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    Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore suffering from pneumonia and blood clots after coronavirus illness

    SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY manager Darren Moore is suffering from pneumonia and blood clots on his lungs after recovering from coronavirus. It emerged the Owls boss had tested positive for Covid-19 on April 2 and he self-isolated from then.
    Sheffield Wednesday boss is struggling with post-Covid pneumonia and blood clots on his lungs
    The 46-year-old managed to recover and, after testing negative, returned to work on Monday feeling fit and well.
    But Moore’s recovery has been pushed back by his post-Covid illness.
    He took charge of Wednesday’s 2–0 defeat to Swansea on Tuesday but felt unwell after the game.
    And the Owls released a statement on Thursday which read: “Darren Moore has suffered a setback after his recent contraction of COVID-19 that will dictate a further absence from the club.
    “The Owls manager returned to Middlewood Road last Monday having completed the requisite isolation period.
    “Moore felt fully fit to assume his duties but experienced discomfort following our home game with Swansea on Tuesday.
    “Everyone at the club sends their very best wishes to the gaffer for a speedy and full recovery.”
    Former West Brom and Doncaster boss Moore told the club’s official website: “I have developed pneumonia as a result of COVID-19, with blood clots on the lungs and extreme discomfort.
    “I am gutted to be away but I understand the situation and the course of action I must take.”
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    Moore only took over at Hillsborough on March 1 with the Owls in the Championship relegation zone. He is their fourth boss of the season.
    The former centre-back left Doncaster Rovers who were flying high in the League One play-offs and there is every chance the two teams could swap divisions at the end of this season.
    It remains unclear when Moore will be able to return to work and assistant Jamie Smith is expected to take charge of the team in his absence.
    Wednesday are eight points from safety with only five games remaining.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Alexandre Lacazette makes powerful anti-racism statement by kneeling in front of Slavia Prague stars after Glen Kamara abuse More

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    Ashley Young eyeing stunning Watford transfer return as he mulls over Inter Milan contract extension

    ASHLEY YOUNG is mulling over his future as he prepares to add a Serie A winner’s medal to his collection with Inter Milan.The ex-Manchester United captain, who turns 36 in July, has helped Antonio Conte’s team move 11 points clear at the top in Italy.
    Ashley Young is considering his future as he closes in on the Serie A title with Inter MilanCredit: Getty
    Young already has a string of offers at home and abroad, including a one-year extension with Inter.
    But the right-back would love to end his career at the place he started it — Watford.
    And it looks as though they will be in the Premier League next season, so that is a possibility.
    Equally, he will also have the lure of Champions League football if he stays at Inter.
    Incredibly, the club have not won the league for 11 years and their Chinese owners are looking to sell so they will not be making any big signings.
    Young, named with Kieran Trippier in the Fifa team of the 2018 World Cup, is set to rewrite the history books.
    The last Englishman to win the Serie A title was striker Gerry Hitchens.
    He did so with Inter in the 1962-63 season although he only played five games at the start of that season before joining Torino.
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    A return to Vicarage Road to finish his career at Watford could be on the cardsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

    AC Milan also won the Scudetto a year earlier with Jimmy Greaves featuring — but he only featured in 12 matches.
    Former Arsenal trainee Stephy Mavididi played one match for Juventus in 2018-19 but that was not enough to get a medal.

    SUNDERLAND put on a staff-versus-coaches friendly match — with disastrous consequences.
    New owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and manager Lee Johnson were involved and, to their horror, Under-23 coach Elliott Dickman suffered a double leg fracture after being wiped out by media officer Oscar Chamberlain.
    At least the man being carted off to hospital was not the club’s new billionaire chief.
    New Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus avoided injury in the staff-versus-coaches matchCredit: Getty
    THE mass change to fixtures because of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh has provided a challenge for TV and radio.
    Due to the large number of lunchtime kick-offs, Sky Sports are running the Soccer Saturday show until 2.45pm, before switching to Sky News for coverage of the minute’s silence and national anthem.
    After that, in place of Soccer Saturday, the station will revert to Sky Sports News output.

