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      Brentford confirm they won’t take a knee before Barnsley game after discussing as a team

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      BRENTORD’S players have announced they will no longer take the knee before matches – starting with Sunday’s meeting with Barnsley.
      The Bees squad issued a statement on Saturday night reinforcing their commitment to eradicating racism and discrimination, but explained they believe the gesture is ‘no longer having an impact’.

      Brentford’s players will no longer take a knee before gamesCredit: Rex Features

      The decision comes just days after Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha said it was ‘degrading’ for black players to have to take the knee to ‘show that we matter’.
      The Brentford players’ statement read: “We have been taking a knee before games since June but, like many of our fellow players at other clubs, no longer believe that this is having an impact.
      “We believe we can use our time and energies to promote racial equality in other ways.
      “As a group we are fully behind and proud of Brentford’s desire to become the most inclusive club in the country and the drive towards equality under the #BeeTogether banner.

      “We have experienced racist abuse first hand and have also seen some appalling comments made to other players past and present.
      “There is a clear need to continue to push for an end to all discrimination and, as players, we will be part of that at Brentford FC, in football in general and in the wider community.
      “Racism is the opposite of what we stand for.
      “As players we will show our commitment to togetherness and racial equality on and off the pitch between now and the end of the season, and beyond.

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      “We will also support our colleagues at other clubs that still want to take a knee before games.”
      Speaking last week, Zaha said: “The whole kneeling down? Why must I kneel down for you to show that we matter?
      “Why must I even wear Black Lives Matter on the back of my top to show you that we matter? This is all degrading stuff.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Ivan Toney talks about how many goals he wants to score at Brentford More

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      Joey Barton claims he paid Fleetwood staff’s wages from his own pocket and ‘didn’t take money home’

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      JOEY BARTON claims he paid backroom staff out of his own pocket and even offered to fund the wages of goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler at Fleetwood.
      The former Man City and Newcastle midfielder narrowly missed out on promotion in the League One play-offs last season.

      Joey Barton claims he paid some of his Fleetwood backroom staff out of his own pocketCredit: Rex Features

      He also says he offered to pay goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler’s wages to keep him at the clubCredit: PA:Press Association

      But a transfer embargo and several departures made a top six push even more difficult this term, and after a disagreement with the chairman over Ched Evans and new signings, he left the club last month.
      Barton, 38, has recently appeared on Robbie Fowler’s podcast to discuss his rollercoaster and controversial career, including his infamous training ground bust-up with former City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.
      And he used the opportunity to thank Fleetwood owner Andy Pilley for taking ‘a chance’ and giving him his first opportunity as manager.
      He described how and why their relationship then began to break down over the last couple of months of his reign at Highbury.

      The club were limited in the transfer market after accepting an EFL loan, which meant they had to pay it back in full before they could do any further business in the market.
      And that was just one of the reasons that led to his departure, with Barton saying: “What happened was he (Pilley) went into a transfer embargo due to coronavirus.
      “He took out an £800,000 loan from the EFL that they were going to pay back. The Premier League rescue package only ended up coming in at half of the loan.
      “Whilst I was there they were under a transfer embargo and a few were coming to the end of their cycle.

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      “Ched Evans, I’d just had enough of him. I just felt he wasn’t performing on the pitch and I wanted to improve it in that position.
      “When I went to speak to him (Pilley) about it he told me about the embargo, which was a lot later than I thought I should have found out about it.
      “I wanted a couple of bodies in and I thought we could be there or thereabouts. He wanted to bring some of the younger players in.”
      Barton then claimed he was that desperate to succeed he even paid staff out of his own pocket – and wanted to pay his goalkeeper’s wages as well to keep him at the club.
      However, that is not allowed under rules governing third party ownership.
      The one-cap England international said: “He wanted to get promoted using the younger players and he wanted to put Alex Cairns back in goal.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      “He’d cost us in the play-offs and I felt the team had lost confidence in Al.
      “I brought a number one in (Joel Coleman) and he injured his hamstring. I brought a number two in (Jayson Leutwiler) and he ended up being number one.
      “He told me he wasn’t going to renew Jayson Leutwiler’s contract and he’d done superbly. I said I’d pay him out of my own money.
      “I was paying for staff. I was paying for stuff for some of the lads myself because I wanted Fleetwood to win.
      “I didn’t take money home really – I was just paying other members of staff who I felt I needed.
      “I offered to pay for Leuts. He (Pilley) said no and I knew at that point he wanted to dictate the team.”
      SunSport has approached Fleetwood for comment.

