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      Arsenal miss out on seven-figure cash windfall after Southampton get relegated

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      SOUTHAMPTON’s sorry season has resulted in an instant return to the Championship – and a monetary blow for Arsenal. The Saints’ relegation from the Premier League was confirmed after a 3-1 loss to Tottenham on Sunday. Arsenal have missed out on a seven-figure payout following Southampton’s relegationCredit: GettyA clause in Aaron Ramsdale’s transfer to the South Coast would have kicked in if the Saints stayed upCredit: GettySouthampton wasted no time in sacking manager Ivan Juric and are already looking for a successor. But Arsenal also missed out on a seven-figure payday once the Saints’ fate was confirmed. The Gunners sold goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton last summer.The South Coast club shelled out £18million upfront to bring the stopper to St Mary’s.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA clause in the England star’s contract stipulated that a further £1m would be paid to Arsenal if Southampton stayed up.But after their relegation, Southampton don’t need to pay up.Ramsdale has played 23 top-flight games this season for Southampton, conceding 54 goals. The Saints stopper has kept just two clean sheets in a record-breaking campaign for all the wrong reasons. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKSouthampton began the season full of hope under Russell Martin.But they sacked 39-year-old in December following a number of heavy defeats. Aaron Ramsdale COMPLETES £25m Southampton transfer as England goalkeeper’s Arsenal career comes to an endJuric was brought in to steady the ship, but has only managed one win and a draw in 14 games.The Croatian leaves the club as statistically the worst boss in Premier League history, with 0.29 points per game.Assistant coach Simon Rusk will now take charge of the team until the end of the season.Former England midfielder Adam Lallana has bagged a role as his No2.Rusk and Lallana will be in the dugout for this weekend’s visit of Aston Villa.Saints became earliest-relegated team in Premier League history, with a pitiful 10 points from 31 games so far. More

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      Mario Balotelli threatens to become his ‘rebellious 16-year-old’ self as stint at new club turns sour

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      MARIO BALOTELLI has threatened to bring out his inner “rebel” after being frozen out by Patrick Vieira. The notorious football bad-boy is currently playing in his native Italy for Genoa.Mario Balotelli is playing for Genoa in ItalyCredit: GettyThe Italian striker has hit out on Instagram after struggling for game timeCredit: InstagramBalotelli joined the Serie A side last October after spells in Turkey and Switzerland.But he has missed the majority of the last two months nursing a broken hand. Balotelli has played just 56 minutes in total for Genoa since joining the club. His last appearance was a short cameo off the bench against Napoli in December. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBalotelli claims to be match fit – but has been frozen out of the squad by Arsenal legend Vieira. The 34-year-old took to Instagram on Monday to seemingly voice his frustration with a cryptic post. Standing shirtless in the Genoa dressing room, Balotelli wrote: “Around here they deserve the rebellious 16-year-old Mario.”Maybe that way they would understand what it means to truly lack respect.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBalotelli was renowned for his hell-raising antics early in his career.He infamously let off fireworks in his flat while playing for Manchester City.Mario Balotelli shows off skills in brilliant gameThe wild child also fought with teammates and threw darts at a youth team star.Various City managers felt they could tame the talented Italian forward.But since leaving the North West in 2013, he has rocked up at nine different clubs. Mario Balotelli’s career in numbersTHE Italian had the world at his feet when he arrived at Manchester City back in 2010.Club career2005-2006 Lumezzane – 2 appearances, 0 goals 2007-2010: Inter Milan – 86 appearances, 28 goals2010-2013: Man City – 80 appearances, 30 goals2012-2014: AC Milan – 54 appearances, 30 goals2014-2015: Liverpool – 28 appearances, 4 goals2015-2016: AC Milan (loan) – 23 appearances, 3 goals2016-2019: Nice – 76 appearances, 43 goals2018-2019: Marseille – 15 appearances, 8 goals2019-2020: Brescia – 19 appearances, 5 goals2020-2021: Monza – 14 appearances, 6 goals2021-2023: Adana Demirspor – 35 appearances, 19 goals2022-2023: Sion – 19 appearances, 6 goals 2023-2024: Adana Demispor – 16 appearances, 7 goals2024-present: Genoa – 6 appearances, 0 goals International career2008-2010: Italy under-21 – 18 appearances, 7 goals2010-2018: Italy – 36 appearances, 14 goalsBalotelli was approached last November by Genoa coach Alberto Gilardino, signing on the back of a positive meeting.But Gilardino left the club just weeks after Balotelli’s arrival, with Vieira put in charge. Balotelli signed a one-year deal with Genoa but is yet to find the net.Read More on The SunIt’s now over a year since he last netted in a game.Balotelli last found the net for Adana Demirspor against Turkish giants Fenerbahce in April 2024. More

