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      Swansea boss Russell Martin facing lengthy ban and huge fine after mass brawl at end of Luton clash

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      SWANSEA boss Russell Martin faces a lengthy ban for his part in the incredible battle of the dugouts.He sparked a mass brawl on the touchline after racing from his bench to confront Luton chief Rob Edwards just before the end of the match at Kenilworth Road.
      Russell Martin was sent off for his role in the altercation
      The Swansea boss had to be escorted off the pitchCredit: Getty
      Ugly scenes ended with Martin being sent off along with Luton assistant manager Richie Kyle, who also runs the risk of a ban from the touchline when they are judged by a disciplinary tribunal.
      Earlier this season, Preston’s Ryan Lowe was fined £5,000 and banned for two matches for two breaches of FA Rule E3.
      The Deepdale boss admitted that he used abusive and insulting words towards a match official.
      In Russell’s case, disciplinary chiefs are expected to take a grave view of the fact that he will be seen as the aggressor.
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      An FA insider said: “He could face a £10,000 fine. They will take into account his demeanour and the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
      Russell explained the dugout brawl was sparked after he told his former team-mate Edwards to get off the pitch.

      He said post-match: “(Luton boss) Rob (Edwards) saw something on the pitch, I didn’t as I was following play. I like Rob, he is an ex-team-mate of mine, but he jumped on the pitch and I told him to get off.
      “Richie got involved, and I just nudged him to get out of the way really.
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      “It has ended up in what it ended up in, and two red cards, which I don’t think was necessary really.
      “It is what it is.” More

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      Everton boss Sean Dyche to run rule over striker Tom Cannon with Preston keen on another loan transfer next season

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      PRESTON want young Everton striker Tom Cannon to come back on loan for the whole of next season.Cannon, 20, impressed at North End this term and boss Ryan Lowe is keen for more.
      Preston want to sign Cannon on a season-long loanCredit: Getty
      First he will be watched by Toffees chief Sean Dyche.
      Everton currently have a lack of attacking options with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ellis Simms and Neal Maupay the only natural No.9’s in the first team.
      SunSport recently revealed that the Toffees could decide to cash-in on Calvert-Lewin when the summer transfer window opens due to his recurring injury issues.
      The 25-year-old has made just 11 appearances so far this season.
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      A knee injury kept him out of action at the start of the campaign while a hamstring injury has limited his minutes over the past month.
      Calvert-Lewin is understood to be at the top of Newcastle’s transfer wishlist, so should he leave Goodison Park in the summer it will open up a clear path for Cannon to transition into the first team.
      Cannon joined the Everton academy in 2012 and signed his first professional contract nine years later.
      In August he signed a two-year contract extension meaning his current deal expires in June 2025.
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      The Ireland U20 international made his Premier League debut for the Toffees in a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in November.
      He joined Preston North End on a six-month loan in January and has since scored once in 10 appearances. More

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      Coventry want to sign Burnley defender Luke McNally in £2m transfer following successful loan

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      COVENTRY want to buy centre-half Luke McNally from Burnley following his impressive loan spell.The Irish defender, 23, joined Clarets last summer from Oxford but hardly played for them, resulting in a loan move to fellow Championship outfit Coventry in January.
      Coventry would like to buy £2million rated Luke McNallyCredit: Rex
      He would cost around £2million.
      McNally has played Coventry’s last eight league games.
      In those run of games, McNally and Co have seen defeat once, while drawing two and winning five.
      Coventry’s impressive run has them sat eighth in the Championship with 11 games left.
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      Mark Robins’ men are three points behind the last Championship play-off place.
      Norwich are currently occupying the last play-off spot.
      McNally’s parent club, Burnley, look certain to top the Championship.
      Vincent Kompany’s side are 13 points clear at the top, with Sheffield United chasing in second.
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      The Manchester City legend’s team have seen defeat just twice. More

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      EFL fans could face soaring TV bills in huge blow with split rights between Sky and Scandinavian group mooted

