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      Neymar stunned by appalling state of pitch Al-Hilal will play on in Asian Champions League

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      NEYMAR was left in total disbelief after seeing the state of a pitch he is expected to play on for new club Al-Hilal.The Brazilian superstar left Paris Saint-Germain for the Saudi Arabian club in a £77.6million move this summer.
      This is allegedly the pitch that Neymar will be playing on tomorrow for Al-HilalCredit: twitter @ActuSPL
      The Brazilian star shared his disbelief at the state of it on social mediaCredit: Getty
      He was one of a number of high-profile arrivals at Al-Hilal, joining the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
      The 31-year-old is yet to get off the mark in the domestic league but will be hoping to fire them to success in the AFC Champions League.
      They travel to Iran this week to take on Nassaji Mazandaran but it seems that the Samba ace is not looking forward to the trip.
      Shock footage went viral over the weekend of ground staff at Nassaji’s Azadi Stadium putting down strips of turf over what looked to be large areas of exposed concrete.
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      It did not take long for Neymar to see it, and he responded to the clip with a facepalm emoji along with a caption that read: “This is not possible.”
      And his reaction led to supporters urging him to give tomorrow’s match a miss due to fears he could get hurt.
      “Maybe sit this one out,” said one fan on X.
      Another wrote: “Neymar don’t risk it bro that pitch looks like a death-trap.”
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      A fellow fan commented: “The absolute state of that pitch.
      “Neymar has gone from playing at the Parc des Princes to this garbage, what a fall from grace.”
      Rumours have been mounting that Neymar has not been seeing eye-to-eye with new manager Jorge Jesus, although the attacker has publicly rubbished those claims.
      Al-Hilal have a rich history in the AFC Champions League and are the most-successful team in the competition.
      The Riyadh-based club have lifted the trophy four times – the last of which was in 2021. More

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      Xavi names Man Utd star Marcus Rashford in elite group of three players Barcelona fear

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      XAVI has named Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford as one of the players Barcelona fear most.Rashford, 25, scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in 56 appearances across all competitions last season.
      Xavi believes Marcus Rashford is one of the hardest players to play againstCredit: Getty
      The Barcelona boss admitted his team ‘struggled a lot’ against the Man Utd starCredit: AP
      He also featured in both legs of United’s Champions League clash with Barcelona, contributing one goal and an assist at the Nou Camp.
      The Red Devils defeated the La Liga giants 4-3 on aggregate to progress to the round-of-16 before eventually being knocked out by Sevilla in the quarter-finals.
      But those two matches stuck with Barca boss Xavi, who has since claimed that Rashford is one of the most difficult players to handle on the pitch.
      In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, the Spaniard said: “With Rashford we struggled a lot. But also Vinicius, Benzema.”
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      The Man Utd winger has struggled to find his form this season, with just one goal in seven Premier League appearances.
      But Erik ten Hag has insisted that there is more to come from the England international.
      Speaking after United’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, the Dutchman said: “I think he knows he can do better than he is now and I’m sure it will come.
      “He works hard and it will come, but not automatically. The team has to work around him, and they have to invest a lot.
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      “The decision-making wasn’t good enough and then we don’t score.”
      The Red Devils currently sit 10th in the league table with just nine points from their opening seven games.
      And Ten Hag has urged his team to be more consistent in terms of performances and results.
      He added: “Of course, that is the concern but we have to be more consistent.
      “This is not just a demand from Man Utd, the demand is that we get a row of wins, to get into a rhythm; we have to do better than we are doing right now.”
      Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema were the other two players Barcelona feared mostCredit: Reuters More

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      Manchester United star Antony pictured back in training for first time since domestic abuse claims

