Philippa Kaur

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    Man Utd will NOT host victory parade if they win Europa League – out of respect for hundreds of axed staff

    MANCHESTER UNITED will not host a victory parade if they win the Europa League.That is out of respect for the hundreds of staff who have lost their jobs this season.Manchester United have decided against hosting a victory parade if they win the Europa LeagueThe decision is based on this season’s poor form and the brutal redundancies at Man UtdSir Jim Ratcliffe has seen mass layoffs since taking a minority stake in the clubCredit: GettyThe players and club have agreed that celebrations beyond on the night — should they beat Tottenham in Bilbao on Wednesday — would be in poor taste.They have made the decision based on this season’s poor form and the number of people who have been made redundant or are facing the axe. A source said: “The players really want to win the Europa League because they are desperate for some success in what has been an awful season.“If they do win, they will celebrate on the pitch and after the game but that will be it.Read More on Man Utd“Club officials are also mindful of the hundreds of colleagues who have lost their jobs this season and don’t think a parade would be the right thing to do.”About 150-200 staff members at Man Utd are facing the chop as part of the current redundancy process after 250 were let go last summer.Defeat to Spurs would cost United at least £100million in revenue from failure to qualify for the Champions League and leave them without any European football for next season.And staff reeling from the savage cuts under new part-owners Ineos are dreading even more bad news if the Red Devils are beaten in Bilbao.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordThe Manchester giants’ cuts have also affected the final with the board deciding only two tickets are available per player, while guests’ travel to and from Spain would not be covered by the club.Thus, Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim has offered to pay for 30 of his staff to take their families to San Mames.Amorim’s coaches, physios and support team were told the club would not be paying for their loved ones to attend the game.But the Portuguese tactician has taken matters into his own hands as a reward for their contributions and efforts during his time at the club.The ex-Sporting Lisbon boss wants to make sure everyone is able to take up to two family members or friends. More

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    Watch Cristiano Ronaldo Jr score first goals for Portugal U15s and celebrate in the only way possible

    CRISTIANO RONALDO JR is proving to be a chip off the old block – and even celebrates like his dad.The 14-year-old scored twice for Portugal in the final of the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament on Sunday.Cristiano Ronaldo Jr netted the opener for Portugal Under-15s against CroatiaCredit: XAfter smashing in off the crossbar, the 14-year-old ran off to celebrateCredit: XHe performed the iconic Siu celebration made famous by his dadCredit: XCristiano Jr was handed the No7 shirt made famous by his dad for the Under-15 showdown against Croatia.And the teenager needed just 12 minutes to open the scoring against the hosts. Ghosting into the box from the left wing, Cristiano Jr was played in after a team-mate’s mazy run.From a tight angle, he smashed in a sublime first-time shot off the crossbar.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLCristiano Jr sprinted off towards the corner flag to celebrate his first international goal. And he couldn’t resist mimicking his dad’s iconic ‘Siu’ celebration alongside his team-mates.One fan wrote in response: “Like father like son. SIU tradition lives.”Another said: “The moment he gets a taste of scoring, he won’t stop.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWhile a third joked: “I’m seeing double here, two Ronaldos!”Cristiano Jr has been eyed by scouts from a host of European clubs, including Manchester United and Tottenham. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 14, given dad’s number and copies iconic pose as he makes Portugal debut with grandma watchingAnd he was on the scoresheet again as Croatia threatened a comeback. With the scores locked at 1-1, Portugal went ahead again as the 14-year-old planted a header in at the far post.They would eventually run out 3-2 winners. Earlier in the tournament, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo took to social media to congratulate his son on his international debut.A proud CR7 told his 115 million followers: “Congratulations on your debut by @selecaoportugal, son. Very proud of you!”Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible lifeAS arguably the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo lives a life befitting such a superstar.Ronaldo, 40, has remained prolific in front of goal this season for Al-Nassr, bagging 33 times in all competitions.But he has endured another trophyless season in Saudi Arabia.Al-Nassr are third in the Saudi Pro League – 11 points behind leaders Al-Ittihad.Read More on The SunThey were also knocked out of the Asian Champions League by Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale last month.Al-Nassr have not won the league title since Ronaldo signed in December 2022. More

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    Moment furious Man Utd flop Wout Weghorst SLAPS camera out of his face after Ajax lose league title by a point

