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      Dortmund REJECT European Super League but ‘at least two’ French clubs set to join controversial breakaway competition

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have snubbed the renegade European Super League.But while the Bundesliga giants have rejected the unpopular proposals, two French sides are reportedly set to join.
      Borussia Dortmund have rejected the European Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      Money-grabbing plans for the new league have been widely slammed by fans across Europe.
      The competition could start as soon as NEXT SEASON with the 15 founding clubs signing up for 23 YEARS.
      Last night, the Prem Big Six alongside Spanish trio Real and Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, as well as AC Milan, Inter and Juventus, officially broke cover to confirm their membership.
      In a statement outlining the breakaway scheme, the 12 rebels said they ‘anticipated a further three clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season, which is intended to commence as soon as practicable’.
      But Dortmund released a statement denouncing the competition that read: “On Monday morning, Borussia Dortmund’s chairman of the board, Hans-Joachim Watzke, took a position on the discussion about the introduction of a European Super League.
      “Watzke said: ‘The members of the board of the European Club Association (ECA) got together for a virtual conference on Sunday evening and confirmed that the board decision of last Friday is still valid.’
      “And he added: ‘This decision means that the clubs want to implement the planned reform of the Uefa Champions League.
      “It was the clear opinion of the members of the ECA board that the plans to found a Super League were rejected.’
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      “Watzke also emphasizes that ‘both German clubs that are represented on the ECA Board, FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, represented 100 per cent congruent views in all discussions’.”
      Fellow Bundesliga side RB Leipzig have also turned their back on the breakaway group, according to Sky Germany.
      And Portuguese giants FC Porto are also out, according to their president Pinto da Costa.
      He is quoted as saying: “There were informal contacts but we didn’t pay much attention.
      “We are in the Champions League and we hope to continue to be there for many years to come.”
      And according to an unnamed Super League source quoted by AFP, at least two French clubs are set to join where Dortmund have turned away.

      Paris Saint-Germain are yet to declare a position with Lyon and Marseille both being discussed as potential participants given their size, history and fanbase.
      Sir Alex Ferguson is one of several star names to slam the proposals saying ‘fans like European competition the way it is’.
      Elsewhere, Spanish LaLiga chiefs slammed the breakaway plotters in a withering attack.
      Real Madrid are the ringleaders of the self-appointed elite, with neighbours Atletico and rivals Barcelona joining the Prem Big Six in becoming ‘Founding Clubs’ of the competition.
      But as the Spanish clubs left out showed their disdain, with Real Betis publishing a table which wiped out the results of games involving the want-away trio, the League added further weight to its onslaught.
      LaLiga said it ‘strongly condemns’ the plan for ‘a breakaway, elitist European competition that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid’.
      It said: “Today football fans across Europe can dream that their club, no matter the size, may excel, climb to the top and compete at the pinnacle of European football.
      “LaLiga defends this European tradition of football for all. The concept proposed by 12 European clubs destroys that dream, shutting the door to the top of European football, allowing in just an elite few.”

      ⚽ ⚽ EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE LATEST ⚽ ⚽

      The Spanish top flight added: “The newly proposed top European competition is nothing more than a selfish, egotistical proposal designed to further enrich the already super rich.
      “It will undermine the appeal of the whole game and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future of La Liga, its member clubs, and all the entire footballing ecosystem.
      “This destruction of the European football ecosystem will also ultimately cause the failure of this new competition and its participating clubs, which have built their success based on the achievement of sports titles and triumphs, which will now be more limited.
      “We use all measures at our disposal and work with all stakeholders to defend the integrity and future of Spanish football in the best interests of the game.”
      According to Super League, the new elite will generate £346m EACH year in ‘solidarity’ payments for the rest of European football.
      That is up to three times the amount due to trickle down to the minnows from Uefa’s planned Champions League revamp.
      Super League insiders insist that figure, for each of the 23 years of the initial deal, is a ‘minimum’ return, with a fixed percentage of revenues doled out through the rest of the European club game.
      But the reality of why the ‘dirty dozen’ are willing to risk a legal fight with Uefa and their domestic rivals was evidenced in the news that the founding clubs will share an initial £3billion pot ‘to support their infrastructure investment plans and to offset the impact of the COVID pandemic’.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      European Super League explained: Which clubs involved, how many matches would be played and what about Champions League? More

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      Wolfsburg 2 Bayern Munich 3: Jamal Musiala nets twice as Bayern cling on to take huge step towards Bundesliga title

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      JAMAL MUSIALA’s doubled helped Bayern bounce back from their Euro exit and stay on course for the German title.The 18-year-old prospect scored twice in a 3-2 win at Wolfsburg that sent his team seven points clear.
      Jamal Musiala scored twice in a 3-2 win for Bayern on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      How is Jamal Musiala this good already?Two goals in a 3-2 win away to Wolfsburg, including this magnificent header 🤩Bayern have another star on their hands… pic.twitter.com/wc2Fm2vmcn— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 17, 2021