    ASK any EFL manager and they will tell you Marcus Maddison has been one of the most talented players outside the Premier League.
    Unfortunately, this gifted winger has been unable to fulfil his potential.
    He is now threatening to quit the game aged 27 due to mental health issues.
    Aware he is struggling, Bolton have just terminated his loan deal and he has returned to Charlton so he can link up with his family.
    Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson has reached out to his former player.
    Marcus Maddison’s loan at Bolton was cut short amid the talented winger’s mental health strugglesCredit: Getty
    IPSWICH have just been taken over by US-based investment firm ORG Portfolio Management.
    They are sourcing the cash from the pension fund of the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System.
    They need to see a return on investment so the success of a team chasing the League One play-offs has a direct effect on the retirement pots of police and firemen in Arizona.
    Good luck with that.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Ashley Young insists he would ‘walk from Italy right now’ to play for Watford again 13 years after quitting for Aston Villa More

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    Portsmouth bosses Danny and Nicky Cowley using football chess in Pompey promotion bid – and predict the end of throw-ins

    IT’S early morning at Portsmouth’s training ground and Danny and Nicky Cowley are moving 11 bottles of water and coasters around a table.The brothers are working through tactical scenarios as they prepare for the end-of-season run-in.
    The Cowleys show Justin Allen a few ideas of theirs at Pompey’s training groundCredit: Jamie McPhilimey/News UK
    Danny and Nicky Cowley play out a match with bottles of water and coastersCredit:
    Jamie McPhilimey/News UK

    The two brothers are preparing Pompey for the end-of-season run-inCredit: Jamie McPhilimey/News UK

    “It’s called football chess,” laughs boss Danny, as he shows a potential Pompey attack and Nicky responds with how opponents are likely to counter it.
    Before you know it, they are playing out a full-blown match in front of my eyes. If only football was that easy.
    But the boys have only been on the south coast for just over three weeks since replacing sacked Kenny Jackett and have won four out of their first five games.
    And a promotion bid that looked washed up on the rocks of Portsmouth beach has now caught a fresh wave.
    When they took over, Pompey had slumped to 10th but now they are up to fifth.
    It is ironic we are meeting the morning after their previous club Huddersfield – who they saved from certain relegation last season from the Championship before being rewarded with the sack – were stuffed 7-0 at Norwich.
    Rather than talking about Huddersfield’s deficiencies, we should focus on Norwich as a perfect model of how to run a clubDANNY COWLEY
    But Danny said: “You never like to see a club where you’ve worked and made good friends and relationships in difficulty.
    “But rather than talking about Huddersfield’s deficiencies, we should focus on Norwich as a perfect model of how to run a club.
    “They got promoted, had a tough season in the Premier League but stuck with Daniel Farke after relegation and sporting director Stuart Webber did a brilliant job protecting him in the summer.
    “Their recruitment was significantly the best in the division.
    “It shows if you stay with your manager and believe in his methods and ways, it can be powerful. You see Norwich playing now with a deeper understanding of their game idea and when you have that you’re more able to find consistency and high-level performances.
    “They’ll be in a much better position than they were last time they went up. They’ve grown and developed – and their game idea has matured.”
    Huddersfield became the first-ever club to beat Championship relegation after only picking up one point from their first nine league games – with the brothers recruited seven games in.
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    Danny Cowley guided Huddersfield to Championship survival against the odds last seasonCredit: Jamie McPhilimey/News UK
    And Danny said: “That team had won just once in 38 matches and we got sacked on the back of beating West Brom in the penultimate game to keep the club up.
    “Had we been given the chance to manage the last match against Millwall and won, we’d have had the sixth best record in the Championship during the period we were there – good enough to be in the play-offs.”
    But after 13 years working non-stop and achieving success everywhere – at Concord Rangers, Braintree, Lincoln and Huddersfield – the boys had an eight-month break from management.
    In that time, though, they never stopped working.
    On top of TV and radio work, they wiled away the weeks and months reflecting and looking at football outside the prism of a club.
    Danny said: “If you’re a manager or coach, you almost become a servant to the club and your full focus every day is to help the players get better.
    “You forget sometimes self-care, to make yourself better. If you make yourself better, you can make others better too.
    “For the first time in our adult lives, we’ve been able to put ourselves first.”
    Their family homes are next door to each other in Lincoln so they would meet each other 7am most days and work into the evening.
    Nicky Cowley says he and his brother have studied all aspects of the game at the top levelCredit:
    Jamie McPhilimey/News UK

