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Tottenham Hotspur’s Xavi Simons ruled out for rest of season and World Cup with ruptured ACL

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Tottenham have confirmed Xavi Simons has ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season and the World Cup with the Netherlands.

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Xavi said he was “heartbroken” in a social media post on Sunday night and Spurs have now said the midfielder will undergo surgery after being injured in the 1-0 Premier League win at Wolves.

“We can confirm that Xavi Simons has ruptured the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee,” Tottenham said on X.

“The 23-year-old suffered the injury during the second half of our Premier League fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

“Xavi will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and, following that, will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team.

“Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur sends Xavi our love and support – we will be with him every step of the way.”

The Netherlands playmaker went down clutching his right knee in the 58th against Wolves, where Spurs claimed a league win for the first time in 2026.

After falling to the floor following a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno, Xavi attempted to run off the injury but collapsed in front of Tottenham’s medical staff and subsequently left Molineux on a stretcher.

In an Instagram post, Xavi revealed he would not be fit enough to take part in Tottenham’s final four league matches or represent the Netherlands at the World Cup this summer.

“They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it,” the former Paris St Germain player said.

“Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense.

“All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me, along with the World Cup.”

The absence of the £52million attacker is a significant blow to Tottenham and Roberto De Zerbi, who has already lost captain Cristian Romero and winger Mohammed Kudus to season-ending injuries during his first month at the club.

Xavi had endured a frustrating debut campaign in England, only showing flashes of his class under Thomas Frank before being bizarrely frozen out by Igor Tudor, but looked set for a key role with De Zerbi, especially after a wonder strike in a 2-2 home draw with Brighton.

Instead, Xavi can play no part in Spurs’ desperate efforts to overturn a two-point deficit to 17th-placed West Ham in order to avoid their first relegation in 49 years.

Xavi added: “It’ll take some time to find peace with this but I’ll continue to be the best team-mate I can be. I have no doubt that together we’ll win this fight.

“I’ll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief as I count down the days to getting back out there. Be patient with me.”

The Netherlands national team account offered support for Xavi posting ‘you’ll come back stronger Xavi’.

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How much could Spurs season tickets be if they are relegated to the Championship?

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The only silver lining that relegation can bring for a football fan is that a season ticket might be cheaper for the next campaign - but Tottenham fans are unsure where they stand.

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Spurs are 18th in the Premier League with six games to go and in the first of three relegation spots, meaning they will be demoted to the Championship without a change in fortunes.

Their task has been made slightly harder, with injuries to Mohammed Kudus as well as their captain, Cristian Romero.

Tottenham have not been relegated since 1976-77 and might struggle to fill the third largest football stadium in England in the second tier, especially if prices remain the same for tickets.

Read also: When could Wolves officially be relegated?

Read also: Tottenham Hotspur appoint Roberto De Zerbi as head coach

When do 2026-27 season tickets go on sale?

Tottenham Hotspur play Everton in the final league match of 2025/26 on May 24 - and fans were set to face a choice of whether to renew their season ticket right after.

However, pressure from fans has forced the club to reflect on the “seriousness of the current league position,” and push the renewal date back to June 7.

“Everyone at the club remains absolutely steadfast in our collective commitment to improve our Premier League position and finish the current season as strongly as possible,” Spurs said.

How much are Tottenham season tickets for 2026-27?

Tottenham have reportedly frozen their ticket prices for next season, meaning that fans will pay the same as they did this year - whether they are in the Premier League or Championship.

Spurs also did not raise prices for the 2025-26 season after an 8% rise the year before.

The cheapest possible season ticket for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is £856 - with the ticket getting a fan into all home matches.

Spurs also offer a deluxe £2,223 season ticket, at the top end of the price range, which is the second dearest season ticket in the Premier League - behind a £3,084 option offered by Fulham.

It is possible that the club could reduce prices if they are relegated but that has not been confirmed.

Since 2025, Spurs have been removing the concession for new senior season ticket holders aged 65 or older.

