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      German footballer Tim Lemperle rushed to hospital after being ‘assaulted’ and out of crucial Bundesliga promotion clash

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      GERMAN football star Tim Lemperle was rushed to hospital after sustaining injures to his face during an assault on a night out.Koln star Lemperle will likely miss Sunday’s huge promotion final against Kaiserslautern for a place in the Bundesliga next season.Tim Lemperle was rushed to hospital after being assaulted on a night outCredit: RexLemperle reportedly suffered a broken nose and a gash on his face on Sunday evening, according to German outlet Bild.The report claims that the striker was out with friends in a borough of Cologne.A fight broke out in a boathouse bar near the bank of the River Rhine with another group, before things settled down.But Lemperle and his pals were allegedly attacked while leaving the venue later at 9pm local time.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe 23-year-old former Frankfurt star was taken to a local hospital where he stayed overnight until Monday morning.Koln boss Friedhelm Funkel hasn’t had any contact with Lemperle, who was forced to miss training on Monday afternoon.Funkel said: “I know he was physically assaulted on Sunday. He sustained facial injuries. “The likelihood of him playing on Sunday is slim. It can’t be completely dismissed, but it is slim. I can’t say anything more about it.”Most read in FootballThe police are investigating the incident and appealing for witnesses.Lemperle has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 24 second division appearances this season.And he was nailed on starter for the final, after having been named in the starting XI in 22 out of 24 league games this term.FC Koln finished second in Bundesliga 2, behind Hamburg who were automatically promoted to end a seven-year absence from the German top flight.Lemperle’s team-mates take on Kaiserslautern, who finished just inside the playoff places in sixth, in the final. More

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      Man Utd legend Eric Cantona poses in rival kit as fans announce fresh protests against 20 years of Glazer ownership

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans marked the 20th anniversary of the Glazer ownership by announcing plans for another protest.Supporters group ‘The 1958’ will again make their feelings known when Old Trafford stages the final home match of the season on May 25.Manchester United fans are planning a fresh protest against the Glazer ownershipCredit: PAThe Glazers took over the club in 2005Credit: AFPFans claim the owners have ‘betrayed’ the clubCredit: PAEric Cantona wore the colours of FC United to show his supportCredit: X/FCUnitedMcrIt is now two decades since the American family completed their controversial takeover of the Red Devils.And a spokesman for the 1958 said their legacy is ‘greed, decay and betrayal’.They said: “May 2005 marked one of the darkest days in the history of Manchester United.“The Glazer family became majority shareholders – triggering a compulsory takeover that was completed in June that year.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“That moment signalled the beginning of the end for the soul and community of our once great club – sacrificed at the altar for corporate greed.“We will march as one fanbase to make it clear that 20 years on the fire still burns red with fury and defiance. We protest, once again, at the Villa game.“Lifelong supporters are being driven away from the club they love – priced out and pushed aside – another dagger to the heart of our football community.“We want the Glazers out of our club. They were never welcome, they are not welcome now. They will never be welcome.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe group said legendary former boss Alex Ferguson has been a staunch defender of the Glazer family but his success had only masked the problems.Club legend Eric Cantona has also joined in the protest.’I lived at the training ground’ – Former Man Utd transfer chief lifts lid on most expensive window in club historyThe Frenchman was pictured wearing an FC United of Manchester kit and bucket hat on social media.He has done so as “Football belongs to the fans.”United are currently enduring their worst domestic season in 51 years, although they still have the chance to salvage something by winning the Europa League.Their statement said: “Since his retirement, the rot beneath has been laid bare for all to see — the true cost of 20 years of financial exploitation and mismanagement.“The club is drowning in over a billion pounds of debt, our fanbase Is fractured and divide and our stadium neglected.“All while the Glazers continue to pocket dividends, year after year, regardless of failure on the pitch.“Old Trafford, once the Theatre of Dreams, is crumbling from decades of neglect. They’ve taken everything.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd set ambitious target for next season after worst Premier League campaign of all time

