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      Delia Smith would rather flog star asset Max Aarons than sell Norwich to ‘an Arab Sheikh or Russian oligarch’

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      DELIA SMITH has claimed she would rather flog a star asset then sell out Norwich ‘to an Arab Sheikh or a Russian oligarch’.
      Supercook Delia and her husband Michael Wynne Jones are on the verge of another Prem return with the Canaries four points clear at the top of the Championship.

      Delia Smith would rather sell a star player than flog the club to ‘an Arab Sheikh or a Russian Oligarch’Credit: Reuters

      Max Aarons has been catching the eye of Bayern MunichCredit: Rex Features

      Last summer Norwich resisted Barcelona’s attempts to land right-back Max Aarons, persuading the talented youngster to stay at Carrow Road, although Bayern Munich are still keen.
      But they did sell Ben Godfrey to Everton for £20m, while Jamal Lewis joined Newcastle for a similar fee.
      And Smith conceded the club’s business model meant they would be willing to let others go for the right price rather than passing over the club to a new owner with a short-term vision and no personal interest in the Canaries.
      She told the FT Business of Football Summit: “We really love the club and see our role as caretakers. And caretakers have to take care. 

      “This club is a precious thing, a community thing and if  somebody made an offer we would ask the supporters. 
      “We really would like, if we could, to have a really healthy club that is going well in the Premier League without having to sell it, because it might go to someone who doesn’t care about it.
      “Our formula is to bring through our youth players, under a manager who believes in youth players.
      “We want to do it differently from an Arab Sheikh or a Russian oligarch. If you say that’s being Utopian, I will take that – I am Utopian.

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      Several success stories have come from January transfers

      “We’re really proud of James Maddison and Ben Godfrey. Their success is lovely for us. It’s what we do.
      In the same way, Max is one of the best. He is going to be a tp player and not at Norwich. We know that we will lose him and he knows it.
      “So of course we know we will have to sell and we would rather have £40m for Max than the money from a Sheikh or oligarch.
      “And when he goes, you just need to have another one read. You might say it’s a case of ’here’s one I made earlier’.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Delia Smith asks for a twelfth man during rousing half time speech to lift Norwich fans against Man City in 2005 More

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      Darren Drysdale axed from refereeing duty this weekend after heated clash with Ipswich’s Alan Judge

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      DARREN DRYSDALE will not referee this weekend after his heated clash with Ipswich’s Alan Judge.
      The official was charged with improper conduct by the FA following the confrontation with midfielder Judge on Tuesday night.

      Darren Drysdale went head-to-head with Alan JudgeCredit: © Richard Calver – www.matchdayimages.com

      As a result, PGMOL, who represent the referees, have now replaced him with Declan Bourne for Southend’s match with Bolton on Saturday.
      A day after the incident, Drysdale issued a grovelling apology in a statement released by the PGMOL.
      He said: “I fully understand that it is important to maintain our composure throughout the game and always engage with players in a professional manner.
      “I’m sorry that I did not do that last night and I can only apologise to Alan and Ipswich Town.”

      Drysdale locked heads with Judge and then seemed to square up to him in the latter stages of the Portman Road clash against Northampton.
      The ref is said to have flipped and used foul and abusive language when Judge insisted he had been brought down and not dived in a bid to win a spot kick.
      The Ipswich midfielder responded to the episode on Wednesday night and told his club’s website that Drysdale’s reaction did not upset him.
      Judge said: “Referees have a tough job to do and it was heat of the moment stuff that happens in football.

      As I said in this 👇. There was no need for an apology. I wasn’t looking for one or looking for any action to be taken. In football as everybody knows stuff happens in the heat of the moment in a game. We all make mistakes and for me that is the end of this https://t.co/ujQsF9lQ4N
      — alan judge (@10judgey) February 17, 2021

      “The photo makes it look worse than it was and to be honest, the matter was finished with from my end as soon as I walked off the pitch.
      “I wasn’t looking for the referee to apologise; I wasn’t looking for him to be charged. There was never going to be a complaint from me and I made that clear.
      “Like I said, for me – it was finished with straight away.”
      Aston Villa’s England internationals Tyrone Mings and Jack Grealish both leapt to the ref’s defence.
      Mings Tweeted: “Everyone makes mistakes…..nothing to see here.”

