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    Fans have conspiracy theory over James Ward-Prowse’s horror penalty miss as fans joke they’re ‘getting John Terry vibes’

    JAMES WARD-PROWSE endured a horror moment from the penalty spot yesterday.The Southampton skipper was back in action as the Saints continued their pre-season campaign.

    James Ward-Prowse stepped up to take a penaltyCredit: a Spor Canli
    The England international slipped at the crucial momentCredit: a Spor Canli
    Ward-Prowse’s penalty sailed high and wideCredit: a Spor Canli
    Russell Martin’s team travelled to Turkey to take on local side Goztepe.
    Having gone 1-0 down, Saints were awarded a 58th minute penalty.
    Set piece specialist Ward-Prowse stepped up… but it wasn’t to be the usual result.
    The England international suffered an unfortunate slip, sending the ball high and wide.
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    Ward-Prowse was clearly a victim of the dodgy turf giving way.
    But fans on social media had a more cruel assessment.
    One joked: “Trying to drive his price down. He wants that move.”
    While a second tweeted: “He wants to leave sooo bad.”
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    A third commented: “I’m very surprised he is still there.”
    And another, pointing to the 2008 Champions League final, added: “John Terry vibes.”
    Southampton went on to level just six minutes later, via highly-rated young forward Carlos Alcaraz, with the match finishing 1-1.
    Ward-Prowse, 28, has been linked with a move away from his boyhood club following their relegation.
    West Ham are believed to be keen on signing the midfield ace.
    Hammers chiefs are willing to bid £20million, although Saints bosses are reportedly demanding double.
    Despite his set piece prowess, Ward-Prowse has missed more penalties than you might think.
    He has scored 18 spot kicks during his career, while missing six.
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    His free-kick record is remarkable, having bagged 17 in the Premier League.
    This tally is only one behind the competition’s record holder David Beckham.
    Ward-Prowse’s left leg gave way as he struck the ballCredit: Getty
    The Saints skipper tumbled to the turfCredit: Getty
    Ward-Prowse lamented the dodgy pitchCredit: Getty More

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    Leicester’s forgotten man offered transfer escape route after 17 months in exile amid furious fallout with manager

    AEK ATHENS are ready to offer Jannik Vestergaard an escape route from his Leicester City hell.Brendan Rodgers paid Southampton £15million for the Danish international in the summer of 2021 after Wesley Fofana suffered a serious knee injury in a pre-season match against Villarreal.
    Jannik Vestergaard has been offered an escape route from LeicesterCredit: PA
    He has had a torrid time since joining in 2021Credit: Getty
    But the giant defender flopped with the Foxes and soon fell out of favour with Rodgers who only gave him 10 Premier League appearances before dropping him. 
    Vestergaard made a rare appearance for 45 minutes of Leicester’s 1-0 pre-season win at Northampton yesterday, in Enzo Maresca’s first official game in charge.
    SunSport understands AEK have made contact with the Foxes over a potential move, although the Greeks valuation of Vestergaard at around £4m fell well short of Leicester’s valuation.
    Maresca kept his cards close to his chest when asked about Vestergaard’s future and said: “At this moment Jannik is in the same situation as all of my players. 
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    “He is our player, he is training with us, that’s it, we will see what happens in the future.”
    However the Italian boss has already signed 19-year-old centre-half Callum Doyle, who he worked with at Manchester City, on a season-long-loan. 
    Vestergaard’s Leicester career crashed and burned when his relationship with Rodgers turned toxic in March after the defender turned down offers to join from Fulham and Hertha Berlin.
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    The Dane then gave an unauthorised interview to a Danish publication, claiming he couldn’t understand why he had been frozen out of the Foxes’ first team.
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    That incensed Rodgers who insisted he had been crystal clear about Vestergaard’s situation.
    The Northern Irishman even questioned whether the Dane had a twin brother who had been standing in for him during those meetings.
    Rodgers banished the defender from first team training and Vestergaard did not play one minute of Premier League football last season.
    His last Prem appearance was against West Ham in February, 2022.
    Now AEK hope to land him for a cut-price fee with incentives now Leicester are in the Championship with a new manager who wants to build his own squad.
    The Foxes want to recoup as much of the £15million they invested in the defender but, with one year left on his contract, they may have to settle for around £5million.
    Even that could prove too costly for AEK who would struggle to meet Vestergaard’s £60,000-a-week wages unless Leicester pick up some of that financial burden. More

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    Barnsley face points deduction and huge fine as EFL find them guilty of FIVE rule breaches after play-off heartbreak

