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      Man City’s hearing over 115 alleged Premier League financial rule breaches CONCLUDED as D-day edges closer

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      THE hearing into the Premier League’s charges against Manchester City has concluded, according to reports. City were slapped with a whopping 115 charges over alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules back in February.Manchester City were hit with 115 charges of alleged Financial Fair Play breaches last yearCredit: GETTYThe hearing into the club’s alleged breaches of FFP rules began in SeptemberCredit: GETTYThe Premier League and City have completed their closing arugmentsCredit: PACity have vehemently denied the charges and have been fighting their corner at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre since mid-September.But according to reports, the hearing has come to a close.That’s according to The Daily Mail, who claim both parties have made their closing arguments.A three-man panel will now go away and deliberate the evidence before delivering the verdict anticipated around the world.READ MORE ON MAN CITYBut it won’t come any time soon due to the sheer scale of the evidence involved.It could take MONTHS before the Premier League giants learn their fate.City’s alleged rule breaking is said to have taken place over a 14-YEAR period.They were initially hit with 115 charges, although they were increased to 130 following an an administration issue.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY began the season as favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.City have been accused of failing to accurately report their finances over a nine-year period from 2009-10 and 2017-18.It’s also alleged they failed to provide all the details about former manager Roberto Mancini’s pay packets between 2009-10 and 2012-13.Pep Guardiola responds to ‘sacked in the morning’ chants at Anfield from Liverpool fans The charges also relate to their alleged failure to disclose full player salaries between 2010-11 and 2015-16.In addition to their alleged financial wrongdoings, City have been accused of failing to co-operate with the Prem’s investigation.The investigation only began after the material alleging the club’s breach of the rules was published in Germanmagazine Der Spiegel in 2018.If found guilty, City could be hit with huge financial penalties and a points deducation.They could also be RELEGATED if they’re found to have committed the most serious charges.The club will likely appeal any verdict which doesn’t go their way, meaning the final decision may not be made until the end of NEXT SEASON.City have repeatedly denied the allegations since they were first published and recently stated they have “irrefutable evidence” to exonerate themselves on any wrongdoing.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Etihad club have stated they’re looking “forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”Pep Guardiola’s troops will be back in action on Wednesday night, travelling to Turin to take on Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League. More

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      Ex-Chelsea star Thiago Silva walks entire length of pitch on his knees after Fluminense narrowly avoid relegation

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      FLUMINENSE defender Thiago Silva walked the length of the pitch on his knees after the club narrowly avoided relegation.The Rio-based side clinched a 1-0 win over high-flying Palmeiras on the final day of the Brazilian Serie A campaign.Thiago Silva walked the entire length of the pitch on his knees after Fluminense survived relegationCredit: instagramHe was keen to show his gratitude at full-timeCredit: instagramA first-half strike from Colombian winger Kevin Serna was enough to earn the club a much-needed three points, keeping them above the relegation zone.A defeat would have seen Fluminense demoted to Serie B – the second division of Brazilian football.But they managed to survive the drop by finishing 13th in the table.Following the full-time celebrations, Silva could be seen walking the length of the pitch on his knees.Read More in FootballThe action is a South American ritual which is used to pay thanks to God for granting a wish.Four years ago, Silva promised that he would one day return to his boyhood club.The former Brazil international was keen to display his gratitude for his team’s survival after the final whistle on Sunday.A video of Silva’s act was shared on social media by Fluminense following the match.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAfter crawling the length of the pitch, the ex-Chelsea star put his head to the floor before standing up and waving at the few remaining fans in the stadium.Raphinha did the same action after Leeds United survived relegation from the Premier League in May 2022.Thiago Silva breaks down in tears as he announces Chelsea exit but plans swift return with both sons still at clubSilva joined Fluminense as a free agent in May – just days after leaving Stamford Bridge.In an emotional statement to announce his Chelsea departure, the 40-year-old said: “I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too.”My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of.”In everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end.”I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here.” More

