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      Long-serving BT Sport presenter LEAVES ahead of TNT rebrand following controversial final act with colleagues shocked

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      PRESENTER Des Kelly has left BT Sport.It comes as the channel prepares to rebrand to become TNT Sports on July 18.
      Des Kelly has left BT Sport ahead of their rebrand to TNTCredit: Getty
      Kelly was a pitchside reporter for the broadcasterCredit: Twitter @btsportfootball
      Kelly, 58, is the second high-profile personality to leave BT’s football coverage in recent weeks following the departure of host Jake Humphrey.
      Kelly, who was at BT for 10 years, was last seen presenting pitchside at the Champions League final when, according to The Mail, he caused controversy by asking for the autograph of Manchester City man Ilkay Gundogan live on air.
      His exit is said to have “shocked” colleagues who considered him an “untouchable” part of the team.
      He performed a similar role to Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves – who also left his post earlier this month after 30 years in the job.
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      Kelly assumed the position after a career as a newspaper journalist.
      He began with an evening chat-show, before switching to his role as a touchline reporter.
      Kelly famously challenged Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on numerous occasions when the German criticised the broadcasters for their part in fixture scheduling.
      And he was supported by BT Sport last month after asking Gundogan for his autograph.
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      Kelly was criticised for asking for Ilkay Gundogan’s autograph live on airCredit: BT Sport
      Kelly explained away the incident by insisting he planned to auction it for charity.
      The rebrand to TNT Sports is not expected to coincide with a drastic change in presenters and pundits despite the departures of Humphrey and Kelly.
      Laura Woods is being tipped to take over from Humphrey for Champions League games.
      But Lynsey Hipgrave is set to continue as the organisation’s main presenter. More

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      Premier League TV fixture changes announced with 33 games changed including Arsenal v Man Utd and North London derby

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      THE Premier League have confirmed August and September’s TV matches.Having already announced the opening day telly clashes, 33 further games have been moved to be shown by Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
      Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United will be shown on Sky Sports Super SundayCredit: Getty
      Tottenham vs Manchester United has been changed to a 5:30pm kick-off on Saturday, August 19, to be shown on Sky.
      The Red Devils’ trip to Arsenal will now be a Sunday, 4:30pm kick-off, also on Sky, on September 3.
      Sky Sports have also landed the first North London Derby of the season, which will now kick-off at the Emirates at 2pm on Sunday, September 24.
      TNT Sports, which replaces BT Sport for the upcoming campaign, have retained the 12:30pm Saturday slot.
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      But on Saturday, September 23 they will show Burnley’s clash with Man United at 8pm.
      Other TV highlights include Tottenham’s Saturday 5:30pm clash with Liverpool on September 30.
      While the West London Derby between Fulham and Chelsea will now be a Sky Sports Monday Night Football on October 2.
      Popular presenter Laura Woods has been tipped to become TNT Sports’ new primary Premier League host.
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      Premier League August and September TV fixtures
      Friday 11 August20:00 Burnley v Man City (Sky Sports)
      Saturday 12 August12:30 Arsenal v Nott’m Forest (TNT Sports)17:30 Newcastle v Aston Villa (Sky Sports)
      Sunday 13 August14:00 Brentford v Spurs (Sky Sports)16:30 Chelsea v Liverpool (Sky Sports)
      Monday 14 AugustMan Utd v Wolves (Sky Sports)
      Saturday 19 August17:30 Spurs v Man Utd (Sky Sports)20:00 Man City v Newcastle (TNT Sports)
      Sunday 20 August14:00 Aston Villa v Everton (Sky Sports)16:30 West Ham v Chelsea (Sky Sports)
      Monday 21 August 20:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Sky Sports)
      Friday 25 August20:00 Chelsea v Luton Town (Sky Sports)
      Saturday 26 August12:30 AFC Bournemouth v Spurs (TNT Sports)17:30 Brighton v West Ham (Sky Sports)
      Sunday 27 August14:00 Sheff Utd v Man City (Sky Sports)16:30 Newcastle v Liverpool (Sky Sports)
      Friday 1 September20:00 Luton Town v West Ham (Sky Sports)
      Saturday 2 September12:30 Sheff Utd v Everton (TNT Sports)17:30 Brighton v Newcastle (Sky Sports)
      Sunday 3 September14:00 Crystal Palace v Wolves (Sky Sports)16:30 Arsenal v Man Utd (Sky Sports)
      Saturday 16 September12:30 Wolves v Liverpool (TNT Sports)17:30 Everton v Arsenal (Sky Sports)
      Sunday 17 September14:00 AFC Bournemouth v Chelsea (Sky Sports)16:30 Newcastle v Brentford (Sky Sports)
      Saturday 23 September17:30 Brentford v Everton (Sky Sports)20:00 Burnley v Man Utd (TNT Sports)
      Sunday 24 September14:00 Arsenal v Spurs (Sky Sports)16:30 Sheff Utd v Newcastle (Sky Sports)
      Saturday 30 September12:30 Aston Villa v Brighton (TNT Sports)17:30 Spurs v Liverpool (Sky Sports)
      Sunday 1 October14:00 Nott’m Forest v Brentford (Sky Sports)
      Monday 2 October20:00 Fulham v Chelsea (Sky Sports)