Existing season ticket holders in that age bracket will see their concession reduced by 5% each year for the next five seasons.

How long is the waiting list for a season ticket?

There is a huge demand for a Tottenham season ticket, with 45,000 up for grabs each year and a reported 80,000-long waiting list.

It is difficult to state how long the wait might therefore be for a season ticket to become available, but the list might well reduce if Championship football was on offer.

Would more fans want to buy a season ticket for Spurs if it was cheaper?

Tottenham fans might have to weigh up a cheaper season ticket against a lower quality of football next year if the team are relegated.

Spurs fan Priyesh Jani told LBC “I’d be more likely to go if the price came down,” but added that the style of football played would be a factor.

“I’d go if we got Harry Redknapp, Harry Kane, and Son Heung-Min,” he added, optimistically.

“I’d honestly be more willing to buy a ticket if the price came down,” a Spurs fan, who wished to stay anonymous, told LBC.

“Not that I've ever been able to get a season ticket because of the waiting list.

“But if I was able to this year and the price was reduced I would definitely consider it because I think a season in the Championship would be an exciting change for fans.”

She added: “Despite it obviously being a massive blow - I'm hoping it would reinvigorate the team and the style of play. There needs to be a huge change.”

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De Zerbi apologises for past comments on Mason Greenwood amid backlash from supporters over Spurs appointment

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De Zerbi apologises for past comments on Mason Greenwood amid backlash from supporters over Spurs appointment - lbc.co.uk
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The club's Supporters' Trust strongly criticised Ze Zerbi appointment after he defended Greenwood when he signed for French side Marseille when the 46-year-old was their coach.

Speaking to Spurs' club website, the Italian said he was "sorry if I offended anyone’s feelings with this subject matter".

Giving his response in Italian to avoid any confusion over his statement, he said: "I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone more broadly.

"I hope that over time people will get to know me better and will understand that, at that moment, I didn’t mean to take a stance".

He added: "In my life I’ve always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile. I’ve consistently fought and taken a stand to be on the side of those who are most at risk.

"Those of you who know me well will know that I’m not the kind of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title".

Former Manchester United striker Greenwood was charged in 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case in February 2023 following a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and "new material that came to light."

Greenwood, 24, denied all allegations against him and De Zerbi appeared to take the stance that because he had not been found guilty he deserved to be allowed to continue to pursue his career while the pair worked together at Marseille.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust opposed the appointment which was announced on Tuesday, expressing "serious and far-reaching concerns" over his past support for Greenwood.

The Trust said his arrival placed a "heavy strain" on unity at a time when Spurs are battling against relegation from the Premier League.

It also demanded that the football club and De Zerbi publicly reassert their "commitment to the values that fans hold dear – chief among them equality, respect, and integrity".

A statement read: "While we recognise the limited pool of managers with recent Premier League experience, and the need to act with urgency as Spurs face the prospect of relegation, this appointment raises serious and far-reaching concerns, and many fans have been in touch with us to urge us to communicate the strength of feeling.

"De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood were unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters and, without doubt, will have left victims of male violence alarmed.

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Tottenham extend season ticket deadline as relegation fears grow

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Spurs sit only one point above the bottom three and are without a win in their last 11 league games, while boss Igor Tudor is under intense scrutiny after just four matches in charge.

In a communication to supporters, the club announced the period to renew season tickets will run until June 7.

“We recognise the seriousness of the current league position of our men’s team and, following discussions with our Fan Advisory Board and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, can confirm the renewal window for 2026-27 will now remain open for an extended period until Sunday, June 7 to ensure fans have full clarity on next season before renewing,” read the notice.

“Everyone at the club remains absolutely steadfast in our collective commitment to improve our Premier League position and finish the current season as strongly as possible.”

Meanwhile, former England defeated Gary Neville has branded Tudor’s brief tenure a “car crash” that needs to be brought to an end.

The Croatian’s position was weakened significantly by Tuesday’s debacle against Atletico Madrid, where Tudor selected reserve keeper Antonin Kinsky only to substitute him 17 minutes in after his two errors contributed to Spurs falling 3-0 down.

