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    Furious Atletico Madrid ultras tear off Thibaut Courtois’ tribute plaque after helping rivals Real win Champions League

    THIBAUT COURTOIS’ plaque at the Wanda Metropolitano has been ripped off by Atletico Madrid’s ultras after he helped Real Madrid win the Champions League.The 30-year-old was a huge fan favourite during his time on loan Atletico from Chelsea between 2011-2014.
    Atletico Madrid fans ripped off Thibaut Courtois’ plaque at the Wanda MetropolitanoCredit: Marca
    Courtois helped Atletico’s rivals Real Madrid win the Champions League final on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    He appeared in 154 games during his three-year spell, where he won the LaLiga title, one Europa League and the Copa del Rey along with the Uefa Super Cup.
    Due to featuring in more than 100 matches, Courtois was rewarded with a plaque outside their stadium.
    But the Belgium international is now an unpopular figure amongst the club’s fanbase following his switch to the Bernabeu in 2018.
    And he has further angered the Atletico supporters as he referenced their Champions League final defeat against Los Blancos in 2014, in which he played.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}COURT OUT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Courtois inspired into CL heroics after being upset by top ten keepers omission
    Speaking in his post-match interview after helping Real beat Liverpool 1-0 on Saturday, he said: “I think I said yesterday in the press conference that when Madrid goes to finals, we win them.
    “I’m on the good side of history.”
    Atletico fans then pleaded with the club to remove his plaque, with president president Enrique Cerezo giving supporters the go-ahead to take it down.
    He told Spain’s COPE radio on Monday: “If you want to remove Courtois’ plaque, go with an axe and shovel and remove it.”
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    And in pictures released by Marca, that is exactly what club ultras have done.
    The plaque, which was placed among the Walk of Legends, could be seen taken off leaving an empty slot.
    Hours after fans removed the plaque, Courtois rubbed salt in the wounds of the Atletico faithful in a social media post.
    He shared a snap of himself on Twitter posing with the Champions League trophy and his man of the match award.
    Captioning the image, he simply stated: “Hala Madrid.” More

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    ‘One of the most overrated players in Europe’ – Liverpool legend Didi Hamann slams Thiago Alcantara ‘for going missing’

    THIAGO ALCANTARA is “one of the most overrated players in European football”.That’s the view of former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann who slammed the Spaniard following the club’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid
    Thiago has made 39 appearances across all competitions this seasonCredit: Getty
    Hamann has said that the Spaniard is ‘overrated’Credit: Getty – Contributor
    He also argued that the Reds need to “modernise” ahead of next season.
    In his column for Sky Sport Germany, Hamann said: “In my opinion, the Reds need to modernize the team a bit, especially in midfield.
    “I don’t understand the hype about Thiago.
    “For me he is one of the most overrated players in European football. 
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    “When things are going well and you have a lot of possession he’s a good player, but when push comes to shove you don’t see him.
    “If you need someone who sets accents, then he doesn’t do it.
    “[Naby] Keita is also a disappointment, [Jordan] Henderson is a worker. They need a player who can make the difference and give the team that extra something.”
    This isn’t the first time that Hamann has been critical of Thiago.

    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Champions League.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    When speaking on TalkSPORT in January 2021, the 48-year-old said: “He slows things down and doesn’t really play the way Liverpool play.”
    He also took to Twitter to share his views at the time, stating: “Liverpool had a lot of possession for quite some time now and always found a way to break up defences.
    “The dynamics of the team will change with Thiago in the team. I don’t think for the better.”
    Thiago established himself as a regular name on the team sheet this season, having made 39 appearances across all competitions.
    .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}GREASE FRIGHTENING .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Peter Andre ROBBED during West End show as he reveals smashed car window
    He started for Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday despite experiencing an injury scare just before kick off.
    The Reds failed to secure the treble on the night after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid. More

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    ‘F*** me, is there nothing you’re not an expert on?’ – Richard Keys slams Gary Neville over BT Sport coverage criticism