      The broadcaster is yet to confirm who their anchor or pundits will be next term.
      Woods, who previously worked for Sky Sports, stepped down from her role on talkSPORT last month.
      Confirming her departure, she said in an emotional statement: “You lot, our listeners, have given me so much comfort and guided me through some of my toughest moments, without even realising it.
      “So I wanted to thank you personally for that. I will miss it dearly. Even the Spurs fans.
      “For what feels like a lifetime I’ve been a listener of talkSPORT.
      “For the last six years, it’s been my home, where we get to spend our mornings talking about sport.
      “There’s nothing better. I know I will never find a job like this. It’s unique.
      “Three years as the host of this amazing breakfast show, three bits of silverware for the trophy cabinet and record listening figures.
      “I’m very proud of what we achieved here. One thing’s for sure: I will always be part of this family at talkSPORT.”
      Laura Woods has been tipped to present TNT Sports’ Prem coverage next seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League to announce HUGE change from next season – and fans fear the ‘country won’t be able to cope’

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE are set to announce a huge change from next season but fans fear the “country won’t be able to cope”.With just six weeks to go until the start of the new season, changes are already being made for the 2024/25 campaign next year.
      The Premier League are planning to show every Sunday match live on televisionCredit: Getty
      The Daily Mail report that the Premier League plan to have every Sunday match shown live on television from the start of that season.
      The revamp is part of planned alterations to the league’s broadcast rights strategy, with the number of televised matches increasing from 200 to 270.
      However, the changes mean that fans will face midday and 7pm kick-off times to accommodate the additional televised games.
      Friday and Monday evening matches will also increase as part of the proposals.
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      The Premier League are keen to attract higher offers from broadcasters, with their current domestic rights deal worth £5billion.
      Clubs playing in the Europa League stand to profit from the changes as they will receive £1million per televised Sunday match.
      Supporters are not convinced, though, with one tweeting: “Fans don’t want 7pm. This country can’t accommodate (the) travel.”
      Another wrote: “They could achieve this by changing the ‘normal’ game time to 2pm Sunday, rather than messing up away fans’ chances of getting home.”
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      A third also commented: “3pm blackout must stay cause of fans in stadiums but Sunday 7pm will keep fans there.”
      Meanwhile, one more argued: “We don’t want changes to the times, just put them all on the TV. Simple.”
      The proposed changes come ahead of the next tender document for broadcasters being released in October.
      According to the report, the number of television packages available is set to decrease.
      Instead, each package will contain more games, with the 20-match package currently held by Amazon Prime set to disappear.
      The Premier League hope that this will increase the value of the deal they can agree for the period from 2024 to 2027.
      Sky Sports and TNT Sport, formerly BT Sport, are expected to table major bids amid interest from Amazon, Apple TV and Disney.
      The proposed changes will come into play from the start of the 2024/25 seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Watch Sergio Aguero cause carnage on BT Sport as he ‘forgets English’ mid-interview and forces Fabregas to translate

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      AN EXCITED Sergio Aguero caused chaos on BT Sport as he forgot how to speak English and needed Cesc Fabregas to translate.The former Manchester City star had watched on as his old side won the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul, Turkey.

