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      Hull star Oscar Zambrano BANNED after breaching anti-doping rules as club release statement

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      HULL CITY star Oscar Zambrano has been banned from football for breaching anti-doping rules.The Ecuadorian midfielder, 20, is currently on loan at the MKM Stadium from LDU Quito.Oscar Zambrano was hit with an immediate ban for breaching anti-doping rulesCredit: GettyHowever, he was slapped with an immediate suspension on Tuesday – although the player plans to appeal the decision.Hull confirmed the shock news in a statement. The club said: “Hull City can confirm that, with immediate effect, CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, has suspended Oscar Zambrano for breaching the anti-doping rules set out in Articles 6 and 7 of the CONMEBOL Anti-Doping Regulations.”Zambrano and his defence will use their right to appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The Club is not in a position to provide further information at this time.”The bombshell announcement means Zambrano will be unavailable for Tim Walter’s Tigers when they take on Oxford United tonight. Zambrano was aware of the threat of a ban as he was investigated by the Ecuadorian FA for an issue that arose following a drugs test in March during his time at LDU Quito. Addressing the risk earlier in the season, the Ecuador Under-20 international said: “It is an issue that they are resolving and as I say, I believe that, thank God, it is on the right track, and at the end of the day, I am aware that it was not something that was intentional.Most read in Football”I know that a lot of people misunderstand it out there, but that’s normal and people can make whatever comments they want, to think what they can, they have every right but inside of me, I know how things were and what really happened. I’m calm, I’m training hard and hoping that I’ll be given the opportunity (to impress).”Hull owner Acun Ilicali previously vowed to stand by the youngster – after signing him knowing the possibility of a ban loomed. Football teams that controversially changed their badgeIlicali said: “He has an issue, but about this issue, we believe in him.”He told us his story and his problem is that he’s in danger of getting banned maybe but we think he is innocent. “He just explained everything to us and that’s the reason we will be able to get him with this budget. “If anything comes of course, there will not be any damage (to the club) and we will take this risk, so for us, it is okay.”Zambrano came through the academy at Colorados Jaipadida – the same youth team as Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.But it was at LDU Quito where he made his name, progressing into the first team with the Ecuadorian giants. The youngster had a trial with Ajax and was also wanted by Sao Paulo as well as Colorado Rapids.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, he joined Hull on a season-long loan in August for the 2024-25 Championship season.Zambrano grabbed his first goal and assist for the club in the 4-1 win over Cardiff on September 28.Zambrano has 14 caps for Ecuador’s Under-20sCredit: GettyWho are these famous footballers? More

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      Crystal Palace supremo eyeing shock takeover of EFL side if he sells £230m Eagles stake after missing out on Everton

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      JOHN TEXTOR is eyeing a shock move for Watford if he sells his stake in Crystal Palace.The American businessman failed in a bid to buy Everton.John Textor is looking to buy Watford if he sells his Crystal Palace stakeCredit: GettyBut he is pushing ahead with plans to add another English side to his multi-club operation.Hornets’ Italian owner Gino Pozzo put ten per cent of the club on the market last summer and is open to offers for the rest of his shares.Textor, 59, has held preliminary talks about using shares in his investment company Eagle Football to buy into Watford.The Championship side are valued at between £150-175million by Pozzo.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTextor has spoken to potential investors about joining a consortium and acting as an operating partner, given his experience of running clubs.In addition to his 45 per cent stake in Palace, he also owns Lyon, Brazilian league leaders Botafogo and Belgium’s RWD Molenbeek.Watford appeal to him as they are already part of a multi-club group with Serie A side Udinese.Textor has been trying to sell his shares in Palace since February due to a stand-off with the club’s other owners — chairman Steve Parish and fellow Americans Josh Harris and David Blitzer.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInvestment group Sportsbank, led by British Eagles fans Zechariah  Janjua and Navshir Jaffer, are understood to have made a bid.Harris and Blitzer are interested in buying out Textor, depending on price, set at around £230m by Textor.Visit the restaurant serving tasty food at affordable prices just steps away from historic Premier League ground More