    RICHARD KEYS has slammed Gary Neville for his criticism of BT Sport’s coverage of the Champions League final.Neville, 47, who works as a pundit for rival Sky Sports, spoke out against BT Sport’s lack of reporting of events happening outside the stadium which caused the match to be delayed.
    Richard Keys was not happy with Gary Neville’s criticism of BT SportCredit: Chris Eades – The Sun
    Neville felt BT Sport were unable to respond quickly enough to the escalating events outside the stadiumCredit: PA
    Thousands of fans were held up outside the Stade de France by police and security for hours, before police began pepper-spraying and teargassing peaceful fans waiting to get into the match.
    But BT Sport did not have a reporter on hand to provide details, which meant presenter Jake Humphrey lacked information for viewers.
    Commenting on BT Sport not having a team covering events outside the stadium, Neville tweeted: “Are you surprised? I’m not. They can’t react or aren’t agile to things like this happening.”
    But former Sky Sports presenter Keys, replied suggesting Neville was out of order – pointing out Sky’s coverage is not always spot on.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’ARE YOU SURPRISED’ .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Sky Sports’ Neville slams BT Sport coverage of Champions League final
    He wrote on Twitter: “F**k me Gary Neville is there nothing you’re not an expert on?
    “I’ve worked with guys at BT Sport and they’re top pros as Jake Humphrey has said.
    “I’m quite certain Saturday was a challenging night for everyone. Just like covering the Old Trafford riot you instigated and covered badly at Sky 🤷‍♂️”
    Neville is one of the most vocal pundits and covers a lot of issues in and out of football, from ownership and tactics to political affairs.
    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    He has grown in popularity in his role with Sky partly for his expertise but also because of his sense of humour – often winding up opposition fans with his social media antics, such as laughing at Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat.
    But Keys feels he was wrong to criticise BT Sport given the difficulty of the situation.
    Humphrey described it as the hardest sporting event he has had to cover, telling beIN Sports: “Possibly one of the hardest sports events I’ve ever covered. And I’ve done some tricky ones.
    “We had limited information about what was going on outside, my talkback (the umbilical cord to my production team) suddenly stopped working, the TV compound was impacted by the tear gas so our production team were barricaded in their trucks.
    “And many of us had friends and family at the game and we had no idea if they were even safe.
    “And amongst all that we were trying our best to get the tone right, under the scrutiny that seems exclusive to live football.
    “Hopefully you wouldn’t have known too much about all that, the BT Sport production team are up there with the very best I have ever worked with.” More

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    Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan ‘in complete disbelief’ by French sports minister claims and demands apology after final chaos

