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      Unknown Premier League rule change revealed as players and staff forced to be fourth officials due to Covid

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      FANS of Everton and Manchester United both flooded social media after members of their clubs’ backroom teams were spotted on substitution board duty this weekend.
      But in fact those getting excited have been asleep at the wheel since Project Restart – in JUNE.

      Lee Grant was the man to hold the sub board to introduce Juan Mata

      Duncan Ferguson held up the board for a late Everton replacement in the Merseyside derby win at Liverpool.
      With third choice keeper Lee Grant was on the touchline for United during the win over Newcastle.
      Prem chiefs, though, confirmed that the boards have not been handled by the fourth official since the return of action last season.
      While it was always a job for officials in the past, Covid protocols mean there are now TWO substitution boards being used at every game.

      The home side has one, with the away team operating the other, in a safety measure.
      It is also a regulation that all boards are sanitised immediately after matches, along with the corner flags and goalposts.
      Last month Grant revealed life as a third-choice can leave him feeling ‘like a zombie’.
      But he has finally found a way of being involved in the Premier League for United who he has never played for in the league.

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      Duncan Ferguson was on hand to introduce Alex Iwobi to the gameCredit: Sky Sports

      Manchester United fsans found Grant’s new role hilarious

      As Shola Shoretire came on to make his Red Devils debut alongside Juan Mata, Grant was seen holding up the substitutes board.
      That is a coronavirus protocol that has been used on occasion this season.
      And fans were loving it.
      Gaz wrote: “The image of Shoretire coming on for his debut is always going to make me laugh now I’ve spotted Lee Grant.”
      Moll added: “Lee Grant is paid £30,000-a-week for this.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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      Premier League fans will be allowed back in stadiums for final game of THIS season at all ten matches

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans will be allowed back in stadiums THIS season.
      PM Boris Johnson will confirm turnstiles will be reopened from May 17 after being closed since December.

      Premier League fans will be allowed to see their team’s last game of the seasonCredit: Rex Features

      These are the final day fixtures will Manchester City already have the title wrapped up?Credit: Premier League

      That would mean the last round of fixtures, to be played on Sunday, May 23, could see up to 10,000 supporters or 25 per cent of capacity, whichever is the smaller back in grounds.
      It would also mean good news for the rest of the EFL, with fans allowed in for the play-off finals.
      The Championship, League One and League Two games are scheduled to take place on the weekend of May 29 – with 90,000-capacity Wembley the usual venue.
      Small numbers of fans were briefly allowed back in grounds in December but after a steep spike in coronavirus cases in the UK, matches were forced back behind closed doors.

      But now there is hope, albeit on the very last day of the Premier League season.
      The PM told the House of Commons: “The turnstiles of our sports stadia will once again rotate, subject in all cases to capacity limits depending on the size of the venue.”
      However the PM has promised to ‘step on the brakes’ should there be a surge in covid cases.
      The league’s chief executive Richard Masters has previous said the economic cost of not allowing fans in ‘has‌ ‌been‌ ‌significant‌ ‌and‌ ‌hard‌ ‌to‌ ‌deal‌ ‌with’.

      Boris Johnson will present his plan to the Commons, and then speak to the public this eveningCredit: Getty – Pool

      Boris will also announce indoor arenas will be able to welcome back either 1,000 fans or hold events with half-full capacity, whichever is smaller
      He is set to announce his roadmap for the UK to come out of the coronavirus lockdown at 3.30pm to the House of Commons.
      The PM will then appear on national TV to speak to the nation who are deseprate for a move as close to normal as possible.
      The news opens the prospect of supporters being in seats for the seven Euro 2020 games due to be played at Wembley as well as Wimbledon.
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      Fans came back to stadiums in December – before the virus rates began to surgeCredit: AFP – Getty
      The could even the prospect of a 90,000 full house for the Euro 2020 Final on July 12.
      It would also allow race fans for the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot in June.
      And supporters will get the chance to watch the England v India Test series and the Open Championships at Royal St George’s.
      While the May 17 date comes two days too late for the FA Cup Final, Wembley beaks do need to hold step test events prior to the Euros to ensure they are able to operate with any protocol requirements.
      The FA has to hand over Wembley to Uefa after the EFL play-offs finish on May 31 but would be open to using the FA Cup Final as part of that testing process if the Government is willing to allow it, which seems likely.
      However, that would see much smaller crowds of maybe only 2,000 or so initially.

