SAINT PETERSBURG will be stripped of the Champions League final in an emergency Uefa meeting tomorrow.
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine has sparked a backlash against Uefa, who are sponsored by gas supplier Gazprom, whose name is also on the 64,000-capacity stadium in the Russian city.
Chelsea are on the verge of losing experienced defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen for FREE this summer.
However, the West London outfit are reportedly interested in a move for Wolves defender Max Kilman, following his impressive performances this season.
Kilman is a boyhood Blues fan and could be open to the move if he hears the club are in for him.
Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe is said to have been offered whopping £1m-a-week wages to stay with PSG.
The Frenchman has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, who he scored a winner in the Champions League against last week.
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How Aub-some is that
Barcelona booked their spot in the Europa League last-16 with a 5-3 aggregate win over Napoli in final 32 of the competition.
The Catalan giants convincingly put Gli Azzurri to the sword scoring four on the night and five on aggregate.
Ex-Gunner Aubameyang put the game to bed for Barca just before the hour mark with a sweet strike.
Trophy in range
Rangers reached the last-16 of the Europa League after drawing 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their tie at Ibrox.
The result meant Gio van Bronckhorst’s side won 6-4 on aggregate and secured Rangers a historic victory against the German side.
Rangers stunned the German giants last week at Signal Iduna Park in a 4-2 victory in the first leg.
Tripping over Kane treatment
Newcastle star Kieran Trippier has hit out at critics of Tottenham star Harry Kane.
Trippier said: “Harry’s Harry, but it gets to me when people are criticising him because Harry’s a goalscorer. He always will be.
“Strikers go through periods of not scoring. But I would back Harry to score so many goals.
“Like he has shown throughout his career. He was unbelievable against Manchester City, not just his goals. But the way he plays. When he is dropping deep and bringing other players into it.”
Leeds fan’s fork plight
A desperate Leeds fan had to use a BANK CARD to eat his matchday grub – because Anfield ran out of forks.
The travelling supporters had a miserable time on Merseyside on Wednesday night.
They saw their defenders ship six goals against Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Reds.
And one even had to take creative measures to finish off his football scran, digging back into his wallet.
A picture shared on social media showed the bloke holding the tray of Scouse Pie in one hand… and the makeshift fork in the other.
It is understood the catering facilities in the concourse had no plastic cutlery leaving the genius Leeds supporter to take things into his own hands.
There was, unsurprisingly, a load of reaction on social media with plenty of bemused users.
Celtic crash out of Europe
Celtic are OUT of the Europa Conference League after suffering a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt on aggregate.
Coming into this game, Ange Postecoglou’s men were left needing two goals to at least bring the score level in Norway.
But his team selection raised eyebrows as many fans wondered whether he had an eye on the Hoops’ upcoming Premiership fixtures.
Callum McGregor, Josip Juranovic and Liel Abada were among those left on the bench as Nir Bitton, Tony Ralston and Liam Scales all started.
And none of the latter three were able to make an impact on the tie as Celtic were made to suffer yet more heartbreak in a European knockout tie.
Foxes trot on
Leicester romped into the Europa Conference League last 16 with a comfortable 7-2 win against Randers over two legs.
The Foxes won 3-1 on Thursday night in the competition’s second leg.
A James Maddison double coupled with a goal from Harvey Barnes ensured victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Despite the scoreline, Randers caused the Prem side some trouble and pulled one back late on in the game.
Shevchenko’s call for peace
Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has called for peace following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
That’s after ex-Liverpool ace Andriy Voronin urged Vladimir Putin to ‘stop what you are doing’ after sharing the realities of the horrors unfurling in Ukraine’s capital Kiev.
And Shevchenko, a former Blues player and a close friend of the Russian billionaire, urged for a quick and peaceful resolution with his ‘family under attack’.
The former Ukraine star, capped 111 times by his country, wrote on social media: “In the early hours a full scale war was initiated by Russia.
“My people and my family are under attack. Ukraine and its population want peace and territorial integrity.
“Please I ask you to support our country and call the Russian government to stop their aggression and violation of international law.
“We only want peace. War is not the answer.”
Martinez future debated
Lautaro Martinez agent claims the Inter Milan striker is happy at the club despite reports linking him with a move to the Premier League.
Liverpool and Manchester City are two of the clubs reportedly interested in the 24-year-old’s signature.
However, his agent Alejandro Camano said: “There are no problems. Lautaro Martinez is not going to leave as he’s really happy at Inter.
“Lautaro doesn’t think about himself, he only thinks about Inter.
“He wants to help and wants fans to be happy.
“Lautaro wants Inter to win, he is not interested in personal success. We must remain calm because Lautaro is happy at Inter and is happy with Inter fans.”
