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      Stoney-faced Gary Lineker breaks cover to walk dog amid BBC exit and cop probe into ‘rat’ online post

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      GARY Lineker takes his dog for a walk — as cops say they are looking into complaints about his online post.And with Lineker, 63, appearing to rule out a return to telly, Filbert had even more reason to be cheery.Gary Lineker was snapped taking his rescue dog Filbert for a walk following his departure from the BBCCredit: Ray CollinsCops say they are looking into complaints about Gary’s recent online postCredit: iNSTAGRAMThe pair stepped out for a stroll near the presenter’s home in south London as he prepared for his last MOTD.The ex-England star, out in South London, is stepping down as Match of the Day host on Sunday after sparking fury by sharing a message criticising Zionism that featured a rat picture.Lineker apologised, but the Met said it is assessing several complaints.In a statement he said: “I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years.READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER”As I’ve said, I’d never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.”However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am.”Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”One woman said she suffered significant distress due to the post.Most read in FootballTim Davie, BBC Director-General, said: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made.”Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.Gary Lineker sensationally quits BBC and will not front its 2026 World Cup coverage after anti-Semitism row”Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.”His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. “We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”The former England star sparked fury by sharing a message criticising Zionism that featured a rat pictureCredit: Ray CollinsGary and Filbert stepped out for a stroll near the presenter’s home in south London as he prepared for his last MOTDCredit: Ray Collins More

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      Kevin De Bruyne misses five-yard sitter in front of stunned wife and children in last Man City game at the Etihad

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      KEVIN DE BRUYNE missed possibly the easiest chance he’s ever had as he played his final game for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.De Bruyne, who is leaving City on the expiration of his deal this summer, rattled the crossbar from inside the six-yard box during Man City’s clash with Bournemouth.Kevin De Bruyne missed a golden opportunity for Man City in his final game at the Etihad StadiumCredit: GettyOmar Marmoush played a brilliant ball across the face of goalCredit: Sky SportsDe Bruyne had an open goal inside the six-yard boxCredit: Sky SportsThe shot clattered the crossbarCredit: Sky SportsPep Guardiola couldn’t believe the missCredit: Sky SportsDe Bruyne had all the cameras on him for his emotional farewell to the Etihad faithful, but will have been wishing he was invisible after the shocking miss.The Belgian was handed the ball on a silver platter by Omar Marmoush, who drilled it across the face of goal and into De Bruyne’s path.But the 33-year-old couldn’t get the finish right and hit the ball straight into the crossbar, despite being INSIDE the six-yard box at the time.Fans online couldn’t believe the out-of-character mistake from De Bruyne and took to social media to react.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne wrote: “That is the craziest miss of all time”.While another joked: “Saved his worst until last”.But it wasn’t just fans that were in disbelief, De Bruyne’s wife Michele and the pair’s kids appeared to be watching the miss back in the stands – at least that’s what was suggested by the Sky Sports commentary team. Michele and their children were seen gathering around a phone in their seats watching a video just moments after the miss.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDe Bruyne’s wife Michele appeared to be watching the miss back on her phoneCredit: Sky SportsFans were left even more stunned by De Bruyne’s family clamoring to watch it back.One teased: “Lmaoooo Kevin De Bruyne’s wife Michelle just watched the replay with her kids in the family box and they all shook their heads”And another wrote: “Kevin De Bruyne’s wife, Michele is showing replays to their kids of the #ManCity captain’s open-goal miss.”Fortunately for De Bruyne, his miss meant very little with City already leading through a Marmoush screamer in the early stages of the game.While Bernardo Silva added a second for the hosts just over 10 minutes later to put them 2-0 up at half-time.Nico Gonzalez later added a third before Daniel Jebbison pulled off a consolation goal to make it 3-1.Speaking after the victory, De Bruyne said of his shocking miss: “I said I just have to be there, it’s going to come. It’s terrible. There’s no excuses. My son is going to be very tough on me today.”It was an emotional day for De Bruyne who is bringing his 10-year spell at City to a close at the end of the season.The midfielder was greeted on the pitch by a huge banner honouring him and calling him “King Kev”.While children Rome, Mason and Suri walked out with him as mascots before kick off.He was substituted on the 69th minute mark, sparking a roar of appreciation from the crowd and fans breaking out into chants of his name.The former Chelsea man looked emotional as he left the pitch and waved goodbye to the supporters and gave a hug to coaching staff on the sidelines following his slow trudge off the paying surface. He has also been given a lifetime Man City season ticket, signed keepsakes, a brand new mural and the promise of street named in his honour.While it was revealed during his farewell speech that the club are also planning on building a statue for the icon outside the Etihad Stadium.Speaking to Sky Sports about leaving the club, he said: “Its been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I’ve had over here. It’s been an unbelievable ride, an absolute pressure, I don’t know.”I want to bring joy to people, play offensive football, creative, that is what I am on the pitch and I want to have fun. I think we had a lot of fun over the 10 years. You win, you lose sometimes.”It was a joy working really hard and creating something for this club which brought the club much better than it was before. I’m super proud.”Read More on The SunHe leaves City having won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.Throughout his tenure he has played over 420 games, scored 108 goals and provided 177 assists.De Bruyne was accompanied out on the pitch by his kids Rome, Mason and SuriCredit: AFPFans unveiled a banner honouring De BruyneCredit: APOther supporters made their own signsCredit: PAAnother banner was displayed in the groundCredit: GettyDe Bruyne was emotional as he left the pitchCredit: Sky SportsThe midfielder waved goodbye to the fansCredit: Sky SportsHe gave Pep Guardiola a hug on the sidelinesCredit: Sky SportsPep Guardiola was in tears as De Bruyne said goodbye to the clubCredit: Sky Sports More