    WOUT WEGHORST angrily slapped a camera away after his Ajax side squandered the Eredivisie title.The Amsterdam side had led their Eindhoven counterparts by nine points.A camera operator looked to get a close up of Wout WeghorstCredit: XWeghorst appeared to be fuming and slapped the camera awayCredit: XBut a run of two draws and two defeats in four matches saw Ajax go into the final round of fixtures trailing PSV by a point.Francesco Farioli’s side manage to do their part, beating Twente 2-0 courtesy of goals by Jordan Henderson and Weghorst.But PSV’s 3-1 triumph at Sparta Rotterdam, in which former Tottenham star Ivan Perisic scored, meant that Ajax agonisingly missed out.After the game, Ajax stars lined up together in front of the fans.READ MORE ON MAN UTDA cameraman sought to get a close-up view of Weghorst, who was standing on the edge of the row.The forward appeared to be furious with he camera operator, turning around and slapping the camera away.After the game, Weghorst was asked about the incident.The experienced forward said: “It is a very beautiful moment in which we are sung to, then I think it is a great pity that the team is not just simply shown on camera.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”It’s emotion. I think it’s a shame that the camera always has to be on me.”From the very first second, the camera was focused on me again.Watch Man Utd star Weghorst ‘hit supporter’ with wayward shot in warm-up as fans say ‘Jonny Wilkinson would be proud'”On Wednesday, it became too much for me in Groningen and I quickly ran inside.”I also experienced the consequences of that. Now I didn’t feel the need to be on camera again.”Weghorst joined Manchester United on loan from Burnley in January 2023.The Dutch international scored two goals in 31 appearances for the Red Devils, before returning to the Clarets.After featuring in Burnley’s first two Championship games of the season, Weghorst moved to Ajax.The 6ft 5in forward has scored 10 goals in 24 Eredivisie appearances this term.Ajax had been sitting pretty at the top of the league, before a bizarre collapse proved to be costly.The spiral began on April 20, when they lost 4-0 at Utrecht.Read More on The SunFarioli’s men then drew 1-1 with Sparta Rotterdam and lost 3-0 to NEC in back-to-back home games.The crushing blow came on Wednesday night, when Ajax conceded a 99th-minute equaliser to the ten men of Groningen.Ajax collapsed in the final weeks of the seasonCredit: Shutterstock Editorial More

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    Tiny club on ‘haven of volcanic islands’ in middle of North Atlantic Ocean qualifies for Conference League

    TEAMS playing in next season’s Conference League will be treated to an unusual venue – in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. C.D Santa Clara, who play in Portugal’s top flight, secured a fifth-place finish on Saturday. Portuguese side Santa Clara secured a best-ever fifth-place finish in the Primeira LigaCredit: XThe club are based in the Azores, almost 1,000 miles west of LisbonThe club beat Farense 2-1 to book their place in next season’s Conference League qualifiers. Saturday’s win secured a best-ever Primeira Liga finish for the club, who are located on the tiny Atlantic archipelago of the Azores.Santa Clara are the only team from the stunning volcanic islands to have ever competed in a Uefa competition.The Azores are made up of nine main islands situated around 870 miles west of Lisbon. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt is the outermost region of the European Union and became an autonomous region of Portugal in 1976. Santa Clara are based in the capital city of Ponta Delgada, which has a population of just over 70,000 and is located on Sao Miguel Island.The club made their European football bow back in 2002, replacing fellow Portuguese side Vitoria in the Intertoto Cup. And they made their Conference League debut almost two decades later after a sixth-place finish in 2021. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKSanta Clara will enter next season’s competition at the second qualifying round. They almost made the group stages four years ago, falling to Serbian side Partizan Belgrade in the final qualifier. ‘I can’t see anything’ – Chelsea fans moan as live TNT Sports coverage of Conference League clash is ruined by smokeShould they make it this time, fans will face around a seven-hour trip to the club’s 12,500-seater Estadio de Sao Miguel.Flights to the Azores from the UK are mostly via Lisbon, with travel between the different islands tricky. One fan wrote on X following Saturday’s game: “Santa Clara vs [Kazakstan side] Astana, let’s make it happen.”Another laughed: “Mid Atlantic trip!”While a third added: “I hope the record for most km traveled in an European game is set if they get like a team from Azerbaijan. Teams will be lucky to visit Azores, it’s a great place.” More

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    Brentford 2 Fulham 3: Harry Wilson scores screamer to seal win in thrilling clash after falling 2-1 behind

