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      Man City will be banned from wearing Fifa Club World Cup winners’ badge due to little known rule

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      MANCHESTER CITY will be banned from wearing the Fifa Club World Cup winners’ badge if they lift the trophy on Friday.A little known Premier League rule has previously prevented Liverpool and Chelsea from wearing the emblem.
      Manchester City could be banned from wearing the Club World Cup winners’ badge in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      The gold detailing is available to the winners of the competition, with City hoping to become the latest victors on Friday.
      Pep Guardiola’s side face Fluminense in Jeddah, looking to become the fourth English Club World Cup winners.
      Although they will be free to wear the winners’ badge in the FA Cup and Champions League, they could be prevented from doing so in the league.
      Premier League rule M1.20 states: “Strips of the description thus registered shall be worn throughout the Season immediately following and no changes to it shall be made except with the prior written permission of the Board.
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      “Any request for such permission must be made to the Board no less than 14 days before the League Match in which the Club concerned intends to wear the changed Strip.”
      City will be unable to get approval for their next two Premier League matches against Everton and Sheffield United on December 27 and 30, respectively.
      However, they could be given permission in time for their trip to Newcastle on January 13.
      They could still be denied, though, with Liverpool only given permission to wear the badge once after winning the Club World Cup in 2019.
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      Chelsea were also set to face the same stipulation two years later before being given the green light for multiple matches at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
      City booked their place in Friday’s final with a 3-0 victory over Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday. More

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      I missed birth of my first child to play at Club World Cup then scored horror own goal to send Man City through

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      ONE player took his commitment to another level when he missed the birth of his first child to play in the Club World Cup. Urawa Red Diamond’s defender Marius Hoibraten may regret his choice now as his side were knocked out by Man City after he netted an own goal to open the scoring.
      Marius Hoibraten made a huge sacrifice to play at the Club World Cup with Urawa Red DiamondsCredit: Getty
      Hoibraten missed the birth of his first childCredit: Instagram @solveigvalestrand
      The 28-year-old turned the ball into his own net in the 45th minute when Matheus Nunes tried to play a ball into the box.
      And Hoibraten looked crestfallen as he watched the net ripple and saw the Japanese outfit’s hard work undone by his error.
      The Norwegian centre-back had favoured the tournament over being at home with his partner to welcome their first born child.
      He instead witnessed the event via Facetime before jetting home for just 12 hours to see his fiancee Solveig and their new son.
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      Luckily for him he will be heading home earlier than expected to spend some more time with his new born after City denied Urawa a place in the final.
      Pep Guardiola’s side breezed the second half as they added two more goals to see the match end 3-0.
      It was Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva who piled more misery on top of Hoibraten’s own goal in the first half.
      The Cityzens are now just one game away from making history as they prepare for the Club World Cup final in Saudi Arabia this Friday.
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      The treble winners will face Brazilian side Fluminense who secured their spot in the final with a 2-0 win over Al Ahly.
      And they’ll have to beat the South Americans without terrific trio Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne.
      Despite making the trip out to the Middle East with the squad the three superstars are all unavailable due to Fifa rules forbidding any player who did not feature in the semi-final matchday squad from playing in the final.
      Hoibraten scored an own goal to open the scoring in the Club World Cup semi-final against Man CityCredit: Getty More

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      Man City vs Fluminense – Fifa Club World Cup final: Treble winners aim to make history as they take on Brazilian giants

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      MANCHESTER CITY will face Brazilian giants Fluminense in the final of the Fifa Club World Cup on Friday night.The Treble winners easily brushed aside Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals, beating the Japanese side 3-0.
      Manchester City beat Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finalCredit: GETTY
      An own goal from Marius Hoibraten and strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva helped City secure their spot in the final without goal machine Erling Haaland.
      Pep Guardiola’s side put behind their recent rocky Premier League form and are in pole position to take home their fifth honour in 2023.
      Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense beat Al Ahly 2-0 to book their place in the last two.
      When is Man City vs Fluminense?

      Man City vs Fluminense will take place on Friday, December 22nd.
      Kick off will be at 6pm GMT.
      King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will host.