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      MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs have set an ambitious target for next season.The Red Devils are currently enduring their worst ever Premier League campaign and sit 16th with just two matches to go.Man Utd want to finish in the top six next seasonCredit: RexYesterday’s 2-0 home defeat to West Ham was their record-equalling ninth Old Trafford loss this term.And failure to beat Chelsea on Friday night would see Ruben Amorim become the club’s first boss in Prem history to go eight games without a win.United are already guaranteed to finish in their lowest place since relegation from the top-flight in 1974.But despite all of their troubles, chiefs have set a bold target ahead of next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLManchester Evening News report that the aim is to finish in the top six in a year’s time.That is if they win the Europa League and subsequently qualify for the Champions League or not.It is described as an “acceptable” target made by the United’s “power brokers”.It comes after Amorim hinted at quitting should he not turn things around.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe said: “I don’t want to talk about the players. I’m talking about myself and the culture in the club and the culture in the team. I have that feeling.“We need to change that and we need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave.’I lived at the training ground’ – Former Man Utd transfer chief lifts lid on most expensive window in club history”Because we cannot have a season like this next year. If the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different persons.”So it’s a big problem that we have here at the club. It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to address that.”We are losing the feeling that we are a massive club and the feeling that it’s not the biggest thing in the world losing a game at home.”We don’t have that fear anymore and that is the most dangerous thing that a big club can have.”I think it’s a concern. It’s not the players’ fault. It’s my fault, I’m responsible.”If we cannot change that really fast we should give our place to different persons.Read More on The Sun”If you look at the goals that we suffer, we can avoid these goals. The lack of energy, of urgency. That is the most dangerous things in this club.”You can feel it at the beginning of the game. Between our box and opponent’s box there is a lack of urgency. That is something we have to change in this club.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd vs Tottenham Europa League final referee served six-month ban for match-fixing after accepting bribe

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      THE REFEREE taking charge of Manchester United’s Europa League final showdown with Tottenham served a six-month ban for match fixing.Felix Zwayer, 43, is the man in the middle of the all-English affair on May 21 as both sides eye season-saving silverware and Champions League qualification.Man Utd’s referee against Spurs previously served a six-month ban for match fixingCredit: GettyThe German is one of Uefa’s top-ranked referees and took charge of England’s semi-final win over the Netherlands at last summer’s Euros.And he took charge of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes last Wednesday.Zwayer came under-fire from Arsenal fans after handing PSG a penalty for a controversial handball call against Myles Lewis-Skelly.He now faces another major night in Bilbao as Man Utd look to go unbeaten in Europe, despite their embarrassing Premier League form.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut Zwayer, who has overseen more than 700 games and is highly rated by Uefa, has a tainted history.In 2005, he was punished for accepting a bribe from fellow ref Robert Hoyzer.Zwayer was a linesman at the time and took £250 to fix a second division match in Germany.An investigation revealed that Hoyzer had been accepting money from a Croatian gambling syndicate connected to an organised crime group.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHoyzer was banned from football for life while also receiving a prison sentence of two years and five months.As for Zwayer, he was suspended from football for six months before returning to eventually become a Bundesliga ref in 2009.Ruben Amorim vows to QUIT Man Utd if horror slump continues as dejected boss identifies ‘most dangerous thing’ at clubFormer Dortmund star Jude Bellingham called Zwayer out in 2021His bribery scandal has not gone unnoticed though, with Jude Bellingham calling him out after Borussia Dortmund drew with rivals Bayern Munich in 2021.Bellingham was slapped with a £34,000 fine for blasting Zwayer’s chequered past while complaining about a penalty incident.The England star said: “You give a referee, that has match fixed before, the biggest game in Germany. What do you expect?” Zwayer last refereed Man Utd during their 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the Europa League in 2023.The Red Devils are unbeaten in all four games that Zwayer has officiated, which have ended in two wins and two draws.And the last time he called the shots in a Tottenham game was during their 4-2 loss in Barcelona in 2018.Zwayer has been an international ref since 2012 and will officiate his second Uefa final after the 2023 Nations League meeting between Croatia and Spain.Read More on The SunCompatriots Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz have been named as his assistants in Bilbao.Italy’s Maurizio Mariani is the fourth official and Bastian Dankert will serve as VAR. More