      Life will take two years to return to normal but we’ll have to live with Covid as zero cases ‘impossible’, expert warns More

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      Premier League confirm just TWO positive Covid tests from 2,633 carried out on players and staff after Man Utd outbreak

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      MANCHESTER United’s backroom Covid outbreak prevented Prem chiefs announcing their first clear round of testing this season.
      The latest figures revealed that there were just two positive tests last week from 2,633 samples.

      Manchester United’s home game against Newcastle went ahead despite two of the coaching team testing positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      United have admitted two members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff were self-isolating after testing positive.
      The action did not prevent United’s Prem game with Newcastle taking place despite the scare.
      And while it did mean Prem execs are still awaiting the first clear week this season, the fact that the issues were contained to one club is seen as another step in the right direction.
      The figures revealed that one positive test came from the opening 1,290 samples taken across the 20 clubs between Monday and Thursday.

      That was followed by the second positive, from 1,343 tests, between Friday and Sunday.
      It matches last week’s season-low tally of two positives, with a rapid improvement since the League’s enhanced Covid measures were introduced at the start of January.
      League bosses will be hoping that this week will bring a clear round, which has not happened since the end of last season in July.
      Manchester United boss Solskjaer was joined on the bench against Newcastle by Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey.

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      The Premier League will be hoping for a clean bill of health next time roundCredit: Reuters

      Butt, a long-time team-mate of Solskjaer’s at Old Trafford during their playing days, is the club’s head of development.
      Former United player Dempsey returned to the club in 2018 as part of Solskjaer’s staff, having previously worked with the Norwegian at Molde, and is now primarily working with the academy set-up.
      And all three will have been relieved to get the three points against Newcastle after a 3-1 victory.
      United made a nervy start to the game but managed to go 1-0 up thanks to Marcus Rashford’s opener.
      But Allen Saint-Maximin gave the Magpies some hope with an equaliser, before Dan James and Bruno Fernandes sealed the three points on offer.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Solskjaer says the title isn’t over until it’s over after Newcastle win More

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      Man Utd and other Prem stars in Europe to be forced to self-isolate after matches abroad – except for games and training

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      PREMIER LEAGUE players and staff will have to self-isolate for ten days after returning from a game abroad, according to reports.
      Manchester United and their Prem counterparts will only be allowed out to train and compete under new Government rules sent to top flight clubs on Sunday.

      Man Utd are just one of the Premier League teams likely to be affected by new self-isolation rules when returning from abroadCredit: Reuters

      United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea will all be affected by the new rules revealed by the Athletic as they are still in the Europa League or Champions League.
      And so will players leaving the UK on international duty.
      Club staff were not subject to any restrictions after playing on the continent until now.
      But the new guidelines will see them stuck indoors for ten days apart from training and matches.

      The ten-day isolation period will be halved if a negative Covid result can be provided after five days.
      New signings and managers will also be subject to the new rules if arriving from the continent.
      If they were in place last month, Thomas Tuchel would have had to lock himself away when arriving at Chelsea from France.
      As it was, the German started work straight away.

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      Players will have to isolate for ten-days and will only be allowed out for training and gamesCredit: Reuters

      Breaches of Covid rules can lead to fines of up to £10,000.
      Man Utd, Spurs, Arsenal and Leicester all have home games in the second-legs of their last-32 ties in the Europa League but are all in good shape so will likely be affected by the new rules in the next round.
      Chelsea travel to Atletico in the Champions League on Tuesday while City go to Borussia Monchengladbach Wednesday.
      And Liverpool host RB Leipzig on March 10 having beaten them 2-0 away on Tuesday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Red Devils push Toon closer to drop zone after Manchester United vs Newcastle More

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      Man Utd hit by coronavirus outbreak among coaching staff with Nicky Butt to join Solskjaer on bench for Newcastle game

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak just hours before their Premier League clash at home to Newcastle.
      Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey will join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the Manchester United bench for the game with some other members of the coaching staff in self-isolation, the club have announced.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be joined by Nicky Butt on the bench for the visit of NewcastleCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The individuals in self-isolation are not being identified.
      It is understood there are no concerns that any players will need to isolate and tonight’s fixture, scheduled to kick off at 7pm at Old Trafford, will go ahead.
      Butt, a long-time team-mate of Solskjaer’s at Old Trafford during their playing days, is the club’s head of development.
      Former United player Dempsey returned to the club in 2018 as part of Solskjaer’s staff, having previously worked with the Norwegian at Molde, and is now primarily working with the academy set-up.

      The club statement read: “Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey will join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the bench this evening due to some of the coaching staff having to self isolate.”
      Solskjaer’s side are second in the standings, 10 points behind big rivals Manchester City who play Arsenal.
      But the Red Devils should be full of confidence after the 4-0 Europa League thrashing of Real Sociedad in the week.
      And Solskjaer is refusing to overlook the danger poised by a Newcastle side desperate to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.

