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    I’ve spent £10k travelling to 118 football grounds around the world… but tickets aren’t my only eye-watering expense

    A FOOTBALL-CRAZY fan has travelled 51,000 miles and spent £13,000 visiting 118 grounds across the world – costing a lot not just for tickets and travel, but also plenty of pints.Oliver Banks has watched games in stadiums spanning ten countries, splashing out £7,000 on entry, £2,000 on getting there – and £4,000 on beer.
    Football fan Oliver Banks at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, where he saw his team Manchester United beat Bayern Munich to win the Champions League in 1999Credit: Jam Press
    Yet the Manchester United supporter says their Old Trafford home remains his favourite.
    He spent his childhood going to United home games with his dad Jon.
    Oliver’s earliest memory was celebrating the Red Devils’ win over Bayern Munich to secure the Treble back in 1999, when he was just eight.
    He started to visit local grounds when on holiday in a foreign country.
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    Yet it was the Covid-19 lockdown that prompted him to explore further, on realising how much he missed live matches at a time when fans were barred from attending.
    Since restrictions were lifted, he resolved to visit as many as possible – getting to 118 so far and aiming to take in many more.
    He said “My flights alone have been 31,000 miles since I started ground-hopping.
    “I’d probably estimate another 15,000 – 20,000 miles in trains and driving for games in the UK.
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    “The countries I’ve watched football in include Cyprus, Belgium, Wales, Poland, France, Scotland, Italy, Germany, Spain and England.
    “Stadiums out of the UK include GSP Stadium, Cyprus, and the Stade Roi Baudoin, Belgium.
    “In Poland, I’ve visited Polsat Plus Arena and Stadion Bemowskiego Osrodka Pilki Noznej.
    “In France I’ve visited Parc Des Princes, and I’ve been to BayArena in Germany.
    “In Italy – San Siro, Arena Civica, Gewiss Stadium, Stadio Artemi Franchi, Stadio Ennio Tardini, Stadio Giovanni Zini, Stadio Olimpico, Stadio Pierluigi Penzo.
    “Likewise, I’ve been to many grounds in Spain including Civitas Metropolitano, Estadio La Rosaleda, Estadio Benito Villamarin, Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Estadio de la Ceramica, Reale Arena, Camp Nou.”
    “I fly to overseas games, then train or drive to UK games.
    “I’ve probably spent £1,000 to £2,000 travelling outside of England to different games. I tend to make sure I get reasonably-priced flights.
    “For example, my dad and I did a trip to Warsaw for a game last year and flights were £9.99 return.
    “Flights for my Denmark and Sweden trip are only £40 return, so if you pick the right dates it’s not too bad.
    “England is normally much more expensive to get around – trains to domestic away games are far too expensive.”
    He also made sure to see most of the England “Lionesses” games on their way to winning the European Championship last summer, including beating Germany 1-0 in the final.
    He said: “My favourite game and memory of last season was the final at Wembley, just a brilliant day from start to finish.”
    Supping up adds to the costs, however.
    He said: “Beers at games is also an expensive factor in ground-hopping. I’ll have more at United as I’m not driving.
    “Manchester United charge £3 a pint and most non-league clubs are £3.50 to £5 a pint.
    “I’ve probably spent around £4,000 just on beer.”
    As to the best ground to be at, Oliver added: “It’s hard to pick a favourite ground as it definitely depends on the day around it, the game, the food, the atmosphere.