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      What TV channel is Man City vs Fluminense on and can it be live streamed?

      Man City vs Fluminense will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2.
      You can live stream the Fifa Club World Cup final on discovery+.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

      Team news
      Manchester City will be definitely without the trio of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne despite travelling with the Man City squad to Saudi Arabia.
      The three are unavailable due to Fifa rules forbidding any player who did not feature in the semi-final matchday squad from playing in the final.
      Julian Alvarez started on the bench for the semi-final, with Pep Guardiola opting to play without a recognised striker, but the Spaniard could bring in the Argentine for the final.
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      Meanwhile, five-time Champions League winner Marcelo will likely feature for the Brazilians.
      What are the odds?
      Match result

      Man City – 1/4
      Draw – 9/2
      Fluminense – 8/1

      To lift the trophy

      Man City – 1/7
      Fluminense – 4/1

      *Odds courtesy of William Hill and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Man City 3 Urawa Reds 0: Kovacic and Bernardo Silva net as Pep Guardiola’s men cruise into Club World Cup final

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      PEP Guardiola is 90 minutes from history after Manchester City crushed the Japanese Diamonds to reach the Club World Cup Final.Second half strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva sealed victory after Norwegian defender Marius Hoibraten diverted Nateus Nunes’ cross into his own net in first half stoppage time.
      Manchester City have secured their place in the Club World Cup finalCredit: Getty
      City cruised past Japanese outfit Urawa Reds in a 3-0 victoryCredit: EPA
      It was far too easy, with the Asian champions not having a single effort on goal until the game was long gone.
      But Guardiola will not complain after his men showed their ability to simply smother the life out of limited opponents.
      And it means the Spaniard and his team have closed in on becoming the first English side to win the five biggest trophies available in a single year.
      Early sighters by Rodri – from fully 35 yards – and false nine Bernardo Silva, neither on target, came after City established total control of possession and position.
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      It felt like little more than an extended training exercise, Guardiola’s side passing and probing until the Japanese outfit buckled from their constant back-pedalling.
      Even without Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne – whose faces displayed on the giant screens at either end of the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium brought the loudest cheers of the night – City were far too good.
      Yet for all that, the only real opening of the first half hour came when Jack Grealish teased a delicious cross that Bernardo could only help into the hands of keeper Shusaku Nishikawa.
      Nishikawa was properly called into action when a smart turn by Mateus Nunes allowed the Portuguese to unleash a rising drive that was turned over the top.
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      Mateo Kovacic doubled Man City’s lead to 2-0Credit: Getty
      And when the keeper denied first Phil Foden and then Rodri, Urawa looked set to reach the break on level terms.
      Cue a shocker, Hoibraten opting for a panicked stretch and turning Nunes’ low cross – nowhere near Foden – past the keeper’s left hand and into the bottom corner.
      And when Kovacic raced onto Kyle Walker’s brilliant defence-splitting ball seven minutes into the second period, holding off the lone defender before smashing home, there was no way back for the Asian champions.
      Nunes should have headed in the third from a Jack Grealish cross.
      But soon after Nunes’ thumping effort was well-saved by the keeper only for Bernardo’s rebound to find the bottom corner after another deflection by the unfortunate Hoibraten.
      Now only Brazilians Fluminense, including Real Madrid legend Marcelo, stand between City and that record.
      Bernardo Silva put the cherry on the cake for City and secured the 3-0 victoryCredit: Getty More

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      TNT Sports’ Club World Cup coverage leaves Man City fans baffled with ‘career mode camera’