      The Norwegian told the club website: “Every game in the Premier League is difficult. You’ve got to earn the right.
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      Former United star Nicky Butt will be closer to the actionCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “You’ve got to do it by your quality but first of all the attitude.
      “Run more than them, want it more than them and we’ve got players who have got the quality, so hopefully we can take the chances.
      “The confidence is high, it’s a big boost for the morale. Of course it’s Sunday night so we’ve got three full days to recover.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Solskjaer tells his Man Utd stars they are paid enough to cope with relentless fixture schedule More

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      Premier League hopes to welcome fans back THIS season but ‘confident’ stadiums will be roaring again next year

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chief executive Richard Masters has not given up on seeing fans back in stadiums this season.
      And the footy big-wig is confident supporters will fill grounds again next campaign.

      Fans could still be allowed back in stadiums this seasonCredit: AFP – Getty

      Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is also ‘confident’ supporters will be back next seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

      Small numbers of fans were briefly allowed back in grounds in December but after a steep spike in coronavirus cases in the UK, matches were forced back behind closed doors.
      However, Masters was upbeat about the prospect of the public being allowed back in.
      Speaking during the Financial Times’ Business of Football summit on Thursday, he said: “The economic‌ ‌cost‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Premier League clubs and the whole‌ ‌of‌ ‌football‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌significant‌ ‌and‌ ‌hard‌ ‌to‌ ‌deal‌ ‌with‌. ‌
      “Clubs‌ ‌have‌ ‌stepped‌ ‌up‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌right‌ ‌way‌ ‌in‌ ‌terms‌ ‌of‌ ‌reinvesting‌ ‌in‌ ‌their‌ ‌squads‌ ‌and‌ ‌getting‌ ‌on‌ with‌ ‌it‌ generally. ‌

      “What’s been missing is the fans.
      “We’re getting‌ ‌used‌ ‌to‌ ‌watching‌ ‌live football on television without‌ ‌fans‌ ‌in the stadium but‌ ‌I don’t‌ ‌want‌ ‌us‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌used‌ ‌to‌ ‌that‌ ‌too‌ ‌much‌ ‌longer‌.
      “Hopefully we will see an end to that and the return of supporters as soon as possible. ‌
      “I do feel confident we will have fans back for next season.

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      “I hope it opens up quickly and that we can work with the Government and get fans back in the stadiums in real numbers and get back to the real Premier League.”
      Covid infections are still rising in 16 areas in England.
      But official data from Public Health England (PHE) states cases have fallen in 95 per cent of areas (298).
      The latest data from PHE comes as a major study revealed that infections have dropped two thirds since January.
      Scientists hailed the plummeting cases as ‘really encouraging’ on Wednesday, but warned pressure on hospitals must ease before we unlock the country.
      Britain’s biggest virus infection survey found the R rate is down to 0.7, even as low as 0.6 in London.
      The React study, by Imperial College London, carried out swab tests on 85,000 people across England between February 6 and 13.
      They revealed all regions of England have seen a fall in cases – with London, the South East and West Midlands seeing the biggest dip.
      Around 52 people per 10,000 are testing positive for the virus now, which is similar to the rates we saw in September last year.
      Infections are halving every 15 days – which is good news for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he gets ready to reveal the roadmap to get us out of lockdown.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Fans set to return for Champions League final with talks over 37,500 attending Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium

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      ANYWHERE up to 37,500 fans could attend this season’s Champions League Final.
      Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium is set to host the bumper spectacle on May 29.

      Upto 37,500 fans could be in attendance for the Champions League finalCredit: Getty

      Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium is set to host the spectacle on May 29Credit: Getty

      Mail Online claims ‘talks are at an advanced stage’ for between ‘30 to 50 per cent’ of the 76,092-capacity arena to be full of supporters.
      Today’s report also states the prospect of switching venues has also been raised amid concerns Uefa will be able to ‘generate sufficient revenue to make it worthwhile’ for the host.
      Discussions between the governing body and Turkish government are still ongoing.
      It is believed that between 22,500 and 37,500 fans could be permitted entry to the showpiece.

      However, the chances of ticket allocations being sent to the two clubs that reach the final remains slim – although it has not been ruled out completely.
      Premier League sides Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea remain in the competition.
      If tickets are only sold to Istanbul locals, then the chances are more likely that the Ataturk will have 50 per cent of its capacity in use rather than the 30.
      The stadium was due to host the 2020 Champions League final until the outbreak of Covid-19.

      That led to a major change, with the remaining knockout stages and final instead being shifted to Lisbon.

