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      Coventry star explains celebration ‘mix-up’ and begs fans not to see it as ‘offensive’ after now-deleted post

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      COVENTRY CITY star Milan van Ewijk has moved quickly to explain the “mix-up” over his “offensive” celebration against Millwall.The Sky Blues came from behind to beat the Lions 2-1 at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Sunday.
      Coventry City’s Milan van Ewijk was involved in a controversial celebration photographCredit: PA
      The star was trying to copy Haji Wright’s popular celebration while also referencing Mario KartCredit: Coventry City FC
      Romain Esse gave Millwall a 12th-minute lead but a quickfire double from Haji Wright after the break secured them the points.
      However, Coventry and their 23-year-old Dutch full-back received some unwanted attention after moving up to sixth in the Championship table.
      Following the full-time whistle, a photograph of Van Ewijk was posted on Coventry’s Instagram page.
      However, it soon caught the eye as it appeared to show him saluting with one hand while gesturing a moustache with his finger.
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      Fans quickly jumped into the comments as they alluded to the sinister connotations of the snap.
      That led to Coventry deleting the post after Van Ewijk had moved to clear up the storm with a comment of his own.
      He wrote: “I got two celebrations mixed.. please don’t see this as offensive.”
      Another post was then shared instead of it with different celebration photos, which the former Heerenveen ace replied to with: “Yeah, that’s a better pic.”
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      A Coventry spokesperson told SunSport: “Milan’s celebration was in regard to the gaming character ‘Mario’.
      “Members of the Coventry City squad have been playing Mario Kart between themselves, which has started a friendly rivalry amongst the squad, as seen in our behind-the-scenes videos and recent celebrations at Norwich.
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      “Milan was putting his hand above his mouth to symbol Mario’s moustache from the video game.
      “He also was raising his arm, copying the popular celebration his team-mate striker Haji Wright has done throughout his career.
      “The club saw how the photo could be perceived without the context behind it, and as Milan quickly commented to clarify this, therefore the image was deleted.”
      Prior to the game, Sky Blues scorer Wright spoke about how Van Ewijk was “big on celebrating”.
      The USA international said: “He’s a fun guy to be around. A lot of jokes and a lot of fun.
      “He’s a good player as well so he does make it easier for us.”
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      Van Ewijk arrived at Coventry from Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen last summer for £3.5m.
      He has made 29 appearances for the club so far, scoring twice, and is expected to be part of Mark Robins’ line-up when they travel to Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday. More

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      My dad is a Premier League cult hero.. now I’m following in his footsteps playing for club who adored him

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      A MALIAN international who starred in the Premier League is now watching on proudly as his son follows in his footsteps at his former club.Former midfielder Mamady Sidibe, 44, was a huge favourite at Stoke City after previously playing for Swansea City and Gillingham.
      Mamady Sidibe was a huge fan favourite at Stoke City under Tony PulisCredit: PA:Press Association
      Now his son Sol is playing for the Potters after graduating from their academyCredit: Getty
      After being signed in 2005, he went on to become a key player for the Potters under Tony Pulis.
      Sidibe, who was capped 14 times for his country, appeared to love life at Stoke and settled down roots there for the long-term during his eight years at the club.
      He played over 250 times, scoring 24 goals, in the league and celebrated promotion to the Premier League with them in 2008.
      After loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Tranmere Rovers, he left Stoke in 2013 for a brief spell in Bulgaria with CSKA Sofia.
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      The following year he retired from football and along with Bineta, his wife, he opened a patisserie in the Potteries Shopping Centre near to Stoke.
      But these days there is another Sidibe making a name for themselves at his father’s former stomping ground.
      Mamady’s son Sol penned a long-term deal with Stoke last summer after turning pro and impressing on the pre-season training camp in Costa Blanca.
      He was born in 2007, right when his dad was helping the club to promotion from the Championship, and joined their academy at the age of eight.
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      And his progress was rewarded at the start of the season when the ace, who turned 17 on Saturday, signed his three-year contract.
      Speaking at the time, Sol said: “It is a really proud moment for me and my family.
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      “I know this is a football club where you can earn the opportunities to progress.
      “I have enjoyed – and been grateful for – the chance to play for the Under-21s and be in the first team environment in recent times.
      “My immediate focus is on training hard and preparing myself for the new season but, of course, my long-held ambition is to represent the first team and that is what I will be giving my all to achieve.”
      Despite his young age, Sol has gone on to achieve that dream already this season.
      He came off the bench during Stoke’s 4-1 victory over Rotherham on the opening day of the Championship season to make his senior debut.
      And he has gone on to make six further appearances for the club, including outings in both the League Cup and FA Cup.
      However, it is not only at club level that he is catching the eye.
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      Despite his African heritage, Sol has already represented England on the international stage.
      He made his debut for the U17s in a 3-2 defeat to Portugal in September and has gone on to add another cap to his collection since.
      Sol made his senior debut this season and has appeared a further six timesCredit: Getty More