    “Of course Old Trafford is my favourite ground because it’s my home.”
    His next best is Sevilla’s Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan – despite United’s 3-0 defeat there last month in a Europa League quarter-final second leg, losing 5-2 on aggregate despite leading 2-0 in their earlier encounter at OId Trafford.
    He said: “A terrible result for United, but I’ve never known an atmosphere created by a set of home fans like the one Sevilla made.
    “Next is Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland. I had wanted to visit it since I was a child and it was everything I wanted it to be.
    “Followed by Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. I was fortunate to pick up a last-minute ticket for Wrexham v Grimsby in the play-offs last year and what a fantastic day.
    “Last but by no means least has to be San Siro in Milan, Italy. It was absolutely iconic and totally lives up to its reputation.”
    However, Oliver has had his fair share of grounds that didn’t quite live up to his expectations.
    He added “My bottom four grounds include St Mary’s in Southampton, England. It’s just really dull and feels like it lacks character.
    “Next up would be Leigh Sports Village in Leigh, England. Nothing hugely against the stadium but it’s a farce that Manchester United Women play there, and transport options for it are shocking.
    “Technique Stadium in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Again, similarly to St Mary’s, it’s fine but there’s no real interesting qualities to it.”
    Oliver has revealed how the influence of lockdown and restrictions started his ground-hopping journey.
    He said “I’ve always had an interest in away days, seeing new grounds and so on. If I was going on holiday, I’d try and visit the local ground etc.
    “I think lockdown and the total loss of games to go to really made me appreciate just how much I love attending football games but also having varied football experiences, and that made me start to look at recording the data behind games I was going to.
    “I definitely feel like there’s something spiritual about a football ground – there are very few places where people congregate in such large numbers for one event and with one common goal.
    “Absolutely every ground is different, and ground-hopping takes you to parts of the country and the world that I don’t think I’d otherwise ever see.
    “I don’t have a number in mind really. I’d like to do the 92, but given the two Uniteds dominate my weekends I can’t complete it with any kind of speed.
    “There are ground-hoppers who’ve visited up to 750 grounds and I’d like to get to those kind of numbers in years to come.
    “I will quite happily watch any standard of football anywhere really, so I expect that my match numbers will keep on rising faster than my ground number does.”
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    The fixtures he has ahead include Manchester United facing Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on June 3 and Copenhagen against Randers in Denmark the following day.
    He then intends to head to Sweden to see Malmo take on Degerfors on June 5, before returning home and seeing Gareth Southgate’s England play North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19 in a 2024 European Championship qualifier.
    Oliver Banks first attended matches with his father JonCredit: Jam Press
    Oliver believes he has spent £7,000 on tickets to games – and another £4,000 on beerCredit: Jam Press
    The Polsat Plus Arena in the Polish city of Gdansk is among Oliver’s visitsCredit: Jam Press
    A highlight was Wembley as England’s Lionesses beat Germany in the Euro 2022 finalCredit: Jam Press More

