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      Man Utd warned of Prem and Champions League exile if they join European Super League and players BANNED from World Cup

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      GLOBAL football chiefs have slammed the door shut on plans for a breakaway European Super League.
      Liverpool and Manchester United were claimed to be part of the cabal seeking to set up their own competition, allegedly with the support of Fifa.

      FIFA boss Gianni Infantino sounded a warning to anyone who joins a breakaway leagueCredit: Reuters

      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been the ringleader of the plotters, regularly talking up the concept.
      But the Euro giants have now been warned they will find themselves banned from domestic leagues if they joined any breakaway.
      And players will be banned from taking part in the World Cup, European Championship or South America’s Copa America if their clubs are among the rebels.
      Uefa are expected to confirm the details of the new-look Champions League to take effect from the 2024-25 season in the next few months.

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      That is a response to the threats from the continent’s biggest clubs about setting up their own money-spinning competition.
      And a clear and aggressive warning shot, issued by Fifa President Gianni Infantino, Uefa counterpart Aleksander Ceferin and the heads of the other Confederations, potential mutineer clubs were told they and their players would become pariahs if the plans became reality.
      The statement said: “In light of recent media speculation about the creation of a closed European ‘Super League’ by some European clubs, FIFA and the six confederations once again would like to reiterate and strongly emphasise that such a competition would not be recognised by either FIFA or the respective confederation.

      “Any club or player involved in such a competition would as a consequence not be allowed to participate in any competition organised by FIFA or their respective confederation.”

      Liverpool and Man Utd were claimed to be part of the plans for a breakawayCredit: Getty Images
      The same would apply to domestic leagues, including the Prem, which fall under the remit of the FA and therefore Uefa.
      Some lawyers have argued that Fifa does not have the right to restrict clubs or leagues from organising their own competitions.
      But Fifa are also recognised as the sole worldwide governing body for the game, with the Confederations and national associations operating under Zurich’s control.
      The joint statement added: “As per the FIFA and confederations statutes, all competitions should be organised or recognised by the relevant body at their respective level, by FIFA at the global level and by the confederations at the continental level.
      “In this respect, the confederations recognise the FIFA Club World Cup, in its current and new format, as the only worldwide club competition while FIFA recognises the club competitions organised by the confederations as the only club continental competitions.
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      “The universal principles of sporting merit, solidarity, promotion and relegation, and subsidiarity are the foundation of the football pyramid that ensures football’s global success and are, as such, enshrined in the FIFA and confederation statutes.
      “Football has a long and successful history thanks to these principles. Participation in global and continental competitions should always be won on the pitch.”
      And in a clear and deliberate pincer movement, the European Leagues umbrella group, representing the domestic competitions, dismissed the idea of “a closed European Super League for a limited number of clubs similar to those franchise models operating in North America”.

      Chief executive Lars Christer Olsson said: “The European sports model is based on sporting merit, promotion and relegation with qualification to international club competitions via domestic league competitions.
      “We are determined to protect the existing model and how football is organised in Europe and the way the industry works for professional football.
      “All Football Associations and Professional Leagues in Europe are recognising and following FIFA and Confederation statutes, and this will guide us in our actions to stop this initiative.
      “If the initiative is put in motion, we will coordinate our measures with UEFA, FIFA and the Confederations.”

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd returning to the top of the Prem after beating Fulham 2-1 More

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      Bayern eye Real Madrid defender Eder Militao as transfer replacement for David Alaba but face competition from England

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      BAYERN MUNICH are considering a move for Real Madrid defender Eder Militao, according to reports.
      The Bundesliga champions are looking to replace David Alaba, who is reportedly on the verge of a move to Real Madrid.

      Eder Militao, 22, has struggled to hold down a place at Real Madrid since joining from Porto in 2019

      Alaba is out of contract at Bayern this summer, with Liverpool and Juventus also rumoured to be interested.
      It is believed he will not sign a new deal with the reigning European champions.
      Bayern are not the only club to have made an enquiry about Militao, with Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham all interested, according to Goal.
      The defender is also believed to be on Liverpool’s radar, although it is unlikely they will be signing a defender in January due to the pandemic.

