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Employers can lawfully choose one job candidate over another on the basis of which football teams they support, according to a court judgement.

The ruling by Judge Daniel Wright concluded a case that had nothing to do with football and was focused instead on employers' right to maintain cultural harmony in the office.

But the judge laid out a football example to illustrate his judgement, effectively giving employers the legal right to overlook a fan of a particular club in one ludicrously specific circumstance.

The case in question was brought by a Russian job candidate in the UK who claimed she was rejected for a job at the final interview stage because she doesn't like going to the pub.

Maia Kalina said she wasn't hired because she wasn't keen on the 'typically British' pastimes of swearing and drinking with colleagues.

The interviewer told the court she 'vibed' better with the chosen candidate, thus rendering the entire case utterly farcical. The judge continued that theme with the football illustration outlined in his ruling.

"We have two candidates who were both considered appointable. They were pretty evenly matched, with their own particular strengths. I see nothing wrong with looking at who would fit into the team better as long as the assessment is done with caution," said the judge.

"I find that there is no stereotype of British workers being as [Kalina] describes.

"There may be times when it is perfectly lawful for an employer to decide that somebody just will not be a fit with the team and that therefore it would be difficult to work together."

Social suitability is undoubtedly a tiebreaker in hiring processes but the idea of a candidate missing out on a job because of the football team they follow is a huge leap from there.

'Last question from us. What football team to you support?'

"An example of this could be a small company where everybody who works in the office is an ardent supporter of Arsenal football club, and they decide to pick an Arsenal fan at interview over a similarly qualified Tottenham Hotspur season ticket holder because they do not want to damage the harmony of the office," added Wright.

It might not be too long before that particular shaky precedent gets a legal test of its own.

Tottenham forward Mathys Tel has broken his silence after being left out of Thomas Frank for his side’s UEFA Champions League campaigns.

Each club is only permitted a squad of 22 players for their campaign in Europe’s elite competition.

Tel signed for Spurs for a reported £30 million this summer, having spent the second half of last season on loan in north London.

The Frenchman has scored three goals and registered two assists in 23 appearances across all competitions since making his debut for the club last term.

However, he has revealed that it hurt to have the chance to increase his goal tally in the Champions League taken away from him.

“It’s clear that when you’re not on a squad, it definitely hurts,” he said while on international duty with France Under-21s.

“But I’m someone who stays pretty positive, no matter the situation, because I think I’ve worked a lot on my mental side, so today it’s definitely a disappointment.

“I would have liked to be there.

“But the coach’s choice is the coach’s choice; we can only respect it, and we’ll work to come back in the best possible way.”

Tottenham had a superb opening two games of the Premier League season, beating Burnley 3-0 before stunning Manchester City with a 2-0 triumph at the Etihad.

However, their final game before the international break ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth.

Frank’s side will get their Champions League league phase campaign underway against Villarreal on Tuesday, 16th September.

Spurs qualified for this season’s competition by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final of the UEFA Europa League.

Tel insists that he will continue to fight for a place in Frank’s starting XI despite the omission from his Champions League squad.

“It doesn’t matter, even if I were on the list, I would have had this desire, to seek revenge, to be effective this season, to be able to kick-start my season in the Premier League," he added.

“Because this is the beginning of a long first season, since last year was on a six-month loan.

“A desire to go elsewhere? I’m under contract with Tottenham, so I’m a Tottenham player, and I’m going to do my best to simply play.”

Dele Alli has Wrexham and two other clubs to choose from after his brief stint at Como in Italy.

The former England star was recently released by Como, leaving him as a free agent once again.

Alli made just one appearance for Cesc Fabregas' side, coming on as a substitute last season against AC Milan.

But his debut was short-lived, as he was sent off just 10 minutes after coming on for a bad challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Despite appeals from his former Tottenham teammate Kyle Walker, who was playing for Milan, Alli was dismissed.

At the start of September, Fabregas made it clear that Alli was not part of his plans for the season and the club agreed a mutual termination of the contract with Alli.

That leaves Alli without a club once again, with those minutes remaining his only first-team action in the last two-and-a-half years.

The midfielder still has suitors, with several Championship clubs reportedly interested in his signature, according to the Daily Mail.

Wrexham, backed by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, see Alli as an experienced addition that could help propel them to the Premier League.

They have shown they are willing to spend in the market, splashing out £33 million in the summer to sign Nathan Broadhead, Ben Sheaf and Callum Doyle among others.

Birmingham City, who were also promoted from League One just last season, are another potential destination.

They have already strengthened with experienced Premier League attacker Demarai Gray and the former Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi.

