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    Footballer handed Bart Simpson-style punishment after disrespectful comments towards rivals

    BRIGHTON’S sister club have humiliated an errant player – by putting him through a Bart Simpson-style punishment.The Seagulls have close links with Union SG, with club owner Tony Bloom the Belgian outfit’s majority shareholder since 2018.Union SG midfielder Loic Lapoussin was forced to undergo a Simpsons-style punishmentCredit: Instagram @rusg.brussels and @lapoussin_94The punishment was inspired by the TV show’s introLapoussin caused a row at the weekend by criticising Cercle Brugge’s stadiumCredit: AFPUnion midfielder Loic Lapoussin caused a row at the weekend by criticising rivals Cercle Brugge’s stadium.So the Brussels club compelled him to make a video in which he had to write lines on a board while in detention.Entitled The Lapoussins, the social-media clip mirrors the start of numerous episodes of The Simpsons.Schoolboy Bart each time scrawls a series of lines on a chalkboard before racing out of the classroom when the bell rings.Read More in FootballUnion’s version sees Lapoussin, 28, writing: “Union – Cercle” dozens of times before running off to join team training.The France-born player had sparked fury with his comments after Union’s 0-0 draw at Cercle on Sunday.He said: “With all due respect to Cercle, these surroundings really don’t make me want to play football.”It’s no fun for our supporters to come here either. There is a world of difference between playing at Club Brugge’s stadium and playing here.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMadagascar international Lapoussin issued a grovelling apology alongside the video.He said: “I want to apologise to our friends from Cercle Brugge, and to the Unionists, for my comments after the game on the stadium and the fans.”Football teams that controversially changed their badgeUnion declared: “Loic learned his lesson the Bart Simpson way.” More

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    Former England star was left stunned when magician Paul Daniels accidentally smashed his £40k watch

    ENGLAND ace James Beattie once had a £40,000 designer watch smashed to pieces by Paul Daniels – after a ‘magic trick’ went wrong.The ex-Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United ace was left horrified when the legendary magician brought a hammer down on his Frank Muller timepiece.James Beattie had his watch smashed by Paul Daniels in a trick gone wrongCredit: Getty – ContributorDaniels invited Beattie round to his house to make up for itCredit: Rex FeaturesAt first he thought it was a prank – but it soon became clear the late TV star had made an almighty mess of his trick.Details of the story were revealed in a new Undr The Cosh podcast with Matthew Kilgallon, who played with Beattie at Sheffield United.He explained how Daniels arrived at a players’ Christmas Party only for carnage to unfold leaving the retired player, now director of football at AFC Totton, stunned.He said “We’d been out Saturday night or Sunday drinking, drinking. I was up at the bar and [the boss] said, ‘come here.” I said, ‘what’s up?’ He went, ‘we’ve got Paul Daniels coming in here to do a magic trick. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“This is what he’s doing now, you can hire him out to do a thing. He’ll come out and I’ve paid him’.“So we’re sat in there, we’re up Covent Garden, a proper tight pub, and we’re bevvying, just topping up from Saturday night, all p***ed as a fart, as you can imagine, I get a nudge, and…he’s here. “He’s come in and everyone’s gone berserk, legend…he’s come in, and he must have been an 80-year-old man. “He’s not like, you know when he’s on telly, so he came in and did a few tricks, and everyone’s buzzing. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“He’s pulling things from your leg and everything like that. Then he says ‘who’s got a watch?’ because we’re all buzzing, there’s 20 lads, rowdy football players.“So Beats, James Beattie…loves his watches, hundreds of them. He’s got a proper collection of them, every one you could think of. Roy Keane tells his side of story on furious Ipswich fan confrontation and reveals he did wait for supporter in car park “He’s got this Franck Muller. It’s got diamonds all around it.“So Paul Daniels has gone to Beats. Pass your watch there’ -and he’s said: ‘Nah, not this watch, it’s about 40 grand, nah, nah’. “We’re like, Beats, give him your watch mate, it’s Paul Daniels, chill out.” Kilgallon continued: “He’s taken his watch off like that, and gives it to Paul Daniels. “So, we’re all around the table. Paul put a serviette on it, and pulled out like this little hammer thing, and he’s gone boom, like this, and everyone’s gone quiet, and Paul Daniels’ face is just drained mate. “Debbie McGee has gone, ‘err’, and he’s taken the cloth off like that and he’s smashed the full f***ing watch. The watch has gone.“Beats has gone, ‘that’s 40…you know how much this watch is?’ “So, Debbie McGee came over and said to Beattie after him, ‘listen, he’s not what he used to be.’“His watch was in tatters, mate.”READ MORE SUN STORIESKilgalon said Daniels, who died in 2016, later invited Beattie and his girlfriend to dinner at his house – an offer the retired striker accepted.Kilgallon added: “Beattie expected him to pull a new watch out of the bowl, but Paul just tucked in and started eating!” More