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      Ramos is one of Real Madrid’s top earners but is demanding more to stay on for a further two years, claim reports
      The 22-year-old joined Real at the beginning of last season but has made just 23 appearances in all competitions.
      He was overlooked for their recent Super Cup loss to Athletic Bilbao, with Nacho replacing the injured Raphael Varane.
      Militao was part of the Brazil squad that won the Copa America in 2019 and has previously played for Sao Paulo and Porto.

      The defender remains in Brazil boss Tite’s plans but was left out of the squad for the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
      He does want to remain at Real and fight for his place, although he may change his mind if he is being left out of the Brazil squad.
      If he does leave, Real will want to recoup the majority of the €50 million they paid for the player in 2019.

      Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski delighted with FIFA award after outstanding year More

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      Champions League and Europa clashes can go ahead as government gives sporting exemption after ‘travel corridor’ closure

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      ARSENAL will have a sporting exemption to travel and face Benfica in the Europa League following the Government’s strict new travel restrictions.
      Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the current ‘travel corridors’ will be closed from 4am on Monday except for those who have had a negative Covid test in the previous 72 hours.

      Champions League and Europa League games can go ahead after the Government confirmed a special sporting exemptionCredit: Reuters

      The decision means Arsenal will be able to travel to play Benfica in the Europa LeagueCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

      All arrivals to the UK will have to self-isolate in quarantine for ten days.
      But the Government confirmed to SunSport there will be an exemption for elite sports which follow Covid-19 protocols.
      That means Arsenal, as well as the six other Premier League sides due in European action next month, WILL be free to travel — and rugby union’s Six Nations has also got the green light.
      There had been fears the dispensation would not apply to Portugal after the clampdown introduced to guard against the Brazil mutant strain.

      That would have led to the two Europa League games against Benfica being moved to a neutral venue where no restrictions apply.
      Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are due to travel to Lisbon for the first-leg of their last-32 clash on February 18 with the Portuguese team visiting London a week later.
      The Government action is similar to the approach taken in November when they banned arrivals from Denmark, putting England’s Nations League clash with Iceland at risk.
      But the FA negotiated a last-minute exemption with authorities for the Wembley clash to go ahead.

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      Elsewhere, Ray Parlous still dreams Arsenal will sign ‘special talent’ Wilfried Zaha.
      Ex-Gunners boss Unai Emery claims he wanted the Crystal Palace attacker ahead of Nicolas Pepe in August 2019 – and Zaha himself admits he would ‘love’ to have joined.
      Parlour told Stadium Astro: “I’m sure Emery would have loved to have someone like Zaha but again it’s down to the board and money available.
      “Pepe, they did that in a staggered way, probably paying £15million a year, which suited the French side where he came from.
      “Probably Crystal Palace wanted the money up front, which Arsenal couldn’t have done at that time, because if you lose your best player you need to replace him.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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      Kieran Trippier cleared to face Chelsea next month for Atletico Madrid unless Fifa backs 10-week betting ban

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      KIERAN TRIPPIER has been cleared to play against Chelsea next month – unless Fifa backs his 10-week betting ban.
      And whatever happens he WILL be available for Gareth Southgate when England kick off their World Cup campaign in March.

      Kieran Trippier has been cleared to face Chelsea next monthCredit: Getty

      Atletico Madrid appealed to the world governing body after the England defender’s ban was imposed by an FA commission last month.
      Trippier was found guilty of four breaches of regulations over passing on information ahead of his move from Spurs in 2019.
      Last month, Fifa put the suspension on hold pending Atletico’s appeal, allowing Trippier to play for the Spanish league leaders.
      And now a second FA panel has REJECTED Wembley’s attempt to put the start date of the ban on hold until AFTER the Fifa decision.

      It means that, unless Fifa reject the appeal before it expires on February 28, Trippier will NOT serve any ban at all.
      But even if he has to serve a suspension, it will expire at the end of next month, clearing him to play in the Champions League second leg in London and for the three March World Cup qualifiers.
      Former Blackburn and England winger Stuart Ripley was on the three-man commission, headed by Sir Wyn Williams, which rejected the FA appeal.
      They dismissed the argument that the dates of the suspension should be ‘revised’ as a result of the Atletico appeal, which has put the ban in hold.

