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      Neymar ‘spotted playing poker in Paris tournament hours after PSG’s loss to Bayern Munich’ despite Kylian Mbappe warning

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      NEYMAR was spotted playing in a poker tournament just hours after Paris Saint-Germain’s loss to Bayern Munich.And then forward returned to the table later on in the evening – ignoring Kylian Mbappe’s rallying cry to the fans.
      Neymar was spotted playing in a poker night on WednesdayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/pokerstars/
      The appearance came just hours after PSG lost to Bayern MunichCredit: https://www.instagram.com/pokerstars/
      Neymar, 31, played the full 90 minutes of Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Bayern as Kingsley Coman grabbed the only goal of the game at the Parc des Princes.
      But by Wednesday afternoon, RMC report he was at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris to take part in the European Poker Tour.
      Keen player Neymar has had a partnership deal with PokerStars since 2014 and it was thought he was simply making an appearance for his sponsors.
      The gambling company posted a picture of the Brazilian star at the table wearing a grey hoody and cap with his AirPods in and confirmed he was competing in a €10,000 (£8,900) Mystery Bounty tournament against “some world-class competitors”.
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      But the report adds the world’s most expensive footballer was back at the hotel later on the evening, playing until 10.30pm before allegedly stopping for a McDonald’s.
      It is understood £198million Neymar progressed through day one to qualify for a second day of poker action on Thursday.
      But the timing comes at a terrible time for PSG fans, who have seen their side lose three times in a row for the first time since 2011.
      Speaking after the first-leg defeat against 2020 winners Bayern in their Champions League last-16 tie, vice-captain Mbappe issued a motivational message on behalf of the squad.
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      The Frenchman said: “Our players have to be in good health for the return leg.
      “Everyone needs to eat and sleep well.
      “We’re going to work, get everyone back and get there to qualify.”
      Neymar, Mbappe and Lionel Messi were brought to PSG to lead the team to European glory, with the Champions League the one trophy their Qatari owners are so desperate to lift.
      But it appears Neymar may have folded on his priorities on the pitch to go all in at the poker table.
      Kylian Mbappe said the PSG players must eat and sleep well after losing to Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters More

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      Lionel Messi ‘primed for shock Inter Miami transfer with David Beckham’s club in pole position to sign wantaway PSG ace’

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      INTER MIAMI have received a major boost in their ambitious plan to sign Lionel Messi from French champions PSG according to reports in France. The Argentine’s current contract with the Parisians expires at the end of the season and there have been talks about extending the World Cup winner’s stay in the French capital.
      Lionel Messi celebrates scoring for PSG in Ligue 1.Credit: Reuters
      David Beckham, owner and president of soccer operations for Inter Miami.Credit: AP
      But French publication L’Equipe have reported that Messi is becoming increasingly unsure about extending his time with the Paris outfit.
      The reports states MLS side Inter Miami are in the driving seat to sign the former Barcelona star.
      Inter Miami are owned by by former PSG man David Beckham and are coached by Phil Neville.
      L’Equipe say that the Argentine superstar’s family would be open to living in the United States with Messi owning a home in Miami where he regularly holidays.
      Inter Miami coach Neville refused to rule out the possibility of signing the Argentine great when speaking last month.
      He said: “We want to bring the best players in the world to this club and he is probably the best player, so for us the landscape has not changed at all.
      ‘With any deal for any Designated Player of that level, it’s complicated. It takes time.”
      The seven time Ballon d’Or winner is represented by his father Jorge who met with PSG representatives on Wednesday.
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      Messi has 10 goals in Ligue 1
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      The PSG No10 is enjoying a much better second season and has so far and has 10 goals and 10 assists in 18 Ligue 1 matches.
      He has scored five goals in seven Champions League games but was powerless to stop the French giants losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
      A Champions league exit to the Germans would only increase the noise surrounding Messi’s future. More

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      Antonio Conte fails to fly home with Spurs after Milan loss as docs order him to stay in Italy after post-surgery check

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      ANTONIO CONTE has remained in Italy following Tottenham’s trip to AC Milan.Spurs lost the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie 1-0.
      Antonio Conte has remained in Italy to recover from surgeryCredit: Getty
      And manager Conte is staying in Italy with family to recover from his recent surgery.
      The club released a statement which reads: “Following a routine post-operation check in Italy yesterday, Antonio Conte will remain at his family home to recover from his recent surgery.
      “Health is the most important consideration and everyone at the club wishes him well.
      “Cristian Stellini will assume first team duties.”
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      Conte, 53, underwent a routine health check-up on Wednesday and doctors recommended he not fly back to London.
      Spurs confirmed Stellini will take over temporary management of the squad.
      Conte was rushed to hospital at the beginning of the month after suffering abdominal pain and underwent gall bladder surgery in Italy.
      He was subsequently forced to miss Spurs’ 1-0 win over Manchester City with Stellini overseeing the match.
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      But he was back days later to take charge of Tottenham’s visit to Leicester.
      Conte defied doctor’s orders by returning to work so quickly, as it was recommended he sit out the visit to Leicester and Milan.
      He said: “The doctor advised me not to return. His recommendation is to stay calm for 15 days.
      “But you have a sense of responsibility that you want to stay every moment with your players.
      “I’m still not 100 per cent but am trying to manage it in the best way.” More

