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      Leeds star ‘BANNED from playing in Championship next season thanks to bizarre transfer clause’

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      LEEDS defender Robin Koch is BANNED from playing in the Championship next season, according to reports.The German centre-back, 26, has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave Elland Road on a free this summer following their relegation to the second tier.
      Robin Koch has spent three years with LeedsCredit: Getty
      But if that isn’t enough to ensure his exit, Bild understands his deal also contains a stipulation that he is not allowed to play in the Championship.
      Koch joined Leeds from Freiburg after their promotion to the Premier League in 2020.
      He has made 77 appearances for the Yorkshire side, helping them to a ninth-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.
      Manager Marcelo Bielsa, who guided Leeds to promotion, was sacked during the 2021/22 campaign, before they narrowly avoided relegation under Jesse Marsch.
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      But Sam Allardyce failed to achieve the same 12 months later as just one point from their last four games saw them drop into the bottom three and fail to climb to safety.
      And they are now managerless as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
      Former Norwich boss Daniel Farke and West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan have both been linked with the vacant position.
      After the shortest managerial stint in Premier League history came to an end, Allardyce said: “It has been an honour to manage Leeds United, a great club with an incredible fan base, who deserve to be in the Premier League.
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      “I have really enjoyed working with the staff and players at the club and I would like to thank Angus Kinnear for the opportunity.
      “I’d also like to highlight the outstanding work of Karl Robinson and Robbie Keane who have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks.
      “At this stage in my career I am not sure taking on this challenge, which is potentially a long-term project, is something I could commit to, but I wish the club every success for the future and hope the club returns to the Premier League, where they belong.” More

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      Bizarre new rule set to hit long-throw specialists next season as football chiefs try to get play started quicker

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      LONG-throw specialists in the EFL will be BANNED from using towels to dry the ball next term.Club chiefs agreed the rule amendment at their annual meeting, which also formally introduces “multiball” to get play started quicker.
      EFL will ban using towels to dry the ball next termCredit: Rex
      In a statement after the meeting, where club bosses gave chief executive Rick Parry a new three-year mandate, a spokesman said: “The EFL will introduce a multiball system in all its competitions for the 2023/24 season.
      “Match balls will be placed on cones in designated areas at pitch side to help increase the time of the ball being in play.
      “Meanwhile, Clubs will no longer be permitted to use towels or other articles, including items obtained from spectators to dry footballs during matches.”
      The EFL clubs agreed to mirror the Prem’s reformed and toughened Owners’ and Directors Test, a move aimed at preventing rogue executives becoming involved in the game.
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      Clubs will also be banned from any transfers for 18 MONTHS if they are routinely late with HMRC debt payments.
      Any breaches of payment dates will be added up and if a club “accumulates 30 days of late payments in a 12-month period” they will be unable to sign a player for a fee or any consideration for three full transfer windows.
      The meeting was addressed by Sports Minister Stuart Andrew, who again warned Prem clubs they face Government intervention if a new cash deal with the EFL is not swiftly agreed.
      Premier League and EFL bosses remain at daggers drawn over parachute payments and other issues, with Parry wanting 25 per cent of the top flight’s TV income to be given to his clubs.
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      The Minister said: “We want a thriving football pyramid, and more money must flow through the game to make this happen.
      “It remains our firm belief that the best solution is a football led one and I am hopeful that the resolution will be found soon.
      “I would urge both sides to reach a deal as soon as possible. It is in the game’s interests to avoid the risk of further financial uncertainty.
      “If one is not found the Regulator will have a backstop power to intervene and force a solution.” More

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      Birmingham set for huge transfer windfall once Jude Bellingham completes £115m Real Madrid move