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      The commission ruled that while the FA rightly asked for Fifa to apply the suspension worldwide, Wembley only has power to act over English football.
      In the written reasons, the panel said: “It was our expectation that Fifa would accede to a request by the FA that the suspension should be given world-wide effect. 
      “That is what happened but what we did not expect (or foresee) was that, thereafter, Atletico Madrid would make an application to Fifa for interim measures and that such an application  would succeed. 
      “In our view, however, that subsequent intervening event does not entitle us to revise the terms of our decision. 
      “The FA suggests there is a real possibility that Kieran Trippier  will serve a suspension which is far less in terms of its length than we considered to be just and proportionate given his misconduct. 
      “We acknowledge that this possibility exists in the prevailing circumstances. That, of course, is an unwelcome outcome.

      Trippier will be available for England’s start to the World Cup campaign in MarchCredit: PA
      “It is common ground that Trippier was suspended from football and football-related activity in England and/or for or on behalf of a club which is subject to the jurisdiction of the FA.
      “Our decision does not suspend him from football for a club outside the jurisdiction of the FA; nor could it do so.
      “He was entitled to think these long drawn-out proceedings had been finalised and that as from the end of February 2021 he could begin a new chapter. 
      “Given the uncertainty over any revised commencement date for the suspension, we have no means of knowing what the true impact of the suspension will be. That is not a satisfactory state of affairs. 
      “Kieran Trippier is entirely blameless in relation to the position in which he now finds himself. Accordingly, we have reached the conclusion that even if it was open to us to revise the commencement date of the suspension, we should decline to do so.” 
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      Robert Lewandowski shows off his incredible 2020 trophy haul while lying in bed after Bayern Munich’s historic year

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      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI is deservedly in the mood to relax – as he showed off his incredible 2020 trophy haul lying in bed.
      The Bayern Munich star, 32, enjoyed a stellar 12 months and took to social media this New Year’s Eve to demonstrate just how successful it was.

      The Bayern Munich star was in top form all year, scoring 45 goals in 41 official appearancesCredit: AFP or licensors

      Posing topless and propped up under his duvet, the Polish striker joked: “Woke up like this – version upgraded,” with silverware surrounding him after posting a similar photo with the Champions League trophy.
      Next to him on the pillow is the famous big ears, sealed in August with a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
      The large gold trophy beside his left shoulder is the DFB-Pokal – the German Cup – which Lewandowski helped seal with two goals in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
      Bayern’s other team trophies won in 2020 were the Bundesliga, the plate at the bottom of the picture, the German Supercup and the Uefa Super Cup, on the large silver trophies on the left and right respectively.

      His stunning tally of 55 goals in 47 matches in the 2019-20 season – including 34 in 31 Bundesliga matches and 15 in ten in the Champions League – saw Lewandowski pick up his fair share of individual accolades, too.
      Domestically, he was crowned Bundesliga Player of the Year (trophy next to Uefa Super Cup with brown base and golden ball) and Bundesliga top scorer (cannon trophy) as well as winning a host of German awards.
      The golden ball in the glass box is the trophy the ex-Borussia Dortmund man was presented with earlier in December for winning Tuttosport’s Golden Player Award.
      The similar trophy on the left is Lewandowski’s Globe Soccer Award picked up in Dubai after Christmas.

      Lewandowski was unsurprisingly named Uefa’s Forward of the Year, scoring the most goals in last season’s Champions League on Bayern’s way to lifting the trophy.
      That trophy is the small silver Champions League ball above his Bundesliga Player of the Year gong.
      Then come the biggest individual awards.
      Sticking with Uefa, the celebrating headless player trophy was given to their Men’s Player of the Year 2019-20.
      And last but by no means least is arguably The Best of the lot.
      Lewandowski has his right hand on Fifa’s The Best Men’s Player 2020 award as he saw off the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to officially be the No1 male footballer on the planet for this year.

