DETAILS of the contracts for the failed European Super League have been revealed with Real Madrid and Barcelona enjoying the best terms.The La Liga rivals would have earned a whopping £52m more than any other teams in the competition including those from England.
Meanwhile SunSport has exclusively revealed that an offer to the Old Firm to join is top of the list of plans being actively discussed for reform of the Premier League.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below from this developing story…
GIGGS CHARGED
Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has been charged with coercive control and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville after a row.
The Wales manager, 47, was held after cops were called to his £1.7million mansion in Worsley, Greater Manchester on November 3.
He was quizzed at a police station before being released on bail pending further enquiries.
But Giggs was charged today with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour against PR exec Kate.
The second count spans more than three years – between December 2017 and November 2020.
Giggs has also been charged with a second count of assault against another woman aged in her 20s following the alleged bust-up last year.
He will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on April 28.
Credit: PA
KANE AND ABLE?
Harry Kane will be given until Saturday to prove his fitness for Tottenham’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
The England star missed Spurs’ midweek win over Southampton with an ankle injury picked up against Everton.
Tottenham are desperate to have Kane fit for Sunday’s Wembley final as they bid for silverware but interim boss Ryan Mason has admitted time is running out.
Credit: Reuters
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero have handed Manchester City a Carabao Cup final boost by stepping up their comebacks.
The pair both trained on Friday – meaning they are in the frame for the Wembley showdown with Tottenham on Sunday.
De Bruyne injured his ankle in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea last weekend and there were fears he had suffered ligament damage.
However the 29-year-old has made steady progress over the week and given himself an outside chance of featuring against Spurs.
Aguero has been sidelined for the last three weeks but is back in the frame for what will be his last month at the Etihad.
Guardiola said: “Both Sergio and Kevin trained today.
“For Sergio this was his first training session for a few weeks. On Saturday there is our last training session and after that we’ll decide.”
MORE THAN O-KAY
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Brazilian forward Kayky.
We are delighted to confirm we have reached an agreement with Fluminese regarding the future transfer of Kayky. The teenage forward will remain with Fluminese until the end of the Brazilian season.🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 23, 2021
DIFFERENT LIGA
The passion of England football fans was the key to victory in the Super League battle.
That was the verdict of Javier Tebas, head of Spain’s La Liga, as he reflected on a tumultuous and tortuous few days which saw the game pulled back from the abyss of greed.
Power of the fans – LaLiga boss Javier Tebas
He said: “We waited 25 years for this to happen.
“Then it came and in 48 hours, it is going to disappear – dissolving like a teaspoon of sugar in hot water. I don’t want to say the Premier League clubs were forced to join but they were told that many were already in and everybody was going to sign.
“Then the English clubs withdrew straightaway because their fans and politicians got involved. Some of the English clubs who joined surprised me.
“But Manchester United, we know the owner, he’s part of the NFL.
The American owners have a different concept of sport and feel the competition structure for them should be completely closed, getting more money.
“But that’s the US style, not the European way. We have a different tradition.
“In Europe we believe in open competition and can’t understand a closed shop.
“So the people who were the most surprised were the ones who apologised.
“They didn’t know the opinions of their fans and the Government. The fans have really strong feelings in England. They showed it and it made a difference.”
CASH RICH
Leaked details of the Super League contracts reveal that Barcelona and Real Madrid were due to cash in over £52m more than other sides.
The El Clasico pair are the only sides along with Juventus to not publicly state their withdrawal from the breakaway league.
GUNNER BE JUICY
AFTV host Robbie Lyle clashes with Gunners legend Ray Parlour over whether the YouTube channel want Arsenal to lose to get more hits.
🤔 𝗥𝗮𝘆: “AFTV want Arsenal to lose to get more hits on YouTube!”🤬 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗲: ”Ray, you’re talking absolute rubbish, you’re so out of touch!”Ray Parlour & @ItsDonRobbie clash over claims @AFTVMedia want #AFC to lose!You simply 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 to watch this 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QG0DZfkjgh— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) April 23, 2021
SPURS SPENDERS
Daniel Levy needs to back the next Tottenham manager in the transfer market if he wants take the club to the next level.
That is the view of Alan Hutton, who was in the last Spurs team to win a trophy when they lifted the League Cup in 2008, as Ryan Mason leads out the North North Londoners against Man City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
He said: “For me that’s always been Tottenham’s problem – they get so far and just when they get to that stage when you think they are going to kick on, they don’t.
“When you reach that stage, you have to keep spending to bring in better players and improve the squad. Yet it has just felt to me Tottenham have never really wanted to do that.
“The top teams are always adding to what they already have. But when Tottenham have got to a certain level to challenge they have always just been content to stay there.
