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      AC Milan star ‘goes from Messi to Heskey real quick’ as he runs past whole Newcastle team… before embarrassing blunder

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      RAFAEL LEAO went from “Messi to Heskey” after making an incredible run during AC Milan’s Champions League clash with Newcastle.The 24-year-old received the ball just outside of Nick Pope’s penalty area before skipping past three Newcastle defenders in the 34th minute of the match.
      Rafael Leao attempted a backheel shot, but instead fell overCredit: beIN Sports
      Leao took an embarrassing tumbleCredit: BT Sports
      The AC Milan star scuffed his shot after making an incredible runCredit: AP
      Fans said he went from ‘Messi to Heskey’Credit: AFP
      Leao couldn’t believe it after fluffing his linesCredit: Reuters
      But just as he set himself up for the strike, the ball got stuck under his feet and he subsequently tripped over.
      Fans took to social media to react to Leao’s incredible skill and terrible shot, with one person tweeting: “Leao went from Messi to Heskey real quick there 😂.”
      Another added: “Don’t know how Leao didn’t score from that run…”
      A third wrote: “Rafael Leao did everything but score against Newcastle 😂.”
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      Another fan questioned: “What is Leao doing here?”
      While a fifth commented: “Leao thinks he’s Messi.”
      Leao has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League over the past year.
      Both Chelsea and Manchester City considered a swoop for the Portugal international.
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      Paris Saint-Germain also considered him as a replacement for Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami this summer.
      However, his contract – which was extended to 2028 in June – now reportedly has a huge £152million release clause, meaning several clubs have been priced out of a potential deal.
      AC Milan dominated the first half of their opening Champions League match against Newcastle, while Eddie Howe’s side struggled to create any meaningful chances.
      And neither side could find a breakthrough after the break as Newcastle held on for a valuable point. More

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      Fans spot Newcastle have been forced to make major change to kit due to little known Uefa Champions League rule

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      NEWCASTLE were forced to change their kit for their Champions League opener against AC Milan due to a little-known Uefa rule.Eddie Howe led his side out in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years at the San Siro on Tuesday night as they earned a hard-fought goalless draw.
      Newcastle got rid of the stripes going through their numbers to adhere to Uefa rules
      This is how the back of Newcastle’s kit looks in Premier League gamesCredit: Rex
      But the black and white stripes that usually stretch down the back of the shirt – through the players numbers – were removed to adhere with the competition’s guidelines.
      Uefa’s rules state “the area on the back of a playing shirt [is] reserved exclusively for the shirt number” and that the number zone “must extend 2cm above the highest point and 3cm below the lowest point of the two digits, and horizontally 3cm from the left edge of the left-hand digit and 3cm from the right edge of the right-hand digit”.
      The zone also has to be “free of any team, manufacturer or other identification or advertising”.
      And those on social media could instantly see something about Newcastle’s kit had been changed.
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      One said: “That Newcastle kit looks strange.”
      While another added: “Something about Newcastle’s kit looks weird.”
      But others were loving the look, with a viewer reacting: “That Champions League edition Newcastle kit is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
      Newcastle have been drawn in an incredibly tough Group F.
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      Football fans were quick to spot the alteration to the Toon’s strip
      Alongside seven-time winners AC Milan, Howe’s men will also face 1997 champions Borussia Dortmund and French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
      But they will have taken positives from the draw with Milan despite being second best for much of the game.
      Newcastle’s first home Champions League game at St James’ Park comes at home to PSG on October 4, before they host Borussia Dortmund three weeks later. More

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      AC Milan vs Newcastle LIVE -Champions League: Latest updates as Tonali and Isak START for Toon – stream, TV, team news

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      NEWCASTLE make their return to the Champions League TODAY after 20 long years away.The headline team news from the San Siro is that Eddie Howe has handed starts to Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy in attack.
      Sandro Tonali also starts in midfield as he takes on his boyhood club for the first time since his big-money move to St James’ Park.

