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      Leyton Orient vs Tottenham Carabao Cup tie AXED after coronavirus rips through League Two side’s squad

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      TOTTENHAM’S Carabao Cup tie with Leyton Orient is OFF after the O’s squad was hit by a ‘number’ of positive coronavirus tests.
      The League Two side were set to host Jose Mourinho’s men in the third round on Tuesday night.

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      Leyton Orient’s game with Tottenham is off after a number of first-team players tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Tottenham have been told the match, supposed to kick off at 6pm in front of the Sky Sports cameras, will not go ahead tonight.
      It is not yet clear whether the clash will be postponed to a later date.
      A statement read: “Tonight’s Carabao Cup match between Leyton Orient and Tottenham Hotspur is not taking place this evening as scheduled.
      “Discussions are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders in regards to the implications of the fixture not taking place tonight and a further update will be provided in due course.

      “Leyton Orient, the EFL and the relevant authorities are conducting a thorough review of the club’s Covid-19 secure procedures with the view to reopening the stadium and training ground as soon as possible.”
      The chockablock football calendar, including Tottenham’s Europa League commitments, means there is no realistic way to squeeze a rearranged tie in especially with round four scheduled for next week.
      Spurs or Orient will face either Chelsea or Barnsley at home in the Carabao Cup fourth round with that match taking place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
      Orient’s chairman Nigel Travis earlier told talkSPORT: “The game is a postponement, not a cancellation.”

      He added: “We have talked to the EFL and we are assuming this is a postponement
      “We’re going to lose £2.5million this year, also anything that can help us reduce that loss is clearly important. We are struggling so games like this have to take place.
      “We have a great relationship with Spurs, we’ve looked at their fixtures and this game can be played. There has to be a will, because this game is worth £150,000 profit to us, so we have to play this game.
      “I recognise the guidelines and we have spoken to the league about extenuating circumstances. I can assure you, we will not be the first club facing this this year. Even Man City had a player test positive recently.”
      Leyton Orient confirmed on Monday that their Breyer Group Stadium and training ground had been closed as a result of the positive tests.
      SunSport understands up to 18 players and staff contracted the virus.
      Despite the serious circumstances, Mourinho will be relieved to get an extra few days between matches and Spurs face a hectic fixture list.

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      The decision means Spurs have an extra few days of recovery between their matches in the busy scheduleCredit: AFP or licensors

      They were due to have SIX matches in just 13 days between September 13 and September 27.
      That included four in the space of eight days.
      Tottenham beat Southampton 5-2 on Sunday, were due to play at Orient then have a Europa League qualifier against Shkendija in Macedonia two days later on Thursday before returning to Premier League action to face Newcastle on Sunday.

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      Gareth Bale vows to end Tottenham’s trophy drought after returning from Spain with ‘winning mentality’- More

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      Tottenham’s Carabao Cup game with Leyton Orient set to be called off after 18 positive Covid-19 tests decimate O’s squad

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      TOTTENHAM’S Carabao Cup clash looks set to be called OFF after virtually all of Leyton Orient’s squad tested positive for Covid-19.
      SunSport understands up to 18 players and staff at League Two O’s recorded positive tests ahead of the Tuesday evening game.

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      Tottenham and Leyton Orient are expected to discover what will happen regarding their Carabao Cup clash in the morningCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      If the third-round tie is cancelled in the morning, Spurs will receive a bye and Orient will miss out on a £100,000 windfall with the game due to be televised on Sky Sports.
      With the O’s first team in self-isolation, they even suggested fielding their youth outfit against Jose Mourinho’s side because the kids have not been in contact with the first team.
      It is believed Spurs are not happy with that prospect amid fears of the risk of infection just days ahead of a Europa League tie.
      SunSport approached Orient for comment tonight but the final decision rests with Public Health England.

      Health specialists, worried by the coronavirus spike in the UK, have to determine if the outbreak is serious enough to order Orient’s Breyer Group Stadium and training ground to be deep cleaned and order all staff into quarantine.
      The EFL have been working with the clubs to find a resolution, with Spurs showing their support for their neighbours.
      But with zero space left in a congested fixture programme there are no possible dates for the game to be rescheduled.
      The news vindicated Tottenham’s decision to stump up £5,000 for the O’s squad to undergo tests at the weekend.