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      Hippy crack footballer’s transfer breaks down after more clubs start testing aces for laughing gas

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      TOP football clubs have started testing players for nitrous oxide use, with a growing number addicted to the “laughing gas” drug.Teams are noticing huge differences in the expected lung capacity of players and how they can actually perform.
      One footballer saw his transfer collapse after signs that his nervous system was ravaged by his use of laughing gas was found (stock image)Credit: Getty
      Top football clubs have started testing players for nitrous oxide useCredit: Alamy
      One player set to sign for a ­second-tier Championship club saw the deal collapse after doctors carrying out his medical discovered signs that his nervous system was ravaged by his use of the gas.
      The revelations come days after The Sun revealed that a Premier League star was in rehab for addiction to nitrous oxide, also known as “hippy crack”.
      His usage came to light when a car he was travelling in was stopped by police who found dozens of canisters.
      His family alerted the club and a medical intervention was made.
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      Dozens of Premier League stars, including England internationals, are known to be regular users of the drug — with many wrongly believing that it is harmless.
      But long-term use can reduce the body’s levels of Vitamin B12 — essential for nerve function.
      It was criminalised last November in a government crackdown and is now a Class C drug, in the same category as cannabis.
      One Prem player spent £10,000 on laughing gas canisters for a recent birthday party. And now clubs are testing for nitrous oxide abuse when carrying out medicals.
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      A source said: “One player was massively addicted. He was with a club and during a fitness test they said the nerves in his legs were f****d.
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      “He admitted he was doing loads of balloons and they got rid of him.
      “His agent got him into another club for a trial and they were keen to sign him.
      “But when they carried out his medical they basically said ‘You’re an addict’ and ended their interest. He’s now without a club.”
      Other players have been questioned by medical teams after their legs twitched uncontrollably while they were being treated for other injuries.
      Another source said: “It’s an absolutely massive problem, which clubs are only just starting to understand and get a grip on.
      “Players think they can get away with it because it doesn’t show up in drug tests and until recently it wasn’t illegal, but some are addicts and it’s having a hugely negative effect on their health and their careers.”
      In 2022 doctors warned they were seeing increased numbers of patients with neurological injuries caused by laughing gas including spinal cord and nerve damage.
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      Sport science professor and former FA performance head John Brewer warned of the impact that it could have on players.
      He said of the drug: “If you’re a top-level footballer trying to make skilful movements and pass a ball effectively, you don’t want your nerves to be damaged in any way because you need that peripheral ability to sense movements.”
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      A PREMIER League rising star has been fined after he was caught inhaling laughing gas while driving.
      Man City defender Jamal Baptiste, 20, remained stationary at traffic lights in his VW Polo for about a minute after they turned green.
      He was seen inhaling the balloons with a pal in Dagenham, East London, on July 7 last year.
      He pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and was given six penalty points and a £1,000 fine by magistrates at Bromley, South ­London. He also had to pay a £400 victim surcharge plus costs of £110.
      It comes a week after The Sun revealed that a Premier League star was receiving rehab treatment for addiction to nitrous oxide.
      Baptiste is a former West Ham ­centre-back once billed as the next Rio Ferdinand by the club’s former striker Carlton Cole.
      Last May the club reportedly offered Baptiste a new deal but slashed his wages due to issues off the pitch.
      He moved to Man City on a free transfer in September. He is described on the club website as “an athletic and technically gifted defender who featured twice for West Ham while representing England at youth level.” More