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      Atalanta vs Real Madrid: Get £40 welcome bonus when you stake £10 on football with Tote

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      HOLDERS Real Madrid need to start picking Champions League points up FAST, starting with their midweek trip to Atalanta.Bookmakers Tote are marking the huge game by offering brand new customers a whopping £40 in free bets and bonuses to spend when you sign up and stake £10!Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereAtalanta vs Real Madrid: Get £40 welcome bonus — claim here*How to claim..Tote special offerVisit the Tote website HERE*Register a brand new account using the Promo Code: B10G40Deposit and place your first bet of at least £10 on either horse racing or football at odds of Evens or greaterOnce your Qualifying Bet is settled you will receive a £40 welcome bonusAtalanta vs Real Madrid: Get £40 welcome bonus — claim here*Atalanta vs Real Madrid: Get £40 welcome bonus — claim here*Tote have a fantastic promotion available for brand new customers with a colossal £40 welcome bonus up for grabs.It’s easy to claim. Simply visit the Tote website and register a new account using the Promo Code: B10G40Once that’s sorted, deposit and place your first bet of at least £10 on either racing, football or other sports at odds of Evens or greater.Once your Qualifying Bet is settled — win or lose — you will receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza.Atalanta vs Real Madrid: Get £40 welcome bonus — claim here*Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk*Tote. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply. More

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      Inside Michail Antonio’s incredible rise from non-league and plans to go into showbiz as star recovers from car crash

