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      Bundesliga stars like Erling Haaland, Sancho and Lewandowski confined to quarantine camps so season can finish on time

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      BUNDESLIGA stars including Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho and Robert Lewandowski will be confined to quarantine camps so the season can finish on time.A recent surge of Covid cases in teams has put pressure on the schedule so the German Football League has implemented the measures.
      Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho will have to enter quarantine training camps in MayCredit: Getty
      All Bundesliga sides – including Robert Lewandowski’s Bayern Munich – will have to abide by the measuresCredit: Reuters
      Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin and three second-division clubs have all had to postpone games this month after coronavirus outbreaks in their squads.
      And more cases could mean there’s no time to squeeze the games in before this summer’s Euros starts in June.
      Measures described as ‘quasi quarantine’ will begin from May 3 with players and staff allowed to spend time only at home or at club facilities.
      And from May 12, they’ll move into a quarantine training camp shut off from the outside world for the last two rounds of games.
      The Bundesliga is due to end on May 22 but more time is needed to hold promotion-relegation playoffs before teams release players for Euro 2020.
      Hertha had to postpone three games and cancel team training for two weeks after the virus spread through the squad, with coach Pal Dardai among those infected.
      That means a busy schedule for a team facing possible relegation.
      Elsewhere, deluded Real Madrid president Florentino Perez reckons no Premier League side will be able to afford Haaland if they don’t join the doomed Super League.
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      Perez is still desperately clinging to the remains of the money-grabbing scheme despite all six English clubs bailing on it already.
      And the Spaniard – whose interviews have taken on a distinctively ‘in denial’ feel since the Super League all-but collapsed – reckons no Prem side will have the cash to afford the star or Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe.
      He told El Larguero: “In general, there will not be big transfers this summer.
      “When money does not flow from the rich clubs to the poor clubs, everyone suffers.
      “It’s impossible to make signings like Mbappé and Haaland, in general, not just for Real Madrid, without the Super League.”
      And Perez also said Los Blancos would NOT be re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Cologne’s famous goat mascot Hennes VIII of 11 years is put down due to health reasons aged 14 More

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      Watch Jadon Sancho’s cheeky nut-meg in slow motion as Dortmund star returns from seven-week injury lay-off in style

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      JADON SANCHO was back with a bang last night for Borussia Dortmund to leave fans and opponents mesmerised.The 21-year-old had not featured for seven weeks since scoring the winner against Borussia Monchengladbach before later going off injured.
      Jadon Sancho made a stunning return for Dortmund last night in cheeky fashionCredit: BT Sport
      Union Berlin’s Christopher Trimmel was left bamboozled by the returning ace’s nutmegCredit: BT Sport

      That blow led to him missing both legs of Dortmund’s Champions League quarter final clash against former club Manchester City.
      But finally he was ready to return to action on Wednesday as his team welcomed Union Berlin to Signal Iduna Park.
      Sancho’s big comeback arrived in the 59th-minute with Dortmund already a goal to the good.
      Marco Reus had opened the scoring 27 minutes in.
      However, it was the Three Lions attacker who quickly stole the show as he pulled off a wonderful nutmeg on Christopher Trimmel.
      And the reaction of Trimmel’s team-mates was also priceless as they watched the magic from up close in disbelief.
      It was not just tricks that won Sancho praise.
      He went on to play a key role in Raphael Guerreiro’s late goal as well that secured the 2-0 win and the three points when launching a counter-attack.
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      The game also marked a significant milestone for the ace.
      It was Sancho’s 100th appearance in the German top-flight.
      He arrived at Dortmund from City in 2017 and remains to be linked with a Prem return, with his old club, Man United and Chelsea all believed to be keen on signing him.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Premier League clubs will NOT be able to afford Haaland and Mbappe transfer fees without Euro Super League, claims Perez

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have no chance of signing Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland without money from the doomed European Super League.That is the view of deluded Real Madrid president Florentino Perez who is still desperately clinging to the remains of the money-grabbing scheme despite all six English clubs bailing on it already.
      Florentino Perez says Premier League clubs will not be able to afford Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe without the European Super LeagueCredit: Reuters
      PSG ace Kylian Mbappe is being heavily linked with a move away this summerCredit: Rex
      Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola has been touting him around Europe’s biggest clubsCredit: EPA
      Both Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with Borussia Dortmund ace Haaland.
      His agent, the controversial Mino Raiola, even embarked on a world tour to meet prospective clubs interested in the free-scoring sensation.
      And Mbappe has been linked with a Paris Saint-Germain exit too.
      The France international’s current contract with the Ligue 1 champions expires next summer and talks over a new deal have yet to bear fruit.

