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      Leeds United Supporters’ Trust apologise after fans booed dad of QPR youngster who was stabbed to death

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      LEEDS fans were heard booing while a man whose son got stabbed to death was addressing supporters at Loftus Road on Friday.QPR youth player Kiyan Prince was 15 when he was killed outside his school gates in Edgware while trying to peacefully break up a fight between peers in 2006.Kiyan Prince was stabbed at his school gates in EdgwareCredit: PA:Press AssociationDr Mark Prince OBE appealed to end knife and gun crime at Loftus RoadCredit: RexAnd his grieving father Dr Mark Prince OBE, speaking ahead of the 18th anniversary of his son’s death, appealed on the pitch at half-time for an end to knife and gun crime on our streets.And he also spoke about The Kiyan Prince Foundation that works with youths in a bid to reduce violent crime.Yet he was met by loud boos from a section of the travelling supporters.Prince asked them: “Are you booing? Wow! You’ve got family? You have got kids, haven’t you?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLet’s not forget two Leeds fans – Kevin Speight, 40, and Christopher Loftus, 37 – were stabbed to death in Turkey ahead of the Uefa Cup semi-final with Galatasaray in April 2000.Thankfully, Leeds fans turned on the hecklers and their supporters groups have been quick to apologiseLeeds United Supporters’ Trust said: “LUST & LUSC would like to address the booing during Mark Prince’s speech at half time of last night’s game, and would like to offer our sincere apologies.”To provide some context, the fans in the away end were unable to hear the content being spoken due to the quality of the sound system, or see the big screen, which led to a frustrated and unfortunate reaction during Mark’s speech.Most read in Football”Leeds United have spoken to us and said that they weren’t made aware that Mark was going to be speaking at half time, otherwise communications would have been issued to supporters before the game.”The club will also be reaching out to QPR and Mark individually to apologise for the incident.”As a group of fans that know all too well the dangers of knife crime, we would like to assure those connected to Mark and the wider QPR family that had our fans understood the importance and sensitive nature of the speech last night, in no way would Leeds fans have reacted in the way they did.”We also want to acknowledge the great work the Kiyan Prince Foundation does.”We pass on our sincere apologies to Mark, his family, the fans and to QPR.”Mark Prince issued a response on behalf of the Kiyan Prince Foundation.He said: “When I went up to do the speech to the QPR fans a lot of the Leeds fans were booing.”My heart has already been broken into a million pieces, so some booing from Leeds fans is not going to damage me.”I have spent the last 18 years building and working for a great team of people to build the Kiyan Prince Foundation.”We care about everybody’s young people, we care about people in our community and a few Leeds fans do not represent the whole of Leeds United.My heart has already been broken into a million piecesDr Mark Prince OBE”We have nothing against Leeds, the CEO has already messaged and apologised as have fans.”It is silly to take it any further or make it deeper than that.”You are always going to people in life who may not see things in the way we see things.”It is all love.”The QPR Supporters’ Trust also responded to the statement on social media.A statement read: “QPR1st Supporters Trust welcomes today’s statement from @lufctrust and @LUSCExec (Trust and Supporters Club).”The events at half time were unsavoury to say the least, and went some way towards spoiling an otherwise wonderful night for QPR fans in the stadium.”Mark prince OBE is a hugely respected and loved figure for what he has achieved in turning the dreadful untimely death of his son into a positive for the wider community.”We accept that there are mitigating factors behind the negative response of some away fans. We acknowledge that knife crime is also a subject very close to the hearts of the Leeds fanbase.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We thank the Leeds fans groups for their words and efforts to reach out and make amends. Knife crime is a scourge across the country, both north and south.”We look forward to supporting Mark and the Kiyan Prince Foundation (@TheKPF) in the years to come.” More

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      Ex-England star, 50, leaves non-league club as dismissive statement released with Sky Sports legend ‘lost for words’