    LIVERPOOL CEO Billy Hogan admits he’s “in complete disbelief” after comments made by France’s sports minister over the Champions League final chaos.The Anfield chief is demanding an apology after French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said Liverpool fans were “let out in the wild” on Sunday.
    Liverpool are seeking an apology from a French minister after the Champions League final chaosCredit: Getty
    That’s after many innocent supporters were tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed by Parisian police following lengthy queues at the Stade de France.
    She added: “What happened, first of all, was this mass gathering of the British supporters of the Liverpool club, without tickets, or with fake tickets.”
    Those claims were backed by French interior minister Gerald Darmanin, who said: “There was massive fraud to an industrial level and organisation of fake tickets because the pre-filtering by the Stade de France and the French football federation saw that 70 per cent of tickets were fake.”
    But Liverpool have hit back after Uefa announced it was launching an independent investigation into the shocking scenes.
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STORIES.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}POLICE BACKLASH .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}PSG fans hold banner slamming French police after Champions League chaos
    Speaking at a Q&A, chief executive Hogan branded Oudea-Castera’s comments “deeply hurtful”, admitting he is “incredibly surprised” by the response.
    And he wants an apology made to Liverpool’s fans, who went on to see their side lose 1-0 to Real Madrid.
    Hogan said: “I would just say we are incredibly surprised that someone in that position would make comments in the first place at this point, when we haven’t had adequate time to understand what happened.
    “There hasn’t been an independent investigation to establish all the facts. And as we said on Saturday, there needs to be that independent, transparent investigation into what happened at the match. That’s the start of the process.
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    “So to be making comments at this stage, prior to any investigation being launched, is completely inappropriate. We should know all the facts to make sure that the scenes that we’ve all seen – absolutely disgraceful – from Saturday don’t ever happen again.
    “Making comments as deeply unhelpful as that, we just feel that everyone should be focused on getting the investigation right and less about making inflammatory comments that attempt to deflect responsibility for what happened on Saturday night.
    “What I would say is that our fans were provided the Uefa information to travel to the stadium safely, which they did; they approached the stadium as directed and in good time. However, it was on arrival at the stadium when they experienced the issues.
    “In regard to the comments, we were in complete disbelief when we were made aware of them earlier today.
    “I think it’s important that folks know that our chairman, Tom Werner, sent a letter to the French minister to articulate our views and is calling for an apology to our fans for those comments.” 
    Werner’s letter read: “Dear Minister,
    “I am writing to you today out of utter disbelief that a Minister of the French Government, a position of enormous responsibility and influence, could make a series of unproven pronouncements on a matter of such significance before a proper, formal, independent investigation process has even taken place.
    “The events that occurred in and around the Stade de France on Saturday night at the Uefa Champions League Final were not only incredibly dangerous for all who attended, but raised serious questions about the organisation and operation of the event. This should be the focus of all interested parties today rather than pursuing a blame game strategy via press conference.
    “I have received countless emails from Liverpool supporters who were frightened to death, and subject to police harassment, pepper spray and tear gas. Moreover, the situation was no better at the end of the evening than at the beginning, with many fans robbed, and attacked by gangs.
    “It was clear that fans were forced to go through a gauntlet, spending more than 2 hours in queues. One person said they were ‘trapped against the gates, nobody was moving, and nobody on the other side of the gates was communicating at all.’ These fans were treated like cattle.
    “How can loose data and unverified assertions presented this morning be anywhere near factual without a truly independent and transparent investigation with the right stakeholders including our supporters, our club and others taking place. Worse still, these assertions undermine the pursuit of truth and transparency which should underpin the motivations of any organisation or individual with a desire to ensure such unacceptable scenes are never repeated.
    “The fact that your public position went against this objective is a concern in itself. That you did so without any recourse to ourselves or our supporters is an even greater one. All voices should count in this process, and they should count equally and fairly.
    “As a club, it was already our strong feeling that any investigation should be impartial, independent, and transparent. This view has only intensified as a direct result of your public comments and the impact they have had on a narrative which runs contrary to the experiences of many. Your comments were irresponsible, unprofessional, and wholly disrespectful to the thousands of fans harmed physically and emotionally.
    “Uefa Champions League Final should be one of the finest spectacles in world sport, and instead it devolved into one of the worst security collapses in recent memory. On behalf of all the fans who experienced this nightmare I demand an apology from you, and assurance that the French Authorities and Uefa allow an independent and transparent investigation to proceed.” More

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    PSG fans hold banner slamming French police after Liverpool supporters caught up in Champions League chaos