      Kick off time: 5.45pm BST
      TV channel: TNT Sports 1
      Live stream: discovery+
      AC Milan team: Maignan, Theo, Thiaw, Tomori, Calabria, Krunic, Pobega, Loftus-Cheek, Chukwueze, Leao, Giroud
      Newcastle team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Tonali, Murphy, Gordon, Isak

      MILAN VS NEWCASTLE: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FREE BETS
      Stay up to date with all the action from the San Siro…
      Toon’s Tonali faces former club
      Eddie Howe makes three changes for his first ever match in the Champions League.
      The Newcastle boss has reinstated Sandro Tonali for an emotional reunion at his former club with the Italian international replacing Elliot Anderson in midfield.
      Up top, Alexander Isak has got the nod ahead of Callum Wilson while Jacob Murphy takes over from Harvey Barnes on the wing.
      Kieran Trippier captains the Toon while Nick Pope will keep goal behind his usual back four.

      Newcastle (4-3-3): 22 Pope; 2 Trippier, 5 Schar, 4 Botman, 33 Burn; 36 Longstaff, 39 Guimaraes, 8 Tonali; 23 Murphy, 14 Isak, 10 Gordon
      Substitutes: 18 Karius, 84 Harris, 3 Dummett, 6 Lascelles, 9 Wilson, 13 Targett, 15 Barnes, 20 Hall, 21 Livramento, 24 Almiron, 32 Anderson, 67 Miley

      Tomori and Loftus-Cheek start for Milan
      Stefano Pioli threatened to ring the changes after his side were walloped by Inter in the Milan derby at the weekend.
      As it is, the Italian boss makes just three switches with one new player coming into the defence, midfield and attack.
      At the back, Malick Thiaw comes in for Simon Kjaer, Tommaso Pobega replaces Tijjani Reijnders in the middle of the park while Samuel Chukwueze is favoured over Christian Pulisic up front.
      Former Premier League stars Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Olivier Giroud line up for a Rossoneri side captained by Davide Calabria.

      AC Milan (4-3-3): 16 Maignan; 2 Calabria, 23 Tomori, 28 Thiaw, 19 Hernandez; 8 Loftus-Cheek, 33 Runic, 32 Pobega; 21 Chukwueze, 9 Giroud, 10 Leao
      Substitutes: 57 Sportiello, 83 Mirante, 7 Adli, 11 Pulisic, 14 Reijnders, 15 Jovic, 17 Okafor, 24 Kjaer, 42 Florenzi, 80 Musah, 95 Bartesaghi

      Group stage not a sprint
      Should Newcastle begin the group stage with a defeat this evening, then their long-suffering followers will be able to play the role of the voice of reason.
      And that’s because those around in 2002-03 – the last season that Newcastle played in the Champions League – will recall that nothing is settled on matchday one.
      Back then, the Toon last their opening three fixtures in Group E yet still recovered to qualify for the second group stage (yes, that’s right, kids).
      The epic comeback that saw them beat Juventus, Dynamo Kyiv and Feyenoord meant they became the first ever club to lose their opening three Champions League group matches yet still progress to the next round.
      Only Atalanta in 2019-20 have repeated the feat since.
      Bookies unable to split sides
      Newcastle are back in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, but the bookmakers are undecided as to whether they will begin their group campaign with a win, chalking them up at the exact same price as AC Milan. The draw is the outsider of the three outcomes.

      AC Milan win 17/10
      Draw 21/10
      Newcastle win 17/10

      Odds from Paddy Power correct at time of post publication.
      Another Italian job for Toon
      Newcastle United arrive in Milan this evening hoping to create more Italian memories for their fans.
      The Toon won their last European away game against Serie A opposition, beating Palermo 1-0 in the 2006-07 UEFA Cup.
      Alberto Luque scored the only goal, although that was as good as it got for the £9m striker during his time at St James’ Park.
      But the Spaniard has his place in Newcastle history; until that point, the Magpies had failed to win any of their first four visits to Italy (D2 L2).