They went on to lose 5-2, all but ending their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals, and, speaking to The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Neville said of the treatment of Kinsky: “I thought it was brutal.

“I thought the whole thing of the last few weeks and then that, the whole thing is just a car crash, a shambles.”

Tudor was only appointed four weeks ago following the sacking of Thomas Frank but Neville believes Tottenham must act again immediately.

“If you’re going to make another change, that for me needs to be today or tomorrow, because you don’t wait,” he added.

Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright agreed: “You don’t want to see anybody get sacked but, when you see somebody who’s blatantly out of their depth, it’s uncomfortable.

“For him to make that decision, for that poor goalkeeper, for him to go into a game like that at a club like that to start, I don’t know what he’s seen in training. For me, (Guglielmo) Vicario is the number one, he plays in that game.”

Tudor did not acknowledge the 22-year-old after hauling him off, but Roy Keane described the outcry as an overreaction, saying: “He (Kinsky) has made a couple of mistakes, huge mistakes.”

Former England striker Wayne Rooney added: “He’s tried to protect him but it looks horrendous. I think the biggest issue was starting him. I’ve no problem with him taking him off.

“Should he hug him? If I got brought off after 20 minutes, I wouldn’t want a hug off my manager. He can speak to him after the game.”

Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, who is currently in charge at Hungarian side Ferencvaros, was cited as a possible replacement along with Sean Dyche.

Rooney reserved his strongest criticism for the Spurs squad, saying: “Those players need to look at themselves because I think they’ve been an absolute disgrace. The performances, the attitude, the lack of desire, the lack of fight, lack of anything in them.

“I think they need someone to go in and absolutely batter them. They need some fear put into them.”

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Pressure mounts on Igor Tudor after disastrous handling of Kinsky horror show and record-breaking losing start

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Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for “emergency action” after a chaotic 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

More records tumbled for Spurs on an extraordinary evening where young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was withdrawn after 17 minutes due to two terrible errors.

Defeat made Tudor the first Tottenham boss to lose his first four games in charge, while the club have lost six games in a row for the first time in their history.

Tudor has only been in charge for 25 days, but refused to answer questions about his future post-match.

“Tonight’s performance and result is a total disgrace,” a statement from THST read. “It’s symptomatic of the abysmal state of things at Spurs right now.

“From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the total absence of anyone with a Spurs pedigree informing these decisions. Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?

“Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff. Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult but supporters will not sit by and watch the club continue to decline.

“At the very least those in Madrid should have their match tickets refunded. But all we really care about is that the club make us proud. We are here to support the team and be the 12th man. But we all deserve so much more.”

Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood accused Tudor of “adding fuel to the fire” and believes the club might make their move during the international break later this month.

“He keeps chopping and changing things, which is a worry to be honest,” Sherwood said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.

“He’s gone from three at the back to four at the back, then back to three again, with players playing out of position. I’ve scratched my head at some of the decisions he’s made since he came in.

“He hasn’t given the players a lift at all. He’s a firefighter who has a can of petrol in his hand at the moment – he’s adding fuel to the fire rather than restoring confidence to the players.

“Hopefully he can turn it around but, if he doesn’t, I think Spurs might roll the dice again. There’s an international break after their game against Nottingham Forest, which would be a good opportunity for a new manager to come in and have a look at things.”

Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League, one point above West Ham and Forest, with their next match a trip to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool.

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Tottenham Hotspur sack Thomas Frank after eight months in charge

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Tottenham Hotspur sack Thomas Frank after eight months in charge - lbc.co.uk
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It comes following their 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday, which left the cub struggling in 16th position in the Premier League.

The club sit just five points above the relegation zone after just two wins in 17 league matches.

Frank faced calls to be "sacked in the morning" by angry supporters during the defeat to Newcastle, which were followed by chants for old boss Mauricio Pochettino to be appointed.