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    Kyle Walker victim of sickening racist abuse as Man City slam ‘disgusting treatment’ of defender

    KYLE WALKER was subject to disgusting racist abuse after Manchester City’s defeat to Juventus.The defender was targeted by online trolls following the 2-0 loss.Kyle Walker was subject to sickening racism onlineCredit: AlamyWalker shared the abusive message he receivedCredit: X/ kylewalker2Walker shared the horrible message he received in his Instagram DMs, which he strongly condemned.He called for racist abuse to be clamped down on by Instagram, declaring it “never acceptable.”Walker wrote: “No one should ever be subject to the sort of vile, racist and threatening abuse I have received online since last night’s match.”Instagram and the authorities need to stop this happening for the sake of all who are suffering this abuse. It is never acceptable.”To our fans, we will continue to work as a team to do better, to improve, and to turn the corner together.”City have responded to Walker’s message by showing support for their right-back.A club statement read: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that Kyle Walker was subject to online following last night’s fixture.”We refuse to tolerate discrimination of any kind, regardless of whether that be in stadiums or online.Most read in Football”We will be offering Kyle our full support following the disgusting treatment he has received.”England also showed support for the 93-cap star.Pep Guardiola does a Jose Mourinho with gesture to Liverpool crowd as fans convinced Man City boss has ‘lost his mind’A statement read: “We are incredibly disappointed that Kyle has been subject to such abhorrent abuse on social media.”Discrimination of any kind is completely unacceptable. We support strong action by the authorities and social media companies. More

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    Former Premier League star with 272 appearances lands first coaching job four years after retiring

    FORMER Premier League midfielder Lee Cattermole has landed his first permanent coaching job.The ex-Sunderland star has joined Bristol Rovers as a first team coach, focusing on the development and implementation of set pieces.Lee Cattermole has landed his first permanent job in coachingCredit: Getty – ContributorDiscussing his new position, Cattermole said: “I am delighted to join the coaching team at Bristol Rovers.”Having spoken to the guys here and George Friend, I very quickly got excited about the project being developed here at the Club.”Everything I’ve heard about Bristol Rovers tells me it’s an exciting time to be part of things here, and I’m looking forward to getting going.”Cattermole called time on his playing career four years ago following a brief spell with Dutch side VVV-Venlo.Read More in FootballPrior to that he spent a decade with Sunderland and made 262 appearances.The midfielder has also played for Middlesbrough and Wigan.After hanging up his boots, Cattermole revealed his intention to move into coaching.He returned to Boro to work in the academy and took charge of the U23s before leaving in February last year.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe ex-midfielder was also part of the interim management team that took control at the Riverside for five games when Chris Wilder was sacked in October 2022.Bristol Rovers currently sit 18th in the League One table with 21 points from 18 games.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeThey travel to face title-chasing Birmingham City on Saturday. More

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    Former FA Cup finalist, 48, begins new career as assistant kit man after suddenly quitting Red Bull job

