Championship

FLORIDA entrepreneur Shilen Patel and his father Dr Kiran C. Patel have reached an agreement to acquire an 87.8 per cent shareholding in West Bromwich Albion Group Limited.That is the parent company of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.
An American businessman has reached an agreement to take over West BromCredit: PA
Shilen Patel will also be named Chairman of West BromCredit: Rex
The takeover has been approved by the EFL – and completion is to take place next week.
Shilen Patel, who will also be named Chairman of, is described as a serial investor across five continents.
He has owned a minority shareholding in Serie A club Bologna since 2014.
Shilen Patel said: “I am thrilled and grateful to have reached an agreement to become the custodian of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.
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“The club’s exceptional history, support, and potential set it apart even here in the cradle of football.
“My goal is to help the club achieve a future worthy of its history as a pioneering top-flight club that marshals the pride and passion that have defined the Albion for generations.
“I am excited to get started at The Hawthorns and look forward to the deal completing next week.”
Patel will replace Guochuan Lia, who purchased the Baggies in 2016.
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He spent £175million to replace Jeremy Peace at the Midlands club.
Reports claim Patel’s deal could be worth £60million.
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Of that, £28m would be for West Brom itself.
And the rest covers the debts left over from the previous regime.
The Baggies currently sit fifth in the Championship with 15 wins from 31 games.
They are 14 points off the automatic promotion spots.
And fans will be hoping that Patel can return them to the Premier League following relegation in 2021. More

NORWICH have confirmed they are introducing safe standing at Carrow Road this summer.The Championship club will install the areas to their ground ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Norwich are set to introduce safe standing areas ahead of the 2024/25 seasonCredit: Rex
Clubs have been permitted to install safe standing since receiving government approval in 2022Credit: PA
Providers Ferco are set to carry out work in the Lower Barclay, Thorpe Corner and a section of the away fans area in the coming months.
Ferco previously installed safe standing areas at both Celtic Park and Loftus Road.
The Canaries revealed the decision was made after consulting with their supporter panel, fan groups and the Sports Ground Safety Authority.
Executive director Zoe Webber told the club website: “Safe standing is something we’ve been keen to implement at Carrow Road for some time, but it was important that we properly consulted our wider fanbase and the relevant safety authorities.
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“We’ve had some very engaging conversations with supporter groups and official supporter panel, as well as some important feedback from season ticket holders.
“We’d like to thank all of those that have engaged with the club throughout this process.
“We also understand that safe standing may not be for everyone and we’ll do our utmost to accommodate supporters in other areas of the ground should they wish.”
Premier League and EFL clubs have been able to implement safe standing since 2022 after receiving government approval following a series of trials.
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Norwich are currently in their second season back in the Championship following relegation two years ago.
David Wagner’s side are seventh in the table and only outside the play-offs on goal difference after their 4-2 win over Watford on Tuesday.
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YANNICK BOLASIE is on the verge of joining Brazilian side Criciuma, according to reports.The former Premier League star has been without a club since leaving Swansea at the end of his short-term contract last month.
Yannick Bolasie had a brief spell at Swansea earlier this seasonCredit: Getty
The winger became a Prem cult hero with Crystal PalaceCredit: AFP or licensors
Bolasie, 34, made 10 Championship appearances for the Swans, but left after Luke Williams took over from sacked former boss Michael Duff.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Bolasie has agreed a pre-contract with Criciuma.
He adds that the winger is set to fly out to Brazil to complete the deal next week, should the final details of the transfer be sorted.
Criciuma came third in Serie B last year, earning promotion back to the top flight.
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They boast 26-cap former Italy striker Eder among their ranks.
Upon Bolasie’s Swansea departure, boss Williams complimented his attitude.
The former Notts County boss said: “Yannick has been great to work with during his time at the club.
“He has been a real professional and we wish him well in whatever is next for him.”
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Bolasie began his career with Hillingdon Borough and Maltese side Floriana before joining Plymouth Argyle in 2008.
He went on to have spells at Rushden & Diamonds, Barnet and Bristol City, before really making his name with Crystal Palace.
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After four years at Selhurst Park, during which he helped Palace earn promotion to the Premier League, he joined Everton for £25million.
Bolasie suffered from numerous injury issues at Goodison Park, and went on to embark on loan spells at Aston Villa, Anderlecht, Sporting Lisbon and Middlesbrough.
He left the Toffees in 2021 after making just 32 appearances for them in five years, going on to join Turkish side Caykur Rizespor in 2021.
His brief stint with Swansea followed, ahead of his mooted move to Brazil. More

MARK ROBINS joked that he wanted to “kill” two of his players after an on-field game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who took a penalty.Coventry were a goal down to Millwall in their 2-1 win on Sunday when they were awarded a spot-kick on 67 minutes.
Coventry stars Haji Wright and Callum O’Hare decided on a penalty taker by playing rock, paper, scissorsCredit: Rex
With regular taker Matty Godden on the bench, it was a choice between Haji Wright and Callum O’Hare and the duo played their little game to settle it.
In the end, Wright stepped up to coolly slot home after being fouled by Japhet Tanganga.
That took the American into double figures for the season and he grabbed the winner three minutes later as the Sky Blues moved back into the top six.
Boss Robins was less than pleased with the way the taker was chosen. He said: “Rock, paper, scissors? I’m going to kill them. I’ll be talking to them about it.
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“It’s about who’s confident about taking the penalty. Haji was a regular penalty taker when he played in Turkey. He’s really decent but it’s who fancies it.
“So when you get involved like that, it puts doubt in somebody’s head. The good thing is they both wanted it. But it needs to be a little bit more scientific than that.
“They are brilliant lads, sort it out among yourselves, I’m not going to get involved in every bit of micro-management. But I still want to kill them!”
Millwall have not won in five games now but took the lead through home-grown teenager Romain Esse after 12 minutes.
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He was making only his second start of the season after 27 substitute appearances.
And he scored for the first time since the opening day of the season when he collected a Zian Flemming ball and fired home with a deflection off Luis Binks.
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But Coventry have only lost once at home in 22 games and Wright completed their second-half comeback with a 70th-minute strike.
The Lions had enough chances early on to have sealed the points long before, which left boss Joe Edwards frustrated.
He said: “We constantly have lots of games where there was a lot to be pleased with.
“But we got the goal our start deserved, then had an opportunity to get the second which would have relieved the stress on our defence.
“The problem for us is that it’s a recurring theme, we haven’t won since New Year’s Day.” More