Friday’s briefing: Making points and losing them – Romero, Ronaldo and Leicester

Thomas Frank refused to confirm whether “passionate” Tottenham captain Cristian Romero had been disciplined over his social media outburst – but admitted he would not have said the same.

Leicester were docked six points after being found to have breached EFL profit and sustainability rules for the 2023-24 season.

Further afield, Cristiano Ronaldo was told by the Saudi Pro League that “no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club” amid a dispute over transfer spending.

Cristian Romero gets Frank talk

Thomas Frank refused to confirm whether “passionate” Tottenham captain Cristian Romero had been disciplined over his social media outburst – but admitted he would not have said the same.

Romero made headlines on Monday when, within an hour of the transfer window closing, he took to Instagram to reveal he played with an illness in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City and call it “disgraceful” the squad were left with only 11 fit players.

It was a sentiment which struck a chord with many disgruntled Spurs fans given the lack of transfer activity since the signing of Conor Gallagher on January 14, especially as the club have lost nine players to injuries since the start of 2026.

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester United, Frank said: “If you want to know what he meant, you of course need to ask him. That is the right way to take that question.

“Cuti (Romero) is a very passionate character and player. He wants to leave everything on the pitch and he is very ambitious and wants to win every time.

“Sometimes when you are like that, sometimes there can be an outburst, which happened this time. It is something we have dealt with and dealt with internally.”

Foxes hit with six-point deduction

Leicester have been docked six points after being found to have breached EFL profit and sustainability (P&S) rules for the 2023-24 season.

An independent commission recommended the sanction, which was ratified by the EFL board on Thursday.

The commission was appointed under Premier League rules last May, after an arbitration tribunal ruled jurisdiction to investigate alleged breaches of EFL rules could transfer to the Premier League following the Foxes’ promotion to the top flight in 2024.

The commission determined the club had breached the relevant P&S threshold by £20.8million over the three-year assessment period ending 2023-24.

The Foxes were also found by the commission to have breached Premier League rules in failing to provide their annual accounts to the league when requested to do so.

“It is with disappointment that Leicester City acknowledges the independent commission’s decision and the club will use the time available to consider its next steps,” the Sky Bet Championship club said in a statement.

CR7 gets ticking off from Saudi Pro League

Cristiano Ronaldo has been told by the Saudi Pro League that “no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club” amid a dispute over transfer spending.

The Portuguese superstar, who turned 41 on Thursday, is believed to be unhappy with Al Nassr’s lack of activity in the January transfer window.

It has been reported he could miss Friday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al Ittihad as part of the dispute, having already not featured in the match on Monday against Al Riyadh.

Ronaldo is reported to be frustrated with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) for failing to invest in the team in the winter window while rivals Al Hilal – also 75 per cent majority-owned by the PIF – brought in his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad.

However, the league issued a statement on Thursday evening pointing out the independence of all clubs to manage their finances as they see fit.

“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules… That framework applies equally across the league,” a league spokesperson said.

“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.”

What’s on today?

Friday night’s live Premier League action sees Leeds host Nottingham Forest, with Daniel Farke’s side looking to continue their push away from the relegation battle.

In the Sky Bet Championship, Charlton are at home against London rivals QPR while in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fifth round, Airdrie will look to pull off an upset at top-flight St Mirren.

Several Premier League bosses are set to address the media ahead of the weekend’s action.

Eddie Howe is up in the morning, while Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, David Moyes and Oliver Glasner all feature in a busy afternoon schedule.