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      Rotherham vs Sheffield Wednesday delayed as players forced off pitch with DRONE flying over New York Stadium

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      ROTHERHAM’S derby win over Sheffield Wednesday was dramatically stopped after a suspicious drone was spotted flying overhead.
      The Millers beat their South Yorkshire rivals 3-0 at the New York Stadium on Tuesday – Jamie Lindsay scoring twice and Daniel Barlaser scoring a penalty against the ten men.

      Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday’s clash was temporarily stopped after a mysterious drone was spotted flying overheadCredit: Getty

      But just five minutes into the game, the referee was forced to blow his whistle and instructed both sets of players and his assistants to leave the field.
      Rotherham quickly used their Twitter account to inform viewers and fans following the game of what was going on.
      They wrote: “The players have been brought off the pitch due to safety concerns.

      “We’ll update you on the situation when we know more.
      “We understand there is an unauthorised drone in the air space over the AESSEAL New York Stadium.”
      The Owls followed suit, first tweeting: “It seems there is an issue in the game… Play has been suspended and both teams have retreated to their dugouts.
      “We’re hearing reports that there is a drone over the stadium and, as a safety concern, the players have gone back to the changing rooms.”

      Thankfully, after only a short delay and following the all-clear from safety officials and police, the game was restarted.
      Wednesday tweeted: “The players are back out on the pitch, all very strange! Both going through some mini warm-ups.
      “The game will resume in a few moments at 4:15 – the time when play was suspended.”

      And it did not take long for the contest to explode into life.
      Garry Monks’ visitors were all over the place at the back as Rotherham’s Jamie Lindsay sent a looping header over goalkeeper Cameron Dawson’s head to break the deadlock less than two minutes after play restarted.
      The Owls suffered further blows before the break when defender Aden Flint was forced off through injury before Tom Lees was red carded and Daniel Barlaser converted a penalty as Lindsay grabbed a second to put the Millers 3-0 up.

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      Alexandre Pato wanted by Birmingham City in shock free transfer after ex-Chelsea flop left Sao Paulo

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY are considering a shock move for ex-Chelsea striker Alexandre Pato, according to reports.
      The Brazilian has been a free agent since departing Sao Paulo back in August.

      Alexandre Pato enjoyed a brief loan spell at Chelsea back in 2016Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The striker propelled to stardom at AC MilanCredit: Reuters

      It had been expected that Pato, 31, would return to boyhood club Internacional.
      But with a deal having fallen through, other teams have entered the frame.
      According to Calcio Mercato, Championship outfit Birmingham are in the hunt for the 27-cap international.
      Aitor Karanka’s goal-shy side are 17th in the table, having scored just three goals in their opening seven league games this term.

      Forwards Lukas Jutkiewicz and Scott Hogan have both failed to find the net.
      Blues face competition for Pato, however, not least from the men that brought him to AC Milan back in 2007.
      Adriano Galliani and Silvio Berlusconi now find themselves at the helm of Serie B side AC Monza – and want to bring Pato back to Italy.
      Genoa and Spezia are also believed to be in the frame.

      Pato has 27 caps for BrazilCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Pato first arrived in Italy as a fresh-faced teen, having scored 12 goals in 27 outings for Internacional.
      He soon became a hit at San Siro, netting 57 goals in his first three-and-a-half seasons with the Italian giants.
      Injuries then struck, however, and his stock fell – returning to Brazil with Corinthians in 2013.
      Loan spells at Sao Paulo and then Chelsea followed, with the striker netting a goal in just two outings with the Blues in 2016.
      Since then have come spells at Villarreal, Tianjin Quanjian and Sao Paulo, with Pato enjoying a particularly prolific spell in China, where he scored 36 times in 60 appearances. More

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      Middlesbrough 2 Coventry 0: Neil Warnock daring to dream after Britt Assombalonga and Djed Spence stretch unbeaten run

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      NEIL WARNOCK admits he is already daring to dream after Britt Assombalonga and Djed Spence sealed a late 2-0 win for Middlesbrough over Coventry.
      Hopes are mounting on Teesside that the veteran is waving his magic wand again after his patient side stretched their unbeaten run to seven.

