LEAVING Arsenal was a momentous decision for Rob Holding.

The versatile defender appeared embedded at the Emirates after seven years as a popular squad member, picking up two FA Cup winners’ medals.

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But Crystal Palace pounced for £4million on Deadline Day in September 2023, giving Holding a three-year contract.

Doubts have since emerged over his value – as he’s made just one appearance for the Eagles.

But those queries have been eclipsed by a far bigger question – that of why manager Oliver Glasner has exiled him to Palace Under-21s.

Now tantalising details of an answer have surfaced – more than six weeks after the 29-year-old was forced to start training on his own.

Holding was even left out of joint photos of the Palace men’s and women’s first-team squads.

Austrian Glasner, who took charge at Selhurst Park in February 2024, was enigmatic when quizzed about the ex-Bolton star on September 1.

The former Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt chief, 50, said: “Rob is training individually at the moment.

“We will talk together – he knows the reason. But it is something that stays between Rob and me. Nothing public.”

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However, the BBC say insiders have revealed the incident behind the dispute.

It relates to the last occasion Holding was in Palace’s senior squad – a 2-0 home defeat to West Ham in the Prem on August 24.

Holding never made it off the bench that afternoon, and hasn’t made it ON to it since.

That’s reportedly because he had a “disagreement” over a running session held after the final whistle of the home London derby.

The Beeb believe Holding has “accepted” being frozen out following that exchange and will keep training “professionally”.

But there is no sign of a resolution on the horizon

And with England’s Marc Guehi leading a sizeable batch of talented centre-backs at Selhurst Park, any hope Holding has of resurrecting his first-team career go beyond his issues with Glasner.

Raquel Pennington wants to run it back with Julianna Pena.

Pennington lost the UFC women’s bantamweight title via split decision in the co-main event of UFC 307 this past Saturday in Salt Lake City. The decision was a controversial one, with a lot of people feeling like Pennington had done enough to retain the belt in her first defense.

On Tuesday, “Rocky” released a statement addressing the loss, and her desire to get a rematch.

“I’m home and I’m healthy,” Pennington said. “My heart hurts but my head is high! I do not feel I lost that fight but this is just another wild detour in this journey of mine. I will be back better than ever! I want the rematch stat! Regardless what an amazing fight week, surrounded by so much love, support and blessings. Memories that will last a lifetime. I’m full of gratitude and I want to send a shout out to all the people who stand behind me.”

Pennington and Pena were both competitors on season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter, which was ultimately won by Pena. The fight was competitive throughout, with Pena clearly winning the second and third rounds, while Pennington turned things around in the championship stanzas. The first round is what decided it, with two of the judges scoring it for Pena, who is now a two-time champion.

A rematch for Pennington is unlikely with fellow UFC 307 competitor Kayla Harrison earning a decision win over Kelen Vieira in the main card opener.

Europe skipper Luke Donald, who is looking to become the first captain to win an away match since Jose Maria Olazabal presided over the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012, is supportive of anything that allows a team to “win in the right way”.

“We’ve all seen Ryder Cups where it has crossed the line,” the Englishman told BBC Sport.

“It’s the responsiblty of the PGA of America to have protocols and a plan in place.

“We like to do things the right way, win fairly and squarely. We want the best team to win in a passionate and spirited high energy environment.”

And Bradley conceded that the passion of the home fans could go against his side if Europe get off to a fast start.

“This is a tough place for us to play,” he said. “These New York fans are going to expect us to win and they will let their home team know if they are upset.

“It’s not a concern but something you’re definitely aware of. If you go watch [basketball’s New York] Knicks or [American football’s New York] Giants play they’re not interested in not winning.

“This is going to be an atmosphere unlike anything you’ve ever seen and it’s going to be fun for both sides.

“The New York fans are going to be super-passionate and cheering on us on extremely hard.”

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has brushed off Joaquin Buckley’s callout.

