Championship

A FORMER Liverpool star has woken up unemployed after having his contract ripped up by a struggling Championship side.Daniel Ayala, 33, is officially a free agent after leaving Rotherham.Daniel Ayala is a free agent after being released by RotherhamCredit: AlamyThe Spaniard made five Premier League appearances for LiverpoolCredit: GettyThe Spanish defender only joined the Millers in October.He penned a contract until the end of the season.And Ayala’s time at New York Stadium saw him make just seven appearances.The centre-back’s last games came in December, when he received consecutive red cards.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAyala then suffered a long-term injury and was removed from Rotherham’s 25-man squad at the end of January.And the relegation battlers, who are 19 points adrift of safety at the foot of the Championship table, have called time on Ayala’s brief stay.The 6ft 3in Goliath started his youth career at Sevilla before joining Liverpool’s academy in 2007.He went on to make five Premier League appearances for the Reds in the 2009-10 season.Most read in ChampionshipHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGAnd Ayala then spent time on loan at Hull and Derby before joining Norwich on a permanent deal in 2011.He played 10 times for the Canaries while also taking in a loan at Nottingham Forest.Jurgen Klopp compares Liverpool youngster Jayden Danns to darts sensation and Man Utd fan Luke LittlerAyala was snapped up by Middlesbrough in 2013 and played 229 times for the Teessiders, while also helping them win promotion to the top flight in 2016.Afterwards, he spent three years at Blackburn where he featured 58 times before joining Rotherham last summer. More

LEICESTER CITY have used a little-known loophole to avoid a points deduction. But they could still face punishment next season.Leicester have used a loophole to avoid a points deduction this seasonCredit: GettySunSport revealed earlier this week that the Foxes were under suspicion of breaching Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) both last season and in this campaign.And revelations about their legal battle with the EFL have further angered their rivals in the top flight and Championship.A senior executive at one club described the situation as “a scandal”.Leicester submitted figures to the EFL earlier this season that indicated they would break the £83m limit on losses for the three-year period that ends with the 2023/24 campaign.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe EFL wanted the Foxes to submit a business plan that would have enabled the league to restrict the club’s spending during the remainder of the current campaign.But the Championship leaders successfully argued that EFL rule 2.9 did not apply to them because they were a Premier League club last season.The result of the loophole is that punishment for any rule breaches by Leicester this season will not be enforced before next season – by which time they could be back in the Premier League.The news was another kick in the teeth for the Foxes’ rivals, and not only for the Championship clubs currently fighting them for promotion.Most read in ChampionshipHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGClubs who were involved in last season’s Premier League relegation battle against them AND current top-flight teams facing points deductions for their own financial offences feel a real sense of injustice.Nottingham Forest and Everton are waiting to learn their fate after breaching PSR for the assessment period ending in 2022/23.Leicester City star Hamza Choudhury fined £20,000 for drink-drivingUnder the Premier League’s new fast-track rules, both clubs had to report their 2022/23 figures by December 31 in order to give the authorities enough time to bring a case this season.But Leicester, who are suspected of breaching regulations in the same period, did not have to make the same disclosure to the Premier League because they were no longer a top-flight club.As SunSport explained, this could create an uncomfortable scenario for both leagues.Everton and/or Forest could be hit with a points deduction for offences related to 2022/23 that leads to them being relegated.Yet Leicester could gain promotion and replace them in the Premier League despite breaching regulations in that same period AND in the current season. More

MARK ROBINS’ texts about Watford have been leaked ahead of their Championship clash with Coventry.The Sky Blues’ head of recruitment Dean Austin’s WhatsApp messages were published to social media.Coventry manager Mark Robins’ texts about Watford have been leakedCredit: PAHis WhatsApp conversation with head of recruitment Dean Austin was shared to social mediaCredit: GettyIt came after he was pictured messaging Robins in the stands during Watford’s draw with Swansea on Wednesday.The conversation about the Hornets’ performance and the future of manager Valerien Ismael was posted to X.According to the Athletic, Austin is now considering legal action in response.He is said to be deeply concerned by the incident and believes his privacy has been breached.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBy UK law, individuals have the right to privacy and protection of personal data.Sharing messages without consent could potentially breach their privacy rights and data protection principles.Watford had fallen behind during the first half at Vicarage Road after an own goal from Ryan Andrews.Ismael’s side levelled during the second half, though, with Wesley Hoedt salvaging a 1-1 draw with the Swans.Most read in ChampionshipThe incident occurred during Watford’s 1-1 draw with Swansea on WednesdayCredit: GettyThe results leaves Watford in 13th in the Championship after just one win in their last nine league games.Coventry are set to visit on Saturday following a 5-0 win over Rotherham on Tuesday.Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseLast season’s play-off finalists are currently three points off the top six in eighth place.SunSport have contacted Coventry for comment. More

