Philippa Kaur

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    ‘No chance now’ – Arsenal fans terrified Arteta will scrap striker transfer chase after Nations League semi-final

    ARSENAL fans are worried that Mikel Arteta could call off their striker search this summer after Mikel Merino continued his fine form in front of goal.Merino, 28, scored once again as he helped Spain reach the Nations League final with an astonishing 5-4 victory over France.Mikel Merino continued his goalscoring formCredit: GettyMerino tucked away a delightful weak-footed finish as Spain ran riot over France in the Nations LeagueCredit: ReutersThe Gunners are crying out for a centre-forward this summer and reports suggest that they will be bringing in a new frontman over the coming months.Arteta’s injury ravaged side forced him to put central midfielder Merino up top for the latter stages of the season.And the former Real Sociedad star, who had never played as a striker before, took the opportunity with both hands – scoring seven goals and registering four assists from February onwards.Now Merino has continued that form with Spain, scoring with a delightful finish on his week foot to help his nation to a dramatic win over France on Thursday night.READ MORE ON ARSENALAs well taken as the goal was, Arsenal fans have been left concerned by the performance – worrying Mikel Arteta will ditch his plans to sign one of Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres in favour of using Merino.On social media, one wrote: “Merino scoring again for Spain. Yeah there’s no chance Arteta buys a striker this summer…”While another added: “I’m happy Merino is scoring… but then again, I don’t want Arteta to start getting any ideas”.A third joked: “What is Mikel Merino doing? Now Mikel Arteta won’t buy a striker.”Most read in FootballMikel Arteta is looking for a new striker for the Gunners this summerCredit: AFPMerino had a superb end to the campaign as a striker for ArsenalJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesAnd a fourth posted: “Who needs Gyokeres?”Reports have suggested that one of Sesko or Gyokeres will be Emirates bound come the end of the summer window.Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UKAs for Merino’s contribution to Spain, he was one of four different scorers for the European champions in a crazy semi-final.A Lamine Yamal brace, and goals from Pedri and Nico Williams piled misery on France who put up a late comeback, but still fell short of Spain’s class.Real Madrid newbie Dean Huijsen was almost on the scoresheet too, but saw his spectacular acrobatic effort ruled out for offside – robbing the 20-year-old of a memorable first goal for the national team.France managed to force a Dani Vivian own goal, a Kylian Mbappe penalty and a jaw-dropping long-range debut goal from Man City-bound Rayan Cherki.While Randal Kolo Muani made it 5-4 in injury time, but it wasn’t enough to undo the damage caused by Spain earlier in the game.Spain will now face Portugal in the Nations League final on Sunday.That match, hosted at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, will see a match up of the past vs the future when Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, and Lamine Yamal, 17, face off for the first ever time.Nico Williams opened the scoring for SpainCredit: GettyPedri was also on the scoresheetCredit: ReutersLamine Yamal bagged a brace for SpainCredit: AFPKylian Mbappe converted from the spot for FranceCredit: AFPRayan Cherki scored a stunning long-range effort on his debut for the French national teamCredit: Reuters More

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    ‘I hate it, hate it’ – Premier League official rages at VAR as referee says ‘we knew the monster that had been created’

    REF Bobby Madley let rip at VAR, insisting its usage means football will never see another Sergio Aguero moment.And Madley slammed Prem chiefs for creating a “monster” that is “ruining” the beautiful game.Referee Bobby Madley has not held back when discussing VARCredit: GettyThe Wakefield-born whistler, 39, who takes charge of EFL games and is a fourth official for top-flight matches, raged: “Most fans weren’t clambering to get video technology.“Players weren’t, referees weren’t, but the multi-million pound people running football had issues with refs getting things wrong.“But we knew the monster that had been created — we knew what was coming.“We’ve got to the stage where people go, ‘Sorry, we’re ruining football with this now’.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere have been a string of controversies since the technology was introduced in 2019.VAR Lee Mason was axed for failing to rule out a Brentford equaliser against title-chasing Arsenal in 2023 after “forgetting” to draw the offside lines.Howard Webb’s ref body, the PGMOL, issued an apology to Liverpool when VAR wrongly ruled out a Luis Diaz goal in a 2-1 loss to Spurs the following season.Aguero’s famous final-game, stoppage-time winner clinched Manchester City’s first title in 2012.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBut at the Cheltenham Science Festival, Madley added: “That Aguero moment, where the ref was blowing, nobody’s flagging, you are never going to see that again.“Because everyone will panic as they check a potential offside 15 seconds ago. VAR takes that emotion away. I hate it, hate it.”New footage sees raging Jude Bellingham KICK VAR monitor in frustration after Real Madrid’s last-gasp defeatVAR: Imagine the future…Martin Lipton’s pro VAR viewFAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker.It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.But it’s OK. Every  one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the  Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you. More