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      MICHAIL ANTONIO is recovering in hospital following surgery to a broken leg after a horror car crash.The West Ham star, 34, had to be cut free from his £260,000 Ferrari FF which was ripped apart when it hit a tree in Theydon Bois, Essex, on Saturday.West Ham ace Michail Antonio has been candid about his struggles away from footballCredit: ReutersAntonio came through the ranks the hard way – playing non-league footballCredit: The Wimbledon GuardianAntonio had a miraculous escape after crashing his FerrariCredit: UKNIPAntonio had a miraculous escape from the incident, and his club have commented on his well-being.A club statement read: “West Ham United can confirm Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday afternoon (7 December 2024).”Michail will continue to be monitored in hospital over the coming days.”Everyone at the Club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterday’s news, as well as extending a heartfelt thank you to the emergency services and first responders who attended to Michail in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and the medical team who continue to aid him in his recovery.”Read more football news”The Club will provide further updates when appropriate.”The outpouring of love from the football community has been massive, with Antonio recognised as a big character in the game.The Wandsworth-born forward started from humble beginnings – playing for non-league Tooting & Mitcham United.Away from football, a game he’s not always liked, he has his own BBC podcast alongside fellow Premier League star Callum Wilson called The Footballer’s Football Podcast.Most read in FootballWhen he retires from the game, Antonio has ambitions to get into showbiz.I disliked football so much I prayed for injury, says West Ham hero Michail Antonio as he bravely opens up about therapyIncredible riseAntonio’s story in football began with Tooting & Mitcham United in 2008.Despite the team only competing in a regional league, Antonio went on to climb his way up the football pyramid.After impressing rather swiftly that year, he was offered a trial at Reading – some five divisions up – and Alan Pardew duly snapped him up.However, he later revealed he got kicked out by Tooting, after he refused to sign a contract. He then went to AFC Wimbledon who wouldn’t stump up his registration fee, so he returned to Tooting.Speaking to Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on the Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “Before I actually signed for Reading I got kicked out of Tooting and Mitcham.”They kicked me out because I refused to sign a contract.“I was like: ‘If someone comes in for me I don’t want to be tied down. I want to be able to go and not you out price me’.”“So they [Tooting] kicked me out of the club and I ended up going to AFC Wimbledon.”Then AFC Wimbledon refused to pay £7 for my registration fee, and told me to pay it. And I was like: ‘I ain’t paying seven quid!’Since 2015, Antonio has been a key figure for West HamCredit: GettyAntonio snubbed playing for England in favour of Jamaica, where his parents were bornCredit: GettyBehind his biggest success, Antonio was struggling with his divorceCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sunread more sport features“So I ended up going back to Tooting and Mitcham, signing the contract, getting paid, and within like five games of signing my contract, I signed for Reading.”Following spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, in 2015 he was plucked from the Championship in a £7million deal by West Ham who were then coached by Slaven Bilic.He’s been there ever since, winning a player of the year award, twice being named Premier League player of the month and lifting a European trophy.Mental health strugglesAntonio, who snubbed England to play for Jamaica where he’s been capped 21 times, has been very open with his struggles mentally in recent times.On the pitch, he scored success with the Hammers – lifting the Europa Conference League in 2023.However, off it his private life was in turmoil. He divorced wife Debbie, who has been by his bedside since his car crash, around the same time as the most glittering moment of his career.”I was going through my divorce and stuff, and I honestly couldn’t get my head around it,” he told the Original Penguin X Campaign Against Living Miserably Under The Surface podcast.”After we won, the whole team went out, the gaffer (David Moyes) went out, got steaming, a couple of boys didn’t sleep for two days, just got drunk for two days.”I was asleep on the coach and went back to the hotel. I was just mentally drained because of everything that was going on outside of my football and then I went back to the hotel and went to sleep while everyone was out partying.”It wasn’t until probably December where I was in a better place where I was like, ”Oh my God, I’ve won a European championship”.’Antonio struggled mentally after divorcing his ex-wife DebbieCredit: instagramThat moment might not have happenedBefore that, Antonio was struggling with being a footballer and contemplated quitting the game.He recalled a moment he laid in bed alongside Debbie, the mother of his four children, and began to weep.He said: “I don’t like showing emotion and I like dealing with things, but tears were just falling from my eyes in bed.”My Mrs was laying next to me in bed and I didn’t say anything, just tears falling – she looked up and said, ‘Are you alright?’ and I said ‘Yeah, I’m fine’, but she said ‘You can’t be fine, you’re crying’, and I just said ‘I don’t know if I want to play football anymore’.”Antonio continued: “Me talking to my Mrs, my brother and my agent took a bit of the weight off me, enough for me to keep going to training and stuff like that…”That’s entertainmentAntonio was recently asked by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast what he would like to do when he retires from the game.”I want your job!” he joked before revealing his future ideal role.He continued: “To be fair I don’t want to go into punditry, I want to go into entertainment.”So more on the basis of A League of Their Own, Play to the Whistle… I want Micah’s job!”READ MORE SUN STORIESWith that, he drew more laughter from Lineker and Richards.As such an infectious personality, it’s certainly a career path Antonio would be well suited to.Away from football, Antonio is interested in breaking into the world of entertainmentCredit: GettyAntonio has previously appeared on Sky’s A League of Their OwnAntonio also has his own podcast called Footballer’s Football Podcast with Callum Wilson More

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      Gary Neville slams Man Utd’s Dan Ashworth statement and says ‘you’re better off punching us in the face with the truth’