It is understood the club's hierarchy made the decision to dismiss the 52-year-old following the game, with 12 days until they host bitter rivals Arsenal.

In a statement, they said: "The Club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.

"Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.

"However, results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary.

"Throughout his time at the Club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the Club forward. We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future."

The Dane joined the club from Brentford in July, replacing Ange Postecoglou who was sacked after finishing in 17th place, but also winning the Europa League.

His future was considered after last month’s 2-1 home defeat to West Ham, but it was decided he would be given more time given the hectic fixture schedule and the lack of alternatives available.

But following January’s FA Cup exit to Aston Villa, the squad are now without a game this weekend and have the chance of a reset with Frank’s tenure concluded after only 13 wins in 38 matches.

More to follow...

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Thomas Frank to take charge of crunch Champions League clash as under-fire Spurs manager faces axe

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A 2-1 loss at home to West Ham pushed Frank towards the exit door, with Spurs supporters chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” following an eighth defeat in 14 matches.

Despite calls for his head, Frank is expected to at least have Tuesday’s match to turn things around.

Frank claimed to have “the trust of everyone” in Saturday’s post-match press conference, but PA understands talks have taken place at Tottenham over whether Frank should be relieved of his duties.

The Danish coach took training on Sunday at the club’s Hotspur Way facility with no final decision over his future reached amid discussions between chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and other members of the executive board.

Frank is currently set to face the media Monday, following an open training session at Hotspur Way.

Among the names touted to replace the Dane are former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently manager of the US national team, and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández.

Spurs are also said to be interested in Xabi Alonso - although it is unlikely he would accept the role.

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Pressure mounts on Spurs boss Thomas Frank after FA Cup exit as Dane blames Ollie Watkins for late melee

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A spirited second-half rally could not prevent Spurs suffering another early exit in a domestic cup to increase the pressure on Frank, who has lost seven of his last 13 matches after this 2-1 defeat.

Frank had endured a nightmare week after he inadvertently used a coffee cup with the logo of Spurs’ rivals Arsenal on before a 3-2 loss at Bournemouth on Wednesday, and first-half goals by Villa duo Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers denied him a much-needed cup run.

Wilson Odobert reduced the deficit in the 55th minute and Spurs created further second-half chances, but they ultimately lost again to spark more boos for Frank with Villa’s away support poking fun at the Danish coach with chants about him being an Arsenal fan.

Tempers spilled over at full-time after Frank’s old Brentford forward Watkins celebrated in front of Palhinha, who went on to clash with Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa as players from both teams piled in to produce ugly scenes, but Villa progress.

“We are all hurt. There is nothing we want to do more than to get through to the next round no matter who we face. We play at home, we had a good opportunity and unfortunately we couldn’t go through,” Frank said.

Quizzed on if his players were losing control after they clashed with Tottenham fans away to Bournemouth, Frank said: “I don’t think so.

“I guess you have seen the situation through? I just saw it to be sure I saw what I saw. Of course it’s all about keeping a cool head.

“The players gave everything, everything out there, (but) losing a tight game, season not going perfect and I think Ollie is very provoking.

“The way he is going down to celebrate in front of the Villa fans and he is walking into Joao, he can just easily walk around. I think everyone that has been in a competitive nature, that is difficult and can trigger things.

“You need to play with passion and when you play with passion then sometimes you play to the line and sometimes a little bit borderline.

“I see players with big passion that want to do very well for the club.”

Unai Emery made six changes after a gruelling schedule for Villa, but they sealed a 13th win in 15 matches.

“After 90 minutes, with our momentum, with their momentum, I think we deserved to win,” Emery saidbefore he decided to praise referee Craig Pawson.

“Of course we must respect the referee, we must respect the competition. Only we were a little bit angry because (Boubacar) Kamara was getting injured with one action with Palhinha, but I think the referee today did a fantastic job.

“Some moments happened, with some players, and I think we can understand in the circumstances it happens on the field.”