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    Ben Hunt: F1 facing China crisis as Covid cancels Shanghai GP AGAIN… but can they afford to scrap it altogether?

    PARTNERS and families of people who work in F1 must be wondering what has happened — because their loved ones still have another week at home.It seems like a long time ago that we had the Australian Grand Prix.
    Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu has joined Alfa RomeoCredit: Getty
    And there are still 12 days to go until the Azerbaijan GP.
    Aside from the winter off-season, where there are obviously no races, such a spell at home is unheard of.
    For context, the travel demands in F1 were once so tough that an enforced two-week break was inserted into the rulebook — known as the summer shutdown — amid rocketing divorce rates within the sport.
    This season sees, for the first time, an enforced winter break as teams rightly consider the impact a gruelling schedule has on their workforce.
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    The 2023 season is the longest in the sport’s history — 266 days across 23 races running from the start of March to the end of November.
    It would have been 24 but for the decision to cancel the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai — which caused this unexpected four-week break.
    This time at home might be welcome, but for Formula One it represents a problem and raises a question about the future of this race.
    The schedule is limited to a maximum of 24 races and organisers of the Chinese GP are allocated one of those slots and have another two years left to run on their contract.
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    Yet with the other 23 slots all signed up, it means F1 is at the mercy of China.
    By that I don’t mean the organisers of the GP, but the country’s Covid stance, including on quarantine, and their ability to process the incoming freight and subsequent logistics.
    It was a combination of both that saw the trigger pulled on this year’s race, F1 acting swiftly in December but maybe not quick enough to thrash out a deal for a suitable replacement.
    There is some suggestion from sources in China that F1 chiefs were too hasty to cancel this year’s race  — but maybe that was done so as to find an alternative race.
    F1 has to include the Chinese GP as part of its planning, but that means bosses are not able to sell that spot on the calendar to another bidder.
    Be that South Africa, Turkey, a second race in Saudi Arabia, or to whoever stumped up the cash.
    A hastily-arranged deal would not be as lucrative, not to mention cause a logistical problem for teams.
    The reality is that there has been no Chinese GP since 2019.
    But since then, a Chinese driver has joined the grid in Zhou Guanyu, who races for Alfa Romeo.
    And we are yet to see the full impact his arrival in the sport has had back home.
    There are currently just two Asian races on this year’s calendar — Japan and Singapore. The Middle East has twice as many.
    The simple fact is, F1 cannot really afford to have an unknown each year when it comes to the Chinese GP.
    Should they just bite the bullet and cancel the contract?
    However, with the potential for investment and sponsorship — not to mention a huge TV audience — can they afford not to at least give it another go?
    For what it is worth, I firmly believe that there will be another Chinese GP in Shanghai, I am just not too sure when that will be.
    LOAD OF BULL
    Daniil Kvyat felt betrayed by Red BullCredit: Getty
    DANIIL KVYAT says he felt “betrayed” and “stabbed in the back” when Red Bull demoted him to Toro Rosso in favour of Max Verstappen in 2016.
    Kvyat, 28, once dubbed ‘The Torpedo’ for the way he crashed into people, is now racing for Lamborghini in their World Endurance Championship.
    He has also detached himself from Russia, the country of his birth and will compete under his Italian racing licence.
    RIN-CREDIBLE
    Alex Rins won the MotoGP in AustinCredit: Reuters
    IT IS amazing to think that Alex Rins’ victory for Honda in Austin was the team’s first win in 539 days and 24 Grands Prix.
    The Japanese giants have the biggest budget and most resources in MotoGP and, finally, they have broken their horror run.
    Spaniard Rins was able to capitalise after world champion Pecco Bagnaia slid off while leading the race.
    The Italian had dominated all weekend at the Circuit of the Americas but has been left rattled by his second expensive error in consecutive races.
    He said: “Now it’s another week in a row, I don’t know why. So I am quite angry and disappointed — but not with myself.
    “I am 100 per cent sure it wasn’t my fault. We have to understand it, we don’t know how it’s happening.”
    E-XCITED
    Felipe Drugovich will drive for MaseratiCredit: Getty
    FORMULA E is returning this weekend in Berlin.
    The series then holds a rookie test on Monday where F2 champ Felipe Drugovich will drive for Maserati MSG Racing.
    Brits Jonny Edgar and Jack Aitken test for Envision.
    MORE SEATS
    Two new grandstands are set to be built for the Singapore GPCredit: Splash
    SINGAPORE GP chiefs put in two new grandstands for September’s race due to increased ticket demand.
    But those hoping to go need to get in quick because even those are selling fast and it is close to a sell-out.
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    GOR BLIMEY
    Gordon Murray unveiled the new T.33 SpiderCredit: PA
    I ATTENDED Goodwood’s 80th Members’ Meeting at the weekend.
    The highlights were seeing the Lotus Cortina race plus the unveiling of the new T.33 Spider by legendary F1 designer Gordon Murray. More

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    I’m Anthony Joshua’s rival and saw Chinese pals attacked over Covid but nobody dared target me due to my mammoth size

