Philippa Kaur

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    Ruben Amorim says sacked ex-Man Utd boss is doing a better job than him following horror start at Old Trafford

    RUBEN AMORIM admits former Manchester United boss David Moyes is doing a better job than him.The Scot has sent Everton bouncing up the Prem in his  second stint in charge, with four wins in six games since replacing Sean Dyche in January.Ruben Amorim has admitted that former Manchester United boss David Moyes is doing a better job than himCredit: ReutersMoyes has endured a great manager bounce with EvertonCredit: RexBy contrast, Amorim takes his United side to Goodison on Saturday lunchtime on a nightmare run of eight Prem defeats in 12 games.Portuguese boss Amorim said: “The simple thing is that David Moyes is doing a better job than me.“It’s quite simple, small things like winning one game, winning two games, that belief. “The pressure is not the same but we have to give merit to the players of Everton and especially to the coach of Everton.”READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSIt is highly unusual for a manager to make such an admission.Moyes’ last game as United boss was at Goodison on April 20, 2014 — a 2-0 defeat eight months after succeeding the legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson.He was sacked two days later.This weekend’s meeting will be the first since then that 15th-placed United have played Everton, who are 14th, while being beneath them in the table.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMoyes lived to regret moving to Old Trafford but Amorim says he has no such feelings  — yet.The ex-Sporting Lisbon boss wanted to succeed Erik ten Hag in the summer but part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team made it clear to him in November that is was now or never.Ruben Amorim apologises to Christian Eriksen for ‘misunderstanding’ after comments about Man Utd star’s heart situation Since then there have been only nine wins from 21 games in all competitions and Amorim admitted his stars have struggled to cope with his 3-4-3  system.He even blasted it was “the worst” team in United’s history.Amorim will have Christian Eriksen, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte back from injury as he looks to halt the slide.He said: “When you hear  four wins in my 14 league games for  Manchester United, you get really frustrated and angry.“But let’s move on and we can change that in the next game.”Moyes will not treat this game differently to any other.He said: “I faced them a lot when I was manager of West Ham, so it’s another game.“It’s a great football club but my job is to try to beat them.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, United were handed a tricky Europa League last-16 tie against Spain’s Real Sociedad.Amorim said: “If I focus on the games against Real Sociedad and think about trophies, it is not the right way to do my job.” More

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    Politicians are bad at running trains, building cars & installing phones – why would they be better at running football?