    And Nicky said: “When you’re in the frontline, you get immersed in the division you’re working in but during this time we’ve been able to study not just football at the top level here and abroad but other sports too.
    “Our ideas are not just how to coach a football team but to lead the staff as well and create a positive environment.”
    They have both been doing their pro licence where they have been able to share ideas with other coaches as well as enjoy their media work.
    Danny said: “Ultimately, working in the media is about communication and in coaching communicating your message to players is the key.
    “I was definitely out of my comfort zone when doing Soccer AM with Jimmy Bullard because he’s so crackers you never know what’s happening next.”
    One of the interesting things the Cowleys did was study how the game has evolved over the past 10 years and predict its path in the next decade.
    Danny said: “VAR has had a huge impact. Now, all of a sudden, you look at someone like Jose Mourinho, who has been successful sitting deep, absorbing and counter attacking. That can be seen as less effective now because of the amount of penalties being awarded.
    “The suggestion is you might have to defend higher up the pitch rather than defend your box.
    “Fans are the custodians of the game and they want to see fast, attacking, high-scoring football so we think they’ll take the throw-in out for starters because it slows the game down. They’ll make it a pass-in.”
    The Cowley brothers chew the fat with our man Justin Allen at Portsmouth’s training groundCredit: Jamie McPhilimey/News UK
    Danny and Nicky have won their first four games in charge at PompeyCredit: Jamie McPhilimey/News UK
    I point out that Fifa already trialled the kick-in in the Isthmian League in 1994-95, which effectively became a free-kick as teams launched long balls up field or into the opposition box.
    Danny said: “Oh god, yes – and I remember the sidelines became boggy and unplayable because that was not only where the assistant ran the line but where players were launching their kicks. They’ll come up with a rule where you’ve got to tap it in.
    “I remember when they stopped keepers picking up back-passes and then of course the change to the goal-kick rule had huge ramifications on the game. With players other than the keeper allowed in the box, you can now build better from the back.
    “They may even, down the line, ban heading due to research linking it with dementia – although I personally would like to see a lot more studies on that with the modern lighter ball. That could take 30 years!”
    You see a player score and hit an emotional high but then, because of VAR, he realises he hasn’t. How does he cope the next few minutes? There’ll be some interesting work for psychologists to doNICKY COWLEY
    One of the biggest controversies this season has been the way VAR rules on offside. Willian Jose had a goal chalked off for Wolves against Fulham on Friday after the cuff of Daniel Podence’s sleeve was adjudged to have been off in the build-up by the officials hovering over monitors at Stockley Park.
    So what about Dutch legend Marco van Basten’s call to scrap the offside rule all together? What happens to your high defensive line then?
    Nicky said: “If you bring in the Van Basten rule, then you’d have to defend really low.”
    Danny added: “Some people think that would lead to more goals and spaces – but I don’t think there would be because defences would have to sit right back to protect their goal.”
    VAR has opened up another interesting thing to consider for a coach – the mental state of a player after a decision goes against him.
    Nicky points out: “You see a player score and hit an emotional high but then, because of VAR, he realises he hasn’t. How does he cope the next few minutes?
    “I’m sure there’ll be some interesting work for psychologists to do to help not just players but managers and coaches as well.”
    Danny and Nicky Cowley are hoping to get Pompey chiming againCredit: Jamie McPhilimey/News UK