    ZHILEI ZHANG saw Chinese compatriots getting attacked in New York during the Covid-19 pandemic but was too big for the cowards to target.The Beijing 2008 Olympic silver winner trains as a pro in New Jersey and has adopted the US as a second home.
    Zhilei Zhang opened up on how he saw Chinese compatriots being attacked in New YorkCredit: PA
    But when coronavirus gripped the world – and ex-president Donald Trump made a series of allegations against China – 39-year-old Zhang felt like the enemy in the Land of Opportunity.
    Thankfully life is almost back to normal and Zhang was welcomed to London last week to take on Putney’s 37-year-old Juggernaut Joe Joyce at the Copper Box on Saturday.
    Recalling the torrid time his innocent fellow expats faced, the softly spoken giant told SunSport: “We saw people getting pushed on the subway in New York City.
    “I would probably never become a target in the street, because of my size, but I do have Chinese friends and business owners in New York who have been targeted.
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    “These people have suffered, not just financially but also mentally and emotionally.
    “I don’t think it is the right thing to do, I don’t agree with politicising the pandemic, it should not be used as something to attack people.
    “People and human beings are innocent, nobody wants anyone to be sick, suffer or be infected.
    “Nobody wanted the virus and nobody wanted the impact it has had on the world.
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    “Thankfully now we are moving on and getting back to living our lives in a positive way.”
    With China being the cradle of martial arts and boxing coming under that huge and money-spinning umbrella, it’s strange that 6ft 6in Zhang remains a rarity.
    But the 24-1-1 southpaw explains very wisely why a population of 1.4billion people have ZERO world boxing champions and just a few Asian fighters, largely representing Japan in the lightest weight classes.
    “When I got the silver medal in 2008, boxing was still a minor sport in China,” he said.
    “In China the major sports are diving, table tennis and soccer. Even after I got my silver medal I didn’t get recognised a lot. But I know what I have achieved and how far I have come.
    “Last time I fought in Las Vegas, my fight got 60 million views in China, that was record-breaking and historic, so I hope my career is helping make boxing a bigger success in China.
    “Maybe there are a couple of reasons why boxing and Asian countries haven’t really taken off.
    “One might be Geography, Asia is a pretty remote region, cut away from the likes of Europe and the Americas.
    Zhang won a silver medal at the 2008 OlympicsCredit: PA
    “Also Asian guys are traditionally smaller guys, so we have stars like Manny Pacquiao but they operate in the smaller divisions, which don’t get as much attention as the bigger guys from around middleweight and above.
    “I am not from a big family at all, it really is just me! My parents are just average sized”.
    Before Anthony Joshua agreed to fight Jermaine Franklin in his comeback bout in April 1, promoter Eddie Hearn teased the idea of taking him on a round-the-world tour and facing Zhang at the iconic 80,000 seat Bird’s Nest Stadium.
    Sadly it was another bluff but Zhang hopes our London 2012 legend is not getting written off by the British public he won over so spectacularly over the last decade.
    “We talked about something but it was premature,” Zhang confirmed.
    “Maybe after two losses to Usyk he is scared of southpaws forever now?
    “But I don’t think there is any fear among the top boxers – in any division – I believe that we are all fighters who want the biggest and best fights.
    “But I do believe and understand how promoters and broadcasters want to protect their investments, they are the ones who are scared of a loss.
    “Joshua has lost a few times but look at his wins, the respect is there.
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    “I don’t think Joshua fears anyone but I think the business people and investors in him are protecting their career with smart business moves.
    “He might have lost some confidence but I think he deserves time and recognition.” More

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    Six Premier League legends AXED from Hall of Fame shortlist amid controversies as new group is announced