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      Sheffield Wednesday look to capitalise on deadline day paperwork error to secure transfer of MLS star

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY will make a new Duncan McGuire bid if they stay in the Championship.The Orlando striker, 23, flew in from the USA for talks with the Owls on the last day of the window, but then opted for Blackburn instead.
      Sheffield Wednesday will come back for Orlando City star Duncan McGuireCredit: Getty
      Blackburn almost signed McGuire during the January transfer windowCredit: Getty
      That deal collapsed after a paperwork error and McGuire is back in the MLS — but Wednesday and Blackburn are still keen.
      Rovers owners Venky’s, meanwhile, held a summit at which it was expected chief exec Steve Waggott would get the axe — but he survived.
      Secretary Ian Silvester could go after the McGuire cock-up.
      Blackburn fans slammed club chiefs after their failure to land McGuire during the January transfer window.
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      This comes after the Championship side sold star man Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace on deadline day following a £22million deal.
      The Rovers hierarchy explained the situation with a lengthy statement.
      It read: “Duncan McGuire’s proposed loan move to Blackburn from MLS side Orlando City has not been approved by the EFL to date due to the registration documents being submitted after the 11pm transfer deadline.
      “All of the necessary signed paperwork had been completed prior to 10pm on Thursday February 1st, however due to an administrative error, the forms were not processed within the prescribed time.
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      “Detailed discussions with legal representatives and the relevant football authorities have taken place over the past few days to try to reach an urgent and positive resolution to the matter.
      “The club’s lawyers have prepared the required papers and sent to the EFL Board, who will consider the case on Thursday February 8th.
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      “Orlando City have allowed McGuire to remain in the UK, pending the EFL Board’s decision.
      “He will return to the United States, where he will re-join his club ahead of the start of the 2024 MLS season, should his registration not be approved.
      “Should the appeal be refused then Blackburn will attempt to reach a pre-contract agreement with Orlando City over the coming weeks to enable the player to officially join the club on a permanent basis when the 2024 summer transfer window opens.” More

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      ‘S***house’ ex-Premier League star scores ‘elbow of God’ then rubs it in opponents’ faces with shameless celebration

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      PATRICK BAMFORD appeared to score with his elbow as Leeds thrashed Rotherham 3-0.The former England star has been back amongst the goals in recent weeks and put Leeds ahead in the tenth minute.

      Patrick Bamford appeared to elbow the ball into the back of the netCredit: Youtube / LeedsUnited
      The striker swung his arm towards the ball to divert it beyond Viktor JohanssonCredit: Rex
      Bamford cheekily celebrated by sticking out his elbowCredit: PA
      Daniel Farke’s side worked the ball well down the left side as Junior Firpo centred the ball.
      The ball popped up after coming off a Rotherham toe so Bamford had to adjust as he tried to poke home from close range.
      He attempted to chest the ball in and flung out his elbow, though it was not clear if he made contact with his arm.
      However the striker then celebrated by jumping with his elbow outstretched, much to the joy of Leeds fans.
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      One reacted saying: “My s***house.”
      Another added: “Go on Paddy lad.”
      A third wrote: “Bamford take a bow son.”
      And another commented: “Maradonna would have been happy with that goal.”
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      Even the Leeds Twitter account got in on the act as the Whites proudly tweeted out the goal with the caption: “They all count!”
      Rotherham boss Leam Richardson fumed after the match as he claimed the goal should not have been allowed to stand.
      He said: “It’s a blatant handball. It’s a tough place to come to anyway and if you get decisions like that going against you then you’re up against it.
      “It should have been an easy decision for the referee to disallow it.
      “I thought we started the match terrifically well. We took the game to them. But then a big decision went against us and it was an uphill challenge from there.
      “Patrick’s [Bamford] admitted after the event that the ball has hit his arm. You expect those decisions to go with you when it’s as clear as that.”
      I should have made England’s World Cup squad but injury ruined my dream and I sat crying on the bench More