      Grealish added: “Ah come on?! No need to apologise at all! I think it’s brilliant.”
      But FA chiefs had already opened a probe and Drysdale was yesterday charged with a breach of rule E3.
      A commission will determine the next step if the ref accepts his guilt, as now seems likely, with a short ban of up to three games the anticipated punishment.
      The incident comes with the FA looking to scrap the current maximum ten-year ban for violence towards refs and allow life suspensions More

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      Wenger confirms ex-Arsenal stars Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira went head-to-head for Bournemouth job

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      ARSENE WENGER confirmed Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry went head-to-head for the Bournemouth manager’s job.
      Arsenal legend Henry is favourite to land the gig and is in talks with the South Coast side.

      Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were both in the running for the Bournemouth jobCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Arsene Wenger confirmed former midfielder Vieira was ‘in the frame’Credit: Getty – Pool

      But his old Gunners team-mate Vieira was also in the running.
      Speaking on pundit duty for BeIN Sports during Wednesday night’s Champions League action, Wenger was asked for his thought on Henry’s position as frontrunner for the role.
      And the 71-year-old said: “I knew a little bit about Patrick Vieira, when he was in the frame, but Thierry Henry, being at Montreal, I didn’t expect him to leave.
      “But it’s a good club, Bournemouth, and I think a good test as well for somebody.

      “They have good players and they work well, so I think it’s a great platform for a young manager to show that he can do it in England enough to go to the Premier League.”
      The Cherries sacked Jason Tindall at the start of February, placing Jonathan Woodgate in interim charge and are on the hunt for a full-time successor.
      Former boss Eddie Howe as well as Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and John Terry have also been linked with the managerial vacancy.
      The Bournemouth board have been locked in meetings and interviews for the last two weeks and have spoken Henry – who is odds on favourite for the job.

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      However SunSport understands he has not yet been interviewed, although the Cherries would be interested in a formal discussion with the World Cup winner.
      Gunners icon Henry is currently in charge at MLS side Club de Foot Montreal, formerly Montreal Impact.
      Henry started his coaching career as Roberto Martinez’s assistant with Belgium before earning his first managerial post at Monaco, where he only lasted 20 matches before being fired.
      He was appointed at Montreal in November 2019 and has overseen nine wins, four draws and 16 defeats in his 29 matches at the helm.
      Vieira has been out of work since leaving French side Nice in December and would have been keen on the role, as would ex-Huddersfield chief David Wagner who is still in the running.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal stars he will crack down on coronavirus breaches after Aubameyang’s lockdown tattoo More

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      Wayne Rooney wants VAR SCRAPPED and claims it sucks joy out of goal celebrations and ruins football for fans

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      WAYNE ROONEY has slammed the VAR system for sucking the joy out of goal celebrations and says it is killing fun in football.
      The Derby boss fears a crucial connection between players and fans will be lost when spectators return to football unless VAR decisions can be sped up because players no longer know if they have scored or not.

      Wayne Rooney now manages Derby in the ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press Association

      One of Rooney’s most iconic goal celebrations came in 2015 – after The Sun on Sunday had revealed exclusive footage of a home video in which the striker was apparently knocked out by Stoke’s Phil Bardsley during a playful bout of sparring in Rooney’s kitchen.
      After scoring against Spurs in his next game Rooney mocked himself by producing a flurry of punches in an impromptu bout of shadow boxing – then pretended to take one on the chin and fell backwards to signify himself hitting the canvas.
      That’s why he says he felt for Leicester City’s James Maddison on Saturday when he scored a brilliant free kick equaliser against Liverpool to set up his side’s 3-1 win – yet didn’t dare celebrate it!
      Rooney, whose Derby side take on Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night, said: “I saw James Maddison after he scored and he stood around and didn’t know whether it was a goal or whether it would be disallowed.

      “I think it’s ridiculous players are waiting around for one minute, two minutes, to see if the goal will stand.  If we knew every decision was right people would accept it better – but the fact they aren’t getting all the decisions right is even more frustrating.
      “We have to allow referees to do their job and accept there will be human error within that. But if that means keeping that emotion and excitement in the game, I’m sure a lot of people would want to see that.
      “A goal is the one time the fans feel connected to their club and their player, when they are celebrating a goal together. Take that away and you lose that connection players have with fans.”
      Rooney had more than 300 career goals to choose his favourite celebration from, during a stellar career in which he became Manchester United and England’s greatest ever goalscorer.

