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Glen Williams

World Cup headlines as Gary Neville slams Aaron Ramsey's 'coward's tackle' and Gareth Bale contract clause revealed

Here's your round-up of the latest World Cup headlines for Friday, December 2.

Gary Neville slams Ramsey's 'coward's tackle'

Gary Neville has criticised Wales star Aaron Ramsey for a "coward's tackle" on Jordan Henderson during Wales' defeat by England in the World Cup.

Henderson, who was named to start in the tournament for the first time by Gareth Southgate, was the subject of a nasty tackle from Nice midfielder Aaron Ramsey on the hour mark.

READ MORE Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams hits back at ex-player who brands Wales v England decision 'pathetic'

Ramsey caught the Liverpool man on the ankle with a late challenge but escaped with only a yellow card.

Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville said on his podcast after the match: "I didn't like it. I thought it was a coward's tackle, I thought he knew what he was doing.

"Jordan just had something with him on a different part of the pitch, I watched them half follow each other, and I thought it was a naughty one that."

Gareth Bale break clause revealed

OK, not strictly World Cup, but certainly Wales-related.

Reportedly, Gareth Bale has a clause in his LAFC contract which could see him cut his 18-month contract in California short after just six months.

The Sun claim Bale must decide by the end of February whether he will return for the start of the 2023 MLS season. Given he has had less game-time with the LA-based club and looked undercooked at the World Cup, he may opt for a move elsewhere.

However, the report also adds that LAFC officials are expecting him to report for duty next season.

If he does harbour ambitions of continuing his Wales career, the 33-year-old will certainly want to up his game-time, with Euro 2024 qualifiers kicking off in March next year.

Martinez leaves Belgium after exiting World Cup

One of the pre-tournament favourites, Belgium, have been dumped out of the World Cup after a disappointing showing against Croatia in their final Group F match and Roberto Martinez has confirmed he will leave his post.

Romelu Lukaku missed a gilt-edged chance late on when he couldn't bundle the ball in from just two yards out, meaning a goalless draw was enough to see Morocco, who beat Canada 2-1, and Croatia through from that group.

Kevin De Bruyne said Belgium, despite being ranked No.2 in the world only behind Brazil, were "too old" to win the World Cup in a previous press conference. And this exit, much like Wales, appears to spell the end of a golden generation for the Red Devils.

Martinez said after the match: "That was my last game. It was emotional as you can imagine. The decision was taken just before the World Cup. I always work towards the long-term projects and they need to be set in advance.

"Since 2018 I had many opportunities to leave to take jobs at club level. I always wanted to be loyal and finish the job. I don't resign - it is the end of my contract. That was always the plan."

He continued: "It's been six years since I arrived with a clear idea to qualify for the World Cup. You get engaged with the people and we felt we needed to give it another go.

"It's been a real joy. I'm so proud of these players. It's been amazing, it's been six years that we have been able to do everything you want to do in a club in a national team and that makes me extremely proud. We love the way this team has played.

"It has given us incredible joy. It is the time for me to accept that this is the last game."

English ref Taylor hammered for 'deep lack of common sense'

South Korea boss Paulo Bento has gone in on English referee Anthony Taylor for showing "a deep lack of common sense" when issuing him with his World Cup red card.

Bento, who was also booked in South Korea's opener against Uruguay, was sent off after the final whistle of the 3-2 defeat by Ghana after protesting that his side weren't allowed to take a corner in the dying moments.

He will miss the must-win game against Portugal on Friday and has reiterated his anger towards Englishman Taylor.

"I reacted maybe not in the best way but it was the response of someone who is human and makes mistakes," Bento said after the Ghana match..

"Maybe the way I did it was a mistake but this was at a time when we had good reason. It was an unfair decision (not to allow the corner to be taken) and also one that reveals a deep lack of common sense."

READ MORE:

'Selfish' Gareth Bale slammed for playing 'walking football' vs England as pundit goads fans over Wales statement

Inside David Beckham's £20,000-a-night Qatar hotel suite that he was forced out of by fan discovery

Ex-England star and ITV World Cup pundit reckons he is 'banned' from Cardiff after scoring World Cup goal against Wales

Wales crashing out of the World Cup group stages is both disappointing and a point of pride — it is complicated

'We go again' - Gareth Bale adamant Wales career isn't over despite World Cup battering

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