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      Newcastle face Champions League group of death but fans won’t care after 20 YEARS out of competition

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      NEWCASTLE could be handed a NIGHTMARE Champions League group as they prepare to return to Europe’s elite competition.Toon fans will be relishing the opportunity to face the continent’s elite after securing their place on Monday night.
      Eddie Howe has clinched a Champions League spot for NewcastleCredit: Reuters
      Newcastle drew with Leicester to guarantee a top four place on MondayCredit: Getty
      Eddie Howe’s men played out a goalless draw with Leicester to clinch the point they needed to guarantee Champions League football next season.
      The Magpies will be placed into pot four as they prepare for their first appearance in the competition since the 2002/03 campaign.
      That season they made it through to the second group stage before being eliminated.
      But they could be up against it from the off this time around.
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      The nightmare Champions League group Newcastle could be handed
      As they will be placed into pot four, it means they are set to come up against three more experienced European sides.
      And they could feasibly be drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and AC Milan in a group of death.
      Real Madrid, 14-time European champions, will be placed in pot two as they failed to win LaLiga this season.
      And seven-time winners AC Milan are set to drop down into pot three – just 12 months after their Serie A title triumph earned them a place in pot one.
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      However, Newcastle could also be handed a more favourable draw despite being in the lowest pot.
      Dutch champions Feyenoord are a less intimidating pot one side that Howe’s side could come up against.
      Then in pot two they may well receive the likes of Porto or RB Leipzig.
      And in pot three Newcastle could end up alongside Dinamo Zagreb, Rangers or Red Star Belgrade. More

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      Arsenal handed huge and unlikely Champions League boost after Juventus given 10-point deduction

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      JUVENTUS have been hit by a 10-point deduction – boosting Arsenal’s Champions League hopes.The Italian giants dropped out of the Serie A top four as a result of the penalty.
      Mikel Arteta has received a Champions League boost as Arsenal prepare to return to the competitionCredit: Getty
      Juventus are set to miss out on the Champions League after their points deductionCredit: Getty
      And it means that failing to beat AC Milan on Sunday will end their hope of Champions League qualification for next season – and ensure the Gunners will be in the second seeding pot for the group stage draw in August.
      The final verdict by Italian FA Court of Appeal is the latest development in a long-running saga.
      In January, Juve were found guilty of a transfer scam over three seasons, which was orchestrated by then-sporting director Fabio Paratici, who joined Spurs in 2021.
      Juventus were judged to have inflated transfer fees in dealings with other Italian clubs to create millions of pounds in “capital gains” for tax purposes.
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      That allowed the club to spend more in the market than would have been allowed under Financial Fair Play regulations.
      The Turin outfit was initially handed a 15-point deduction, when senior club figures including ex-President Andrea Agnelli and Paratici were handed lengthy bans.
      Although the points punishment was suspended last month, pending yesterday’s hearing, Paratici resigned from his role at Tottenham after his ban was confirmed.
      Prosecutor Giuseppe Chine, on behalf of the Italian FA, demanded an 11-point penalty at the start of a three-hour virtual hearing on Monday.
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      How the Champions League pots are projected to look
      Juventus argued that the punishment should not be so severe because the breaches took place under Agnelli’s leadership of the club and that there had subsequently been a major overhaul of the board.
      But the tribunal imposed the major punishment in a verdict which the club suggested it might still appeal.
      Juventus said: “This judgment arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters.”
      UEFA have already opened proceedings which could result in a European ban for the Italian club.
      But if Juve are not in next season’s Champions League, Arsenal will be assured of a place in the second group of seeds and avoid a potential nightmare draw in the group phase. More

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      Bruno Guimaraes escapes red card for brutal studs up tackle as fans rage ‘if that’s Casemiro it’s a red’

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      FANS have claimed that Bruno Guimaraes was lucky to avoid being set off for a brutal challenge on Boubakary Soumaré.With a lot on the line, tackles started to fly in and Guimaraes committed without a doubt the worst in the eight minutes in.

      Bruno Guimaraes escaped a red card for this tackleCredit: Sky Sports
      The midfielder went studs up and high as he caught Soumare right on the thigh with his boot.
      The Frenchman was clearly in pain as he dropped to the floor.
      Referee Andre Marriner gave a free kick to the Foxes and handed Guimaraes a yellow card.
      VAR Darren England reviewed the incident, but decided not to take any action to further punish the Magpies ace.
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      And fans are in disbelief that Guimaraes has escaped a red card that would have ended his season.
      One fan tweeted: “What’s the point when the most obvious of reds like this gets ignored.”
      A second wrote: “That’s a straight red that.”
      A third commented: “Bad decision.”
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      A fourth said: “It’s even close to a second of contact in the slow motion LOL One of the clearest red cards and a multi million season defining decision and they get it WRONG. No excuse Just scrap it!”
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      A fifth added: “Red card all the way. Even pushes his leg into the player after the initial contact. VAR is c***.”
      While another argued: “If this was Casemiro it would be a straight red card.”
      And the decision could be crucial in both the Champions League battle and the fight to avoid the drop.
      The match at St James’ Park ended 0-0, which was enough for the Magpies to qualify for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years.
      But Leicester’s failure to win means they will go down if Everton beat Bournemouth next week. More