      Britt Assombalonga helped fire Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough to victory over CoventryCredit: Getty

      Djed Spence added the second in the dying seconds to down the Sky BluesCredit: Getty

      It was also the third clean sheet in four for Boro, who are now only out of the top six on goal difference.
      Warnock, who has eight promotions on his CV, said: “You always look at the table – you always say ‘I never look’ but I looked after one game.
      “The hardest games are the ones against teams you are not expecting.

      “Cardiff, Bristol City, Reading, they take care of themselves but these are the hardest games, especially if you want to do well.
      “That’s why I was really pleased with the attitude, application, everything was spot on.
      “We had most of the chances and I said at half time these are the games we have to win by hook or crook.
      “I told them to be patient but we had to be careful, and I was pleased with the discipline.”

      It was far from pretty as an uneventful opening period was quickly forgotten.
      Play restarted with Patrick Roberts cutting-out a poor backpass and racing past two only for a fantastic last-ditch Dominic Hyan tackle saving the visitors.
      Back up the other end, makeshift wing-back Marcus Tavernier showed off his defensive qualities as he slid in to stop Jordan Shipley from tapping home from six yards.
      Boro continued to huff and puff against the resilient Sky Blues but their reward finally came with nine minutes to go as Assombalonga beat the offside trap to meet Morsy’s throughball and slot home for his first of the season.

      And they doubled their advantage in the dying seconds as sub Marcus Browne slipped one over the top for Spence to knock it past the onrushing keeper and make it two.
      The result left promoted Coventry with just one win since their return to the Championship and the possibility of slipping into the drop zone tomorrow.  
      Boss Mark Robins said: “We are finding it difficult at the moment and we need to do basics better.
      “We have not played football for six months, where the others are almost at mid-season now, that’s difficult. I’m not looking for excuses, but reasons are there.
      “It’s a unique set of circumstances we are facing and we are still playing catch but we cannot afford to lose heart or confidence. But this is where you find your steel.
      “These are good players and they will get better, but we cannot wait. But they have to not lose that confidence and keep going.”

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      Deeney says social media giants told him ‘black c***’ wasn’t hate speech as he accuses them of profiting from racism

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      TROY DEENEY has accused social media giants of profiting from vile racist abuse against footballers.
      The Watford captain and new SunSport columnist is demanding Instagram, Twitter and Facebook prove that they even want to stamp out the deep-lying problem.

      New SunSport columnist Troy Deeney says abuse aimed at superstars like Raheem Sterling drives traffic, which social media firms can profit fromCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Watford striker, pictured with partner Alisha Hosannah, is sceptical about the motives of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

      After a study outlined that 43 per cent of black footballers experienced targeted and explicitly racist abuse, Deeney claims that emojis aimed at black players featuring monkeys and bananas are not even deemed as ‘hate speech’ by the social-media platforms.
      Deeney said: “Do these companies even want to change things? Do they want to stop the abuse?
      “If a high-profile black player such as Raheem Sterling is experiencing racial abuse then everyone piles in and that drives traffic, which increases their advertising and profits.

      I report the message under ‘hate speech and symbols’. Then I am told an emoji with a monkey and a banana is not considered racist.
      Troy Deeney

      “If I scroll down my Instagram replies, the tenth one down features a racist emoji — which is not unusual.

      “So I follow the protocol, which is to block the user and report the message under the category of ‘hate speech and symbols’.
      “Then I am told that an emoji with a monkey and a banana is not considered racist.
      “I’ve even reported being called a ‘black c***’ and been told that isn’t hate speech either.
      “They need to change their algorithms to reflect what are obviously racist posts — but do they even want to?”

      Deeney also called for mandatory life bans for supporters who racially abuse players online or from the terraces, once turnstiles are back open.
      And he also calls for tougher punishments for players found guilty of racial abuse.