Like Wrexham, they are backed by wealthy American owners who could make a move for Alli feasible.

The other club reportedly interested in the 29-year-old is West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies have made an unbeaten start to the season under new manager Ryan Mason, winning three of their first four matches.

Mason has a history with Alli, having brought him back into the Spurs squad during his interim spell after Jose Mourinho had left him out.

That previous faith which Mason showed in the midfielder could be enough to convince Alli to reunite with the manager.

Alli's next move is crucial if he is to revive a career that once looked so promising.

After difficult spells at Everton, Besiktas and Como, making the right choice now is vital.

At 29, he still has time to reignite his career and recapture the form that once made him one of the Premier League's brightest young players.

Ange Postecoglou recently turned down a 'huge offer’ to replace Jose Mourinho as Fenerbahce head coach amid links with a Champions League side – but the club in question have opted to go for another head coach instead of the Australian.

Postecoglou, 60, has managed in Scotland with Celtic, Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos, Australia as Socceroos’ boss and most recently in England with Spurs.

The 60-year-old guided Tottenham to a fifth-place finish in the 2023/24 campaign but failed to build on the position the following season as the north London club finished 17th in 2024/25.

However, the Australian may have thought his blushes had been spared when he led Spurs to their first major trophy in 17 years with victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final.

But just 16 days later, he was sacked and remains without a managerial role three months on.

Last week, it was reported by Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu (via Sport Witness) that the 60-year-old had turned down an offer to replace Jose Mourinho as Fenerbahce boss following the Portuguese’s sacking.

It was claimed that Postecoglou held talks with the Istanbul club before turning down an offer due him still having ambitions of managing in a top-five European league.

Also last week, Ange’s name was reported discussed by Bayer Leverkusen after Erik ten Hag parted ways with the Bundesliga side after just two league matches in charge.

On September 3, journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote: “Ange Postecoglou, emerging as an option for both Bayer Leverkusen and Fenerbahçe looking for new head coach. Former Spurs manager discussed as a name at both clubs ahead of the decision.”

However, it has since emerged that former Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand is now the favourite to fill the vacancy left by Ten Hag.

On Monday (September 8), German outlet Kicker reported that Leverkusen have reached “an agreement in principle” for Hjulmand to become their next head coach.

The 53-year-old previously endured an unsuccessful spell in Germany in 2014/15 when he was manager of Mainz.

Hjulmand has since guided Denmark to relative success and helped the side reach the semi-final of Euro 2020 (held in 2021).

Ange Postecoglou has reportedly rejected a significant offer to return to management three months after being sacked by Spurs.

Postecoglou was relieved of his duties in June, under two weeks after leading Spurs to the Europa League title.

Success in that competition earned qualification for the Champions League, but that wasn't enough for the popular Australian to keep his job.

Postecoglou revealed that he prioritised Europe over the Premier League in the final months of the season, with the north London club eventually finishing in 16th place.

Since his sacking, the 61-year-old has been linked with Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen as he awaits a return to football.

He has stayed out of the limelight since his Spurs departure, but did accept the John Duncan Award - for significant football accomplishments - from the League Managers Association on Thursday, alongside Chelsea's Enzo Maresca and Arsenal Women boss Renee Slegers.

In the meantime, he has turned down the opportunity to replace another former Spurs boss in Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce, according to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu (via Sport Witness).

He claims that Postecoglou held talks with the Turkish Super Lig club, but eventually turned their offer down as he wants his next job to be in Europe's top five leagues.

That would indicate that the Australian remains interested in returning to the Premier League should the right opportunity arise.

Any interested club may have to act quickly, however, with Fabrizio Romano reporting on Wednesday that Postecoglou's name had been discussed as a candidate to replace Erik ten Hag at Leverkusen.

The 2023/24 Bundesliga champions sacked Ten Hag after just two league matches in charge on Monday, with the Dutchman releasing an explosive statement through his agency, SEG Football, in response.

The former Manchester United boss wrote: "To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented.

"This summer, many key players who were part of past successes left the squad ... a new coach deserves the space to implement his vision, set the standards, shape the squad and leave his mark on the style of play.

"Unfortunately the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret. I feel this was never a relationship based on mutual trust.

"Throughout my career, every season I have been able to see through to the end as a coach has brought success. Clubs that placed their trust in me have been rewarded with success and silverware."

Mathys Tel has been left out of Tottenham's 22-man squad for the opening stages of this season's Champions League alongside a number of high-profile names, including Yves Bissouma.

Thomas Frank has made some difficult decisions on this occasion, with summer signing Tel being the most notable absentee following his £30 million signing from Bayern Munich.