      Wayne Rooney produced his iconic KO celebration against Spurs in 2015Credit: Getty – Contributor

      James Maddison was initially reluctant to celebrate his strike against LiverpoolCredit: Jon Super/ The Guardian
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      He enjoyed Jamie Vardy’s rock n’ roll celebration, using the corner flag as a makeshift electric guitar after scoring against Liverpool at the weekend and revealed: “I didn’t really do that many which I worked on – it was a reaction, it just happened.  
      “Of course there are also some embarrassing celebrations out there but that’s a part of football and it’s great for fans to see.”
      Rams fans have yet to see Rooney doing a knee-slide down the touchline yet in his new role as Derby boss but he was pleased with the elaborate corner kick routine against Middlesbrough at the weekend which led to Lee Gregory’s opener.
      “The plan was to do it 5,6,7 times in training but we did it once and we scored off it, so we didn’t go back and do it again,” said Rooney. “So that’s two from two – Wycombe have seen it now but all the best trying to work it out because it’s difficult to defend.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Mark Halsey says VAR needs to improve after ref Mike Dean receives death threats after West Ham game More

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      Ex-Charlton ace Madelene Wright shares nude picture in bath in cheeky Valentine’s Day snap for followers

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      FORMER Charlton player Madelene Wright shared a nude picture in the bath to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
      The stunning footy star was surrounded by rose petals for the cheeky snap.

      Madelene Wright shared nude picture in the bath in a Valentine’s Day post for her followersCredit: Instagram @madelene_wright

      Madelene Wright was sacked by the Charlton in DecemberCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wright

      The former footballer is out in DubaiCredit: Instagram

      Wright, who has been staying in Dubai recently, continues to grow her social media presence having been forced into a career change.
      Wright was sacked by the Addicks in December after controversial videos of her swigging champagne while driving and inhaling from a balloon at a party emerged online.
      She announced in January that she had set up an OnlyFans account – charging £24 on the X-rated site.
      The ex-Millwall footballer encouraged her Insta followers to check out her profile with the steamy Valentine’s Day selfie.

      Wright has been without a club since Charlton let her go before Christmas after a series of controversial videos were uploaded to Snapchat.
      It is understood in the clips the 22-year-old can be seen at a party with friends, where a number of people were inhaling from balloons.
      A second video allegedly showed the former Championship star drinking champagne while driving her luxury Range Rover.
      After the clips were shared on social media, Charlton Athletic confirmed that Wright’s registration had been cancelled and that she would no longer play for the club.

      Speaking to SunSport about her contract being terminated, a Charlton spokesperson said: “The club were made aware of the video and quickly investigated the incident.
      “As a club we are disappointed with the behaviour which doesn’t represent the standards the team upholds.
      “The player is remorseful and has now left the club.
      “The club would like to make clear that although the behaviour is not acceptable, the players welfare remains important to us and she will still have access to the club’s support channels if needed.”

      Madelene Wright has been without a club since Charlton let her go

      She also played for Milwall

      Madelene Wright announced in January that she has set up an OnlyFans accountCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wright

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      Brentford refuse to take knee before Barnsley game because it ‘no longer believe that this is having an impact’

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      BRENTORD’S players refused to take the knee before today’s clash with Barnsley.
      The Bees squad issued a statement on Saturday night reinforcing their commitment to eradicating racism and discrimination, but explained they believe the gesture is ‘no longer having an impact’.

      Brentford’s players did not take the knee prior to their clash with BarnsleyCredit: Rex Features

      Josh Dasilva raises his right fist as Brentford players decided not to take a kneeCredit: Rex Features

      And they lived up to that announcement as their stars remained stood while Barnsley’s players did continue to take the knee prior to kick off.
      The decision to ditch the gesture, which began in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, comes just days after Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha said it was ‘degrading’ for black players to have to take the knee to ‘show that we matter’.
      The Brentford players’ statement read: “We have been taking a knee before games since June but, like many of our fellow players at other clubs, no longer believe that this is having an impact.
      “We believe we can use our time and energies to promote racial equality in other ways.

      “As a group we are fully behind and proud of Brentford’s desire to become the most inclusive club in the country and the drive towards equality under the #BeeTogether banner.
      “We have experienced racist abuse first hand and have also seen some appalling comments made to other players past and present.
      “There is a clear need to continue to push for an end to all discrimination and, as players, we will be part of that at Brentford FC, in football in general and in the wider community.
      “Racism is the opposite of what we stand for.

