a perfect start for Ange at Forest, who have now suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats, and Arsenal supporters certainly let him know it.

'Are you Tottenham in disguise?,' the home supporters chanted at the Australian before later belting out: 'You're getting sacked in the morning!'

Under Evangelos Marinakis, Postecoglou will be well aware that he'll need to pick up points sooner rather than later if he's to see a second season at the City Ground.

Yet with easier fixtures on the horizon - Burnley at home next up before a trip to Real Betis in the Europa League - Forest fans will be hopeful their side can turnaround a somewhat disappointing start to the season.

Postecoglou was under no illusions as to the expectations he'll be expected to meet in his new job at his first Forest press conference earlier this week.

When asked whether he can bring silverware to the East Midlands, the manager replied: 'Of course I can, I may have to [win a trophy] to get a second year here.

'I've said it already, that's what I want to do. I want to win trophies. That's that's what I've done my whole career, and that's what I want to try and do here.

'Every club wants to be successful, but since the president took over the club those ambitions are backed up with actions. Perfect conditions for me.'

He took over the Forest job from Nuno Espirito Santo following a growing feud between the Portuguese boss and the club's bullish Greek owner.

Tensions had been rising as early as the summer as Nuno complained about his squad heading into the new season, with the former Wolves manager later admitting his relationship with Marinakis was not what it used to be.

The Forest owner however seemingly threw water on the fire just a couple of weeks ago, claiming he and Nuno maintain a 'strong relationship'.

Yet just days on and Nuno was shown the exit the door, with Ange - who had dined with Marinakis in Greece over the summer - taking over just hours later.

From a sponsored chair in a room deep within the world created by Daniel Levy, head coach Thomas Frank paid his own small tribute to Tottenham’s unseated ruler.

It started with the obligatory hat tip towards the ‘world-class’ training centre and stadium and how that primes the club for success, but beyond that, a life without Levy seemed to hold few differences for the Dane.

'Big news but I only really worked with him for three months,' shrugged Frank, who figured a shock split with owner Matthew Benham at Brentford would have felt more significant. 'I’ve said thank you. I know it’s not only him appointing me but he had probably the decisive words, so I can only appreciate that in every aspect.'

The head coach would not normally have expected much interaction with the board this week with the transfer window shut, but he found himself meeting with the new chairman Peter Charrington and members of the Lewis family now promising to take a more active interest in the club than billionaire patriarch Joe ever did.

'Good, constructive conversations,' said Frank. 'I feel the backing and they’re happy. They’re very committed and they want to build something good for the future.'

And there was no added pressure from a boardroom suddenly casting out messages about greater sporting success. 'We all want to win as much as possible,' said Frank.

Others around Tottenham’s training centre near Enfield confessed eight days since the Levy bombshell had been surreal. The most powerful presence since the place was built had gone in a flash with few goodbyes. The dust settling, the true impact remained unclear.

Beyond Hotspur Way, Spurs fans have similar thoughts. Will Levy’s exit spark the changes they crave? Not only more trophies and more ambition but closer involvement in their club? Will their voices be heard? Will the culture be more transparent?

The large yellow anti-ENIC banners will be packed away for now and the Levy Out songs will fall silent, but the ownership structure has not changed. ENIC remain the majority shareholders, the club is definitely ‘not for sale’ it has been made clear, and Levy holds a stake worth nearly a third of ENIC.

So beady eyes will be kept out to see what really changes, to see if it is more than an elaborate rebranding exercise, with the toxic chairman replaced at the front and centre of the club by Vinai Venkatesham, a chief executive who oozes corporate charm.

The Lewises led by Joe’s daughter Vivienne will be more visible, starting at West Ham with more of the family expected for the Champions League tie at home to Villarreal on Tuesday.

'It’s about humanisation and that seems like a Vinai thing,' says Martin Cloake, season ticket holder and former co-chair of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust.

'He has an incredibly good reputation from his time at Arsenal and comes across as a much better communicator than Daniel ever was. You can say it’s all very slick and proof of the pudding is in the eating but if there’s going to be a more open culture there that’s a good thing.'