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    Sir Alex Ferguson curse strikes again with two more Man Utd title winners sacked and LEAGUE ONE boss rare success story

    FOOTBALL management, bloody hell — Sir Alex Ferguson made it look so easy that a load of his former Manchester United stars tried it.To say most find it extremely difficult would be an understatement.Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United proteges are not faring very well in managementCredit: GettyMan Utd hero Michael Carrick was sacked by MiddlesbroughCredit: GettyWayne Rooney failed to succeed in various managerial positionsCredit: GettyGary Neville suffered a devastating run at ValenciaCredit: GettyNone of his protegees have come remotely close to what the great Scot managed in his trophy-laden career.Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley are the latest former Fergie apprentices to see their first permanent jobs in English management end with the axe.Ruud van Nistelrooy, dangling by a thread at Leicester, is set to join them.Carrick, 43, showed a lot of early promise — taking Boro to the play-offs in his first full season in 2022-23 after a fourth-placed finish — but lost to Coventry in the semi-finals. Read More on Man UtdHe failed to make the end-of-term Championship lottery in the following two campaigns — and paid for it with Wednesday’s sacking.The Teessiders announced Carrick’s exit in a brief 61-word statement.It was in stark contrast to the relative love letter Watford released to tell the world they had binned Cleverley.Carrick’s former midfield partner, 35, finished his only season as a boss in 14th — not enough to convince the Hornets he deserved a second campaign.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordSporting director Gian Luca Nani wrote: “It has been a privilege to work closely with Tom, to understand how he sees the game and his enthusiasm.“He deserves to be recognised for this and I’m sure he will have a bright future in the game.”’What did he expect?’ – Sir Alex Ferguson looks ‘absolutely disgusted’ in new footage from Man Utd Europa League lossVan Nistelrooy, 48, is still waiting to learn his fate but it would be a surprise at this point if he was not dismissed after taking Leicester down.The Dutchman was one of the greatest goalscorers the Premier League has ever seen after crashing in 150 goals in 219 Red Devils games between 2001 and 2006.So there was a huge irony when his Foxes side failed to net for EIGHT consecutive Prem matches — all of them defeats — between February and April.It all leaves the managerial success stories of Ferguson’s former players looking increasingly thin on the ground.Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville are two of the more disastrous examples.With Rooney’s ill-fated spells at Birmingham and Plymouth and the latter’s Valencia horror show.No one could keep upRoy Keane won Sunderland promotion but his last job was Ipswich in 2011.Blink and you would have missed Paul Scholes’ 31 days managing Oldham.Ryan Giggs’ personal problems look to have kiboshed his coaching ambitions. Jaap Stam got Reading to a play-off final but left the club a year later, while compatriot Robin van Persie’s Heerenveen lost 9-1 to AZ Alkmaar in September — though he is now in charge of Feyenoord.Mark Robins, the man who saved Fergie’s job with a famous FA Cup goal back in 1990, has had a middling start at Stoke after working wonders at Coventry.Phil Neville is in the MLS, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Turkey and Mark Hughes has been relegated to the National League with Carlisle United despite bossing six Prem teams across 18 years.Arguably, the biggest hit is Steve Bruce, in charge of Blackpool and having managed more than 1,000 games — but don’t tell Newcastle fans that.Read More on The SunAnd with 12 years now passing since Fergie retired, the options of his former players who could still turn their talent to management is fast running out.Jonny Evans, released by United this month, is the last remaining player to have appeared during Ferguson’s reign.Former Man Utd ace Tom Cleverley was let go by WatfordCredit: GettyRuud van Nistelrooy is facing the axe at LeicesterCredit: Shutterstock EditorialMan Utd legend Roy Keane hasn’t coached since 2011Credit: Getty More