      Sergio Aguero was interviewed after Manchester City won the Champions LeagueCredit: Twitter @btsportfootball
      But forgot how to speak EnglishCredit: Twitter @btsportfootball
      And was helped by Cesc Fabregas who translated for himCredit: Twitter @btsportfootball
      Aguero, 35, had been providing commentary of the match alongside another ex-City star Carlos Tevez.
      But afterwards, he joined the BT Sport panel of Fabregas, Mario Balotelli, Joleon Lescott, Rio Ferdinand and host Jake Humphrey to give his views on the match.
      After admitting that he was “so happy” for Man City for finally winning the Champions League, Humphrey asked Aguero what the result meant for the fans.
      However, the excited Argentine struggled to understand and former Chelsea and Arsenal star Fabregas had to step in and translate the question for him.
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      Aguero, who spent a decade at the Manchester club, then provided his answer in Spanish, and Fabregas translated.
      He said: “He was very proud about being here as well because he is one of the players that started off everything.
      “And he just feels so privileged about the whole process and he now gets emotional to think of the whole thing.
      “And obviously, two years ago, they lost the final and they were disappointed.
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      “But they bounce back and are here again and finally win and it shows that the whole process was worth it.”
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      Aguero then bid farewell by saying: “Thank you for everyone and thank you City and I love City.”
      Balotelli then tried speaking to the striker, but he then refused to answer.
      He said: “I forget English now because I’m going to Miami now with Messi.”
      And fans loved the moment, finding it hilarious as they took to social media.
      One commented: “Lived in England for 10 years and still needed Fabregas to translate 😂.”
      A second wrote: “Aguero is too funny man 😂😂.”
      While a third added: “Aguero is so chaotic!! Man, I love him.” More

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      Rodri swears live on BT Sport TWICE as he blasts own performance despite winning goal then praises Aguero in X-rated way

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      MANCHESTER CITY hero Rodri swore TWICE on love TV after scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final.The midfielder was critical of his own performance despite being named as man of the match against Inter Milan.
      Rodri swore while criticising his own performanceCredit: BT Sport
      Rodri scored the winner to secure Manchester City’s first ever Champions League titleCredit: Getty
      He praised his team-mates and spoke about the strength of character his side needed to secure the win and the Treble.
      Rodri told BT Sport: “It was an unbelievable effort from everyone. I wasn’t good in the first half, I was playing s*** to be honest.
      “And then we spoke about the mentality, I said to myself ‘you have to overcome this situation’.
      “In the end I scored a goal, unbelievable.”
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      In a later interview Rodri swore again after joining BT Sport’s main presenters and pundits, including Sergio Aguero.
      After shaking hands with his former team-mate he said: “You’re a f***ing legend.”
      Host Jake Humphrey quickly apologised for the language.
      Rodri curled in his winner from just inside the box after Bernardo Silva’s cross was blocked by an Inter defender.
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      It was just the Spaniard’s second-ever Champions League goal after he scored a beauty against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final.
      Rodri, 26, also joked that Pep Guardiola had to pick him for the final after controversially leaving him out of City’s Champions League final defeat to Chelsea in 2021.
      City found it difficult to break down a stubborn Inter side with Erling Haaland going closest to scoring in the first half.
      The striker had an effort saved by Andre Onana before Rodri struck, with Phil Foden also close to adding a second.
      At the other hand City lived a charmed life at times with Romelu Lukaku blocking a goalbound header from team-mate Federico Dimarco.
      Lukaku also missed a sitter from yards out with City holding on to secure their first-ever Champions League title. More

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      ‘It ain’t Jeff Stelling…’ Viewers cringe as BT Sport put Jake Humphrey tribute video out DURING Champions League final

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      VIEWERS cringed as BT Sport aired a tribute to presenter Jake Humphrey DURING the Champions League final.Interrupting Manchester City vs Inter Milan was called “embarrassing” by one fan and another said: “Have a day off. It ain’t Jeff Stelling”
      Fans weren’t laughing when the Champions League final on Saturday night was briefly interrupted for a tribute to Jake HumphreyCredit: Getty