    HARRY WILSON returned to haunt Brentford yet again and cap a spectacular turnaround in a feisty West London derby.Wilson scored a sensational winner from outside the box only four minutes after coming on as a sub.Fulham ace Harry Wilson sealed the three points against Brentford with a screamerAnd it came just 60 seconds after club captain Tom Cairney had pulled the visitors level in what could become a fitting farewell before he leaves at the end of the season.In addition to five goals and a saved penalty, there were also moans and drones as Fulham boss Marco Silva lost the plot in the first half.And a low flying drone which appeared over the roof of the away end also delayed the start of the second half.Brentford will be kicking themselves for chucking away their hard earned lead with defeat landing a major blow on their already outside hopes of playing European football next season.Read More on FootballThey remain eighth but need a complex combination of events involving Newcastle, Chelsea and the Conference League final to combine for them to qualify.And they could be caught by Brighton who are level on points with them.Wilson’s stunning winner was the last word in a gripping game between two neighbours.The Wales wideman scored twice in second half added time at Craven Cottage back in November when Fulham turned a losing position into a winning one.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWilson also had his contract extended by a year last week along with Raul Jimenez who got things under way with a powerful 16th minute header to put the visitors ahead.Brentford then levelled six minutes later from a classy finish by Bryan Mbeumo then took the lead through Yoane Wissa three minutes before half time.In between, ref Jarred Gillett – who let Crystal Palace keeper Dean Henderson off the hook as VAR in yesterday’s (SAT) FA Cup Final – gave the home team a penalty.Silva was furious with the decision but seemed to have the particular hump with a Brentford security guard standing behind his dugout.The earpiece-wearing official was moved further away. But Silva lost his cool again when Bernd Leno saved Mbeumo’s spot kick. He was also angry at several of the ref’s decisions.Cairney was introduced after the break and headed home Kenny Tete’s deflected cross 68 minutes into a crazy match.The Scottish veteran, 34, is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a £50K a week move to Championship newcomers Wrexham.Fulham’s breathless victory means they have set a new record of 54 Premier League points in one season, beating the previous high of 53 under Roy Hodgson set in 2009. More

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    Sampdoria ‘no longer relegated from Serie B’ with iconic club ‘revived’ just four days after they were doomed

    SAMPDORIA will no longer be automatically relegated from Serie B – just four days after they were doomed to life in Italy’s third tier.The iconic club set European football alight in the late 80s and early 90s, culminating in Serie A glory in 1991.Sampdoria will no longer be automatically relegated from Serie B after being handed a shock lifelineCredit: GettyThe same period also saw Sampdoria clinch four Italian Cups and a European Cup Winners’ Cup thanks to the prowess of stars like Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini.But their fortunes have since steadily declined, eventually resulting in a shock relegation to Serie B in 2023.However, the club has endured even more pain in the lower leagues.And just four days ago, Sampdoria fans’ worst fears were realised as they finished 18th to suffer automatic relegation to Serie C.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet in a shock twist, they have now been handed a dramatic lifeline.Fellow Serie B strugglers Brescia finished 15th this term, just two points ahead of Sampdoria.But they have now been deducted four points as a penalty for financial issues, sending them to 18th place instead.It means Sampdoria moved into 17th, and therefore have qualified for a relegation play-off against Salernitana, now in 16th.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSSampdoria take the place of Frosinone, who are the main beneficiaries of Bresca’s points deduction and have confirmed their survival with a 15th-place finish.But it gives Sampdoria a second bite of the cherry, with a two-legged tie now taking place to determine their fate.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersIt is certainly an ending dramatic enough to match their disastrous season, which has seen four managers enter the dugout.Italy legend Andrea Pirlo was sacked in August after taking just one point from Sampdoria’s opening three games.Andrea Sottil and Leonardo Semplici were also given their marching orders, while Alberico Evani could now stay should the playoffs go his way.Sampdoria used an incredible 38 players this season, including five different goalkeepers.But they will be hoping star players like ex-Liverpool striker Fabio Borini and former England U21s ace Ronaldo Vieira can finally step up to the plate. More

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    Leicester 2 Ipswich 0: Jamie Vardy scores 200th goal on 500th appearance exactly 13 years after joining Foxes