      Joey Barton reveals he left Fleetwood after bust-up with chairman More

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      Man Utd legend Gary Neville in Twitter spat with Accrington Stanley chairman over axing of salary caps in EFL

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      GARY NEVILLE told Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt to ‘pipe down’ during a heated Twitter row.
      The pair disagree on the recent decision to scrap the salary cap rules in Leagues One and Two.

      Gary Neville claimed Salford City voted for the salary capCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The measures capped League One club wages at £2.5milion per season, with sides in League Two limited to £1.5m.
      Clubs, including Neville’s Salford City side, voted to approve the wages limits in August.
      But these rules have now been axed after EFL chiefs lost a legal battle to the PFA.
      Holt strongly disagreed with an article on Twitter that defended the recent decision.

      And the Accrington chief hinted the richer clubs, such as Salford, will benefit from it.
      Holt wrote: “Can’t be doing this. I don’t agree clubs should be able to spend what they want, taking advantage of clubs weakened by #COVID19.
      “@SalfordCityFC can now spend £50m on player expenditure if they so choose.
      “I really am not interested in his legal preening. It’s wrong.”

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      Accrington Stanley chief Andy Holt infuriated Gary Neville with his post on TwitterCredit: Rex Features

      Former Manchester United defender and Salford City co-owner Neville immediately told Holt to ‘pipe down’.
      He said: “Obsessed ! We voted with other L2 clubs for Salary Cap even though we didn’t want it so pipe down.”
      David Beckham and Ryan Giggs both have a 10 per cent stake in Salford City football club.
      Fellow ‘Class of 92’ legends Neville and brother Phil, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt also have a stake in the club.
      As well as the mega-rich United stars, Singapore billionaire Peter Lims own 40 per cent.
      It was reported last month that the club’s existing shareholders invested almost £2.5million over the last six months.
      Reports have claimed the club also spend around £500,000-per-year alone just running their academy.
      The League Two side, who are ninth in the table, have managed four promotions in just five seasons.
      Meanwhile, Neville has also tipped former club United to challenge for the Premier League title next season.

      Man Utd legend Gary Neville trolls Liverpool after rival Reds’ title charge takes another dent with Brighton defeat More

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      Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter chief Jack Dorsey called out by football chiefs to end abuse on social media

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      ENGLISH football has united to demand social media giants stop talking and start acting to root out online abuse.
      In a direct and no punches pulled message to Twitter chief Jack Dorsey and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, representatives of all areas of the game came together in an open letter to tell the companies that ‘basic human decency’ required intervention.

      Football chiefs have penned a joint letter to social media giants including Facebook’s Mark ZuckerbergCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Twitter boss Jack Dorsey is the other recipient of the letterCredit: Reuters

      Recent weeks have seen players including Anthony Martial, Axel Tuanzebe, Reece James, Romaine Sawyers and Lauren James subjected to vile racist abuse.
      And referee Mike Dean will not work this weekend following online death threats posted to his family.
      The damning letter was signed by FA chief Mark Bullingham, Prem boss Richard Masters, Gordon Taylor, EFL chief exec Trevor Birch, womens’ game leader Kelly Simmons, the LMA’s Richard Bevan, Mike Riley and Sanjay Bhandari of Kick It Out.
      It said: “The language used is debasing, often threatening and illegal.

