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      ‘We simply cannot accept’ – BBC fire cheeky dig at Nottingham Forest over bizarre VAR blast as statement released

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      BBC SPORT TEESIDE mocked Nottingham Forest’s astonishing VAR statement following Middlesbrough’s defeat to Leeds on Monday night.Boro’s play-off hopes were ended by Daniel Farke’s side at the Riverside Stadium as Leeds moved back into second place with a 4-2 win in the North East.BBC Sport Teeside aped Nottingham Forest’s VAR statement on Monday eveningCredit: RexThe mocking tweet came after decisions went against Middlesbrough in their defeat to LeedsCredit: AlamyHowever, the home side were left feeling aggrieved at the second and third goals they conceded as there was a suspicion of offside in both.And while the game was still going on, BBC Sport Teeside aped the style of Forest’s tweet from Sunday by insisting they are decisions they “cannot accept” and that they “will now consider its options”.Their post read: “Two extremely poor offside decisions – which we simply cannot accept.”Maddo [academy ambassador and player welfare officer at Boro] warned the PGMOL that the lino is a Leeds fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”BBC Tees Sport will now consider its options.”It comes after Forest received a huge backlash over their club statement following a 2-0 defeat to Everton.Nuno Espirito Santo’s side felt they should have been awarded three penalties during their relegation six-pointer at Goodison Park on the weekend.Hitting back at the officiating, in particular VAR Stuart Attwell, they said: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.Most read in FootballWhat have Nottingham Forest said?

      After the final whistle against Everton, Nottingham Forest’s official Twitter account tweeted: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
      “We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.
      “NFFC will now consider its options.”
      Today the club revealed they have requested the PGMOL release the audio recordings between officials during the match.
      A statement read: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park.
      “The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
      “We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”

      “We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.”NFFC will now consider its options.”Alan Shearer in X-rated rant against ’embarrassing’ Nottingham Forest statement which cult hero ‘thought was a parody’They then released a further statement on Monday calling on the audio recordings from the VAR room to be released.Gary Neville likened the first statement to something a “mafia gang” would put out, describing it as “embarrassing” and “a scandal”.Reports have since emerged that Forest are considering SUING Sky Sports over the comments.Meanwhile, the FA have announced they want urgent explanations from Nuno, Neco Williams and ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg – now an employee of Forest. More

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      I’m in a rush,’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe says live on BBC after running Marathon as he thinks Man Utd have ‘already kicked off’

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      SIR JIM RATCLIFFE declared he was in a “rush” after mistakenly thinking Manchester United had already kicked off at Wembley after he’d completed the London Marathon.The 71-year-old billionaire recently completed his purchase of a 25 per cent stake in the club and takeover of football operations.Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed the London Marathon before heading to watch Man UtdCredit: ReutersThe Utd chief told BBC he was in a ‘rush’ to get to Wembley as they interviewed him afterwardsCredit: BBCSir Jim was spotted in his seat at Wembley just after half timeCredit: BBCHe continues to make a number of changes off the pitch, while United are hoping for some joy on it this afternoon.The Red Devils face Coventry City at Wembley in the FA Cup semi final this afternoon, where the winner will face holders Man City after they beat Chelsea yesterday.However, Ratcliffe joined the thousands of other runners in the capital this morning for the London Marathon and recorded a personal best time of 4hrs 30mins 52secs.And after Ratcliffe had crossed the finish line, he joined the BBC for a quick chat before making the dash to Wembley.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLRatcliffe started his conversation with BBC presenter Gabby Logan with: “I’m in a rush… I need to get to the match.”Even though he still had 45 minutes to go until the action got underway at Wembley, he then mistakenly said: “They’ve already kicked off haven’t they, so I’ll have to be quick.”After revealing that he recorded a time of around four-and-a-half hours, he then got down to discussing a potential Manchester derby against City in the FA Cup Final.After awkwardly mishearing Logan refer to Coventry as underdogs, he thought that she was talking about the Red Devils’ chances against their neighbours.Most read in FA CupCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRatcliffe said: “We are definitely the underdog. Unfortunately. Not for long though.”Asked to compare running a marathon to his progress at United, he replied: “There are some parallels, I have to say. It just sort of requires some grit.Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Man Utd’s ‘Wembley of the North’ could be 100,000-seat mega-stadium if they leave Old Trafford“Always, in the marathon, after 30k it gets quite difficult. “I don’t think we are quite at 30k in the football yet, we’ve still got some way to go.”When asked if it equated to a half marathon, he replied: “No, not even there really… probably only the first 10k.“But it’s a long journey really the football because one of the biggest problems is that you get these new guys to come into the team, really capable people, but they are all on gardening leave.“So it takes you six months, a year or 18 months – it’s a real issue in football. “They can’t work for us, the fans are impatient and I have some sympathy with that.“But it’s a journey and, whether they like it or not, they have to be a bit patient. It’s not a lightswitch, it takes a bit of time.”United confirmed the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director this week from Southampton.Wilcox, whose previous roles include technical director at Southampton and academy director at Manchester City, will report to the sporting director.The new sporting director has not yet been appointed but is expected to be Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth.The London MarathonSome of the other celebrities that were spotted crossing the finish line along with Ratcliffe:

