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      Huge rule change to be introduced in English football this season after Fifa pressure on Premier League

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE and EFL have launched a new approach to cut down on time-wasting and increase ball-in-play time.The new Championship campaign starting on August 4 will be the first run of match officials’ new approach to improving time-keeping.
      Officials will be more robust dealing with clear/deliberate actions taken to delay the game restartingCredit: Rex Features
      As seen in the 2022 World Cup and Womens World Cup currently taking place in Australia, games are likely to last for more than 100 minutes.
      One match official has told Sky Sports News it will now be a rarity if a top flight game lasts fewer than than 100 minutes.
      According to the Daily Mail the average ball-in-play time for the 22/23 PL season was 54 minutes 49 seconds – the lowest number since 2010.
      The EFL released a statement on their website on how they plan to enhance ball-in-play time.
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      It includes adding more time for injuries and goals, and a blitz on time-wasting tactics.
      The statement reads: “As the game collectively looks to enhance the amount of time the ball is in play in the forthcoming campaign, the exact time lost when certain game events occur will now be added. 
      “In previous seasons the policy was to add on a nominal period of time for certain game events. The events include:

      Goals and subsequent celebrations
      Substitutions
      Injuries and treatment time (if required)
      Penalties (from moment of offence to the whistle for the penalty kick)
      Red cards (from moment of offence to when the player leaves the field)

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      “Alongside a more accurate allowance for time lost during the game, the EFL will also adopt the multi-ball system, which has been proven to increase ball in-play time.”
      “Match officials will also be taking a more robust approach to dealing with clear/deliberate actions that are impactful in delaying the restart of play, with players cautioned if they are guilty of:

      Delaying the restart of play
      Failing to respect the required distance at free-kicks.”

      Some fans have taken to twitter to share their opinions on the new approach.
      One wrote: “This is good! The ‘park the bus tactics’ will suffer from this. Those teams spend most of the time on the floor.” More

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      The FA’s NINE rule changes in clampdown on players, managers and fans that could see bookings and stadium bans soar

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      PLAYERS, managers AND fans have all been targeted in a major disciplinary clampdown for the new season.The new measures, agreed by the FA, Prem, EFL and refs’ chiefs, will see officials better able to punish “unacceptable conduct on the pitch, on the side-lines and in the stands”.
      Aleksandar Mitrovic received an eight-game ban after his red card at Old TraffordCredit: AFP
      Players are being reminded over their conductCredit: Getty
      Managers are also being urged to behave responsiblyCredit: AFP
      Wembley bosses have been working on the updated proposals since mid-way through last season as on field and touchline anarchy exploded.
      And the hardline measures, to come into effect from the start of the season, are aimed at ensuring referees are no longer pursued and intimidated by players and benches.
      Under the new regulations, all club technical staff, including managers and assistants, must sign up to a “code of conduct” – which has been approved by the League Managers Association.
      That will mandate them to attend pre-match briefings with the match officials, behave in a “responsible manner”, stay within the technical area at all times and not use tablets or or electronic devices to try to show refs that have made errors.
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      In addition, any boss entering the pitch to confront an official at either half-time OR full-time will be in direct breach of the code and face punishment.
      Breaches will bring heavier fines and other punishments including potential bans.
      The crackdown for players, drawn up with the help of the PFA, will put the onus on team captains to “take responsibility for the behaviour of their team-mates”.
      Crucially, players have been explicitly warned they “must not confront, invade the personal space of, or make physical contact with the match officials”.
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      Yellow cards is the minimum punishment and WILL follow if “two or more players surround a match official in a confrontational manner”.
      And players will be punished if they are adjudged to have “instigated or escalated a mass confrontation with opposing players and/or technical area occupants”.
      In addition, and in response to so-called “tragedy chanting” by some fans, the game’s rulers promised “tough new measures” resulting in “stadium bans and potential criminal prosecution”.
      Police and stewards will be expected to identify those guilty of “offensive chanting, gesturing and displaying offensive messages based on football-related tragedies”.