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      Referees to wear BODYCAMS at major tournament with footage set to be shown to fans on TV

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      REFEREES will wear bodycams during the Club World Cup, it has been confirmed.Footage from the cameras will be readily available to broadcasters during matches at the competition.The club world cup will feature bodycam footage from refsCredit: AFPThe technology has had good feedback from trials in England at the grassroots levelCredit: PAJarred Gillett used a bodycam during a Premier League clash last seasonCredit: GettyIt was revealed during a Prem clash between Crystal Palace and Man UtdCredit: Sky SportsThe move was confirmed by the chairman of the Fifa referees committee, Pierluigi Collina.Collina said: “It is a good chance to offer the viewers a new experience, in terms of images taken from a perspective, from an angle of vision which was never offered before.”It’s a combination of new experience for broadcasters and also for coaching purposes.”Having the possibility to see what the referee sees is important in the debriefing, to evaluate how the call was made by the referee, which was his view, and so on.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReferee bodycams were first trialled in English football at the grassroots level last season.The trials were then expanded for this season after results showed a decrease in abuse toward match officials.In the Premier League, Jarred Gillett became the first referee to wear a bodycam during last season’s clash between Crystal Palace and Manchester United in May, a game won 4-0 by Palace.That game was a one-off to capture footage for a programme promoting match officials.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKOther nations have also taken to using bodycams.The Bundesliga saw its first instance of a referee wearing a bodycam in February 2024 during a game between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.Fifa show off incredible new Club World Cup trophy that has be opened with a giant gold KEYFootball in the United States, where the refreshed 32-team Club World Cup will be played out this summer, has seen the use of bodycam footage in recent seasons in Major League Soccer.Manchester City and Chelsea are the English clubs who will be present at the tournament.It will run from June 15 to July 13.The early scheduling of the post-season tournament has seen the Premier League open up a second summer transfer window to allow teams to sign players before the competition begins.It will then be shut again during the tournament before re-opening afterwards for the remainder of the summer.Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge More

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      Zlatan Ibrahimovic tipped for shock Wrexham move to link up with Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has been tipped to join Wrexham.The striker retired in 2023, ending his career at AC Milan.Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been tipped for a shock move to WrexhamCredit: GettyOwner Ryan Reynolds has not been afraid to spend big since buying WrexhamCredit: RexIt came months after he underwent surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for nine months.Ibrahimovic completed his recovery from the injury and became the Serie A’s oldest goalscorer, and he has kept himself fit ever since.So former Premier League star Matt Jansen believes he could be an option for Wrexham, who could be playing in the Championship next season.Jansen told Fruity King: “It would probably suit Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although he retired.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But money talks and they’ve certainly got it. It would be Hollywood and he’d enjoy it, wouldn’t he?”It would certainly be that type, or a big target man like Chris Wood maybe, although he’s not going to leave Nottingham Forest.”Anything’s possible with Wrexham and they’ve got the backing. With the media around them, they’ve got the idea of what they want to do.”Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have not been afraid to spend big to lure players to the Racecourse since taking over.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSTheir astute transfer business has helped manager Phil Parkinson achieve back-to-back promotions from the National League, and now another looks likely.They occupy the second automatic promotion spot in League One and are six points ahead of their closes rivals Wycombe in third, having played one match more.Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham mercilessly trolled by Peterborough stars after Cup heartache More

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      Fans beg Cole Palmer ‘never change’ as footage of Chelsea star asking waiter bizarre question emerges