      The striker, 32, said: “There have been lifetime bans handed down by clubs but not in all cases and the FA and the leagues should insist on that being mandatory.
      “And when the Leeds keeper (Kiko Casilla) was found guilty of calling an opponent a ‘n****r’ — the worst term of racial abuse — then how can an eight-match ban and a £60,000 fine be enough?
      “What sort of message does that send?”

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      Gordon Astall dead at 93: Tributes paid to England’s oldest surviving international who played for Three Lions in 1950s

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      TRIBUTES have been paid to Gordon Astall after the former England international died at the age of 93.
      Astall earned two caps for England in 1956, scoring against Finland on his debut before featuring in a win over world champions West Germany.

      Former England international Gordon Astall has died at the age of 93Credit: Rex Features

      The former forward enjoyed spells with Plymouth, Birmingham and Torquay in a 16-year careerCredit: Rex Features

      Affectionately dubbed as ‘Cannonball’ by fans, the Lancashire-born forward passed away on Wednesday while suffering from dementia.
      The Three Lions website wrote: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gordon Astall, who represented the Three Lions in 1956 and was our oldest surviving international, at the age of 93.
      “All of our thoughts are with Gordon’s family, friends and former clubs.”
      A Plymouth Argyle statement read: “Plymouth Argyle is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former winger Gordon Astall, aged 93.”

      The club’s former players’ group, Argyle Legends, wrote on their Facebook page: “Argyle Legends’ thoughts are with his daughter Carole, son David, his 3 grandchildren and other members of his family and friends. RIP GORDON. Another great player for Argyle.”
      Fellow former club Birmingham tweeted: “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

      We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gordon Astall, who represented the #ThreeLions in 1956 and was our oldest surviving international, at the age of 93.All of our thoughts are with Gordon’s family, friends and former clubs.
      — England (@England) October 22, 2020

      The Club are saddened to hear of the passing of Gordon Astall, aged 93.Gordon spent eight years at #BCFC from 1953-1961, making 235 appearances, scoring 59 goals and earning 2 @England caps in that period.Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. 💙 pic.twitter.com/K6s8A1evG7
      — Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) October 22, 2020

      The Championship side’s supporters’ association Blues Trust commented: “Blues Trust are saddened to hear of the death yesterday (21st Oct) of former player Gordon Astall, our condolences to his family RIP.”
      A spell with the Royal Marines led to Astall enjoying an amateur level stint with Southampton.

      He moved to Plymouth in 1947, starring for over six years before heading to Birmingham.
      An England call-up came following great success with the Blues, winning the Second Division title and reaching the FA Cup final.

      And the forward, who turned 93 in September, saw out his career with Torquay.
      Speaking to the Mail last year, Astall recalled: “I’ve done things I never even thought of.
      “Playing for your country, I was chuffed as hell, especially when you think of the players at the same time as me.”
      He added: “I have enjoyed it. It’s been a good life.”

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      Business Secretary Alok Sharma makes series of gaffes in blundering LBC interview over football and local team Reading

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      BUMBLING Business Secretary Alok Sharma scored an own goal as he made a series of gaffes while trying to talk to a punter about football.
      Mr Sharma was asked about local team Reading and how their season was doing, replying: “We are currently in Division One – we’ll leave it at that.”

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      Alok Sharma was not sure what league local team Reading are in

      Championship side Reading are currently second after winning four of their last five games, with the cabinet minister admitting: “I don’t know precisely where we are.”
      The bumbling minister and Reading West MP was embarrassed while speaking on LBC radio this morning.
      He discussed the state of football and finances which has taken a blow after the government banned fans from stadiums following the spike in covid cases.
      When it was pointed out the club was in the Championship, Mr Sharma said: “No I apologise, yes indeed the Championship.

      “I apologise for that, that’s what I, Championship.
      “Sorry I apologise for that, that’s what I meant.”
      He added: “I hope we will go up to the Premiership. I hope that Reading and in fact other clubs will make it through.
      “I know there was some disappointment in terms of people not being allowed back into stadiums.