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Conor Benn rules out trilogy with Chris Eubank Jr and predicts rival will retire after Saturday’s clash

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Read More: Eubank Jr and Benn set for highly anticipated November rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Read More: Chris Eubank Jr delivers knockout news - he's set to become dad to twins

"Victory and done. There is no trilogy," Benn reflected ahead of his second fight in the 160lbs middleweight category.

"This ends with us, it's not gonna be another generation in 20 years. I've been fed up with for this for the last three years!

"Do you know what it is? I just look back to the Conor three years ago and I miss chasing the goal, which was being world champion.

"I am competing at a weight that isn't my weight. I'm glad I can give this fight to the supporters, like genuinely because big fights don't happen.

"For whatever reason, they don't happen but for me I feel it heavy on me to get the world title. So, I just can't wait for this to be done, drop back down and close this chapter in my career and move on."

Even though Benn has big plans for 2026, he questioned what next for Eubank Jr.

This will be the 39th fight of Eubank Jr's career and Benn believes their thrilling 12-rounder in April would taken a big amount out of the 36-year-old.

Benn added: "Yeah, I think he is done. Not because of me, but I think I have taken a lot out of him from that first fight.

"I am a smaller guy who put him in hospital for three days. I know he won the fight but if you look at the collective of punches he threw versus how many I threw, I was back in the gym on Sunday. He was in hospital for three days.

"So, where does he go from here? Fight Janibek (Alimkhanuly) for quarter of the money? Fight (Hamzah) Sheeraz for quarter of the money? You sit there and say where do you want to go from here."

The next steps are clear for Benn, who conceded it will take him months to adjust his body to being a welterweight again.

A summer bout back at the 147lbs category is the plan before an eventual shot at WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

"I reckon I have got two fights at 147. I am sparring light-heavyweights and having no issues at all. I get sparring is sparring, but ultimately I can compete with Eubank at 160," Benn insisted.

"I still want to do things in the game for myself that I want to achieve.

"If you told me after I fought that French guy who put me down, (Cedrick) Peynaud, if I had said then, 'I can get a world title,' all you would say, 'what are you smoking?' So, for me to go and do that, it sort of cements my own legacy.

"Barrios for the WBC title. If he fights (Mikey) Garcia, the winner but the WBC title is something that's really driven me."

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Former DJ 'launches record £4.5billion bid' to takeover Tottenham

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Tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick is said to be heading up 12-man group that has allegedly lodged the huge offer.

Earick, 41, has allegedly got together a consortium of potential investors, including the NFL and NBA, in a bid to back the purchase.

The partners have reportedly offered £3.3bn to buy out the entire club from current owners ENIC and the Lewis family.

The prospective new owners are ready to hand over an additional £1.2billion for the “player budget” for wages, fees and agent payments to be available as early as the January transfer window, according to The Sun.

It would surpass the current record buyout in football - Todd Boehly’s £4.25billion 2022 purchase of Chelsea.

His takeover plot, dubbed “Tottenham 3.0”, would reportedly aim to turn Spurs into title contenders.

A £250million stadium naming rights deal is also reportedly lined up.

“Brooklyn and his team think everything is in place at Tottenham already.

“Spurs has a world class stadium and training ground, the infrastructure is all in place,” a source told the Sun.

It comes after Andrew Ashcroft recently purchased 8,023,942 shares in the North London side, which represents a 3.4 percent stake.

ENIC owns 86.58 percent of Tottenham, while former chairman Daniel Levy and his family owning 29.88% of those shares.

Mr Levy announced his departure as Tottenham Hotspur executive chairman earlier this month after 24 years in the role.

Announcing his decision to quit, Mr Levy wrote: “I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees.

"We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have built a community.

"I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.

“I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately.”

The Lewis family, which owns a majority in Tottenham Hotspur, told Sky News: "Generations of the Lewis family support this special football club and they want what the fans want - more wins more often.

"This is why you have seen recent changes, new leadership and a fresh approach. In Vinai, Thomas and Peter Charrington, they believe they are backing the right team to deliver on this. This is a new era."

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