Vague promises about greater transparency have emerged post Levy. For one thing, it aligns with the open Scandinavian outlook of Frank and Tottenham’s technical director Johan Lange.

'It’s very important to be transparent and clear,' said Frank. 'What are we are dealing with? What is the ambition? Can we adjust expectations? Are we on the same page? What is the strategy? Are we aligned? That’s absolutely crucial.'

There is also a desire also to ease the burden of responsibility from the head coach as the club’s lone public voice. Ange Postecoglou and Antonio Conte both criticised the boardroom silence during their managerial tenures.

'It was time for change,' says Cloake. 'I spent eight years there banging my head against a wall along with other people trying to get the club to be more collegiate and listen to its fans more.

'And they weren’t particularly interested. To me, Spurs as an institution didn’t seem like a particularly happy place to work. I believe in idea that you get more out of people if you give them support and space to fail.

'There was a culture with everyone looking over their shoulders. Nobody really took any chances and that stifles creativity. Is it really going to change? I understand people are sceptical but you have to take people at their word without being naïve and see if it goes somewhere.'

Venkatesham appears big on soft glossy interviews from within the comfort of the club’s own media channels but has yet to field any independent questions from the national media.

However, having crossed the North London divide from a similar role at Arsenal he has made a positive impression on Spurs fans and attended a fans’ advisory board meeting on Tuesday.

'A lot of us are hopeful,' says Jay Coughlan of Change for Tottenham. 'As a protest group we won’t disappear. There are people not happy to see ENIC still in control but there has to a period where we give this the space to settle and observe.'

There are some easy wins available to the new regime. First and foremost, a long running dispute with supporters over the withdrawal of ticket concessions for over-65s.

It has been branded ‘immoral’ and ‘unethical’ by Save Our Seniors protesters and could be easily reversed. A price freeze on season tickets would be well-received, too. As would dialogue aimed at improving the atmosphere in the stadium, something Venkatesham did at Arsenal.

Then there’s performances on the pitch. The big one. Competing at the top by attracting talent and winning.

Spurs were booed off after losing at home to Bournemouth, a first defeat of the season in the final game of Levy’s 25 years in charge.

They go to London rivals West Ham on Saturday, with new signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani both available but the latter short of match fitness and unlikely to start.

Dominic Solanke is still out with an ankle injury, but this is more comfortable territory for Frank dealing with those sorts of issues and for the first time in a long time a Spurs team can go about their business without the sound of protest in the stands. West Ham, mind you, cannot say the same.

UEFA have announced a major rule change which could see stars omitted from their clubs' 25-man Champions League squads handed a lifeline.

When the five English sides competing in Europe's premium competition announced their squad lists last week, there were some notably big names who missed out.

New Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank left out the club's £30m signing Mathys Tel, with the winger later admitting that being axed from the squad 'definitely hurt'.

Gabriel Jesus failed to secure a spot in Mikel Arteta's squad, Enzo Maresca omitted new recruit Facundo Buononotte and, in a move dubbed 'cruel' by fans, Liverpool cult hero Federico Chiesa was absent from Arne Slot's plans.

Such decisions meant that the stars could not feature in their sides' Champions League campaigns until the knockout phase after Christmas.

But now, thanks to a rule change from UEFA, that could no longer be the case.

In a surprising move, the European football governing body has announced clubs will be allowed to include a 'temporary' replacement if one of their outfield players suffers a 'long-term injury or illness'.

The rule is in play until the sixth match-day, which is when the Conference League group phase ends.

A UEFA statement read: 'The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure.'

The decision was made at a UEFA meeting in the Albanian capital on Thursday, where officials also finalised the venue for the 2027 Champions League final.

The host venue will be Atletico Madrid's Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium which, in good news for Liverpool fans, was where the Reds beat Tottenham Hotspur to win the Champions League in 2019.

It had previously been rumoured that the San Siro in Milan would host the event, but that idea was eventually changed.