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      “GUTTED” Jeff Stelling blasted his beloved Hartlepool for “ruining summer” by ousting ex-England striker Kevin Phillips as manager.The ex-Soccer Saturday host is “lost for words” after the fifth-tier club announced that the Sunderland legend had left as a result of his contract expiring.Kevin Phillips was replaced as Hartlepool boss after just three monthsCredit: GettyJeff Stelling was incredulous at Pools ousting PhillipsCredit: PAFormer Stevenage, Yeovil and Woking chief Darren Sarll replaced Phillips just a day later.Broadcasting legend Stelling shared the shock of many Pools supporters.Ex-Watford, West Brom and Birmingham goal-poacher Phillips, 50, guided the one-time EFL stalwarts to safety after arriving in January on a short-term deal.Previous boss John Askey had been sacked after Hartlepool dropped to 16th place with just one win in seven games.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSUnder Phillips’ management, the Pools delivered better performances and results but also had a few stinkers.And he labelled a 7-1 loss at North-East rivals Gateshead on March 26 as one of the worst days of his life. Deservedly leading early on and still level at the break, Hartlepool leaked six second-half goals as they slipped to derby humiliation.But Stelling responded to Phillips’ departure by posting on X: “JP has been a breath of fresh air at our football club. I am gutted, summer ruined.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe talkSPORT Breakfast presenter asked Hartlepool to say if the ex-top flight strike hero had received a “blinding offer”.He added: “I know none of us think that is the case but I guess we have to wait to hear. Depressed regardless!”Jeff Stelling reveals touching phone call from megastar as he thanks viewers after 29 years on Soccer SaturdayAnd after reported confirmation that it was Hartlepool’s choice, Stelling added: “So now we all know. Not KP decision to leave at all. I am lost for words.”On their part, the Pools handed out a number of backhanded compliments in a statement that suggested Phillips was viewed as only equipped for a short-term fire-fighting job and had failed to lead the team towards the play-offs.Chairman Raj Singh wrote on the club website: “Kevin has done a good job this season since coming in as Head Coach and he’s been great to work with. “His remit upon appointment was firstly to make sure that the club retained its current league status and then from there to start looking up towards play-off positions.“We had a difficult backdrop and precarious league position when the previous manager departed. “We believed that Kevin was the right appointment to navigate through things and in the end he has helped comfortably ensure that the club stay away from any relegation concerns, which at one point were lingering.“We put on record our thanks to Kevin and we all wish him the very best for the next steps in his career. He will always be welcome at Pools.”And many fans were almost as surprised by the quick appointment of Sarll as they had been at losing Phillips.Club director Andy Steel said: “We are delighted to have secured Darren to deliver in our quest to get back into the EFL. Kevin Phillips is best known for his days as a striker with Sunderland from 1997-2003 and for winning six Three Lions capsCredit: Getty”He presented a very clear and compelling view of how he wants to build the squad, deliver a positive style of football that statistically supports success in this league, and create a winning mentality and culture.”Sarll, 41, added: “I’m really excited to get started… I’m coming here in order to win and we need to close that gap to the play-offs. READ MORE SUN STORIES”We won’t accept mediocrity, we need to challenge every season and that all starts from the dressing room.”Creating a strong dressing room is the priority ahead of this pre-season.” More

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      Chelsea loanee scores TWO rockets for EFL side as bitter Blues fans say ‘meanwhile Mudryk is hitting corner flags’

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      OMARI HUTCHINSON showed Chelsea what they are missing on Saturday night.The Ipswich loanee scored two stunning strikes as his side drew 3-3 away to Hull in the Championship.Omari Hutchinson scored two rockets for Ipswich on Saturday nightCredit: @SkyFootballThe Chelsea loanee found the top corner with his first goal of the eveningCredit: @SkyFootballHis heroics caught the eye of Blues fans, who were left frustrated by Mykhailo Mudryk as they faced Aston Villa.The Ukrainian struggled once again and even hit the corner flag with one wayward effort on goal.Meanwhile, Hutchinson twice put the Tractor Boys in front as they moved within four points of promotion to the Premier League.Both goals saw the winger cut in from the right before unleashing a left-footed strike into the back of the net.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis first strike came in first half stoppage time as Hutchinson bent the ball into the top corner.After the break, he doubled his tally with a powerful effort into the bottom corner which bounced right in front of goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.Reacting to the contrasting strikes from Hutchinson and Mudryk on social media, one fan wrote: “Meanwhile we have Mudryk smashing corner flags from his shots.”Another added: “And yet again I have to watch Mudryk hit corner flags.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMeanwhile, a third supporter commented: “He already looks way more developed than Mudryk.”Hutchinson completed a season-long loan move to Portman Road last summer.Raging Chelsea stars pushed away from referee and linesmen by Bues coaches in explosive bust-up after VAR stops goalThe 20-year-old Jamaica international has since scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.He has also made two first-team appearances for Chelsea since joining from Arsenal in 2022.His current contract at Stamford Bridge will have a year remaining once he returns from Ipswich.Kieran McKenna’s side are third in the Championship after their draw with Hull.However, they need just four points from their remaining two matches to secure promotion thanks to a midweek game in hand against Coventry. More

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      ‘Arrogant’ Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri slammed for shoving young fan who filmed him while singing song