The 20-year-old striker, who spent last season on loan at Spurs, is still waiting for his first start under Frank, although he has appeared as a subsitute in games against Paris Saint-Germain, Burnley and Bournemouth.

Another high-profile omission from the squad is Yves Bissouma, who has yet to make a competitive appearance under his new manager as he enters the final year of his contract.

Kota Takai, a summer signing from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale, has also been left out following a foot injury, while James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin are also on the sidelines, therefore have missed out.

Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons, meanwhile, have been included in Frank's 22-man squad alongside fellow summer signings Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus.

Spurs will face Villarreal in their Champions League opener before coming up against Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Eintracht Frankfurt. Slavia Praha, Bodo/Glimt, Copenhagen and AS Monaco.

Speaking after the draw was made, Frank said: "Overall, I thought it was an okay draw. Sometimes draws can look very bad on paper or really good, but it depends how we perform against them. They are the biggest games of the season, so they will be tough."

Tottenham’s Champions League squad in full

Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin

Defenders: Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur

Forwards: Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani

UEFA rules state that List A is made up of a maximum of 25 players, two of whom must be goalkeepers.

There are a minimum of eight places reserved exclusively for ‘locally trained players’ and no club may have more than four ‘association-trained players’ listed among those eight places.

A player may be registered on List B if he is born on, or after, 1 January 2004 and, has since had his 15th birthday, been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years or a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one loan period to a club from the same association for a period not longer than one year.

Players aged 16 may be submitted if they have been registered with the club for the previous two years without interruption.

Dele Alli is a free agent again after the former Spurs midfielder agreed to the termination of his contract at Serie A outfit Como.

The 29-year-old former England international, who signed an 18-month contract with Como in January following his departure from Everton, made just one appearance for Cesc Fabregas' side.

After coming on in the 81st minute against AC Milan in March – his first appearance since February 2023 – the midfielder was shown a red card in stoppage time as Como fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Alli never featured again under Fabregas and on Monday evening, the club released a statement to confirm his departure.

“Dele is keen to secure regular playing opportunities and, as he was not part of the club’s immediate plans, both parties felt it was the right decision to part ways ahead of the transfer window closing,” read the statement.

“The club thanks Dele for his time at Como and wishes him the very best for the future."

As a free agent who was released before the end of the Italian window, Dele is now free to sign for another European club.

Newly-promoted Championship side Birmingham City are currently the bookies' favourite to sign the midfielder at 5/1 with Betfair, while West Brom (7/1), Wrexham (8/1) and Sheffield United (10/1) follow.

Elsewhere, the 29-year-old is currently 33/1 to play alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “After his Como contract was terminated on transfer deadline day, Birmingham have emerged as the favourites to sign Dele Alli for the 2025/26 season.

"Chris Davies’ side are the 5/1 frontrunners to land the former England international, while West Brom follow at 7/1 and Wrexham 8/1."

He added: "With the 29-year-old’s career in limbo having made only one appearance for the Serie A side, Alli is 12/1 to join Rangers, with a move to Celtic 18/1. Meanwhile, a spell at David Beckham’s Inter Miami is priced at 33/1.”

Dele backed to become academy coach at former club

As noted by Como in their previously mentioned statement, Dele is keen to secure regular playing opportunities, but earlier this year, former Spurs striker Clive Allen explained why a role at Tottenham could be a good idea.

"Maybe that [a return to Tottenham] could be possible," he told Tottenham News. "Every football supporter will be wishing him well at Como. He’s had a big dip, which can happen.

"The fact that he’s bouncing back and getting back into the game, let’s hope he can do it. Maybe one day he can get back up to the level we know."

Allen added: "A role at Tottenham maybe. I’m not sure if he’s a coach or a possible manager, an academy coach to give knowledge to young people. He may look at educating young players around depression and avoiding certain situations.“

RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons is reportedly closing in on a move to the Premier League amid interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

This summer, Simons, 22, had been constantly linked with a move away from Leipzig.

Earlier in the transfer window, it was reported that Premier League giants Chelsea had agreed terms with the Dutchman but had so far failed to offer a sum that suits Leipzig.

During the 24/25 season, Simons made a total of 33 appearances for Leipzig, scoring 11 goals and assisting a further eight.

On Friday morning, it was claimed that Chelsea's London rivals, Spurs, had agreed a fee with the Bundesliga side, believed to be €60 million.

Fabrizio Romano said: "EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham agree €60m fee with RB Leipzig for Xavi Simons! Official bid accepted, green light after #THFC sent formal bid following player’s encouragement.