Officials ruled out the iconic Italian stadium last year despite giving the city of Milan extra time to comply with hosting requirements.

Atletico will have hosted the final twice since Real Madrid´s now-renovated Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last staged it in 2010.

Also announced today were the hosts of the 2027 Women's Champions League final - in Warsaw's National Stadium in Poland - and the venues for the 2026 Super Cup, the 2026 Futsal Champions League final, Futsal Under-19 Euros and the Women's Futsal Euros - in Salzburg, Austria; Pesaro, Italy; Astana, Kazakhstan and Osijek, Croatia.

As part of the meeting, UEFA also opted to delay their decision on whether to give the green light to European domestic league games being staged overseas.

It comes amid LaLiga's proposal to hold Barcelona's December match against Villarreal in Miami, USA - in what would mark the first ever European league fixture to be played overseas.

They also considered an application for AC Milan's Serie A match against Como to be played in Perth, Australia, next February.

The executive committee said that it must 'undertake a round of consultation with all stakeholders in European football – including fans' prior to make a final decision.

Fans' groups have expressed strong opposition to the plans previously, regarding this as the biggest governance scandal in the game since the launch of a European Super League in 2021.

UEFA said in a statement: 'The committee acknowledged it as an important and growing issue but expressed the desire to ensure that it has the views of all stakeholders before coming to a final decision.

'There are many issues to resolve and as the European governing body, UEFA has a responsibility to take all such factors into account.'

West Ham have banned fans from bringing a controversial item into the London Stadium for their derby clash with Tottenham this weekend, according to reports.

The two teams will meet for the first time this Premier League season, with no little bad blood between them.

As well there being just 11 miles between the two stadiums, Saturday's match will mark the return of former West Ham star Mohammed Kudus to his old club on the heels of his eye-catching summer move to Spurs.

With a view to ensuring that the scope for trouble is greatly reduced, 'increased security measures' are set to be in place in east London.

Even without the ramped-up security for the clash, the banned item has often attracted ire from match-going fans.

As per the Sun, the divisive half-and-half scarf featuring the colours of both teams will be taken off fans should they take one onto the premises.

Half-and-half scarves are often sold by unofficial vendors outside of football grounds up and down the country - but many football fans have long derided them for marking out the wearer as not a committed fan of either side.

As such, they often make a special memento for tourists or fans who have travelled to the stadium as a rarity.

But in a message sent to West Ham supporters, the club stressed that no such item would be permitted into the ground on Saturday.

'Supporters who have purchased half-and-half scarves from unofficial sellers will be required to hand them over to security staff at the security checkpoints and these scarves will not be returned,' the message read.

'Supporters wishing to buy a scarf for the match are advised to head to the West Ham United Stadium Store, where they can be purchased.'

As well as banning half-and-half scarves, additional securities including extra checks at turnstiles and the banning of reusable bottles will be in place.

West Ham are thought to be ultra-vigilant over ensuring that home fans are restricted to home sections inside the ground.

When asked about the decision to keep the scarves outside the ground, head coach Graham Potter's response was a lighthearted one.

'You can imagine I've given that zero thought,' Potter said on Thursday.

'I imagine our supporters will have West Ham scarves. Solely them.'

Potter will instead be focused on kicking on after their first win of the season, which came ahead of the international break.

West Ham had endured a nightmarish start to the campaign after back-to-back bloodlettings against Sunderland and Chelsea.

But a striking 3-0 thumping of Nottingham Forest helped lift the side after difficult Carabao Cup defeat - and in part hastened the departure of the Tricky Trees' former coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

Tottenham will head to east London with similar intent, with Thomas Frank's side eager to get back to winning ways after defeat to Bournemouth at home two weeks ago.

Tottenham legend Graham Roberts has revealed he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

The 66-year-old played 278 times for Tottenham between 1980 and 1986, with the defender earning three major honours with the club.

Roberts wrote on social media that he is undergoing radiotherapy treatment and brachytherapy and is hoping to participate in a walk with his daughter to raise money for Prostate Cancer.