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      Manchester City have been mentioned as a potential destination with the club looking to replace legend Sergio Aguero at the end of the season.
      But Perez – whose interviews have taken on a distinctively ‘in denial’ feel since the Super League all-but collapsed – reckons no Prem side will have the cash to afford the stars.
      He told El Larguero: “In general, there will not be big transfers this summer.
      “When money does not flow from the rich clubs to the poor clubs, everyone suffers. It’s impossible to make signings like Mbappé and Haaland, in general, not just for Real Madrid, without the Super League.”
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      The desperate Spaniard also claimed fan protests against the Super League at many grounds – including Chelsea’s – were staged.
      Despite his attempt to scaremonger the Prem clubs into re-joining with the Haaland/ Mbappe rhetoric, Real are in serious financial trouble of their own.
      They are said to be close to £1billion in debt and would also likely struggle to cough up the cash for the pair.
      And Perez also said Los Blancos would NOT be re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
      He refused to confirm they would be extending club legend Sergio Ramos’ contract too – because he would not accept a pay cut.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      English football could follow Germany’s fan-friendly 50+1 ownership model to avoid another European Super League crisis

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      GOVERNMENT officials are considering mandating English football to adopt the German model of majority fan ownership.Bundesliga teams must ensure at least a 51 per cent stake in the club is held by supporters – although there are exceptions.
      Borussia Dortmund are one example of a successful largely fan-owned clubCredit: Getty
      Premier League owners such as the Glazers have come in for sharp criticismCredit: PA
      The German FA (DFB) does not allow any side where more than 49 per cent is owned by private investors to compete, unless they can meet strict rules.
      For example, 75 per cent of Bayern Munich is owned by the supporters’ club and members vote on its president, with the remaining 25 per cent split between Audi, Adidas and Allianz.
      Any team owned by a single person or company was typically formed by that entity, such as car manufacturer Volkswagen, who founded top-flight club Wolfsburg in 1945.
      Should an investor hope to take majority control of a club, they need to have consistently invested for 20 years such as Hoffenheim chief Dietmar Hopp.
      Software magnate Hopp has nonetheless faced huge criticism from rival clubs for guiding the historically small club to European football.
      Introducing such a system to English football is being mooted following the European Super League debacle.
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      Clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United signed up to the doomed plot having failed to consult supporters or players.
      And UK Government culture secretary Oliver Dowden has refused to rule out implementing a fan ownership model.
      He told talkSPORT: “Naturally we’ve got to learn the lessons from the crisis in football financing during the Covid crisis.
      “We need to put this on a more sustainable footing.

      “For example in the German leagues they have a different governance structure so it’s right we look at those things.
      “The PM was good, I had a meeting with him and fans on Tuesday and he said we had to do whatever it took and that includes legislation and if legislation is required we’ll do that.
      “But the immediate legislation we were preparing to pull together was to deal with this immediate threat from this outrageous proposal.”
      Boris Johnson has stated that a ‘root-and-branch investigation’ will be overseen by former sports minister Tracey Crouch to review English football’s governance and to ‘promote the role of fans in that governance’.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      WHAT IS THE 50+1 OWNERSHIP MODEL?
      German football clubs are mandated to be at least 51 per cent-owned by supporters.
      Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are both largely fan-owned with minority shares held by private individuals or companies.
      Some clubs are privately owned, if they are founded by a company (Wolfsburg, RB Leipzig) or an individual invests in the team for more than 20 years (Hoffenheim).
      Benefits include a greater say on club affairs, cheaper tickets and more transparency, although there have been challenges to the rules.