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      The news comes after fans in England were boosted when SunSport revealed yesterday they could be allowed in to watch the two domestic cup finals – in a trial to help ensure supporters for Euro 2020.
      The FA is determined to open up some of the Wembley turnstiles for the seven games due to be played in the stadium during the international tournament in June and July.
      And that could see up to 10,000 supporters in for the April 29 Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Spurs and the FA Cup final the following month.
      Both events would be staging posts towards the summer, with the FA hoping to be able to fill 30 per cent of Wembley’s 90,000 capacity by the Euros.
      FA chiefs are part of the Government’s Sports Technology Innovation Group, headed by Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross.
      Discussions over the past year have included concepts such as digital Covid passports for spectators, with football bosses signalling their willingness to act as “guinea pigs” for the safe re-opening of the country.
      And even getting reduced numbers in to Wembley in the spring would be a huge staging post in the right direction.
      Expectations of a lifting of Covid restrictions in the coming weeks will make the possibility of reopening turnstiles more realistic, although there is no expectation of fans being back in Prem grounds before next season.

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      Now Riyad Mahrez’s Covidiot wife, 28, flouts mask rules in Sainsbury’s after fine for flouting lockdown with London bash

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      RIYAD Mahrez’s Covidiot wife has now flouted coronavirus mask rules in Sainsbury’s after picking up a fine for breaching lockdown at a London party.
      Rita Johal, 28, was filmed telling cops “the one per cent is controlling us” after a bash she attended at a London flat was raided on Friday night.

      🦠 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      Rita Johal filmed herself shopping with her face mask around her chin

      She told her 500,000 Instagram followers she was shopping for her dad
      She later claimed she had been “fined for being too hot” in videos uploaded to her 500,000 Instagram followers.
      And she has now filmed herself shopping in Sainsbury’s with her mask around her chin as she speaks to the camera.
      Since July, anyone entering a shop must cover their nose and mouth, unless they are medically exempt.

      Supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, said they will ban customers who don’t have a face mask.

      What a good daughter I am, right?
      Rita Johal

      But Rita appeared to ignore the rules when she went shopping for her father yesterday.
      She told her followers: “So I’m doing a surprise food shop for my dad.
      “I’ve got him all his fruit and vegetables and water. And I hope you guys do the same for your parents.

      “I’m just giving awareness and hope that people still look after them, because they’re getting older.
      “What a good daughter I am, right?”

      She wasn’t wearing her face mask properly while walking around the supermarket

      Rita Johal pictured with Riyad Mahrez in 2017Credit: Getty Images

      Rita was fined after attending a party in London over the weekend despite lockdown rules

      The model has been promoting ‘exclusive content’ for £8 a month on OnlyFansCredit: Instagram
      Just hours after The Sun revealed the story, the model started promoting a new account on X-rated site OnlyFans, promising “exclusive content” for £8 a month.
      A promo video features her posing for a series of intimate selfies before asking fans to subscribe.
      She tells followers: “Swipe up right now to subscribe to my OnlyFans.
      “I’ll be posting exclusive content I won’t be posing anywhere else – my music, pictures, videos, all of that exciting stuff.”
      Rita, who is estranged from her Manchester City star husband, has made 16 posts on the premium content site, including shots captioned “Lil bit of me” and “Love to try it all”.
      LOCKDOWN BASH
      Rita was with at least half a dozen people at the property on Friday night in videos she uploaded to her Instagram account.
      She captioned the clips: “Fine for being to hot. Loool we all got fined don’t worry about it sweetheart.”
      They show at least ten Metropolitan Police officers quizzing the revellers as Rita asks them: “Guys is this what life is? Don’t you guys like to party anymore, guys?”
      A female officer can be heard telling her: “Not during lockdown.”
      To which Ms Johal responds: “Guys, you can’t be all depressed in this world, we have got to be happy.”

      The model continues on a bizarre rant, claiming “the one per cent is controlling us” before shouting: “We are all in this together!”
      A cop is then told to give her a fine for the breach.
      Last week a man admitted using a bank card belonging to Riyad Mahrez on visits to a casino and a trip to Ibiza.

      Rita is estranged from Manchester City star husband Riyad MahrezCredit: Instagram

      The model promoted her premium OnlyFans account to 500k Instagram followersCredit: Instagram

      The promo videos came just hours after The Sun first reported her lockdown breachCredit: Instagram

      Rita pictured watching Mahrez’s former team Leicester City at the King Power StadiumCredit: Instagram

      Riyad Mahrez’s wife says she was ‘fined for being too hot’ as she asks lockdown raid cops ‘don’t you like to party?’ More