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      Sheffield Wednesday hit with 12-point deduction next season over FFP breaches as Charlton consider legal action

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY have been hit with a 12-point deduction next season following Financial Fair Play breaches.
      Charlton Athletic, who were relegated from the Championship on the final day of the season, later revealed they are considering legal action over the decision

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      Sheffield Wednesday have been hit with a 12-point deduction next season following Financial Fair Play breaches
      Wednesday will kick off the 2020-21 Championship season on minus-12 points following a lengthy investigation by the English Football League.
      The verdict was reached by an independent disciplinary commission, not the EFL.
      Wednesday, who finished 16th, would have been relegated to League One had the points deduction been applied to this season.
      A statement from Charlton read: “We fail to understand why the deduction will take place next season rather than the current season, which seems to be irrational, and are writing to the EFL to get an explanation of the justification.”

      The EFL charged Wednesday in November for breaching Profitability & Sustainability rules relating to the £60million sale of their Hillsborough stadium.
      According to The Telegraph, the punishment related to “how and when” it was sold.
      Question marks were asked following the sale’s subsequent inclusion in the 2017-2018 accounts when it was sold a year later.
      Wednesday denied the charge and hit back by issuing a counter-claim against the EFL for allegedly “acting unlawfully”.

      They went in front of a three-person panel last month and the damning verdict was finally reached on Friday evening.
      An EFL statement read: “An independent Disciplinary Commission, appointed under EFL Regulations, has ruled that Sheffield Wednesday will receive a 12 point deduction for breaching the League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules for the three season reporting period ending with Season 2017-18.  
      “The sporting sanction will take effect in season 2020-21.
      “The club was charged in November 2019 and referred to an independent Disciplinary Commission, which conducted a full hearing at the end of June 2020, before finding the Club guilty based on the fact that the Club should not have included profits from the sale of Hillsborough Stadium in the Club’s financial statements for the period ending July 2018.

      “The club was found not guilty of a further charge of breaching its duty of utmost good faith to the EFL by deliberately concealing information from the League in respect of filings made in respect of the Profitability and Sustainability Rules.”
      Wednesday have 14 days to appeal against the punishment.
      It is believed the Championship side will look to appeal their penalty. More

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      FA open investigation after Cardiff defender Joe Bennett appears to tread on injured Fulham star Josh Onomah

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      FA CHIEFS are investigating a video of what appears to be Cardiff defender Joe Bennett treading on injured Fulham star Josh Onomah.
      The unsavoury scene emerged on social media following Fulham’s 3-2 aggregate win over City which put them into Tuesday’s Championship Play Off Final.

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      Joe Bennett (right) appears to stand on Fulham’s Josh Onomah Credit: Rex Features

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      Joe Bennett seems to leave his foot on Fulham’s Josh Onomah Credit: Rex Features

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      The Cardiff aces wanted the ball back off Onomah in the dying moments of the game when they were 3-2 down on aggregateCredit: Rex Features

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      The FA have reportedly opened an investigation into the incident Credit: Rex Features
      Midfielder Onomah is pictured lying on the ground with team mate Bobby Reid and City defender Curtis Nelson in attendance.
      Bennett is then seen to walk over and appear to grind his studs into the outside of stricken Onomah’s left ankle, causing him to react in pain and roll away sharply.
      The incident also sparks a minor scuffle between Reid and Nelson.

      Bennett was not punished by matchref Paul Tierney but the film is now being studied by FA disciplinary chiefs who are looking into the incident.

      If found guilty of violent conduct, Bennet faces a three game ban at the start of the new Championship season which is just six weeks away on September 12.
      Cardiff, who had lost the first leg 2-0, stunned the hosts after eight minutes with centre back Curtis Nelson’s header.

      But Fulham struck back 24 seconds after the restart, snatching an equaliser through Neeskens Kebano to restore their two-goal advantage in the tie.
      After conceding possession to Fulham for the rest of the first half, substitute Lee Tomlin put the Blue Birds back in front two minutes after the restart to set up a tense second half.

      But despite late Cardiff pressure for a goal that would have sent the game into extra time, Fulham hung on to earn the chance to return to the Premier League after one season in the second tier.