    THERE are plenty of things wrong with this country. Our schools, trains and courts are underperforming.The Football Governance Bill is a prime example of unnecessary regulation by politicians seeking to showcase their man-of-the-people credentialsCredit: GettyNo foreign equivalent comes close to the popularity of the Premier League, which is watched by an incredible two billion people all over the worldCredit: GettyWhy tinker with what is working well? Why regulate something that, without ­regulation, has become England’s most popular export?Many civil servants have not bothered to return to the office. Our healthcare system is pitied around Europe.But our football leagues are world-beating.No foreign equivalent comes close to the popularity of the Premier League, which is watched by an incredible two billion people all over the world.Indeed, not only is the ­Premier League the most ­popular in the world; the lower tier English Football League is sixth.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWhy tinker with what is working well? Why regulate something that, without ­regulation, has become England’s most popular export?The Football Governance Bill, currently in its final stage in Parliament, is a textbook example of needless and ­meddlesome regulation by politicians wanting to flaunt their man-of-the-people credentials.Price of failure It is a non-solution to a non-problem which is bound to have unintended consequences. MPs are using a sledgehammer to miss a nut.Most read in FootballThe new law will create a new ­regulator with 250 staff. (So much for Keir Starmer’s claim that we should focus on growth.)Those staff will be able to tell clubs where they play, in what strip and on what terms.Unify League explained after European Super League launches again in new format They will even be able to commandeer some of their assets to give to other clubs.This is more shocking than people realise.It won’t be long before the state is telling clubs what they must do in terms of gender quotas, Net Zero, ticket prices — you name it. It is one thing for successful clubs to make voluntary ­“parachute payments” to those facing relegation. It is quite another for the Government to help itself to their cash.Regulators never offer to reduce their role. They always want more power. It won’t be long before the state is telling clubs what they must do in terms of gender quotas, Net Zero, ticket prices — you name it.To what problem is this measure a ­solution? Are our clubs facing ruin? Far from it.The taxes they generate are bigger than the employer National ­Insurance rise, the extension of VAT, the farm estate tax and the scrapping of Winter Fuel ­Payments combined.English clubs are successful precisely because the price of failure is high.Two events are cited by ­supporters of the law. One did not happen at all and the other was much less of a problem than is claimed.The one that did not happen was the proposal for a European Super League in 2021, a breakaway group of 20 top clubs, six of them English.Among other things, it is now proposed that clubs should monitor the diversity of their season ticket holders. There was a backlash, and the idea was dropped within weeks.But not before MPs had jumped on the Something Must Be Done bandwagon.The one that did happen was the bankruptcy of Bury FC, which was ­traumatic for many in the town.But Bury is still playing at the same ground and in the same colours — albeit as a new legal entity that must work its way back up from the lower leagues. All that happened without any regulator. Indeed, of all the teams that were in the ­Football League in the Sixties, not one has disappeared.Is one case really enough to justify handing control to the government? Apparently so.The financial collapse of Rangers in 2012 might seem a bigger deal but ­Scotland is outside the scope of this Bill and, in any case, the Gers have also climbed back.The legislation started life under the Conservatives, and has been beefed up by Labour since the election.Create problemsAmong other things, it is now proposed that clubs should monitor the diversity of their season ticket holders.Of course it is. This is how all ­regulators operate.They start with a limited role — in this case, stopping the financial collapse of a club — and end up extending their powers across the board.Let me make a prediction. This regulation will fail in its own terms, creating more problems than it solves.If MPs think that fans are angry now about the occasional rogue proprietor, just wait until they see the relative decline of English football and turn their anger, not against the occasional absentee owner, but against the ­politicians who foisted the ­system on them.The worst sequence in politics goes like this: “Something must be done. This is something. Let’s do this.”READ MORE SUN STORIESPoliticians were bad at ­operating trains, building cars and installing telephones. What makes them think they’ll be any better at running football?Bury FC’s bankruptcy was traumatic for the town, but the club was ultimately saved by fans – not meddling politiciansCredit: AlamyAmong other things, it is now proposed that clubs should monitor the diversity of their season ticket holders.Credit: AFP or licensors More

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    Leicester 0 Brentford 4: Woeful Foxes set embarrassing Premier League record as Bees run riot at King Power