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      John Eustace set to replace Tomasson as Blackburn boss four months since he was brutally axed for Rooney at Birmingham

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      JOHN EUSTACE is in line to replace Jon Dahl Tomasson as manager of Blackburn.And that would see him return to his former club Birmingham within days of his appointment.
      John Eustace is being lined up for a return to managementCredit: PA
      Jon Dahl Tomasson has cut a frustrated figure in recent weeksCredit: Rex
      The 44-year-old was controversially shown the door at St Andrew’s to make way for former England ace Wayne Rooney.
      That proved to be a disastrous decision as Blues plummeted down the table under the former Derby boss.
      However he will be going back to the Midlands on Tuesday night if his appointment as Rovers boss is confirmed.
      Ironically his opponent would be a former Ewood Park chief in Tony Mowbray.
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      Tomasson is negotiating his exit after a turbulent couple of months came to a head in the build up to the transfer deadline.
      The Dane has been unhappy at the way the club has been run with owners Venky’s unable to put money into the club due to a legal wrangle.
      Rovers sold prized asset Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace and tried to bring in US striker Duncan McGuire.
      They pulled the plug on a permanent move but then thought they had signed him on loan – only for it to emerge they had not submitted the correct paperwork.
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      Tomasson did not complete a pre-match press conference ahead of Blackburn’s 2-1 home defeat to QPR at the weekend.
      Speaking after the game, the honest former AC Milan star said: “It’s very good to see you, I wasn’t allowed to talk to the press yesterday.
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      “It’s a club decision, I have no comment on it. I think you know me, I’m happy to speak to you, I’m an honest person.
      “It’s not good when you can’t speak to the fans, they are the heart and soul of the game. We should always think about that. It was a club decision and I have no comment on it.
      “We should always be open with everything, never leave the fans in the dark. It was a club decision, I was told I wasn’t allowed to speak with the press. I have no further comment to that.
      “It was a club decision, I can’t comment on the reason why. You probably already know what could be the reason.
      “It is difficult not to get a better answer. The club said yesterday I couldn’t speak with the media. I am sitting here and answering the question.
      “I have given you the reason, I have no more comment to that. It was a club decision. We should tell the fans everything, they are the soul of the football club.”
      Wayne Rooney lasted just 15 games in charge at BirminghamCredit: PA More

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      I should have made England’s World Cup squad but injury ruined my dream and I sat crying on the bench