    FORMER FA Cup finalist Brett Ormerod has begun his new job as Bolton’s assistant kit man.SunSport revealed last month that the ex-striker would be linking up with former Blackpool team-mates Ian Evatt, Stephen Crainey and Matt Gilks with the League One side.Brett Ormerod has taken up his new role as a kit man at BoltonCredit: RexThe former striker previously excelled at BlackpoolCredit: Mark Robinson – The SunOrmerod, 48, had only recently taken up a new job with Red Bull.But after speaking with old pal Evatt, he decided to move to Bolton.Writing in his Blackpool Gazette column, Ormerod explained how things came together.He admitted: “It’s good to be back in football, especially alongside the manager (Evatt), Matt Gilks and Stephen Crainey – it’s been like old times.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Andy Taylor is also here – he was at Fylde at the same time as me. There’s a lot of people I know, so it’s been a smooth transition into the role.”I’d only just started a new job with Red Bull before handing my notice in. It all happened very quickly.”I met up with Evo and we had a good conversation. I knew if I didn’t take it now, then I might not get another like it, and it would’ve been a decision I regretted for the rest of my life.”Ormerod began his career at Accrington Stanley in the 1990s, before moving to Blackpool for his first stint Bloomfield Road stint in 1997.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOrmerod played in the 2003 FA Cup final for SouthamptonCredit: AFPHe subsequently went to Southampton in 2001 and spent five years at St Mary’s, playing in the 2003 FA Cup final for Saints.Via stints at Leeds, Wigan, Preston, Nottingham Forest and Oldham he eventually returned to Blackpool in 2009, where he would play alongside Evatt, Crainey and Gilks.Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseFollowing spells in non-league, Ormerod went on to coach at AFC Fylde.On what he intends to bring to his new role at Bolton, he added: “I am a kit man, but I will also be on the training field, joining in and taking some shooting practice.”Hopefully I can give them a bit of luck to get promoted, as they got as far as they could last season without going up.”I think they’re getting more than a kit man. If I can play a small role in making the players better then I’ll be a very happy man.”Bolton are seventh in the League One table, 10 points off leaders Wycombe with a game in hand.This Saturday the Trotters host Wigan Athletic, before a trip to Wycombe on December 20.Ormerod is hoping to assist Bolton’s promotion chaseCredit: Rex More

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    Astana 0-2 Chelsea LIVE SCORE: Marc Guiu on the double for Blues in sub-zero Europa Conference clash – latest