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    Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend breaks silence since England star boyfriend had bum pinched by bride-to-be

    JUDE BELLINGHAM’s girlfriend has broken cover on social media after the England star’s bum was pinched on holiday.The Real Madrid star was soaking in some sun in Ibiza when he was approached to take some snaps with a group of holidaymakers.Ashlyn Castro broke cover on social media after her man’s bum pinch dramaCredit: Instagram @ashlyncastroJude Bellingham had his bum pinched while posing for photos while on holidayCredit: Shutterstock EditorialAshlyn shared some videos and pics of her enjoying a shopping tripCredit: Instagram @AshlyncastroShe was pictured in a clothing storeCredit: Instagram @AshlyncastroAshyln and Bellingham started dating earlier this yearCredit: InstagramOne woman, who appeared to be on a hen-do wearing a bride’s veil, grabbed Bellingham’s backside as they had their picture taken.And days after the 21-year-old’s bum pinch drama, his girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, has made her first social media post since the incident.Taking to Instagram on Thursday evening, the stunning model and influencer released a collection of four images and pictures.The first saw her standing in a room filled with furniture and a bizarre-looking bit of wall decor.READ MORE ON WAGSAshlyn herself was seen in a black and grey jacket paired with light blue shorts.Next up was a video of Ashlyn taking a series of selfies while riding in the back seat of a cab, as she made a number of different faces, ranging from pouting kisses to smiling.The second image in the post was one of these selfies, with the 27-year-old opting for one showing her with a straight face.Her final addition to the post was a mirror selfie of her appearing to be in a clothes store while she was holding a handbag and wearing the multi-coloured jacket and blue shorts seen earlier. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFans gushed over the American’s post in the comments.Reality TV star Giuliana Rancic said: “Really so beautiful.”Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend Ashlyn Castro releases emotional statement on relationship history Social media personality Honeybthatsme added a trio of fire emojis.Another fan said: “Always stylish and fashionable.”A second fan added: “Beautiful.”Ashlyn, originally from Los Angeles, has more than 532,000 followers on Instagram.Bellingham was revealed to be dating her in January following a string of dates.The stunning brunette has previously been romantically linked to US basketball star Terance Mann, actor Michael B. Jordan and LaMelo Ball.But in March, she was forced to release a video debunking rumours about her dating life.In the statement, she claimed that she has only had three boyfriends and that people have “made up” a lot of things about her.Ashlyn also debunked false claims she was in another country with a potential partner and one that suggested she was on a boat when it was not even her.Taking to TikTok, Bellingham’s beau said: “I don’t even know where to begin, but I’m going to try my best to just get into it.”It makes me super uncomfortable talking on camera about my personal life. I’ve never even really spoken on camera too many times, so bear with me.”Every angle you can think of, people have attacked me, harassed me, been so disrespectful. It’s just been too much.”Let’s talk about this dating history. I’ve had three boyfriends over the last eight years.”In 2017, I was in my very first relationship and he’s a public figure, so because of that, I’ve dealt with people talking about me, making up things about me.Read More on The Sun”There was nothing on the internet about me prior, so people kind of just made up a bunch of things to justify hating me because of who I was dating at the time.”And then over the last six years after that, I’ve dated two people. So three relationships in total.” More

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    Staggering monthly fee Prem aces pay for luxury online butler service offering private jets, hotels & shopping revealed

