Championship

KEN SEMA won last night’s match for Watford with his two goals, and then fans’ hearts with his post-match interview.The Swede bagged either side of Ismaila Sarr’s strike to help the Hornets to a vital 3-2 win over West Brom at Vicarage Road.
Ken Sema celebrates scoring his second goal of last night’s winCredit: PA
The 29-year-old gave an interview after the matchCredit: Watford FC
After his heroic display, Sema bravely stepped up for an interview despite suffering with a stammer.
Speaking to Watford’s media team, the 29-year-old said: “It’s been a while with my injury and stuff so I’m happy with the goals and I’m happy with the win today as well.
“It was a must-win match here at home, and it was an amazing night.
“It was great to celebrate in front of the supporters. I have been out for a while with my rehab and I did everything I could to come back stronger. Scoring today and getting the win feels brilliant.”
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After Watford posted a clip of the interview, fans came together to show love for Sema.
One wrote: “King on and off the pitch.”
While a second added: “I can’t decide if he’s King Ken or Lord Kenneth?”
A third tweeted: “So much respect for this man and Watford Legend.”
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Others poignantly pointed out what an inspiration the winger is.
One posted: “Cannot credit this man enough for coming out and doing interviews with his slight stammer, proper role model.”
Another wrote: “Ken has a stammer, but is brave enough to go on national television to do interviews.
“Inspiration for young boys and girls with a speech impediment, that they can achieve anything in life.”
A further social media user added: “This interview is inspirational for a lot of people. @Semaken well done.”
While another fan pointed out: “People don’t realise how draining it is having a stammer. Your mind has to work at incredible speed to choose words you won’t stumble over. Doing that in a second or third language is just amazing.”
And another added: “So good and so helpful for other people to see this kind of thing. Can’t say I know too much about Sema, but he now has a warm place in my heart and I’ll be looking out for him to see how he’s playing. Top from him and from Watford.”
In his interview, Sema went on to describe his goals, saying: “[Keinan Davis] had a shot on target with the goalkeeper and I was there. It was right on my foot and I smashed it into the goal. It was an easy one so I’m happy to have scored!
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“For sure, my second goal was on target! A bit of luck I guess but you need to have it in football so it was good.”
Sema has played 27 times in the Championship so far this season, scoring five goals and laying on six assists.
Sema, 29, had a brilliant gameCredit: Rex More

BIRMINGHAM CITY and a “number of individuals” have been charged by the English Football League with alleged rule breaches.SunSport understands the latest controversy to hit the Championship club centres around the failed takeover bid by Paul Richardson and Maxi Lopez, which collapsed in December after five months of talks.
Birmingham and a ‘number of individuals’ have been charged with alleged rule breachesCredit: Getty
Former Barcelona star Maxi Lopez was involved in the failed takeoverCredit: Getty
Former AC Milan and Barcelona striker Lopez and fashion industry businessman Richardson fronted a consortium bid to buy Blues from current owners BSHL.
However they pulled the plug after their company Maxco Capital was unable to agree terms after being granted exclusivity to complete a takeover in the summer.
Now the EFL has revealed an investigation into ‘a takeover bid,’ has produced “sufficient evidence” to issue misconduct charges against the club and individuals.
Those charges allege that a number of people were allowed to act as ‘relevant persons’ without EFL approval.
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There are also charges alleging the passing over of control of the club happened without requisite approval.
The multiple cases will be referred to an independent disciplinary commission and the EFL have said they will make no further comment.
Birmingham have been owned by China-based Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited since 2016.
The EFL has not confirmed the identities of anyone involved in the case however SunSport understands the EFL had concerns over statements made by ‘lifelong Birmingham fan,’ Richardson and Lopez at the time of the proposed takeover in July.
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They sought clarification over their claims that the takeover would be completed “within three weeks.” 
Images of the pair welcoming new signings to St Andrew’s which appeared on Sky TV – before they had passed the EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ test.
Last night the club issued a short statement which said: “Birmingham City acknowledges the decision of the EFL and its charges of the Club with alleged breaches of EFL Regulations following the conclusion of its investigation into the proposed acquisition of Control.
“The multiple matters will now be referred to an independent Disciplinary Commission.
“No further comment will be made.”
The league has not disclosed the sanctions it wants to impose on Blues if they are found guilty of breaching their rules but points deductions and heavy fines are some of the punishments available to them. More