    The Cowleys signed a contract until the end of the season but both admit they would love to manage Pompey long-term.
    Danny said: “Some people have questioned us and said it’d be a risk coming to Portsmouth but it’s only a risk if you don’t believe in your skill set and work ethic.
    “Nicky and I have spent our whole lives proving ourselves and we’re happy to keep working hard to prove to people we’re good at what we do.
    “It’s a brilliant club and we’d love to work here longer term. Our ambition is to do well enough so we can see Fratton Park full again.
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    “Out of all the clubs in League One, Portsmouth are the team that has suffered the most from not having their home fans. Fratton Park had become a fortress in recent times.
    “As soon as we met the owners Michael and Eric Eisner, chief executive Mark Catlin and chief operating officer Tony Brown, there was instant chemistry. We could tell how much they care about this club.
    “And when you take over a group of players that were managed by Kenny Jackett, you know you are getting a good group.
    “We don’t want to put a ceiling on what can be achieved at Portsmouth and are excited we’re here.”
    From Raggs to riches
    WHEN the Cowleys took over at Portsmouth they were reunited with a player that was a huge part of their finest hour.
    Sean Raggett, 27, famously scored Lincoln’s last-gasp winner at Burnley in the FA Cup when the Imps were still a National League club.
    Sean Raggett’s late winner at Burnley for Lincoln was one of the Cowleys’ finest moments and now they are reunited together at Portsmouth
    It booked them a dream quarter-final tie at Arsenal – it was the first time a non-league club had reached the last eight since QPR did in 1914.
    The brothers signed him from fellow National League club Dover for what turned out to be a bargain £40,000.
    Nicky said: “I remember I was buying me and Danny the coffees as usual and I told him Sean will sign for us if we can get it done today.
    “He was on his way to sign for Barrow. He was on the A1 but changing his Sat Nav for Lincoln. We knew we had to get it done before anyone else got him.
    “There was something unusual in his deal at Dover where there was compensation on his head that put a lot of people off.
    “It was bigger than we expected it to be. We had to pay £40,000 and it was a lot of money for Lincoln. We only had a half million budget then.
    “We told the powers-that-be at Lincoln, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll make sure he’ll be worth four or five times that.
    “And that is exactly what happened as we ended up selling him to Norwich.
    “We knew him well from playing Dover when in charge of Concord Rangers. He was always so powerful and destined to be a good player.”
    Raggett was thrilled that his two former bosses were taking over at Pompey. He has quickly established himself as a favourite among the Fratton Park faithful.
    Danny said: “He was beating the drum to get us here.
    “We were good for each other last time we had Sean so if we can be as good for each other this time round we will do very well.”
    We want to make Pompey fans proud
    PORTSMOUTH fans can expect Danny and Nicky Cowley to fully immerse themselves in the city if they land the job full-time.
    They already want to meet Pompey’s legendary fan John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood – as well as all the other Fratton Park faithful.
    The Cowleys want to meet legendary Pompey fan John Portsmouth Football Club WestwoodCredit:
    Jamie McPhilimey/News UK
    Danny said: “We asked where he sits. He sits three quarters up. We’d love to meet him and all the supporters.
    “The first thing we did at Lincoln was look at their successful managers Keith Alexander, Graham Taylor and Colin Murphy, who all connected with the community.
    “We worked hard and went to 100 schools in our time there to meet the young people and get into the work places around the city.
    “We know Portsmouth ultimately belongs to their fans so what you need to do quickly is understand them and what they want from their football team, one they can be proud of.” More

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    West Ham aim to make Seny Dieng transfer swoop with 26-year-old Senegalese QPR keeper available for £6m fee

    WEST HAM aim to swoop for QPR’s giant Senegalese keeper Seny Dieng.The 6ft 4in stopper has starred for Rangers this term after several loans.
    Seny Dieng is QPR’s first-choice goalkeeperCredit: Getty
    Hammers have tied down Lukasz Fabianski for another season but want  more competition for the No 1 jersey.
    Dieng’s long contract with QPR means the fee could be in the £6million region.
    The 26-year-old joined the R’s in 2016 from MSV Duisberg.
    Loans with Whitehawk, Hampton & Richmond, Stevenage, Dundee and Doncaster followed.
    But upon his return this season, Dieng finally made his QPR debut last September.
    And since taking over No1 duties from Joe Lumley, he has hardly looked back.
    Dieng has made 38 appearances for Mark Warburton’s side this term.
    And, having first been called up in 2014, he finally made his Senegal debut last month.
    Dieng, 26, has been on a number of loan spellsCredit: Getty – Contributor
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    He deputised for Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy during his country’s 1-1 draw with Eswatini.
    The result saw Senegal qualify for next year’s AFCON.
    So if the Hammers do swoop, David Moyes could find himself without Dieng for a chunk of next season – with the tournament set to take place in Cameroon between January 9 and February 6 next year.
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    EFL to rearrange all 3pm kick-offs next Saturday to avoid clash with the funeral of Prince Philip

