Crossword Genius

Tries to interrupt football team’s practice (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rehearsal

'practice' is the definition.
(rehearsal is a kind of practice)

'tries to interrupt football team's' is the wordplay.
'tries' becomes 'hears' (as in trying or hearing in a trial).
'to interrupt' is an insertion indicator.
'football team' becomes 'Real' (Real Madrid).
'hears' inserted into 'real' is 'REHEARSAL'.

(Other definitions for rehearsal that I've seen before include "Play run-through" , "Dramatic practice" , "Practice in theatre etc" , "Preparation for a show" , "preparation in house?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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