“I think money has been a major part of it. When Tottenham have done well and needed to improve the squad they haven’t been prepared to spend the money and really go for it.
“Daniel needs to decide what he wants Tottenham to be in terms of playing style and whether he really wants then to go for it now and reach that next level.
“They always seem to be almost just there, never quite there, just falling short. If they really want to kick on now they are going to need to invest a lot of money to compete with the other clubs up there.”
SOL-LESS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at the botched plan for a European Super league being driven by his own boss Joel Glazer.
The Manchester United manager only became aware of it on the day it was announced last Sunday and has since had to confront an angry group of protestors at the club’s training ground.
Credit: Getty
Solskjaer said: “I didn’t like the concept, it has to be on sporting merit, I want to earn the right to play in Europe.
“We know we’ve been pioneers and we’ve been in Europe for many, many years, with the Busby Babes, we want to be part of a successful European campaign again. One of my best nights was something we worked really hard towards.
“You can’t be given it because your name is such and such, you have to earn the right to be there. And I’ve always felt and believed in stepping out of your comfort zone, being afraid of failure, that spurs you on, living on the edge a little bit, and that wasn’t part of this.
“My players last season were excellent, when I talk about this fear of failure, they were afraid of not making Champions League because we were so many points behind. They pulled themselves together as a team, achieved third, a very good achievement, this year striving towards trophies, and we’re second.
“I back my team to be in the top in Europe. But I still think that fear of failure is helping us do that and being a sporting competitor as I am and my nature is not being handed this, we can’t be handed a place, that’s my opinion.
“I’m very happy all of the clubs have admitted their mistake, this was a bad idea, and the way it came out as well.”
TON OF CHECKS
Manchester United have beefed up their security at Carrington after fans broke into the training complex yesterday – and even boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to prove who he was.
As the players arrived for drills today, two security guards greeted them at the entrance.
Even United gaffer Solskjaer was stopped by two burly high-vis-wearing men.
He appeared to be asked to remove his sunglasses to prove he really was the Red Devils leader.
Around 20 supporters stormed Carrington on Thursday to voice their anger at the club’s owners and their attempt to join the breakaway European Super League.
The group made it on to the first-team pitch and refused to leave until manager Solskjaer came and spoke to them.
VEST-ED INTEREST
Southampton are set to face interest from home and abroad as they look to keep Jannik Vestergaard.
Tottenham are rumoured to be keen on the centre-back along with Serie A pair Juventus and Roma.
Vestergaard, 28, has been a regular in the Saints line-up since a 2018 move from Borussia Monchengladbach.
But his contract expiring in 2022 could force the club’s hand if serious interest arises in the summer.
According to Italian portal TuttoMercatoWeb, Spurs are working on setting up a meeting with the player’s entourage.
Roma could steal a march on their progress however with club general manager Tiago Pinto tipped to discuss a switch with Vestergaard’s representatives next week.
BAR-D MOVE
Cash-strapped Barcelona have released a bizarre statement saying they joined the European Super for ‘financial sustainability’ – despite spending almost £1BILLION on transfers in the last five seasons.
WEMBLEY WAY
England have been given a major euro 2020 boost after Uefa moved the Three Lions’ prospective last 16 game to Wembley.
But hopes that the country would get all of the matches stripped from Dublin have been dashed – with the three group games due to be played in the Irish capital now moved to St Petersburg.
The news is a huge positive for Gareth Southgate and his men, who can now play SIX of their potential seven games in the tournament under the Arch.
England were due to play in the last 16 – against the runner up from the group including France, Portugal and Germany – at the Aviva on June 29 if they came out top of their opening group with Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic.
Now, though, they will retain home advantage and play at Wembley if they can finish at the head of Group D.
It means that, if England can win the group, their path to the Final would be entirely at Wembley apart from a last eight match in Rome on July 3.
The decision was taken by Uefa’s ruling executive committee this morning after an emergency session.
Dublin and Bilbao – due to host all three of Spain’s group games – lost their hosting rights after being unable to give Uefa the guarantees demanded by President Aleksander Ceferin that fans would be allowed to attend matches.
SEAD & DONE
Lazio are ready to make their move to land Arsenal outcast Sead Kolasinac, according to reports.
The left-back will return to the Gunners in the summer following a six-month loan stint at Schalke.
Kolasinac has been a mainstay in the Schalke side but failed to help save them from relegation to the second tier.
The 27-year-old and his team-mates were pelted with eggs from furious fans following their disastrous season.
And although Schalke would be interested in a permanent deal, the actions from supporters are likely to do nothing to convince Kolasinac to stay.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Italian giants Lazio are ready to take advantage.