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      MANCHESTER United star Antony has been pictured back in training for the first time since domestic abuse allegations.The Brazil winger, 23, has not played for the Red Devils since their 3-1 loss at Arsenal on September 3.
      Antony in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training GroundCredit: Getty
      He could make a comeback against Galatasaray tomorrowCredit: Getty
      The Brazil winger, 23, has not played for the Red Devils since September 3Credit: Getty
      But he could make a comeback against Galatasaray tomorrow in the Champions League.
      Antony was back in England last week and attended a voluntary interview with Greater Manchester Police.
      Antony denies the allegations made against him in both the UK and his homeland.
      The winger was pictured at Carrington yesterday and could be back in contention for Erik ten Hag’s under-fire side against the Turkish outfit at Old Trafford.
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      It comes after Saturday’s home 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace – their fifth defeat of the season from nine games in all competitions.
      Yesterday his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin broke her silence since his return to training.
      “Gabrela Cavallin’s attorneys inform that the crimes committed by the player are still being investigated by the Manchester Police and also the Brazilian Plice, which is why we believe that he will soon be sent to Court, where he will have to face a trial,” a press release read, according to MailOnline.
      “It seems obvious to us that fallacies would be created with the intention that the team bringing him back to training.”
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      United boss ten Hag insisted the embattled player’s return to the squad will not be a “distraction”.
      The club has faced numerous controversies in recent months – such as its handling of Mason Greenwood and ten Hag’s ongoing feud with Jadon Sancho.
      Dutchman ten Hag said he has spoken to Antony.
      It has been reported in Brazil that Gabriela has told police that £150,000-a-week Antony assaulted her four times.
      She previously alleged she was first attacked in June 2022 while pregnant and on holiday in Brazil.
      And she claimed in January Antony headbutted and punched her in a Manchester hotel, damaging a breast implant.
      She also alleged he threw a glass at her in May, injuring her finger.
      Cavallin led calls for Antony to be dropped from the squad in an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday.
      Gabriela said: “Antony needs to be taken off the pitch. It’s disappointing he’s still allowed to play while there’s an investigation.
      “I am absolutely destroyed by the whole process. How can life go on as normal for him?
      “They cant just know what they know now and not do anything. He needs to be removed.”
      Antony gave a tearful interview earlier this month in which he denied the allegations made against him, and stated he does not fear for his United future.
      He said: “It’s something that doesn’t cross my mind. I never touched her.
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      “I know that many are massacring me but the truth always comes out. I am 100 per cent sure that I have never touched a woman.
      “I dream of returning to the national team and I want to show that Antony is innocent of all this.”
      Gabriela Cavallin claimed she was attacked by the playerCredit: instagram
      Antony denies all allegations against himCredit: Reuters
      Gabriela had urged United to drop him amid the investigationCredit: The Sun
      The star was quizzed by police over allegations of abuseCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke More

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      Watch ‘UFOs’ flying above St James’ Park as Newcastle fans spot hundreds of lights hovering over stadium

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      NEWCASTLE fans have spotted hundreds of lights flashing above their St James’ Park home.The Toon are set to take on Paris Saint-Germain in their first home Champions League match in 20 years on Wednesday.
      Fans spotted flashing lights over St James’ ParkCredit: Twitter @eddiehyho
      The Toon could be in for something special next weekCredit: Twitter @eddiehyho
      Newcastle’s historic home is set to host Champions League football on Wednesday nightCredit: Rex
      Eddie Howe’s side are fully focused on today’s home clash with Burnley.
      But ahead of the huge mid-week occasion against PSG, it appears that figures behind the scenes have begun their preparations.

      Last night, some Newcastle fans saw plenty of lights flashing above their historic home – leading to speculation that they’d be getting a spectacular drone show ahead of Wednesday’s match.
      Alongside a video, one tweeted: “Captured drone displays rehearsal at St James Park tonight ready for PSG visiting on Wednesday night for the Champions League match.”
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      While a second gushed: “Oh my, we’re getting drone displays in the Champions League, this is gonna look insane.”
      A third swooned: “Can’t wait for Wednesday night gonna be off the scale.”
      While another even joked: “Or aliens haha.”
      Newcastle grabbed a 0-0 draw at AC Milan in their Champions League season opener earlier this month.
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      They will have to do without summer signing Harvey Barnes for the rest of their group stage campaign, after the winger was ruled out until the new year with injury.
      Offering an update on the former Leicester man, boss Howe said: “We think he’ll be out for three months. No surgery required, which is good news but he’s in a boot.
      “An injury underneath his toe and he’s starting his recovery. I think he’ll be sedated for a period of time as he has to rest the toe to give it every chance to recover and then build him up slowly, which is why it’s three months.
      “It’s come at a shocking time for Harvey. He was beginning to find his rhythm. With so many games coming up, it’s a huge blow to lose any player.
      “We have to deal with it, accept it and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
      Eddie Howe offered an injury updateCredit: Getty More