      West Brom seal Premier League promotion as Brentford and Fulham suffer final day agony as Barnsley survive at the death More

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      Leeds set to sign Joe Gelhardt from Wigan for just £1m as crisis club flog young striker to pay wages

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      CRISIS club Wigan are selling young striker Joe Gelhardt to Premier League new boys Leeds United in a £1 million deal – to pay the wages. 
      Top prospect Gelhardt is being sacrificed by Latics who have no cash for the salaries of their playing staff while they are in administration. 

      Leeds are interested in young striker Joe Gelhardt (left)
      Gelhardt has been chased by several clubs but Leeds have struck a deal and he is likely to accept terms next week. 
      Wigan are being forced to sell Gelhardt cheaply because of a slip-up registering his contract.
      Gelhardt ‘agreed’ a five year contract during the season but an error meant he is still on his current deal which expires at the end of next season. 

      Wigan hope to sell striker Kieffer Moore too but despite agreeing a fee for him the Welsh international wants to see his options.

      QPR and Millwall are willing to pay £1.8 million up front plus extras while Middlesbrough and Cardiff have also expressed an interest.
      The administrators hoped to have a buyer by now but several parties have looked and stepped away because of the size of the payroll.

      Edinson Cavani ‘agrees Benfica transfer’ with final details to be ironed out in huge blow to Leeds More

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      Fulham 1 Cardiff 2 (agg 3-2): Fulham given scare but through to Championship play-off final to face Brentford

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      FULHAM advanced to next week’s Championship play-off final despite a 2-1 home loss to Cardiff City after edging past their opponents 3-2 on aggregate.
      They will face local rivals Brentford, who beat Swansea City by the same aggregate score after Wednesday’s 3-1 victory, in an all south-west London final at Wembley next week.

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      Fulham celebrate after sneaking into the Championship play-off finalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      But Cardiff were left to ponder another season in the ChampionshipCredit: Reuters
      In a furious start, Cardiff, who had lost the first leg 2-0, stunned the hosts after eight minutes with centre back Curtis Nelson’s header.
      But Fulham struck back 24 seconds after the restart, snatching an equaliser through Neeskens Kebano to restore their two-goal advantage in the tie.
      After conceding possession to Fulham for the rest of the first half, substitute Lee Tomlin put Cardiff back in front two minutes after the restart to set up a tense second half.
      Cardiff keeper Alex Smithies kept his team in the game on several occasions with a string of superb saves, including tipping an Aboubakar Kamara shot onto the post in the 68th minute.

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      Cardiff took the lead when Curtis Nelson headed homeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      Neeskens Kebano netted the equaliser just a minute after Nelson’s goalCredit: Rex Features

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      Neeskens Kebano levelled things up just seconds after Cardiff took the leadCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But despite late Cardiff pressure for a goal that would have sent the game into extra time, Fulham hung on to earn the chance to return to the Premier League after one season in the second tier.
      Captain Tom Cairney was relieved to get over the line and back to Fulham’s second Sky Bet Championship play-off final in three years.
      He told Sky Sports: “It wasn’t pretty at all. It was the worst start you can think of.
      “These 2-0 leads are a bit weird in your head. It feels comfortable but is not at the same time.

      “I think we let ourselves down a little bit by not playing our normal game, and we invited pressure.
      “But, look, we showed a different side to us at times as well in the second half especially.
      “When our backs were against the wall, we dug in deep and we got over the line.”

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      Lee Tomlin gave Cardiff real hope when he pinged one homeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      Lee Tomlin takes the plaudits after scoring with his first touchCredit: Reuters
      And Fulham boss Scott Parker added: “The way the game panned out tonight was not how we expected.
      “We realised the task ahead of us and a wounded animal who came here with nothing to lose put us under an incredible amount of pressure at times.
      “There is no denying we didn’t deal with that well enough and struggled at times.
      “There is a psychological element as a game goes on, with a final at stake, and you see a bit of nervousness in us.”
      “We are disappointed in our performance tonight even though we got the job done.

      “We showed a different side to us and had to face up to a relentless onslaught at times.
      “We move on and dust ourselves down. We have got to the final and it is up for grabs.
      “Tuesday is going to be a totally different game. We need to stay bright and positive.” More

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      Fulham vs Cardiff: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Championship playoff second leg

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      FULHAM and Cardiff meet at Craven Cottage with a place in the Championship playoff final up for grabs.
      The Cottagers are in control of the tie after a 2-0 win in South Wales, but Neil Harris was keen to stress that the tie is not over despite the Bluebirds having it all to do.