SOUTHAMPTON’S game with Preston tonight has been postponed due to a huge fire.The Saints were due to be in action on the South Coast against Ryan Lowe’s side but a massive blaze has broke out near the ground.A huge fire near to Southampton’s home forced their stadium to be evacuatedCredit: Simon JonesSt Mary’s stadium was left engulfed in smoke after a fire broke outCredit: Simon JonesThe blaze was at a factory on the industrial estate next to the stadiumCredit: SunBrave firefighters raced to the scene to battle the blaze after being alerted at 1:05pmCredit: Simon JonesSouthampton’s stadium had to be evacuated after a huge fire raged near it.St Mary’s was covered in thick black cloud as flames engulfed a factory on an industrial estate next door.And now their Championship clash against Preston could be postponed due to the incident.Emergency services raced to the blaze and quickly set-up a cordon around the fire on Wednesday afternoon.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDramatic video footage revealed how brave firefighters battled the flames with hoses as smoke rose high into the air.An incredible fireball soared above St Mary’s and the surrounding area.Then a loud speaker was heard telling staff to evacuate the 32,000-capacity stadium immediately.A statement from the fire service at 1.50pm had earlier said: Crews are currently attending a fire in Marine Parade Southampton. The initial call came in at 1:05pm. Most read in Championship“The fire is affecting industrial units near St Mary’s football stadium.“There are currently eight fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms and other specialist vehicles in attendance.Ipswich legend Tommy Miller believes Ipswich have the tools to make the Premier League and see off the challenge of Southampton and Leeds“People in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke.“Some roads local to the incident are closed and people are advised to avoid the area to allow movements of emergency vehicles.”A spokesperson for the service then said at 2:24pm: “Additional fire engines are now heading to the scene to make it up to 18.“The fire is currently involves four industrial units.“There is lots of smoke and people the area are reminded to keep doors and windows closed.”The EFL then announced that they were “closely monitoring” the situation as the scheduled kick-off approached with firefighters still battling the blaze.Thousands of spectators were due to attend the Championship matchCredit: RexBlack smoke began engulfing the city just hours before the game was due to take placeCredit: XThe fire brigade provided regular updates throughout the afternoon as they fought the blazeCredit: Simon Jones More

SOUTHAMPTON’S stadium has been evacuated after being engulfed in smoke by a huge fire raging on its doorstep.St Mary’s was covered in thick black cloud as flames blazed at a factory on an industrial estate next door causing the Saints clash with Preston tonight to be called off. Southampton’s St Mary’s stadium was engulfed in smoke after a fire broke outThe fire was at a disused factory next to the arenaSouthampton are due to host Preston in the Championship tonightIt remains to be seen if the match goes ahead tonightCredit: Simon JonesAn emergency cordon was placed around St Mary’sCredit: Simon JonesThe fire broke out at an industrial estate next door to St Mary’sIt came just hours before tonight’s crunch Championship clash against Preston, with EFL chiefs now closely monitoring the situation in case they need to call the game off.Emergency services rushed to the scene on Wednesday afternoon before setting up a cordon and closing off adjacent roads.Dramatic video captured the moment brave firefighters battled the flames with hoses as smoke rose into the air.The incredible fireball soared above St Mary’s and the surrounding area, leaving locals stunned.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA loud speaker was heard telling staff to evacuate the 32,000-capacity stadium immediately, while nearby residents have been advised to shut all windows.The factory affected is reportedly owned by Southampton and is currently disused.According to the BBC, “pops” could be heard coming from inside.The fire forced the roof to collapse while also blowing out all the windows.Most read in ChampionshipThe factory is based on Melbourne Street and sits opposite St Mary’s south stand.An incident report from Fire and Rescue said: “Crews are currently attending a fire in Marine Parade Southampton.“The initial call came in at 13:05. The fire is affecting industrial units near St Mary’s football stadium. Fans in disbelief at Nathan Jones interview as former Southampton manager makes bold claim on Sky SportsThe fire broke out at an industrial estateThe disused factory is owned by SouthamptonSmoke could be seen for several milesMultiple fire engines were on the scene to battle the blazeCredit: Simon JonesSouthampton are currently fourth in the ChampionshipCredit: Getty”There are currently 8 Fire engines, 2 Aerial Ladder Platforms and other specialist vehicles in attendance.“People in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke. “Some roads local to the incident are closed and people are advised to avoid the area to allow movements of emergency vehicles.”It was later revealed that three of the four industrial units next to St Mary’s were destroyed in the blaze.The fire comes just hours before Southampton’s home clash against Preston.READ MORE SUN STORIESSaints are desperate to win after falling eight points off automatic promotion back to the Premier League.But it remains to be seen if the match goes ahead. Staff for the match are set to arrive at 3.30pm as it stands. More