    PREMIER League stars are signing up to a luxury £1,700-a-month online butler service offering private jets, hotels and shopping.The app promises “exclusive lifestyle management for football elites” including help with travel plans, fashion and VIP event tickets.Premier League stars including Joshua Zirkzee are signing up to a luxury £1,700-a-month online butler serviceCredit: GettyThe service offers private jets, hotels, shopping.and moreStars who have downloaded concierge service Amslux include Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch. Man United striker Joshua Zirkzee, new Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and the ex-Bayern Munich ace Thomas Muller have also joined.The Amsterdam firm was founded six years ago by pals Emmanuel Ntow, Ward Struwer and Mitchell Spel.Their most expensive one-off purchase was for a star of Germany’s Bundesliga who asked them to source a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 watch worth £105,000.read more on footballOther requests include handbags worth £20,000 and £10,000 designer trainers.But one anonymous player’s partying ended up in a brush with the law.Emmanuel told The Sun: “A player asked us urgently through Instagram if we could help him with a very difficult last minute request.“He needed a private jet for the next day to Ibiza as all flights were cancelled.Most read in Football“We used all our power to get this done and he was very happy. “A week later when he arrived back from his holiday he asked us to fly two girls in from Ibiza.John Obi Mikel on wild Chelsea nights out in central London and his hilarious friendship with Salomon Kalou“Everything was taken care of but after they landed we were called with a very strange conversation.“He said the girls were not allowed to enter the country because they were being sought by Interpol.”But he said most requests were more straightforward to deal with.Emmanuel said: “We offer personalised travel — whether that’s a secluded private villa, a luxury yacht charter, or a five-star resort.”Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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    Crystal Palace closer than ever to being kicked out of Europe as Man Utd trick to stay in Europa League fails

    CRYSTAL PALACE are facing complete EXPULSION from Europe next season after Uefa rejected a desperate ploy from club shareholders.The Eagles are facing the prospect of not playing in the Europa League, which they qualified for by winning the FA Cup, due to shareholder John Textor owning a stake in French outfit in Lyon.Crystal Palace are facing complete expulsion from Europe next seasonCredit: ALAMYOliver Glasner’s troops may not play any European footall due to shareholders John Textor and David Blizter owning stakes in clubs in the Europa League and Conference LeagueCredit: GETTYAmerican Textor also owns shares in Ligue 1 side LyonCredit: APLyon are also set to feature in the competition having qualified with a sixth-placed finish in the Ligue 1 last season.Uefa rules prohibit anyone from “simultaneously be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition.”The prospect of Palace dropping into the Conference League is also nigh-on impossible as other shareholder David Blizter also has a stake in Danish oufit Brondby, who are set to play in European football’s tertiary club competition next season.In a desperate bid to see the Eagles fly across Europe next season and comply with Uefa rules, Textor and Blizter offered to put their shares in a blind trust.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Uefa chiefs have REJECTED the offer, leaving Palace’s proposed European adventure next season in limbo.The proposal was rejected as Palace missed the registration deadline to submit it.Had it been approved, a blind trust would’ve seen a group of trustees take control of Textor’s shares in Palace for the 2025/26 season.English clubs aren’t strangers to utilising blind trusts so as not to fall afoul of Uefa rules.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJohn Textor is willing to sell his Palace shares to ensure they can play in Europe next seasonCredit: X / OLManchester City and Manchester United utilised blind trusts last season as sister clubs Girona and Nice both qualified for the Champions League and Europa League respectively.Palace held crunch talks with Uefa to try to resolve the potentially devastating issue earlier this week.How Crystal Palace outsmarted Man City in FA Cup finalAnd the meeting on the shores of Lake Geneva ended up in Textor putting his shares in the south London club up for sale.He told The Daily Mail: “Look, all of the UK knows that I don’t have decisive influence over Palace. It was a good meeting.”They listened and we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t be trying to sell (his stake) if I did.”Textor, 59, added: “”We are trying to help separate it and sell.”We wanted to buy but it’s become clear that isn’t going to happen and so we’re trying to help Palace and the situation with UEFA.”That’s about all I can say.” More

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    The Premier League clubs most at risk of PSR rule breaks as Man Utd’s summer transfer spree is explained