    IF YOU wanted confirmation that Leicester City are heading back to the Championship  — this was it.Ruud van Nistelrooy’s beaten Foxes became the first team in top-flight history to suffer SIX defeats in a row at home in the same season without scoring a single goal during the run.Leicester lost their sixth home match in a row without scoring a goalCredit: PABrentford won 4-0 at the King PowerCredit: GettyPressure is building on Ruud van NistelrooyCredit: ReutersThis was just all too easy for Brentford, who were three goals up before the break.And the crowd reaction was predictable as fans turned on the club’s board again after the Foxes’ season went from bad to worse.Some supporters were leaving their seats before the half-hour mark as Brentford scored at will and had an effort disallowed for Keane Lewis-Potter’s handball.Quite where this leaves the club now is unclear.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSurvival is still possible — but not with this kind of chaotic defending.It is difficult to see where Leicester’s next win is coming from.But, tellingly, fans are not yet calling for Van Nistelrooy’s head, although he is no better than previous manager Steve Cooper, who was sacked to make way for the Dutchman.Supporters want change — in particular director of football Jon Rudkin, who has been targeted continually from the stands.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnother managerial change would seem pointless with this squad, so Van Nistelrooy will have to beat the odds if Leicester are to stay up.By the end of the game, the storm clouds were gathering at the King Power Stadium as heavy rain fell, which pretty much summed up the state Leicester are in at the moment.Arsenal post new footage of Mikel Merino goal… but supporters are more interested in what Leicester fans are doingBut the Bees’ dominance cannot be ignored and summed up their run of form away from home.This was a fourth win in a row on the road for Thomas Frank’s side — and they are unbeaten in five away trips.Ironically, Leicester started well and could have had two goals in the first five minutes.Keeper Mark Flekken had to save well from Woyo Coulibaly, on his full debut, and skipper Jamie Vardy after a pacy break from the Foxes legend. But that was as good as it got for Leicester as Frank’s men picked them off.Brentford took a 17th-minute lead when Boubakary Soumare lost the ball and Mikkel Damsgaard floated a pass through for Yoane Wissa to score from inside the six-yard box.Vardy brought another save from Flekken but Brentford were two up after 27 minutes thanks to a superb finish from Bryan Mbeumo from the edge of the area.A few Foxes fans chanted, “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” and their mood was not improved as the Bees added a third five minutes later.Mbeumo’s free-kick was lifted into the mix and Christian Norgaard headed in.Coulibaly’s frustration boiled over as he wiped out Norgaard with a reckless tackle but only a received a yellow card.He was lucky not to see red and Van Nistelrooy took him off at half-time. Brentford could have had more — Kristoffer Ajer headed against the post and Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen stopped Wout Faes from scoring an own goal.There were ironic cheers from home fans after 55 minutes when the ineffective Jordan Ayew was replaced by Facundo Buonanotte.Hermansen pulled off an excellent save from sub Yehor Yarmoliuk’s header but the Bees’ fourth finally arrived with two minutes left.Mbeumo’s effort was saved but sub Fabio Carvalho forced the ball over the line — sparking angry words between keeper Hermansen and team-mate Soumare.READ MORE SUN STORIESBy the end, thousands of Leicester supporters had left the stadium with the faithful Bees singing “we’ve got more fans than you” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning”.And as Frank’s men coasted to an impressive win, Van Nistelrooy looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders as he trudged back to the dressing room.Yoane Wissa bundled in the opener for the BeesCredit: AlamyBryan Mbeumo curled home for 2-0Credit: RexChristian Norgaard headed in the third on 32 minutesCredit: RexFabio Carvalho wrapped up the win with a fourth just before the endCredit: RexIt could have been worse as Keane Lewis-Potter had a goal ruled out for handball and the Bees hit the postCredit: ReutersWissa and Mbeumo linked up once againCredit: ReutersPlenty of fans walked out earlyCredit: PAVan Nistelrooy is not having things his own wayCredit: ReutersLeicester are enduring a nightmare run of formCredit: PA More

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    ‘I’ve left there with a mural’ – Wilfried Zaha has no regrets over Crystal Palace exit despite two failed transfers