      Bayern were dumped out of the Champions League by PSG midweek but hold a commanding Bundesliga lead with just five games to play.
      Boss Hansi Flick announced he will leave the Allianz Arena at the end of the season and looks set to do so with another Bundesliga title.
      Musiala scored two goals and was involved in the other as Bayern pounced on second-placed Leipzig’s goalless draw with Hoffenheim on Friday night.
      The 18-year-old Musiala opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he eluded three Wolfsburg defenders before squeezing his shot under goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
      Musiala was again involved for Bayern’s second in the 24th when he played in David Alaba.
      Casteels cut out the Austrian’s cross but dropped the ball right at the feet of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who gratefully tapped it in.
      Wout Weghorst pulled one back against the run of play in the 35th, but Thomas Muller crossed for Musiala to head in his second goal two minutes later.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The 18-year-old scored twice in a 3-2 win over Wolfsburg that put Bayern seven points clearCredit: Getty
      Bayern bounced back from their Champions League exit in styleCredit: AP
      Wolfsburg coach Oliver Glasner was left dumbfounded, but his team regrouped after the break.
      Bayern left too much room for Paulo Otavio to cross from the left for Maximilian Philipp to score in the 54th.
      Jerome Roussillon missed another good chance for Wolfsburg as Bayern held on for the win.

      It was Wolfsburg’s first defeat at home this season and they hadn’t conceded in any of their previous five home games.
      Bayern, on track for a record-extending ninth straight league crown, are on 68 points, with RB Leipzig in second place on 61.
      Wolfsburg held on to third spot on 54 points despite their defeat after Eintracht Frankfurt’s 4-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach that left them a point adrift in fourth.
      Jamal Musiala signs first pro contract with Bayern Munich until 2026 More

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      Hansi Flick confirms plan to quit Bayern Munich amid internal power struggle with coach set to land Germany job

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      BAYERN MUNICH boss Hansi Flick has confirmed his desire to quit the club in the summer.The 56-year-old won the treble last season and is well set to deliver another Bundesliga crown this term.
      Hansi Flick confirmed his intention to leave Bayern Munich on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      But rumours of discontent behind the scenes have persisted amid links with the soon-to-be vacant Germany national team position.
      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.
      Flick was appointed assistant to former boss Niko Kovac before taking over on an initial interim basis in November 2019.
      Flick guided Bayern to the treble in 2019-20Credit: Reuters
      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 Saturday’s 3-2 win over Wolfsburg, keeping Munich seven points clear atop the table.
      And Flick confirmed a return to the German FA (DFB) was ‘an option’ ahead of Joachim Low’s exit as coach after Euro 2020.
      He continued: “The future is not at all clear.
      The DFB is an option that every coach has to consider. But I have to digest everything now.Hansi Flick

      “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.”
      Flick worked as Low’s assistant in the Germany setup for eight years from 2006, before a three-year stint in the DFB sporting director’s chair.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Inside PSG’s dressing-room celebrations after Bayern win as Mbappe dances on table while team-mates soak him with water More

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      Barcelona offer Lionel Messi staggered pay packet, ambassador role and Haaland transfer in bid to convince him to stay

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      BARCELONA have pulled out all the stops to try and convince Lionel Messi to stay, according to reports.The Catalan giants are said to have offered the Argentine a staggered pay packet, an ambassador role after he retires and the signing of Erling Haaland this summer.
      Barcelona have offered Lionel Messi a multi-layered deal to convince him to stay at the Nou CampCredit: Rex
      The signing of Erling Haaland is included in the list of tempting elementsCredit: Getty
      Barca are in dire financial straits with the Nou Camp club said to be around £1BILLION in debt.
      And as a result, they cannot offer Messi anywhere near the £2.4million-a-week salary he is currently getting.
      Club chief Joan Laporta knows he cannot compete with the financial might of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain who are the favourites to sign the 33-year-old if he does leave Barca.
      And as a result he has offered Messi a deal that would see his earnings start lower than what he currently earns but gradually increase throughout the duration of the new deal as the club’s finances improve, according to RAC1.
      This would also see him transition into a role as a club ambassador when he decides to retire.
      One of Messi’s main gripes when he submitted a transfer request last summer was the quality of Barca’s sporting project.
      He was annoyed his mate Luis Suarez was forced out and allowed to join LaLiga rivals Atletico.
      And he was generally underwhelmed by the squad’s chances of winning trophies.
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      As a result, Catalan chiefs have assured the Argentine they will pull out all the stops to sign Haaland from Borussia Dortmund who they believe will transform the team’s fortunes.
      Messi’s representatives insist they have not received an official offer from Barca yet.
      But is understood an informal approach of this nature has been made and Messi’s agent and father Jorge is just waiting for it to be formalised.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Alexandre Lacazette makes powerful anti-racism statement by kneeling in front of Slavia Prague stars after Glen Kamara abuse More