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY chairman Dejphon Chansiri has been slammed as “arrogant” after a shoving a young fan.The Thai businessman appeared to push a supporter who was goading him in a video uploaded to social media.A young fan filmed himself goading Dejphon Chansiri with a chant on SaturdayCredit: XChansiri appeared to push the young fan as a resultCredit: xChansiri seemed to lose his patience with the boy following Sheffield Wednesday’s 3-0 win over West Brom on Saturday.The supporter appeared to have stopped the club’s owner for a selfie after the game before deciding to instead film a video of himself chanting “Dejphon Chansiri get out of our club” in front of the 55-year-old.Chansiri looked to be riled up by the antics and could be seen using his hand to shove the kid in the back to put an end to the chanting.The video was uploaded to X by the boy’s father, who has since deleted it, with a caption that slammed Chansiri for his actions.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe post read: “My son getting hit by the Sheffield Wednesday chairman!””Just about shows his arrogance and not understanding of the English game!”SunSport have approached Sheffield Wednesday for a comment.Chansiri has been a controversial figure since taking over the club in 2015.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe previously pleaded with Owls fans to raise £2million among themselves to pay off an HMRC debt that the club owed in October 2023.While he also made headlines for reportedly labelling a fan as an “idiot” after receiving an email demanding that he sells the Yorkshire club.Fan confronts stewards armed with CORNER FLAG as Sheffield Wednesday fans invade pitch after all-but avoiding relegationOn the pitch things are looking pretty disjointed too with Wednesday currently sat in 20th place in the Championship.While a handful of fans raced onto the Hillsborough pitch after their 3-0 victory all but guaranteed their safety in the division.The ugly scenes saw one supporter confront stewards with a corner flag as he tried to maintain his place on the playing surface.Dejphon Chansiri’s nine-year spell as Sheffield Wednesday owner has been littered with controversyCredit: Alamy More

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      Mystery Miami-based group eyeing £50m takeover of Championship side and have two more clubs in their sights

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      PRESTON are a takeover target for a mystery Miami-based group who want to buy the traditional Lancashire outfit.Since the death of their long-term backer Trevor Hemmings in 2021, the Championship club have been under the stewardship of his family.Preston North End could be set for an American takeoverCredit: GettyNorth End own their modern ground and also have a top training facility.The valuation may be around £50million, which is higher than the Americans want to pay.If it falls down, the group have two other clubs on their radar, both at the right price.The likes of Wrexham, Leeds and Birmingham have all had celebrity investment from new owners in recent years – with Ryan Reynolds, Russell Crowe and Tom Brady getting involved in the EFL clubs. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPreston, currently tenth, are set to finish this season in mid-table.And that will guarantee them a tenth successive campaign in the Championship since their play-off promotion from League One in 2015.They face leaders Leicester at Deepdale on Monday night before completing their season with a trip to West Brom.The Foxes’ promotion was secured on Friday night when QPR thrashed Leeds 4-0 – prompting another famous house party for the Leicester players.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWest Brom, meanwhile, are desperate to cling on to a play-off spot.North End were a founding member of the Football League in the 1880s.Preston North End Deep Dale Stadium General ViewsThe Lilywhites won the First Division in 1889 and 1890 – securing a league and FA Cup double in the first of those years.They added their second FA Cup in 1938 before losing the 1954 and 1964 finals.Preston, though, have not been beyond the fifth round of the famous competition since 1965-66. Our beautiful game is broken, says Dave KidBy Dave Kidd
      WHEN Manchester United got lucky in their FA Cup semi-final, Antony’s first instinct was to goad heartbroken opponents Coventry. To rub their noses in the dirt.
      Antony seems to be a vile individual but this isn’t really about Antony. Because Antony is merely a symptom of the hideous sickness within England’s top flight.
      There is so much wrong.
      After our elite clubs persuaded the FA to completely scrap Cup replays — which gave us Ronnie Radford and Ricky Villa and Ryan Giggs — without due recompense or reasoning with the rest of English football.
      The previous day, after his Manchester City side had defeated Chelsea in the other FA Cup semi-final, Pep Guardiola whinged about the fixture scheduling of TV companies who effectively pay much of his £20m salary.
      Up at Wolves, Guardiola’s friend and rival Mikel Arteta was playing the same sad song about fixture congestion, despite his Arsenal side having played two fewer games this season than Coventry — who don’t have £50m squad players to rotate with.
      Chelsea, oh Chelsea. The one-time plaything of a Russian oligarch now owned by financially incontinent venture capitalists who have piddled £1billion on a squad of players who fight like weasels in a sack about who should bask in the personal glory of scoring the penalty that puts them 5-0 up against Everton.
      Read Dave Kidd’s full column as he takes aim at Nottingham Forest, Fulham’s ticket prices, the 39th game, VAR and much more… More

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      Brentford and Luton ready to fight it out for Championship goal machine Sammie Szmodics as Blackburn name transfer price