      In a statement the governing body and leagues said: “The game will also continue its efforts to combat dangerous, illegal and unwelcome behaviour off the pitch, be it in the stands or online. 
      “Last season a host of new measures were introduced by authorities which saw enhanced sanctions applied for people identified entering the pitch, using pyros, taking drugs to games, throwing objects or for discriminatory abuse.”
      Explaining the new stance, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “Football has the unique power to unite, inspire and improve the lives of all those that play and watch the game at any level. 
      “However, in recent years we have seen how this can be negatively impacted by a small minority of players, coaches and fans.
      “This season, English football is coming together with a commitment to address this unacceptable behaviour within our game, on the pitch and on the side-lines. 
      “We understand that it will take time to adapt to these new measures – but we are confident that they will have a positive impact at all levels.
      “We are also determined to address the rise in unacceptable behaviour from the stands. Incidents such as dangerous conduct, discrimination, and chanting about football-related tragedies have no place in our game – and can lead to football bans and potential criminal action. 
      “Passion, emotion and excitement are fundamental to football, however this must be shown in the right way. 
      “Everyone can play their part, so that together we can create a safe and enjoyable environment for all.”
      Prem counterpart Richard Masters added: “We want players, managers and fans to continue showing their passion, but these new measures have been introduced to ensure that the line is not crossed when it comes to on-field and technical area behaviour.
      “We also strongly believe there is no room for abhorrent tragedy abuse in football. 
      “Along with our clubs and the authorities, we are committed to sanctioning those found guilty and will also focus on educating fans of all ages so they understand why this abuse is so hurtful and unacceptable.”
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      The new measures for the professional game will be allied to a clampdown at grass roots level as well, including the introduction of point deductions for teams whose players or coaches commit repeated offences of serious misconduct.
      Additionally, the trial of bodycams for referees will continue into the 2023/24 season.
      The new measures could lead to more bansCredit: Reuters
      Fans are also being reminded not to chant abhorrent songsCredit: AFP More

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      I’ve scored 81 EFL goals and married a Love Island star – now I’m balancing professional football with my own TV series

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      BRADLEY DACK has had an unforgettable summer, despite being released by Blackburn.The attacking midfielder was a fans’ favourite at Ewood Park, playing 173 times for Rovers over six years.
      Bradley Dack will star in the latest season of his own reality TV show with Olivia AttwoodCredit: Instagram
      The couple were engaged in 2019Credit: Splash
      Dack, 29, left Blackburn Rovers at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
      After his playing time dwindled during last season, Blackburn made the difficult call not to renew his contract.
      He has since joined Sunderland, reuniting with his former boss Tony Mowbray.
      Despite finding himself having to change clubs, Dack has still enjoyed the summer of a lifetime.
      The 29-year-old has been dating former Love Island star Olivia Attwood for a number of years after being introduced by mutual friends at a swanky London nightclub before she entered the villa, with the pair getting engaged in 2019.
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      Last month they finally tied the knot following a series of Covid-related delays in a stunning ceremony.
      The happy couple will now star in the latest season of their own reality TV show Olivia Meets Her Match, documenting the build-up to the wedding as well as the big day itself.
      Over four hour-long episodes on ITV, fans will be given behind the scenes access to Dack and Olivia’s stag and hen dos.
      They will also become privy to all kinds of insider gossip from the couple themselves.
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      Appearing in a trailer, Olivia said: “This is the moment we have been waiting for. This is going to be a fairytale. Husband and wife.”
      Dack then added: “I’m about to marry the love of my life. [I won’t cry] as I don’t want to mess up my make-up.”
      Olivia appeared on Love Island in 2017, the same year that Dack joined Blackburn from Gillingham.
      He immediately achieved hero status at Ewood Park, scoring 18 goals on the way to promotion – also bagging the League One Player of the Year award.
      His skills immediately translated to the Championship, in which he netted 15 times during the 2018-19 campaign.
      He was off to a flyer during the first half of the following season, before being struck down in December 2019 by the first of two devastating ACL injuries.
      Dack started just seven Championship games across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns as he battled back from various setbacks.
      Last season he was largely fit and available, although wasn’t always in favour with boss Jon Dahl Tomasson – going on to leave having scored 57 goals in 173 appearances in all competitions.
      In his farewell letter to Blackburn fans, Dack revealed that he still harbours hopes of playing in the top flight.
      Hopefully I’ll see you in the Premier League!Bradley Dack
      He wrote: “I wish the club all the best in the future. Hopefully the club gets back to the Premier League, where it belongs. I would love to have stayed for another season, but that couldn’t happen.
      “I’ll go on and hopefully we’ll see each other soon and hopefully I’ll see you in the Premier League!
      “Thank you again from me. I’m thoroughly grateful to everyone who’s been involved during my time at the club. It’s been an absolute pleasure and I can’t wait to see you again soon.”
      Following his Ewood Park exit, Dack was quickly linked with fellow Championship side Sunderland.
      And he sealed a deal with the Black Cats this week, signing a one-year deal to reunite with Mowbray.
      Upon joining, he told the club’s media team: “It feels brilliant to be here. It’s clear to see the Club is on an upwards trajectory and it’s great to be on board.
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      “To play in front of 40,000 people every week at the Stadium of Light was a huge pull for me, there’s not many teams in England can produce those numbers.
      “I hope my experience and style of play can add something different to the group, and I can’t wait to pull on the shirt for the first time.”
      Dack initially dated Olivia before her Love Island appearanceCredit: Splash
      The happy couple finally wed last monthCredit: Splash
      Dack has signed for Sunderland on an initial one-year dealCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League manager keeps bizarre object in a case on his desk to remind him of ‘fine margins’ in football