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      MANCHESTER CITY fans were left baffled by the camera angle used during TNT Sports’ coverage of the Club World Cup.Manchester City beat Japanese side Urawa Reds 3-0 to set up a clash with Fluminense in the final.
      Fans were not happy with TNT Sports Club World Cup coverage
      Many felt the camera angle was not close enough
      But midway through the first half fans began to complain about the camera angle used, as it was zoomed out too much.
      TNT Sports explained they had little control over the broadcast as the camera feed was supplied locally – not by them.
      That did not prevent viewers directing their dissatisfaction towards the broadcaster however, with many airing their complaints.
      One fan said: “Cheers TNT providing the career mode camera angles 👍”
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      Another added: “What is this camera angle?”
      A third wrote: “That camera angle made me feel like I was sat in space.”
      And another commented: “What’s gone on here. Like playing Fifa this camera angle 😂😂”
      City took the lead at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium through an own goal scored by Marius Høibråten.
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      Pep Guardiola played without a recognised striker as Julian Alvarez was given a well deserved rest.
      Erling Haaland, who is unavailable through injury, watched on from the stands.
      He was joined by long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne, who is training with the squad for the first time in months in Jeddah. More

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      I faced Guardiola in his first game as a manager – now I’m out to stop him winning only trophy he’s missing at Man City

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      URAWA RED DIAMONDS coach Maciej Skorza has waited 15 years for the chance to lock horns with Pep Guardiola again.And the Pole cannot wait to see if his underdogs can shock the world.
      Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will face the manager he met in his debutCredit: Getty
      Urawa Red Diamonds coach Maciej Skorza defeated Guardiola in 2008Credit: Getty
      Skorza, 51, was in the away dugout in the Nou Camp as Guardiola’s first game as a coach in 2008 ended in a 4-0 Champions League qualifying win.
      While Wisla Krakow won the second leg 1-0, Guardiola’s side went on to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 Final in Rome to complete the first of his many Trebles.
      Skorza, who will step down after the tournament, recalled: “I had the great pleasure to meet Mr Guardiola 15 years ago and I have to admit that from that moment I have admired his work. 
      “He is the No1 manager in the world, so personally it is a special moment to play against his team again after 15 years.
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      “So it is fantastic for me and for my team, because we are playing the best team in the world as well.
      “This is a rare opportunity but our dream is to play in the Final.
      “On paper, City are a better team than us in every aspect. But in football, sometimes, it doesn’t work like that.
      “I believe in my players because we have a fantastic team with fantastic character.
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      “We know we will suffer on the pitch at times but we have to keep going and keep fighting and try to realise our plan.
      “What is important is how we manage the space behind their defence. I believe that we can play a very good game.
      “What the result will be, nobody knows – it’s football. But the most important thing is keeping this team spirit at the top level.”
      Erling Haaland will not be risked after being left out of training, although Kevin De Bruyne could be back on the bench for City.
      Guardiola said: “This is the one trophy we don’t have, so we want to close the circle and have won everything we can win.
      “You have a responsibility to win all the games and every competition.
      “The players know that and we’ll try to perform well.”
      Probable teams: 
      Read more on The Sun
      Manchester City: Steffen; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish
      Urawa Red Diamonds: Nishikawa; Sakai, Scholz, Hoibraten, Akimoto; Ito, Iwao; Okubu, Yasui, Koizumi; Kante. More

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      Man Utd and Liverpool miss out on biggest tournament in history worth £1BILLION as first eight teams confirmed