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      Stoke to make £3m offer for exciting Wigan ace Thelo Aasgaard after Championship rivals Blackburn failed with summer bid

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      STOKE are in the queue for Wigan’s exciting star Thelo Aasgaard — but will have to pay £3million.Potters spy Jon Walters and sidekick Lee Darnbrough watched Norway Under-21 Aasgaard last week.Thelo Aasgaard is attracting plenty of interestCredit: AlamyBlackburn failed in a bid for Aasgaard, 22, in the summer but Stoke are likely to top their offer and get closer to the valuation.City have been scouting in Ukraine recently and are planning an offer to keep Tom Cannon in January when his loan from Leicester is reviewed.Narcis Pelach’s side were in Championship action yesterday.The Potters took on newly-promoted Derby County at Bet365 Stadium.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCannon got Stoke off to a perfect start, netting from the penalty spot on nine minutes.Derby went on to level in the 68th minute courtesy of Viktor Johansson’s own goal.Stoke left it late to grab all three points, with Ben Gibson scoring the winner eight minutes from time.After his side’s win, Pelach told the BBC: “I was very pleased with the goal. We have worked a lot on set-plays. When I was with Huddersfield, we were the best team in the league.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We scored 22 goals from set-plays by keeping it very simple but being very aggressive.”We wanted to be more aggressive than them. We want to be this strong team that scores with wide free-kicks and set-plays.Lincoln’s Ethan Erhahon reveals players STOLE the physio’s car and he was offered a ‘scrap’ with a fan – What the EFL”I am really pleased. When you watch the goal back we are nasty. We put the ball into the six-yard box and we get good contact with it.”I am pleased that our captain has scored it after the mistake for their goal.”We were the better team. We deserved to win.”We scored a nice goal with some really good play which resulted in the penalty, but for me the most important thing was coming back mentally from the goal we conceded.”Narcis Pelach was delighted with his side’s win against DerbyCredit: Getty More

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      English manager SACKED by EFL club after emergency meeting just TEN MONTHS into reign with side 23rd in League One

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      SHREWSBURY TOWN have sacked manager Paul Hurst with the club languishing second bottom of League One.Hurst returned to manage The Shrews for the second time in January 2024 – but sees himself back out the exit door just 10 months later.Paul Hurst has been sacked by Shrewsbury 10 months after his reappointmentIt comes after Shrewsbury were knocked out of the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2013Hurst, 50, had been instrumental in keeping the club in League One last season. But the EFL gaffer has been given his marching orders after a dismal run of two wins in 19 games this season.The brutal decision was made following an emergency board meeting held this morning.The final nail in the coffin came after Shrewsbury were knocked out of the FA Cup first round following a 2-1 defeat to League Two side Salford on Saturday.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe last time the club failed to make it past the first round was in 2013.A club statement read: “It is with regret that Shrewsbury Town can confirm we have parted company with head coach Paul Hurst and assistant boss Chris Doig.”We would also like to thank them for the outstanding work they did in their first spell – which saw us reach the play-off final and the final of the EFL Trophy. “It was that success that led to the Chairman taking responsibility for re-hiring Paul and Chris earlier this year. Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”And everyone at the football club is hugely disappointed their second spell hasn’t worked out and we find ourselves in our current position. The search for a new head coach is now underway.”Despite saving them last season, Hurst won just six of his 37 games during his charge of his second stint at New Meadow.Former Watford and Gillingham hero Andy Hessenthaler shares crazy EFL story after being attacked by the owner I What the EFL?!He previously managed the club for 19 months from 2016 to 2018.The former full-back led The Town to the play-off final in 2018, which they ultimately lost to Rotherham.The Englishman left Shrewsbury just three days later to replace Mick McCarthy as boss of Ipswich Town.But Hurst was sacked from the The Tractor Boys after five months in charge, before stints at Scunthorpe and Grimsby.Moreover, the Salop’s remain one of the favourites for the drop this season after finishing 19th last term.Club chiefs are searching for a new manager for the second time this year after Matt Taylor was dismissed in January.Hurst rejoined Shrewsbury when the club was sitting 20th in the table.Salford co-director Roy Keane attended Hurst’s last game in charge More