    PREMIER LEAGUE fans are looking forward to seeing their clubs splash out on new signings over the summer.Every fan wants to know how much money their club can spend, but some teams will have to be more careful than others.Premier League CEO Richard Masters and his team will be taking a keen look at every club’s financesCredit: GettyRuben Amorim and Manchester United look to be safe from PSR breachesCredit: GettyWith the end of the 2024/25 accounting period for 15 of the 20 top-flight clubs on the horizon, intrigue about clubs’ financial situations is growing.The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) dictate that every club is allowed to record a maximum loss of £105m over a three-year rolling period.Those figures exclude spending on certain areas of the club such as investments in youth development, women’s football and infrastructure, but are the limits for the majority of spending.Breaching those rules can result in hefty points deductions and fines – as evidenced by Everton’s two points penalties during the 2023/24 seasonREAD MORE IN FOOTBALLNow The Athletic have figured out an estimate for just how much wiggle room each team has to avoid a PSR breach – outlining the figure each club can afford to register in pre-tax losses across the 2024/25 season.The estimates are good news of Manchester United, who many thought would be in dire financial straits after missing out on European football for the first time since 2015.It’s estimated that United can lose over £140million, perhaps explaining their decision to splash out on Matheus Cunha already and their plans for a move for Bryan Mbeumo.That surprisingly large figure is born out United’s PSR position being calculated using the accounts of Red Football Limited (RFL), rather than Manchester United PLC.Most read in FootballMan Utd are keen on signing Bryan MbeumoCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover costs are not included in RFL’s accountsCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRFL, which is a subsidiary of PLC, posts significantly smaller losses than the PLC company as a whole – partly because it does not include any costs borne by the PLC as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover.While it also benefits from the structuring of loans within the Manchester Untied Group as a whole.Bruno Fernandes reveals role his wife played in £200m Al-Hilal transfer snub even though Man Utd were ready to cash inRFL’s pre-tax loss across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons was £55.1m, and United’s loss limit across the three-year PSR cycle is £105m following Ratcliffe’s injections of equity in 2024.United are considered as “safe” from PSR punishment by The Athletic, alongside a whole host of other top clubs. Perhaps shockingly, mega-spenders Chelsea are thought to have the biggest margin for loss – boasting a £300m safety blanket despite splashing out on signings in recent seasons.The intra-group sales of hotels, car parks and their OWN women’s team have allowed the Blues to keep their books in a positive place – as shown by their early spending on Liam Delap.Brighton, Man City and Tottenham are all also thought to have in excess of £275m of breathing space.Arsenal, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are thought to be safe too, with each club having over £85m worth of space to lose.Newcastle United, Leeds, Everton and Burnley are all thought to be in slightly riskier positions, but should be fine if they approach things carefully.While Aston Villa are the only club who are at serious risk of facing PSR punishment with just £15m of allowable losses.Read More on The SunVilla, who missed out on Champions League football on the final day of the season, have lost £206.2million pre-tax in the past two seasons, the highest deficit in the Premier League in that time.Unai Emery’s team will have to sell this summer if they want to avoid a breach, with missing out on the Champions League hitting their accounts big time.Chelsea have signed Liam DelapCredit: GettyUnai Emery’s Aston Villa are at risk of a breachCredit: Shutterstock Editorial More

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    David Coote produced an admirable act of humility as picture of shamed ref working as Evri delivery driver went viral