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      FANS gave Cole Palmer a big tip after his unusual question in a restaurant.Supporters advised the Chelsea hero to “never change” after footage emerged of his encounter with a waiter.Cole Palmer was straight in there with a surprise queryThe waiter enjoyed a question he might never have faced beforeEngland ace Palmer was having a relaxing night outPalmer, was casually dressed in a dark hoodie but having a classy night out with a female friend.As they discussed their meal, she made the all-important query: “Do you like it?”The England midfielder replied: “It’s quite nice this” – before turning to the waiter with a question he might never have been asked before.Palmer enquired: “Did you make this?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBeing such an all-round talent himself, the 11-cap ace perhaps thought the waiter was blessed with similar gifts.But the besuited server could only grin widely and reply: “I wish!”Fans, however, toasted Palmer for his question”The bloke is really special!” said one.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Never change Cole,” pleaded another.But a third observer couldn’t decide if Palmer’s expression was quite as innocent as it looked.Chelsea vs Tottenham descends into chaos as Romero sparks mass melee after shoving Colwill to groundHe posted: “Can’t tell if he’s joking or serious.”Not content with asking about the source of the food, Palmer followed up by enquiring about the sauce to go with it.The ex-Manchester City starlet checked: “Can I have some ketchup, please.”And for some fans this was the real issue.One wrote: “Oh dear; ketchup.”It could have been worse. he could have asked for salad dressing. Then he might have been Cole-slaughtered! More

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      Shocking moment ex-Premier League manager was sacked on live TV with Match of the Day presenter breaking the news

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      CHELSEA legend Gus Poyet has opened up on the bizarre moment he realised he’d been sacked by Brighton – while broadcasting live on the BBC.The Uruguayan appeared on an episode of Match of the Day way back in 2013. Former Brighton manager Gus Poyet (left) won promotion with the Seagulls in 2009 from League OneCredit: GettyBut the Uruguayan found out he had been sacked four years later in a bizarre wayCredit: PA:Empics SportThe BBC’s Mark Chapman told a stunned Poyet he had been let go during a live broadcastCredit: BBCPoyet joined the Seagulls in 2009 and led his side to the Championship playoffs during the 2012/13 season. Brighton missed out on promotion to the Premier League after going down to arch-rivals Crystal Palace.Poyet claims there was “nothing to indicate” he wouldn’t be returning for another crack at the top-flight next season. He therefore took up a punditry job for the summer, joining BBC host Mark Chapman for a Confederations Cup match between Spain and Nigeria on June 23. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut Brighton bosses had already put out a statement revealing his job had been terminated – just as he hit the air. Poyet was handed the statement after it was printed out by production staff.Chapman read it to him on air at half time, with Poyet stuttering in response: “I’ve still had no communication, no text, no email, I didn’t receive anything by phone.”More than 12 years later, the former Chelsea midfielder has now opened up on the episode.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHe told The Atlantic: “The commentary was starting at 7.30pm, so I switched my phone off at 7.20pm, when we did the last touches of our make-up.“There was nothing to indicate that I was going to be sacked. So I switched off my phone without any fears. Ex-Greece boss Gus Poyet pinpoints exactly what went wrong for England in shock Wembley loss”We did the pre-match analysis, then when the match started at 8pm, they said, ‘Now you can relax'”[Chapman] then said, ‘You know you’ve just been sacked?’ “We weren’t live on air, it was two minutes after the game had started at 8pm. “I said, ‘No’. He said, ‘Yes, it’s on the Brighton website’. “So then I asked staff if I could get a copy. I then asked permission to get out of the studio to call my lawyer and he told me.“The BBC thought it was perfect! We didn’t commentate one bit about the game at half-time, it was all about my sacking. “I remember saying to the BBC, ‘Oh, you’re lucky! This will never happen again!’”Poyet began his playing career in France before spells in both Uruguay and Spain.Read More on The SunHe joined Chelsea in 1997, winning the FA Cup and Cup Winners Cup in his first season at Stamford Bridge.Poyet later played for Tottenham and is currently manager at South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. More

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      Southampton tipped to make former Premier League star new manager but Chelsea could have final say