    WHERE do you want your statue Jamie Vardy?That’s the only unfinished bit of business this living legend has left to complete after bringing down the curtain on his extraordinary 13-year love affair with Leicester City.Jamie Vardy hit his 200th goal for Leicester in his final game for the clubCredit: ReutersThe Foxes forward joined Leicester 13 years ago but will leave at the end of the seasonCredit: PAVardy kept his cool to slide in the opener past Ipswich keeper Alex PalmerCredit: ReutersFittingly the 38-year-old bowed out brilliantly, scoring his 200th Leicester City goal on his 500th appearance – 13 years to the day since he signed from Fleetwood Town.Talk about tying it all up neatly with a blue ribbon!Vardy had already missed a couple of half-chances when James Justin burst through the Ipswich defence and timed his final pass to perfection.Suddenly Vardy was off and we all knew what was going to happen next – hand him a hat-trick of chances and one will invariably end up in the net.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThere was never any chance the old Fox was going to fluff his lines on his big day.Sure enough, he rolled the ball beyond Alex Palmer to spark bedlam in the stands as the King Power rose to him for one final goal celebration.They were celebrating again midway through the second half when Kasey McAteer doubled the Foxes lead.Then with 10 minutes remaining Ruud Van Nistelrooy made a double substitution which included bringing Vardy off for Patson Daka.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWith the sound of the crowd singing his name, Vardy trudged off and every Leicester player lined up level with the halfway line to form a guard of honour. “Thank You Vards,” flashed up on the scoreboards as the veteran took his well-earned seat on the bench.  Jamie Vardy reveals best XI he’s played with at Leicester with huge snub to England stars and entire current squadJob done …. as always!From the moment he arrived to that fateful moment when he waved goodbye and disappeared down the tunnel for the final time as a Fox, this was the Jamie Vardy show.Virtually every fan’s shirt had the name Vardy 9 or Legend 9 emblazoned on their back.There were banners with Vardy’s name and image waved by dozens of flag-bearers to greet him when he led Leicester out.Vardy received a guard of honour midway through the match as he was subbedCredit: GettyThe scoreboard flashed up “Goodbye GOAT.” And every home fan had been presented with a banner with the message: “Thank You Vards,” printed on it.However Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich clearly hadn’t received the memo and came out determined to spoil the farewell party.Unfortunately for them they simply don’t possess a finisher of Vardy’s stature. They dominated the opening 20 minutes and the old boy had to wait patiently for his first touchKasey McAteer slammed in Leicester’s second from a tight angleCredit: PAJulio Enciso sent Leif Davis free on the left and, although the full-back’s initial shot was blocked by Coady, his attempt from the rebound was much better.His fiercely hit shot beat Jakub Stolarczyk but bounced off the inside of the post and flew to safety.Sam Morsy shot over and Enciso screwed another attempt wide before the roof was raised after 20 minutes when Vardy finally had the chance to stretch his legs.Jordan Ayew sent the veteran sprinting through on goal and suddenly everyone in the King Power Stadium was on their feet roaring him on.However on this occasion Leif Davis was Vardy’s match as he sprinted back to force him wide and the striker’s shot flew off target.The great man followed that up a couple of minutes later, firing into the side netting following a neatly worked free kick after he turned Sam Morsy.Vardy was getting closer and closer as he smelled blood.It was the youngest first goal of the seasonCredit: PAAnd sure enough the fairytale was assured a happy ending when he struck after 28 minutes.James Justin played a huge part with the assist.The full-back closed down Jack Clarke so swiftly he lost his footing and Justin pounced on the ball and surged forward past two Tractor Boys.Vardy hared off and Justin timed his delivery to perfection as he rolled the ball in front of him.And the hitman showed his killer instinct to hold off his marker and expertly roll the ball beyond Palmer and into the net.Then off he hared to celebrate in front of the dumbstruck Ipswich fans, lifting the corner flag out of its socket and raising it aloft high above his head – like a conquering warrior.It was the only sign the 38-year-old had shown of flagging on his big day!And it’s going to be intriguing to see if some manager gives him his wish to spend another year in the Prem next season.On this season’s form he is worth another fling, after he finished the season as the Foxes top scorer with 10 goals in a struggling, relegated team.Leicester’s other goal came from McAteer who took a Wilfred Ndidi pass in his path to lash the ball in at Alex Palmer’s near post.Ndidi was also taken off near the end to take the acclaim of the fans on his final appearance for the Foxes.He did his bit, setting up 23-year-old McAteer for his first-ever Premier League goal.Read More on The SunThe winger only needs another 144 to match Vardy’s Premier League tally! Good luck with that one mate. 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    West Ham 1 Nottingham Forest 2: Champions League race goes down to the wire thanks to Gibbs-White and Milenkovic goals