The reports add how they admire his experience and believe he could be a vital addition to the squad and with his contract expiring in 2022 this is Arsenal’s last chance to cash in.
Credit: Getty
FAST SWITCH
Leicester ace Wesley Fofana was subbed off after an hour of the win over West Brom because he is fasting for Ramadan.
The French defender, 20, started in a back three alongside Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu at the King Power last night.
But he was replaced with 61 minutes on the clock by Marc Albrighton.
And Brendan Rodgers confirmed it was because his young centre-back hadn’t eaten or drank since sunrise.
The Foxes boss told BBC Radio Leicester: “He’s a young player in the middle of Ramadan so hasn’t eaten.
“It’s remarkable to think of his performance at the weekend. To still perform to that level was incredible.
“He finds that strength to train and play. He’s a special talent and a big player for us.”
Ramadan started on April 13 this year and will end with the celebration of Eid on May 12 or 13.
Credit: AP
OWN GOAL
Former Barcelona player and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker was awfully disappointed at Barcelona’s Super League statement.
The cash-strapped Catalan giants said they would put the concept to fans but through it was necessary.
PM TO THE RESCUE
Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin has hailed PM Boris Johnson for helping save European football by leading the national ‘revolution’.
Johnson’s dramatic intervention and promises to bring in laws to block the Super League breakaway cut off the legs of the ‘dirty dozen’ plotters.
Ceferin said: “Boris Johnson is aware that football fans are from the working class.
“They live hard, and they spend the last money to watch football matches, which is their passion, relaxation, which is part of European culture, part of history.
“It seemed to me the reaction was very logical – he cared what happened to football, because that would affect the people, of course.”
Ceferin added: “In England there are so many fans and they love their club immensely. If the fans get angry, it is a kind of revolution. And no country can afford that.
“I find it very responsible from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to take a sharp stand on the side of the fans, not only because of the culture and love of football, but also because it ensures order in the country.
“We were in contact and I also spoke to his cabinet. They responded excellently.”
UR ON
Liverpool face a fight for Ugurcan Cakir after Borussia Dortmund emerged as contenders for the Turkish goalkeeper.
The 25-year-old came through the Trabzonspor academy to cement his place as the side’s first-choice shot-stopper and captain.
According to Fotospor, via Fanatik, the race is on to snap up Cakir with Liverpool and Dortmund both keen.
The Reds are set to wave goodbye to back-up keeper Adrian when his contract expires in the summer.
That would leave Irish youngster Caoimhin Kelleher as first reserve to Alisson Becker amid talk of a new addition.
But Dortmund have already reportedly lodged a £17million bid for Cakir.
It is thought the Super Lig side want upwards of £25m for their star man as well as a 25 per cent sell-on clause.
Credit: Getty
NO MOR SUPER LEAGUE
Super League bankrollers JP Morgan have pledged to learn from the breakaway debacle after revealing they misjudged the situation.
The investment bank were due to stump up a 3.5billion euros loan for the Dirty Dozen before the Big Six pulled out and the project crumbled.
A statement from a JP Morgan spokesperson read: “We clearly misjudged how this deal would be viewed by the wider football community and how it might impact them in the future.
“We will learn from this.”
RON THE WAY HOME?
Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘tempted’ by a return to Manchester United, according to reports.
The Portuguese star became a legend at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009, winning his first Ballon d’Or and Champions League gongs during his time in the North West.
Credit: Reuters
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, CR7 is growing unhappy at Juve, with a return to Old Trafford starting to cross his mind.
Ronaldo has failed to go beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League since swapping Real Madrid for Juve in 2018.
And this season, under Andrea Pirlo, the Old Lady appear unlikely to even win Serie A – currently sat in fourth, 11 points behind Inter Milan.
In fact, Juve are only two points above fifth-placed Napoli, opening them up to the unthinkable possibility of not even qualifying for the Champions League.
Struggling financially due to Ronaldo’s wages and the effect of the coronavirus pandemic, Juventus could benefit from offloading the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
CAN’T STAN YOU NOW
Arsenal fans are set to call for Stan Kroenke’s departure from the club at an Emirates Stadium protest on Friday night.
Before the Gunners’ game with Everton, a number of supporters are expected to express their outrage at the European Super League and general running of the club.
Credit: Alamy
American billionaire Kroenke, 73, joined the board of the Premier League outfit in 2008 and became majority shareholder three years later.
In that time the side have won four FA Cups but slipped out of title contention, and are set to miss out on a top-four finish for the fifth year in a row.
Already-brewing fan discontent exploded during the week as ninth-placed Arsenal signed up to the European Super League plot.
Protests across all six of the English sides committed to the project led to its collapse and the Gunners’ board was forced to apologise.
However, supporters remain determined to see Kroenke and son Josh, a director at Emirates Stadium, leave North London.