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      BLACKBURN want up to £20million for their top scorer Sammie Szmodics.Rovers’ goal machine is tearing up the Championship, alerting Prem clubs — including some of those who may go down.Blackburn star Sammie Szmodics will cost up to £20m to prize awayCredit: PABlackburn star Szmodics has been eyed by Luton Town, Brentford and Sheffield UnitedCredit: RexLuton and Brentford have camped out at Blackburn games while Sheffield United are also admirers.But Rovers are looking for £15-20million to let the attacking midfielder go.That would be similar to the fee for midfielder Adam Wharton who joined Crystal Palace for £18m, rising to £22m, in January.Szmodics, 28, has had the season of his life, hitting 31 goals in all competitions despite Blackburn struggling.Read More on FootballThe playmaker has also amassed two caps with the Republic of Ireland.The valuation may be too high for the Irishman’s fan club.But offers are bound to start landing soon.Meanwhile, Birmingham are ready to fight Blades for Leeds’ Luke Ayling at the end of the season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAmbitious Blues are struggling to avoid relegation in the Championship basement.But the American-backed club will be serious contenders if they can avoid the drop.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersAyling, 32, is on loan at Middlesbrough until the end of the season.But prolonging his career at St Andrew’s with Brum is a very real option.Tactics Exposed: Why Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s most important playerBy Dean Scoggins
      KAI HAVERTZ endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates after his big-money move from Chelsea.
      But has now well and truly found his feet.
      The German, 24, has found his scoring boots in recent weeks, including his double against his old club.
      But Havertz has been providing much more than goals in recent months.
      In fact he has become Mikel Arteta’s most important player as Arsenal go for the title.
      That’s after the Spanish boss made a genius tactical switch.
      Click here to read all about it.
      Or to watch the brilliant video in full on YouTube. More

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      Thousands of ecstatic Derby fans invade pitch after sealing promotion back to Championship after two-year absence

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      DERBY fans flocked on to the Pride Park pitch after their heroes sealed a Championship return.Needing a draw to join Portsmouth, the Rams beat relegated Carlisle thanks to strikes from Max Bird and James Collins.Derby’s Championship return saw fans pour on to the pitchCredit: ReutersEbou Adams celebrates with delighted Rams fansCredit: PADerby owner David Clowes savours the moment with the second-placed trophyCredit: ReutersWarne still wears a hat despite the white-hot atmosphere as he celebrates promotion with his staffThe result saw Derby ensure Bolton could not climb above them into the automatic promotion places and sparked wild scenes.Thousands of Rams fans flooded on to the field chanting “we are going up”.It was Derby’s second promotion in 26 years and comes after they dropped into League One while in dire financial straits in 2022.Manager Paul Warne has now led four successful escapes from the third tier – three with former club Rotherham.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “You wake up in the morning and pretend like it is any other game but it isn’t.”You have to try to convince the lads to play it like any other game. That’s difficult because they are not idiots. “David Clowes brought us in – and I appreciate not the most popular choice – we’ve come in here to get promoted and we’ve done it.”We fell short last year and we wanted to win the title this year. We didn’t but we tried to get an average of two points per game which we did. Most read in Sport”The lads have been great. And I am really pleased for everybody who works at the football club, the fans and there is no greater fan than the owner.”It’s nice when somebody shows you that much respect and belief that you can pay them back. Mo Salah held back by team-mates after explosive touchline row with Jurgen Klopp before coming on at West Ham”The highlight for me, and this sounds really saccharine, but when I saw David and his wife Cath, all the heartache and the stress I’ve taken off my life is worth it.”Bird got derby off to a flier as his curling effort gave them the lead after just five minutes.And Collins’ second-half strike saw the party really start in the stands for a deserving fanbase.The party continued in the dressing roomCredit: RexThere were jubilant scenes at full timeCredit: PA More

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      Fans slam ‘worst thing I’ve ever seen from EFL ref’ as John Eustace sent off after heated touchline bust-up

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      BLACKBURN ROVERS manager John Eustace has been sent-off for pushing Kasey Palmer in the technical area.Blackburn are up against FA Cup heartbreakers Coventry City in the Championship.Eustace is shown a red card by referee Anthony BackhouseCredit: PAThe Blackburn boss was sent off following a scuffle with Kasey Coventry star PalmerCredit: RexEustace was given his matching orders for pushing Palmer.The Coventry midfielder was holding onto the ball, which sparked fury from the former Birmingham manager.Palmer did receive a yellow card for his efforts.The incident happened in the 50th minute of the match, with the score still goalless.But just 12 minutes later, Liam Kitching was given a straight red for bringing down Sam Gallagher as the last man.One fan said: “John Eustace getting a red card for that is the worst thing I have ever seen from an EFL ref…. sort your Refs out ffs how is that a red honestly.”Another said: “So we now have no manager on the touchline for the rest of the season whilst fighting relegation.” More