    WILFRIED ZAHA has no regrets as he embarks on his American adventure in Charlotte.The Crystal Palace legend, 32, is now a Major League Soccer player following two years on the move.Wilfried Zaha is starting his journey with MLS side Charlotte FCCredit: CHARLOTTE FCZaha scored ten goals for Turkish giants Galatasaray after leaving the Eagles on a free transfer in 2023, before heading out to Lyon in France for the first half of this season where he made only six appearances.Having cut that loan short he has landed in MLS, convinced by Charlotte boss Dean Smith to make the switch to North Carolina.The Ivory Coast international admits things did not work out after leaving Palace, where he played 458 times and is the club’s third-highest appearance-maker behind Jim Cannon and Terry Long.However, he is convinced he is still the same player who earned himself a mural on the side of a house next to Selhurst Park.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLForward Zaha joined the Eagles academy at the age of eight and went on to have a stunning career with them, scoring 68 of his 90 goals for the South London side in the Premier League after making his first-team debut in March 2010.He said: “It doesn’t stop my journey. I’ve left Palace and I left Palace in a good way. I’ve played for a childhood club, I’ve left there with a mural.“I feel like there’s nothing more I could have done really.“I’ve gone to Turkey, I’ve managed to play Champions League, score a Champions League goal. So I’m just ticking boxes of things that I’ve wanted to do from a child.Most read in FootballZaha was honoured with a mural at Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyThe star scored 90 goals and registered 52 assists in 458 games for PalaceCredit: AFPCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I’ve managed to do that and things happen. All I can do is just keep my head down and just keep on working. I was in Turkey, it didn’t work out with Gala.“It didn’t work out with Lyon. It doesn’t stop me. I’m still thinking I’m still the player that I am and if I get the opportunity, I’m going to show it every time.Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell completes loan transfer to Crystal Palace“These are just experiences that make me who I am, make me stronger. So it’s a thing where it happens, I move on from it and do the best that I can.“I have come in here to score goals and try to win stuff. I set myself incredibly high standards. So when I do speak, people will actually listen because I show you an example by what I do. “Going into the season, I want to try to score as many goals as I can. That’s what I mean by my own history here.”After a couple of difficult years, there is some hope Charlotte can offer the feeling that Palace did when Zaha returned from his failed move to Manchester United.Speaking about the last two years, he added: “I don’t really have any animosity. It is what it is. I’m only going to give back the love that you give me.“If you give me love and give me the opportunity to repay you, then I’ll do that. It just hasn’t worked out over there.“I’ve come here, I’ve been welcomed, I’ve been shown so much love. All I can do is repay you on the pitch. That’s what I’m here to do.”Zaha had seen little of MLS before being approached by former Aston Villa and Brentford manager Smith at a London hotel last year about a potential move.Former Palace team-mate Christian Benteke won the Golden Boot at DC United last season, and Zaha started watching the odd game following the Belgian’s switch.Zaha’s former Crystal Palace teammate Christian Benteke is now playing in the MLSCredit: ReutersThe D.C. United striker finished top scorer last season, ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis SuarezCredit: APHe has also been swatting up on his new pals, including ex-Burnley man Ashley Westwood, by watching YouTube clips.Having Smith and Westwood at the club was an attraction, and the winger also consulted Palace’s American defender, Chris Richards.Zaha added: “I’ve tuned in a bit more because of my friend Christian Benteke. The standard is definitely getting a lot better. So many players are coming here and the world is paying attention.“I was on YouTube just watching the Charlotte games. So I was just seeing what the team’s like and positives and stuff like that.”While he is Stateside, Zaha will also be keeping an eagle eye on AFC Croydon Athletic — the non-league club he part-owns with rapper Stormzy.Croydon won promotion to the eighth tier — the Isthmian League South East Division — in their first season at the helm.READ MORE SUN STORIESBefore Zaha begins the MLS campaign with Charlotte at Seattle Sounders in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time — and looks forward to tangling with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami next month — he needs to find some clobber!Zaha, who is staying in a Charlotte hotel, said: “I’m scrambling with clothes right now. That’s what I’m waiting for. My clothes — and my family, that’s about it. I’m good to go.”Zaha co-owns AFC Croyden Athletic with rapper StormzyCredit: Getty More

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    How Bukayo Saka’s injury has wrecked Arsenal’s famous corner routines as Declan Rice stat revealed