      The only trophy missing for Lewandowski was the Ballon d’Or.
      He was favourite to win the prestigious honour from France Football before the organisers scrapped this year’s award due to Covid-19.
      Including various media gongs, golden boots, personal accolades and team trophies, Lewandowski’s remarkable haul stands at more than 25 different awards in 2020.
      To round it off, a return of 45 goals in 40 official matches across all competitions in the calendar year places him top of the pile in world football (top three tiers) – four ahead of Ronaldo and ten more than third-placed Romelu Lukaku.
      Not a bad 12 months for the striker who almost joined Blackburn Rovers in 2010 before the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud prevented a deal going through.

      Lewandowski was the top scorer in Bayern’s successful run in the Champions League last seasonCredit: Reuters

      Fifa president Gianni Infantino points to The Best male footballer on the planet in 2020Credit: Getty – Pool

      One of the final awards of the year for Lewandowski was the Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year gongCredit: AFP

      The only major award he did not get his hands on was the real Ballon d’Or as the vote was scrapped for 2020Credit: Instagram

      Robert Lewandowski 2020 Awards & Records

      Bundesliga winner 2019-20
      DFB-Pokal winner 2019-20
      DFL-Supercup winner 2019-20
      Champions League winner 2019-20
      Uefa Super Cup winner 2020
      The Best Fifa Men’s Player 2020
      Uefa Men’s Player of the Year 2019-20
      Champions League Forward of the Season 2019-20
      World Soccer Player of the Year 2020
      Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year 2020
      Tuttosport Golden Player 2020
      FourFourTwo Player of the Year 2020
      Footballer of the Year in Germany 2020
      VDV Bundesliga Player of the Season 2019-20
      Bundesliga Player of the Season 2019-20
      Bundesliga top scorer 2019-20
      DFB-Pokal top scorer 2019-20
      Champions League top scorer 2019-20
      Champions League top assist provider 2019-20
      Champions League Squad of the Season 2019-20
      ESM Team of the Year 2019–20
      IFFHS Men’s World Team 2020
      Bundesliga Team of the Season 2019-20
      VDV Team of the Season 2019-20
      Kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season 2019-20
      Bayern Munich Player of the Season 2019-20
      Bundesliga Player of the Month October 2020
      Goal 50 2019–20
      FIFA FIFPro World11 2020

      Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski delighted with FIFA award after outstanding year More

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      From cardboard fans and skateboarding cholitas to mourning Kobe and Maradona.. the most memorable sport pictures of 2020

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      A PICTURE is worth a thousand words… but no one image could even come close to telling the full story of 2020.
      As the world was plunged into the biggest health and economic crisis of a generation, sport took it upon itself to reintroduce some form of normality.

      With spectators penned into their homes, iconic venues became vast, empty caverns where each star’s rallies and cries were heard like never before.
      Champions were still crowned but not all were of the traditional sort, with eSports heroes carrying the mantle like never before to satisfy the most basic fans’ urge – of having something to watch.
      But while kings and queens found their own way to mark their inevitable rise, legends were lost in the most heart-wrenching of ways.
      Here, SunSport takes you through our photos of the year.

      From the time before the world stopped… A packed Rod Laver Arena takes in January’s Australian Open semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Roger FedererCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Orange wildfire smoke hangs heavy over San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park home following California blazes in September – with no fans present to see itCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and coach Andy Reid react to the NFL side’s first Super Bowl win for 50 years in FebruaryCredit: AP:Associated Press

      A scene from Ecuador’s annual Llama racing event in Los LlanganatesCredit: AP:Associated Press

      LA Lakers center Dwight Howard hangs off the basket after scoring for the eventual NBA championsCredit: AP:Associated Press

      NASCAR team owner Richard Petty puts an arm around Bubba Wallace, the sport’s only black driver, the day after he found a noose left in his garage at Talladega SuperspeedwayCredit: AP:Associated Press

      A Bolivian youngster dons a facemask while skating in indigenous clothing as part of the ‘Skate Imillas’ groupCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Just one of several memorials dedicated to the tragic passing of basketball legend Kobe Bryant in FebruaryCredit: AP:Associated Press