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      Juventus hit with TEN-point penalty leaving club’s Champions League hopes in tatters

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      JUVENTUS have been re-hit with a points deduction.And it means they will fall down the Serie A table and out of the Champions League qualification spots.
      Juventus have had their points penalty confirmedCredit: Getty
      Juventus were initially slapped with a 15-point penalty in January after being accused of inflating transfer fees in dealings with other Italian clubs over three seasons to create millions of pounds in “capital gains” for tax purposes.
      It was stated that Juve had manipulated the system to free up their spending powers in the market.
      The punishment also saw Fabio Paratici given a worldwide football ban after his involvement in the scandal
      This then prompted his resignation from Tottenham.
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      However, the 15-point deduction was reversed in April pending a new trial with the FIGC Federal Court of Appeal.
      And the findings of the latest investigation have seen Juventus impacted again.
      Before the latest developments, Juventus were second in Serie A on 69 points, one ahead of Lazio and three clear of Inter.
      However, the club have now been docked 10 points which will see them drop to seventh place.
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      This means with two games remaining in the season, Juventus will not be able to qualify for the Champions League as they cannot catch fourth-placed Inter Milan.
      The club released the following statement: “Juventus Football Club takes note of what was decided by the FIGC Court of Appeal and reserves the right to read the reasons to evaluate a possible appeal to the Guarantee Board at CONI.
      “What was established by the fifth instance of judgment in this matter, which began more than a year ago, arouses great bitterness in the club and in its millions of supporters who, in the absence of clear rules, find themselves extremely penalised with the application of sanctions that do not seem to take into account the principle of proportionality.
      “While not ignoring the need for urgency, which Juventus has never shied away from during the proceedings, it is emphasised that these are facts that still have to be evaluated by a judge.”
      AC Milan were back in fifth and are now fourth on 64 with Atalanta moring to fifth on 61 and Roma seventh on 60.
      This also saw Roma bumped up into the Europa League Conference qualification spot.
      Jose Mourinho’s men may have thought their hopes of remaining seventh were in peril after only managing a 2-2 draw at home to Salernitana.
      But Juventus than collapsed to a 4-1 loss at Empoli to cap off one of the darkest days in the club’s history. More

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      Pep Guardiola given huge boost in Treble quest vs Inter Milan as incredible Champions League omen for Man City unearthed

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      MANCHESTER CITY have been handed a boost ahead of their Champions League final against Inter Milan.The Premier League champions are aiming to complete a historic Treble after wrapping up the league title at the weekend.
      Manchester City have only played Inter Milan in friendly games beforeCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      It could be a good omen for Pep GuardiolaCredit: Reuters
      Liverpool had never played AC Milan competitively until their Champions League final in 2005Credit: Getty
      The Citizens are in the FA Cup final in which they face their old foes Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on June 3.
      After that, City will then turn their attention to European glory against the Serie A side on June 10.
      In a spooky turn of events the game between the Italian and English clubs is the first ever competitive meeting between the two.
      The only time a debut meeting between clubs has happened in the Champions League final was back in 2005, when Liverpool faced AC Milan.
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      On that occasion, the English side ran out winners in dramatic fashion.
      The Reds had fallen 3-0 down before half time after a brilliant 45 minutes from Milan which saw Paolo Maldini score in the first minute and striker Hernan Crespo net a brace.
      However, Rafael Benitez’s men rallied in the second half and scored three times in five minutes to take the game to extra time and penalties, which they won.
      Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be hoping that it proves to be a good omen for his side.
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      He had taken the club to a Champions League final in 2021 but suffered heartbreak to Chelsea after Kai Havertz netted the only goal of the game.
      City have faced Inter twice before, once in the pre-season friendly match in the 2011 Dublin Super Cup and once in another friendly in 2010.
      Each team won one of the fixtures as both games ended 3-0. More

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      Andy Cole reveals Roy Keane’s amazing advice after Man Utd legend got starstruck against opponent

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Andy Cole has revealed the advice he received from Roy Keane after being left starstruck by an opponent.The 51-year-old enjoyed a glittering six-year spell at Old Trafford after joining from Newcastle in 1995.
      Cole has admitted that he was starstruck when he came up against RonaldoCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He also spoke about the advice he received from KeaneCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two Community Shields and a Champions League title with the Red Devils, making him one of the club’s most successful players.
      But despite his long list of accolades, Cole still found himself starstruck when he came up against one particular player.
      Speaking on the Filthy Fellas podcast, the former striker revealed that he was in awe of Ronaldo when he faced the Brazilian in the 1999.
      He said: “I remember when I played against the original Brazilian Ronaldo.
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      “We played them at the San Siro in the Champions League quarter-finals.
      “I remember standing in the tunnel looking at him and saying aloud: ‘Bruv, this is Ronaldo!’
      “Yeah, I did (get starstruck).
      “Everyone’s looking at me saying: ‘Coley, what?’.
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      “I’m saying: ‘Nah that’s Ronaldo!’
      “I remember Roy (Keane) used to say to me: ‘Just remember you are as good as these man’.
      “And I keep saying: ‘But this is Ronaldo bruv!’
      “I’m looking at him like he isn’t even real!”
      The match at the San Siro ended 1-1, with Paul Scholes and Nicola Ventola both on the scoresheet.
      United progressed to the next round thanks to a 3-1 win on aggregate before making it to the final and winning the competition. More