HOLLYWOOD superstar Hugh Jackman revealed he wants to join Norwich in a blockbuster shock transfer move.And the X-Men and Wolverine actor also had numerous opportunities to invest just £1 into football clubs to become their co-owner.
Hugh Jackman revealed which football team he supportsCredit: PA
Ryan Reynolds is having a blast as Wrexham co-ownerCredit: AFP
Jackman has seen fellow celebrity performer and ongoing comedic rival Ryan Reynolds enjoy success since buying Wrexham with Rob McElhenney in 2021.
But Australian Jackman, 54, wants to go one better than his Deadpool 3 co-star by playing on the Carrow Road pitch for his beloved Norwich.
And The Prestige man would love to conjure up another piece of magic to down pal Reynolds.
Jackman told the BBC: “I will admit to you that when Ryan bought that team, I did get more than one offer from rivals of that team for £1 to come in as a co-owner and it did seriously tempt me.
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“This whole thing of outsiders coming in and buying football teams, it feels a little, I don’t know, easy.
“I have decided to go one step further.
“I am actually going to try out for the team.
“So Delia Smith, Stephen Fry, I’m coming to try out.
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“I think if I really want to stick it to Ryan Reynolds, then if Wrexham get to play Norwich, because obviously there’s a level here, I think it would be best if I was heading in the winner.”
Asked about the Canaries nickname, he joked: “It doesn’t sound intimidating, but everybody knows it’s everybody’s second-favourite team.”
Wrexham have been on a remarkable journey under their A-list owners and have dreams of bringing Football League action back to the Racecourse Ground next season.
Fans were joined for a pre-match pint by Will Ferrell last week while Saturday saw a dramatic 96th-minute to beat Aldershot to continue their promotion charge.
Jackman joins Stephen Fry and Delia Smith as Norwich’s celebrity fansCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

QPR have SACKED manager Neil Critchley after just two months in charge.The former Liverpool development coach took over from Michael Beale in December but won just one of his 12 matches in charge.
Neil Critchley has been sacked as QPR managerCredit: PA
Now the West London outfit have axed Critchley with the club languishing 17th in the Championship.
His assistants Iain Brunskill and Mike Garrity have also left their roles, it has been confirmed.
CEO Lee Hoos said: “It is hugely disappointing to have to make such a decision so early into Neil’s tenure with the club.
“However, after seeing the team slip from play-off contenders to one being drawn into a relegation battle, the Board felt it had to act.
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“There is no doubt Neil inherited a difficult situation when he joined and we would like to acknowledge his superb work ethic and professionalism throughout our dealings.
“He is a fantastic man and we have no doubts he will go on to be a success elsewhere, just as he was at Blackpool.”
QPR lost 3-1 at Middlesbrough on Saturday was their third in a row and left them eight points above the relegation zone.
It is an incredible fall for the R’s, who were top of the table in October under Beale – poached by Rangers – but are sliding at an alarming rate.
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Director of Football Les Ferdinand added: “Unfortunately, things have not worked out how any of us would have liked.
“As we enter into a critical stage of the season, we understand the need for a swift appointment to be made.
“Stability is key to the success of a football club and this season has presented challenges which have denied us that stability.
“For us to move forward we must all learn from what has happened and pull together.”
Speaking after the Boro defeat, Critchley was adamant he could turn it around with the current crop of underperforming players.
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The 44-year-old said: “When I see the players play like they did today, in that type of atmosphere, I’ve got full belief that we can.
“We just need a bit of luck and things to go for us. It’s just not quite happening.
“All I can do is concentrate on trying to help the players improve. They need to feel my support.
“I saw a group that was together today. They’re still playing, in my opinion.”
Critchley spent seven years at Liverpool, working in the academy and taking charge of the first team twice when Jurgen Klopp was unavailable.
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He had two years as Blackpool’s head coach – winning promotion via the League One play-offs in 2021 – before joining Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard’s assistant for a brief spell.
QPR host play-off-chasing Blackburn at Loftus Road in their next match on Saturday.
QPR were top in October but are hurtling towards the relegation zoneCredit: Rex More

LUKE O’NIEN found a novel way of getting himself booked.The Sunderland star, 28, was in action against Bristol City on Saturday, when he was shown a yellow card for stopping Alex Scott on the break.
Luke O’Nien plants a kiss on Alex ScottCredit: Rex
O’Nien received a yellow card for breaking up City’s counterCredit: Rex

But, rather than a shirt pull or a trip – O’Nien hitched a ride on his opponent’s back as he raced away.
Better still, he then planted a kiss on Scott’s face to calm the situation down.
Scott saw the funny side, but that didn’t stop referee Gavin Ward from brandishing a yellow card from his pocket.
The Black Cats looked like they were on their way to three points when Jack Clarke gave them the lead with a stunning strike after 59 minutes.
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However, in stoppage time Nahki Wells steadied his nerves and fired home from the penalty spot to earn the visitors a point.
The draw sees Sunderland remain in the playoff picture in fifth place – level on points with sixth place Millwall and seventh spot Blackburn Rovers.
Automatic promotion seems unlikely, with second-placed Sheffield United 12 points clear.
Despite dropping two points at home, Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray was keen to focus on the positives.
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“When Jack whacked that one in I thought we’d get over the line but we have to accept the penalty, put the point in the bag and move on,” he said.
“If we’d said at the start of the week that we’d get seven points, including another trip to London which was our third in ten days, we’d have probably taken that.
“It was just another challenge for our young team and generally we handled it well, other teams are allowed to attack us and have a game plan, that’s football.
“We just couldn’t quite see it over the line. It’s a good experience for us.” More