      “It causes distress to the recipients and the vast majority of people who abhor racism, sexism and discrimination of any kind.
      “We have had many meetings with your executives over the years but the reality is your platforms remain havens for abuse.
      “Your inaction has created the belief in the minds of the anonymous perpetrators that they are beyond reach.”
      Players are understood to be considering a boycott of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as a sign of their growing anger and indignation.

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      And Edleen John, the FA director in charge of equality, diversity and inclusion, explained: “The companies must be able to create an algorithm which filters and blocks this abuse.
      “There must also be a swift takedown of anything they see that could be abusive or deemed abusive.
      “Users need to be verified. We have keyboard warriors sitting at home, typing whatever they want, and nobody is able to trace them or where they are.
      “I don’t believe these social media companies are unable to do that. If there is anybody who can find that information, it’s going to be a massive tech company.
      “We’ve been talking for 18 months. It seems there isn’t that impetus or momentum in the social media companies to address this.
      “It shouldn’t take 18 months to build an algorithm for them to be able to stop some of the stuff that’s happening.”
      ‘THEY’RE NOT READY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE’
      Twitter and Facebook both responded by insisting they were taking the issue seriously, in the wake of Government threats to levy fines of 10 per cent of their global earnings if the abuse continued.
      A Twitter spokesperson said: “There is no room for racist abuse on Twitter and we are resolute in our commitment to ensure the football conversation on our service is safe for fans, players and everyone involved in the game.
      “We strongly condemn this behaviour and will continue to take swift action on the minority that try to undermine the conversation for the majority.”
      Facebook added: “We don’t want hate and racism on our platforms and remove it when we find it.”
      But John added: “The discussions are always around ‘well, you know, we can’t look at things like emojis, because you have to think of context’.
      “If you are talking about a black person receiving a banana or a monkey, I’m not sure any further context or explanation is needed.
      “And if you can build a robot to vacuum your house you must be able to create an AI mechanism that can see words, emojis and pictures and filter them.
      “The only conclusion you can draw is they’re not ready to make that change and they don’t want to because they are more interested in driving people to the platforms.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Morecambe star Yann Songo’o facing 12-MATCH ban over alleged homophobic slur after calling Tranmere rival ‘f*****’

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      MORECAMBE midfielder Yann Songo’o faces a potential 12-game ban after being charged with homophobic abuse.
      Songo’o was dismissed by referee Paul Howard just before half-time after seemingly branding a Tranmere player a “f*****” following a clash during the 1-0 home defeat to Morecambe on January 30.

      Ex-Cameroon U20 midfielder Yann Songo’o (left) was given a straight red for abusive language in Morecambe’s 1-0 loss at home to TranmereCredit: Alamy Live News

      The flare-up led to Morecambe’s Yann Songo’o being sent offCredit: Alamy Live News

      Pitchside microphones captured the slur and the furious reaction of the Tranmere players towards the 29-year-old, whose dad Jacques Songo’o was one of Africa’s greatest ever goalkeepers.
      The FA confirmed: “Morecambe FC’s Yann Songo’o has been charged with an ‘aggravated breach’ of FA Rule E3 following their EFL League Two fixture against Tranmere Rovers FC on Saturday 30 January 2021.
      “It is alleged that the midfielder used abusive and/or insulting language towards an opponent during the 45th minute of the fixture, which is contrary to FA Rule E3.1, and that this constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, as defined in FA Rule E3.2, because the language included a reference to sexual orientation.
      “Yann Songo’o has until Wednesday 24 February 2021 to provide a response.”

      Under tougher new anti-discrimination rules brought in for this season, Songo’o would be banned for between six and 12 matches if the charge is upheld by a disciplinary commission.
      Toulon-born Songo’o joined Morecambe from Scunthorpe last September for a third spell under boss Derek Adams.
      He first came to English football when joining Blackburn from Sporting Kansas City in 2013, then was with Plymouth from 2016-19.