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      EFL chiefs want bids for TV rights delivered by March 23 with Sky and Scandinavian group Viaplay battling for the best packages.There is every chance of a split in coverage for the next telly deal, starting in 2024-25, which is sure to spark much debate before the contracts are sorted.
      There could soon be a new Tella-vision deal for the EFL but Nathan Tella and his Burnley team-mates seem set to return to the Premier LeagueCredit: Rex
      Blackburn congratulate Harry Pickering after he opened up the Championship promotion race by sinking second-placed Sheffield United on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
      Swedish streaming giant Viaplay is emerging as a frontrunner – capable financially of nabbing some of the many packages available.
      It puts Sky’s position as the leading provider for the EFL is under serious threat.
      They’ve held the live rights since 2002 but new competition means Sky might need to almost double its £119 million deal to keep exclusive coverage.
      Another twist is that lower-division clubs are happy to consider a separate deal, which would include more live games.
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      The EFL is looking for increased TV revenue for its clubs down the divisions.
      But it also wants to adjust to changing way viewing habits, which increases the chance of more streaming being brought in.
      Rights for the Championship, League One, League Two, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy and play-offs are available from 2024-25.
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      And the Viaplay group has been steadily picking up sports contracts.
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      It bought the UK-based Premier Sports for more than £30million last year and aims to launch in America soon.
      EFL Chief Commercial Officer Ben Wright said last week: “Our objective remains to find the right mix of maximising value, increasing volume and providing a great viewing experience through evolution and innovation.” More

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      England could face World Cup chaos thanks to Championship play-offs with a host of Under-20 stars facing fixture clash

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      ENGLAND’S Under-20 World Cup bid could be wrecked by the Lions cubs playing in promotion play-offs.Ian Foster’s squad heads to Indonesia for the tournament kicking off on May 20 — although some of the players will be needed by their clubs.
      Striker Joe Gelhardt, on loan at Sunderland from Leeds, is one of the starlets who could be involved in the play-offs for a Prem placeCredit: Rex
      Callum Doyle is boosting Coventry’s bid for a Championship play-off spotCredit: Getty
      Sunderland loanee Joe Gelhardt, Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison and Middlesbrough’s Aston Villa loanee Aaron Ramsey look sure to be picked.
      But all three are looking likely to be involved in the end-of-season Championship shootout for a Prem place.
      Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott could have a dilemma if his team makes a late charge.
      Coventry duo Callum Doyle and Brooke Norton-Cuffy may face a club-v-country clash.
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      The tournament will be Indonesia’s first ever senior Fifa event.
      England won the cup – held every two years – in 2017.
      Ukraine won the last tournament two years later.
      Covid then put paid to the 2021 event.
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      Of the Lion cubs’ celebrated squad from six years ago, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has proved the most successful.
      The Everton striker, 25, has won 11 senior caps amid links to major Prem rivals.
      Others include fellow full intentionals in AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters and Bournemouth forward Doninic Solanke.
      Meanwhile, Atalanta goal machine Ademola Lookman graduated to England U-21s but switched allegiance to Nigeria last year. More

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      Burnley set to cause uproar at rivals Blackburn as Clarets plan cheeky guard of honour request for Ewood Park clash

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      BURNLEY are planning a cheeky request for a guard of honour from their bitter East Lancs rivals Blackburn.Vincent Kompany’s men could clinch the Championship title before their trip to Ewood Park on April 25.
      Vincent Kompany’s Burnley are planning a cheeky request at the home of bitter rivals Blackburn RoversCredit: PA
      The champions are entitled to ask for recognition from their opponents.
      And proud Burnley are keen to pursue the matter.
      However, it is likely to cause uproar in the Rovers ranks.
      The two sides are fierce rivals.
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      Burnley travel to Ewood Park three games before the end of the campaign.
      Kompany’s side are currently 13 points clear at the top of the Championship, and 17 points clear of the play-offs.
      The Manchester City legend has done a superb job since arriving from Anderlecht last summer.
      Burnley are well placed to bounce straight back up to the Premier League following relegation to the second tier last year.
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      The Clarets have lost just twice in the league all season.
      Their only league defeats have come against fellow automatic promotion contenders Sheffield United and play-off challengers Watford. More

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      Fans baffled as Fifa president Gianni Infantino turns up at English football match and they can’t believe which one