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      Security ‘save life of Bayern fan who wore Munich kit in PSG end and got attacked by Ultras’ in Champions League tie

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      SECURITY had to save the life of a Bayern fan who was attacked by Paris Saint-Germain Ultras after making an “ignorant mistake” by wearing Munich’s jersey in the Parc des Princes home end.Bayern rocked up to the Parisians home and crashed the party on the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.
      A Bayern Munich fan showed off his signed jersey in an emotionally charged PSG home end
      The fan says 40-plus ultras attacked himCredit: EPA
      His shirt was taken and rippedCredit: EPA
      PSG academy graduate Kingsley Coman scored the only goal of the game against his former team – as he did in the 2020 Champions League final.
      But one Bayern fan decided to wear a SIGNED jersey in the home end and ended up facing severe consequences at the hands of PSG ultras.
      TikToker Chabioo says he was “jumped” by 40-plus ultras.
      They took and ripped his Bayern shirt and the man had to be rescued by security.
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      In a viral TikTok video, Chabioo showed off scratches and marks left by PSG ultras, and thanked security for “saving my life”.
      Chabioo did, however, admit he made an “ignorant mistake” by wearing Bayern’s colours in an emotionally charged home end.
      He said: “Ignorant mistake that I made and will learn from.”
      Footie fans have been far from sympathetic.
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      One said on Twitter: “He thinks the ultras have time for banter.”
      Another tweeted: “Wearing a Bayern Munich shirt next to a bunch of PSG Ultras was only going to end in one way.”
      A third sarcastically quipped: “Full of sympathy for ya mate.”
      While others said he “f***ed around and found out”.
      The Bayern fan has admitted he made a ‘ignorant mistake’
      Footie fans have been far from sympathetic to the TikTokerCredit: Chabioo/TikTok
      Visible marks were left by the attack More

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      Chaos as rowdy Dortmund fans throw pints all over media box after goal against Chelsea and even ruin Blues’ Twitter feed

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND fans threw beer all over the press box in celebration of Karim Adeyemi’s goal against Chelsea.The striker scored a brilliant solo goal in a second-half counter-attack to give Dortmund a 1-0 win.
      Borussia Dortmund fans got carried away in celebration of Karim Adeyemi’s goalCredit: Reuters
      Karim Adeyemi scored the only goal of the gameCredit: Reuters
      And fans got carried away with their celebrations as they drenched members of the media with beer.
      Several reporters including SunSport’s Andy Dillon had beer land on their laptops.
      The commentary team for BT Sport, including Darren Fletcher and Lucy Ward, also said their were showered with lager.
      Chelsea’s media team were also affected after being drenched in booze.
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      It caused a delay in their Twitter updates, with the club apologising for going quiet.
      They wrote: “Sorry for the delay, admin’s just been hit by a pint from above.”
      A damp Matt Law from the Telegraph tweeted: “If ever there was an advert not to bring back beer into the stands in England then it was here in Dortmund.
      “So many pints of beer thrown down from the stands when Dortmund scored. Absolutely moronic.”
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      It comes after an Italian journalist was soaked in beer during England’s Six Nations win over Italy last Sunday.
      The reporter was hit by beer as England fans celebrated Henry Arundell’s try.
      And he was forced to quit working as the incident was reported to security.
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      Football fans in the UK are banned from drinking beer within view of the pitch – but the same rules do not apply in Germany or in rugby.
      Dortmund even introduced a happy hour last year where they sold six beers for just £11.50.
      Chelsea played well but still lost More

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      ‘The art of defending is going’ – Enzo Fernandez singled out by Chelsea legend Joe Cole after Borussia Dortmund’s winner

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      ENZO FERNANDEZ was singled out by Joe Cole for failing to prevent Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League winner. Karim Adeyemi put the hosts in the lead on the hour mark with a wonderful solo effort which was enough to separate the sides.
      Enzo Fernandez fails to halt Karim Adeyemi as he scores a wonderful solo effortCredit: Getty

