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      EFL ‘wants major change to play-off finals after being left frustrated by Wembley’

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      EFL chiefs have been left frustrated by Wembley Stadium and the Metropolitan Police over the kick-off times of their showpiece events.The national stadium is set to host the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals later this month.Wembley is set for a busy month of matchesCredit: RexThe former is set to kick off at 3pm on Sunday, 26 May.While Bolton will face Oxford for a place in the second tier at 4:15pm on Saturday, 18 May.And Crawley will take on Crewe in the League Two play-off final a day later, kicking off at 1pm.According to the Mail, the EFL are frustrated that their finals are not being allowed to kick off at later, “more coveted” times.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSNext month’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will kick off at 8pm on Saturday, 1 June.While the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Chelsea was allowed to start at 5:15pm last month.February’s Carabao Cup final, meanwhile, kicked off at 3pm.The national stadium has hosted the EFL’s play-off finals since 2007.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAn exception was made in 2011, when Wembley hosted the Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona.That year the EFL found an agreement to have the Championship play-off final under the arch.EFL club supported by sporting legend set to be saved by mystery US group as buyers scramble to reach agreement in timeBut the League One and League Two showpieces were moved north to Old Trafford.This year’s Championship play-off final will see either Southampton or West Brom take on Leeds or Norwich.Both semi-final first legs finished 0-0 on Sunday afternoon.Leeds will host Norwich at Elland Road on Thursday evening for a place at Wembley.Before Southampton welcome West Brom on Friday.Leeds drew 0-0 with Norwich at Carrow RoadCredit: RexWest Brom and Southampton played out a 0-0 stalemate on Sunday afternoonCredit: PA More

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      Just one EFL team left to have never played at Wembley after Crawley demolish MK Dons in League Two playoffs

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      ONLY one EFL team will be left to have never played at Wembley after the League Two play-off final this month.Crawley are one of just two EFL teams to have never played at the famous stadium.Crawley booked their place at Wembley with an 8-1 aggregate win over MK DonsCredit: GettyBut that is set to change after they booked their place in the play-off final with an astonishing 8-1 aggregate victory over MK Dons in the semi-final.Crawley backed up their 3-0 win in the first leg with a dominant display at Stadium MK, as striker Danilo Orsi scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing. Once Crawley line up at Wembley that will leave just one other EFL club as the odd one out – Accrington Stanley.The League Two minnows have come close to the hallowed turf previously, but lost in the play-off semi-final to Stevenage in 2011 before AFC Wimbledon in 2016.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCrawley will play Crewe at Wembley for a place in League One next season.The Railwaymen also pulled off a surprise result as they overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to win on penalties.Crewe goalkeeper Max Stryjek was the penalty shoot-out hero and fans loved his underhand tactics.Before the shoot-out kicked off Stryjek threw away a water bottle belonging to the Doncaster goalkeeper which contained instructions for each penalty.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd it had a positive effect as Donny keeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala did not save a single spot-kick.Stryjek only joined Crewe on an emergency loan deal in April but could play a decisive role in their promotion bid, with Lee Bell’s men facing Crawley at Wembley on May 19.EFL club supported by sporting legend set to be saved by mystery US group as buyers scramble to reach agreement in time More

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      EFL club supported by sporting legend set to be saved by mystery US group as buyers scramble to reach agreement in time