      How to watch tonight’s action
      AC Milan vs Newcastle will be broadcast LIVE on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 5pm BST.
      TNT Sports customers can live stream all the action via the discovery+ app or website.
      Alternatively, you can stay right here and keep up to date with all the action via SunSport’s live blog.
      Toon army takeover Milan
      The Geordies have travelled in numbers to witness Newcastle’s return to the Champions League after 20 years away.
      Credit: AP
      Credit: AP
      What have the managers said?
      “We always live in hope that if we produce our best performance, we can beat anybody,” Howe said over the weekend.
      “I do believe that. Bringing that A-game, bringing that to the table at the very highest level, isn’t easy but I back the players and I know if we can reach that level, we can be a match for any team.”
      Meanwhile, Pioli added: “We had a lot of faith and positivity for the derby but it didn’t go well, there’s no point hiding it.
      “It was a big disappointment, but we have the Champions League and that is good as it’s the only way to switch.”
      Credit: GETTY
      What is the early team news?
      Newcastle will still have to do without influential midfielder Joe Willock on Tuesday night.
      The 24-year-old has been struggling with an Achilles issue and isn’t expected back until next month at the earliest.
      Howe is also set to be without Joelinton for his first Champions League match as a manager, while Emil Krafth is a long-term absentee.
      Defender Pierre Kalulu missed Saturday’s collapse against Inter for AC Milan and is set to be out once again against the Toon.
      His centre-back partner Fikayo Tomori will return, however, having been ruled out of the Inter clash by suspension.
      Midfielder Ismael Bennacer is a long-term absentee having undergone knee surgery in May.
      Super Sandro
      It will be a big night for Sandro Tonali, meanwhile, with the midfielder making a quick return to the club he left for Newcastle in the summer.
      The midfielder has already grabbed his first goal for the Toon, while he has also created three chances and made four tackles.

      Ruthless Rafael
      AC Milan will be hoping that Rafael Leao can be the star of the show when Newcastle come to town on Tuesday night.
      The Portuguese livewire has already grabbed two goals and an assist in four games this term – while creating seven chances.

      Welcome to AC Milan vs Newcastle
      Newcastle end their 20-year Champions League absence TODAY against serial winners AC Milan – and SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage.
      Magpies fans will have the hairs standing up on the backs of their necks as the Champions League’s iconic anthem is blasted out as the sun sets around Milan.
      And they’ll have water on their stomachs too after fans were spotted sliding through the Milan streets.
      While Newcastle are new to this level, Milan have been steadily improving in Europe under Stefano Pioli.
      Last season they were able to escape a group featuring Chelsea, Red Bull Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb.
      They subsequently managed to make it all the way to the semi-finals, toppling Tottenham in North London and Italian champions-elect Napoli on their way.
      This is bound to be an extremely competitive group, with Paris Saint-Germain hosting Borussia Dortmund across Europe in its other match on Tuesday night.
      So every game really matters, and Newcastle will be desperate to come away from Milan with something.
      Stay tuned as coming up is all the latest news and team selection before the big kick-off at 5:45pm BST.
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      Terrifying world of AC Milan’s ‘Ultras Warriors’ who pledge to ‘cheer, scream & fight’ for club as Newcastle fan stabbed