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      Jude Bellingham, 17, gives cheeky response when asked about Champions League debut after leaving Guardiola stunned

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM joked he is ‘not bad for a Championship player’ after being hailed for his debut Champions League season. The England international joined Borussia Dortmund last summer for £25million after leaving boyhood club Birmingham.
      Jude Bellingham joked he is ‘not bad for a Championship player’

      In his first European campaign, he proved instrumental in Dortmund’s midfield, with ten appearances and a goal.
      The strike came in the second leg of their quarter-final against Manchester City, which they lost 4-2 on aggregate.
      But afterwards the 17-year-old was asked to comment on his meteoric rise and Bellingham took the chance to poke fun at any prior critics.
      He said: “Not bad for a Championship player eh?
      “I think I’ve taken every game in my stride, I had a bit of a tough start away at Lazio and then since then I think all of my best performances in BVB colours have come in the Champions League, including tonight.
      “For me it’s brilliant to play in this competition and for this club, it’s a huge honour, so I can take a little bit away from that and learn from it but I’m still gutted we didn’t make it through.”
      Bellingham was in demand at the end of last season, with City’s rivals United among the interested bidders.
      But he moved to Germany in favour of more guaranteed game time, as Birmingham retired the No22 he wore.

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      Etihad boss Pep Guardiola was so blown away by Bellingham’s ability, he reckons the starlet must be fibbing about his age.
      Guardiola said: “I cannot believe it, maybe he’s a liar! He’s so good for 17 years old, he’s a fantastic player.
      “There was one moment when he didn’t get the ball from central defenders, how he shouts and demands that ball to him at 17 means a lot.
      “I spoke with his manager, Edin [Terzic], and he told me what you see in these two games is like every training session.”
      Despite the high praise, it was Phil Foden, 20, who stole the headlines after the two ties, following his winning goals in both games.
      After Jude Bellingham made #UCL history against #MCFC, here’s a look at the ‘Hits & Misses’ from the quarter-finals…👇— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 15, 2021

      Guardiola said: “You have the feeling that he is a guy who never hides.
      “He always creates something. He is dynamic offensively, defensively with quality in the smaller spaces.
      “He is learning right now not to take just one touch. He is able to make more touches when making decisions.
      “He scored two important goals. The second goal in the Etihad and now helped us to be in the semi-final. We knew it from the beginning and how he grew up.
      “In the quarter-final of the Champions League, he was the important player to go through to play against PSG.”
      Pep Guardiola is relieved after ending Man City’s wait for a Champions League semi-final More

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      Barcelona make Erling Haaland ‘No1 transfer target and willing to wait until £65m Dortmund release clause activates’

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      BARCELONA have made Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland their No1 target this summer.And the Blaugrana are willing to wait until his £65million release clause triggers in 2022.
      Erling Haaland’s Borussia Dortmund crashed out of the Champions League last nightCredit: Reuters
      But their preference is to negotiate down Dortmund’s current rumoured asking price of around £130m.
      The German side, who were eliminated from the Champions League by Manchester City last night, are currently fifth in the Bundesliga.
      And, sitting seven points off the top four, their strong stance on keeping Haaland may alter if they fail to qualify for Europe’s top prize.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are also battling to convince Haaland’ representatives that he is better off in Catalonia, rather than Madrid.
      Their logic centres around the benefits of the 20-year-old potentially getting to play with Lionel Messi in his first years at the club.
      Before he can then take the mantle as the face of the club upon the Argentine’s exit.
      They argue that, at Real Madrid, 22-year-old fellow young gun Kylian Mbappe will always be No1 in president Florentino Perez’s eyes.
      Leaving Haaland to constantly have to play second fiddle.

      Haaland, 20, has scored 33 goals this seasonCredit: EPA
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      Haaland has scored 33 goals in 35 appearances this season for Borussia Dortmund this season.
      And this almost unprecedented goalscoring has attracted most of Europe’s elite clubs.
      Manchester United, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea are believed to have all expressed an interest.
      While Dortmund’s Bundesliga rivals Bayern are also sniffing around the Norwegian.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Mino Raiola ‘wants to make Erling Haaland first £1m-a-week player as Man Utd step up transfer interest in Dortmund star’ More

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      Erling Haaland names seven strikers he thinks are better than him including Harry Kane and Chelsea star Timo Werner