"Spurs want deal done today also on player side + medical in the next hours. Here we go, expected soon."

And now, Spurs look to have fully hijacked Chelsea's move with a medical said to have been completed.

Xavi Simons 'completes medical' ahead of Premier League move

Taking to social media, The Athletic's David Ornstein wrote: "Xavi Simons has completed medical before moving to Tottenham Hotspur from RB Leipzig. €60m deal agreed club-to-club + personal terms done for 22yo attacker to join #THFC pending final details being sorted between Dutch int'l and RB Leipzig."

Spurs have been on the lookout for an attacking midfielder after James Maddison suffered a serious knee injury during the club's pre-season tour in Asia.

Earlier in the month, Spurs were beaten in the race to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who opted to join North London rivals Arsenal.

However, Thomas Frank's search for a new attacker looks to be coming to an end with Simons now inches away from being confirmed as a new Spurs player.

Spurs have had a perfect start to the 25/26 Premier League season and Frank's men will be back in action this weekend when they take on Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal fans are adamant that the club aimed at dig at Spurs after beating them to the signing of Eberechi Eze.

The England international appeared to be heading to North London rivals Spurs from Crystal Palace after they reportedly agreed a deal, only for Arsenal to steal a march and secure Eze's services for a fee of £67.5 million.

A boyhood Arsenal supporter who was previously in their academy, Eze took the No.10 shirt and was unveiled prior to the 5-0 win over Leeds United in the Emirates.

Arsenal's announcement video featured Ian Wright as Eze's moved mirrored him joining the Gunners from Palace at the age of 27.

But fans also spotted that amongst all the Eze content uploaded on official channels, there was an interesting pose from the former QPR attacker.

Eze did a folding arms pose from a specific angle that was reminiscent of one Sol Campbell did after completing his highly controversial free transfer from Spurs to Arsenal back in 2001 after racking up 315 appearances across nine years.

Arsenal supporters think the club knew exactly what they were doing with the picture.

One on X observed: "I'm sure our photographers did it on purpose. Apart from Sol, I don't remember anyone taking a photo like that when signing, from that angle .

A second remarked: "No such thing as a coincidence."

A third commented: "Arsenal are dirty for doing this."

Eze has been 'on trial' at Arsenal for four years

Though he had been set to join Spurs, Eze simply had to choose Arsenal when he heard of their interest.

Having been released at the age of 13, Eze has a second opportunity at Arsenal - who has been holding out to return even when at Palace.

“I remember the day I got released, my mum said a prayer that this reverse would happen. For me, this is a realisation of a dream that we prayed for,” Eze said.

“I thought about coming back from the moment I understood what it meant to become a pro. I’ve always thought: ‘Arsenal is where it’s at, that’s what I want to achieve, what I want to get to.’

“I’ve been on trial for four years, if I’m being honest. Every time I came to Arsenal, I looked at the seat that I used to sit on when I used to come to games with my brothers, and I’ve said every single time: ‘This is it - it’s time, this is an opportunity.’ I’m not going to say I knew it was going to happen, but that’s the feeling.”

With Bukayo Saka out injured, Eze could make his debut for Arsenal against Premier League champions Liverpool in a huge top of the table clash at Anfield on Sunday,

Xavi Simons has a 'preference' when it comes to his next transfer, according to reports, as Tottenham and Chelsea continue to be linked with a move for the attacking midfielder.

Tottenham's priority in the final days of the window is signing a No. 10 after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, and it appears Simons has been identified as a suitable target.

In fact, the club are preparing to hijack Chelsea's deal for Simons, according to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg.

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Chelsea, meanwhile, are said to have reached an agreement on personal terms with the 22-year-old attacking midfielder and are 'very much in the race' to sign him from RB Leipzig, who are now waiting for official offers.

Leipzig want at least €65 million (£56m) for Simons, as per Ben Jacobs.

Simons, who is currently in London to finalise a move, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for much of the summer window.

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And amid rumours of Spurs' interest, Kieran Gill of the Mail claims Simons’ preference remains Chelsea after their London rivals were invited to consider their own swoop.

The Netherlands international, who joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in January following an 18-month loan spell at the Red Bull Arena, has informed the German club of his desire to leave after they missed out on Champions League football.

Simons has been persistently linked with a Premier League transfer in recent transfer windows, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all being credited with an interest.

Back in April, Simons opened up on his future amid interest from the Premier League.

“I’m still a young player, I have many dreams – and the club knows that,” he told Sky Germany. “But right now, the most important thing for me is to play well in the upcoming games. Then we have the international matches, and after that we’ll sit down and see what happens.”

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