      LA Dodgers fans watch their team march to World Series supremacy from a drive-inCredit: AP:Associated Press

      A spectator peers over his balcony to watch Rayo Vallecano’s match with Albacete in Spain’s Segunda DivisionCredit: AP:Associated Press

      IndyCar racer Tony Kanaan practices on his sim setup with motorsport wiped out in the early months of the pandemic Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Lucas Hernandez takes the facemask guideline to a new level after Bayern Munich’s Champions League crowningCredit: AP:Associated Press

      A facemasked Rafa Nadal celebrates his French Open win in NovemberCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Cardboard cutout fans are lined up for a New York Mets baseball gameCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The year that took so many from us took one more legend in its final weeks – as a fan in Buenos Aires mourns the passing of Diego MaradonaCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Jurgen Klopp admits making Alexander-Arnold Liverpool captain was mistake after Mo Salah reveals hurt over skipper snub

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      JURGEN KLOPP has admitted handing Trent Alexander-Arnold the Liverpool captaincy was a mistake.
      Alexander-Arnold skippered the club against FC Midtjylland earlier in December in a Champions League game.

      Jurgen Klopp admitted handing Trent Alexander-Arnold the Liverpool captaincy was mistakeCredit: EPA

      Mo Salah admitted he was ‘very disappointed’ not to captain Liverpool Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      It came as the ‘four captains’ of the ‘players committee’ – Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum – did not feature.
      But star forward Mo Salah did – and revealed he was upset but understanding over Klopp’s decision to hand the armband elsewhere.
      Salah, 28, told AS: “Honestly, I was very disappointed. I was hoping to be the captain, but it’s a coach’s decision. I accept it.”
      Despite the Egyptian’s reveal, Klopp went on to admit striker Divock Origi, 25, should have been the captain on the night.

      That is because the Belgian had been a senior player at the club longer than Salah or Alexander-Arnold, 22, despite his various loan moves.
      Klopp said: “I didn’t realise it was that big a story for Trent.
      “If they [players committee] all cannot play then it is usually the guy the longest at the club.

      “That was, in my understanding and how I saw it, was Trent. I don’t mean the youth career, the professional career.

      “Someone told me after it should have been Divock Origi and that was my fault because of being out on loans and stuff like that.
      “So I didn’t make it that complicated, I just gave Trent the armband.”
      Liverpool – who had already qualified to the knockout stages – ended up drawing the match 1-1, with Salah putting his heartbreak aside to score after just one minute.

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      Buffon still haunted by PSG’s 3-1 loss to Man Utd in 2019 Champions League and thinks of his error ‘four times a week’

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      GIANLUIGI BUFFON admits he is still haunted by Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League exit to Manchester United in 2019.
      The veteran goalkeeper, 42, spent one season with the French giants after 17 years at Juventus.

      Gianluigi Buffon still thinks about PSG’s Champions League exit to Man Utd in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor

      Buffon joined in the hope of finally adding a Champions League title to his collection of trophies.
      And things were looking great when PSG beat United 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
      However, two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a 94th minute penalty by Marcus Rashford saw the Red Devils win 3-1 in Paris.
      The result put United through 3-3 on aggregate with the away goals rule.

      And after making an error in the game, Buffon admits he still thinks about it ‘three or four times a week’.
      The shot-stopper, now in his second season back at Juventus, told L’Equipe: “It’s a game I think about at least three or four times a week.
      “It brings up a lot of regrets. I was sure we would reach the final that season.
      “In Manchester, we won a big game with a great show of force, and unfortunately I blame myself for an incredible mistake.

      “A mistake that, with the experience I have, I should not have made. I thought it was a formality and I got carried away.
      “It was as if the match was of little value because we had already won 2-0 in the first leg and they, the poor guys, had two players available and nine youngsters.”
      PSG did eventually reach the Champions League final this year, losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
      And Buffon feels the French side are close to ending their European hoodoo, adding: “PSG lack nothing.
      “They are great team that can win against anyone. They are one of the few teams that can beat all their opponents.
      “If there was a weakness, it was taking some things for granted. But with the arrival of Leonardo [as sporting director], who has an Italian culture, this type of risk has disappeared.”
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