      “As players we will show our commitment to togetherness and racial equality on and off the pitch between now and the end of the season, and beyond.
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      The movement was started by American footballer Colin KaepernickCredit: AP:Associated Press

      What is ‘taking a knee’, and how did it start?

      Taking the knee began as a protest against the unfair treatment of black Americans.

      “We will also support our colleagues at other clubs that still want to take a knee before games.”
      Speaking last week, Zaha said: “The whole kneeling down? Why must I kneel down for you to show that we matter?
      “Why must I even wear Black Lives Matter on the back of my top to show you that we matter? This is all degrading stuff.”
      Football stars began taking a knee before the start of games following the coronavirus break.

      The action was seen as an act of solidarity with George Floyd, an unarmed black man whose death during an altercation with police shook the world.
      All 20 top flight clubs also wore a BLM badge on their shirts.
      The movement started during the American football pre-season in 2016 when the San Francisco 49ers’ black quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat instead of stood during the national anthem.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Ivan Toney talks about how many goals he wants to score at Brentford More

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      Stoke City in SEVEN TEAM transfer chase for Plymouth Argyle striker Luke Jephcott along with Wayne Rooney’s Derby County

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      PROLIFIC Luke Jephcott is on Stoke’s radar but they face stiff competition for the hotshot.
      The Potters sent top spy Alex Aldridge to check out the 18-goal Plymouth star, 21.

      Plymouth star Luke Jephcott is wanted by a host of clubsCredit: Rex Features

      But Jephcott was also watched by SEVEN other Championship clubs last week.
      Wayne Rooney’s Derby County were one of those eyeing him up.
      And Sheffield Wednesday are also keeping tabs as they consider a move.
      The former Truro City loanee has already earned international recognition.

      The Aberystwyth-born ace has three caps for the Welsh U21 side.
      Meanwhile, Derby hopes of landing him could be boosted as they emerged as a target for new American bidders as Mel Morris looks for financial help. 
      A group have looked round the Rams’ facilities in secret after the frustrating delays in the proposed Arab takeover that has now been running for months. 
      The Championship strugglers already have a large American presence at Pride Park in MSD Holdings, who gave them millions last year. 

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      Some clubs still splashed out despite Covid-19

      MSD also back Premier League sides Burnley and Southampton. 
      The financiers may yet step in.
      But they would be happy to have an ally taking charge.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Marco Silva emerges as shock Bournemouth target if Jonathan Woodgate doesn’t take post

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      MARCO SILVA is the shock name on the list of targets to be Bournemouth’s new boss.
      The Portuguese coach is open to a return to English football after the Cherries made contact with his camp to find out about his availability.

      Bournemouth are considering hiring Marco Silva if Jonathan Woodgate doesn’t take the jobCredit: Reuters

      Silva, 43, will be in the frame if caretaker-boss Jonathan Woodgate does not claim the post — and he could be turned to in coming weeks.
      The former Watford, Hull and Everton manager was up for the Sao Paulo job in Brazil as he looks for a fresh challenge.
      That role passed him by but Silva would relish the chance to return to England.
      Woodgate stepped up from his new role as first-team coach when Jason Tindall was axed early this month.

      Woody, 41, did his chances of the job no harm with a 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round win at Burnley and Saturday’s 0-0 at in-form Nottingham Forest.
      Other names in the frame include Arsenal great Patrick Vieira, Aston Villa No 2 John Terry and former Huddersfield boss David Wagner.
      Earlier this month, Woodgate called on Harry Redknapp to help him out on at the Cherries.
      Former West Ham and Tottenham boss Redknapp managed Bournemouth for nearly a decade from 1983 to 1992.

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      Former Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate stepped up after Jason Tindall was sackedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Harry Redknapp has returned to Bournemouth to help caretaker boss Woodgate

      Redknapp, 73, told Sky Sports: “Jonathan Woodgate played under me at Spurs and he’s a great lad.
      “He’s asked me to come in for a few days and watch them train.
      “Just to be around the place for a few days, help keep my eye on things for him.”
      Redknapp, who lives on the south coast, launched his managerial career at Bournemouth in 1983.
      He has not coached since leaving Birmingham in 2017 but Woodgate said: “I have spoken to Harry quite a bit.
      “He gives that advice and has been there and done it. He is a really good guy, who I know I can trust.”
      Redknapp hit headlines again on Saturday after he joked that Roy Hodgson told Michy Batshuayi ‘Warm up, you’re coming off’ during Crystal Palace’s 3-0 home defeat to Burnley.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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