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      PATRICK BAMFORD has opened up on the injury hell that ended his World Cup dream.The Leeds striker, 30, made his England debut in a 4-0 win over Andorra in September 2021.
      Patrick Bamford has suffered with numerous injury issues in recent seasonsCredit: Getty
      Bamford, 30, made his England debut in September 2021Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Bamford hoped that his maiden cap would be just the beginning of an international career leading to the Qatar World Cup the following year.
      Unfortunately for the former Chelsea youngster, however, persistent injury woes have so far prevented him from receiving an elusive second call-up from Gareth Southgate.
      Having made his England debut just a month into the 2021-22 season, Bamford was limited to just six more appearances for his club that campaign.
      Bamford explained on his My Mate’s a Footballer podcast: “Plantar fasciitis is when that (foot) gets really sore, for no real reason. It can get really sore and people struggle to walk.
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      “I had a small tear in it. The best way I can describe it is every step whether you’re walking or playing football was like standing on a plug socket.
      “It was brutal. I was trying to play through it. I ended up getting an injection in it which was a four or five week lay-off, you had to let the injection work and then come back.
      “As I was coming back the pain was a little bit less but as I was playing more and more it was starting to get worse again.”
      Bamford made a brief return to action against Brentford in December 2021, even scoring before being forced off with a hamstring issue after just 22 minutes.
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      He eventually returned again the following March, only for his foot to cause him more issues.
      Bamford admitted: “I was like ‘I’m just going to keep going through it’ because there’s not much else I can do. I kept going and kept going and kept going.
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      “Because the first injury had come just after I got the England call-up, I was itching to try and get back and try and be in contention for the World Cup.”
      In just his second game back, Bamford and Co hosted fellow relegation strugglers at Elland Road.
      He continued: “I played against Norwich, played a half which was the plan. Did well but then towards the end of the first half there was a really weird feeling in the bottom of my foot.
      “I was like ‘it’s fine, I’m coming off at half-time anyway’. I knew I was only playing a half. 
      “So I’ve done that, gone inside and then we had Wolves the following week and I didn’t train really that week until the day before the game, just let my foot settle.
      “Then the day before the game my foot was getting more and more sore. So we got to the Wolves game and I was like ‘I’m still going to play because there’s nothing else I can do if I’m just sat there waiting for it to heal’.
      “It’s strange because the plantar fascia thing, it doesn’t heal on its own. You either have that pain or your plantar fascia just goes.
      “I played the Wolves game, went to accelerate and I realised I can’t push off, it’s too sore, so I couldn’t really run, strange.
      “Two minutes later I jumped for a ball over the top and as I landed on my left foot the pain I felt was horrible, I thought ‘that’s bad’.
      “So I sat down, that’s the one where I was on the bench basically crying because I knew I had tried to do it and it’s gone.
      “Next day I went down to see the specialist for feet in London and he was like ‘you’ve ruptured your plantar fascia’. Which means, where it attaches to the bone on the heel, it had just come off.”
      Targeted by fans
      Bamford has been a heroic figure at Leeds, having helped them earn promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa and scored 17 goals in their first campaign back in the top flight.
      But as things began to unravel at Elland Road last season, Bamford became a target of some supporters after missing a penalty against Newcastle.
      Having endured threats against his family, including his young daughter, on social media – things escalated further as he headed home from the match.
      He explained: “As I turn up the drive to get in I can’t even cross the gate, there’s two cars [blocking it].
      “I went to put my window down. As I did, they put their windows up and just stared at me. Then the gate opened because my dad had opened it and they drove off.
      “I think it was a culmination of the last few weeks. I took a lot of flak for it. The way they expressed it was crazy.”
      Following Leeds’ relegation back to the Championship, Bamford missed their first eight games this term.
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      He has been eased back into the fold by Daniel Farke, coming off the bench in his first 16 league appearances of the season.
      Bamford has returned to prominence in recent weeks, however, starting Leeds’ last five Championship games and scoring three goals.
      Bamford went down injured during a game against WolvesCredit: Getty
      The forward was visibly emotional while sat on the bench at MolineuxCredit: Getty More

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      Police charge 10 men over death of football fan who was killed when Burnley and Blackpool supporters brawled outside pub

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      POLICE have charged ten men over the death of a football fan who died after a brawl between Burnley and Blackpool supporters.Tony Johnson, 55, suffered a fatal head injury after the fight erupted outside The Manchester Pub in Blackpool on March 4, 2023.
      Tony Johnson died following a clash between Blackpool and Burnley fansCredit: Social Media
      It came after the grandad’s beloved Blackpool drew 0-0 with Burnley at home.
      Lancashire Police confirmed ten men have been charged over Tony’s death.
      Jake Balmforth, 34, has been charged with manslaughter while the remaining nine defendants are charged with affray.
      They are John Oswell, 49, Jonothan Lines, 31, Reece Hutchinson, 19, Callum Howarth, 29, Nicholas Schofield, 31, John Whiteside, 46, Jason Tattersall, 19, Joshua Ashton, 19, and Zak Bailey, 19.
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      All ten are due to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on March 13.
      The horror unfolded hours after the Championship clash ended in a goalless draw.
      Paramedics administered CPR before Tony was taken to hospital, where he later died.
      Following his death, Tony’s partner said the family’s lives were “never going to be the same”.
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      She said: “I am devastated to have lost my best friend, life partner and soul mate in a cruel act.
      “Tony was a very much loved dad, son, brother, uncle and Gramps and obviously a beloved friend to many.
      “We all, as a family, are so heartbroken and our lives are never going to be the same.
      “He will be one missed gentleman and the party will live on through us all, just as he would’ve wanted.
      “Rest in peace my darling, tangerine dreams forever.”
      His partner previously paid tributeCredit: SWNS More