Camano continued to claim his client was committed to the current Serie A title holders despite recent poor form in front of goal.
He said: “He will return to scoring, that’s for sure.”
On the Jase
Newcastle are reportedly set to make a move for Lyon and Belgium centre-back Jason Denayer after failing to secure deals for Sven Botman and Diego Carlos in January.
Denayer has featured 17 times for Lyon this season, scoring three goals, but looks set to be a free agent this summer as his contract expires in July.
According to RMC Sport, talks have stalled with the French club and the 26-year-old wants a new challenge.
Mourinho keen on Xhaka
Roma boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly intent on signing Arsenal star Granit Xhaka, reports suggest.
Mourinho’s initial bid for the Swiss midfielder was unsuccessful – but the Portuguese tactician hasn’t thrown in the towel just yet.
Instead, the former Chelsea boss will swoop again on Xhaka when the season ends, according to calciomercato.
Fletcher eyes New York transfer
Watford striker Ashley Fletcher is close to joining New York Red Bulls on loan.
SunSport understands MLS giants NY Red Bulls are confident of snapping up the ex-Manchester United and West Ham forward in a temporary move.
Head coach Gerhard Struber is understood to be a big fan of the Englishman as he looks to strengthen his squad.
Chelsea plan Dembele Barca raid
Chelsea are reportedly planning on going ‘all out’ to sign Barcelona ace Ousmane Dembele this summer.
The World Cup winner is set to become a free agent when his contract expires in June, which will reportedly prompt an all-out charm offensive from the Blues.
That’s according to Spanish newspaper Sport, who claim the west Londoners tried to acquire the winger’s services in January.
Blues will be safe for now
Chelsea will NOT suffer any immediate problems even if owner Roman Abramovich is placed on a potential UK Russia sanctions list.
Blues owner Abramovich and Everton training ground sponsor Alisher Usmanov were both named by Lib Dem MP Layla Moran among 35 prominent Russians she believes should have their assets frozen and confiscated.
But even were it to happen, it is understood to be unlikely there would be ANY impact on Chelsea – at least in the short term.
Legal experts believe that the Government would agree an official “carve out” of Chelsea from any prospective actions to avoid significant impact on a club that employs hundreds of people and is supported by thousands.
That would mean Chelsea could continue as a business, including receiving future broadcast money from the Premier League and Uefa – and paying out wages to staff.
Without the “carve out”, things could get tricky, as it would be illegal for anybody to provide any benefit “directly or indirectly” to sanctioned individuals or their companies.
Clichy’s managerial ambitions
Gael Clichy has hinted he will return to the Premier League as a manager after saying he has been inspired by Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger.
Clichy said: “My aim is to become a manager. I have been lucky enough to play alongside great footballers who have gone on to management.
“They include Patrick Vieira, Vincent Kompany, Kolo Toure and Thierry Henry. I don’t know whether I will be as good as them, but I’m learning from their experiences.
“I’d like to be a blend of all my previous coaches. Guardiola for sure – he changed my perspective on football inside 10 months.”
Prem giants chase Asensio
Liverpool and Arsenal are locked in a battle to prise Marco Asensio away from Real Madrid.
Real are keen to hold onto the versatile midfielder whose contract runs out in 2023.
And Los Blancos have offered him the same amount of cash that the Prem giants have in the hopes of convincing the Spaniard to stay put.
But both the Gunners and Reds are willing to bump up their contract offers by 50 percent in a bid to lure Asensio away from the Bernabeu, according to journalist Eduardo Inda, reported by Super Deporte.
And this may give the English clubs an edge in any possible proceedings as Inda claims Real are not willing to do the same to keep hold of Asensio.
Tam to come back
Tammy Abraham ‘hopes to return’ to his boyhood club Chelsea in the future, according to reports.
The 24-year-old striker joined Serie A outfit Roma in the summer for £34million, linking up with legendary Premier League boss Jose Mourinho.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Abraham ‘hopes to return’ to Chelsea in the future.
Abraham might get his wish in a year’s time with Chelsea’s £68m buy-back option becoming active.
Newcastle receive Rabiot boost
Newcastle have received a boost in their pursuit of Adrien Rabiot with Juventus ‘ready to say goodbye’ to the midfielder.
The 26-year-old France international moved to Turin from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
However, he has come under fire recently from supporters following his poor performance in last week’s Champions League clash with Villarreal.
That has not deterred Newcastle, who are eyeing up a summer swoop for Rabiot.
Now Calciomercato claims Juventus are ready to sell should they receive an ‘adequate’ offer.
They state that a transfer bid between £8.3million and £12.5m would be enough for them ‘say goodbye’ to the star.