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      BIRMINGHAM City are set for a huge transfer windfall once Jude Bellingham completes his £115million move to Real Madrid.The England international is set to sign for the Spanish giants after a deal was agreed with Borussia Dortmund.
      Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid will land Birmingham City a huge transfer windfallCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Bellingham is on the verge of finalising the move, with a medical expected to take place in the comings days.
      The deal is worth a total of £115million, consisting of a £88million initial fee and £27million in add-ons.
      The Mirror report that this will see Bellingham’s former side Birmingham receive £10million as part of a clause included when he was sold to Dortmund in 2020.
      Although the exact percentage of the sell-on clause is unknown, it means the Championship side will have now banked £35million from the sale of Bellingham.
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      The teenage midfielder was sold to Dortmund for £25million after a breakthrough campaign at St. Andrew’s.
      During that campaign, a 16-year-old Bellingham became the Blues’ youngest ever player and scorer.
      His performances were rewarded upon his departure as Birmingham retired his number 22 shirt.
      He has since become a key man for Dortmund and England, captaining the former several times despite still being just 19.
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      Jude Bellingham enjoyed a breakthrough season with Birmingham City in 2019/20Credit: PA
      Bellingham was named their player of the year for the 2022/23 season after they narrowly missed out on the Bundesliga title.
      He has also won 24 caps for the Three Lions and scored at the World Cup in Qatar. More

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      Five amazing Premier League teams who got relegated, including 2003 West Ham side and Middlesbrough with Juninho

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE season came to a dramatic close with an intense relegation scrap.Southampton were already doomed as they had plunged to the bottom of the English top flight after a rough campaign that saw them change three managers.
      Leicester were relegated just seven years after winning the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      It all came down to Everton, Leeds as well as Leicester and two of them were condemned to follow Saints to the Championship.
      All three of them carried a heavy legacy in the Prem, and so did Southampton.
      The Foxes, especially, were fighting for survival only seven years after they shocked the world and won the title in what will forever be remembered as the greatest underdog story in football history.
      At the end, Leicester couldn’t replicate any of the spark from 2016 and went down along with Leeds after Everton defeated Bournemouth 1-0.
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      Some of these teams may have felt too good to go down.
      Of course, such a thing does not exist – you are down there on merit.
      But, better teams have gone down in the past – as the below list shows…
      Newcastle – 2008-09
      THE 2008-09 season was an utter disaster for the Toon.
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      By the time they were relegated, Newcastle had seen FOUR different managers scrape together just seven wins.
      Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear, Chris Hughton and club legend Alan Shearer all took charge of the club.
      But it was Shearer – who vowed to keep the Magpies up – who oversaw the eventual and somewhat inevitable demise, finishing 18th just one point away from survival.
      For a team of Newcastle’s size and with a squad boasting Michael Owen, Damien Duff, Nicky Butt, Obafemi Martins, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton and Mark Viduka, playing in the Championship was utterly alien.
      They would go on to win the league and bounce straight back to the Premier League, but for a team that strong to go down was remarkable.
      Newcastle were relegated in 2008-09 despite their strong squadCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Leeds – 2003-04
      MUCH like Newcastle, Leeds fell into the bracket of clubs ‘too big to go down’.
      But in 2004, the Elland Road giants slipped out of the top flight and wouldn’t return for 16 years – even slipping into League One for three seasons during that time.
      In 2003-04, Leeds won just eight matches en route to finishing 19th in the Prem, shipping a league-high 79 goals with the club in financial turmoil.
      The Yorkshire side had a strong squad, too – with the likes of Viduka, Paul Robinson, Nicky Barmby, Alan Smith, Aaron Lennon and James Milner on the books.
      Leeds were relegated in 2004, sparking a 16-year top-flight exileCredit: Getty
      West Ham – 2002-03
      EVEN the magic 40-point mark wasn’t enough for the Hammers in 2002-03.
      To this day, West Ham’s tally of 42 points that year is the highest for a relegated team.
      For context, the East London giants also secured 42 points in 2017-18.. and finished 13th.
      But for a team boasting Jermain Defoe, Paolo di Canio, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Les Ferdinand, David James, Trevor Sinclair and more to go down? Madness.
      Ultimately the star-studded squad finished two points adrift off 17th-placed Bolton.
      More bizarrely still, it took West Ham two attempts to break back into the big time, eventually scraping through the Championship play-offs despite finishing sixth.
      West Ham were relegated in 2002-03 despite racking up 42 pointsCredit: Getty
      Blackburn – 1998-99
      IN 1993-94, Blackburn won the Premier League trophy. In 1997-98, they finished sixth.
      And at the start of the 1998-99 season, they were being tipped to challenge for a second title, now under Roy Hodgson.
      Rovers boasted the likes of Duff, Stephane Henchoz, Chris Sutton, Kevin Davies, Tim Sherwood and Tim Flowers.
      Despite that, Blackburn finished the season in 19th after winning a woeful five games.
      Hodgson was sacked midway through the disastrous campaign with no player in the squad scoring more than five league goals.
      Blackburn had been tipped for a shot at the title in 1998-99 but were relegated insteadCredit: Getty
      Middlesbrough – 1996-97
      EVEN the heroics of Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli couldn’t save Boro in 1996-97.
      The Italian striker scored 31 times in all competitions – including an opening day hat-trick in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool – with the Brazilian midfield magician in full flow behind him.
      However, despite that, Middlesbrough slumped into the second tier after finishing two points shy of safety.
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      After a strong start to the season – winning three and losing just one of their first six games – Boro failed to win a single match between September 21 and December 26.
      Under player-manager Bryan Robson, Middlesbrough finished 19th, one point behind 18th-placed Sunderland and two adrift of Coventry and Southampton, who survived by the skin of their teeth.
      Middlesbrough were relegated in 1996-97 despite boasting Juninho in their teamCredit: Getty More