      Singer Tom Grennan
      Comedian Romesh Ranganathan
      Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham
      Actress Ruth Wilson
      Actor Christopher Eccleston
      Actor Phil Dunster
      Actor Jamie Borthwick
      Actress Emma Barton 

      Wilcox’s arrival comes after Man Utd revealed ex-Man City man Omar Berrada as their new chief executive.Another thing Ratcliffe and INEOS want to do is transform Old Trafford – or build a completely new stadium and make it a “Wembley of the North”.When asked about that by Logan, He replied: “I’d love to do that. I think that would be fantastic for the north of England.“I think that whole area of southern Manchester, it’s where the industrial revolution began, and that’s why they built Old Trafford there.“The workers would finish their shift, walk to the ground – so it was where industry and manufacturing began.“It’s a really important area but it’s run down, so to regenerate that area and build a Wembley of the North would be a marvellous project and we could achieve it.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSuddenly, he intervened again to cut-short the conversation by signing off with: “Anyway, I need to get to the match.”Although he did have time before he dashed off to reveal that it would definitely not be the tube that he would be using to get to the national stadium.Sir Jim reiterated his desire to build a ‘Wembley of the North’ new stadium More

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      Man City vs Chelsea LIVE SCORE – FA Cup semi-final: Erling Haaland NOT in City squad as Enzo returns for Blues – updates

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      MANCHESTER CITY take on Chelsea in the semi-final of the FA Cup TODAY.And the headline team news from Wembley is that Erling Haaland is NOT in the City squad.Pep Guardiola’s side can no longer match last season’s Treble following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.City will still be eyeing a Double this campaign with the Manchester outfit in Pole position for the Premier League title and two wins away from back-to-back FA Cup triumphs.Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping his side can salvage Chelsea’s season after failing to find consistency in their performances.
      Kick-off time: 5.15pm BST
      TV channel/ FREE live stream: BBC One/BBC iPlayer
      Man City starting line-up: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
      Chelsea starting line-up: Petrovic; Gusto, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Gallagher; Jackson
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERFollow ALL of the latest updates from Wembley below…How do we see it?

      Copy linkCopiedOther options
      They’re not really short of options when it comes to goals, anyway.
      Phil Foden the standout player this season and those goal numbers certainly suggest that.
      Julian Alvarez gets his turn from the start here and there’s goals in their midfield too.

      Copy linkCopiedHaaland mystery
      “He has a little injury. It’s not serious but he couldn’t play today.”
      That was the update from Pep Guardiola before this one.
      Copy linkCopiedLatest odds
      Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are favourites to win this tie in normal time.
      There will be plenty taking the value in Chelsea, just shy of 5/1….
      BetMGM latest odds:

      Man City 8/15
      Draw 33/10
      Chelsea 24/5

      Copy linkCopiedSetting the scene
      The fans are piling into Wembley and the atmosphere is already building terrifically.
      A little under half an hour until kick off as the players are put through their paces in the warm-up ahead of kick-off.