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      ERLING HAALAND named the seven strikers he thinks are better than him – but would back himself in a crunch tie.The Borussia Dortmund star, 20, has burst on to the scene with a series of stunning displays over recent years.
      Erling Haaland could only think of seven strikers in world football better than him right now
      Scoring goals for fun, Haaland made his transfer to the German giants in the winter transfer window of 2020.
      And in an interview with VG, the Norwegian sensation could only think of seven centre-forwards in world football currently better than him – and it is some list.
      The seven is made up of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski from rivals Bayern Munich.
      All of the remaining five strikers all ply their trade in the Premier League including Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as well as Tottenham hero Harry Kane.
      Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Roberto Firmino of Liverpool and Chelsea new boy Timo Werner – who arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer – complete the elite group.
      But despite the hundreds of goals between the seven, Haaland emphasised he had the self-confidence to choose himself to lead the line in a huge match.
      There are, however, a few of the biggest No9 names left out.
      Haaland omitted the likes of Luis Suarez, Karim Benzema and Romelu Lukaku.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of five Premier League strikers to get on the listCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Haaland rates Harry Kane among the very best No9s in world footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      There was no space for Kylian Mbappe despite the Frenchman’s heroics for club and country alreadyCredit: AFP or licensors

      But the biggest surprise sees no Kylian Mbappe, arguably the most valuable player in the world, on the Norwegian’s list.
      The pair, both transfer targets for Real Madrid, may not see eye to eye after Mbappe, Neymar and their Paris Saint-Germain team-mates mocked the Dortmund star’s celebration following their comeback win in the Champions League last season.
      Haaland was also a target for compatriot Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before his Dortmund switch – but revealed the “good vibes” he got from the Bundesliga side convinced him to join Die Schwarzgelben.
      He said: “There were of course a couple of clubs involved, but at the same time I did not know too much about this.
      “But it was I who first mentioned Dortmund to my father (Alf Inge Haaland).
      “We were sitting at home in Salzburg and watching a game Dortmund played, and I said to him, ‘Oi, look at that wall behind the goal. There had been something to play there.’
      “I think he was half asleep on the sofa, but suddenly it became a reality. When I talked to them, I got a good vibe. I felt a little sold after that.
      “What I liked so much about them was how direct they were. They said exactly how it was right for me. I liked that.” More

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      Erling Haaland gets hands on Man City shirt and has another chat with Phil Foden after Dortmund are dumped out of Europe

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      ERLING HAALAND got his hands on a Man City shirt last night – but it was just an end-of-game swap.The Dortmund goal machine is at the centre of a massive transfer tussle between Europe’s big clubs including City.
      Erling Haaland got his hands on a Man City shirt and had a chat with Phil FodenCredit: AFP
      He swapped shirts with Oleksandr Zinchenko after Man City’s winCredit: Reuters
      The 20-year-old Norwegian was handed a light blue shirt after Dortmund’s Champions League exit.
      He swapped shirts with Oleksandr Zinchenko at the end of the quarter-final second leg.
      And Haaland was also seen chatting with Man City’s match winner Phil Foden after the game.
      The Dortmund superstar could soon be lining up alongside Foden and Zinchenko if Man City win the race for his signature.
      Manchester United are also in the frame, as are Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      But his agent Mino Raiola claimed that Dortmund might refuse to sell Haaland in the summer.
      He told Sport1: “I can confirm that I was in Dortmund for talks.
      “Michael Zorc made it clear to us that BVB does not want to sell Erling this summer.
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      Erling Haaland is wanted by all of Europe’s top clubs in a mega-money transferCredit: Getty
      “I respect that opinion, but that does not automatically mean that I also agree. BVB were very clear in their views. We are OK with that.
      “There is no war between us and BVB – absolutely not. The relationship with Zorc, Hans-Joachim Watzke and Kehl is still good.”
      The prolific Haaland has banged in 39 goals in 43 games this season for Dortmund and Norway.
      Dortmund chief Sebastian Kehl wants to keep hold of the striker for as long as possible but is resigned to losing him eventually.
      Kehl told Sky Germany: “Our position is clear – we are planning with Erling. We are very relaxed about that.
      “Of course, we have been following the situation. But we had a very, very good talk with Mino and his [Haaland’s] father just recently.

      “I don’t want to go into those talks now. From a certain point on, we may no longer be able to influence what the future will bring.
      “I have seen the boy in training in the last two days and I have seen how hungry he is and the sparkle is in his eyes. We are very ambitious, we need Erling to achieve our sporting goals, and we have made that clear.”
      Man City came from behind to win the second leg and set up a semi-final showdown with PSG.
      Foden scored the winner in a 2-1 victory that sealed a 4-2 aggregate win and a place in the last four.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Pep Guardiola is relieved after ending Man City’s wait for a Champions League semi-final More