Today in Football: Drama, Heartbreak and Viral Madness You Might’ve Missed

Footy doesn’t clock off. Across 86,400 seconds a day, someone’s burying a late winner, launching a daft hot take, or pinging a ball off a brick wall for the love of it. Here’s the lot you might’ve missed while you were making a brew.

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Feb 24 — Tragedy in Senegal as Youssou Diouf dies after collapsing

Heartbreaking news out of Senegal. AS Saloum forward Youssou Diouf, 25, passed away after feeling unwell following a Ligue 2 match against Amitié FC. He’d just made his debut, coming on late, but became ill after the final whistle and was rushed for treatment, where he sadly died. The Senegalese Professional Football League confirmed the news, offering condolences to his family, teammates and the wider football community, and said it remains in contact with authorities to provide support. A sobering reminder that the game is precious and life more so.

Feb 22 — Man United’s Leny Yoro banned for six months after speeding

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has been hit with a six-month driving ban after being clocked at 72mph in a 30mph zone in Withington last August. He pleaded guilty and was fined, with additional costs and a victim surcharge. His lawyer apologised on his behalf, saying he was rushing a friend to a train. No excuses — that’s reckless. United will want his pace marshalled at centre-half, not on Mancunian side streets.

Feb 22 — Arsenal fan ‘arrested’ on stream over Y-word slur ahead of derby

Footage doing the rounds shows streamer J2Hundred in a row with Spurs supporters before Arsenal’s 4-1 derby win, and a police officer heard referencing the Y-word. The clip has sparked debate over whether it was staged; the Met Police hasn’t issued a formal line either way. Whatever the case, there’s a line between needle and nonsense — and on derby day, that line gets crossed too often.

Feb 22 — Messi’s flashpoint after Inter Miami’s bruising 3-0 defeat at LAFC

Inter Miami were turned over 3-0 by LAFC to open their MLS campaign, and Lionel Messi cut a furious figure post-match. Cameras caught him following the officials down the tunnel, with Luis Suárez stepping in to calm him down. The league has previously come down hard on players for confronting referees — Matt Miazga copped a three-game ban last season — so keep an eye out for what drops from the Disciplinary Committee.

Feb 21 — Ex-Spurs keeper’s nightmare own goal goes viral in A-League

Goalkeepers have all had the cold-sweat dream — but this was real. Wellington Phoenix’s Josh Oluwayemi misjudged a booming clearance from way downtown, tried to head it outside his box, and only succeeded in nodding it straight into his own net. Phoenix were four down by the break, he was hooked at half-time, and Auckland FC ran out 5-0 winners. To cap it all, boss Giancarlo Italiano resigned after the game. A brutal day at the office for the lad and the club.

Feb 20 — Cole Palmer noise grows as friend hints at Man United move

Chelsea’s star man can’t get through a week without a fresh rumour. Palmer’s close friend, Tunde, posted that he’ll “get CP to United back home where he belongs” and later called a move to Old Trafford “highly likely” in a Q&A. That’ll go down like a lead balloon with Chelsea fans. For now, it’s social chatter — but it keeps the pot boiling nicely.

Feb 18 — AFTV’s Ty in a post-match tangle at Molineux

After Wolves nicked a late equaliser against Arsenal, AFTV regular Ty was filmed clashing with home supporters amid chants and finger-pointing. Online theatre met real-world edge. You can debate fan content all day, but the emotions remain as raw as ever on a cold night in the Midlands.

Feb 17 — Vinícius Jr accuses Prestianni of racist abuse; lock-screen image resurfaces

The Benfica–Real Madrid tie turned ugly as Vinícius Júnior alleged he was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni — a claim the Argentine denies. The fallout’s been fierce: Kylian Mbappé publicly backed his teammate, while José Mourinho insisted Benfica aren’t a racist club. Adding another twist, a screenshot from a club video appeared to show Prestianni’s phone lock-screen featuring a photo of him with Vinícius from their January meeting. Social media sleuthing won’t settle this — the authorities and competition organisers must.

Feb 17 — Class from Keith Andrews after Macclesfield’s FA Cup exit

Brentford ended Macclesfield’s fairytale, but there was a touch of class as Keith Andrews visited the Silkmen’s dressing room. Manager John Rooney said the Bees had treated prep with full respect and spoke highly of the non-leaguers’ run. That’s what the Cup’s about — moments, memories and mutual respect.

Feb 15 — Zinchenko’s Ajax debut lasts minutes after injury blow

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s fresh start in Amsterdam turned sour in a flash. The left-back lasted barely three minutes against Fortuna Sittard before a nasty-looking injury forced him off. Ajax boss Fred Grim said an MRI would determine the damage. Fingers crossed it’s not season-ending — the lad’s had more setbacks than most.

That’s the lot for now — another spin of the carousel, another week of triumph, tragedy and a fair bit of Twitter theatre. Same time tomorrow.