Buckley (21-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) issued a challenge to Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) after scoring a third-round knockout of former title challenger Stephen Thompson on Saturday at UFC 307. Buckley is now 5-0 at welterweight in the UFC and was praised by Daniel Cormier for his callout. Usman dismissed Buckley but didn’t imply that he wouldn’t fight him if offered.

“Take a number and get in line,” Usman said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Henry Cejudo. “I believe he’s probably, what, the 10th, 11th guy? I don’t know how many guys have called me out. It is what it is. It’s obviously, like DC said, it’s a more reasonable callout for him because he is on the streak. He’s been doing good work inside there. I believe he was losing that fight, and it was just a way to be relentless and find the shot eventually to get that finish. So, you know, hats off to him.

“He did a great job. If that’s the fight, then that’s the fight. If it’s not, it’s not. Obviously right now I’m working on myself and trying to get myself back, because I’ve fought injured for so long to where I achieved all the things I’ve achieved, but at some point it does catch up to you. You have to sit down and correct some of those mistakes. But, like I said, I ain’t going nowhere. I’m still here, and eventually I will get in there and show the people that I am once again the king.”

Usman, 37, hasn’t competed since a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight in October 2023. The short-notice setback to Chimaev was his third straight after suffering back-to-back title losses to Leon Edwards.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe is expected to be out for at least a month after sustaining a freak hand injury while doing the washing up.

The 26-year-old DR Congo international sustained a deep cut to his thumb while he was washing the dishes last week.

The former Manchester United and Aston Villa player had started the first six Premier League games of the season for promoted Ipswich before missing Saturday’s 4-1 loss to West Ham.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said on Saturday Tuanzebe’s injury was a “very unfortunate accident”.

“He’s naturally a miss with the way he’s started the season. He’s going to be out for a little while,” McKenna said.

Ipswich told BBC Sport the accident had occurred at home and Tuanzebe has had successful surgery.

Ben Johnson replaced Tuanzebe at London Stadium, where defeat left Ipswich still winless after seven league games.

MANCHESTER City supremo Txiki Begiristain is leaving the Premier League champions.

And the imminent departure of sporting director Begiristain will only increase speculation about the future of boss Pep Guardiola.

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Begiristain, 60, joined City from Barcelona in 2012 and was instrumental in bringing Guardiola to the Etihad in 2015 to spark the most successful period in the club’s history.

Begiristain has played a key role in identifying and appointing his replacement, who will start in the role in early 2025.

The outgoing sporting director will spend six months helping the new man settle in before ending his association with City.

The identity of the Etihad’s new football chief has not been revealed but is understood to be a well-known individual currently employed by another major European club.

Begiristain was intending to quit five years ago, but stayed on to be part of the push for City to win their first Champions League – which they finally did when completing the Treble in 2022-23.

The news comes shortly after positive noises emerged from City about the possibility of Guardiola extending his current deal beyond the end of this season.

Guadiola’s future is not necessarily tied in with that of Begiristain and the club would be very reluctant to say goodbye to the two most important people in their football operation in quick succession.

But the prospect of losing key ally Begiristain, especially after a current season which will be dominated by off-field events, will surely be a factor in Guardiola’s decision.

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The pair have known each other for more than 30 years after being team-mates in the Barcelona team that won the club’s first European title in 1992.

Begiristain became director of football at the Camp Nou in 2003.

Under him, Guardiola was given the job of head coach in 2008 and they enjoyed two successful seasons together before Begiristain left in the wake of the departure of president Joan Laporta.

Begiristain arrived at City a month after former Barcelona chief executive Ferran Soriano, who has held the same role at the Etihad for 12 years.

Their long-term plan to reunite with Guardiola and build a dynasty at the Etihad came to fruition nine years ago.

City have won 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the crowns of European and world champions with the three men at the helm.

But the club has also found itself at the centre of the biggest row in Premier League history.

A hearing is underway into allegations that City broke PL rules more than 100 times in relation to sponsorship deals, player and manager contracts and failure to cooperate with the investigation.

City deny all the charges. An initial verdict is expected in the spring, but the saga is unlikely to end there and Begiristain will be gone before everything is resolved.