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      MORECAMBE are close to a takeover deal with a mystery US group. The hard-up League Two club hope that reaching an agreement before the end of May will save them.Morecambe are close to be taken over by a mystery US groupCredit: GettyMorecambe are boxing legend Tyson Fury’s local football clubCredit: GettyThis comes after the Shrimps, loved by boxing legend Tyson Fury, were hit with a three-point deduction last month.Fury’s favourite club was punished by the FA for “failing to adhere to the terms of an agreed decision”.Morecambe had previously received a suspended three-point deduction last season after failure to pay their player wages in March 2023.That suspended punishment has now been activated after the club failed to keep an account with 125 per cent of the forecast monthly wage bill for its players at a required pre-agreed level.Read More on FootballThe FA released a statement detailing the punishment which also saw the club’s owner Jason Whittingham handed a £10,000 fine.The statement read: “An independent Disciplinary Commission (IDC) has determined that Morecambe Football Club are to be deducted three points from the 2023/24 League Two table for failing to adhere to the terms of an Agreed Decision.”The Club had previously received a three-point deduction, to be suspended until 30 June 2024, after admitting a breach of EFL Regulations for failing to pay its player wages on or around 28 March 2023.”The Club’s ultimate beneficial owner was also required to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the forecast monthly wage bill in a designated Club account.Most read in EFL”Following the failure to keep the account at the required levels, the suspended three-point deduction has now been activated.”Owner Mr Jason Whittingham has also been fined £10,000, payable immediately, whilst a suspended fine of £20,000 has also been imposed, to be activated on 31 May 2024.Tyson Fury lands in Saudi Arabia with huge entourage for Oleksandr Usyk fight – but fans notice who is missing”Unless he complies in full with his obligation to replenish the Deposit Account under the terms of the Agreed Decision dated 17 August 2023.”Fury recently sponsored the club’s shorts and previously expressed an interest in buying the historic outfit. More

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      Neil Warnock, 75, set for return to football at iconic EFL club just weeks after retiring – but in very different role

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      NEIL WARNOCK looks poised to return to football for non-league outfit Torquay.Warnock, 75, announced his retirement from the sport only last month after a short spell in charge of Aberdeen.Neil Warnock is set to return to football only a month after announcing his retirementCredit: PAWarnock will link up with Torquay in a non-managerial roleCredit: Willie VassBut the Sheffield tactician looks set for a comeback at Torquay in a non managerial role following the club’s takeover, where he has been advising a fan-led consortium.The National League South outfit were saved from extinction by the Bryn Consortium, which is made up of local businessmen.The group consists of Torquay fans Michael Westcott, Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, Tom Allen, Rob Hawes and Simon Robinson.Co-chairman Westcott stated that Warnock’s familiarity of the club makes him the perfect candidate to come on board.Read More on FootballWestcott told BBC Sport: “Neil’s knowledge of football is second to none. He knows our club very well, he knows our region very well.”He and I have spent an awful lot of time together over the last six weeks or so and I think that relationship will continue. I think that Neil’s reputation precedes him.”I think he’s a very reassuring presence both to young players and experienced players, and also to a football team manager.”He’s been around the football world for more than 40 years and the fact that Torquay United can benefit from his experience, his contacts, his presence, his personality.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I think will be of tremendous support for the club as we start thinking about how we can be as competitive on the pitch as we possibly can.”Warnock would return to the club 31 years after he saved them from relegation from the Football League by winning three of his nine matches in charge.’I might’ve chinned him’ – Neil Warnock labelled ‘actually unreal’ as ex-EFL boss takes issue with post-match interviewThe experienced boss enjoyed an impressive 44-year career with successful spells for the likes of Crystal Palace and Sheffield United. More

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      Fans spot what EFL keeper did to rival’s water bottle in epic s***housery that would ‘make Emi Martinez proud’

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      CREWE penalty shoot-out hero Max Stryjek came up with a brilliant piece of gamesmanship to get one over on his opposite number.The Railwaymen produced a stunning comeback to progress to the League Two play-off final, overturning Doncaster’s 2-0 advantage from the first leg.Crewe goalkeeper Max Stryjek picked up Thimothee Lo-Tutala’s water bottle and threw it awayThe bottle contained the Doncaster goalkeeper’s key notesStryjek proved to be the shoot-out hero with two penalty savesCredit: ReutersThey did it in Donny’s own back yard too with Mickey Demetriou getting on the scoresheet before an own goal from James Maxwell.But it was Stryjek who proved the hero as he saved two penalties in the shoot-out, which Crewe won 4-3.He also came up with a cheeky tactic to disrupt Doncaster goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala.Stryjek ran behind the goal and hurled away his rival’s water bottle far into the crowd.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe bottle contained a list of instructions on which way to dive for each Crewe player’s penalty.Doncaster’s club photographer managed to still pass on some notes from the coaching staff to Lo-Tutala.But they had no effect as he did not stop a single spot-kick.Fans loved the underhand tactic and praised Stryjek for his ingenuity, though the keeper did receive a yellow card for his behaviour.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOne reacted saying: “I didn’t understand why he’d been booked at the time. [Emi] Martinez would be proud of that 😂.”Another added: “Legend.”A third wrote: “Top s***housery from the goalkeeper 👌”And another commented: “This is the kind of tremendous b******ry that you just absolutely love to see. Fantastic stuff.Stryjek only joined Crewe on an emergency loan deal in April but could play a decisive role in their promotion bid, with Lee Bell’s men facing MK Dons or Crawley at Wembley on May 19.Watch never-before-seen Premier League ‘RefCam’ footage of Crystal Palace’s 4-0 demolition of Man Utd More