    BARNSLEY have been charged with FIVE breaches of EFL regulations.The EFL have found the club guilty of breaches concerning its ownership.
    Barnsley have been charged with five breaches of EFL regulationsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Paul Conway and Chien Lee have also been charged by the EFLCredit: Getty – Contributor
    The EFL have said that the Tykes have failed to provide the league with “correct and/or complete information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares in the club” despite a request for the information by the League.
    Barnsley have also been charged with failing to provide “necessary notifications regarding the ownership position” and “failing to publish accurate information on the club’s website concerning the ultimate owners of the significant interest”.
    The other two charges include “allowing individuals to acquire a position of control without prior clearance from the EFL” and “failing to act towards the League with the utmost good faith”.
    Former club directors Paul Conway and Chien Lee have also been charged with “causing the club to be in breach of EFL regulations”.
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    Barnsley, Paul Conway and Chien Lee have 14 days to respond to the charges.
    The EFL could hand Barnsley a points deduction and a heavy fine.
    Reading are one club that have been the subject of similar punishments from the EFL in recent times.
    Barnsley have since released a statement addressing the charges in which it confirmed that they were the result of an investigation initiated by the club itself.
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    The club could face a fine and a points deductionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    It read: “The charges announced by the EFL today are the result of an investigation initiated by the club following an internal review into the shareholdings of former directors Paul Conway and Chien Lee.
    “After bringing the issue to the attention of the EFL, the club has fully cooperated with the investigation at every stage and will continue to do so, as appropriate.
    “The steps taken by the club to instigate and then ensure a thorough investigation into the issue underline Barnsley FC’s commitment to compliance with the EFL’s regulations.
    “The club will await the EFL’s sanctioning decision and will comment further in due course.”
    Barnsley finished fourth in League One last season but missed out on promotion after losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off final. More

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    Leeds fans say ‘EFL days have truly returned’ as club unveils ‘in case of emergency break glass’ sponsor

    LEEDS fans think the “EFL days have truly returned” with the club unveiling their sleeve sponsor for next season.They were relegated to the Championship last season after three years in the Premier League.
    Leeds will be sponsored by Flamingo Land next seasonCredit: Leeds United FC
    The amusement park has rekindled it’s partnership with the clubCredit: Leeds United FC
    Leeds players had a great time there years agoCredit: Leeds United FC
    The EFL are allowing brands to be on the sleeve of kits for the first time this approaching campaign.
    And local amusement park Flamingo Land have taken the opportunity to be involved with the team again.
    Leeds’ academy was sponsored by them 13 years ago and during the season the players visited the attraction.
    The day out produced hilarious photos of manager Neil Warnock on a pretend motorbike, Sam Byram with a lemur on his shoulders and the squad on a rollercoaster.
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    Fans have reacted to news of Flamingo Land’s return with one saying: “Screams Championship.”
    Another added: “Leeds United are BACK, baby. We’ve reached peak EFL again.”
    More reacted: “The ‘in case of emergency break glass’ local commercial deal.”
    A fourth added: “I don’t think relegation had truly sunk in until I saw this.”
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    Others said: “To be fair supporting this club is a rollercoaster so makes perfect sense.”
    Fans also joked that the club should get a pink away kit in tribute to a flamingo’s colour.
    Leeds’ main shirt sponsor is boiler brand BOXT.
    And several players may not hang about to play in it with rumours suggesting that Wilfried Gnonto, Tyler Adams and Rodrigo will all leave the club this summer.
    Leeds fans have been left in hysterics at the newsCredit: Leeds United FC
    One fan called the sponsor “peak EFL”Credit: Leeds United FC More

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    Swansea have £2.5million bid for hotshot Yates accepted by Blackpool

    SWANSEA have had a £2.5million bid for Blackpool striker Jerry Yates accepted.The hitman, 26, scored 14 league goals for the relegated Championship outfit last season.
    Yates scored 15 goals in all competitions for relegated Championship side Blackpool last seasonCredit: Reuters
    Swansea’s approach for Yates will increase the spotlight on Joel Piroe’s futureCredit: Getty
    Three other second-tier clubs also put in offers for Yates.
    But SunSport understands Yates has his heart set on joining the Welsh club.  
    He will undergo a medical on Tuesday.
    Swansea’s move for Yates will cast further doubt over the future of Joel Piroe, the Welsh club’s top scorer for the past two seasons.
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    The hotshot will become new manager Michael Duff’s third signing of the summer after the arrival of Josh Ginnelly and Josh Key.
    Yates had interest from the likes of West Brom, Coventry, Bristol City and Ipswich this summer.
    Leicester and newly-promoted Premier League outfit Luton were also keen on the forward earlier in this window but Blackpool had been holding out for a bid in the region of £4million.
    Despite relegation with the Tangerines to League One, Yates claimed a hat-trick at the club’s end-of-season awards after winning the Players’ Player of the Year, top scorer and goal of the season gongs.
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    Yates, who had 12 months remaining on his contract at Bloomfield Road, ended the campaign in the top 10 goalscorers in the Championship.
    He scored 15 in all competitions with his other goal coming in the FA Cup third round shock after Blackpool dumped out Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.
    In total, Yates scored 46 goals 139 appearances since joining Blackpool from Rotherham in 2020. More

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    Hilarious reason why Neil Warnock once brought on a random 14-year-old lad in pre-season