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN ultras held up a banner slamming French police following the Champions League final chaos at the Stade de France.About an hour before kick-off on Saturday, Liverpool supporters were held up trying to enter the stadium.
    Swarms of Liverpool fans struggled to make their way into the Stade de FranceCredit: PA
    The banner was held up during a Paris Saint-Germain Women’s matchCredit: Getty
    Later on, worrying images emerged of tear gas and pepper spray being deployed by police.
    And PSG fans have now reacted to the scenes with a message during PSG Women’s defeat to Lyon Women.
    The banner read: “28/05/22 Police prefects, your incompetence is now shown to the world”.
    On Monday, Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler labelled the French government “liars” for refusing to accept any responsibility for the chaos.
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    After an emergency meeting in Paris, French interior minister Gerald Darmanin blamed an “industrial level” of fake tickets for the scenes of carnage outside the Stade de France.
    Despite scores of eyewitness accounts by Liverpool fans and independent observers, Darmanin claimed that “30,000 to 40,000” Reds fans arrived at the gates of the stadium with “fraudulent” tickets.
    Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, who announced a full-scale probe will be held by European football bosses, said that police had retained 2,700 fake tickets.
    But the allegations brought a tidal wave of outrage from Liverpool fans and former players, led by Carragher and Fowler.
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    A furious Carragher blasted: “The lies and spin from people in authority is a disgrace.
    “Liars. Oudea-Castera, Uefa, police and authorities can’t get away with cover ups as easily as they used to thankfully.”
    Darmanin added injury to the insult as he claimed that the French police who tear-gassed fans waiting for hours outside the games had been the heroes of the night.
    He said: “I would like to thank all the police who, by their calmness, avoided a tragedy.
    “The decisions taken by the police ensured that there were no deaths or serious injuries.
    “That initial filtering was removed to avoid people being crushed on police cordons or on gates.”
    That brought a stunned response from Fowler, who also took to Twitter to insist: “It was the calm and avoid of drama by the Liverpool fans that evaded another catastrophe.” More

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    Champions League seedings CONFIRMED with Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs in Pot 2 after Ajax get final Pot 1 place

    CHELSEA, Liverpool and Tottenham have been confirmed as SECOND seeds for this summer’s Champions League group stage draw.The trio have all been regulars in Europe’s elite competition over the years.
    Liverpool and Chelsea will be in Pot 2 for next season’s Champions League drawCredit: AFP
    There is still a place up for grabs in Pot 3, while a further six teams will reach Pot 4 after the upcoming qualifiers
    But it has not saved them from dropping into Pot 2 for the draw which takes place on Thursday, August 25.
    It means Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs could face the likes of new continental kings Real Madrid, as well as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
    Other potential opponents include Italian champions AC Milan, as well as fellow league winners Porto and Ajax – who became the final Pot 1 seed with Real Madrid doing the league and Champions League double.
    Europa League victors Eintracht Frankfurt are in Pot 1 too, with Manchester City claiming the last spot.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BLUES NEWS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Kounde ‘ to be first Boehly signing’, Lukaku lawyer ‘in Milan for Inter talks
    And with three fellow English sides in the second seedings below, it limits the teams Pep Guardiola’s men can come up against to just five.
    It’s certainly a tough bunch, with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Juventus and RB Leipzig in the mix.
    Pot 3 also boasts seven top sides, with the eighth spot yet to be confirmed.
    Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Inter Milan are the pick of the bunch.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    But there are also tough tests in Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon, Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Salzburg.
    Benfica will get the final spot should they qualify through the play-offs.
    If the Portuguese side fail to reach the Champions League, the likes of Rangers, Marseille and Dinamo Zagreb could claim it – provided they too are successful in the playoffs.
    It means that just two teams are confirmed for Pot 4 so far – Celtic and Club Brugge.
    Teams ranging from Monaco and Dynamo Kyiv to Fenerbahce and PSV Eindhoven are yet to confirm their participation.
    But with Pot 1 and Pot 2 fully confirmed, and Pot 3 missing just one side, the elite clubs can already start planning for what is sure to be another thrilling Champions League campaign. More

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    Uefa announce investigation into chaos ahead of Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid

    UEFA say they will ‘evaluate’ the shocking scenes before Liverpool’s Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris.The football organisation released a statement announcing they will investigate after chaotic scenes saw thousands of Liverpool fans left queuing outside the Parc des Princes before kick off.
    Uefa will now investigate the chaos at the Parc des Prices ahead of the Champions League finalCredit: Getty
    Liverpool fans were shown roughouse tactics from French policeCredit: AP
    The French authorities have accused many Liverpool fans of trying to get in without valid ticketsCredit: Getty
    Footage showed Liverpool fans being tear-gassed by police as the game was delayed by 36 minutes.
    A statement from Uefa read: “The comprehensive review will examine decision making, responsibility and behaviours of all entities involved in the final.
    “The report will be independently compiled and Dr. Tiago Brandão Rodrigues from Portugal will lead the production of this review.
    “Evidence will be gathered from all relevant parties and the findings of the independent report will be made public once completed and upon receipt of the findings, Uefa will evaluate the next steps.”
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}REDS BLAST .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Liverpool legends slam French Govt as ‘liars’ for Champions League chaos
    It comes after Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler blasted the French government as “liars” who are STILL refusing to accept any responsibility for the Champions League Final chaos.
    After an emergency meeting in Paris, French interior minister Gerald Darmanin blamed an “industrial level” of fake tickets for the scenes of carnage outside the Stade de France.
    Despite scores of eyewitness accounts by Liverpool fans and independent observers, Darmanin claimed that “30,000 to 40,000” Reds fans arrived at the gates of the stadium with “fraudulent” tickets.
    Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, who announced a full-scale probe will be held by European football bosses, said that police had retained 2,700 fake tickets.
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    But the allegations brought a tidal wave of outrage from Liverpool fans and former players, led by Carragher and Fowler.
    A furious Carragher blasted: “Gerald Darmanin is the fraud. He suggested there had been ‘a massive, industrial  and organised fraud of counterfeit tickets’.
    “The lies and spin from people in authority is a disgrace.
    “Liars. Oudea-Castera, Uefa, police and authorities can’t get away with cover ups as easily as they used to thankfully.”
    Darmanin added injury to the insult as he claimed that the French police who tear-gassed fans waiting for hours outside the games had been the heroes of the night.
    He said: “I would like to thank all the police who, by their calmness, avoided a tragedy.
    “The decisions taken by the police ensured that there were no deaths or serious injuries.
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    “That initial filtering was removed to avoid people being crushed on police cordons or on gates.”
    That brought a stunned response from Fowler, who also took to Twitter to insist: “It was the calm and avoid of drama by the Liverpool fans that evaded another catastrophe.”
    The Champions League final was delayed by 36 minutesCredit: AFP
    Liverpool fans were kept out the stadium by French policeCredit: AFP More

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    How Chelsea lined up in Roman Abramovich’s first game 19 years ago and where are they now, including Forssell and Geremi