    IN the Dubai heat back in January 2024, Arsenal stumbled upon Declan Rice’s red-hot corner-taking prowess.Following his £105m summer move from West Ham, midfielder Rice took just three Prem corners in 20 appearances to start the 2023-24 campaign before the club’s mid-season trip to the Middle East on January 8.Declan Rice’s corner delivery is in the spotlightCredit: GettyBukayo Saka’s perfect crosses are a thing of the past with the England and Arsenal star out injuredCredit: GettyArsenal worked on corners during their warm-weather training camp in DubaiCredit: GettyAfter a dismal run of one win in five over the festive period, the winter sunshine was the catalyst for Arsenal’s impressive run-in of 16 wins and a draw from their last 18 league matches.Ultimately, still falling short on the final day, finishing two points off champions Manchester City.An added and unexpected bonus of that Dubai camp was Gunners set-piece guru Nicolas Jover discovering and honing Rice’s wand of a right foot from dead-ball situations, specifically corners.What caught Jover’s eye was Rice’s consistency of placement and the rare ability to vary his delivery style — from his looped curlers to the back post to more direct near-post drillers.READ MORE ON ARSENALGunners manager Mikel Arteta said: “Declan has been there since we decided to use him because of his unbelievable deliveries. He is so consistent.“We have scored a lot of goals. That curve, that level, is impossible to maintain. We knew it would fluctuate so we have to improve again.”From January 20, 2024 to the end of the season, Rice took 44 Prem corners, producing four assists in wins against Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham. It was that 6-0 thumping of his former Hammers on February 11, 2024 that really stood out.Most read in FootballSaka managed three assists from 50 corners in the Premier League before his injury this seasonRice has been far less effective from corners this seasonCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRice’s corner saw William Saliba open the scoring and his free-kick was headed in by Gabriel, not to mention a curling worldie of his own to wrap things up against his old chums in East London.Arsenal had found their secret weapon. With Rice’s deliveries from the left and Bukayo Saka’s from the right, they ended the 2023-24 campaign with a joint Prem record of 16 goals from 265 corners.Champions League last 16 draw sees Liverpool take on PSG and Arsenal face PSV That is an average of seven corners per game and one goal every 16 corners. In short, a near-guarantee of goals.But 12 months on from that London Stadium battering, in another title race, with West Ham the opponents again on Saturday, Arsenal’s dead-ball bullies have gone quiet.There is no need for panic. Arteta’s men remain top of the Prem’s corner tally this term with ten goals from 162 taken — four more than nearest challengers Aston Villa, and of Saka’s ten league assists, three have come from corners.But Arsenal’s fearsome aura has faded in recent weeks, especially after Saka tore his hamstring at Crystal Palace on December 21.With Saka out until at least mid-March, the responsibility has fallen on Rice. The variety they once had that saw opposition defenders scrambling is missing.Saka would loft one to the back post for an incoming Gabriel from the right, and moments later Rice would fizz another to the near post for a flick-on — a delivery that on average is half a foot lower.The numbers have also taken a hit. Since April 2024, Rice has registered just one Prem assist from corners.In fact, the midfielder has just one assist from 69 corners taken this term — and no assists from the 21 he has taken since Saka went under the knife.Rice has been unfortunate not to have more assists — his delivery in the 1-1 draw at Fulham on December 8 was tapped in by Saliba AFTER Kai Havertz had helped it on.And Arsenal’s last goal from a corner on January 15 — from yet another Rice delivery — went down as a Dominic Solanke own goal from Gabriel’s header in the 2-1 home victory over Tottenham.But since then, 30 Prem corners have come and gone in games against Aston Villa, Wolves, Manchester City and Leicester with nothing for touchline prowlers Arteta or Jover to wildly celebrate.Ten points from a possible 12 in that run should not be sniffed at, especially with Arsenal’s injury crisis, but with Rice off the set-piece boil and Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard struggling to replicate Saka’s corner routines, Arteta will be wanting more.The Gunners were back in Dubai this month with set-pieces on the agenda.Ironically, it was a corner drill that saw German striker Havertz attempt to block a shot and pick up a season-ending hamstring injury out there.Arteta has been routinely mocked for his Tony Pulis-esque approach.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut the Spaniard knows that with no recognised centre-forward and a real lack of attacking fluidity, corners could be their best bet in chasing down leaders Liverpool and keeping their title dreams alive.Rice’s right foot will be in the spotlight more than ever.Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has transformed the club’s cornersCredit: GettyMikel Arteta will be hoping Declan Rice is able to find his man in the box a little more in the title run-inCredit: Getty More

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    £45m Premier League star reveals he spends summers working as a farmer four thousand miles away

    MATHYS TEL has revealed his farming pastime — as Tottenham prepare to take on the Tractor Boys.The 19-year-old, signed on loan from Bayern Munich for the rest of the season, was born in Paris but his family hails from Guadeloupe.Mathys Tel has revealed his love for farming with his family in GuadeloupeTel joined Tottenham on a six-month loan from Bayern Munich in JanuaryTel goes over to the French colony in the Caribbean every year to see them.And the striker — whose side face Ipswich at Portman Road on Saturday —  is happy to get his hands dirty helping his grandpa out with growing fruit and vegetables.The France Under-21 star said: “That’s my country. My parents and my sister come from there. I was born in a small part of Paris.“Every year I go — one week, two weeks  — but I need to go there, for myself, for my confidence.READ MORE TOTTENHAM NEWS“Just to see my father happy, my little cousin happy, it brings me a lot of energy.“I help out my grandfather with agriculture.“I take some gloves and big shoes, so that’s good!“It doesn’t matter where I play my football, you have to be humble.  That’s why I go to Guadeloupe to see my family whenever I can.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTel ended up being one of the most exciting transfers of the January window.He completed a deadline-day loan move from Bayern to Spurs, who hold a £45million option to sign him permanently.Spurs fans hold sit-in protest against board and owenrs after Man Utd winGiven Spurs’ horror injury crisis since November – Tel was thrown straight into the deep end in North London.Despite being a Tottenham player for only 21 days, the teen has already played three times.He was subbed on during the club’s 4-0 Carabao Cup second leg defeat at Anfield and started in their 2-1 FA Cup exit to Aston Villa.The forward was then handed a full Prem debut in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday. More