'I'm undergoing radiotherapy treatment and brachytherapy for prostate cancer and would love to raise money for this charity,' Roberts wrote.

'This October my daughter is walking 5km each day and I am going to try and do as much as I can as well. Please donate to this'.

On the Prostate Cancer website, Roberts daughter Hollie wrote: 'My dad Graham Roberts is currently undergoing radiotherapy treatment and brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

'Prostate cancer kills one man every 45 minutes – that's half a football match. But it doesn't have to be this way.

'This October, I'm joining Prostate United by walking, 5km every day with my fellow football fans to help save men's lives.

'Dad is also going to try and walk each week as well after his treatment.

'Sponsor me to help fund lifesaving research for men and their families affected by this disease. Thank you.'

Roberts received support from Tottenham on social media, with the club posting 'We're all behind you Robbo'.

Roberts had captained Spurs in the second leg of the 1984 UEFA Cup final against Anderlecht, with his late equaliser forcing extra-time in the match.

He also converted Tottenham's first penalty in the eventual shoot-out as Keith Burkinshaw's side triumphed 4-3 to win the tournament.

It was Tottenham's most recent European trophy until their success in the same competition - now the Europa League - last season.

Roberts had also been part of the Tottenham side who won the FA Cup in back-to-back years in 1981 and 1982.

He joined Rangers in 1986 and won the Scottish Premier League and League Cup during his time at Ibrox.

He returned to London to play for Chelsea in 1988 and was named as their Player of the Season as the Blues were promoted from the Second Division as champions in the 1988-89 season.

Roberts earned six England caps during his career, which also included a brief spell at West Brom.

Following his retirement, Roberts began a managerial career which is best remembered for masterminding a victory for Clyde over Celtic in the Scottish Cup.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has called for a new innovation to be introduced to football during games.

Frank, 51, has enjoyed a positive start to life with Spurs after joining from Brentford over the summer and replacing Ange Postecoglou.

The Dane has won two of his first three league matches, while Tottenham also took European champions PSG all the way to penalties in the UEFA Super Cup.

He has been having some well deserved rest during the international break over the past few weeks and Frank has been busy discussing various changes he would make to the game.

And speaking to Bet MGM, who sponsor Tottenham's training gear, Frank called for one alteration that would likely split opinion.

He said: 'I'd have a timeout in each half. From a coaching perspective, I think it would be lovely to have an opportunity during the game to speak to the players and be able to adjust something.'

Managers are currently not allowed to call an official timeout, rather they pass on instructions by shouting orders from the touchline, while they also have half-time as an opportunity to share their thoughts.

There has been a recent trend of coaches calling players over during a lengthy stoppage in the game due to an injury, yet the move would still be a radical one, particularly at a time when VAR delays already frustrate fans inside stadiums.

Frank also went on to give his thoughts on the handball law, with the increasing number of penalties being given if the ball hits players' arms in the penalty area viewed as unfair.

Frank echoed that position and added: 'I would take out the handball rule as for me it's not right. If there's a handball and it touches your arm in the penalty area, you are giving the biggest chance to the opponent just because it "touches" your arm.

'Of course, if you're standing on the goalline and you try to save it like a goalkeeper in the old days, that's different.

'But I simply don't understand how if it just touches a player's arm, and it touches their arm in certain areas, it gives the opportunity for the biggest chance in the game.

'It's a rule that has to be changed to improve the game and make it fairer.'

Frank's side were dealt a minor setback ahead of the international break when they were beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth following a disappointing display, but the Dane chose to remain positive when reflecting on his tenure so far.

'It's been a good start to the season so far,' he said. 'I've been really pleased with how the players have approached things since I've come into the football club.

'We've played three games in the Premier League and one in the UEFA Super Cup and I've been happy with three of the performances.

'We weren't good enough against Bournemouth but overall from where we started to where we are now, I'm satisfied.

'Success this season is building something that is sustainable and strong. I want us to consistently perform at our highest level each and every game.'