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      Fulham won 2-0 at Cardiff and are in control of the tieCredit: PA:Press Association
      The winners of the tie will face Brentford, who beat Swansea 3-1 at Griffin Park on Wednesday to book their place at Wembley.
      When is Fulham vs Cardiff?
      Fulham vs Cardiff will be played at Craven Cottage
      The match is set to kick of on  Thursday, July 30 at 7.45pm.
      Where can I watch the Fulham vs Cardiff live stream?
      The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HD.
      Coverage starts at 7:45pm BST
      How can I watch the match for free?
      Unfortunately Sky have not elected to put the game on their free-to-air Pick channel
      Non Sky customers can purchase a NOWTV pass for £9.99 per day
      What is the team news?
      Championship top-scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic looks set to return for Fulham after missing the first leg through injury.
      The hosts have no new injury worries, with Bobby Reid likely to make way if Mitrovic does play.
      Isaac Vassell is injured for Cardiff, while Josh Murphy is pushing for a starting berth.

      Match Odds
      Fulham to win – 4/9
      Draw – 16/5
      Cardiff to win – 19/4
      Over 2.5 goals scored – 4/9
      Both teams to score – 3/5
      *All odds correct at time of publication via Ladbrokes More

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      Brentford 3 Swansea 1 (agg 3-2): Brilliant Bees earn place in Championship play-off final in last game at Griffin Park

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      GRIFFIN PARK received the perfect send-off as Brentford booked their place in Tuesday night’s Championship play-off final.
      Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Marcondes scored in the first 15 minutes to overturn Swansea’s 1-0 first-leg advantage.

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      It was party time for Brentford at the final whistleCredit: Rex Features

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      Brentford manager Thomas Frank was understandably jubilantCredit: Rex Features
      And Bryan Mbeumo scored straight after half-time but Rhian Brewster pulled one back with 12 minutes left to set up a nerve-racking finale.
      Everything had seemed scripted for one last glorious night.
      Even the opponents you could not make up for the 116-year-old ground’s swansong in Swansea.
      After blowing automatic promotion by losing the last two games of the regular season against Stoke and Barnsley – as well as losing at the Liberty on Sunday – Brentford would have been forgiven for feeling the jitters.

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      Swansea defender Ben Cabnago was left distraught at the endCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Especially when you throw in the fact they have not won a single play-off game for 11 matches, spanning 18 years.
      But last night, not a chance. They came out like a train… or should that be a slick, fast BMW.
      The trio of Benrahma, Mbeumo and Watkins – who have scored a staggering 57 goals between them – had incredibly not scored in the last three games.
      They were motoring after just 11 minutes with Watkins firing his 26th goal of the season.

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      Brentford are through to the Championship play-off final after seeing off SwanseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But it was all about the pass. Mathias Jensen’s defence-splitting ball from midfield was like threading a needle.
      Watkins was on to in a flash and slotted past Edwin Mulder.
      And the tie was turned on what felt like a blink of an eye – but it was in fact four minutes later.
      Benrahma got free down the left, as he so often does.
      He cut back on his right foot and delivered a cross of pure quality for Marcondes, who had lost his marker, to head powerfully home.

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      Things got heated towards the end of the game when Brentford manager Thomas Frank clashed with Swansea midfielder Connor RobertsCredit: Huw Evans Picture Agency
      Yet Swansea had a great chance to put a spanner in the works when Conor Gallagher got free down the other end.
      But his shot which could have levelled the tie was superbly saved by David Raya to his left.
      However, the Bees charged straight down the other end as Benrahma wiggled free down the left and struck an angled effort that his the left post and rolled across the face of goal.
      And if you thought Brentford got out of the traps quick in the first half, that was nothing compared to after the break when they added a third almost immediately.
      Rico Henry – wrongly sent off in the first leg and rescinded on review – got on an overlap on the left and sent over a superb cross.
      The ball was slightly behind Mbeumo but the French winger managed to turn and fire a volley past Mulder for a brilliant goal.
      Ethan Pinnock then headed over from a Benrahma cross as Brentford continued to attack.
      But Swansea knew they had to start gambling to stand a chance of getting themselves back into the match and started to get a foothold.
      And Raya had to fingertip a powerful shot from Connor Roberts over the bar.
      Swansea made it a nervy last 12 minutes by pulling one back.
      Pontus Jansson made a real hash of clearing and Brewster cashed in with a wonderful lob over Raya.
      Benrahma looked like he would settle things as he ran through down the other end but his effort thumped off the bar.