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      Cologne’s famous goat mascot Hennes VIII of 11 years is put down due to health reasons aged 14

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      FC COLOGNE have announced their iconic goat mascot has had to be put down.The legendary Hennes had been at every single home match for an 11-year period until 2019.
      FC Cologne have announced their legendary former goat mascot has died aged 14Credit: Getty
      Now he will be laid to rest after the Bundesliga side confirmed the sad news earlier.
      A tweet read: “We are going to miss you, Hennes VIII.
      “Our loveable goat, who was #effzeh mascot from 2008 until 2019, had to be put down due to health reasons.
      “He was 14 years old.
      “Rest in peace, Hennes!”
      Hennes VIII had carried on Cologne’s tradition of having a goat mascot at every home game since 1950.
      His replacement, Hennes IX, hit the headlines last summer.
      Cologne’s famous mascot was BANNED from their stadium for first time in 12 years due to new Bundesliga hygiene rules during the coronavirus pandemic.
      We are going to miss you, Hennes VIII.Our loveable goat, who was #effzeh mascot from 2008 until 2019, had to be put down due to health reasons. He was 14 years old.Rest in peace, Hennes! 😢 ❤ pic.twitter.com/3P77QkujGf— 1. FC Cologne (@fckoeln_en) April 21, 2021

      Hennes the ninth – who was in his first season as club mascot – had eight predecessors since the club introduced goat mascots 70 years ago.
      But owing to new hygiene rules implemented by German Football League (DFL) chiefs, the goat was forced to stay away.
      He was transferred to and kept at Kolner Zoo while waiting for Bundesliga restrictions to be lifted.
      Cologne are nicknamed the Billy Goats and their club crest also includes a goat.
      The club have had a goat mascot ever since 1950, when they were gifted one by the circus.
      It picked up its name, Hennes, after staff decided to name it after then-coach Hennes Weisweller.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      David Alaba to join Real Madrid on five-year contract for free in summer from Bayern Munich in transfer blow to Chelsea

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      DAVID ALABA is set to sign a five-year contract at Real Madrid ahead of a summer free transfer, according to reports.The news will come as a blow to Chelsea who have been heavily linked with the Austrian for months.
      Real Madrid have agreed a five-year deal with Chelsea target David AlabaCredit: EPA
      Alaba, 28, revealed he will leave Bayern Munich after 13 years this summer when his contract expires.
      Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is determined to bring in another defender this summer and the experienced, versatile Alaba certainly fits the bill.
      The West Londoners have been heavily linked with a move for the Austria international, where he is looking to pocket £400,000-a-week in wages.
      But according to Sky, Alaba has rejected the chance to join the Blues and has put pen to paper on a Bernabeu contract until 2026.
      He is also said to have turned down an approach from Paris Saint-Germain, where the Ligue 1 giants were willing to meet his demands.
      It has been stated that Alaba – who can play as a centre-back, left-back or in midfield – has his heart set on a move to Spain.
      Real Madrid and Barcelona were both vying to secure his services, where it was reported in February that a verbal agreement had been reached with Los Blancos.
      Spanish media declared that Real offered Alaba a £17million bonus with Zinedine Zidane desperate to bring him to the Bernabeu.
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      Commenting on his future, Alaba declared he is leaving Bayern to seek a new challenge having been at the club since 2008.
      He said: “I have decided to do something new. It wasn’t an easy decision. I have not yet made the decision where to go.
      “I have personally decided to see something new, to look for a new challenge. That certainly took its time.”
      And he added: “It’s no secret that my agent is negotiating with other clubs.
      “I am looking for a new challenge to develop myself as a person on and off the pitch.
      “Where can I continue to play football successfully? That will certainly be important in my decision.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Fuming Schalke fans attack players including Arsenal’s Kolasinac with eggs and fireworks after Bundesliga relegation

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      ARSENAL flops Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi were among the Schalke stars attacked by a mob of their own fans on Tuesday night.Kolasinac returned to his former club on loan in January, while centre-back Mustafi joined the Germans on a permanent deal.
      Sead Kolasinac captained Schalke to their season-ending defeat on TuesdayCredit: AFP
      Shkodran Mustafi was another January signing unable to arrest the declineCredit: EPA
      The pair played in Schalke’s 1-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld, which sealed their relegation from the Bundesliga.
      It marked an almighty fall from grace for the club which ranked 16th in Europe for revenue in 2020, having made the Champions League knockouts only two years ago.
      A 600-strong mob of Schalke fans reportedly waited for the team bus to return to their Veltins-Arena home in Gelsenkirchen at 1am.
      Several players were left bloodied after being struck, while eggs and fireworks were thrown and abuse hurled as the terrified squad ran a gauntlet of rage.
      Police and club officials have opened enquiries into the mayhem.
      Local police chief Matthias Buscher said: “We were expecting a group of fans to speak their minds to the Schalke players when their bus returned to the stadium.
      “We’d been tipped off about it beforehand, so police were present in numbers.
      “Suddenly however there were massive attacks. Two players were struck, and eggs and fireworks flew through the air.