      BT hailed Humphrey, 44, who is stepping down as lead presenter after 10 years.
      But armchair observers were stunned when a video saluting Humphrey was put out a minute into the showpiece in Istanbul.
      Sky Sports legend Stelling was showered with tributes when he quit Soccer Saturday in May after 29 years.
      But many fans felt Humphrey was not Stell-ar enough for special attention as they trolled both him and BT Sport for the timing of the clip.
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      However, one viewer said: “These comments epitomise social media these days, sad world. Thank you Jake!”
      The broadcaster from Peterborough is bowing out on the most prestigious stage – the final of football’s top domestic competition.
      Announcing his departure last month, he said: “It has been my dream job.
      “I’m also not ashamed to say I remain hugely ambitious.
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      “Stepping back from BT will allow me space to pursue other projects and fulfil other ambitions. I’m excited.”
      BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand responded: “Top presenter and inspiration in many different ways. Don’t doubt you will smash whatever’s next!”
      And in fact the TV station did reveal last month they would show a video of Humphrey’s decade-long reign in Istanbul.
      They tweeted they would be “giving him a fitting finale for his 10 years on BT Sport”. More

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      Watch Mario Balotelli react to seeing Erling Haaland wear his No45 Man City kit in old footage from when he was a kid

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      MARIO BALOTELLI claimed Erling Haaland “learnt good” after seeing him wearing his old Manchester City shirt.The Italian appeared on BT Sport as a pundit ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final.

      Mario Balotelli appeared as a pundit on BT SportCredit: BT Sport
      Super Mario was shown footage of a young Erling Haaland wearing his replica shirtCredit: BT Sport
      Anticipating the 32-year-old’s appearance, producers managed to dig up a short video of Haaland wearing a Man City shirt with “Balotelli 45” on the back.
      After being shown the clip, presenter Jake Humphrey asked Balotelli for his reaction.
      The striker sheepishly said: “I don’t know. It’s good. He learnt good.”
      Further quizzed what he thinks of Haaland as a player, Balotelli added: “I think he’s amazing.
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      “He’s like a predator in the area. Obviously outside he has a big sprint, he’s very fast – but he can score.
      “You need to bring the ball to him, but on five chances he scores five goals, amazing striker.”
      Haaland, 22, entered the final having bagged 52 goals in all competitions for City.
      Earlier in the day, Balotelli reunited with Rio Ferdinand on screen – 11 years after their Manchester derby bust-up.
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      Super Mario also offered his pre-match prediction – as well as revealing why he wanted the game to finish within 90 minutes.
      The former Inter Milan and City ace said: “I hope one of the two wins.
      “But especially wins quickly – not extra time because traffic in Istanbul is crazy.”
      Ferdinand then chipped in: “He’s got a party to go to.”
      Balotelli chuckled as he replied: “No, no.”
      Ferdinand, 44, offered up his own prediction – opting for a 2-0 City win.
      Erling Haaland went into tonight’s match having bagged 52 goalsCredit: Getty More

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      Fans can’t stop getting wound up by BT Sport commentator’s ‘bizarre fetish’ during Champions League final

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      FOOTBALL fans were wound up by BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher’s ‘bizarre fetish’ during the Champions League final.Viewers were sitting down to watch Manchester City’s date with destiny against with Inter Milan.
      Viewers at home criticised commentator Darren Fletcher for his use of ‘Internazionale’Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But they were instantly distracted, and pressing their mute buttons, when main commentator Fletcher started to speak.
      City’s Italian rivals are known throughout the English speaking world as Inter Milan
      But their official name is Football Club Internazionale Milano, usually shortened simply to ‘Inter’.
      That is by everybody except for Fletcher, who insisted on calling them ‘Internazionale’ throughout.
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      One supporter said: “Just call them Inter like everyone ever!”
      Another added: “Does he have to refer to them as Internazionale every single time.”
      A third said: “A commentator with a bizarre fetish for long Italian words.
      “Steve McManaman on co-comms. Jake Humphrey presenting. Fair to say BT Sport have s*** the bed with their coverage.”
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      And another commented: “Someone’s told Darren Fletcher that their real name is Internazionale but forgot to add that you’re allowed to shorten it to Inter.”
      Fans also took aim at BT Sport after they produced a blunder in their pre-match team line-up graphic, mistakenly listing Ilkay Gundogan as a goalkeeper.
      Some UK viewers were so unhappy with the coverage they began to wonder how they could access US broadcaster CBS Sports’ show instead.
      Wherever they watched, fans saw Rodri’s rocket earn City a 1-0 win to secure his side’s place in history as Treble winners, while Internaziole were left heartbroken. More