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      Luton star Tom Lockyer reveals he’s been given ‘all clear’ following heart surgery as he opens up on terrifying injury

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      TOM LOCKYER has revealed that he has been given the all-clear after his terrifying injury during the Championship Play-Off final.The Luton Town defender collapsed at Wembley Stadium during the match and was taken to hospital for treatment.
      Tom Lockyer has revealed he has been given the ‘all clear’ after his injury at WembleyCredit: SKY SPORTS
      He collapsed during the Championship Play-Off finalCredit: Getty
      Lockyer was conscious as he was stretchered off the pitch and watched his side beat Coventry from his hospital bed.
      In an interview with Sky Sports, he revealed that he had minor surgery and that the issue should “never happen again”.
      He said: “I’m doing well. It’s been a mad week or so. I had the all-clear yesterday [Monday] and I’m all good moving forward.
      “I was quite lucky. They knew straight away what it was and it wasn’t life-threatening. It was an atrial flutter, which is an irregular heartbeat, so my heart wasn’t responding as it should in those situations.
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      “It’s probably the least severe heart condition you could have and I had a little procedure on Wednesday [May 31] to correct that and it should never happen again.
      “It’s quite funny, really – I didn’t feel anything at all. I had a great chance with the header and got a little bit excited from that, thinking I’d scored at Wembley!
      “Then I was just running backwards, went really light-headed and my legs went really weak straightaway. I remember stumbling backwards.
      “I was told I was coming off as I’d collapsed and I was like ‘no, no I’m fine!’ I wondered why I was on the floor, so that’s when I realised and the emotions all went. When I went off on the stretcher, Rob [Edwards] came to me and said ‘don’t worry, we’ll win it for you’ and I was bawling my eyes out so couldn’t respond.”
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      He also admitted that he never felt like he was in danger and was just focused on being able to watch the game.
      Luckily for the defender, the club secretary was on hand with his phone so he could watch the game.
      He added: “The club secretary came down with my phone and I started watching the game on SkyGo!
      “I was thinking ‘this is no good for my heart!’ I watched the full game back afterwards and we were unbelievable in the first half, Coventry came in the second and it was a bit of a nothing extra time before 11 unbelievable penalties.
      Lockyer watched the remainder of the match from his hospital bedCredit: INSTAGRAM
      “If you score five penalties in a shootout you expect to win it, so for both teams to score five was amazing. When that last one got missed, it was sheer delight.
      “My old man took a photo, posted it and it went viral. Once my family saw I was fine and cracking jokes and whatnot, that put them at ease and, if anyone had concerns, hopefully that put it to rest.”
      As mentioned, Lockyer’s dad, Steve, posted the photo of him celebrating the moment that Luton clinched promotion to the Premier League.
      The snap was met by a lot of positivity and well-wishers hoping that Lockyer was okay after his fright.
      The Luton Town team also paid tribute to him during their celebrations back at Wembley as they held a shirt with his name on it in the air during the trophy lift.
      However, he did miss the team trip to Las Vegas as he required treatment, but he is more gutted about missing the celebration although he is excited about being a Premier League player.
      He said: “For me, it hasn’t sunk in yet what the lads have achieved. We had the dream to get promoted and it still doesn’t feel real. It’s amazing we have been able to do that and when it sinks in, maybe there will be a few more tears.
      “I can’t sit here and lie – it was hard to watch (the celebrations). To go through the gruelling season we’d just had to then miss out on the one big game and the celebrations at the end. “It was hard, it is hard, but you have to look at it from a health point of view. I would have missed a lot more to get that all-clear news.
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      “Looking back now, I know I didn’t, but I felt like I’d let the team down, let the boys down, so I couldn’t stop crying coming off that pitch, but I think it was a lot worse for everyone else watching. I’ve watched it back and it’s not a nice watch for myself.
      “To be honest, I felt as though I could have walked off the pitch, but the medics did their jobs and I can’t thank them enough.”
      His team-mates paid tribute to him during their celebrationsCredit: PA More