    THE PREMIER LEAGUE has AXED six nominees from this year’s Hall of Fame shortlist.It comes as a smaller group of nominees has been announced for 2023 after all six of the Prem icons were on a larger shortlist last year.
    Matt Le Tissier has been taken out of the shortlist of nominees for the Premier League Hall of FameCredit: PA
    Patrice Evra has also been taken off of the nominee’s listCredit: AFP
    This year’s shortlist sees 15 stars nominated, down from the 25 nominees in 2022.
    The names cut from the list are Matt Le Tissier, Patrice Evra, Teddy Sheringham, Edwin van der Sar, Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
    Southampton legend Le Tissier was cut after coming under fire for his controversial views relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
    Le Tissier, who was axed as a pundit by Sky Sports in 2020, claimed PCR tests were “the biggest fraud ever perpetuated on mankind”.
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    He also said images of destruction in Ukraine were “falsified” and reposted a Tweet claiming the media had “lied” about a number of stories.
    Ex-Manchester United star Evra was taken off the list after being convicted in a Paris court over his use of homophobic language online.
    Following a game between United and Paris-Saint Germain in 2019, Evra posted a clip online of him saying: “Paris, you are queers, you are queers.”
    Stop Homophobia and Mousse launched a complaint in March 2019, with the 41-year-old landing a fine of £890 and being ordered to pay £1780 compensation to two anti-hate campaign groups.
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    After the conviction in February, Evra said: “I have so much to learn.”
    Premier League sources insisted that the shortlist had been reduced as a result of the lower number of inductees and entirely on footballing criteria.
    In addition, the Premier League added: “ New players become eligible each season upon their retirement from football.
    “A number of other factors are also taken into account by the Premier League and the League’s Awards Panel.
    “They include prior voting data for players included in previous Hall of Fame shortlists, eras, player positions and achievements.
    The 2023 Hall of Fame nomineesCredit: PREMIER LEAGUE
    “Each player will be considered according to these factors when compiling all future shortlists.”
    Ex-Man Utd and Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick has been joined by ex-Spurs and Sunderland ace Jermain Defoe in this year’s list as newcomers in this year’s list.
    The Hall of Fame began in 2021 and has seen 16 players inducted into it so far.
    Legendary managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger became the first managers inducted into the list earlier this week.
    They join the 16 players already in the list, which saw David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Alan Shearer in the inaugural selection in 2021.
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    Last year brought the addition of Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira before Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes and Ian Wright were all selected by fans.
    Supporters have until 6pm on April 10 to cast their ballots via the Prem website, with the winners announced on May 3. More

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    YouTube star AnEsonGib to rematch Austin McBroom in winner-take-all tournament after American says he fought with Covid

    YOUTUBER Austin McBroom is set to rematch AnEsonGib after claiming he fought him while suffering Covid. The pair are both in KingPyn’s eight-man winner-take-all tournament and drew each other in the quarter-final stage.
    Austin McBroom was knocked out by AnEsonGib but claimed he had Covid at the timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    It gives McBroom the chance to avenge his defeat in September when the two rematch at Wembley Arena on April 22.
    The American sparked controversy when he made a video to say he tested positive for coronavirus after being hospitalised following defeat.
    McBroom also revealed he fought just moments after using an IV – which is banned by any boxing commission – to combat his illness.
    Gib – who was floored in the first round – would go onto win by knockout in the fourth after scoring FIVE knockdowns.
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    The rivals traded words when they faced off once again in the tournament draw.
    Gib, 26, said: “This makes sense, he made his complaints, it’s time to prove yourself but it’s going the exact same route.
    “I’ve got better IQ, you’re getting smoked, and it’s repeat. You haven’t got no easy fight coming in, you’re facing me and you’re getting smoked.”
    McBroom, 30, said: “All I’ve got to say is, you won’t get lucky again because I won’t be sick. I wish you the best of luck.”
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    Gib hit back: “I hurt you with every shot. Right hook, straight, body shots, I hurt you with every, bro.
    “You were suffering, you were suffering. Everybody was screaming for you, ‘What’s happening to him.’ You was suffering.”
    Elsewhere in the tournament, DJ Tom Zanetti faces YouTuber Jarvis with Brazilian content creator Whindersson fighting a mystery opponent.
    AnEsonGib and Austin McBroom squaring off ahead of their rematchCredit: @kingpynboxing More

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    Pele’s family give positive health update but reveal Brazil legend is in hospital with Covid-aggravated infection