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      Djed Spence almost quit Tottenham for Italian job… but was sent back as club couldn’t afford him

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      DJED SPENCE could easily be in Serie A with Genoa instead of with Tottenham in Bilbao tomorrow.The defender’s form has been one of a very few highlights in what has been a tough season for Spurs away from their Europa League run.Djed Spence almost quit Spurs for Genoa last summer… but the Italians couldn’t afford himCredit: GettySpence was ready to make last season’s loan in Italy permanentCredit: EPAAnd Genoa sporting director Marco Ottolini revealed he wanted to get Spence on a permanent deal after he spent the second half of last season on loan there.Spence had a torrid spell at Leeds until January 2024 but was a big hit in Italy.Ottolini said “We were looking for a right-back or wing-back and noticed Djed was not having a good time at Leeds.“I had known him since 2016 when I saw him in an under-21s game between Fulham and Reading.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I was working for Anderlecht at the time.“But you always take notice of these players and you end up following their career.“I was convinced he had the technical skills to stand out in Serie A.“We gave Djed the right environment and wanted him to feel at home. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“I think he had a lack of confidence and he needed someone he trusted.”But Ottolini was frustrated at not sealing a deal last summer and seeing Spence, 24, end up  a crucial part of Ange Postocoglou’s injury-hit squad, making  25 appearances in all competitions.BATTLE FOR BILBAO: The Road to the Europa League FinalOttolini said: “We tried to sign him but for financial reasons we could not do it. I think we could have signed him for £6.7million from Spurs but his salary was heavy.“We had a few things going on with the ownership that summer and we could just not do it. So we sent him back to England — and look at him now.” More

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      Phil Foden puts Man City’s FA Cup final defeat behind him as he beams with his kids in Burberry Father’s Day photoshoot

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      FOOTIE ace Phil Foden lines up with his kids in a Father’s Day shoot for Burberry. It’s good to see the Manchester City star, 24, all smiles as he posed with son Ronnie, six, and daughter True, three.Manchester City ace Phil Foden poses with daughter True, 3, and son Ronnie, 6, in a Father’s Day shoot for BurberryCredit: BurberryPhil pictured with mini-me son RonnieCredit: BurberryIt’s good to see Phil smiling after the agony of losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace on SaturdayCredit: GettyAfter all, just days ago he and boss Pep Guardiola had to face up to the team’s shock 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.  Foden is the face of Burberry’s new menswear collection, launched to “celebrate fatherhood”, after he previously collaborated with the famous brand ahead of Euro 2024. The England footballer, wearing a white T-shirt and navy shirt, holds True on his lap as she rocks a checked dress, while his “mini-me” son sports a Burberry shirt next to him. Sharing the heartwarming pictures on their official Instagram page, the fashion giant posted: “Team line-up: Phil, True and Ronnie Foden celebrate fatherhood.” READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFans commented: “What a beautiful family.” After working with Burberry in 2023, doing a shoot in Stockport, Gtr Manchester, the £200k-a-week midfielder said: “Fashion is important to me and it was incredible to work with Burberry in my hometown.” Burberry’s new range has been launched ahead of Father’s Day next month, celebrating “fatherhood, tradition and British values”. At the weekend, The Sun on Sunday revealed how Foden has already treated daughter True to a £10,000 Rolex, a £160 Monnalisa designer dress, and a £40 bag from Hookd. Most read in FootballHer Rolex is identical to one worn by Kylie Jenner’s daughter Stormi, six.Phil’s own watch collection includes a Rolex Sky Dweller and a Day Date.Manchester City’s Phil Foden shuns posh holiday for £100 tent at a £14-a-day fishing lake in the CotswoldsUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      England set to play World Cup qualifier in tiny stadium smaller than FIFTEEN League Two grounds