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      Wigan on brink of takeover as unnamed buyer agrees deal in principle with crisis club to start League One season on -8

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      WIGAN have agreed a deal in principal to be taken over, subject to EFL approval.The crisis club confirmed on their official website last night that an agreement had been struck with an unnamed buyer.
      Wigan are set to begin next season with an eight-point deductionCredit: PA
      Shaun Maloney’s side were relegated from the Championship this term amid financial woes.
      The Latics were deducted six points during the 2022-23 campaign for failing to pay players – and will begin next term in League One on minus eight points for similar infringements.
      In a statement from their current ownership group, Wigan chiefs confirmed: “A deal has been agreed in principle for the sale of Wigan Athletic Football Club to a prospective new buyer – subject to EFL approval.
      “The prospective new owners have committed to resolving all outstanding liabilities at the earliest opportunity.
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      “Further updates on this process will follow in due course.”
      Wigan were initially deducted four points for next season, with a further four suspended.
      To avoid the further four being deducted, Wigan were required to place 125 per cent of their forecast monthly wage bill into a nominated account by May 24.
      They failed to do so, however, citing late payments of international bank transfers.
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      Ahead of their latest points deduction, chairman Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi wrote on the club’s website: “I want to confirm that an eight-figure sum is currently being processed and is due to land in the club account imminently. This funding will also ensure financial stability for June and the 2023/24 season.
      “It is important to address the numerous late wage payments. As I have previously stated, I recognise this is totally unacceptable. Since Phoenix 2021 acquired Wigan Athletic in 2021, the ownership group will have invested over £30m into the club to date.
      “The inflated wage bill resulted in cash flow issues which meant we could not adhere to the Agreed Decision with the EFL in January. However, everything possible was done to ensure wages were paid.
      “Delays are a common occurrence with overseas transactions, but that is not and cannot be an excuse for late payments.”
      Former Tottenham and England defender Steven Caulker was among six first-team players to be released by Wigan upon the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. More

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      Former Premier League star receives threats against his children after tweet about Sheffield Wednesday

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      SHEFFIELD UNITED legend Paddy Kenny claims irate rival supporters have called him “threatening to blow my kids knee caps off”.The former goalkeeper, who once had his eyebrow bitten off in a curry house scrap, has been revelling in his old club’s promotion to the Premier League.
      Goalie David Stockdale and Barry Bannan celebrating Sheff Wed’s play-off win over BarnsleyCredit: Getty
      Blades legend Paddy Kenny has been involved in a Twitter exchange with the Owls goalieCredit: Twitter / @paddykenny17
      The 45-year-old was No.1 at Bramall Lane for eight years from 2010 and still remains a favourite with supporters.
      And he is never one to shy away from his love of the Blades and regularly winds-up their Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday – especially on Twitter.
      He firstly slammed them for blowing automatic promotion, but the Owls eventually got the job done on Monday.
      After an incredible record-breaking comeback against Peterborough, they then beat Barnsley in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
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      Jibes have been going back and forth between players from both clubs throughout both United and Wednesday’s promotion celebrations.
      Blades forward Rhian Brewster wound-up Owls supporters first, before Wednesday captain Barry Bannan labelled him “absolutely f***ing honking”.
      Kenny was also keen to get involved and has been enjoying a social media back and forth with Owls goalie David Stockdale, who was sub keeper for the Wembley triumph.
      Ex-Fulham and Brighton stopper Stockdale tweeted Kenny from the dressing-room after the final and, alongside a snap of himself in his kit with his medal and beer in hand, asked: “@paddykenny17 you around sheff tomorrow?”
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      Kenny replied: “TBF I didn’t even think you’d get a medal for sitting on the Judy Dench.”
      The two have continued the fun and games all week since, now things have been taken a step too far.
      Wednesday announced on Friday that 37-year-old Stockdale was leaving the club.
      Kenny was then out on the town last night and tweeted Stockdale a photo of himself enjoying a bevvy, captioning it with: “Fancy Sheffield tonight @stockogk1313.”
      He followed that up with another photo of himself with a bottle of Hooch.
      However, Kenny has now taken to Twitter to claim: “People calling my mobile and threatening to blow my kids knee caps off now that’s proper low and sums some people up, I’m all for banter but that’s crossed the line.”
      Stockdale replied to that tweet with: “Agreed. It’s all good humour in a great rivalry. Really not needed. Have a safe night Patrick.”
      That led to Kenny going back with: “You know it pal, people can’t take bants, do they not realise us keepers stick together.”
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      And even Wednesday ace Bannan responded as well, tweeting: “Shambles mate can’t have a bit of fun without it getting silly and over the line.”
      Which led to Kenny replying: “You know it pal, all I ever do is have banter never mean anything but that crosses the line, btw congrats.”
      Paddy Kenny played for Sheffield United for eight seasonsCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      Former Premier League stadium that fell into disrepair is now an Asda with poignant nod to disaster