      EFL rules have been relaxed this season which mean clubs only had to test on their return to pre-season training and again halfway through the campaign — the Prem test twice a week.
      Plymouth and Mansfield played Orient over the last week and ordered their squads and staff to undergo tests.
      Should the game be called off it would be the first match to fall victim to Covid-19 since lockdown.
      Meanwhile, Gareth Bale’s desire to make his second return at Tottenham could accelerate his injury comeback.
      The Welsh star, 31, who sustained a knee injury against Bulgaria earlier this month, is not due to be fit until after the October internationals.
      But boss Mourinho said: “The motivation is high. And when a player has this motivation you can shorten the period of recovering and period of getting fit.”

      Gareth Bale says his main aim is to help Tottenham win trophies again More

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      Brighton 4 Portsmouth 0: Seagulls’ rampant B-Team unleash their A-game to see off Pompey in Carabao Cup second round

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      IT turned out to be quite a night for Brighton’s rampant B-Team as they unleashed their A-game to see off Pompey and head into the Carabao Cup third round.
      There were no survivors in the Seagulls’ starting line-up from their defeat to Chelsea on Monday.

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      Brighton ran out rampant 4-0 winners against Portsmouth

      Boss Graham Potter had urged his fringe players to go and earn a regular spot to face Newcastle on Sunday.
      And they did just that to book an away tie with Preston next week.
      It was Alexis Mac Allister who fired the hosts ahead with his first goal in English football on 38 minutes.
      Alireza Jahanbakhsh whipped in the cross to the young Argentinian – who launched a bullet header beyond the despairing dive of Craig MacGillvray.

      However, Brighton were let off when the flag went up after Marcus Harness bundled in a John Marquis cross. 
      After the break, Jahanbakhsh unleashed an unstoppable 54th minute thunderbolt past MacGillvray.
      The visitors were made to pay and just THREE minutes later, Pascal Gross whipped in a corner to Bernardo, who rose highest to head home his first goal in a Seagulls shirt.

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      Alexis Mac Allister fired the hosts ahead with his first goal in English football on 38 minutes

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      Alireza Jahanbakhsh unleashed an unstoppable 54th minute thunderbolt past Craig MacGillvray

      The Brazilian sparred his blushes, having been left with regret for scuppering a huge chance early on.

      MacGillvray had palmed a fierce drive from Victor Gyokeres straight into the defender’s path – but he blazed his attempt hopelessly high.
      But the Seagulls were flying when Swedish youngster Gyokeres sealed the deal after turning smartly to rifle beyond MacGillvray on 70 minutes – with his first senior goal for the club.

      Frank Lampard reflects on the Chelsea performance after beating Brighton 3-1 More

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      Fans to return to Football League for first time this weekend with 1,000 supporters at ten matches amid Covid pandemic

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      EFL clubs will welcome up to 10,000 fans across the country this weekend as the League steps up its Covid-19 pilot programme.
      League chiefs have agreed with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden that matches with up to 1,000 supporters will be staged at 10 venues across the three divisions.

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      Football fans will finally return to grounds this weekend across the EFLCredit: Action Images

      In the Championship, Luton’s game with Derby, Preston’s visit to Norwich and the clash between Middlesbrough and Bournemouth will see the turnstiles partially opened for the first time since March.
      The League One games featuring Charlton against Doncaster, Blackpool versus Swindon, Northampton’s trip to Shrewsbury and Hull’s match with Crewe are on the approved list.
      And in League Two, three games – at Forest Green, Carlisle and Morecambe – will have fans inside.

      Carlisle’s Brunton Park, ironically, saw the last League Two game with supporters, a crowd of 2,822 for their win over Newport on March 10, 48 hours before English football went into lockdown.
      There is still no clarity about whether the Government is willing to extend the numbers allowed in from October 1, amid recent clampdowns and fears of a resurgence of the virus.
      Cambridge were the first club to open their gates with a limited crowd for their EFL Trophy game with Fulham U21s last week.
      But EFL chairman Rick Parry said: ““It’s encouraging that we are in a position to move forward with the next phase of the pilot programme and give a small number of our clubs the opportunity to welcome back up to a 1,000 fans this week.