      The referee added six minutes stoppage time and Benrahma was so close again but fired just over from distant.
      Swansea won a corner at the death and Mulder was sent up but the Bees held on.
      Brentford await the winners of the other semi-final between Fulham and Cardiff City on Thursday, with the London side leading 2-0 from the first leg. More

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      Tottenham teen Troy Parrott set for season-long loan transfer to Championship Millwall

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      MILLWALL are closing in on a season-long loan for Tottenham’s Republic of Ireland strike starlet Troy Parrott.
      Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has agreed to throw his teen hitman to the Championship Lions next term.

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      Milwall are closing in on a season-long loan for Tottenham’s Republic of Ireland strike starlet Troy ParrottCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The South Londoners hope to finalise the deal with the youngster today before announcing it next week.
      Parrott, 18, is one of the most highly-rated prospects in Tottenham’s academy.
      The Dublin-born ace won his first cap for his country – in their 3-1 win over New Zealand in November – before he made his Prem debut as a sub in Spurs’ 5-0 thrashing of Burnley a month later.
      After turning 18 in February he signed a new three-and-a-half year deal with the North London club and many of their fans were hoping he would be given a crack at first-team football next season.

      But Mourinho – who criticised the youngster’s attitude after taking over as boss in November – believes the rookie needs to toughen up and gain more life-experience before he is ready to play for Tottenham in the Prem.
      So the Special One has rubberstamped his kid’s secondment to South Bermondsey – despite offers from a number of other clubs.

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      Jose Mourinho with striker Parrott who he plans to loan out
      Mourinho gave the thumbs-up after learning that his star striker Harry Kane benefited from a 2012 loan stint at the Lions.
      The England captain has said his spell at the Den “turned him into a man.”

      Mourinho hopes it will do the same for Parrott – regarded as the hottest young forward at Tottenham since Kane.
      Parrott, who has been inundated with loan offers from clubs in the Premier League, Championship and across Europe, is also keen on joining Millwall after speaking with Kane.
      The promising striker and his representatives are also pleased with the way the Lions have dealt with the deal.
      Millwall finished eighth in the Championship this season, narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
      Lions boss Gary Rowett wanted to pair Parrott with Wigan’s Wales forward Kieffer Moore in a dream partnership next term.

      Moore held talks with the Lions this week after they had a £2million bid for him accepted by the Latics.
      But Millwall fear he prefers a move to Cardiff, whose manager Neil Harris tried to sign him twice while in charge of the Lions.
      Preston are also interested but it appears the player now has his heart set on the Bluebirds.

      Jan Vertonghen says he is ‘considering the options’ regarding transfers after leaving Spurs More

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      Brentford vs Swansea: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and teams for TONIGHT’s Championship play-off clash

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      BRENTFORD welcome Swansea to Griffin Park with a place in the Championship playoff final up for grabs.
      Andre Ayew’s goal at the Liberty splits the two sides going into the all-important second leg, with either Fulham or Cardiff waiting for the victors at Wembley.

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      Ayew missed a penalty in the first leg but made up for it late in the dayCredit: Reuters
      When is Brentford vs Swansea?
      Brentford host Swansea at Griffin Park on Wednesday, July 29.
      Kick-off is set for 7.45pm BST.
      When the sides met here in the regular season, the Bees won 3-1 after a brace from Championship top-scorer Ollie Watkins.
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
      Coverage begins at 7.30pm.
      If you want to stream, download Sky Go if you’re a Sky customer or grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99.
      What is the team news?
      Brentford manager Frank has confirmed that the club have appealed against Henry’s sending off in the first leg but it still remains to be seen whether the card will be rescinded before the game.
      Henry could be replaced by Mads Roerslev Rasmussen at left-back if the ban is upheld.
      Emiliana Marcondes came off the bench and will be hopeful to get some playing time again.
      Swansea will unlikely change their starting line-up following the first-leg win.

      Kyle Naughton will be available for selection after serving a three-match suspension but injured Wayne Routledge is likely to still be unavailable.
      The Swans also have Ben Wilmot, Joe Roden and George Byers absent.
      Match Odds
      Brentford to win – 4/7
      Draw – 29/10
      Swansea to win – 19/4
      Over 2.5 goals scored – 3/4
      *All odds correct at time of publication via Ladbrokes More