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      LIVERPOOL and Manchester United have been blocked from a potential £50million payday after being ruled OUT of the new expanded Club World Cup.Fifa chiefs unveiled the official criteria for the 12 European sides eligible to take part in the 32-team event in the USA in 2025.
      Liverpool have missed out on the lucrative new eventCredit: PA
      Man Utd are also set to be denied a huge paydayCredit: AP
      Manchester City and Chelsea have been guaranteed their place in the most lucrative club event in football history – worth £1BILLION-plus – after their Champions League triumphs in 2021 and last season respectively.
      But Liverpool and United are officially OUT of contention – although Arsenal could STILL take a place.
      Fifa’s ruling Council – including FA chair Debbie Hewitt – agreed with the proposal that all countries would be limited to two places unless they had more continental champions.
      In addition to the places for the Champions League winners between 2021 and this term, eight more European slots are available based on coefficient points earned solely in Uefa’s senior competition over the four campaigns.
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      But the restriction on English places to two – unless Arsenal win the Champions League for the first time in June’s Wembley final – is a bitter blow to Liverpool in particular.
      Jurgen Klopp’s men currently stand fourth in Europe’s overall rankings and would have qualified through their Champions League performances over the past three campaigns.
      Under Fifa’s initial plan, allowing one coefficient place per country, Liverpool were guaranteed a spot.
      That was taken away by the vote at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Jeddah, where the Council including Hewitt backed the plan and the dates of the tournament, which will take place from June 15 to July 13.  
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      United were hanging on to a place through the coefficients alone although they are likely to be overtaken by the end of this season.
      But any remaining chance of the Old Trafford side taking part were dashed by the Fifa decision, which opens the door to the likes of Juventus even though they are out of Europe this term.
      The decision means EIGHT clubs are already confirmed slots, with City, Chelsea and Real Madrid qualifying through their Champions League wins.
      They will be joined by Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Porto and Benfica.
      Arsenal, Real Sociedad, PSV Eindhoven and outsiders Copenhagen can only qualify if they win the Champions League.
      But at least three places – four if City or Madrid win at Wembley – can be sealed during the knock-out stage of this season’s competition.
      Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid are in the box seat but could still be overtaken by Leipzig and Barcelona respectively, with Napoli – or theoretically Lazio –  able to overtake Juventus.
      Austrians Salzburg will qualify if City or Real Madrid win the Champions League.
      The 32-team event will follow the traditional World Cup structure with eight groups of four clubs and the top two going into the knock-out round.
      Every club is guaranteed three days between games and the entire event will involve 63 matches – with no third-place game.
      Following the meeting, Fifa President Gianni Infantino said: “Clubs play a fundamental role in world football and the Fifa Club World Cup 2025 will be a major milestone in providing clubs from all confederations with a fitting stage on which to shine at the highest level.
      “This will be an open competition based on sporting merit that will play a key role as part of our efforts to make the game truly global.”
      Fifa also announced the creation of a new “Fifa Intercontinental Cup” to be played each season with the Champions League winners facing the survivor of a series of one-off games between the other five continental winners for the trophy, with the Final on neutral territory.
      Confirmed places: 
      Past Champions league winners: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City
      Through Champions League coefficient points: Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica
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      Can qualify only if they win the Champions League this season: Arsenal, Copenhagen, PSV Eindhoven, Real Sociedad
      Can qualify through Champions League coefficient (only one per country): Borussia Dortmund, Atletico  Madrid, RB Leipzig, Barcelona, Juventus, Napoli, Salzburg, Lazio
      Man City booked their place by winning the Champions League last seasonCredit: PA More

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      Angry Chelsea fans say ‘board did us dirty selling this guy’ as N’Golo Kante scores absolute rocket

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      CHELSEA fans were claiming that their “board did us dirty selling this guy” after watching N’Golo Kante produce a rocket tonight.The French World Cup-winning midfielder, 32, left Stamford Bridge this summer after seven years at the club.
      N’Golo Kante scored a screamer in the Club World CupCredit: Twitter @footballontnt
      Al Ittihad’s players mobbed the ex-Chelsea man after his wonderstrikeCredit: AP

      The ace, who was part of Leicester City’s legendary title-winning side in 2016, helped Chelsea win six trophies during that period, including the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League.
      However, injuries hindered Kante in his final few years in West London and that led to owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake opting to cash in this summer.
      He moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad – but Blues supporters were soon begging him to return after he scored a screamer on his debut.
      Now Kante has done it again by producing another magical finish in the opening match of the Club World Cup.
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      Al-Ittihad were already leading Auckland City thanks to Romarinho when the much-loved Kante almost burst the net with a brilliant half-volley from the edge of the area.
      Auckland City had failed to properly clear a corner as the ball was swung back in, and it fell perfectly for the ex-Blues man to rifle home.
      The clip soon began to go viral, and Chelsea supporters were quick to react to the goal on social media.
      “Chelsea board did the fans dirty by selling this guy,” declared one.
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      A second one said: “Now Kante looks fit i think Chelsea should bring him back.”
      Another commented: “The man is too humble he looks like he was embarrassed he scored.”
      While a fourth added: “Miss this guy sooo much.” More