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      Champions League final – Man City vs Inter Milan: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for Istanbul clash

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      MANCHESTER CITY are in pursuit of an historic treble – and it could all come to fruition against Inter Milan in the Champions League final. City have been imperious so far in Europe’s elite competition, having knocked out Bayern Munich and Real Madrid en route to the final.
      Bernardo Silva scored twice as Man City beat Real Madrid 4-0 in their semi-final 2nd legCredit: Alamy
      Lautaro Martinez scored against AC Milan to put Inter in the Champions League finalCredit: EPA
      They’ve already on the Premier League, and they’re also after FA Cup glory against Manchester United on June 3.
      Inter have been on a different path this season in Serie A, as they look like finishing third or fourth in the league.
      But in the Champions League, they’ve knocked out both Benfica and rivals AC Milan to reach Istanbul.
      When is Man City vs Inter Milan?

      The Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan will take place on Saturday, June 10.
      City thrashed Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate to reach the final, while Inter beat rivals AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate.
      The match will kick off at 8pm BST.
      This will be the 68th season of the competition and the 31st since it was renamed from the European Cup to the UEFA Champions League.

      Champions League
      What channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

      Man City vs Inter Milan will be shown on BT Sport 1 HD in the UK.
      The game will also be shown for FREE on BT Sport’s YouTube channel.
      You can live stream the action from the BT Sport or YouTube app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Where is the 2023 Champions League final being held?
      Istanbul will host the 2023 Champions League final.
      The huge fixture will be played at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium and it boasts a seated capacity of approximately 75,000 supporters.
      One of the most iconic Champions League finals was played at this stadium which saw Liverpool pull off a sensational comeback against AC Milan before beating them on penalties.
      Liverpool incredibly beat AC Milan in the last final held at Ataturk Olympic StadiumCredit: PA:Press Association
      Ataturk Olympic Stadium opened in 2002 and was built to support Turkey’s bid to stage the 2008 Olympic Games but it lost out to Beijing National Stadium in China.
      However, the Turkey national team uses Ataturk Olympic Stadium as their home venue.
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      What do the 2023 Champions League winners get?
      Winners of the final will be granted a guaranteed place in the 2023/2024 Champions League competition.
      A chance to win the Club World Cup against other teams across the globe.
      And they will take on the winners of the Europa League for a chance to secure the UEFA Super Cup just before the new season gets underway.
      Real Madrid won the Champions League last season after beating LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      Who has won the Champions League the most?

      Real Madrid – 14
      AC Milan – 7
      Liverpool – 6
      Bayern Munich – 6
      Barcelona – 5
      Ajax – 4
      Manchester United and Inter Milan – 3
      Benfica, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Porto – 2 More

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      Man Utd legend loudly booed by own fans despite winning Champions League as he leads club to horror season

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Edwin van der Sar was BOOED by Ajax fans amid their horrible season.Following Erik ten Hag’s departure last summer, Ajax have endured a difficult season.
      Edwin van der Sar has been criticised for ‘managing the club poorly’Credit: Rex
      Fans made their displeasure known at the Johan Cruyff ArenaCredit: Getty
      The Dutch side find themselves down in third in the Eredivisie.
      This is a far cry from their recent history in Holland’s top flight, having won the last three league titles under Ten Hag.
      And fans have levelled some of the blame towards Ajax chief executive Van der Sar.
      Dutch journalist Willem Vissers reported on his Twitter page that there were loud whistles from the crowd directed at former goalkeeper.
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      Taking to Twitter, one fan explained the reasoning behind the booing was due to him: “Managing the club terrible.”
      The fan added: “1.5 year[s] of terrible management. He just made many horrible decisions. All starting with not appointing a technical director.”
      The 52-year-old has been in charge of Ajax since November 2016 having been promoted from marketing director – as position he took in 2012..
      Since joining Ajax, the club have won five league titles, two Dutch Cups and two Dutch Super Cups.
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      There was even a remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
      Despite this, it is not the first time the Red Devils icon has been the recipient of Ajax fans wrath.
      Van der Sar was reportedly “harassed and mobbed” by a group of angry fans in March before their derby defeat with newly-crowned champions Feyenoord.
      The club’s previous title drought, which ended in 2019 after four seasons, saw Van der Sar booed in 2018.
      As a player, the goalkeeper played 312 times for Ajax, lifting the Champions League in 1995 – something he later achieved with Man Utd in 2008.
      He also helped win 13 other accolades, including four titles, the Uefa Supercup and Uefa Cup. More