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      Reading are second in the Championship after five games Credit: Rex Features

      “Ultimately this is about ensuring that we keep people safe.”
      Mr Sharma explained that fans were still banned as even though there may be social distancing inside grounds, there would be pinch points in the local area which could help spread the deadly bug.
      He said: “So if you are looking at football for instance, in a normal weekend you will have people, many tens of thousands of people going across the country to stadiums.
      “So it’s not just in the stadium but there are lots of other areas where you will have contact points with individuals.”

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      Leeds United fans top football thug league table with more arrests than any other team

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      LEEDS UNITED fans top the table of thuggery, it’s been revealed.
      Fans of the Yorkshire side were arrested more than those of any other football team over the course of last season.

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      Leeds players celebrated promotion to the Premier League in front of their fans – despite the country being in lockdownCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Leeds supporters flooded the streets to celebrate their return to the top flight after 17 years awayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      There were 52 arrests related to the Lillywhites as they romped to the Championship title last term.
      That was enough to put them atop the league of shame.
      They were three arrests ahead of Birmingham and seven ahead of Bolton according to an investigation by the Daily Star Sunday.
      Leeds supporters were detained 19 times for public disorder, 15 times for alcohol offences, 10 times for violent disorder, three for throwing missiles and two for pitch incursion among other misdemeanours.

      In total, there were 1,089 football-related arrests in the 2019-20 coronavirus hit campaign – down 20 per cent compared with 2018-19.
      Hate crimes were up 50 per cent.
      Leeds United were also slapped with a £20,000 fine by the FA over their promotion celebrations.
      With their rise to the Prem already confirmed, after a win over Derby, players partied on the pitch.

      Several could be seen using pyrotechnics, leading to the charge from the FA after Leeds admitted a breach of rules.

      The club attracted strong criticism for staging an open-top bus celebration after being crowned champions just days later.
      Despite strict coronavirus lockdown restrictions and telling fans to stay at home, Leeds brought out the Championship trophy to parade in front of those unable to watch their win over Charlton.
      Club officials claimed the celebration was deployed as a way of telling fans NOT to stay out.

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      Leeds were also punished for how they partied on the pitch after beating DerbyCredit: Reuters More

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      EFL clubs threaten to withhold taxes in desperate attempt to secure Government bailout after coronavirus hell

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      EFL clubs are threatening to refuse to pay their taxes this week — unless the Government bails them out.
      The revolutionary plan to get emergency financial aid was discussed at a meeting between hard-up teams.

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      EFL clubs are threatening to refuse to pay their taxes this week unless the Government bails them outCredit: PA:Press Association

      A monthly PAYE tax payment is due by each of the EFL’s 72 clubs to HMRC on Thursday but there is a plot for ALL owners to band together and refuse.
      It has been brewing for weeks and was on the table at a ring-round of executives and chairmen last week.
      A hardcore band of Championship chiefs are behind the idea, however many clubs in League One and League Two are happy to join in.
      It will need teams to stick together — but the mood within the ranks is that they are now simply desperate for cash.

      The ultimate punishment for clubs who do not pay tax is a winding-up order.
      One leading mover in the plot said: “It is the nuclear option but we are at this stage if there is no help from the Government or Premier League.
      “If we all do not pay, the Government can dish out winding-up orders on each of us — and shut the industry if they want.“But that would not be a good look.”
      The EFL is enduring the biggest crisis in its history, with supporters banned from grounds due to Covid-19. Yet players and staff have been back on full salaries and the tax is due.

      Many clubs were using the furlough scheme to help — however now the game is up and running that has gone.
      Many are struggling to pay HMRC anyway, but others think this is a chance to make a stand and bring the Government back to the table.
      The Premier League were told to help out, yet offers so far have fallen well below the request for £250million.
      There is anger among the clubs and that was shown when League One and League Two rejected an immediate grant worth around £400,000 each last week.
      The solidarity shown with that decision — due to Championship teams being offered nothing — is now set to carry on to the looming showdown with the tax man.

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