      Copy linkCopiedMan in the middle
      The FA’s best referee, Michael Oliver takes charge of this one.
      The 39-year-old has refereed 30 games far this season, showing 121 yellow cards and five red cards.
      David Coote is on VAR. Hopefully we don’t hear much from VAR tonight, though….
      Copy linkCopiedOur picks
      We’ve had a go at picking out a PickYourPunt selection with Betfred for this game.
      As well as that, the bookmaker is offering £50 in free bets to new customers too!
      Our PickYourPunt is a cool 28/1 and we’ve given reasons why for each pick too.

      Copy linkCopiedNumbers to back it
      And the numbers back up what Pep Guardiola has said.
      Palmer’s four goals earlier this week taking him to 20 in the league this season – joint with former team-mate Erling Haaland. And in less shots, too.
      As well as the goals, he’s contributed 9 assists to Haaland’s five, with more than 3x the touches and passes of the Norwegian.

      Copy linkCopiedCole reality
      Pep Guardiola admits Cole Palmer has been the “decisive player of the season” after being forced to sell him to Chelsea.
      But the Manchester City boss insists the England midfielder asked to leave the Etihad for TWO YEARS before he finally got his £40million move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
      And Guardiola confessed: “He said he wanted to leave. What could we do? He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said, ‘No, stay’.
      “I also said in pre-season he should stay because Riyad Mahrez had gone, but he said, ‘No, I want to leave’.
      “So after two seasons what could I say?
      “Playing at his current level is exceptional. He is an incredible threat. Everyone knows it.”

      Copy linkCopiedSo far this season
      These two have met twice already in the Premier League this season.
      And both games finished all square.
      A sensational game at Stamford Bridge ended 4-4 when Cole Palmer scored a late, late penalty.
      While Rodri bagged an 83rd minute equaliser when the sides met at the Etihad in February.
      Copy linkCopiedPoch preview
      Mauricio Pochettino isn’t expecting a wounded animal when City face his Chelsea side this evening.
      He said: “From our point of view, we are going to compete against Manchester City. If you ask me about their situation, I can give my opinion, but we are not talking about that. We are going to compete against them.
      “Today we were preparing, doing meetings, about the Manchester City that played against Real Madrid, that played against us in the Premier League.
      “We are not talking about playing one or playing another. For me, the strength of Manchester City is that they keep the same idea and the same philosophy.”
      Copy linkCopiedSubstitutes
      Man City: Ederson, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis
      CHELSEA: Bettinelli, Badiashile, Disasi, Gilchrist, Chilwell, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk, Sterling, Washington

      Copy linkCopiedChelsea team news
      No major surprises as Mauricio Pochettino names his Chelsea team for the semi final.
      Enzo Fernandez takes his place beside Moises Caicedo in the Blues midfield.
      CHELSEA XI: Petrovic, Guston, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Jackson
      Copy linkCopiedMan City team news
      Pep Guardiola names his team for this afternoon’s semi final.
      Kyle Walker captains the side and is included despite playing in midweek on return from injury.
      MAN CITY XI: Ortega, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
      Copy linkCopiedTeam news is in!
      And the reports were right – there’s NO Erling Haaland!
      Copy linkCopiedBlues here
      The Chelsea squad arrived a while ago and have walked the Wembley pitch in preparation ahead of warm-ups.
      The squad making time to say hello to each kid, buzzing to meet their heroes on their big day.

      Copy linkCopiedKick off time
      It’s a 5.15pm kick off at Wembley tonight.
      And we’ll go the distance tonight, should we need it.
      And if we get half the drama of the Scottish Cup semi final earlier, we’re in for a treat.
      Celtic drew 3-3 with Aberdeen, with ex-City stopper JOE HART missing a penalty in the shootout to win it for the Hoops.
      Before being the hero in a 6-5 shootout win.
      Copy linkCopiedBounce back
      Pep Guardiola has called on his City stars to forget the heartbreak of midweek and react this afternoon.
      He said: “We don’t have another option and don’t want to feel sorry for ourselves.
      “We performed at our best but were not able to win against Madrid.
      “What next? We don’t have time to reflect. We reflect in the summertime. Football, you compete to win but most of the time you lose games.”
      Copy linkCopiedCityzens arriving
      Here is the City team who arrived a short time ago, with Kevin de Bruyne involved.
      The players took time to shake the hands with the mascot youngsters who gathered inside Wembley.
      Team news will be on the way shortly.