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      THOUSANDS of Newcastle fans have descended on Milan ahead of the club’s Champions League Clash on Tuesday. But there is more concern surrounding the drama that could unfold off the pitch as supporters of the Magpies face off with AC Milan’s diehard admirers.
      AC Milan’s diehard fans ominously vow to ‘cheer, incite, scream and fight’ for their clubCredit: Getty
      The Ultras Warriors have risen from the ashes of the disbanded Fossa dei LeoniCredit: Getty
      The group is reportedly led by convicted drug trafficker Luca LucciCredit: Getty
      The uber-organised Ultras Warriors vow to “cheer, incite, scream and fight” for their club, apparently without fear of the consequences.
      Despite their burning passion for football being at the forefront of their mission, flying fists, flares and anarchy often take centre stage.
      A Newcastle fan has already been ambushed and stabbed by at least seven masked thugs ahead of the game in the Italian city.
      The horror incident involving Brit dad Eddie McKay, 58, has incited fears that more blood could be shed in football-related incidents.
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      A new generation of fans, formed out of the infamous Fossa dei Leoni (Lion’s Den) association, are now carrying the torch for their beloved club.
      But their penchant for violence, political disruption and fierce rivalries remains at the heart of the group.
      The Fossa dei Leoni, originally formed in 1968, is credited with pioneering the modern ultra movement in Italy.
      The group offered unwavering support to their club and belted out lyrics ridden with loyalty from Ramp 18 in the San Siro Stadium.
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      They later dominated the Curva Sud, becoming the heartbeat of the Diavolo support while joining up with members of the Brigate Rossonere and the Commandos Tigre.
      But the infusion of supporters was notoriously strained due to differing political ideologies, sparking a series of explosive rifts.
      Fossa eventually disbanded in 2005 following a bizarre row over a stolen banner during a match between Milan and Juventus.
      The firm supposedly managed to steal a flag from an ultra group supporting their rivals, known as Viking, and unfurled it triumphantly in the Curva Sud.
      But it later emerged that rather than swiping the flag, it had been acquired “without honour” – going against Fossa’s unwritten rules.
      Juventus fans later sought revenge and nabbed one of the group’s banners, before tauntingly posting it on the Viking’s fanzine.
      Both banners were eventually returned to their rightful owners, but rumours that police were involved in the truce began to circulate.
      This would be regarded as another deadly sin – and the dissolution of Fossa did little to quell the speculation, or put an end to the infighting.
      A bloody battle ensued, reportedly exacerbated by a merchandising and tickets row, resulting in one Milan fan being shot in the legs.
      Brigate Rossonere and Commandos Tigre lived on, while former Fossa members rebranded as the Ultras Warriors.
      Announcing their formation, the group said they were “born from the synergy of some militants of the former Fossa dei Leoni”.
      A press release read: “The new Warriors who, in serenity and agreement with the rest of the groups of the curve; we will fill the void left both in the south and in our hearts.
      “Like the majority of Italian fans, we are not characterized by any political ideology, neither red nor black, but only and exclusively red and black. 
      “We are an independent group and our only purpose is to cheer, incite, scream, fight… for one cause only… our Magical Milan.”
      The apolitical group is reportedly headed by Luca Lucci, who is currently serving a seven-year stretch for drug trafficking charges.
      The background of their alleged leader has raised fears the Ultras Warriors are now more of a mafia than a gang of football fans.
      Italian media claim Lucci was heard discussing the killing of the legendary head of the Inter Milan Ultras, Vittorio Boiocchi.
      The 69-year-old, who spent 26 years behind bars, was shot dead outside of his house on the outskirts of Milan in October last year.
      According to Calcio Mercato, Lucci warned a crime boss: “Boiocchi? You have to kill him, Vittorio is crazy, he’ll kill you. You have to throw him down.”
      With rigorous weekly meetings, the cult-like supporters of AC Milan remain a structured and scary presence.
      Members of the Ultras Warriors are expected to line the stands of San Siro as they watch their club take on Newcastle.
      The Toon’s return to the Champions League after 20 years is predicted to be explosive both on and off the pitch.
      In crazy scenes, Brits have already been seen sliding topless in the slippery streets of Milan with dozens watching on.
      Magpies fans had to scramble to bag one of the 4,300 seats dedicated to the visiting team and they’ve long been sold out.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      But other loyal supporters have still rushed to the city without a ticket.
      The last time the team played away from home in this competition was also in Milan back in 2003, where 12,000 visiting fans watched 2-2 draw with Inter.
      Years of infighting and differing political stances caused Fossa to fall apartCredit: Getty
      Flares and flying fists are a regular occurrence following matches at the San Siro StadiumCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      It is feared Italian fans will give Newcastle supporters a more than frosty receptionCredit: Getty More

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      Harry Maguire and two more stars OUT of Man Utd squad vs Bayern Munich as injury crisis deepens with ONE spare defender

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      HARRY MAGUIRE has been left out of Manchester United’s travelling squad ahead of the club’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich.Mason Mount and Raphael Varane also miss out, despite initial hopes that they would be available.
      Maguire has been left out of the squadCredit: Reuters
      Varane returned to training today, but he has not travelledCredit: Getty
      Mount is also unavailableCredit: Getty
      The two stars returned to full training today after recovering from their respective injuries.
      Mount has missed United’s last three games due to an unspecified muscular issue, while Varane has missed the last two.