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      ENGLAND are set to play in a tiny 8,000-seater stadium when they visit Serbia in September. Thomas Tuchel’s men had been anticipating a fearsome atmosphere in Belgrade for the crucial World Cup qualifier. England will face Serbia at the Dubocica Stadium in Leskovac – with a capacity of just 8,000Credit: GettyThe FA had assumed the notoriously noisy Rajko Mitic Stadium would host the clashCredit: ReutersRed Star’s hostile 53,000-capacity Rajko Mitic Stadium was expected to host the clash on September 9. But the Serbian Football Association appears set to host the Group K fixture away from the capital. A tiny stadium in the town of Leskovac has been earmarked for the game. The Dubocica Stadium is located around 170 miles south of Belgrade.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWith a capacity of just 8,136, it is smaller than FIFTEEN grounds in League Two. The development is understood to have surprised some at the Football Association, per PA.Belgrade’s Rajko Mitic Stadium hosted big Nations League matches against Spain and Austria over the last year. The Three Lions began qualifying with routine wins against Albania and Latvia in March. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKEngland will next be in action away to Andorra on June 7.They are then due to play Senegal in a friendly on June 10 at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.England squad plays the Traitors In a boost to the new England boss, Arsenal’s Ben White has confirmed his self-imposed international exile is over.White has not played for the Three Lions since leaving the team’s camp at the 2022 World Cup for “personal reasons.”White, 27, fit again after knee problems, said: “I’m definitely available.”I spoke to [Tuchel] a few times. He’s such a nice, nice man — very honest. I haven’t been back for too long.”So it’s just about playing now and hopefully making my way back in.” More

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      Southampton want to appoint Football Manager-mad Will Still as new boss THIS WEEK ahead of final day of Prem season

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      SOUTHAMPTON hope to appoint Will Still as their new manager this week.Saints have held extensive talks with the 32-year-old, who is leaving French club Lens and wants to be closer to family in England.Will Still is set to become Southampton’s new managerCredit: GettyStill has agreed terms on a contract, and the south coast side hope he will be confirmed in time to attend their final Premier League game of the season.Saints, who were relegated in early April, host Arsenal on the final day of the season this weekend.The club also held talks with Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl.Rohl had been the No1 choice for some time, but wants to take more time to make a decision over his future.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe German, a former assistant manager to Ralph Hasenhuttl at St. Mary’s, has interest from his home country which could prove more attractive than a Championship job.Saints were reluctant to be left waiting and moved quickly to land Still, who has also managed Reims in Ligue 1 as well as Lierse and Beerschot in Belgium.Lens are not owed any compensation should Still leave, though the same cannot be said for his coaching staff, which include brothers Edward and Nicolas.Still was born in Belgium to English parents and began his managerial career aged 24, admitting that his love of coaching was born through playing the much-loved Football Manager game.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSTalks over compensation for his coaching staff are ongoing and remain the only sticking point before the appointment can be confirmed.Saints have endured a horror season following promotion from the Championship last year.Adam Lallana reflects on going back to his boyhood club Southampton Russell Martin, who guided them back to the top flight, was sacked in December while his replacement, Ivan Juric, was axed once relegation was confirmed.Interim boss Simon Rusk has taken charge since then and managed to get the club past Derby’s all-time low points record of 11.They will, however, take some unwelcome records back to the Championship, becoming the first club to be relegated with seven games of a season left to be played. More

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      Chelsea files: Why Cole Palmer will get SMALLER bonus than Blues team-mates for Conference League win