      Before that, he played in Spain for Real Zaragoza B, Sabadell and Pobla de Mafumet.

      He won three Cameroon Under-23 caps, while dad Jacques played 98 times for the senior national team, for whom he is now the goalkeeping coach.
      Songo’o junior also had loan spells with Orlando City and Ross County.

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      Joey Barton reveals he left Fleetwood after bust-up with chairman… and pair didn’t speak for TEN days before axe

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      JOEY BARTON has confirmed he left Fleetwood Town following a bust-up with the club’s chairman over transfers.
      The former Newcastle midfielder was sacked by the Cod Army last month that followed an earlier dispute over the future of Ched Evans.

      Joey Barton has lifted the lid on his Fleetwood Town exitCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      SunSport revealed that Barton let the striker join Preston after alleged disciplinary breaches despite chairman Andy Pilley remaining a fan.
      The 38-year-old has now discussed the ‘disconnect’ with the League One side’s owner that led to him leaving Fleetwood as well.
      Speaking on Robbie Fowler’s podcast, Barton felt Pilley wanted to dictate transfers and admitted the pair didn’t speak for ten days before his sacking.
      He said: “When you leave and it doesn’t go so well you think you’ve been removed for the wrong reasons.

      “He was brilliant (the chairman). He gave me an enormous opportunity probably when no-one else in world football would.
      “The chairman was good as gold (at first) in that he didn’t force his opinion on me as a senior chairman and he let me make a few of my own decisions in terms of transfers – some good, some bad, some indifferent. We finished in the play-offs in the second season.

      Ched Evans, I’d had enough of him. He just wasn’t performing on the pitch and I felt we needed to improve in that position.
      Joey Barton

      “We came back this time and were trying to rebuild the side and I think what happened was he went into a transfer embargo.
      “A few players were at the end of their cycle – Ched Evans, I’d had enough of him. He just wasn’t performing on the pitch and I felt we needed to improve in that position.

      “When I went to speak to him, he let me know about the embargo which was a lot longer after it had happened than I felt I should have known about it. He said ‘We’re not going to go in the market or come out of the embargo’.
      “Where we were, eight points out of the play-offs if we get a couple of bodies in we’ll be there or thereabouts.
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      Barton and the owner disagreed over Ched EvansCredit: PA:Press Association

      “We don’t need Sergio Aguero but he disagreed and felt we should have gone with the younger players.
      “I was trying to say ‘They’re young players, we’re growing them but they’re not ready yet’.
      “It got to the point where we both couldn’t be right.”

      Joey Barton sacked as Fleetwood manager after Ched Evans bust-up More

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      Mark Wright subbed 45 minutes into horror debut as boss blasts ‘farcical’ display with Crawley 3-0 down by half time

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      REALITY TV STAR Mark Wright suffered a disastrous full debut for Crawley Town as he was substituted at HALF TIME.
      The 34-year-old’s team were 3-0 down to newly-promoted Harrogate Town at the break.

      Mark Wright had a nightmare EFL debut against HarrogateCredit: Rex Features

      The 34-year-old was taken off at half-time by Crawley boss John YemsCredit: Rex Features

      Wright started alongside his brother Josh, 31, who previously played for Championship side MillwallCredit: Rex Features

      Wright was making his first start for Crawley since signing for the League Two side in December.
      It was also the left-back’s long-awaited EFL debut.
      The game started terribly for Crawley as goals from Aaron Martin, Josh March and Simon Power gave Harrogate a 3-0 lead.
      Crawley manager John Yems decided to take Wright off at the break in a triple substitution.

      To make matters worse for the reality TV star, his replacement Tom Dallison scored as it finished 3-1 to Harrogate.
      The Crawley boss was keen to defend Wright despite hauling him off.
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      The former TOWIE star would have been buzzing during the warm-up, but his full debut didn’t go to planCredit: Rex Features

      Wright’s impressive performances at Soccer Aid have encouraged him to try and become a professionalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He is married to former Corrie star Michelle KeeganCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Yems said: “It wasn’t Mark’s fault, but today it was farcical first half, absolutely farcical.