    CHELSEA are in Kazakhstan to take on Astana in huge Conference League clash on RIGHT NOW in freezing conditions.The Blues have enjoyed a perfect run in Europe so far as Enzo Maresca’s fringe players look to stake a claim as a first-team regular.Chelsea beat Heidenheim 2-0 in their last Conference League outing, with Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk firing the Blues to victory in Germany.Astana will be looking to climb the table as they eye their first win since their European opener back in October.Conditions at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadium are expected to be extreme, with the temperature potentially dropping well below zero.Kick off time: 3.30pm GMTTV channel: TNT Sports 2Live stream: discovery+Astana team: Seisen; Bartolec, Kazukolovas, Kalaica, Vorogovskiy; Marochkin, Amanovic; Ebong, Chinedu, Camara; TomasovChelsea team: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Disasi, Tosin, Renato Veiga; Rak-Sakyi, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Chukwuemeka, Pedro Neto; Marc GuiuFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…Astana 0-2 Chelsea35. Every fixture is pitting Chelsea against teams that they have never played before.Not sure whether that says more about these European competitions or The Blues’ fall from grace over recent years,Astan a come forward and the ball is laid off to Geoffrey but it is an easy save for Jorgensen at his near post.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea33. Chelsea are trying their luck from all angles now.Renata Veiga shoots from the edge of the box but the keeper saves.Astana come forward but lose possession quickly.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea31. Maresca’s side look like scoring whenever they come forward.This time Guiu uses his strength to get between the defender and the ball.He tries a shot from a tight angle but smashes it over the target.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea29. The hardest part of this game for Chelsea will be the temperature.Since conceding, Astana have offered very little going forward.This could be like a training match for The Blues, in arctic conditions.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea27. Guiu is down receiving some treatment.He seemed to get a knock to the knee.Fortunately for Maresca, he is back to his feet and seemingly able to continue.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea25. This could be a long evening for the hosts.They will just be grateful that The Blues didn’t bring a first team.Neto puts a teasing cross into the back post but Renato Veiga cannot make anything of it.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea23. Almost another goal from the visitors.A shot from the edge of the box is parried by the keeper.He does well to get to his feet and retrieve the ball before any Chelsea player can react.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea21. It seems they have put that last one down as an own goal.Looking at the replays it is a tough one to call as to who got the last touch.Either way, Maresca will be pleased with the start his side have made.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAstana 0-2 Chelsea19. Great play from Pedro Neto in the build-up. The change of pace out wide left his marker for dead.As he whipped the ball into the box, Guiu bundled it over the line to double the visitors lead.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Marc Guiu (Chelsea)Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-1 Chelsea17. It was all too easy that goal.Like watching a football match in the school playground.Astana have the highest XG in this competition for goals against.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-1 Chelsea15. That was some good play from the Chelsea striker.He picked the ball up out wide and beat his man, making beeline for goal.Once he had the goal in sight, he slotted it past the Astana keeper with ease.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Marc Guiu (Chelsea)Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea13. Astana clip a high-ball into the edge of the box.Jorgensen comes steaming out his goal to punch it but misses.Not convincing goalkeeping from the Chelsea man.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea11. The Blues will be wanting a win this evening.They have won their last five games and will want to keep that run going.Completely different side, Maresca will want the same mentality.Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea9. It has been a scrappy start to this game.Both sides are trying to find their feet in this one.VAR is checking for a potential penalty for Chelsea during the melee of the corner.Check complete, nothing doing.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea7. Both sides are gifting possession away here.Rak-Sakyi is bundled over in the middle of the park and wins a foul.Chelsea are patiently passing the ball around, Neto picks it up out wide and cuts inside onto his left foot.He gets a shot off but the keeper gets down well to parry behind for a corner.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea5. The hosts look to clip a ball over the top to break the Chelsea offside trap.No such luck as the linesman flags.Both sides are looking to get forward when the chance presents itself.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea3. The visitors win a free kick in a dangerous position.Chance for Enzo Maresca’s side to work the keeper.They play it short and George tries his luck from the edge of the box but it is well wide of the target.Copy linkCopiedAstana 0-0 Chelsea1. It is usually the winter break in Kazakhstan now.Astana are having to play to due to these European commitments.The Blues are looking to get their foot on the balll and pass it around in the early stages here.Copy linkCopiedKick-off: Astana vs ChelseaWe are underway in Kazakhstan.It is a cold evening for the visitors to get used to.Chelsea get the game started.Copy linkCopiedNew opponent for West London sideThis is the first-ever match between Chelsea and any club from Kazakhstan. Astana’s only match-up with English opponents, meanwhile, came in the 2019 Europa League group stage against Manchester United.They lost 1-0 at Old Trafford but came from behind on their own 4G pitch to beat a very young Red Devils side 2-1.Copy linkCopiedMaresca making most out of sizeWhile the Chelsea manager has moaned about the amount of travelling his side have had to do for this match, only two of the entire squad are every likely to be involved in the Premier League.Pedro Neto and Axel Disasi start this evening for The Blues.Enzo Maresca is probably glad now that Chelsea have a squad bigger than a lot of countries’ armies now.Copy linkCopiedFormer Fox gets some game timeWhen Kiernan Deewsbury-Hall chose to switch the King Power for Stamford Bridge, he would have expected to see much more game time.The former Leicester midfielder has seen more of the Chelsea bench than he has the pitch in West London.He will be hoping to impress this evening to get more of a glimpse of first-team action.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedBlues firm favourites for winThe bookies cannot see anything but an away victory in Kazakhstan this afternoon:Astana – 6/1Draw – 15/4Chelsea – 3/8All match odds brought to you by Betway.Copy linkCopied More

