Championship

CARDIFF’S Championship clash with Stoke was suspended after a medical emergency in the crowd.The game was halted in the 35th minute with the score at 0-0. A medical emergency in the stands caused Cardiff’s Championship clash with Stoke to be suspendedCredit: RexCardiff’s Danish striker Yousef Salech jumped into the stands to helpCredit: RexCardiff’s Danish striker Yousef Salech jumped over the advertising boards and went into the crowd to help. Then the trainers and full medical crew went across the field to attend.After a five-minute delay referee Michael Salisbury took the players off the field while the stricken man received attention.Cardiff posted online: “Play stopped at the moment. READ MORE IN football “Calls from the crowd for medical support in the Ninian Stand, which has swiftly made its way across.” They followed up with: “The players have left the pitch for the time being and returned to the dressing rooms. “We’ll update further as soon as possible.” It took the medical team around 15 minutes to get the injured person on to a stretcher before escorting them out of the ground at the Canton end and into a hospital.Most read in FootballThey were then taken to the University of Wales Hospital.Cardiff confirmed: “Emergency services are taking the unwell person to hospital. Incredible work from you all.”All of our love and thoughts are with you.”Medics later confirmed that the victim had not suffered a heart attack.The teams re-emerged 18 minutes later and were given a five minute warm up period before the game was resumed at 0-0.Cardiff came into the game in a relegation fight – sitting in the drop zone on goal difference. Stoke were just two points from the drop before their trip to Wales. More

LEEDS UNITED are submitting plans to bolster Elland Road’s capacity by nearly 20,000 – whether they win promotion or not.Leeds City Council have confirmed that the Championship leaders, who host Preston on Saturday, are expected to put in a formal planning application “imminently” to increase their home to 56,500.Leeds United are submitting plans to increase the capacity at Elland RoadCredit: RexThe increase will add 20,000 more seats to the iconic groundCredit: RexShould they be approved, then the plans would also see the area around the ground regenerated with the stadium becoming a “thriving 365 day a year destination”.Work could potentially start on the west stand within the next year with the second phase of the redevelopment then being on the north stand.James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Elland Road and Leeds United are part of the heart and soul of the city, and the club deserves a stadium befitting of its special status and incredible fans.“Naturally we’re keen to support this however we can, and to work closely with the club to ensure they are in the best possible position to achieve their ambitions and build a bigger, brighter future for the club, their supporters and sport in the city.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe plans are due to be discussed on 23 April at a meeting of the council’s executive board.Paraag Marathe, chairman of Leeds United and president of the club’s owners, 49ers Enterprises, said back in September: “The opportunity to refresh a century-old stadium, coupled with the legacy of Leeds United, is unprecedented.“Our plans reinforce our commitment to the long-term success of the club and I am excited that we are going to be able to welcome thousands more supporters to every game, in a stadium that retains the unique atmosphere of Elland Road.”While the club waits for the green light on their stadium, Daniel Farke’s side will be hoping to take another step towards the Premier League in front of a current capacity crowd of 37,792 at Elland Road.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHowever, he will have to do that without two of his most influential players.Defender Pascal Struijk hobbled off at Luton Town last Saturday and was replaced by Ethan Ampadu for the midweek victory over Middlesbrough.Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline loomsNow Farke has revealed that the vice-captain’s campaign is over, even if they have to face the play-offs.He said: “I can officially confirm the season is over for him, he has a fracture in his foot.“Thank God he doesn’t need surgery but he will definitely be out for about 10 weeks. He will be ready when pre-season starts for next season.”Joe Rothwell was already ruled out for three weeks with a calf injury and now Farke has revealed that star winger Dan James, the matchwinner at Boro, will miss out too against Preston and is also a doubt for crunch clashes with Oxford and Stoke.He said: “He came out with some hamstring problems. It will be a tight race for the Easter weekend.“Our medical department will try everything to make him available for these games but it will be a tight race.” More

FORMER England boss Sam Allardyce is ready to make a return to football at any time.Big Sam, 70, was last called upon to try to save Leeds from Premier League relegation in the 2022-2023 season. Sam Allardyce has refused to rule out a return to the dugoutCredit: ReutersAllardyce wasn’t able to rescue those at Elland Road from the drop and hasn’t step foot in the dugout since that desperate SOS call.But he quizzed about returning to football this week after raising awareness for a cause that is close to his heart.The legendary gaffer told BBC Sounds: “I would help anybody. Whether as a manager, or in another role, I don’t know.”But it would have to be a great project. Where we’re all pulling in the same direction.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”You may think that always happens at a football club, but believe me it does not!”The former gaffer – with more than 1,000 games under his belt – was then asked if he could see himself return to the Bolton Wanderers dugout.Big Sam said: “I don’t think I do. If they wanted my help they can ring me up anytime they want. I live in the town.”Bolton are pushing for promotion to the Championship after four straight seasons in League One.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Trotters are bidding for a playoff place and currently sit two points behind Reading from seventh in the table.Allardyce managed England for one game, as well as stints at West Brom, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Blackburn, West Ham, Everton and Sunderland to name a few. ‘I dropped him straight away’ – Sam Allardyce reveals he never gave struggling Leeds star a game as it was ‘harming him’But his most-successful spell came during his seven-and-a-half year stay at Bolton.Where he guided them to their first-ever European campaign as they finished in the top eight in the Prem for four consecutive seasons.Allardyce is taking part in Sky Bet and British Heart Foundation’s Every Minute Matters Relay, an epic nationwide relay to inspire supporters to learn CPR. The event, which started on March 25, will cover 4000km over 28 days, stopping off at each and every EFL club before finishing at Wembley on April 21. It sees club legends partner up with fans to walk, cycle or run each leg. Big Sam is taking on the Bolton to Wigan leg, walking 13km alongside Wanderers staff. Allardyce has had three stents fitted and said he’s been fortunate to avoid cardiac arrest. More