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      FOOTBALL fans are scratching their heads after Fifa president Gianni Infantino rocked up at a random Championship game.The 52-year-old Italian-Swiss is rarely seen at matches in England.
      Gianni Infantino was in the stands at The DenCredit: Getty
      Fans were baffled by the game he chose to watch while in EnglandCredit: Getty
      Norwich won the game 3-1 to boost their promotion hopesCredit: PA
      And no one could have predicted the fixture he chose to attend on Saturday afternoon.
      Infantino was spotted at The Den for Millwall’s home game against Norwich.
      The Championship clash finished 3-2 to the visitors as the Canaries moved above Millwall and into the play-off places.
      But it was the Fifa boss’ presence at the match which got fans talking online.
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      Reacting on social media, one fan said: “No way is that really him 😂”.
      Another added: “Clearly asked to see the best team in London 🤷‍♂️”.
      A third replied: “Is he lost!! 🤣”.
      And a baffled fourth fan responded: “🤣🤣 wtf is going on here lol”.
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      Infantino’s bizarre visit to Millwall comes after he hit the headlines back in January for another strange public appearance.
      The Fifa chief appeared to take a selfie while standing by Pele’s open casket during the Brazil legend’s funeral.
      And he was forced to take to Instagram to explain his actions.
      He posted: “I am dismayed after having been informed that I am apparently being criticized by some people for having taken a selfie and pictures at the ceremony yesterday.
      “I would like to clarify that I was both honoured and humbled that teammates and family members of the great Pelé asked me if I could take a few photos with them. And obviously I immediately agreed.
      “In the case of the selfie, Pelé’s teammates asked to do a selfie of all of us together but they didn’t know how to do it. So, to be helpful, I took the phone of one of them and took the photo of all of us for him.
      “If being helpful to a teammate of Pelé creates criticism I’m happy to take it and will continue to be helpful wherever I can to those having contributed to write legendary pages of football.
      “I have so much respect and admiration for Pelé and for that ceremony yesterday that I would never do anything that would be disrespectful in any way whatsoever.” More

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      We’ve proved we’re ready for the Premier League and we’re going to do well there, says Burnley star

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      JOHANN BERG GUDMUNDSSON reckons Burnley have proved they are Premier League ready.The Championship leaders sit 12 points in front of Sheffield United and an impressive NINETEEN ahead of third-placed Middlesbrough before a trip to Blackpool today.
      Johann Gudmundsson has been a tower of strength for Burnley
      Clarets and Iceland winger Gudmundsson, 32, said: “This team is improving every day.
      “But we know if we want to get into the Premier League and  stay there we’ve got to keep improving as there’s a big gap in quality between there and the Championship.
      “But I wouldn’t give it a second thought — we’re going to do well in the Premier League.”
      Burnley’s transformation under boss Vincent Kompany, who was appointed last summer, has been extraordinary.
      The Belgian has introduced a completely different style of play to ex-gaffer Sean Dyche.  
      Gudmundsson said: “It’s a lot more detailed as Vinnie goes into the opposition a lot and how we can exploit different weaknesses and how he wants us to play. We now try to play from the back and make angles for everybody and get everyone having the ball.
      “We’ve done really well and, of course, we’re playing in a different league, so that is a factor as well.
      “The Championship is not as hard as the Premier League, which everybody knows. It’s a big step to that.
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      Vincent Kompany has been a breath of fresh air at Turf Moor
      “We want to return to the Premier League and showcase our talents.”
      The Clarets are bossing possession and have scored 68 league goals already this season.
      They have also maintained the hard work-rate and organisation that made them successful under Dyche.
      Gudmundsson said: “When Vinnie came in, he told us that everything we do is about scoring goals.
      “We want to score as many goals as possible from every phase possible and we’ve shown that throughout this season. There have been so many different goalscorers. We look dangerous in every phase and, for the opponent, that is hard to play against.
      “We were able to adapt to the new styles because so much work and so many meetings took place.
       “There was a lot of time spent on the training pitch where the manager was getting across his ideas.
      “He’s shown a lot of videos of us, telling us what we can do better.
      “It’s been an incredible amount of work but it worked fantastically.”
      Experienced Gudmundsson believes his game has improved, too.
      He added: “It was a long time under Dyche so it was good to try something new  and Vinnie’s ideas have suited how I wanted to play.
      “For me, it’s a bit more on the ball and not as much running off the ball, which suits players like me.
      “Tactically, I think I’ve improved with the  different aspects that the manager  brings into the games. You can see he changes formation quite a lot in midfield and up front.
      “It’s being more tactically  aware on  how he wants us to play.
      “I just enjoy being on the pitch as much as I can.
      “I’m not getting any younger but as long as I can enjoy my football and stay on the pitch, that is good.”
      Kompany is just as demanding as Dyche when it comes to work-rate and mental toughness.
      Gudmundsson added: “Even though we keep the ball a lot, we work hard to get it back as quickly as possible.
      “The intensity and the running stats are high. We’ve kept it as high as we used to  as it’s the identity of the club — but we play a lot more football now.
      “The aggression, the pressing, everything is there — and we need to keep hold of that.
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      “That will take us far when you have that base of hard work  and football comes after that.”
      Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy reckons this is the worst possible fixture for his second-bottom strugglers, but added: “Out of adversity comes strength.” More