      Copy linkCopiedEarly team News
      And it’s big team news. Reports claim there is no Erling Haaland in the Manchester City squad this afternoon in a massive blow to the Sky Blues.
      Kevin de Bruyne is fit to be involved and is here with the City team. Whether he’s fit enough to start remains to be seen.
      Chelsea should have Raheem Sterling, Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi back in their side having missed the game on Monday.
      Copy linkCopiedSemi Saturday
      Good afternoon and welcome to a huge afternoon in the English football calendar with the first of the FA Cup semi finals this weekend.
      And it’s a belter too with Manchester City and Chelsea doing battle for a spot in the showpiece event at the end of the season.
      City will still be reeling from being dumped out of the Champions League in midweek and need a reaction here.
      While Chelsea come here in their best form of the season, highlighted by the SIX goals scored in that demolition of Everton on Monday night.
      It’s poised to be a great occasion.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      Former Man Utd and Coventry star, 54, now a daytime TV presenter who invented new musical instrument

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      FORMER Manchester United, England and Coventry striker Dion Dublin is the inventor of a new musical instrument.The now 54-year-old shot to stardom in the 1990s and 2000s due to his goalscoring exploits.Ex-Premier League striker Dion Dublin is now known for his TV workCredit: GettyHe won a league title with Manchester United during his playing careerCredit: GettyHe was prolific at CoventryCredit: GettyThe former striker was snapped up from Cambridge United by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 1992 and he collected a Premier League title winners’ medal there.But it was after joining Coventry City that he really started to find his rhythm as he scored 61 times in the top-flight for them and won the first of his four England caps.Dublin went on to enjoy similar success at Aston Villa after his 1998 transfer and would later play for Millwall, Leicester City and Celtic.The star then had two years at Norwich City before hanging up his boots in 2008 aged 39.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSince then he has arguably become an even bigger face than during his playing days after embarking on a career in the media.He stayed involved in the beautiful game by working as a football pundit for various broadcasters including Sky Sports and the BBC.Dublin was also a contestant on BBC’s Celebrity Master Chef in 2021 but is now best-known for his role as presenter on hit show Homes Under the Hammer, where he has starred since 2015.However, Dublin also has another huge passion – music.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe ex-England striker has also invented his own musical instrumentCredit: GettyHe’s handy in the kitchen, having starred on Master ChefCredit: BBCHe’s perhaps now best known for being a presenter on Homes Under The HammerCredit: BBCAnd the much-loved ace even created his own percussion instrument, and after years of perfecting his design, he finally unveiled  The Dube for fellow musicians to buy.On its official website, its description says: “The Dube is a unique percussion instrument, created by Dion Dublin.Dion Dublin reveals a hidden surprise at a terraced house in Stoke on Trent on Homes Under the Hammer“A stylish cube percussion instrument which comes in four sizes and can be totally customised in colour schemes and tones.“It’s ideal for musicians, in schools, even DJ sets, the list is endless.“World renowned musicians and drummers including Courtney Pine & Thomas Lang to name but two have trialled and used the Dube and recommended it.”The price to buy it ranges from £117 to £320 depending on the size and each model also has a different unique sound.While telling Vice about how he came up with the idea, Dublin said: “It’s a little bit strange. I didn’t know this before but I’ve always been a percussionist, tapping what I can tap, making rhythms, making music.“One day I decided to go to a hardware store – I picked up six pieces of wood, a hammer and nails, and built a box.“It probably sounded useless at the time but it’s taken me to where I am today, and it’s been well received from drummers and percussionists like Josh Devine from One Direction and Robbie Williams’ drummer.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I think percussion’s just been lying dormant in me for some time, and my musical aspirations have been unlocked now I have the time.“I’m passionate about getting  The Dube out there. Once it’s just kicked that door down,  The Dube will take off, and I won’t stop, I’ll keep pursuing it. I know there’s a market for it.”DION DUBLINHere’s how his football career panned out…
      League apps:
      615
      League goals:
      183
      England caps:
      4
      Clubs:
      Cambridge United, Barnet, Wycombe, Man Utd, Coventry, Aston Villa, Millwall, Leicester, Celtic, Norwich
      Honours:
      Premier League title (1993), Charity Shield (1994), Third Division title (1991), Intertoto Cup (2001), Scottish Premiership title (2006), Scottish League Cup (2006) More