FRANK LAMPARD has been hit with a misconduct charge from the FA.The Coventry boss has rejuvenated the Championship club since joining in November.Frank Lampard has charged with misconduct by the FACredit: PAThe Coventry coach was sent off after his side’s 2-1 loss to Burnley at the weekendCredit: ReutersUnder Lampard’s leadership, the Sky Blues have gone from mid-table obscurity into the playoff places. But the 46-year-old let emotions get the better of him during a recent 2-1 loss to Burnley.The Clarets took all three points as they visited the Coventry Building Society Arena last Saturday.Lampard was sent off following the final whistle after remonstrating with the officials. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe is alleged to have confronted referee James Bell and used “insulting words”. A terse statement from the club read: “Coventry City Head Coach Frank Lampard has been charged with misconduct by the FA following the EFL Championship fixture against Burnley on Saturday 5th April.”It is alleged that Lampard acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards a match official around the field of play after the final whistle, which led to his dismissal.”The Sky Blues Head Coach has until Monday 14th April to respond to the charge.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKCoventry’s performance analyst Connor Lawley was also charged following the outpouring of frustration at the final whistle.Lampard’s side leapt back in the top six after bouncing back against Portsmouth on Wednesday.Harry Redknapp rings me on the M40 after every game whether we win or lose – he’s the best uncle everThe Sky Blues netted a dramatic winner deep into injury time to win 1-0.Goalscorer Jamie Paterson hails from the city and only joined the club on a short-term contract in February.Lampard said: “The technical nature of the goal was amazing from Pato.”It was great skill and great agility and that finish – amazing! “And the story of Pato himself being a Coventry fan as a kid and then being without a club, coming and training with us and earning a contract.”He’s been brilliant around the group, on and off the pitch, and he’s a quality player. Read More on The Sun”So I am delighted that I brought him on. I know he can score, he’s done it throughout his career but that level of goal in that moment. “I think it’s a collective one as well for the stadium, the players and the fans because we have shown that this group has got character.” More

SOUTHAMPTON have cut their shortlist of new managers to three after axing Ivan Juric.The relegated Saints brought forward Juric’s break-clause from the summer after their drop to the Championship was confirmed at Tottenham on Sunday.Southampton are in the hunt for a new manager after letting Ivan Juric goCredit: GettyFormer Premier League star Liam Rosenior is one three names on the shortlistCredit: GettyThe Saints also fancy Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl as their next bossCredit: REXAs revealed by SunSport last month, Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl remains the leading candidate to take over at St. Mary’s next season.However, Saints new technical director, Johannes Spors, has been meeting with potential replacements since taking on the role in February.Southampton had a long-list of 10 potential managers and held talks with a number of them before cutting it down to a final three.Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 40, is an ambitious candidate.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe former Hull City boss, who has the Ligue 1 club fourth in the table and a point of the Champions League places, has impressed in France.Strasbourg are owned by Chelsea’s parent group, BlueCo, meaning Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have a say over his future.Rosenior would be allowed to make his own decision, though it would be a surprise were he to ditch Strasbourg for a Championship club.Interim boss Simon Rusk, who will be assisted by Adam Lallana, will take charge of the remaining seven Premier League games.Most read in FootballTodd Boehly will have a say over whether Rosenior can leave Strasbourg, which is owned by Chelsea’s parent group BlueCoCredit: AlamyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe third candidate is currently unknown, though there has become a focus on appointing a manager with experience of English football after the failed Juric experiment.Rohl’s appointment will hinge on agreeing a compensation package with Wednesday.Adam Lallana reflects on going back to his boyhood club Southampton The former Saints assistant manager has a release clause of £4million for a Premier League club, though the fee is lower for clubs in the Championship.That means, as with Russell Martin two years ago, Saints would have to wait until they have officially handed back their Premier League share to avoid a higher compensation fee.The deal to bring Martin from Swansea City two years ago ended up in a legal battle with the Welsh club, something Saints are keen to avoid this time around. More