    BIZARRELY, David Coote’s former career as a Premier League referee will stand him in good stead as a delivery driver.He’ll be dealing with two yellows every working day, just as before.Former Premier League referee David Coote has taken on a new career as an Evri delivery driverCoote fell from grace after a video leaked showing him ranting against Jurgen KloppCredit: PAOnly instead of cards, it’s those two thick, emulsioned lines by the roadside where he swings his Evri van in front of a school entrance and slaps on the hazard lights before dumping a poly-wrapped, fake Nike top from China on the wrong doorstep.What a come-down for the man who took charge of a Wembley final involving Manchester United and Newcastle only two years ago.Equally, what an admirable act of humility and courage by someone who brought shame upon himself and his profession but, as he says so himself, “is trying to move forwards and regain a sense of purpose and responsibility”.When one of football’s most promising officials was captured on video, slurring his way through a foul-mouthed rant at Jurgen Klopp, it was easy to dismiss him as another pompous and pumped-up symbol of the Premier League era.Read More on FootballBut as this fascinating story unfolds, Coote more and more is morphing into its victim as opposed to its perpetrator.By labelling Klopp a German c*** and snorting cocaine to earn a 16-month ban, he let himself down.But maybe he did so as a release from the relentless pressure heaped upon him as a referee at the top level of our national game.At first Coote appears as a p****d-up prima donna, showing off in what he believed was the assured privacy of intimate surroundings with friends, having a pop at Liverpool’s manager because he could.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt’s some fall from officiating the 2023 Carabao Cup final to haring around his home county of Nottinghamshire dropping off parcels part-time for minimum or living wage.But having been sacked by his paymasters at the PGMOL, the fact he is not too proud to take any job to get back on his feet suggests a person ready to pay their penance.Shamed Ref David Coote EXCLUSIVE on death threats, coke battle & coming out | The SunIt’s not just the animated reaction of Klopp that is to blame.There are 20 unexploded bombs like him managing in the Premier League because they are under enormous  pressure, too.Klopp’s heated exchange at Coote after Liverpool did not get a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Burnley is just one example of the dozens that litter every season.Every decision referees make is under more scrutiny than ever before.Whether that’s the fault of TV’s ever intrusive coverage or that there is silly money involved in men’s football today is irrelevant. It’s how life is.I imagine Thomas Bramall, the latest referee to be walking around with a target on his back for blowing his whistle too quickly in Aston Villa’s final-day defeat at Man Utd is starting to understand the reality of life as a top-class ref.Reality of life as a top-class refThe intricacies of his mistake are too complicated to explain in one column but it’s fair to say he cocked up.In their defence, Villa were largely restrained in their vocal reaction despite lodging a formal complaint, as is their right.The wider criticism has been astonishing and whether justified or not, young referee Bramall is being painted a pretty grim picture of what’s in store if he stays in his job.It’s patently obvious by what’s happened to Coote that it’s an alarmingly quick process to plummet from the heights of running a showpiece final in front of 90,000 fans to becoming a delivery boy.But while it’s tempting to feel sorry for him, we should not.We should instead give credit to a bloke who made a mistake and is now trying to put it behind him without crying out for pity.And perhaps reflect on the foundations of fury that can make referees crumble so spectacularly as he did.Besides, dealing with frothing managers day in, day out who feel totally wronged by even the slightest thing that goes against them is actually the perfect training for becoming a white van man.Try pulling out on him at a T-junction.************MILLIE BRIGHT’S shock withdrawal from the Euro 2025 squad reminds of one thing.Women look after themselves better than men, physically and mentally.They tend to be braver than men too when it comes to knowing their limits.It takes courage to pull out of an international tournament — especially when England are defending their European crown.The 31-year-old Chelsea defender admits she had to fight off her ego to make the call.That is something men rarely do enough of, overcome primeval urges and make a decision in favour of their own well-being at the top level of sport.Too many would lose that battle with their own psyche. Pull out and you are still considered a loser among the boys.Bright is a winner for thinking of things more important than football.****************INGESTING biometric tablets to record things like stress levels from the inside is both fascinating and horrifying.England’s players have been doing this under boss Thomas Tuchel’s instruction as they prepare for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra.Now, I have no idea if these tablets are single-use, and I don’t really want to ask anyone at the Football Association for the details either.But if not, just picture the scene 24 hours after swallowing — when what goes in must come out.Lots of Premier League stars peering down between hairy legs on the loo.And who on earth has the job of washing them?Or maybe each player has his own, complete with initials — like ‘HK’ for Harry Kane — to avoid unpleasant mix-ups. Yuk.********IN the final scene of The Empire Strikes Back, the rebel fleet disperses as Luke Skywalker and pals head for different galaxies at the speed of light.The break-up of Bournemouth’s over-achieving squad this summer has a similar ring to it.Read More on The SunFirst Dean Huijsen heads to Real Madrid, now Milos Kerkez looks bound for Liverpool. Newcastle are eyeing Dango Ouattara.Pretty soon the gallant band of brothers — which beat  Arsenal (twice) and Nottingham Forest, also coming close to European qualification  — will be splintered across the football cosmos, leaving Cherries manager Andoni Iraola standing alone like Obi-Wan Kenobi. More