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      Newcastle owners ‘consider takeover of former Champions League winners with Zinedine Zidane lined up as manager’

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      NEWCASTLE’S mega-rich Saudi owners are considering a full takeover of Marseille… and want Zinedine Zidane as manager.The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which controls an 80 per cent stake at St James’ Park, have set their sights at L’OM and are confident a deal will be completed.
      Newcastle’s owners are targeting a full takeover of MarseilleCredit: Getty
      The Public Investment Fund has agreed with Zinedine Zidane to manage MarseilleCredit: Getty
      And according to FranceBleu, Zidane has agreed with the PIF to take over as manager at Velodrome but only if the takeover is complete.
      That puts extra pressure on the Ligue 1 giants’ majority owner Frank McCourt to sell after a dismal start to the campaign.
      Marseille failed to qualify for the Champions League after getting knocked out by Panathinaikos in the third round of the qualifying stages.
      The French giants have also endured a poor start in the league as they are eighth with only two wins out of their first six matches, of which they lost one.
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      That led to Marcelino quitting as manager after just seven matches following pressure from the club’s ultras.
      Marseille have replaced the Spanish tactician with Gennaro Gattuso but the same report from France claims there will be a new head coach if the Saudis take over.
      McCourt has repeatedly stated the club is not for sale but that hasn’t discouraged the Newcastle owners’ bid.
      Zidane has been convinced by the potential owners’ vision of the club and was promised a substantial budget that would help him compete with the best clubs in the world.
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      The French tactician would have the kind of support that would help him restore Marseille to their old glory, like back in 1993 when they won the Champions League.
      The Real Madrid legend has been out of work ever since his departure from Santiago Bernabeu in 2021.
      The 51-year-old has been linked with the France job but current manager Didier Deschamps has three more years left on his contract. More

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      Chelsea legend fears owner Todd Boehly will KILL club and says he is DISGUSTED with fall from grace

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      CHELSEA hero Frank Leboeuf is “disgusted” with Todd Boehly’s ownership claiming he has turned his former club into a “mid-table” team.Boehly has splashed a staggering £1billion on signings alone ever since taking over from Roman Abramovich last year but the Blues are still languishing.
      Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has been criticised by a “disgusted” Chelsea heroCredit: Getty
      Frank Leboeuf fears Boehly will “kill” Chelsea with the way he handles the clubCredit: PA
      The West Londoners finished 12th in the Premier League last season and things haven’t really improved under new manager Mauricio Pochettino as they are 14th in the table so far this term.
      Leboeuf didn’t hold back on his assessment of the American owner as he fears he will “kill” his former club.
      The ex-France international also believes it will become tough to attract the best players in the world as Chelsea won’t be able to offer them Champions League football.
      Leboeuf told CasinosEnLigne.com: “Let’s be realistic – Chelsea are a mid-table club. Attracting players will be tough and players like [Kylian] Mbappe won’t want to come.
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      “The big players want to play in the Champions League. Arsenal had that problem for years, and so did Manchester United.
      “Top players won’t come to Chelsea because the club has fallen.
      “It’s unbelievable what the club has become just two years on from their Champions League win. I’m disgusted with it.
      “I have nothing against Todd Boehly, but they need to change things quickly or else they’ll kill the club.
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      “I’d say the people in charge of recruitment are the most to blame.
      “It’s OK to sign young players to long contracts if they’re committed, but the board has forgotten to balance the team.
      “The spine of the team is very young apart from [Thiago] Silva and there’s not much experience there.
      “Even Enzo Fernandez looks very young, despite knowing the game inside out.
      “I don’t see the leadership, and that’s the main problem. The recruitment team didn’t think of that, and I think everybody is responsible.
      “Boehly approved the deals and Pochettino is in charge. If I was asked to manage Chelsea, even I’d say no!
      “The lack of leadership is an irreversible problem – and I don’t know how they can fix that.
      “Chelsea also need help in midfield, someone like Toni Kroos or Luka Modric. They may be older and not play as many games but they could definitely serve the club well.” More