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      Real Madrid targeting Tottenham star Cristian Romero in summer transfer to rebuild defence for Xabi Alonso

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      REAL MADRID will target Cristian Romero this summer – as they look to build a new back-line.The Spanish giants are set to welcome Trent Alexander-Arnold as one of their marquee signings.Real Madrid are targeting a move for Cristian RomeroCredit: GettyBut SunSport can reveal that Real’s business is far from over.Incoming boss Xabi Alonso is believed to be a huge fan of Romero and thinks he could be the perfect addition to help Real win silverware next season.Reports last year suggested that Madrid made an ambitious move to land Romero last summer but Spurs had no interest in doing business.However, after a miserable season which could see the Lilywhites finish 17th in the Premier League table, they may now have little option but to let Romero go this time around.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpurs know they will find it especially difficult to persuade him to stay if they fail to beat Manchester United in the Europa League final and qualify for the Champions League.Real Madrid’s defence has been highlighted in Spain as one of the main reasons for their failure to win La Liga or the Champions League this season.And although the impending arrival of Alexander-Arnold will excite fans, the club know he alone will not be enough.Question marks also exist around Alexander-Arnold’s defensive skills which has made a centre-back an even bigger priority for the club.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBy pairing Romero with the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Los Blancos chiefs believe they could create a strong base from which to go and win the biggest trophies.Alonso also prefers to play with a back three and if he continues with that formation at the Bernabeu it would make signing a new centre-back a priority.Jamie Carragher ‘shocked’ by Alexander-Arnold boos as he admits ‘most Liverpool players want to play for Real Madrid’Losing Romero would be a disaster for Spurs.He’s a hugely popular player among supporters and his absence this season through injury has hit the team hard. More

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      Evangelos Marinakis erupts in tunnel in even more explosive rant after Nottingham Forest owner confronted Nuno on pitch

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      RAGING Evangelos Marinakis erupted again in the Nottingham Forest tunnel in an even more shocking repeat of his on-pitch rant.The Nottingham Forest owner confronted boss Nuno Espirito Santo following their 2-2 draw with relegated Leicester on Sunday.Evangelos Marinakis confronted Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch following Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester CityCredit: AFPThe pair were seen arguing on the pitchCredit: Sky SportsMarinakis was furious with the handling of Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury, who was cleared to continue after colliding with the post but did not look fit to play.Nuno put the outburst down to Marinakis’ “passion”, though SunSport can reveal his temper flared further in the tunnel at the City Ground.Eyewitnesses saw the Greek businessman lose his rag once more with Nuno, before also venting his frustration at Awoniyi himself and the medical staff.Those who witnessed the incident felt it went far beyond what fans and TV cameras witnessed on the pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA win would have moved Forest into the Champions League places once again.The owner is often spotted in the tunnel after victories to celebrate with his players.Marinakis later issued a statement celebrating Forest qualifying for Europe, but also calling out the medical staff for their error.He said: “Everybody – coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself – we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgement on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game.Most read in FootballMarinakis released a statement following the incidentCredit: AFPCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club. Let’s all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming!”Boss Nuno said: “It was disappointing for everyone.”It was too painful for Taiwo to push and help the team and it was a misunderstanding between the coaching staff and the medical department.”It’s because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club.”He pushes us and wants us to be better. I have been in football so many years. As a club, we owe a lot to the Marinakis family.”It is not the first time Marinakis, who also owns Olympiakos and Portuguese side Rio Ave, has become the focus at Forest.Last year he was slapped with a five match stadium ban after spitting towards match officials in the tunnel following a 1-0 loss to Fulham.Last month, Marinakis officially relinquished day-to-day control of Forest by placing his shares in a blind trust – a pre-emptive move to avoid any issues should they be in the Champions League alongside Olympiakos next season.Marinakis was fuming with how Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury was handledCredit: Shutterstock Editorial More