    SO, WILL IT be glamour visits to the San Siro or Nou Camp or long, winding trips to Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands for Nottingham Forest next season?For the first time since March 1996, the club will contest European football but it remains to be seen if it will be in the Champions League, Europa League or the Europa Conference League.Nottingham Forest took their Champions League hopes to the wire with a 2-1 win at West HamCredit: ReutersPlayers paid tribute to Taiwo Awoniyi after his injury woesCredit: GettyEntrance into all three competitions is on the table thanks to this victory over West Ham as Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White benefited from a first-half Alphonse Areola howler and Nikola Milenkovic’s second survived a lengthy VAR check.Dreams of playing Inter Milan or Barcelona in money-spinning ties is a wonderful possibility but the seventh-placed side HAVE to beat Chelsea next Sunday at the City Ground and then hope someone else slips up.It will be quite the bunfight – the only thing of unresolved interest on the final afternoon – and boss Nuno Espirito Santo must pray Forest’s miraculous season ends with Champions League qualification secured.And there will be an anxious wait over the recovery of centre-half Murillo, who played the entire second half despite an ankle knock late in the first 45 minutes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis contest started in fast and frenetic fashion – and both sides could have celebrated goals inside the opening 10 minutes.Less than 120 seconds had elapsed when Vladimir Coufal, who is departing East London this summer, provided an excellent cross for compatriot Tomas Soucek.And the towering Czech midfielder – who is subject of interest from Everton’s David Moyes – drew an exceptional one-handed save off Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.It was one of the best saves of the year and emphasised why Sels deserves such plaudits.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAt the other end, the East Midlanders went close through Gibbs-White and Chris Wood, who normally scores against claret-and-blue opposition, but both attempts were well blocked by Alphonse Areola.The Frenchman was chosen in goal ahead of Lukasz Fabianski, one of four players leaving the club next month when their contracts expire.Taiwo Awoniyi health update with Nottingham Forest star recovering in hospital after emergency abdominal surgeryPolish stopper Fabianski may have turned 40 last month but even at his advanced age, it is unlikely he would have been guilty of such a gaffe that Areola produced on 11 minutes.The short pass from Max Kilman was begging to be booted upfield but Areola unforgivably committed the cardinal sin of passing it directly to Gibbs-White.The England winger could scarcely believe his luck and his seventh goal of the season was probably the easiest one he will have the joy of finishing.Gibbs-White ran off to the corner flag and held up a Forest shirt with ‘9’ on the back – the number worn by forward Taiwo Awoniyi – to pay his respects to his stricken team-mate.Morgan Gibbs-White fired Forest ahead after 11 minutesCredit: ReutersThe goal saw Forest take control of the gameCredit: ReutersDuring the warm-up, Forest’s players all wore white T-shirts with a message on the front that said: “We’re all with you, Taiwo.”The Nigerian is recuperating in hospital having been placed into an induced coma following surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury when he collided into a post.The nature of that injury has led to a serious debate about the laws of the game given that the accident could have been avoided had he been flagged offside earlier.Yet the assistant referee followed the current guidelines and allowed play to continue before the incident occurred late on in the 2-2 draw with Leicester.They doubled their lead in the 61st minute after a lengthy VAR checkCredit: PANikola Milenkovic took credit for the strikeCredit: ReutersAn eerily similar situation occurred on 19 minutes here with Jarrod Bowen when the Hammers talisman smashed into one of the posts by mistake.A physio appeared to give him a concussion test and while the captain was permitted to carry on, albeit with a large lump of vaseline above his right eye, the scenes would have brought back awful memories for the travelling contingent.A post came to the savour of West Ham five minutes later as Wood saw his header bounce off the woodwork.Fans that booed off West Ham at half-time were on their feet to pay appreciation for popular full-back Aaron Cresswell who was subbed off and now leaves the club, 11 years after his debut under Sam Allardyce.Minutes after a quadruple substitution from the home side, however, Forest added a second when Milenkovic headed home from Anthony Elanga’s free-kick.Jarrod Bowen scored a consolation strike in the 86th minuteCredit: ReutersIt was too little, too late for the HammersCredit: AFPFor Elanga, it was record-equalling 11th top-flight assist, which draws him level with Bryan Roy’s Premier League club record of 11 from 1994-95.The 61st-minute goal was subject of a SIX-MINUTE VAR check for offside – Nicolas Dominguez’s foot was the issue – but referee Sam Barrott spoke to both managers because the semi-automated offside technology was “not available” according to ref chiefs.It was all very farcical but those Forest fans who had been singing “F*** VAR” were soon praising the tech as they celebrated a first league double over the Hammers since 1983-84.There was a nervy finale when Bowen scored an exceptional volley on 86 minutes and ensured Nuno’s heart would be beating faster, especially during the 11 MINUTES of stoppage-time.Forest held on, despite one of their coaching staff being booked for dissent, various yellow cards following a mass melee, and a crucial save by Sels from a powerful Niclas Fullkrug header in the 102ND-MINUTE to keep their Champions League hopes alive.Read More on The SunMany Hammers fans had decided to stay away, judging by the number of empty seats at the London Stadium.Few stayed on for the lap of appreciation – perhaps that should be a lap of depreciation? – but they will demand major upheaval and significant improvement next season from Graham Potter’s troops. 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