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      Nottingham Forest star ready to snub Leeds interest to seal permanent transfer to the MLS with LAFC

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      LEWIS O’BRIEN looks set to sign for LAFC on a permanent deal in the new year — despite a handful of English sides wanting him back home.The midfielder, 26, has a fixed price of £7million agreed with current club Nottingham Forest when his loan spell in Los Angeles ends in January.Lewis O’Brien looks set to sign for LAFC on a permanent deal in the new yearCredit: GettyLAFC expect the move to go through although some Championship clubs are making background inquiries.Leeds and Hull have been checking on his availability but O’Brien is settled in the States and enjoying his time on and off the pitch.The midfielder has made nine appearances Stateside this year and impressed during his time away. O’Brien even revealed family and friends are getting up at all hours to watch his games. READ MORE FOOTBALLHe said: “Some of my friends and family are definitely waking up at 3-4 o’clock in the morning to watch the games, [which] is a tough thing to do when you’ve got to work a job the next day. “But there’s definitely people tuning in.”But O’Brien has also had to play on artificial turfs like in Vancouver – a stark difference to pitches in the UK.He said: “It takes the body quite a while to adjust to the turf, but that’s after the game, so during it’s not really that much of a problem. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It probably took me an extra few days to recover from the game. “But if we can do the job when we get there, we won’t have to see the AstroTurf again.”Watch moment raging Lionel Messi ‘calls referee -mean-spirited son of a b****’ in furious rant after Inter Miami draw More

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      Ex-Sunderland hero desperate for Harrogate to down Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham and seal star FA Cup dream

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      PAUL THIRLWELL almost helped his boyhood club reach the FA Cup Final – now he is desperate for one of his Harrogate Town players to secure their own fairytale.The 45-year-old grew up following Sunderland home and away alongside his parents and brother, which included a trip to Wembley for their 1992 final defeat to Liverpool.Paul Thirlwell, left, played for Sunderland against Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup semi-finalCredit: AlamyThe ex-Premier League midfielder is hoping for some cup joy on Sunday with Harrogate TownCredit: X @HarrogateTownThirlwell then burst on the scene aged 20 as the Black Cats thumped Chelsea, who included stars like Marcel Desailly and Gianfranco Zola, 4-1 in the Premier League in 1999.But it would be a midfielder he came up against that day that would help inflict FA Cup heartbreak on him four seasons later when player-manager Dennis Wise guided Millwall to a 1-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford in the semi.Thirlwell told Sun Sport: “We’ll probably never get a better chance to get to the final with it being two Championship teams at the time. Unfortunately it didn’t go our way but it was a great experience. It’s just a shame we got done as we’d have faced Man United.“I’d played against him [Wise] before on my debut but everyone knows what he was like, tenacious and knowing all the dark arts.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“But Millwall had some good players like him, Tim Cahill who scored on the day and went on to have an unbelievable career, Danny Dichio, but they also had that edge that made them so tough to play against.“Of course you want to win, but when you look back and think that you played in a semi-final then you appreciate now that it is quite a big achievement.”These days Thirlwell is assistant manager to Simon Weaver at League Two Harrogate Town, a club he finished his playing career at after spells with Sheffield United, Derby and Carlisle.“I moved to Wetherby and was totally unaware that it was next to one of the club’s directors. “He maybe spoke to the gaffer and then mentioned me and after a chat we hit it off straight away.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I didn’t just want to go anywhere as a player as I’d dipped my foot into the coaching so I wanted a bit of both.“I got involved with coaching the U21s here and then we went full-time and the opportunity arose to become assistant manager and wow, here we are still here nearly a decade later.”Major A-list celebs Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney expand Wrexham empire with new breweryDuring that time they have climbed from non-league into the EFL and enjoyed FA Trophy joy in 2020.But as they prepare to host Hollywood-owned Wrexham, who are pushing for League One promotion, Thirlwell says that he is desperate for long-serving star Warren Burrell, 34, to get his big FA Cup moment this year.He said: “You’d probably have to speak to some of the younger lads now but I think definitely for people of my era that the cup still has the magic.“I keep trying to tell our lads, who are all Arsenal, United, Spurs supporters, that we have to get Warren, who is a huge Liverpool fan, to Anfield. It’s one of those places that he’ll never play at unless it comes in the cup, so just things like that make the cup massive for me.”Harrogate’s long-serving defender Warren Burrell would love a trip to AnfieldCredit: RexAnd Thirlwell, who admitted the game being televised adds an “extra edge”, says the whole club from top to bottom want to put on a show against the big-spending Welsh side owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.“When you get a big club at home in the early rounds then you are hoping that it gets on the tele and as it happens we have,” Thirlwell said.“And I do think it helps, not that anybody tries harder, but it does give you an extra edge when you know it’s on TV.“But everyone at the club wants to get everything right on the day as you are showcasing the whole club.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “We are one of, if not the, smallest club in the Football League but we have a go on and off the pitch as best we can.“We are realistic to the point that usually bigger clubs do win these games but we are going into it with optimism and want to cause an upset. Someone will this year so why not us?”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      ‘Unbelievable s***housery’ – Fans stunned as Bristol City goal GIVEN after outrageous deliberate handball to beat keeper