    PELE’S family have given a positive health update but reveal the Brazil football legend is in hospital with a Covid-aggravated infection. The 82-year-old, who won the World Cup three times from 1958 to 1970, was hospitalised earlier this week after he stopped responding to chemotherapy as he battles bowel cancer.
    Pele’s daughter provided a positive updateCredit: Instagram @pele

    Pele is fighting a lung infection, his family has revealedCredit: Instagram @pele

    Pele with family and friends in OctoberCredit: Instagram @pele

    Reports had surfaced that Pele had been moved to palliative end-of-life care in hospital.
    However, his family have said that it is not true and the football icon is “in a regular bedroom” but is fighting a Covid-aggravated infection.
    And once he has fully recovered he will leave the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo.
    Daughter Kely Nascimento said in an interview with TV Globo that aired Sunday night: “He is sick, he is old.
    READ MORE ON PELE
    “But at the moment, he is there because of the lung infection. And once he feels better, he will go home again.
    “He is not saying goodbye in a hospital at the moment.”
    Pele’s other daughter, Flavia, added: “It is very unfair for people to say he is in the end of his life, in palliative care. Guys, that’s not true. Believe us.
    “He is not in intensive care, he is in a regular bedroom. He is not in risk, he is in treatment.”
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    Pele has been moved by the tributes pouring in from across the football world, but his grandson, Arthur, says his time hasn’t come and he will see Brazil lift a sixth World Cup.
    Arthur said: “I see people telling me ‘rest in peace’ (for Pele). One day it will happen, but it is not today.
    “He is going to be well, it is a matter of time. He will see Brazil lift the sixth title.”
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    Brazil are one of the favourites to lift the World Cup in Qatar and begin their knockout campaign on Monday.
    They face South Korea, who pulled off a shock win over Portugal in their last group game.
    Superstar Neymar is expected to play after overcoming an ankle injury that ruled him out of Brazil’s final two group fixtures.
    Pele is expected to return home once he has fought off the lung infectionCredit: Instagram
    Grandson Arthur says the football great’s time hasn’t come and he will see Brazil lift a sixth World CupCredit: Instagram @pele
    Pele won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970Credit: AP:Associated Press More

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    Chinese GP CANCELLED again for fourth straight year as F1 confirm race called off due to ‘Covid difficulties’

    FORMULA ONE have cancelled the Chinese Grand Prix for the fourth year in a row due to “Covid difficulties”.The circuit was set to return to Shanghai for the fourth race of the 2023 season on April 16.
    The Chinese Grand Prix for 2023 has been cancelledCredit: Reuters
    Lewis Hamilton won the last edition of the race in 2019Credit: AFP
    But with coronavirus still an ongoing issue in the Asian country and restrictions remaining in place, F1 confirmed the Grand Prix will not go ahead as planned.
    China’s covid policies mean that all F1 staff and drivers would be required to quarantine.
    There is the added risk that if team members tested positive for Covid they would be detained while they recover.
    A short statement from F1 said: “Formula One can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the Covid-19 situation.
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    “Formula One is assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course.”
    The Chinese GP was axed when the pandemic broke out in early 2020.
    The 2021 and 2022 races were also wiped off the F1 calendar as the problems continued.
    Lewis Hamilton won the last edition of the Chinese GP in 2019.
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    That was the Brit’s sixth victory at the Shanghai circuit in his illustrious career, claiming his first chequered flag in 2008.
    One possible solution is a return to Portimao, which would make up a record 24-race calendar.
    The cancelled race will otherwise mean there will be a four-week gap between the Australian GP and the Azerbaijan GP which run at the start and the end of April respectively.
    Another option would see the Azerbaijan GP move forward to close up the gap, meaning the total GPs is reduced to 23.
    Max Verstappen will begin his campaign for a hat-trick of drivers’ world championships in Bahrain on March 5 – after pre-season testing at the same venue.
    F1 had pieced together the whopping 24-race season for 2023, with a new Las Vegas Grand Prix on the penultimate weekend.
    As usual, the season will come to an end at Abu Dhabi on the last weekend of November.
    But a handful of drivers could be at risk of facing bans next year if they hit the 12-point penalty limit threshold on their licences within a rolling 12 months.
    Pierre Gasly (ten), Lance Stroll (eight), Verstappen and Alex Albon (both seven) are closest to triggering an automatic one-race ban. More