      Man Utd face the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena.
      The Red Devils will look to avoid slipping to a third successive defeat across all competitions.
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      However, they will have to do so with a severely depleted squad.
      Just five defenders – including free signing Jonny Evans – will travel to Germany, along with four goalkeepers.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered a hamstring injury during his five-minute cameo against Brighton on Saturday.
      His absence leaves Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Sergio Reguilon, and Diogo Dalot as the club’s only other defensive options for Wednesday’s game.
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      United also have seven midfielders and five attackers available.
      Maguire is unavailable due to an injury, which has not been specified.
      The centre-back has not started a match for Man Utd this season.
      His only appearance so far came during the club’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal before the international break.
      Maguire then received heavy criticism from fans while on England duty earlier this month.
      Erik ten Hag has since stepped in to defend him, saying: “I have said many times, it is disrespectful and he doesn’t deserve it.
      “He is a great player and gives great performances. It’s crazy but it’s how it works and Harry has to block this by performances.
      “It’s unjustified when you see his career. It’s a great career and it has a lot to come but he has to block it by good performances.”
      Fans had also hoped that summer signing Sofyan Amrabat would make his debut against Bayern Munich, but the midfielder is yet to take part in full training.
      The midfielder trained by himself earlier today in order to build up his fitness following a back injury.
      Despite Man Utd’s lack of depth, Harry Kane has urged his Bayern team-mates not to underestimate Ten Hag’s side.
      The former Tottenham striker told Sports Illustrated: “A difficult game. I know Manchester United are having a difficult moment at the moment, but sometimes teams like that are dangerous because they’re always looking to come back in a big way.
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      “So we have to be prepared for them and of course we want to get the crowd behind us as early as possible on Wednesday in front of our home crowd and approach the game with a lot of intensity.
      “The Champions League is always special and my first game with Bayern Munich will stay with me – so I hope it goes well.” More

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      Bayern vs Man Utd offer: Get 45/1 for Marcus Rashford 1+ shot on target in Champions League showdown with Paddy Power

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      PADDY POWER have a sensational offer to celebrate the start of the Champions League groups.Brand new customers who sign-up to Paddy Power can get bumper odds of 45/1 for Manchester United talisman Marcus Rashford to register at least one shot on target in their opening clash against Bayern Munich!
      Get 45/1 for Rashford 1+ shot on target with Paddy Power
      Bayern vs Man Utd: Rashford 1+ shot on target | 45/1!*
      Rashford 45/1 shot on target offerHow to claim

      Visit the Paddy Power website by clicking HERE*
      Register a brand new account, add a debit card and make a deposit of at least £10
      Place a maximum £1 on Marcus Rashford in the ‘Player To Have 1 Or More Shots On Target at 1/2’ in your bet slip
      If you’re successful, the winning bet will be paid at the normal price
      The extra winnings will be paid out as free bets – taking the total odds to the 45/1
      You will receive your free bet after your qualifying bet settles. Free bets are valid for 7 days.

      Bayern vs Man Utd: Rashford 1+ shot on target | 45/1!*

      What’s the Paddy Power Champions League offer?
      Paddy Power are offering brand new customers whopping odds of 45/1 for Marcus Rashford to register at least one shot on target during Manchester United’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich!
      How do we claim this offer?
      It couldn’t be any easier! Visit the Paddy Power website HERE*.
      Register an account, add a card and make a deposit of at least £10.
      Place a maximum £1 on Marcus Rashford in the ‘Player To Have 1 Or More Shots On Target at 1/2’ in your bet slip.
      What happens next?
      If you’re successful, the winning bet will be paid at the normal price.
      Then, Paddy Power will pay out the extra winnings as free bets – taking the total odds to the 45/1 advertised.
      You will receive your free bet after your qualifying bet settles. Free bets are valid for 7 days.
      Bayern vs Man Utd: Rashford 1+ shot on target | 45/1!*

      Remember to gamble responsibly
      A responsible gambler is someone who:

      Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
      Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
      Never chase their losses
      Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
      Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
      Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

      For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

      *New customer offer. Place a max £1 bet on Marcus Rashford to have one or more shots on target against Bayern Munich, Wednesday, September 20th. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bets. Free bets are valid 7 days, only deposits with cards are eligible. Excludes multiples & in-play bets. T&C’s apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ begambleaware.org More

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      Celtic ‘Active Service Unit’ hooligans & Feyenoord ultras hold brutal fists-at-dawn brawl before Champions League clash

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      CELTIC hooligans boasted of holding an organised brawl with Feyenoord ultras ahead of tonight’s Champions League fixture.The Scottish and Dutch champions are set to face-off in their Group E opener at De Kuip in Rotterdam, Netherlands at 8pm.
      Celtic ‘Active Service Unit’ hooligans boasted of taking part an organised brawl with Feyenoord ultrasCredit: X
      Feyenoord fans have left threatening messages to Celtic ahead of their Champions League clashCredit: @casualultras/X
      Feyenoord Ultras hold up their ‘Zero Tolerance’ banner while posing with flags they claim they stole from Celtic supporters in RotterdamCredit: X
      But it is the hooligans and ultras of each club who claim to have already kicked off proceedings.
      With fights inside stadiums now thankfully a rarity, hooligans now look to organise meet-ups and battles in the wilderness and secret locations.
      And that appears to be the case this week for the hard nut supporters of Celtic and Feyenoord.
      An image uploaded to X, formerly Twitter, by an account dedicated to Scottish football culture showed seven men lined up in a field.
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      It was accompanied by the caption: “Arranged fight- Celtic Active Service Unit v Feyenoord, 7×7 50 seconds (win Feyenoord).”
      The men in the picture had all their faces blurred out but were wearing the same branded green tops, and some wear martial arts-style wrist bindings or gloves.
      The name “Active Service Unit” appears to be a reference to a notorious Provisional IRA a military cell who were tasked with carrying out armed attacks.
      The Glasgow club has strong links with Ireland and some supporters are known to sing controversial sectarian chants.
      Most read in Football
      The social media post suggested the group of Celtic yobs lost their battle with the opposition.
      Feyenoord’s ultras have also been pictured in social media posts ahead of the game.
      One image details the threats of “Celtic not welcome” which have been spraypainted across the city ahead of the Scottish side’s visit.
      Images were uploaded of the ultras posing with flags and banners which they claimed to have have stolen from Celtic fans.
      They are also seen holding up their own banner, which reads: “Feyenoord Zero Tolerance.”
      Symbols of certain movements and groups, such as the LGBTQ flag and the Star of David, can be seen beneath and have been crossed out with red lines in a sickening act.
      With these organised fights kept strictly confidential, it is unknown whether there is any footage and the extent of the casualties.
      Both clubs have a history of hooliganism among a small group of supporters.
      A mob of Celtic fans were caught up in a street brawl with a group of Rangers hooligans before the two sides went head-to-head in the Scottish League Cup final in February.
      And last November, 40 Celtic fans were thrown off a train at Albacete for hooliganism ahead of their Champions League fixture against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
      Feyenoord’s ultras are also no strangers to hitting the headlines, having attacked a group of Union Berlin team officials ahead of a Europa Conference League game in October 2021.
      Victims included the German club’s President, Dirk Zingler, while a woman was hospitalised following the attack at a restaurant in Rotterdam.
      Elsewhere across Europe today, a Newcastle fan was stabbed three times as the Magpies prepare to face AC Milan at the San Siro.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Brit Eddie McKay, 58, was with his son when he was viciously attacked by seven or eight knife-wielding thugs wearing balaclavas around midnight.
      Around 5,000 Toon fans have travelled to Italy for the club’s first Champions League match in 20 years.
      Celtic’s hooligans took their ‘Active Service Unit’ name from the IRACredit: Getty
      Celtic mobs clashed with Rangers fans ahead of the Scottish League Cup final in February
      Feyenoord’s ultras attacked a group of Union Berlin team officials in October 2021Credit: Instagram
      Feyenoord thugs also clashed with Italian riot police in Rome in February 2015Credit: Getty More