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      FANS were left stunned after Bristol City scored an outrageously controversial goal against Preston North End.Robins star Yu Hirakawa seemed to PUNCH the ball through goalkeeper Freddie Woodman’s gloves, just as he was about to catch it.Yu Hirakawa handled the ball against Preston North EndCredit: XThe Japanese attacker was able to knock the ball past Freddie Woodman and scoreCredit: XHe showed no sign of shame in his celebrationCredit: RexThe Japanese attacker was able to run onto the ball and walk it into the net as Preston’s keeper watched on stunned.The moment was caught on video and shared to social media leaving fans amazed it was not ruled out.One posted: “Bristol City just scored this goal vs Preston… Unbelievable s***housery.”Another wrote: “That’s one of the worst handballs to stand of all time.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWhile a third quipped: “Maradona would be proud.”One livid fan wrote: “S***housery or straight up cheating?”While another, clearly on the wind-up added: “Perfectly decent goal – utter work nonsense to say otherwise.”Preston did equalise in the 48th minute to thanks to a goal from Sam Greenwood.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHowever, it was Bristol City who would claim all three points at full-time.Nahki Wells reinstalled the visitor’s lead just three minutes after the Hosts’ goal.Meet non-league star with longest throw in football who plans to put it to good use in FA Cup giant killingPaul Heckingbottom slammed the decision after the matchCredit: GettyMax Bird then made sure of the result with a goal in the 81st minute.Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom slammed the decision not to rule out Hirakawa’s goal as “diabolical”.He said: “Yeah, listen, we will get another apology this week. We had two apologies for two bad decisions at Millwall.”We had an apology for a decision at Burnley and we will get another one for that, I am sure.”And, they will get more games to go and referee.”There is nothing we can do about it. It’s diabolical, unacceptable and we keep getting the wrong end of them. Hopefully, it evens itself out.”One of them is saying they have seen something, that they have obviously not seen because it didn’t happen.There is nothing we can do about it. It’s diabolical, unacceptable and we keep getting the wrong end of them. Hopefully, it evens itself out.Paul Heckingbottom”So, yeah, miles off it. We have had four now in the last seven games or whatever it was, from the Millwall game. But, it’s part of the game and we have to accept it.”We have been fortunate enough to, although it has cost us points, ride through those.”We’ve been able to get back in games and get our heads above water. Today, it has affected us.”Bristol manager Liam Manning insisted his side “deserved the win” after the match.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I am super proud of the players. It wasn’t pretty at times but I can’t take anything away from the lads.”The way we defended the box, the togetherness and the spirit after the challenge of going 1-1, to then respond as we did with two outstanding moments of quality – we deserved the win.” More