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      Colin Booth dead at 90: Two-time Wolves title winner who scored four in one game vs Arsenal passes away

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      FORMER Wolves star Colin Booth has died at the age of 90.The former striker won two Division One titles with the club in the 1950s.Colin Booth has passed awayCredit: AlamyHe won the First Division title twice during his time at WolvesCredit: RexBooth’s death was confirmed by Wolves as the club released a statement.It read: “Colin Booth, who twice won the First Division title with Wolves during the 1950s, has sadly passed away at the age of 90.”The thoughts of all at Wolves are with Colin’s family and friends at this sad time.”While the Wolves Former Players Association also paid its respects.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt posted: “All at Wolves FPA send their sincere condolences to the family and friends of former player Colin Booth, who has passed away at the age of 90.”He started his career at Wolves as an apprentice and went on to score 27 goals in 83 appearances.He famously scored four times against Arsenal in one game during the club’s 1957/58 title-winning campaign.The performance came in a brilliant 5-2 win at the Molineux while he also notched a hat-trick against Portsmouth and Sheffield United.Most read in FootballBooth was also a part of the club that won the title again in 1959.He left Wolves that year and joined Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Nottingham Forest.He had spells at Doncaster Rovers, Oxford United and Cambridge United before retiring at Cheltenham Town.Tributes have been made to the former England U21S star on social media by fans.One posted: “Sad news. Rest in peace, Colin Booth. My condolences to his loved ones.”A second wrote: “Rest easy Colin.”A third commented: “Rest in peace.” More

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      Tony Pulis set for shock new job in Egypt five years since Stoke legend’s last role at Sheff Weds

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      STOKE management legend Tony Pulis is poised to swap the Potters for the pyramids by taking charge of Egypt’s biggest club.The Welshman had six Premier League seasons at the bet365 Stadium, plus two as Crystal Palace boss.Tony Pulis could be returning to management with Eygptian club ZamalekCredit: GettyPulis, 67, left his last management job at Sheffield Wednesday in 2020.But he has now reportedly begun talks with Cairo club Zamalek about becoming their director of football.The 14-time national champions and winners of 13 African titles are currently fifth in the Egyptian Premier League.Pulis has flown to Cairo after an invite from ex-Tottenham star Mido, who is a Zamalek board member.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFormer Zamalek president Mamdouh Abbas hailed the veteran manager’s arrival, acclaiming him as “one of the most prominent coaches in the history of the Premier League.”Abbas wrote on social media: “The purpose of Pulis’ visit is to study Zamalek’s football infrastructure, and to assess the potential for development in line with international standards.”Football is huge in Egypt, with Zamalek playing at the 75,000-capacity Cairo International Stadium.Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush are national icons in the north African country.Most read in FootballFormer Wigan and Spurs star Mido is a Zamalek board memberCredit: PA:Empics SportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPulis has a wealth of management experience since first taking charge of Bournemouth in 1992.He had two spells as Stoke boss, totalling 10 years, where his team built a reputation for a no-nonsense style of play that featured lethal long throws from Rory Delap.He also led Gillingham, Bristol City, Portsmouth, Plymouth, West Brom and Middlesbrough.Tony Pulis’ managerial careerA glimpse at Pulis’ time as a manager…1992-1994 – Bournemouth1995-1999 – Gillingham1999-2000 – Bristol City2000 – Portsmouth2002-2005 – Stoke City2005-2006 – Plymouth Argyle2006-2013 – Stoke City2013-2014 – Crystal Palace2015-2017 – West Brom2017-2019 – Middlesbrough2020 – Sheffield Wednesday More