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      PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM keeps a bizarre object in a case on his desk to remind him of the “fine margins” in football.The Sheffield United boss is preparing for his club’s return to the Premier League following promotion last year.
      Paul Heckingbottom will manage Sheffield United in the Premier League this seasonCredit: Getty
      However, the Blades could have been back in the top-flight a year earlier had it not been for play-off heartache in 2022.
      Heckingbottom’s side were beaten on penalties by Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals after drawing 2-2 on aggregate.
      During the second leg, midfielder Iliman Ndiaye was agonisingly denied by Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba.
      The Senegal international’s shot deflecting wide after scraping one of Samba’s studs.
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      Heckingbottom now keeps a stud in a clear case on his desk as a reminder of the fine margins in football.
      He sees it as a symbol to control every controllable, with everything else in football down to fortune.
      Speaking to I in October last year, he explained: “When I was playing, I used to have a manager who would constantly say to us that it is better to be a lucky manager than a good one.
      “Even when he messages me now, he always signs off with ‘Be lucky’.
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      “Those moments can often define a match or a season and you aren’t in control of them.
      “As long as you know everyone has given their best, you are happy. And if you have the right environment, you can eliminate risk.
      “The more details you get right over time, you will win more of those marginal moments than you lose.”
      Heckingbottom has been in charge of the Blades since November 2021, following spells as both a caretaker boss and their under-21 manager.
      Having taken over with the club 16th in the Championship, he guided them to fifth place and the play-offs in that maiden campaign.
      The former Leeds gaffer then went one better last season, finishing second and achieving automatic promotion to the Premier League.
      His side will kick-off their top-flight return at home to Crystal Palace on August 12.
      Heckingbottom keeps a stud on his deskCredit: PA More

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      I’m former wonderkid who became a Netflix star before completing huge Euro transfer… now I’m unemployed at 24

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      FORMER Sunderland star Josh Maja is unemployed after he was released from Bordeaux.The 24-year-old was one of the stars of the hit Netflix show Sunderland ‘Til I Die.
      Josh Maja is now a free agent after being released by BordeauxCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The documentary took fans behind-the-scenes during the 2018/19 season.
      Maja, who was just 19 at the time, netted an incredible 15 league goals in 24 matches as he became a fans’ favourite.
      His performances attracted interest from other clubs and the transfer saga became a major part of the series.
      Maja left in January to sign for Bordeaux.
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      Sunderland owner Stewart Donald expressed his disappointment with striker’s agent as the club failed to get him to agree a new contract.
      Maja went to the French side and had loan spells back in England with Fulham and Stoke.
      Last year he netted 17 goals as Bordeaux narrowly missed out on promotion back to Ligue 1 after they were controversially docked a point due to crowd trouble.
      Maja has now been released by the club and is a free agent.
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      The Nigerian is searching for a new team and has been linked with several sides in the UK with him keen to return home.
      Rangers, Birmingham and Blackburn are all rumoured to be interested. More

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      I was offered £300k to go on Celebrity Big Brother but it cost me a job at a Championship club, reveals Jamie O’Hara

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      FORMER Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has revealed he turned down Championship side Burton to go on Celebrity Big Brother.The 36-year-old agreed to appear on the reality show six years ago when he was without a club as he recovered from an injury.
      Jamie O’Hara has revealed he turned down Burton to go into Celebrity Big BrotherCredit: Talksport
      🧿 “I was injured at the time.. they offered £150k! Then I started training at Burton..”😅 “I phoned Big Brother & said I couldn’t do it. They said ‘You’re going in in 2 days!’”Jamie O’Hara shares how he ended up on Celebrity Big Brother, whilst he was playing. pic.twitter.com/blQk1tnOmA— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 25, 2023