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      Norwich’s Kellen Fisher reveals maddest moments – from dinner with Delia to team-mate getting egged in dressing room

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      DEFENDER Kellen Fisher has revealed tales from his time at Norwich including having dinner with former owner Delia Smith and team-mates being egged in the dressing room.The right-back, 20, joined Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side in 2023 from Bromley.Kellen Fisher has detailed some of the best stories from his career so farCredit: ReutersFisher has revealed he went for dinner with former owner Delia Smith – who is also a famous TV chefCredit: RexHe has already racked up 23 appearances for the club and helped them reach the play-offs last season.They lost in the semi-finals to Leeds – a club whose fans he is full of praise for in SunSport’s exclusive interview.Both on and off the pitch Fisher has a host of stories to tell – from dressing up as a zebra to playing on a “mud bath”.Here are some of the trials and tribulations of Championship life seen by Fisher – in his own words.READ MORE IN EFLBest ever EFL player?Gabriel Sara, he was on another level last year.You see some of the goals he scored last year, you’d think ‘What a player he is’.Wildest night out?On our Christmas do, we went to Winter Wonderland and we all had to dress up as a certain letter.Luckily got a Z, which was a zebra. So we all started walking around Winter Wonderland in these funny costumes.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSI think Shane Duffy was dressed up as Goldilocks or something.Fisher is a regular in Norwich’s side under Johannes Hoff ThorupCredit: RexMaddest dressing room tale?It was Callum Doyle’s birthday and Borja Sainz told me to start filming and I didn’t know what was going on either.Lincoln’s Ethan Erhahon reveals players STOLE the physio’s car and he was offered a ‘scrap’ with a fan – What the EFLBorja Sainz comes through behind him and throws three eggs and he said it was his birthday.To be fair, Callum wasn’t too happy.Wildest owner antics?When I first joined the club, the player liaison Phil said to me that Delia wanted to have dinner with my family before one of the games just to get to know everyone.I think she makes that effort with everyone to meet everyone’s families.I think it was steak pie and I think mash and gravy.Delia sold her majority stake in Norwich last month after 28 years in chargeCredit: AlamyIconic training ground tale?I’d say one of the coaches scoring a worldie. One of the free-kicks, it’s gone over the wall, the keeper’s saved it and it’s come rolling back perfectly for the half volley.I remember Glyn [Head of Physical Performance for Norwich] just absolutely smashed it and it’s gone flying.It’s gone flying into the top corner and everyone was a bit shocked.Best EFL fans?I think I’ve got to say Leeds.Last year in the play-off [semi]final, the place was absolutely bouncing.Dodgiest EFL facilities?I would say FA Youth Cup when I was at Bromley. The away changing rooms were all painted pink.I think the pitch we played on wasn’t great either. It was just a mud bath.Most annoying EFL fans?I think I have to say Leeds again, in that play-off game.I was on the bench just warming up, you’d hear little things in your ear in the corner.Just getting a lot of stick from the home supporters.Norwich sit eighth in the Championship, one point adrift of the play-off placesCredit: AlamyMoment that haunts you?I made a little bit of a mistake in the cup game, FA Cup, Bristol Rovers at home.READ MORE SUN STORIESI think the ball come to me, the keeper parried it and I’ve controlled it in the box and sort of just panicked and just flicked it around the corner and no one sort of reacted to the ball.And then a Bristol Rovers player just come onto it and volleyed it into the top corner. More