    PADDY KENNY has revealed Neil Warnock once gave a run-out to a 14-year-old in pre-season – for a bizarre reason.The legendary manager took his team to Cornwall for pre-season with Kenny part of a side that lined up against Bodmin Town.
    Neil Warnock once played a random teenager in pre-seasonCredit: Getty
    Paddy Kenny revealed the iconic manager owed the kid’s dad a favourCredit: Twitter @IHadTrialsOnce
    And he was joined by a surprising individual – a 14-year-old child Warnock brought into the squad.
    Kenny, 45, revealed the teenager was given a cameo because Warnock owed his dad a favour after he decorated his house.
    Kenny told the I Had Trials Once podcast: “Warnock used to take us to Cornwall all the time. We were playing a game, we’re all there getting changed before we go out. Warnok’s brought this young kid in about 14-years-old.
    “This young kid has come in with his dad and we were like ‘what’s going off here, f***ing hell, why would he be playing?’.
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    “Anyway, he tells us, ‘just to let you all know lads, this is so and so and his dad so and so. He’s playing 20 minutes at the end of the game’.
    “We were like, eh? Anyway this young kid comes on, plays 20 minutes, pre-season I think it was Bodmin we were playing.
    “We found out afterwards the lad’s dad had decorated Warnock’s house, so instead of paying he gave his lad 20 minutes of a pre-season game.”
    Warnock ended his retirement to return to management at Huddersfield in February, and steered the Terriers away from the Championship relegation zone last season.
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    He signed a one-year deal earlier this summer, much to the delight of fans, and is once again taking his squad to Cornwall for pre-season.
    Kenny’s career was intertwined with Warnock with the keeper playing for the 74-year-old at Bury, Sheffield United, QPR, Leeds, and Rotherham. More

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    Unemployed ex-England star plays as trialist for Watford in friendly draw with Arsenal as he desperately seeks transfer

    AN unemployed ex-England star played as a trialist for Watford in their friendly draw with Arsenal.The midfielder is desperately seeking a transfer after being released by their former club.
    Jake Livermore played as a trialist for Watford against ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Jake Livermore came off the bench for the Hornets in the 1-1 draw on Saturday.
    The match was played behind closed doors, with Ismael Kone putting Watford ahead before Marquinhos equalised for the Gunners.
    Livermore has been training with Watford after leaving West Bromwich Albion when his contract expired last week.
    He spent six years at the Hawthorns, making 216 appearances and scoring nine goals from midfield.
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    The 33-year-old also played Premier League football during his previous spells with Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur.
    Livermore will be hoping to impress Watford boss Valerien Ismael enough to earn a contract for next season.
    His next opportunity to play for the club will come on July 22 when they face Crystal Palace in another friendly.
    The former Baggies captain also has seven England caps to his name, having made his international debut back in 2012.
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    However, he was made to wait five years for his next cap as he returned to the Three Lions set-up in 2017 and made six more appearances.
    He was also named on Gareth Southgate’s list of standbys for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. More

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    Former Chelsea and Man City star joins Leicester as part of Enzo Maresca’s backroom staff

    EX-CHELSEA and Manchester City keeper Willy Caballero has been appointed assistant manager at Leicester.The 41-year-old left Southampton at the end of his contract after just five appearances in two seasons.
    Willy Caballero has been named as assistant manager at LeicesterCredit: Getty
    Enzo Maresca was appointed Leicester boss last monthCredit: Getty
    And he has now taken a position at the King Power Stadium working with head coach Enzo Maresca.
    Leicester confirmed the news on Sunday morning as they bid to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
    Leicester’s new manager Maresca, 43, left Manchester City as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistant coaches after helping them clinch the Treble last season.
    Caballero is the fifth addition to the Italian’s backroom staff following the appointments of Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez and Javier Molina Caballero.
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    Caballero won a League Cup during his three-season spell with Man City.
    He then spent four years with Chelsea where he claimed the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League.
    The Argentine left Stamford Bridge in 2021 and joined Southampton.
    But he made just one appearance last season and has now begun a new chapter as a coach.
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    Leicester get their Championship campaign underway at home to Coventry on August 6.
    It is their first season in the second tier since 2013/14.
    Speaking last month about joining the club, Maresca told the club website: “I’m very excited because of the Club [I’m joining] and because we have a big season ahead of us.
    “At the beginning, the target is to play in the best way we can. From there, we can build, day by day, our idea and our philosophy, and the most important thing is to try to win games.
    “First of all, we’re going to give 100 per cent, absolutely, because the Club deserves this. It’s our job, our duty to do that.
    “Then, as I said, day by day, step by step, absolutely we’re going to improve.”
    His only past experience of being a head coach came at Parma where he was sacked after 14 games.
    Meanwhile, Leicester are in the midst of a huge squad overhaul.
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    Youri Tielemans, Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Ayoze Perez and Ryan Bertrand all departed when their contracts expired at the end of last season.
    James Maddison has moved to Tottenham, with Harvey Barnes, Wilfred Ndidi and Timothy Castagne also being linked with moves away. More