      Dortmund broke on the counter from a Chelsea corner with Adeyemi then dribbling the ball the length of the pitch.
      He took Fernandez on one-on-one, beating the World Cup winner before rounding Kepa Arrizabalaga and finishing.
      But Chelsea legend turned-BT Sports pundit Cole believed the British-record £107million man should have done more to prevent the goal.
      Cole reckoned Fernandez should have either forced Adeyemi wide or even fouled him, Cole feels more should have been done.
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      He remarked: “The art of defending is going.”
      Fernandez may have been the topic of conversation in the studio but Jude Bellingham hailed Adeyemi’s breakaway goal.
      He said: “Just speed. We are really confident when he gets the ball one on one. Not many players can stop him.
      “He had a tough time coming here at the start – finding his feet – and now he’s flying.”
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      Adeyemi told DAZN: “It’s a case of new year, new luck. For me, it’s that simple.
      “As a team, we talked a lot during the break and it brought us closer together.
      “The win tonight was crucial and it was unbelievable to play in front of these fans. We wanted to give Chelsea a tough game from start to finish and we’ve won.”
      Karim Adeyemi scores the winnerCredit: Reuters More

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      Scott Parker has nightmare Champions League manager debut as defensive howlers cost Club Brugge in 2-0 loss to Benfica

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      SCOTT PARKER’S big night on the Champions League stage fell flat against Benfica.The 42-year-old became just the fifth English coach to lead a side into the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition with Club Brugge.
      Scott Parker’s Champions League knockout debut ended in defeat for Club BruggeCredit: Getty
      Benfica won 2-0 in the first leg of the last-16 tie in BelgiumCredit: Getty
      It was also an historic night for the Belgian outfit – who had advanced from the Champions League group stages for the first time in their history.
      Yet Parker’s underdogs were undone by their own defensive errors as they gifted Joao Mario and David Neres second half goals in the last 16.
      Club Brugge now have it all to do to achieve the improbable and reach the quarters, needing an almighty result away in Portugal next month to save their Euro skins.
      This clash would have brought back memories for Parker, whose last European outing as a player came under Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas with Tottenham in the Europa League in 2013.
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      His last taste of the Champions League as a player was also Portugal-themed – under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in a 2-1 group stage defeat away to Porto in 2004.
      And the managerial newbie Parker watched his inexperienced side show some early nerves as Benfica piled on the pressure in the first half through Rafa Silva and Goncalo Ramos.
      The hosts thought they had taken the lead on the brink of half time with a header from Parker’s old Fulham teammate Denis Odoi – a winter signing – only to be judged offside.
      Scot Jack Hendry then brought down Ramos in the box after the break allowing Mario to finish from the spot six minutes into the restart.
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      And Bjorn Meijer’s costly hesitation saw Neres skip free and grab a crucial second in the 88th minute.
      Parker now has a huge uphill task to turn the result around.
      Brugge travel to Lisbon for the second leg on March 7. More

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      Chelsea and Dortmund stars clash in mass brawl with coaching staff involved as tempers boil over in Champions League

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      TEMPERS boiled over as Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund turned ugly. The Blues’ frustrations were showing on the field as they found themselves a goal down following Karim Adeyemi’s opener.
      Tempers flare between Chelsea and Borussia DortmundCredit: PA
      Julian Ryerson then lit the touch paper by taking out Mason Mount as the last 16 first-leg tie went into added time.
      Players from both teams and even opposing coaches then began to get physical with each other as tempers flared.
      Mount – who was initially fouled – received a booking for his part in the ruck and so too did Dortmund’s Niklas Sule.
      Chelsea take a 1-0 deficit back to Stamford Bridge after Adeyemi broke away from a corner to put Dortmund ahead.
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      The goal just past the hour mark was enough to separate the sides, mounting further frustration on Blues boss Graham Potter.
      He said: “It was a very strong performance, especially the second half.
      “We created a lot of chances and efforts on goal but I am disappointed with the goal we conceded.
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      “I thought we were the dominant team in the second half. It is half-time in the tie, we have to regroup.
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      “It is a counter-attack from a corner, we were close to scoring ourselves. They broke on us.
      “It is disappointing, we need to do better. Apart from that, we were really, really good, we just have to score.
      “I thought we had good attacking movements, clarity in terms of how we wanted to attack and got into right areas. The attitude was really positive as well.
      “You can see the supporters’ reaction, they were really positive, they can see the performance of the team, they gave us a fantastic reception.
      “We are a team in progress, we know there are a lot of positive things there. You always need a bit of luck but you can’t wait around for luck, you have to keep working.
      “The boys have been fantastic with their work but we are still suffering at the moment. But we will keep on working.”
      Graham Potter reacts to Chelsea’s defeatCredit: Getty More