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    Leicester vs Brentford LIVE SCORE: Premier League updates as Foxes look to climb out of bottom three – latest

    LEICESTER welcome Brentford to the King Power Stadium for a huge Premier League clash on Friday Night Football.The Foxes can climb out of the bottom three with a win as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side look to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.Brentford sit comfortably in midtable, but victory this evening could ignite their aspirations for a spot in Europe next season.Kick off time: 8pm GMTTV channel: Sky Sports Premier LeagueLive stream: NOW/Sky Sports appLeicester team: Hermansen, Coulibaly, Okoli, Faes, Kristiansen, Soumare, Ndidi, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid, Ayew, Vardy.Brentford team: Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard; Mbuemo, Wissa, SchadeCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below… More

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    Next time Jude Bellingham wants to launch X-rated rant at referee he should copy former Wimbledon champion instead

    FIERCE criticism of referees is practically a national habit, either in stadiums or at the TV.And why not? If we wish to send hot air at such targets and without much chance of reprisal, well, good luck to us.Jude Bellingham was sent off and handed a two-match suspension for his outburst towards the referee last weekendCredit: ReutersPity the poor ref, though, because it is as certain as thunder following lightning that some people will go too far.That is what the brain-dead do when they utter death threats at referees or spit out racial slurs.The question is what is the difference between fair criticism and a blurted insult.Did Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham stray too far when he muttered “f*** off” or f*** you” in the direction of referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero? The hugely talented 21-year-old says it was directed at himself.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe ref said it was aimed at him and he had the red card!A Spanish Football Federation panel could have banned him for up to 12 weeks — it ended up being just two.Bellingham is no innocent Brummie abroad. He has been sent off as a Real player once before and should know that while “f*** off” is often aimed at someone’s own failings, it can easily be misunderstood.There is a much bigger aspect to this. On-field reaction to rulings might be generally overlooked. In the real world, not so much.Most read in FootballOfficials are given a tough task to deal with the complaints of playersCredit: ReutersCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNo one expects going to a match to be like attending church, but some of the bile delivered at refs and players is gruesome.Racial abuse must be eradicated, not only is it a short cut to hatred on a major scale but also to violence, mass murder and even war.Jude Bellingham caught ‘humbling’ LaLiga rival who threatened to knock Real Madrid team-mate out ‘in 10 seconds’Football is a physical and highly competitive sport. Surely that should be enough for supporters who like it for those reasons as well as for its immense skill, character and mental toughness.The crucial part of any competition is good refereeing which in many ways is like policing.In football, the job is no 90-minute picnic and there’s never been a ref, copper or judge who got everything right.Most of them understand this and quickly grow a thick skin. But no skin is thick enough to resist threats of physical harm to close relatives or themselves.We all need protection and no one more so than the man or woman who is, as the saying goes, “in the middle”.Key to good order is that at a certain level there must be rights of appeal. High-level football in general does this well and efficiently.Though I must add that what and how a comment was made is definitely an area of contention.Self-blaming language is a part of every sport: There’ll be plenty of it in a rugby scrum and inevitably after a dropped catch at cricket.Nowadays umpires at big matches are blessed with instant access to incidents so errors are as rare as six overthrows.But football is emotional and action never stops: No wonder, then, that VAR can be so controversial.But one sport had an appeal of its own — tennis with John McEnroe v Umpire. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe pleaded “you cannot be serious”. Perfect.It is what Bellingham could say and then get on with the game.John McEnroe would plead ‘you cannot be serious’ when decisions didn’t go his wayCredit: Getty More