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    Stunning OnlyFans model promises free naked pictures for every Brazil goal at World Cup 2022

    A STUNNING OnlyFans model has promised a free nude snap for every goal her native Brazil scores in the World Cup.Daiane Tomazoni, 24, joined OnlyFans shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic and says she now earns much more than she would in any other job.
    Daiane Tomazoni has promised a nude snap every time Brazil score at the World CupCredit: Instagram – tomazonidaiane
    She works as a model on OnlyFansCredit: Instagram – tomazonidaiane
    Daiane is a fan of RicharlisonCredit: Instagram – tomazonidaiane
    She told Newsflash in an interview: “I currently work exclusively producing 18+ content. In addition to OnlyFans, I work with other platforms in the same industry.
    “Before the pandemic, at the suggestion of some friends who were already working in and were managing to earn a lot from content production, I decided to start selling too.
    “The pandemic and social isolation ended up suiting this online work. I was working in the HR department of a company and I was fired due to court issues.
    “So I decided to focus 100 per cent on content sales and it worked.”
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    On her latest, eyebrow-raising pledge, Daiane added: “I have a group on Telegram where I keep in close contact with my followers.
    “Unlike subscriber platforms, this group is for interaction and for me to send previews of my content.
    “I talk a lot, I reply to everyone, and I realised that people weren’t that excited about the games.
    “So I thought of creating a way to encourage everyone to better support the national team.
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    “As soon as I pitched the idea, many thought it was a lie and that I wasn’t going to send them.”
    Daiane continued: “Even so, the majority started backing and sharing messages of support for Brazil.
    “They asked for photos even for balls that hit the crossbar during the game. As the goals took a while and only happened in the second half, people got anxious.
    “But as soon as Richarlison scored the first, the group was thrilled! And, of course, I sent the first photo completely uncensored.
    “Of course, with the second goal, people were even happier.
    “And since it worked out, in the next games I will keep and expand my pledge. Who knows? Maybe even with videos. Anything for the Brazil’s sixth title!”
    Commenting on Brazil’s performance in the World Cup so far, Daiane said: “Our team shone on the field.
    “There was the nervousness of the opening game that’s always common, especially for those with five stars on their shirt.
    “But the team soon found themselves and secured their first victory.”
    Daiane also spoke of her love for the beautiful game and named Spurs and ex-Watford and Everton striker Richarlison a second time.
    She said: “I think it’s impossible not to be a football fanatic in Brazil. It’s very connected to our culture. I love it!
    “And even before the call-up, my fans were already very fond of Richarlison, who scored the goals in the opening game.
    “He has cool opinions off the field and he has the Brazilian joy of playing football.”
    She is not the only Brazilian fan to talk up the attacker as Mayara Lopes believes Richarlison will be a superstar.
    Daiane wants to reward Brazil’s squad the same way she rewards her followers.
    She said: “I want to send the same incentive I send to my followers to the national team players and the entire coaching staff.
    “Imagine some of them getting some intimate photos and receiving that excitement, right?”
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    She joked: “I’ll send, you can DM me on my official Instagram!”
    Daiane ended with a message of support for Brazil and PSG superstar Neymar, saying “I want to send good luck in particular to Neymar Jr., who deserves our support, as he was injured in his first game.”
    She wished Neymar luck after his injuryCredit: Instagram – tomazonidaiane
    Daiane believes football is connected to the culture of BrazilCredit: Instagram – tomazonidaiane More