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      ‘Crazy’ former Tottenham star ‘repeatedly punched Van der Vaart and threatened to KILL him for taking a free-kick’

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      TOTTENHAM cult legend midfielder Sandro has claimed former left-back and fellow cult legend Benoit Assou-Ekotto threatened to “KILL” Rafael Van der Vaart after he wouldn’t let him take a free-kick.Sandro was part of the Harry Redknapp Tottenham team that reached the Champions League quarter finals in 2011 and is fondly remembered by fans for his tough tackling and eccentric ways.
      Sandro has lifted the lid on his time at TottenhamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He claimed that Benoit Assou-Ekotto fought with Rafael Van Der Vaart after he did not let him take a free-kickCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      In an exclusive interview with Ladbrokes Fanzone, Sandro lifted the lid on that team, which wasn’t short of a few characters.
      The midfielder looked back particularly fondly at playing with left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who he claims didn’t like football.
      The Brazilian midfielder said: “Benoit [Assou-Ekotto] is a crazy guy, he really is. We liked him a lot. We knew he was a particular kind of guy, but we liked him because of it. He never used to know who we were playing on a weekend… he just didn’t like football.
      “There’s a really funny moment that springs to my mind when I think about Assou-Ekotto. He used to like to take free-kicks for us. But one time we were playing in a game, we got a free-kick in a good position and Rafael van der Vaart picked up the ball and decided to shoot. 
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      “Assou took this very personally; he was very upset because, to him, that was his ball; he was going to shoot. As a group of guys playing with him, generally whenever Assou wanted to do something, we just left him to it… let him do it, you know? 
      “In this moment, he was mad. At half-time, we get into the dressing room and he’s punching Rafael! I tried to grab hold of him, he was so strong as well, so I’m grabbing holding of him and dragging him back because he’s trying to attack Rafa. 
      “‘Why did you take the shot? Why did you do this? It’s my ball, my friend… you don’t take it! Next time, I kill you!’
      “He was so angry. The next day, we turn up to training and Van der Vaart comes over to me and says ‘Sandro, you saved my life… thank you very much!'”
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      Assou-Ekotto was a cult legend on the Spurs terracesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      It’s not the first time Assou-Ekotto’s eccentric ways have made headlines.
      Peter Crouch also looked back fondly on his time with Assou Ekotto during an interview with The Mail, saying: “He [Assou-Ekotto] would tell us straight out that he had no interest in football whatsoever. He genuinely didn’t like it.
      “At 1.30pm on a Saturday he’d have no idea which team you were playing. ‘But Benoit, we’ve been talking about them in training all week.'”
      Crouch also recounted how Assou Ekotto would eat the same weird lunch every match day, saying: “Benoit would turn up with a Tesco’s bag containing the same four items every time: a croissant, a hot chocolate, a full-fat Coke and a packet of crisps.
      “The croissant I understood. He is French-Cameroonian. The hot chocolate: same cultural backstory. He used to dip the first into the second.
      “But the crisps, and the Coke — it was like two discrete lunches, one belonging to a middle-aged Parisian and the other a 12-year-old on the Seven Sisters Road. And it worked. He was always in great shape and rarely injured.
      “We accepted it, along with all the other weirdness: the random cars he would turn up to training in, sometimes a Smart car, then a Lamborghini; the way he would refuse to take ice baths for recovery, on the rather basic premise that they were ‘too cold’.
      “Benoit was a really weird guy but we loved him a lot.”
      Assou-Ekotto for his part claimed that it wasn’t that he did not like football, but he was honest about his intentions in seeing it as just a job.
      He said in an interview in The Athletic last year: “All people, everyone, when they go to a job, it’s for the money. So I don’t understand why, when I said I play for the money, people were shocked. [Saying] Oh, he’s a mercenary. Every player is like that. It’s a good, good job and I don’t say that I hate football but it’s not my passion.
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      “Did the other players agree with me? I’m sure, I’m sure, 200 per cent.”
      He went on to say he is now enjoying football again, playing for his local amateur club SC Saint-Nicolas-lez-Arras in Northern France for free. More