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      GARY NEVILLE has slammed Manchester United’s statement over Dan Ashworth.The Red Devils axed Ashworth from his sporting director role at the club just five months after his arrival from Newcastle.Manchester United have axed Dan AshworthCredit: PAGary Neville has hit out at the club over the situationCredit: AFPNeville, 49, was left stunned by the decision and gave a brutal assessment of the club’s accompanying statement.Manchester United announced the exit of Ashworth with a 53-word statement that gave no indication of the reason behind it.Neville has insisted that the whole situation is “not a great look” and that the statement is “weak”.He told NBC Sports: “I’m really shocked that this has happened. It’s not a great look at all and it’s something that will need explaining. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I think the statement that the club has put out is really poor.”Manchester United haven’t had a voice for ten years – they’ve lost their authority, their boldness.”I think they’ve been getting it back a bit in the last 12 months but what’s really clear is that there is a fracture here, something has happened.”You can’t bring someone in at the level of Dan Ashworth and then lose him after five months and think something hasn’t gone wrong.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The fans are now going to ask the question: what’s gone wrong?”They’re going to speculate, it’s going to leave huge voids.Ruben Amorim reacts to Man Utd’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford Man Utd’s statement on AshworthHere is what Man United said about the exit of Dan Ashworth..The club released a blunt 53-word statement over the sporting director.It read: “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement.”We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.””I think you’re better off punching us in the face with the truth sometimes when it’s so obvious that there’s been something that has gone wrong between the personalities of Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada, Dave Brailsford, whoever it is in the last few months that have obviously not got on with each other or it’s not been working.”Just tell us because it’s obvious something has happened.”I think that statement is weak. Something like that can’t be mutual.”I think when Ineos came into Manchester United, everyone knew there were going to be huge changes.”There have been massive redundancies in the club with a complete overhaul of the executive of the club in terms of the CEO, CFO, sporting director, technical director, manager obviously just recently as well.”You would have expected large changes but not changes for this position. Dan Ashworth was headhunted for many, many months.”He was chased for 10 months, on gardening leave for four or five months, he was paid millions of pounds for. “I worked with Dan Ashworth at the FA for two years and he’s been very successful wherever he’s been – Brighton, West Brom, the FA, at Newcastle most recently.”Reports have claimed that Ashworth cost the club £5million during his stint.SunSport exclusively revealed last month that United’s new hierarchy were locked in a blame game over their summer business.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt is understood there were growing tensions between Ashworth and his colleagues in the weeks leading up to his departure.Technical director Jason Wilcox will take on his duties in the short term while a replacement is found.Inside Man Utd chaos amid Ashworth departureTHE blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.SunSport exclusively revealed last month that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them. Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.There is word Ashworth did not favour appointing his successor and new head coach Ruben Amorim, preferring an English manager with more experience in our game. Perhaps that was why ex-England gaffer Gareth Southgate’s name was always mentioned after they worked together at the FA.Either way, Saturday’s showing against Nottingham Forest, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much. More

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      Erratic keeper wanted in Premier League transfer plays as DEFENDER in ‘mad’ vid as fans fear the worst if he gets move

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans were left stunned after witnessing goalkeeper Kevin Mier leaving his line and playing as a DEFENDER.Footy fans have been keeping on eye on the shot-stopper after he was hotly tipped to make a move to England.Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier went viral after playing as a defender against Club AmericaCredit: XMier was linked with a move to Brighton during the summer transfer windowCredit: XMier has taken the role of sweeper to a new levelCredit: AFPOn Friday Mier, 24, started for Mexican giants Cruz Azul in the league clash at Club America.And the keeper went viral when he abandoned his area and played alongside his defenders, just a few yards away from midfield.The Colombian shot-stopper left fans in awe as he helped his team-mates play the ball out the back despite the opposition’s high press.Mier took the sweeper role to a new level and helped Cruz Azul leave with a point after a goalless draw.Read More on FootballThe ex-Colombia youth international was linked with Brighton last summer. And reports suggest the Seagulls remain interested in Mier despite Cruz Azul tying him up to a new contract until 2029.Some fans were left gobsmacked and insisted this sort of stunt would never fly in the Premier League with its famous press.One fan tweeted: “He can get away with that over there, but if he came to the Prem he would be finished unfortunately. The press would be far too high.”Most read in FootballAnother commented: “The risk reward just isn’t worth this. Mad.”And a third wrote: “Not a chance he could play like this in the Prem he is too much of a liability.”Brighton ace’s home burgled as model fiancee shares security footageBut there were also some fans that loved Mier’s “chaotic energy” and called for his move to the Premier League.One fan tweeted: “Get this man and his chaotic energy to the Premier League immediately.”Another commented: “It’s like watching [Jose Luis] Chilavert from decades ago and I love it.”And a third wrote: “Absolute cinema.” More