    NEXT Saturday’s 3pm EFL matches will be rearranged to avoid clashing with the funeral of Prince Philip.The private ceremony has been confirmed for April 17 at 3pm inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
    The EFL matches scheduled for 3pm next Saturday will be moved to avoid clashing with Prince Philip’s funeralCredit: AP
    The EFL matches scheduled for 3pm next Saturday will be moved to avoid clashing with Prince Philip’s funeralCredit: Splash
    A nationwide minute’s silence is to be held at the time the funeral starts.
    And the Football League confirmed the matches scheduled to kick-off at the same time shall be changed.
    An EFL statement said: “As a mark of respect, EFL matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 17 April will be moved to avoid a clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
    “The EFL will now work with its Clubs to determine at what time the matches will be played, giving consideration to the timing of the service. 
    “An announcement will follow in due course.”
    That will see 32 games across the Championship, League One and League Two moved – including promotion-chasers Hull and Cheltenham.
    Norwich can secure their place back in the Premier League if they beat Bournemouth – but that match is an 8pm kick-off.
    The Premier League is currently in talks with the Palace and Government to determine when Wolves’ game with Sheffield United – the only top-flight game scheduled for 3pm next Saturday – will be played. An announcement is expected on Monday.
    As a mark of respect, EFL matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 17 April will be moved to avoid a clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/D29mShDGsd— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) April 10, 2021

    The other matches involving Premier League clubs on the same day are the lunchtime league clash between Newcastle and West Ham as well as the FA Cup semi-final at 5.30pm as Chelsea take on Manchester City.
    Rugby union confirmed the Premiership ties between 3pm and 4pm on Saturday will also be moved while other sports are expected to follow suit.
    Prince Philip passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday morning at the age of 99, just two months short of his 100th birthday.
    Football paid its respects this weekend with players wearing black armbands and observing two minutes of silence before kick-offs.
    Due to coronavirus restrictions, only 30 people will be able to attend the funeral for the Duke of Edinburgh.
    Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be at Windsor Castle for the service – instead No10 confirmed he is vacating his seat to allow an extra family member to attend.
    There will be no public parts of the funeral in order to avoid mass gatherings.
    Two weeks of official royal mourning will follow.
    Two minutes of silence was held before all Premier League and EFL matches this weekendCredit: Getty
    Players also wore black armband as a mark of respect for the late Duke of EdinburghCredit: PA
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    Reading captain Liam Moore will quit ‘toxic’ Twitter after he reveals vile racist abuse

    READING captain Liam Moore has vowed to quit Twitter after receiving disgusting racist abuse.The centre-back was the subject of a vile social media poll and declared his intention to deactivate his account as a result.
    Reading captain Liam Moore has vowed to deactivate his Twitter account after he received vile racist abuseCredit: Rex
    The poll from a now deleted account called ‘Veljko Paunovic talks Reading FC’ asked: “Should a n***** be captain of Reading FC?”
    And the available listed answers read: ‘No’, ‘Not him’ and ‘N***** is a name’.
    Moore, 28, saw the horrendous post and hit out at Twitter for letting it happen.
    He wrote: “2021 and I’m not f***ing surprised in the slightest. Twitter you’re as much to blame for making it so easy to abuse people.”
    And in a separate post, the Jamaican international wrote: “I have enjoyed engaging with many of you on here over the years but tonight was just another example of Twitter being toxic.
    “You have to stand for something and for that reason I am deactivating my account. Thanks for your support.”
    Moore has more than 87,000 followers and hundreds of them offered messages of support.
    Johnny wrote: “So sorry Liam this is so wrong enough is enough do something Twitter, no more excuses.”
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    The centre-back was subject to a disgusting pollCredit: Twitter
    And the Jamaica international made it clear to his followers enough is enoughCredit: Twitter @liammoore93