      “It’s easy for me to say that players have got to stand up and be counted, but they have now, if not there’ll be changes and there will be changes.”
      Crawley fans watching remotely were sympathetic to Wright’s plight, acknowledging the entire team were to blame.
      One fan tweeted: “You’ve been absolutely awful. Don’t think Mark Wright has played particularly badly, but the other 10 players have been dreadful.”
      Another said: “Can’t just blame Wright, whole team completely lifeless.”
      Not all were convinced, though, as one tweeted: “He was lost out there and should be no where near our club.”

      Decided to watch your lot today. You’ve been absolutely awful. Don’t think Mark Wright has played particularly badly, but the other 10 players have been dreadful.
      — Scott Eaglen (@ScottEaglen) February 6, 2021

      Brutal half from Crawley. Very easy to lump all the blame on Mark Wright but he was far from the biggest problem. Performance from some of those players was nothing short of disgraceful.
      — Alex Burke (@AlexBurke1) February 6, 2021

      Wright will need to improve significantly if he is to make it as a professional.
      He had been semi-pro at Crawley in 2006/07 before shooting to fame on The Only Way Is Essex.
      Wright left the game after becoming a household name as Crawley went on to achieve promotion to the EFL.
      But his desire to play football never diminished and he has starred at Soccer Aid, with Chelsea legend John Terry encouraging him to go professional.

      Wright joined the League Two side on a non-contract basis in December.
      He made his professional debut as a late substitute in Crawley’s shock 3-0 win against Leeds in the FA Cup last month.
      But the former TOWIE star had to wait until yesterday for his EFL debut after a coronavirus outbreak at the club forced him to self-isolate with his wife Michelle Keegan.
      Wright’s brother Josh is also a professional footballer and joined him at Crawley in January.

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      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney COMPLETE Wrexham takeover… and rename themselves ‘Wryan’ and ‘Wrob’

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      HOLLYWOOD stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have completed their takeover of Wrexham.
      The duo took full control from the Wrexham Supporters Trust — and renamed their Twitter accounts ‘Wryan’ and ‘Wrob’.

      It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator Rob McElhenney has bought WrexhamCredit: Twitter @RMcElhenney

      It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star McElhenny wrote on Twitter: The @Wrexham_AFC handover is complete!
      “We’re toasting with a limited-edition bottle of @AviationGin and I am rebranding as Wrob.”
      They are making a £2million investment, having opened talks with the National League club in September.
      Deadpool actor Reynolds and and pal McElhenney, both 43, said in a statement: “It is a special day for the two of us to become the latest stewards in the long and storied history of Wrexham AFC.”

      “Together with the players, the staff, the fans, and the local community, we can now pursue our goal to grow the team and return it to the EFL in front of increased attendances, and in an improved stadium, while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham.
      “Wrexham AFC is only in a position to thrive because of the incredible efforts of the Wrexham Supporters Trust.
      “Their members are a fitting reflection of the integrity and spirit of the town and they will always have an important role at the club.”

      Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds is now co-owner of the National League sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      They added that funds “will be immediately channelled into new initiatives at the Racecourse Community Foundation, including £50,000 to enhance the women’s football programme and increase participation at all levels.

      “Alongside this, first-team player identification will be a priority, so the club is in the best possible position for the summer transfer window”.
      Contracts were exchanged in January but McElhenney and Reynolds already donated money to strengthen Wrexham’s squad.
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      That was before the transfer deadline and all while waiting for the takeover to be approved by the FCA.
      Former Liverpool chief executive Peter Moore has taken on an informal role advising the actors and said that they are ‘in it for the long term’.
      Wrexham beat Altrincham on Tuesday night to go seventh in the fifth tier of the English football, the final play-off spot.

      Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to take over Wrexham with almost 99 per cent of fans backing move More