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      MONEY TALKS and Chelsea is no different to any other Premier League club.The players will receive a bonus if they beat Real Betis next Wednesday and win the Conference League for the first time.Enzo Maresca leads his men into the Conference League final next weekCredit: ReutersCole Palmer will be available after sitting out the first portion of the tournamentCredit: PAThe payments have been set out on a sliding scale depending on appearances which means some of the top stars won’t be paid as much although they’ll hardly go hungry as a result.And as if we needed reminding of Chelsea’s priorities, if Champions League qualification is achieved at Nottingham Forest this Sunday then the players’ pay packets will be considerably more full.Cole Palmer was deliberately kept out of Chelsea’s Conference League squad for the first half of the campaign and so has made just five appearances in the competition this season.Keeper Filip Jorgensen, who has been confirmed as a starter in the final next week, has played 13 times in the tournament.DESPITE harbouring bigger ambitions than the Conference League, Chelsea fans are flocking to Poland in their thousands to lap up the final.The club’s official allocation of 12,300 tickets has been gobbled up.Blues supporters were understandably confident that their billion quid squad would reach the June 28 date in Wroclaw, so many booked hotels and flights weeks, sometimes months in advance.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIt’s common practice in the travel industry and can mean saving a decent whack of money by getting in early.But as is the case in this horrible old world, some of those loyal punters who took a punt on Chelsea going all the way, are now coming unstuck. Chelsea star Cole Palmer admits he threw up in the pool on holiday and got his hand stuck in a Pringles tubeWe have heard numerous worrying reports that a number of fans are receiving emails from hotels in the city, claiming there has been a ‘technical’ or ‘admin’ error with their initial reservation.And yes, you guessed it, those issues mean the prices of their accommodation has increased – sometimes tripling the original room rate.Fans are reluctant to name the hotels but some are fighting back. One supporter, who booked eight rooms in a 3* hotel has been told the cost is now three times what it was.But the person involved has since found a 5* place that is cheaper! He is keeping the first hotel hanging on and will cancel last minute in the hope they end up losing out altogether.Unfortunately, there is little the club can do to help frustrated fans.Todd Boehly is a director on ticket resale site Vivid SeatsCredit: AlamyAND right on time, Uefa has chosen this week to publish its latest call for fans to avoid ‘unofficial’ ticket agencies as next week’s final draws closer.The directive reads: “UEFA warns fans not to purchase tickets on the secondary market, from unauthorised third parties, websites, agencies or from touts. “Such tickets may be cancelled by UEFA at any time and fans are likely to be refused entry or be ejected from the stadium. In addition, fans may not receive the tickets which they have purchased from these unauthorised third parties.”UEFA reminds fans that ticket sales to the general public and fans of the teams who have reached the UEFA club competition finals are carried out exclusively via UEFA.com.”All well and good but as we know, Chelsea’s own chairman Todd Boehly has his fingers buried deep in this pie with his stake in US ticket resale site Vivid Seats.Supporters are already on the club’s case over how so many fans of Swedish side Djurgarden were able to buy seats in the home end of Stamford Bridge for the Conference League semi-final second leg. Awkward.REECE James’ position at Chelsea was called into question last week, with Romeo Lavia back fit, Chelsea’s abundance of midfield options, and Moises Caicedo seeming to take up his spot in Enzo Maresca’s favourite starting XI.But the Blues’ captain showed that he’s not going anywhere vs Man Utd, back in the side at right-back and stealing the show with an incredible spin and cross to set up fellow full-back Marc Cucurella.Enzo Maresca said previously that he sees Reece as a midfielder, as he was used on loan at Wigan Athletic, rather than a marauding right-back as he has always been at Chelsea.Questions over James have never been over his ability, but his fitness, and against Manchester United he completed 90 minutes in the Premier League for only the second time since November 2024.What’s more, this season he’s played a part in 21 games since January, a consistent run for his side and is proving that he has a key part to play in this side.If he can keep this up, he can surely establish himself as one of the best in the world in his position once more and work his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England setup.His versatility in Maresca’s system could make him a key cog in this Chelsea machine, with his ability to be a danger out wide and in the middle allowing the Italian gaffer to remain unpredictable and adapt to different game states at different times.Reece is deserving of a start away to Nottingham Forest, a fixture in which he got the match-winning assist on the final day of last season.Chelsea ratings v Man UtdMOISES CAICEDO was named Chelsea’s player of the season last week, and wonderkid Kendry Paez is touted to be a star player for the Blues in seasons to come. Ecuadorian greatness could become a common theme at Stamford Bridge.Caicedo and Paez were both academy graduates of Independiente Del Valle in Ecuador, and this could be somewhere BlueCo continues to shop in the coming transfer windows.Independiente have also produced PSG star defender Willian Pacho, and invincible Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie, both of whom have previously been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.Moises Caicedo bagged the Blues’ player of the season awardCredit: PAEcuador was perhaps for too long a nation with heaps of untapped potential, with Brighton reaping the rewards of building a link with the South American nation, signing talents such as Pervis Estupinian, Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento.With Chelsea appointing Brighton’s transfer guru Sam Jewell last year, don’t be surprised to see The Blues do more summer shopping in Sangolquí in the upcoming window.WITH two games to go in Ligue 1, and having just beaten Paris St. Germain, BlueCo-owned Strasbourg looked destined for European football, with a dream of playing in the Champions League very much alive.However, Chelsea’s sister club went and bottled it.After the PSG match, they took on Angers and Le Havre, the teams who finished just outside of the relegation zone in 14th and 15th place, and lost both…That means the French side finished 7th place in Ligue 1, outside of any European spot, including the Conference League, which Chelsea may be about to win.And it hasn’t gone unnoticed by sceptical Blues fans amid all sorts of conspiracy theories.Were Strasbourg to end up in the same competition as Chelsea then it could massively affect this summer’s transfer market with trading between the two BlueCo stablemates banned.Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior was left stunned as his side lost crucial back-to-back gamesCredit: AFPGiven Chelsea could virtually fill Stamford Bridge with the amount of young players they have sent to Strasbourg on loan that would be a bit of an issue.Of course, it’s all just cynical, light-hearted and nobody really thinks it’s an intra-club carve up.And Liam Rosenior’s men DO still have a chance to play in Europe next campaign.If PSG can get the better of Reims in the Coupe De France final on Saturday, then Lyon (who finished in 6th will be upgraded from a Conference League play-off spot and into the Europa League, meaning Strasbourg will take their place in the play-offs.Last time the two sides met, they shared a point each, but with PSG on the cusp of a potential treble they will surely not take this game lightly.REAL BETIS against Chelsea is a reunion of sorts.The two clubs met in the last eight of the now-defunct Cup Winners Cup in 1998.Chelsea won 3-1 with Blues legend Gianfranco Zola having the last word. The team sheet is a historian’s dream: Ed de Goey in goal, Dennis Wise in midfield along with Roberto di Matteo – he would later achieve the ultimate and win Chelsea’s first Champions League trophy as manager in 2012 – and was sacked the following November. More