The hashtag #KroenkeOut has been adopted by many Gooners online ahead of Friday’s protest at the ground.
ALL BARC NO BITE
Cash-strapped Barcelona backed the need for a Super League but confirmed they would put the idea to its members.
FULL BARCELONA STATEMENT
“FC Barcelona shares the view of most major European football clubs, and even more so given the current socio-economic climate, that there is a need for structural reforms to guarantee the financial sustainability and feasibility of world football by improving the product that is offered to fans around the world and by consolidating and even increasing the fan base on which this sport is sustained, which is its mainstay and greatest strength.
“In this context, the FC Barcelona Board of Directors accepted, as a matter of immediate urgency, the offer to form part, as the founding member, of the Super League, a competition designed to improve the quality and attractiveness of the product offered to the football fans and, at the same time, and as one of FC Barcelona’s most inalienable principles, seek new formulas for solidarity with the football family as a whole.
“The decision was made in the conviction that it would have been a historical error to turn down the opportunity to be part of this project as one of its founding members. As one of the world’s top sports club, our intention shall always be to be at the forefront, this being an indispensable part of the club’s identity and its sporting, social and institutional spirit.
“In whatever case, FC Barcelona, as a club that always has been and always shall be owned by each and every one of its members, expressly reserved the right to submit such an important decision to the final approval of its competent social bodies following careful and very necessary study of the proposal.
“Given the public reaction that the aforementioned project has generated in many and various spheres, there is no question that FC Barcelona appreciates that a much more in-depth analysis is required into the reasons that have caused this reaction in order to reconsider, if necessary, and to the required extent, the proposal as originally formulated and resolve all those issues, always for the good of the general interest of the football world. Such in-depth analysis needs time and the necessary composure to avoid taking any rash action.
“We feel it is equally important to highlight the objective fact that a Court of Justice has already granted urgent legal protection as requested, thus confirming right of the initiative on the part of the founding clubs of the Super League project.
“In this regard, FC Barcelona considers that it would be improper for the necessary process of reflection and debate to be established under criteria of unjustified pressure and intimidation.
“Despite being perfectly aware of the importance and interest raised by this matter, as well as the need to always act with the utmost transparency, FC Barcelona shall act at all times with due prudence and asks for the utmost understanding, respect and most of all patience among FC Barcelona supporters and public opinion in general.”
EDIN OFF
Boca Juniors are a step closer to snapping up Edinson Cavani with the striker reportedly maintaining his desire to leave Europe.
The 34-year-old has hit ten goals in his first and possibly only campaign at Old Trafford, ahead of his contract expiring in June.
Last month, SunSport revealed his desire to hold talks with the club and thrash out his future.
And rumblings of discontent have refused to go away with Cavani’s father asserting that he wants to depart Manchester.
According to Argentine outlet Depo, the player recently sat down with United and reiterated his plan to move on.
A return to South America is said to be Cavani’s wish, to bring him closer to his family.
Buenos Aires giants Boca Juniors have been linked with a deal and discussions with the club are described as positive.
Credit: EPA
ROSS LOSS
Ross Barkley faces uncertainty over his future after Aston Villa ruled out a permanent transfer this summer.
The Chelsea midfielder, 27, joined the West Midlands club last September on a season-long loan.
But boss Dean Smith confirmed the Villans have no intention of securing his services for next season – especially with the Blues reportedly quoting a £40million price tag.
Smith said: “No, Ross Barkley came in on loan at the start of the season.
“Obviously, Frank Lampard was the manager at the time we brokered a deal to bring him in on loan.
“He’s got another two years left on his contract at Chelsea and that’s not been discussed at all.”
Former Everton star Barkley is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2023.
Credit: Getty
OLE LOAD OF TROUBLE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enraged a group of Manchester United protestors by claiming hated owner Joel Glazer ‘loves this club’.
A group descended on the Red Devils’ Carrington training ground yesterday morning in protest at the Glazer family’s ownership and their attempts to break-away into a European Super League.
And they refused to leave the doors to the main reception until boss Solskjaer came out and engaged with them.
He did and they questioned him as to how he could ever trust the club’s co-chairman Joel Glazer ever again.
But Solskjaer jumped to his defence saying ‘Joel loves this club’. It was a statement met with derision with a number of protestors firing back saying ‘he doesn’t love this club he loves the money’.
Solskjaer, 48, was flanked by coach Michael Carrick and technical director Darren Fletcher as he spoke with the group. Midfielder Nemanja Matic was also close by.
During the exchanges, which lasted just over five minutes, it was pointed out to Solskjaer that back in 2005 he was a patron of protest group Shareholders United and voiced his opposition to the Glazers imminent takeover.
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