      O’Hara appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
      But after accepting the opportunity, he was then approached by Burton – who were in the second tier at the time and managed by Nigel Clough.
      This led to a series of events which ultimately resulted in O’Hara’s fee for going into Celebrity Big Brother being DOUBLED.
      Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I was injured at the time, I was actually still playing football. I’d left Gillingham and I wasn’t allowed to sign for anyone until the 2nd of January when the transfer window opened.
      “Around November I’m sat around and I’m doing nothing. Money’s running out, I’d gone through a divorce and I needed a few quid.
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      “I got offered this show, Big Brother. They offered me £150,000 grand – that was a lot of money at the time. And I was like ‘you know what, big money, can’t turn that down, I’ll do it’.
      “It got to December 28th. Nigel Clough phones me, Burton Albion. They was in the Championship. [Clough] says ‘I’m really interested in signing you, I know you can’t sign for anyone until January, would you come up for a couple of days and train with the team?’
      “I was still struggling with an injury but I said ‘Yeah, you know what, I’ll go up there, I’ll see if I can get through it’.”
      He continued: “I’ve gone up there and I’ve trained really well. I’ve kept myself fit, I’ve turned up and I’m training well, I’m flying.
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      “So Nigel pulls me into his office after a couple of days and says ‘Look, I need you. I want to sign you, I need a midfielder, Championship football, I’ll give you £1500 a week until the end of the season’.
      “So I was looking at it going ‘It’s Championship football, decent club, Burton, I can’t really turn this down’.
      “So I’ve gone back and he’s said ‘I’ve heard you’re going in Big Brother’. I was like ‘No, no, Nigel I’m not. I’ve got to go back and speak to my agent’.
      “So I’ve got straight in the car and I’m driving back to my house in London. Phoned my agent and my agent obviously didn’t know I’d done this deal with Big Brother.
      “I said ‘Look, I’m doing Big Brother, they’re paying me £150,000 grand’. He went ‘You can’t, it’s football, you want to get back playing football, this is your opportunity’. I went ‘Yeah, you’re right’.
      “I phoned Big Brother and said ‘I can’t do it, I’m sorry’. They said ‘Are you winding us up? You’re going in in two days, everything’s done, there’s no way we can replace that, you are going in the show. You can’t do it, you’ve signed the contract’.
      “I went ‘No, I’m not going, there’s no way I’m doing the show, football’s more important’.
      “They went ‘How much are they paying you?’ I went ‘£1500 a week’ and they said ‘It’s not even as much as you’re getting, we’re offering you £150,000’. I went ‘No, football’s more important’.
      “They said ‘What can we do to entice you to turn down Burton Albion?’ I went ‘Nothing’. They went ‘What about another £150,000 grand?’
      “I went ‘Yeah go on then’. £300,000 grand, I’m in Big Brother, see you later.”
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      After coming out of Celebrity Big Brother – where he was evicted with five days to go – O’Hara went on to spend three years at non-league Billericay Town.
      He eventually retired in 2020 and is now a regular talkSPORT pundit. More

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      Cash-strapped Championship club ask players to book their OWN flights home from pre-season tour

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      BLACKBURN Rovers asked their players to pay for their OWN flights to come back from a pre-season tour.The Championship side are currently facing huge financial problems, according to reports.
      Cash-strapped Blackburn Rovers asked their players to pay for their own flights home from a pre-season tourCredit: Rex
      Last week, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side were in Austria as they began their preparations for the new season.
      But, on their return home they could not get a direct flight back and landed in Frankfurt and stayed overnight.
      A small amount of seats were available at a premium price the following day.
      That forced Blackburn chiefs into giving the players the option of arranging their own return to the UK.
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      However, they were told that any cost would have to come out of their own pockets.
      Some senior players took the club up on their offer and bought their own flights home.
      However, younger staff members remained in Frankfurt for one more night.
      Blackburn are believed to be facing legal action from agents over overdue fees.
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      However, their coffers could be swelled by the sale of wonderkid, Ashley Phillips.
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      The 18-year-old centre-back is a target for Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.
      But, Rovers have slapped a £9,45million price tag on their star asset.
      They already lost a hefty sum – losing star man Ben Brereton Diaz to Villarreal when his contract expired this summer. More

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      Manchester United starlet in talks to leave Old Trafford and sign for League One Reading

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      MANCHESTER UNITED starlet Charlie Savage is in talks over a permanent move to Reading.But the Royals face competition with several Championship and League One clubs also interested.
      Charlie Savage has trained with United’s senior squad including star midfielder Bruno FernandesCredit: Getty
      Savage is the son of ex-Prem star Robbie, who played in the top-flight for Leicester, Blackburn, Birmingham and DerbyCredit: Getty
      New Reading boss Ruben Selles is looking to rebuild after the Berkshire club suffered relegation to the third tier of English football.
      SunSport understands Championship duo Cardiff and Rotherham have also eyed up Savage.
      And Reading’s League One rivals Portsmouth are keen on the United starlet, 20, as well.
      Savage, son of ex-Wales and Leicester midfielder Robbie, spent last season on loan at Forest Green Rovers.
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      Despite relegation for Forest Green to League Two, Wales Under-21 international Savage impressed on his first spell away from the Red Devils.
      He returned to Old Trafford this summer and was made captain for the second half of United’s pre-season 2-0 win over Leeds in Oslo last Wednesday.
      But Savage was not in Erik ten Hag’s squad for today’s 1-0 friendly win against Lyon in Edinburgh.
      He was also not selected in the 31-man senior squad to go on tour to the United States.
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      United welcomed back seasoned internationals and fellow midfielders Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay for the tour, leaving limited space for younger players.
      Cardiff, who recently signed Wales captain Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer, cannot pay fees for players until January so a loan would suit the Welsh club’s needs. More