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    Champions League star’s four-year-old son suddenly dies with footballer ‘on floor destroyed’ by tragic news

    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE star Meschack Elia had to pull out of a key game after the tragic death of his four-year-old son.The DR Congo striker has won four league titles with Swiss club Young Boys.Meschack Elia has suffered a tragic lossCredit: AlamyLukasz Lakomy holds up Elia’s shirt in tribute last nightCredit: GettyElia played in their 3-0 loss to Aston Villa in September, and scored a stunning goal against Manchester City last season.The 27-year-old was due to figure in the Berne club’s Champions League clash with Stuttgart on Wednesday.But he instead flew back to the Congo after learning one of his twin boys had passed away after a short illness.Elia’s partner Sarah was in the central African country with their sons and one-year-old daughter.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYoung Boys striker Lukasz Lakomy held Elia’s shirt aloft after scoring in the 5-1 loss at Stuttgart.The club announced: “Meschack Elia and Young Boys received incredibly sad news on Tuesday.”To everyone’s surprise, one of Meschack’s sons has died after a brief illness.”Elia’s partner had travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, with their sons, where the tragic event took place.”Most read in FootballClub spokesman Albert Staudenmann said: “Meschack was on the floor when he heard the news – he was destroyed.”He went to his team-mates, who tried to support him with words and embraces.”We spoke to the players before the Stuttgart game, and nobody said they didn’t want to take part.”They all wanted to be in it together, and to give their all.”Young Boys are bottom of the 36-team Champions League table after losing all six of their games so far.They are due to visit Celtic on January 22.Both teams observed a moment of silence ahead of last night’s gameCredit: Getty More

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    Ex-Leicester manager who played key role in club’s Prem title win left staggering amount in his will after death aged 60

    FORMER Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare left an estate worth £350,000, probate documents reveal.The football legend, who died in August aged 60, bequeathed the huge sum to his wife Karen.The Leicester legend died following a battle with cancerCredit: ReutersShakespeare, left, was assistant manager of the Leicester side that won the Premier League in 2016Credit: GETTYEx-Foxes Craig played a pivotal role in Leicester’s miraculous title-winning campaign in 2016 as Claudio Ranieri’s assistant.Documents seen by The Sun show Shakespeare signed his will in 2018, passing everything to his longtime wife Karen.The will was signed off by a court last month.Former England coach Craig died after a battle with cancer, with heartbroken pal Jamie Vardy leading tributes to his old pal.Read more about LeicesterHe wrote: “I don’t have the words right now. Just gutted. RIP Shakey.”Man City winger Jack Grealish added: “One of the greatest people I’ve ever met not only in football but in life.“Last month was texting me when I didn’t make the Euros squad while he was ill. It shows the type of man he was! An absolute heart of gold! Everyone really will miss you Shakey.”Ex-Leicester defender Harry Maguire wrote: “The man who signed me for Leicester, the man who gave me so much belief, the man I learnt so much from.Most read in Football“I will be forever grateful. Football will miss you, life will miss you. An incredible man.”Shakespeare’s coaching career spanned 24 years with jobs at top-flight clubs like Leicester, Norwich, Aston Villa and Everton.The father-of-two made more than 500 appearances as a player for Walsall, Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom and Grimsby.He was also an England coach under Sam Allardyce but left when Big Sam quit in disgrace after just one game.The respected tactician was most notably assistant manager at Leicester City from 2011 until 2017 – helping the club pull off the impossible when they won the Premier League in 2015/16.He took the reigns in 2017 but left after only 24 games, having guided Leicester to the Champions League quarter-final.After spells with Watford, Villa and Norwich, he returned to the King Power Stadium in 2023 as an assistant – staying for just eight games as Dean Smith’s right-hand man before his illness forced him to retire.Shakespeare was also Sam Allardyce’s assistant at EvertonCredit: Reuters More