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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

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      Sergio Ramos victim of shocking raid during Champions League duty as four young kids at home during terrifying break-in

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      SPAIN legend Sergio Ramos has had his home ransacked by burglars while he was on Champions League duty.And the villains terrorised the former Real Madrid’s star’s four young children during the raid.
      Sergio Ramos’ house was burgled in a raid while he was on Champions League dutyCredit: Getty
      The defender’s family were in the house at the time of the raidCredit: The Mega Agency
      Centre-back Ramos, 37, rejoined hometown club Sevilla from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer.
      The 180-cap international had attracted interest from Manchester United and Aston Villa before opting for the La Liga club instead.
      He played in Sevilla’s 1-1 draw with Lens last Wednesday at their Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan home ground.
      Meanwhile a gang of robbers reportedly broke into his Andalusia home during the game after bypassing the alarm system.
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      They terrified Ramos’ kids, aged between three and eight, and the two nannies looking after them, but left them unharmed.
      However local media reported the bandits made off with luxury watches, jewellery, designer clothes and cash.
      Ramos’ wife, actress and journalist Pilar Rubio, was away with work commitments at the time.
      The family had only recently moved to the upmarket La Alegria country estate at Bollullos de la Mitacion, near to Seville.
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      The villains terrorised Ramos’ four kids and wifeCredit: @pilarrubio
      Ramos’ wife Pilar Rubio was away at workCredit: Instagram @sergioramos
      Local police have opened an enquiry, but no arrests have yet been made.
      Ramos infamously collided with Liverpool keeper Loris Karius during the 2018 Champions League final.
      Real Madrid went on to win 3-1 after two mistakes by Karius that he blamed on the after-effects of the clash.
      Ramos won five La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns with Madrid, and two Ligue 1 titles with PSG.
      He helped Spain lift the 2010 World Cup, as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. More

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      Lucas Moura wins trophy just four months after leaving Tottenham – but could already be set for another transfer exit

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      LUCAS MOURA has got his hands on a trophy at new club Sao Paolo just four months after leaving Tottenham.The Brazilian made his return home after leaving Spurs on a free transfer over the summer.
      Lucas Moura celebrates winning the Brazilian Cup at Sao PaoloCredit: Rex
      Moura previously won the Copa Sudamericana with Sao Paolo in 2012Credit: Getty
      In that time, Spurs made it to the Champions League final – in large part thanks to Moura bagging a hat-trick in the semi-final against Ajax – and League Cup final but lost on both occasions.
      He penned an emotional exit from Spurs before the 31-year-old returned to boyhood club Sao Paolo.
      And having won the Copa Sudamericana back in 2012 during his first spell there, he did not have to wait long to land his second trophy.
      Last Sunday Moura added the Brazilian Cup to his cabinet of silverware as Sao Paolo defeated Flamengo 2-1 over a two-legged final.
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      Upon realising the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star was another who had won a trophy after leaving Spurs, some fans were left in hysterics online.
      One said: “Of course he did.”
      A second wrote: “The irony! People win trophies as they leave Tottenham🤣🤣🤣🤣.”
      A third typed: “Another one wins a cup 😂🔥👊.”
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      While a fourth reacted: “Really couldn’t make it up unbelievable 🤣.”
      However, his spell at Sao Paolo could be over quicker than expected with his contract expiring at the start of 2024.
      As quoted by ESPN, former Sao Paolo star Diego Lugano said after the final: “It’s going to depend a lot on the market he (Moura) has, too.
      “United States is paying very well, window opens in January… São Paulo has to make an economic effort, there is no team that has a star without effort.
      “What you can’t ask for is the effort of the player, Lucas is a São Paulo, he creates from the base, but he’s a professional, he’s 30 years old, there’s still a market.
      “[The] Player is professional and responsible. He knows he only has little time, he has a plan.” More

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      Premier League legend, 41, ‘to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid boss’ after red-hot start to life as manager

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      XABI ALONSO is expected to take over Real Madrid next season, despite the Liverpool legend only becoming a first-team manager last October.The Bayer Leverkusen chief, 41, will reportedly succeed Carlo Ancelotti after the Italian’s contract runs out next summer.
      Ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is tipped for the Real Madrid job after just a short career in senior management so farCredit: Getty
      Carlo Ancelotti is bowing out at the Bernabeu next summer after becoming their manager for the second time two years agoCredit: EPA
      Former Spain, Real and Bayern Munich midfielder Alonso would be a surprisingly inexperienced choice.
      After retiring as a player in 2017, he managed Madrid’s youths before three years in charge of the Real Sociedad B team.
      Admittedly, though, he’s been a huge success since landing the main position at Leverkusen 11 months ago.
      After guiding them to sixth in the Bundesliga last season, Leverkusen sit second this term – behind champions Bayern only on goal difference.
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      Now Spain’s Radio MARCA say Madrid have identified Alonso for arguably the biggest job in club football.
      And it’s claimed his appointment is all but inevitable.
      Alonso is best-known in England for for his stylish stint at Anfield from 2004-9, winning the Champions League and FA Cup.
      Outgoing Ancelotti has won the Champions League four times as a boss  – twice with AC Milan, then once apiece in his two spells at the Bernabeu.
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      But his exit at the end of the current campaign has long been predicted.
      He’s tipped to take his first international job with Brazil, starting with the 2024 Copa America. More