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      BBC in major broadcasting change for Euro 2024 with England games affected

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      ALAN SHEARER revealed he will be co-commentating during England’s matches at Euro 2024 this summer.This marks a massive change by the BBC as Shearer wasn’t part of the channel’s commentary team during Euro 2020 and instead worked as a pundit.Alan Shearer will be co-commentating England’s Euro 2024 gamesCredit: GettyHowever, the 53-year-old, who amassed 30 goals in 63 caps with the Three Lions, appears to have jumped the gun during the latest episode of The Rest is Football podcast.The Newcastle legend joined Gary Lineker as well as Micah Richards and the trio were asked to rank their various TV roles of presenter, pundit, commentator and co-commentator from hardest to easiest.That led to yet another hilarious banter segment that seems to have set the scene for BBC’s coverage of the Euros.Each TV personality issued various different responses but Richards insisted co-commentators need to work mostly on instinct.Read More on FootballThat was when Shearer quipped: “Does that mean I will be getting hammered for doing the co-comms in the England games in the Euros?”Richards jokingly responded: “100 per cent.”And Lineker added: “I must say, you have actually been pretty good so far.”But that obviously could go wrong…”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThat was when the whole panel, including Shearer, laughed their socks off.The Premier League record goalscorer mostly conducts studio punditry but has experience on commentary.Alan Shearer congratulates Ireland star Sammie Szmodics after reaching 30-goal landmark for Blackburn RoversAnd now it seems like the legendary striker will be calling the action during England’s bid of winning their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup.The BBC are yet to announce their presenter and punditry lineup for the Euros.Shearer will be covering England’s bid of winning their first trophy since 1966 More

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      Wayne Rooney ‘courted’ for new job as Man Utd legend nears four months unemployed

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      WAYNE ROONEY is tipped to become a key Euro 2024 pundit for the BBC.It follows main presenter Gary Lineker accepting his fellow England legend’s apology for missing his Match of the Day debut last Saturday.Wayne Rooney was ‘gutted’ to miss MOTD but could get a Beeb reprieveCredit: ReutersEx-Manchester United striker Rooney was sacked just 15 games into his last job in January, a nightmare spell in charge of Birmingham City.That plunged his managerial career into doubt as it came straight after a mediocre 15-month reign at MLS side DC United.The 120-cap former Three Lions skipper, 38, says he has dreamed of working on MOTD “since I was little”.So he was “gutted” when a “painful back injury” on a family holiday stopped him making his debut on the iconic weekend football show of action and opinion.READ MORE TOP STORIESMOTD host Lineker took Rooney’s explanation well – one big reason why the door is expected to open again soon for the ex-Derby chief at the Beeb.It’s understood the broadcaster believe the Evertonian’s playing pedigree, especially his ups and downs at major international tournaments, would give their Euros coverage extra credibility with viewers.Rooney has also already shown he is prepared to give frank views – including recent comments on Red Devils’ frontman Marcus Rashford.The academy product, 26, has hit out at criticism of his performances and insisted he is as committed to his hometown club as ever.Most read in FootballBut Rooney told Premier League productions: “You wonder, is his best option to move away from the club and have a fresh start? But he is a Manchester lad.”He has had a very difficult season. We all know he has got the ability and got all the attributes to be a top world-class player.Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney calls Twitch streamer AngryGinge a ‘ginger c’ during EA Sports FC live stream”That’s the frustrating thing. Last season, he went and scored a lot of goals. But this season, he hasn’t kicked on.”He doesn’t look happy when he is playing.”However, Rooney did add: “I would love to see him get his career back on track at the club, go on to score goals and try to help the club win trophies. But he certainly has had a difficult season.” More