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      Gadi Kinda dead at 31: Former Israel international and MLS star dies after ‘complex medical battle’

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      FORMER MLS star and Israel international Gadi Kinda has died aged 31.The attacking midfielder has passed away following a “complex medical battle” in recent weeks, according to his club Maccabi Haifa.Gadi Kinda has passed away aged 31Credit: GettyThe Israeli top-flight club, who Kinda last played for in March, announced the star’s passing in a statement.It comes just two weeks after the club revealed that Kinda has been hospitalised following his medical battle.Kinda, who earned 10 caps for the Israel national team, joined Maccabi Haifa last year after spending four years on the books at MLS side Sporting Kansas City.His former teammates posed with his shirt before their clash with the Portland Timbers earlier this month to show their support.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSince the news of his passing, head coach Kerry Zavagnin said: “It’s still a raw emotion. “Obviously in the club right now and the way that the group is taking it, in such a difficult way, it goes to show what he meant to all of us.”Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time. “He was such an electric figure in our club and he’s going to be dearly missed.”Most read in FootballSporting Kansas City players held up Kinda’s shirt for their former teammate ahead of their match against Portland TimbersCredit: GettyAdding: “[Kinda was] a pleasure to be with every day. No matter what the day looked like, he always came in with it with an optimistic view.”Everyone from the chefs, the cooks, the cleaning service, the coaches, the rest of the staff, the players, all had a good feeling when they were around him and it shows today in how everyone’s taken this tragic news.”While fans have paid their tributes with touching messages on social media too.One wrote: “Rest in peace, legend”.While another added: “Rest in peace, was genuinely one of the nicest people!”And a third commented: “Heartbreaking. SKC was lucky to have him.”Born in Ethiopia, Kinda moved to Isreal at just thee years old – a move that sparked his love for football.As a kid he joined FC Ashdod’s academy before making his senior debut at 17.He later moved to Beitar Jerusalem before making his big move to the US to play for Sporting KC.Read More on The SunWhile playing for Kansas City he made 80 appearances, scoring 16 goals and registering 17 assists.He made 10 appearances for the Israeli national side, including lining up against Cristiano Ronaldo in a clash with Portugal. Kinda made 10 appearances for IsraelCredit: AFP More