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      Former Man Utd star, 34, wakes up unemployed after he is released from League One club

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      EX-MANCHESTER United keeper Ben Amos is looking for his ELEVENTH club since exiting Old Trafford.The former England Under-21 star, 34, is one of five players released by mid-table League One side Wigan.Ben Amos is on the move after his Wigan deal endedCredit: GettyThe stopper played seven times in all for Man UtdCredit: Dave Pinegar – The SunAmos once admitted life at Old Trafford was like living in a bubble.But after six loan spells and then leaving United for good in 2015, his career has hit a bobble – joining other ex-Red Devils in More

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      EFL club granted permission to build new 16,000-seater stadium on 250-YEAR deal.. with shock plan for current ground

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      OXFORD UNITED have been granted permission to build a new 16,000-seater ground on a staggering 250-year deal.According to BBC Radio Oxford Sport, the U’s and Oxfordshire County Council have signed the legally binding agreement on a lease at Triangle site near Kidlington.Oxford United have been granted permission to build a new 16,000-seater stadiumCredit: XThe club, though, must honour pledges to the community on social, environmental and economic benefits. And the agreement currently hinges on planning permission being granted by Cherwell District Council.This comes after recent news suggesting Oxford’s current ground the Kassam Stadium will become a driving school for kids.Parts of the Kassam are set to be transformed into a realistic road for learner drivers to practice on.Read More on FootballYoung Driver will change a section of the club’s car park into a road equipped with roundabouts, junctions as well as traffic signs.It will also include areas for prospective drivers – some of whom will be as young as 10 – to practice on their manoeuvres.And the EFL club is now set to be on the move within the next few years.An excerpt of a club statement read last month: “Our focus is on securing the long-term future of Oxford United and delivering on our commitments to the Oxfordshire community.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The Heads of Terms being agreed is another step towards that ambition.”We’re delighted Oxfordshire County Council has also given an undertaking to sign the remaining key legal and partnership agreements this week.EFL fans in hysterics as ‘absolutely golden’ Neil Warnock returns to live TV with brutal dig at his former players “This shows the club has met the council’s criteria and addressed their strategic priorities.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Norwich defender Shane Duffy arrested and charged with drink-driving after two-vehicle smash

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      NORWICH star Shane Duffy has been charged with drink driving.The former Premier League star is due to appear before magistrates in Norwich in July.Shane Duffy is due to appear in court charged with drink drivingCredit: AlamyDuffy, 32, was arrested in Hethersett, near Norwich, late on Monday after a collision involving two vehicles.A spokesperson for Norfolk Police said: “Police were called to Queen’s Road, Hethersett, 21:05, on Monday May 6, following reports of a two-vehicle collision.”Emergency services attended the scene and a man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. He was taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.”No one was injured.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDuffy has responded through a spokesperson who said: “[Duffy has been] charged with driving whilst unfit through drink, having provided an evidential breath sample of 102mcg.”A Norwich City spokesman said: “Norwich City Football Club is aware of an incident involving one of its first-team players.”The club is in the process of considering the matter internally in accordance with its own disciplinary procedure.”Duffy is due to play for Norwich against Leeds United in the Championship play-offs, with the first leg on Sunday.Most read in EFLThe Republic of Ireland star has featured in 36 league games for the Canaries this season.He signed for the club last season after a short-lived spell at Fulham where he made just seven appearances. More