Hamman: Klopp will outlast Tuchel
Didi Hamman is adamant that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel won’t be at Stamford Bridge for aslong as Liverpool compatriot Jurgen Klopp will remain at Anfield.
Hamman reckons Klopp’s man-management skills are better than Tuchel’s – and that’s the reason why the Liverpool man will outlast his German peer.
Speaking to Genting Casino, Hamman said: “Tuchel, when he left Dortmund there was always talk that he didn’t have that relationship with the players, and I don’t think Tuchel will be at Chelsea as long as Klopp has been at Liverpool, because I don’t think he’s that type of manager.
“He’s a very strategic manager, where man management comes second, or third.
“With Klopp, it’s first, and this is why I think they are two completely different coaches, with two completely different teams. I don’t think Tuchel will achieve what Klopp did at Liverpool.”
Ajax’s cash cow
Man United transfer target Ryan Gravenberch has claimed he will not leave Ajax unless they get good cash for him.
He told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad: “It is up to my agent and father, I don’t know whether I will leave Ajax next summer.
“What I know for sure is that I will not leave if Ajax are not earning anything from me.
“I have played here all my career. Ajax have been good to me and I owe a lot to the club.
“I cannot just leave on a free transfer. That will not happen.”
United to drop Russian airline
Manchester United are the latest club to distance themselves from Russian sponsors following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Old Trafford officials confirmed that they were reviewing their deal with airline Aeroflot, now with the intention of bringing the partnership to an end 12 months earlier than intended.
The company have been one of United’s main sponsors for nine years, and would have been expecting to renegotiate that deal in 2023 before recent developments.
Earlier this afternoon, German club Schalke dropped Russian energy corporation Gazprom as their main shirt sponsors.
Foxes fan banned for decade
The Leicester City supporter than ran on to the pitch and assaulted three Nottingham Forest players in a recent FA Cup match has been given a four-month sentence and banned from attending football games for ten years.
Nineteen-year-old Cameron Toner was charged with three counts of common assault on appearing at a Nottinghamshire court.
He will serve half of his four-month sentence for assault, and then be released on licence. The teenager was also handed a £100 fine for entering the field of play.
Toner ran on to the pitch as Forest players celebrated their third goal in this month’s FA Cup fourth round tie, and assaulted Brennan Johnson, Djed Spence and Keinan Davis.
Schalke drop Gazprom as sponsors
The world of sport continues to react to developments in Ukraine, and the latest announcement has now seen 2. Bundesliga club Schalke drop Gazprom as their main sponsors.
Gazprom, a Russian majority state-owned multinational energy corporation, were the shirt sponsors of the Royal Blues.
The company are also heavily linked with the UEFA Champions League, and own the naming rights to the Krestovsky Stadium, where this season’s final was due to take place.
A tweet from the German outfit said: “FC Schalke 04 have decided to remove the logo of main sponsor GAZPROM from the club’s shirts. It will be replaced by lettering reading ‘Schalke 04’ instead.”
Brazilians plead for Ukraine evacuation
Several Brazilian footballers have appealed to their government for safe evacuation out of Ukraine, according to the Daily Mail.
Video footage has surfaced of Brazilian players from Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv gathered together inside a hotel in the Ukrainian capital in the hope that they will be offered a route out of the war-torn country.
Shakhtar’s Junior Moraes is reported as describing a ‘situation of despair’, and pleased in a message: “I ask you to disclose this video so that it reaches the [Brazilian] government.”
“Borders are closed, banks [are shut], there is no fuel, there will be a shortage of food, there is no money.”
Zinchenko’s Instagram post deleted
Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has had an Instagram post in which he wished death upon Vladimir Putin deleted.
The Ukrainian international posted an image of the Russian president on his Instagram story along with the caption “I hope you die the most painful suffering death, creature.”
Zinchenko was originally thought to have deleted the post himself, but the player has since suggested that it was removed by the social media company themselves.
The three-time Premier League winner said on Tuesday that he ‘can’t stand back’ while ‘the whole civilised world is concerned about my country.’
FIFA also urged to boot out Russia
Following news of UEFA’s emergency meeting, FIFA are now under huge pressure to boot Russia out of next month’s World Cup play-offs.
Valeri Karpin’s team are to face Poland over two legs with the first game due to be played in Moscow on March 24.
However, Polish FA chiefs have already signalled their ‘concerns’ at the prospect of being made to play in the Russian capital after their government condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
It now appears impossible for the match to take place as scheduled, and increasingly unlikely that other nations will accept Russia’s continued involvement in football.
Germany and Japan were both banned from entering qualification for the 1950 World Cup in the aftermath of World War Two, while South Africa was kicked out of FIFA in 1961 as the game sanctioned the Apartheid regime.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