    ROMAN ABRAMOVICH’S era as Chelsea owner has finally come to an end following confirmation Todd Boehly has taken over at Stamford Bridge.It concludes the Russian’s 19-year spell as Blues chief, a reign which has seen them collect five Premier League titles, FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions Leagues.
    This was Chelsea’s team for their first match following Roman Abramovich’s takeover
    Chelsea supporters would not have believed the kind of success they were going to have had you told them back in 2003.
    However, it is important to remember that the team which Abramovich walked into Stamford Bridge with did secure them fourth place the previous season.
    We looked at the team which started the first match of the Abramovich era – a Champions League qualifier against Slovakian side MSK Zilna on August 13, 2003 – as well as where they are now.
    GK: Carlo Cudicini
    Carlo Cudicini joined Chelsea in 2000 and was first choice at the club until the arrival of Petr CechCredit: AFP
    Between the sticks was Carlo Cudicini – a man who would lose his long-standing No1 status the following season to Petr Cech.
    Nevertheless, he remained at Chelsea until 2009 before joining Tottenham and then LA Galaxy.
    Since retiring, he has returned to Stamford Bridge and is now the club’s technical coach for their plethora of loan players.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BLUES NEWS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Chelsea Todd Boehly takeover COMPLETED, Lukaku lawyer ‘in Milan for Inter talks
    RB: Glen Johnson
    Glen Johnson was the first signing of the Abramovich era at ChelseaCredit: Gary Stone – The Sun
    Glen Johnson made his debut in this Champions League qualifier after becoming Abramovich’s first ever signing.
    He arrived from West Ham for £6million and stayed until 2007 when he joined Portsmouth.
    Nowadays he can be seen on BBC and talkSPORT as a pundit, but also has other interests which include a financial investment company and real estate business.
    CB: John Terry
    John Terry would go on to become one of Chelsea’s all-time great playersCredit: PA:Press Association
    John Terry, one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players, was vice-captain during the 2003-04 season, before then taking over as skipper and winning five Premier League titles.
    After his playing days finished at Aston Villa, he then became assistant coach to manager Dean Smith.
    Then at the beginning of 2022 he returned to Chelsea to take up a role as an academy coaching consultant.
    CB: Marcel Desailly
    World Cup winner Marcel Desailly partnered Terry at the backCredit: Reuters
    Marcel Desailly arrived at Chelsea as a World Cup winner with France.
    But, then aged 35, he would spend play just one Abramovich season before jetting off to Qatar in 2004.
    He retired in 2006 and can now be seen working for beIN SPORTS as a pundit.
    LB: Wayne Bridge
    Wayne Bridge started brilliantly at Chelsea before serious injuries curtailed his careerCredit: Reuters
    Wayne Bridge was another player who arrived at Chelsea just after Abramovich took over.
    However, he was often utilised as a back-up left-back during his six years with the Blues, with serious injuries curtailing a promising career.
    He also played for Manchester City after leaving Chelsea, before retiring in 2014.
    Since then he has been seen on reality TV – competing in both I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and SAS: Who Dares Wins.
    RM: Geremi
    Geremi had a decent career as a versatile utility man for ChelseaCredit: Reuters
    Geremi was a key figure in Chelsea’s first season under Abramovich.
    But he then had to settle for a place as a utility man after Jose Mourinho’s arrival and eventually joined Newcastle in 2007.
    He is now on the board of FifPRO where he is attempting to help young African footballers fulfil their potential.
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    CM: Juan Sebastian Veron
    Juan Sebastian Veron arrived at Chelsea at the same time as Joe ColeCredit: Getty
    Juan Sebastian Veron joined Chelsea with much fanfare after being signed from Manchester United for £15m.
    He had struggled at Old Trafford, but Chelsea hoped his former manager Claudio Ranieri could get the best out of him.
    However, it did not work out for Veron in west London as he played just 14 times before being loaned out for two seasons to Inter Milan.
    He retired in 2014, came back in 2017 to play for Estudiantes, but then hung up his boots again after just five games.
    CM: Frank Lampard
    Like Terry, Frank Lampard would go on to become of Chelsea’s greatest ever playersCredit: PA:Press Association
    Frank Lampard is another of the true Chelsea greats who played in this game.
    He is their all-time top scorer with 211 goals in 648 appearances and was talismanic in a host of their trophy triumphs.
    After retiring, he took over as Chelsea manager in 2019 after a spell at Derby County but struggled to replicate the success he enjoyed as a player and was sacked after 18 months.
    He is currently Everton boss and recently narrowly avoided relegation with The Toffees.
    LM: Damien Duff
    Damien Duff arrived at Chelsea from Blackburn shortly after Abramovich came inCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Damien Duff joined Chelsea from Blackburn in the summer of 2003 for £17m.
    He scored 19 times in 125 games for the Blues before leaving for Newcastle in 2006.
    Since retiring, he has been a coach at Shamrock Rovers, Celtic and for the Ireland national team.
    He was then appointed the manager of League of Ireland Premier Division side Sherbourne FC in November – a role he still currently holds.
    ST: Eidur Gudjohnsen
    Eidur Gudjohnson scored the first goal of the Abramovich eraCredit: Reuters
    Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnson scored the first goal of the Abramovich era as Chelsea won the game 2-0.
    He netted 78 times in 268 appearances for the Blues before joining Barcelona in 2006 – where he would go on to win the Champions League.
    Gudjohnsen was recently the Iceland national team’s assistant coach, but left the role in 2021.
    ST: Mikael Forssell
    Mikeael Forssell barely played for Chelsea despite spending seven years on their booksCredit: Action Images – Reuters
    A very surprising name for this game and when it comes to the list of Chelsea strikers under Abramovich.
    Despite being a Blues player for seven years, several loan spells and unfortunate injuries meant he only made 53 appearances for the club – scoring 12 goals.
    He retired in 2018 and now works as an academy coach for Finnish outfit HJK. More