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      I was a Premier League star who played more than 500 games – but now I’m a COP armed with gun & driving fast cars

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      A PREMIER League star who has more than 500 games under his belt is now an armed cop who enforces the law.The 54-year-old made a half-century of appearances for five different English clubs across his career from 1995 to 2008.A former Premier League star has left football behind for a life as a copCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe Dutch former star now spends his days solving crimes and catching crooksCredit: YouTubeThe defender competing for the ball against Thierry Henry back in 2004Credit: GettyBut the Dutch footballer has since returned back to his native country as a police officer specialising in forensics.The ex-Prem defender now spends his time catching crooks instead of chasing down strikers.Arjan de Zeeuw, who is best known in England for his spell at Wigan Athletic, has even claimed that his new job is filled with “fast cars and guns”.In a 2020 podcast hosted by his former Latics team-mate Emmerson Boyce, De Zeeuw revealed that he is now living a “boys’ dream”. Read More in FootballHe said: “I still work with the Dutch police force, believe it not as an inspector, or detective as you call it.”Having a medical degree, my first idea was to become a doctor, but at the time the Dutch police were looking for people with higher education to do a fast-track course into the police force.”It sounded a little bit like a boys’ dream – being in fast cars and having a gun and all that stuff and I realised it was still going to take me a long time to become a doctor, whereas it was a much quicker route into the police force.”He continued: “I realised that I loved playing football so much that I didn’t not want to play it and be on the side of the pitch all the time.Most read in Football”I realised I didn’t want to be on the football pitch not playing football, so I thought no, I’m not going to do all the badges and go into management.”I’m just going to get completely out of football altogether.”De Zeeuw hung up his boots in 2009 with ADO ’20 after making a mere 12 appearances. I’m a former Premier League striker but now I’m a COP – I spend my days solving crimes & catching crooksHis stint at Coventry City the year before didn’t quite pan out due to nagging injuries preventing him from securing a regular spot in the Championship side.De Zeeuw is also still into football and manages Vitesse 22 in the Dutch non-league.Back in 2005 he earned a stunning tribute from the then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair.Newcastle fan Blair went on the BBC’s Football Focus to pick out three Prem players – England striker Teddy Sheringham, Fulham stylist Steed Malbranque and De Zeeuw.Blair lasted another two years as PM while the Dutchman carried on playing until 2009, bowing out after a season with Dutch side ADO’20.And Blair said of him: “He’s really strong, never gives up. I could do with him at the whips’ office!”However, before starting his playing career, he completed a degree in medical science, which he is now putting to use in his investigative work.Police work is like football, it’s still very much a team effort.”Arjan De Zeuuw, 54In 2014, he told BBC Sport: “I was looking at something else other than football.”I’ve been in football that long and I thought I just need to look at the world a bit more.”So I tried to get back into my medical studies and I bumped into a friend of mine who was a detective in Alkmaar, where we are now.”Arjan continued: “It’s challenging. The good thing is it’s like football, it’s still very much a team effort.”You’ll hardly ever solve a crime on your own.”However, despite leaving the beautiful game behind as a career, he’s still joined up with the force’s team, who he generously described as “energetic”.He joked: “You have to be careful for your legs with these.”On top of that, he plays for the police’s national team, who qualified for the European final that year.Discussing how his footie skills have kept up, he chuckled: “I’m lacking a bit of speed and a little bit of touch, but the competitive edge is still there.”It’s possible he was just being modest though as he also recalled how his training came in handy when chasing down a suspect.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe ex-Prem defender outlasted him for stamina and made the arrest.He laughed: “I had enough pace to keep up.”Former football stars with interesting jobs
      Mathieu Flamini
      Arsenal’s combative midfielder Flamini, 40, went from pro footballer to environmental entrepreneur as co-founder of GF Biochemicals.
      The company is estimated to be worth £21billion thanks to its ability to mass-produce levulinic acid, which is a fuel made from plant waste that can be used in the creation of plastics.
      Asamoah Gyan
      Better known for his stunning 51-goal haul for Ghana than his two-year spell at Sunderland, the World Cup semi-finalist is on course for a very comfortable retirement.
      Gyan’s business ventures in airlines, real estate, bottled water, boxing promotion, petrol stations and rice and noodles means his net worth is about £17million.
      Robbie Fowler
      Liverpool’s goalscoring legend hung up his shooting boots seven years ago but had already been building a sustainable income away from football long before then.
      He is involved in horse-racing and has owned a sports promotion company since the 1990s.
      But real estate is where Fowler shines as he reportedly owns more than 100 properties and has a net worth of more than £30m.
      Thomas Gravesen
      The Danish hardman delighted Everton fans with his take-no-prisoners approach on the pitch but stopped playing at the age of 32.
      He went on to amass a tidy fortune through clever investments and then boosted his pot up to £100m through poker winnings in Las Vegas. 
      Gravesen, 48, now works back in Denmark as a TV pundit.