    Hollie said: “This is absolutely disgusting and completely unacceptable.
    “More needs to be done to stop these trolls that hide behind these anonymous accounts.”
    And David added: “Liam, I am absolutely disgusted by these tweets. I’m speechless that this is still an issue in 2021.
    “I’m 66 years old and would have hoped that there would be more tolerance, but I’m obviously mistaken. Chin up mate from someone who has supported Reading for over 50 years.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Wayne Rooney was major factor in Derby takeover with new owner Erik Alonso keen to work alongside Man Utd legend

    WAYNE ROONEY’S future as manager of Derby County will be safe under potential new owners No Limits Sports LTD, according to sources close to the Rams.Spanish financial whizkid Erik Alonso, 29, who owns the management company WBD Sports, has agreed to buy out current owner Mel Morris, subject to EFL approval.
    Wayne Rooney’s Derby County job is safe as prospective new owner Erik Alonso is a fan
    Current owner Mel Morris appointed Rooney in January but has agreed to sell the club
    The new move comes after Morris pulled the plug on the long-running saga of Derventio Holdings potential takeover last month, to end four months of confusion and uncertainty.
    Alonso recently failed to buy Sheffield Wednesday, but is expected to sail through the EFL Owners and Directors Test, with Derby confident the deal will be completed in the “near future.”
    However, unlike many ambitious new owners, Alonso is not hell-bent on bringing in his own manager and wants to bring much-needed stability to the relegation-threatened Rams.
    SunSport understands a major factor in Alonso’s desire to buy Derby was the chance to work alongside someone of Rooney’s legendary status, who can attract potential new signings.
    Derby are currently 18th in the Championship, eight points clear of the drop zone with six league matches remaining.
    But Alonso is confident Rooney ẃill steer the club to safety and sees the legendary Manchester United and England ace as the figurehead he needs to put Derby back on the football map.
    In a statement, outlining his plans, the 29-year-old said: “We are looking forward to working with Wayne Rooney and his team, and will do everything possible to support the club’s vision and ambition.
    “We are privileged to take ownership of one of the founding members of the Football League and to build a fresh future for the fans, staff and players of Derby County.
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    “It has undoubtedly been a difficult period both on and off the pitch for the club over the last two seasons and we recognise that all of the staff have been dedicated and worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”
    Alonso will hope to succeed where Morris failed by returning the Rams to the top flight, with Rooney a key component in his plans.
    Despite ploughing £200million of his own money into the club, Derby-born businessman Morris failed to lead Derby back to the top flight, despite reaching the play-offs in three of his first four seasons.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney could not handle his booze and he was powerless to stop the player having affairs More

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    Tottenham and Man City will be given 2,000 tickets each for Carabao Cup final as EFL plan for 10,000 fans at play-offs

    MANCHESTER CITY and Tottenham will each be allocated 2,000 tickets for this month’s Carabao Cup Final.EFL chiefs are also planning for crowds of up to 10,000 at the end of season play-offs.
    Manchester City and Tottenham will be allocated 2,000 tickets each for the Carabao Cup finalCredit: PA
    And league bosses believe they can open up the turnstiles at all 72 EFL clubs from the start of next season.
    New chief executive Trevor Birch revealed the upbeat assessment even though the full details of what fans will need to do to be allowed in to games starting with the Wembley showpiece remain unclear.
    Birch said: “The Carabao Cup final will be 2,000 fans for either side.
    “There are a lot of discussions about other measures and fans will have to have either had a vaccination, pass a test or be immune to the virus.
    “Then for the play-off semi-finals and finals, we’re hopefully looking at 10,000 fans, although that’s not confirmed.
    “And our aspiration and goal is that, from August 6, we will be back in full stadia in line with the Government roadmap.”
    Birch added: “It’s vital for the clubs.
    “In rough numbers, clubs have lost about £250m of revenue over 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, so it’s significant in terms of gate receipts, commercial and sponsorship revenues.
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    “Getting back in front of full crowds is vital to the financial wellbeing of the clubs going forward.
    “It’s been offset by a few mitigating factors that have enabled clubs to survive, including the Championship loans and Premier League bail-out of Leagues One and Two.
    “So there were some mitigating aspects but another season behind closed doors would have been unpalatable for most of the clubs.
    “We’re trying to create certainty out of a very uncertain situation to enable the clubs to plan and give them confidence for next season and selling season tickets.”
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