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      SOUTHAMPTON have cut their shortlist of new managers to three after axing Ivan Juric.The relegated Saints brought forward Juric’s break-clause from the summer after their drop to the Championship was confirmed at Tottenham on Sunday.Southampton are in the hunt for a new manager after letting Ivan Juric goCredit: GettyFormer Premier League star Liam Rosenior is one three names on the shortlistCredit: GettyThe Saints also fancy Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl as their next bossCredit: REXAs revealed by SunSport last month, Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl remains the leading candidate to take over at St. Mary’s next season.However, Saints new technical director, Johannes Spors, has been meeting with potential replacements since taking on the role in February.Southampton had a long-list of 10 potential managers and held talks with a number of them before cutting it down to a final three.Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 40, is an ambitious candidate.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe former Hull City boss, who has the Ligue 1 club fourth in the table and a point of the Champions League places, has impressed in France.Strasbourg are owned by Chelsea’s parent group, BlueCo, meaning Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have a say over his future.Rosenior would be allowed to make his own decision, though it would be a surprise were he to ditch Strasbourg for a Championship club.Interim boss Simon Rusk, who will be assisted by Adam Lallana, will take charge of the remaining seven Premier League games.Most read in FootballTodd Boehly will have a say over whether Rosenior can leave Strasbourg, which is owned by Chelsea’s parent group BlueCoCredit: AlamyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe third candidate is currently unknown, though there has become a focus on appointing a manager with experience of English football after the failed Juric experiment.Rohl’s appointment will hinge on agreeing a compensation package with Wednesday.Adam Lallana reflects on going back to his boyhood club Southampton The former Saints assistant manager has a release clause of £4million for a Premier League club, though the fee is lower for clubs in the Championship.That means, as with Russell Martin two years ago, Saints would have to wait until they have officially handed back their Premier League share to avoid a higher compensation fee.The deal to bring Martin from Swansea City two years ago ended up in a legal battle with the Welsh club, something Saints are keen to avoid this time around. More

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      ‘It’s not realistic’ – Rio Ferdinand calls out Roy Keane and Gary Neville’s takes on Man Utd vs Man City

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      RIO FERDINAND has called out Roy Keane and Gary Neville for their “unrealistic” expectations of Manchester United.Keane and Neville both slammed their former club for failing to put on a show in the boring Manchester derby, which ended in a flat 0-0.Rio Ferdinand has called out two Man Utd legends for having ‘unrealistic expectations’Credit: https://x.com/FIVEUKGary Neville launched a passionate tirade at both sides after the Manchester derbyRoy Keane slammed the ‘friendly’ nature of the derbyCredit: GettyThe Old Trafford encounter lacked the kind of excitement usually found in one of the league’s biggest matches.And Neville could not hold back from the gantry as his frustrations burst out while he made it clear that neither side had done enough.After spotting both teams hugging and chatting at full-time, the former Man Utd right back fumed: “It should have more blood, thunder, risk, and courage involved in playing the game.”The congratulations and love-in I’m watching says both teams are happy with 0-0. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”It looks like it’s Sunday afternoon and they’re going to go for a roast dinner together now.”It’s like we’ve got to a point in football where teams are frightened to death to give the ball away, make a mistake, take a risk.”They’re all so obsessed with shape… nothing off-the-cuff is happening in lots of games.”Neville was far from alone in lamenting what he had seen, as Sky pundits Keane and Micah Richards also vented their frustrations.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordKeane, 53, said: “There’s a real lack of quality. No atmosphere. City have dominated possession, United have sat in. “But it’s a derby game, there’s no energy in the stadium. This is a friendly derby!”Why Ruben Amorim’s Man United system is brokenBut Ferdinand believes both Keane and Neville aren’t judging Man Utd in their current practical state.Former defender Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents podcast: “The expectations that Roy is talking about is the Man Utd that he played in.”Where a 0-0 draw against anybody at home is unacceptable. You’re disappointed immediately.”But this team aren’t there. They got beat by Nottingham Forest last Tuesday. So to think that you’re going to beat Man City.”Or that you should be expected to beat City on the back of defeat to Forest is wild to me. It’s not realistic.”Ferdinand, 46, continued on his rant about Neville and Keane: “They’ve both criticised United for being too open before. The manager has adapted a bit and we get a 0-0 draw against City and that’s not right either.”So you can’t do right, for doing wrong. You’ve got to allow them to adapt and get a result out of it, but you’re still not happy.”Where will you find happiness then?”Meanwhile, several fans praised Ferdinand for being “sensible”, with one writing: “Rio is saying it how it is. United are 13th in the league.”While another said: “Spot on. We’re just not there yet and been battered by City in the past.”Read More on The SunA third said: “United were the better team. Just need a striker.”One more added: “Bang on. When United are open Roy and Gary complain, when United play compact they complain. Can’t win with these guys.” More