      “The health and well-being of supporters and their wider communities remains the priority, but as we showed at Cambridge, social distancing can be applied safely. 
      “By extending across more EFL clubs we hope to further demonstrate that the measures developed can allow fans to return in greater numbers from as early as next month.

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      “The requirement to welcome spectators back through turnstiles has not diminished in any way, the financial challenges facing EFL Clubs have been explained on numerous occasions, they are substantial and a problem that requires immediate solutions.”
      Dowden said: “I know that many fans are eager to return to football and that jobs depend on this too, so fans will welcome news that the EFL will be running number capped, covid secure, and socially distanced pilots this weekend. 
      “This will help us build the evidence base to see how we can return fans safely in greater numbers as soon as it is safe to do so.”

      Fans return to English football for first time in six months as Brighton host Chelsea in friendly at Amex stadium More

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      Wigan a target for Middle East-based business group MBuzz as talks over £3m rescue deal continue with stricken club

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      CRISIS club Wigan Athletic are a target for a rescue bid from the Middle East-based business group MBuzz.
      Representatives of the company have met the administrators and are set to offer around £3million for the whole package this week.

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      Wigan are in desperate need of a saviourCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      MBuzz Sport will be the team trying to close the deal. They are a branch of a global telecom firm, based in Saudi Arabia but with offices in Dublin, Dubai and around Europe.
      Their past experience in football includes a one-off shirt sponsorship deal for Wigan when they played Manchester United in the FA Cup.
      The company also took a stake in Spanish side Leganes and have been involved with Sheffield United on their commercial side.
      The administrators will be glad of a rival bid as American pair Randy Frankel and Michael Kelt are only willing to pay around £2m which would leave them scrambling for their fees.

      Wigan were relegated last season after a 12 point deduction for going into administration sent them spiralling down the table.

      Their new Hong Kong-based owners conceded they could not support the club financially and they had to call in the administrators on July 1.
      Manager Paul Cook then quit the club last month.
      Wigan only announced his replacement, John Sheridan, two days before their opening match in League 1.

      They lost their opening fixture 2-0 to Ipswich. More

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      Wigan takeover hope as American businessmen launch final £2m bid to buy cash-strapped Latics

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      AMERICAN businessmen Randy Frankel and Michael Kelt are making a final £2million bid for Wigan Athletic.
      The pair and adviser Gauthier Ganaye have told the club administrators that they will buy the whole club for the sum to end the saga.

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      A final £2m bid for cash-strapped Wigan is set to come in from a pair of American businessmenCredit: EPA

      However the warning is that the group will walk away if it is not accepted as they are worried the squad has been badly damaged since they first bid three weeks ago.
      Wigan have sold four top players and a training ground since the Americans first offered more than £5m.
      Antonee Robinson was among the stars to leave, joining Premier League side Fulham on a £50,000-a-week, four-year deal after snubbing Everton.
      And Frenchman Gauthier is also concerned that they will be unable to bring in new faces because of EFL salary cap restrictions.

      The rescue job would become almost impossible this season if the deal was delayed until the transfer window shuts.
      This offer falls short of the £4m demanded by the administrators who need money to pay creditors and cover their own fees and legal costs.
      The American group looked into renting the ground off a rival bidder and also considered a move to Leigh’s rugby league stadium.
      The change of address from Wigan’s old DW Stadium ground would need approval by the EFL.

      But it is already used by Manchester United in the WSL as well as Leigh in the rugby world.
      However their final move is for the whole operation.
      As the search for new ownership and an escape from administration continues, a Supporters’ Club Crowdfunder page has been set up to raise cash and save Wigan from going under.
      Former Lactics favourites including Roberto Martinez, Reece James and James McClean have all stepped forward with donations.
      And Victor Moses has given £20,000 to the fundraiser in a touching gesture.