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      Barcelona ‘charged with BRIBERY’ as Spanish champions face Champions League ban over referee payments

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      BARCELONA could be banned from the Champions League after being charged with allegedly bribing referees.Back in March, SunSport reported the Catalan giants could be axed from Europe’s elite competition if they are found guilty.
      Barcelona could be banned from the Champions League if found guiltyCredit: EPA
      The Catalan giants last lifted the Champions League back in 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Now Spanish outlet El Debate are reporting that judge Joaquin Aguirre has accused Barcelona of bribery.
      This relates to £6million in payments to Jose Maria Enruquez Negreira – former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees.
      Ex-Barcelona presidents Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell have both been charged, along with Negreira and his son Javier Enriquez Romero.
      The LaLiga champions are accused of breaching a law which bans officials from receiving reward for their performances of public duties.
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      The Supreme Court have classified Negreira as an individual who was performing a public function.
      The charges allege that Negreira was given cash through a shell company set up by ex-Barcelona director Josep Contreras.
      It is also alleged Contreras earned 50 per cent commission from this transaction.
      Former ref Alberto Gimenez has also accused Negreira of labelling him a “chicken” in a “secret match-fixing meeting”.
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      He told RadioMarca: “Negreira pressured me. He met me with other referees and told me: ‘Hey chicken, be careful with what you say on television. You already understand me. Be careful’.
      “There is a formula for fixing matches. It’s a fool’s trap: I’m a friend of ‘such and such’ who will support you, you give me so much and I’ll fix it for you.
      “If the result is negative, the money is returned. If he wins, he is marked for life. If he loses and returns the money, he has another chance.”

      LaLiga president Javier Tebas previously urged Barca president Laporta to explain the situation.
      The club’s vice-president, Rafael Yuste, then claimed they had hired a law firm to begin an investigation.
      Yuste also claimed the payments to Negreira’s Dasnil company ended in 2018.
      One of the potential punishments for Barcelona includes a Champions League ban.
      The Spanish side have not won the competition since 2015 and were eliminated in the group stage in each of the past two seasons. More

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      Champions League giants reveal plot to leave iconic stadium with plans drawn up for incredible new 70,000-seat arena

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      AC MILAN have revealed plans for an incredible new stadium as they prepare to depart the legendary San Siro.The Serie A giants and their city rivals Inter have shared the iconic ground since 1947.
      AC Milan are looking to leave their iconic San Siro homeCredit: PA
      They have unveiled plans for a brand new 70,000-seater homeCredit: Twitter @acmilan
      Both clubs were aiming to improve the dated San Siro in order to build a new “cathedral” of football in its place.
      However, those plans were blocked earlier this year and now they are each looking into building their own separate stadiums.
      Now the Rossoneri have announced that they have lodged preliminary proposals to Milan council for a stunning new home in the suburb of San Donato.
      But it’s not only a new 70,000-seat stadium on the “San Francesco” site.
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      They also want the project to include new club headquarters, a hotel, shop, museum and entertainment district.
      AC Milan chairman Paolo Scaroni said: “For over four years, we have embarked with conviction on a journey aimed at giving our club one of the best stadiums of the world, which is able to accompany us into a victorious and sustainable future.

      “This represents a preliminary step in the evolution of this process but, at the same time, it is further proof of our ownership’s commitment to guaranteeing continuous growth for AC Milan both on and off the pitch.”
      Both AC and Inter are looking to leave the San Siro due to the huge cost of renovating the ground.
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      It last received a makeover ahead of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
      A local heritage commission ruled in August that the San Siro has a “cultural interest” and that it cannot be demolished.
      Meanwhile, Inter are looking into a potential site in Assago, which is a small town to the south of Milan, for their new home.
      The San Siro was last renovated way back for Italia 90Credit: Getty More