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      Horror moment Barcelona star finds his TOOTH on the pitch after losing it in battle with Real Betis defender

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      BARCELONA star Dani Olmo lost his TOOTH after clashing with Real Betis defender Marc Bartra during a La Liga match on Saturday.The 26-year-old was fouled by Bartra in the 30th minute at Benito Villamarin Stadium.Dani Olmo was fouled by Marc Bartra during Barcelona’s match against Real BetisCredit: AFPThe Spaniard lost his tooth following the collisionCredit: AFPHe eventually found it on the fieldCredit: AFPAfter being tripped by the centre-back, Olmo fell to the ground, accidentally headbutting the back of his ankle on the way down.He lost a tooth as a result and immediately began searching for it on the grass.Luckily, the Spaniard was able to find it relatively quickly.Visibly frustrated, Olmo appeared to briefly complain to the referee before playing on.Read More in FootballThe match ended 2-2 following a dramatic late equaliser from Betis super-sub Assane Diao.Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barcelona just before half-time with a tap-in from the edge of the six-yard box.Former Tottenham star Giovani Lo Celso then equalised from the penalty spot, but Ferran Torres restored the visitors’ lead with just under 10 minutes left to play.In the final stages of injury time, Diao equalised with a stunning flick into the bottom-left corner.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe result was enough to see Barcelona remain top of the La Liga table with 38 points.Meanwhile, Real Betis are mid-table in 11th.Spectacular Timelapse of the works in the Spotify Camp Nou More

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      Premier League club to make history by wearing AI-generated kit designed by fans

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      A PREMIER LEAGUE club is set to make history by wearing an AI-generated kit designed by supporters.Manchester City and Puma have collaborated on a new innovative idea to give fans the “unique opportunity”.Man City fans will be able to design next season’s third kit using AICredit: xThe Premier League champions will be offering fans the chance to design the club’s official third kit for the 2026/27 season.The Puma AI creator tool will allow fans to design their dream Man City kits by using text prompts and customization tools.The system also has intuitive sliders that will help fans edit their potential kits.The winning design will be worn by the Man City team during the 2026/27 campaign and be sold in club stores.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe club released a video on social media to promote the idea, which led to many supporters getting excited.One posted: “Can’t wait to try this out.”A second wrote: “Cool.”However, many were also worried that some designs might not look great.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA third commented: “This could go horribly bad.”A fourth said: “Urm not so sure about this.”Beleaguered Man City boss Pep Guardiola involved in bizarre interview when discussing Rico Lewis red cardSunSport’s attempt at creating a Man City shirt based on Manchester CathedralCredit: PUMA AIThis one featuring bank coins would be perfect for a team known for splashing the cashOne that might not go down so well is this Manchester United inspired design featuring the red of their rivals and a depiction of Old TraffordSunSport had a go at using the tool and created a potential shirt based on a pattern from Manchester Cathedral.The tool created a stunning gold kit with navy trim that was detailed with a cool pattern.Chief marketing and fan experience officer for City Football Group Nuria Tarre said: “Through the power of AI, we are delighted to offer fans this special opportunity to be a part of Manchester City history and design a kit that could one day be worn by their heroes on the pitch.”Each City kit plays a fundamental role in connecting fans around the world to our club and we’re excited to see how they engage with this truly unique initiative.”Man City faced backlash over their special ‘Oasis’ kit that was released earlier this year, with many comparing it to a Refresher sweet.AI was used to predict the kits for nations competing in Euro 2024.However, many of the actual kits did not look like the creations that it presented.Fans were not keen on Man City’s ‘Oasis band’ kit released this seasonCredit: Getty More