      De Zeuuw says he still enjoys playing football from time to timeCredit: BBCDe Zeuuw made over 500 appearances for five different English clubs between 1995 and 2008Credit: Getty More

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      Arsenal legend Keown had to ask how to pronounce Premier League manager’s name on MOTD leaving studio in disbelief

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      MARTIN KEOWN left Gary Lineker and Micah Richards “corpsing” after asking how to pronounce a manager’s name on Match of the Day.Arsenal icon Keown, 57, joined Lineker and Richards in the BBC studio for Saturday’s edition of Match of the Day.Martin Keown had the Match of the Day Studio in stitches with a question he asked Micah RichardsCredit: GettyGary Lineker explained how Keown asking Richards how to say ‘Nuno’ had them ‘corpsing’Credit: BBC However, a funny behind-the-scenes tale was revealed by Lineker and Richards on the Rest is Football podcast.Lineker, 63, explained how Keown had turned to Richards, 35, to check the pronunciation of Nuno Espirito Santo before analysing the 2-2 draw between Nottingham Forest and Wolves.The former Leicester, Tottenham and Barcelona ace said: “I was trying to help Martin Keown because you know what Martin is like. We had a giggle. Martin’s wonderful, I love him to bits. “But he does get a little nervous when it comes to his pronunciation of various names and he does tend to ask you quite a lot of times how you say everybody’s name. Including Nuno.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis sparked Alan Shearer – who was also appearing with Lineker and Richards on the fan favourite podcast – into laughter.He continued: “Just before his analysis he’s turned to Micah and he went, ‘It’s Nu-no isn’t it, Nu-no?’ And Micah’s gone, ‘Yes course it is’.”And then Micah and myself were corpsing and Martin was doing his analysis over the pictures but Micah and myself could not look at each other because we were both gone.”Nobody would have known at home because we were out of vision but Micah had to look completely the other way.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”He was looking one way and I had to look completely the other way and funnily enough it was towards the monitor that had The Masters golf on… “But we were both absolutely in hysterics and thankfully it was a long piece of analysis so by the end of it we had managed to get a grip of each other.”Arsenal’s top targets in the summer transfer windowA perplexed Shearer asked: “What else could it f***ing be other than Nu-no?”With Lineker replying through laughter: “That’s exactly the point. I don’t know. Could it have been Nun-o. It was so funny. I was just wondering whether you were going yo come back from it Micah.”Richards added: “Honestly I was gone… There’s obviously various cameras in the studio. “But luckily when we came out it was to a back shot and then a single of Martin. If it had come to a three-shot there I would’ve been in big trouble.”Because if people see me laughing we’d have to address it. It was madness.”Keown will not have been much happier on Sunday after seeing Arsenal lose 2-0 to Aston Villa at home and squander their chance to go back to the top of the Premier League table. More