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      THIS ground that graced the Premier League is now more supermarket than transfer market.Bolton spent 102 years at Burnden Park, and during that time they won four FA Cups as well as the Charity Shield until they moved in 1997 – two years before it was demolished.
      Bolton spent 102 years at former ground Burnden ParkCredit: Alamy
      Bolton’s former ground Burnden Park is now an Asda storeCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      Bolton’s Burnden Park has been an Asda ever since 2005Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      The historic ground, that at one time could fit a maximum of 70,000 spectators, was turned into an Asda in 2005 with photos of players and the stadium still visible above checkouts.
      This used to be a place that represented triumph and pride for Bolton.
      Burnden Park hosted the FA Cup final replay in 1901 when Tottenham defeated Sheffield United 3-1 – and was even the inspiration behind L.S Lowry’s £8million Going To The Match painting.
      It also held various national cycling championships as well as brass band contests.
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      But the stadium was also the site of a major tragedy in 1946 when 33 Bolton fans were crushed to death and 400 others were injured during an FA Cup quarter-final match against Stoke.
      The Railway End was simply a bank of earth with some stones for steps, and early in the game two barriers collapsed and the crowd fell forward, crushing those underneath.
      People spilled on the pitch and the game was halted twice with the referee told by the police there had been a fatality.
      The players then left the pitch while casualties were taken from the Railway End terrace.
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      But those who had died were placed along the touchline and covered in coats.
      Shockingly, less than half an hour later, the game restarted with the bodies still lying beside the pitch, separated from the players by a new sawdust touchline.
      A plaque paying tribute to the people who lost their lives in the fourth worst disaster in British football history – and worst at the time – was unveiled in 1992 by club legend Nat Lofthouse.
      This plaque can still be found inside the Asda.
      The stadium was also used to host cycling championships as well as footballCredit: Getty
      The old ground is six miles away from the current Bolton homeCredit: Getty
      One fan inspects a toilet up for auctionCredit: PA:Press Association
      Tragedy nearly hit Burnden Park again in May 1998 when a fire swept through the ground.
      Twelve years earlier, a section of the ground was sold off and a Normid superstore was built, covering half of one end in a bizarre look.
      Bolton’s last game at Burnden Park took place in April 1997 against Charlton with the Trotters winning 4-1 win, with icon John McGinlay scoring their final-ever goal at the ground.
      The club moved in 1997 to Reebok Stadium, which is now called the University of Bolton Stadium and will next season be known as the Toughsheet.
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      But the penalty spot was dug up from Burnden Park and planted at the new ground on Burnden Way while much of the stadium – including signs and even toilets as memorabilia – was auctioned off.
      The ground was left derelict and abandoned for two years while travellers lived in the car park before the demolition took place in 1999.
      Nathan Blake celebrates scoring against ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
      A plaque paying tribute to the disaster at Burnden Park can be seen inside the AsdaCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      33 supporters died at the FA Cup quarter-final in 1946Credit: John Gradwell
      Bolton played at the ground for 102 yearsCredit: Alamy
      L.S Lowry’s Going To The Match painting was based on Burnden Park More