      “The players ran off, and hundreds of officers had to intervene.
      “No arrests were made. But we are investigating whether there are criminal complaints against those involved in the attack.”
      Fireworks were also seen over the city during the night, reportedly set off by celebrating fans of bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund.
      Sources close to several Schalke squad members told German media that the players had been pelted with objects.
      Schalke said in a statement: “A number of unidentified people overstepped the boundaries, and this is unacceptable for us.
      “We understand the frustration and anger at our relegation to the second division.
      A 1-0 defeat to Bielefeld sent Schalke into the second-tierCredit: Reuters
      The club last played in the 2.Bundesliga in 1991Credit: EPA

      “But we will never accept our players and staff being put at risk of injury. We have begun an enquiry.”
      Bosnia & Herzegovina international Kolasinac is currently due to rejoin Arsenal this summer.
      The Gunners paid Valencia £35million for Germany defender Mustafi in 2016, but let him leave for Schalke in February.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Juventus interested in outgoing Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick but could face competition from Premier League clubs

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      JUVENTUS are considering a move for departing Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick, according to reports.The Old Lady are said to be in the market for a new manager after a disappointing campaign under Andrea Pirlo but could face competition for Flick from Premier League clubs.
      Juventus are interested in Bayern Munich boss Hansi FlickCredit: Reuters
      Flick announced he wants to leave the Bavarian giants at the end of the campaign.
      The 56-year-old won the treble last season and is well set to deliver another Bundesliga crown this term.
      But rumours of discontent behind the scenes have persisted and Juve are ready to pounce, according to Sport Bild.
      Having won Serie A nine years in a row, the Old Lady sit fourth – 13 points behind league leaders Inter.
      Club legend Pirlo was said to have one game to save his job before they beat Champions League rivals Napoli on April 7.
      They have since beat Genoa 3-1 but lost to third-placed Atalanta last time out.
      And the pressure is mounting – with the club said to have drawn up a three-man shortlist of replacements.
      Flick’s name was not included but recent developments in his situation mean Juve are keeping tabs.
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      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club

      However they could face competition from Premier League sides with Arsenal and Tottenham the most likely to be on the lookout for a new boss.
      Spurs have already sacked Jose Mourinho and put Ryan Mason in temporary charge until the end of the season.
      And Mikel Arteta has struggled to deliver on his early promise with his team floundering in ninth.
      German Flick has also been heavily linked with the Germany national team job with Joachim Low leaving after this summer’s Euros.
      Flick told Sky Sports in Germany: “I would like to exit my contract at the end of the season – that is a fact.
      “It was just important to me that the team found out about this from me. I’m absolutely thrilled with them.”
      The decision was taken after ‘careful consideration’, Flick added, with the reasons for his exit remaining ‘internal’ for now.
      Despite Bayern’s domestic dominance, the coach’s relationship with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has soured throughout the season, coming to a head with the holders’ exit from the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain.

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      Flick was appointed assistant to former boss Niko Kovac before taking over on an initial interim basis in November 2019.
      The club handed him the reins full-time the following month and the Uefa Men’s Coach of the Year is under contract to 2023.
      His comments came after their recent 3-2 win over Wolfsburg, which kept Munich seven points clear at the top the table.
      And Flick confirmed a return to the German FA (DFB) was ‘an option’ ahead of Low’s departure.
      He continued: “The future is not at all clear.
      “There has been no discussion about [the Germany role]. Of course, the DFB is an option that every coach has to consider.
      “But I have to digest everything now, the last few weeks have not been easy for me either.
      “That’s why the process of telling the club and team was extremely important today.”
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