      Simon Jordan outlines his plan for a fairer future for the Premier League and EFL More

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      Marcelo Bielsa’s gung-ho Leeds will be box office this season after pushing Liverpool in thriller

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      MARCELO BIELSA looked at his watch immediately after Mo Salah grabbed Liverpool’s third goal – and every Leeds fan will have done the same.
      Just 32 minutes into their Premier League return and we had already seen five goals.

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      Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds came close to grabbing a point at the home of the Premier League champions Credit: EPA

      It had been 16 years and four months since Leeds’ previous top-flight match and during that time without them in the Premier League, there will not have been too many opening spells of a game like this.
      But already, we know Leeds – and of course Bielsa – will be box office this season. And there will not be many goalless draws involving this team from Yorkshire.
      While they may lack defensive quality at this level, last year’s Championship winners combine bucketloads of energy and bravery when charging forward and they will be great fun to watch.

      Speaking of buckets, Bielsa, of course, starts matches sitting on a plastic one with a cushion.
      Equally, the maverick from Argentina spent much of the game in an uncomfortable-looking crouching position.
      Bielsa will be encouraged by the way his team caused the defensively-poor champions so many problems but equally, knows they must regroup, learn and improve at the back.
      For centre-back Robin Koch, it was a tough debut which started to go wrong when he conceded a penalty in the opening few minutes with Salah converting.

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      New signing Rodrigo gave away a costly late penalty as Leeds were denied a point at AnfieldCredit: EPA

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      Leeds pushed Liverpool all the way at Anfield on their Premier League returnCredit: PA:Press Association
      When Jack Harrison grabbed a terrific leveller for Leeds, Bielsa refused to get off his bucket but punched the air and then took a sip of his drink .
      The Leeds boss looked less than impressed with an easy header for Virgil Van Dijk and fingers were again pointing at Koch.

      Van Dijk then gifted Patrick Bamford’s goal for 2-2 before Salah made it 3-2 with just over half an hour gone.
      Yet here is where Bielsa’s team showed real guts.
      Mat Klich smashed a terrific leveller for 3-3 and the visitors pushed for a win. While Salah clinched his hat-trick with another penalty for 4-3, Leeds and their charismatic coach should have left with a point.

      Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa confirms that he will be staying at the club for the next year More

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      Fleetwood Town vs Burton Albion delayed for 60 seconds after APPLES launched onto pitch from outside stadium

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      FLEETWOOD TOWN versus Burton Albion was delayed for over a minute today after APPLES were thrown onto the pitch.
      The League One match was held up in the 73rd minute while the projectiles were removed from the field.

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      Apples were thrown onto the pitch in the second half of Fleetwood’s win over Burton today

      73. Slight pause in play as some apples that have been thrown onto the pitch from…somewhere?…are picked up by a core member of staff.After a brief peel away from the action, we’re back underway. #BAFC
      — Burton Albion FC (@burtonalbionfc) September 12, 2020

      Despite the game being played behind closed doors, home fans were able to reach the pitch with the contents of their grocery shop from outside the Highbury Stadium.
      Sky Sports reporter Chris Cooper said: “They looked like Golden Delicious.”
      The match finished 2-1 to Fleetwood after Paddy Madden’s 79th minute winner helped Joey Barton’s side pip Burton to the points.
      Callum Camps opened the scoring for the Fisherman on 17 minutes but Fleetwood were pegged back after the hour mark by John Brayford’s goal.

      John-Joe O’Toole saw red for Burton in injury time as Fleetwood held on for the win.
      Despite the game including a red card and an overturned goal decision, apples being hurled onto the pitch will likely steal the headlines.
      The EFL has seen its fair share of weird incidents in recent years but this could be the pick of the bunch.

      “Apples on the pitch!” 🍏There was a very odd reason for the pause in play in Fleetwood vs Burton…📺 Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News NOW! pic.twitter.com/6W1Slyc6H1
      — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 12, 2020

      Burton Albion’s Twitter account also joined in on the fun with some apple-related puns.

      They tweeted: “Apples thrown onto the pitch from…somewhere?… are picked up by a core member of staff.
      “After a brief peel away from the action, we’re back underway.”

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      Joey Barton’s side won 2-1 thanks to a 79th minute winner from Paddy Madden

      Simon Jordan outlines his plan for a fairer future for the Premier League and EFL More