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      Justin Allen: Shelf-ish West Ham chief Sullivan shows he doesn’t live in real world with bizarre EFL supermarket analogy

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      DAVID SULLIVAN likened the Premier League to Tesco and the EFL as a small supermarket chain.And the West Ham owner argued that the retail giants don’t pay out a subsidy to the little shops. he questions why should the top flight pour more money into the three lower divisions?David Sullivan does not back the Premier League paying more to the EFLCredit: GettyI don’t know if Sullivan ventures much into our high streets.But if he does, he will see that they have mostly been destroyed by retail giants. He will see boarded-up windows all over the place.Little shops were, and still should be, at the heart of communities… as should our EFL clubs.Sullivan can afford to shop at Harrods and Selfridges while most of us have to scour the shelves for bargains at Aldi or Lidl.READ MORE ON EFLJust like West Ham can afford to pay more than £50million for Brazil international Lucas Paqueta while the EFL’s bottom club Sutton United are a team packed of freebies.The Hammers chief does not seem to live in the real world – or appears at least detached from it.Does he care much about the loss of things such as our independent greengrocers, butchers and bakers?And does he give a damn about what has happened to clubs like Bury and Macclesfield as well as what is unfolding at Reading?Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIf he does, Sullivan should be front and centre of a Premier League campaign to safeguard the EFL for generations to come.He should be sticking up for the little guys because once upon a time he himself heralded from humble beginnings.Sky Sports Soccer Saturday crew burst out laughing after mascot’s hilarious reaction to being shoved in EFL clashSullivan was brought up in a council house and should understand the value of things.The West Ham owner has rightly been receiving widespread stick for his ridiculous comments and has been accused of being selfish.His remarks smacked of “I’m alright Jack, pull up the ladder”.What Sullivan failed to mention is that EFL clubs, and non-league ones for that matter, are vital to the health of the Premier League.I wonder if it dawned on him in Prague in May when West Ham lifted the Europa Conference League trophy that matchwinner Jarrod Bowen started his career in non-league with Hereford and then honed his skills in the EFL at Hull City.And key frontman Michail Antonio also did the non-league yards with Tooting and Mitcham before touring the EFL with the likes of Reading, Cheltenham, Southampton when they were in League One, Colchester, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest.Without these clubs and lower divisions, neither player would have developed to become Premier League household names.Sullivan’s central argument is against introducing an independent football regulator to clean up our national game – and oversee a fairer distribution of funds across all levels of football.He believes that redistributing more funds out of the Premier League clubs’ ever-expanding coffers would threaten its status as the best football division on the planet.EFL chief executive Rick Parry pointed out clubs dining at English football’s top table pay more than £2BILLION more in wages than the four other major European leagues.Jarrod Bowen with the Conference League Trophy he won with West HamWest Ham’s Jarrod Bowen started in non-league with HerefordMichail Antonio also started his career in non-league and the EFL before West HamSo the notion that the Premier League will somehow be overtaken by other countries is fanciful and for the birds.What peeves me about the likes of Sullivan is his seemingly complete ignorance to the fact that the Premier League do not OWN our national gameThey are simply top of a highly-successful English football pyramid system that has been around for more than a century,Nowhere else in the world do you see a fourth-tier club like Bradford pulling in average gates of almost 18,000, apart from when Rangers were booted down to Scotland’s bottom division in 2012 of course.Or do you see elsewhere a cup competition for third and fourth-division clubs (the EFL Trophy) that in recent years have seen attendances at Wembley finals of 85,021 in 2019 for Charlton v Portsmouth and 79,839 for Bolton v Plymouth last April?Since the Premier League was formed in 1992, West Ham have only spent four seasons of the 32 in the second tier.Sullivan has experienced relegation from the top flight in East London and twice while he co-owned Birmingham with the late David Gold.So he knows first-hand how huge the disparity is between the Championship and Premier League.Sullivan does not want the parachute payment system to stop.Simple solution, David: manage your finances and contracts better then.But something has got to give. It is not right that clubs like Leeds, Leicester and Southampton should this season have received around £55m each while the other Championship clubs, apart from those still getting parachutes, receive just £8.2million. The West Ham owner does not think it is right for clubs like his to help those lower down the food chain who have mismanaged their finances.But then he contradicts himself by saying parachute payments are “not big enough” to help support teams that get relegated. He argues going down to the Championship would be “horrendous”.Well, simple solution, David: manage your finances and contracts better then.All deals should have relegation clauses in them where wages MUST drop as a result. I’m afraid Premier League footballers should also start living in the real world.If you fail, your wages must be cut accordingly.The Premier League right now have an opportunity to avoid a regulator coming in – but they want to play with the ball all to themselves.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo I am afraid it’s time for an adult to enter the room, crack their heads together and tell them to play fairly with the others.That will be the best way to make sure the EFL doesn’t turn into a little shop of horrors.Bury fans during the run-up of the Shakers being booted out of the EFL in 2019Macclesfield supporter protests about his club’s woesThe future of Reading is under threat More

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      Blackburn owners make sale decision with unpopular Venky’s only ready to leave club on one condition

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      OWNERS Venky’s say they are not looking to sell Blackburn — despite problems getting cash out of India.The family from Pune have had recent inquiries but would only consider a buyer if Rovers got promoted to the Premier League.Venky’s will not sell unless Blackburn are promoted to the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Empics SportVenky’s took over Blackburn in 2010, five months after the club finished 10th in the top flight.Two years later, they were relegated down to the Championship.They spent five seasons in the second tier, before dropping down to League One.Rovers earned promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut they have failed to secure a play-off place in the five seasons that have followed.Three mid-table campaigns were followed by eighth and seventh-place finishes over the last two years – missing out on the play-offs last season by virtue of goal difference.But this year they are well off the pace, embroiled in a relegation battle.Under new boss John Eustace, who replaced Jon Dahl Tomasson in February, Blackburn sit 17th in the Championship, three points above the drop zone.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThey are on a nine-game winless run, drawing their last three.On Saturday, they played out a goalless draw with Middlesbrough.Reading fans are angry as owner sells training ground to EFL rivals Wycombe And they now head into a hugely tricky set of fixtures against Ipswich, Sunderland and Southampton. More

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      ‘The club is on life support… he’s killing us’, say angry Reading fans as owner SELLS training ground to EFL rivals

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      ANGRY READING supporters have claimed that the club is “on life support” and that their owner is “killing” the club amid the latest controversy.The League One club, who were relegated from the Championship last season, have lurched from one crisis to another under Dai Yongge.Fans have already launched numerous protests against Dai YonggeCredit: AlamyThe Reading owner has infuriated fed-up fans once againCredit: Rex FeaturesThe Royals were initially docked a point in August for breaching EFL regulations, with a further three suspended.The following month they triggered their extra three-point deduction, after failing to deposit 125 per cent of their monthly wage bill into an account by a date agreed to by the EFL.They then received their third points deduction of the season last month after they were docked an extra two points to take the total to six.During 2023, the Royals were late paying HMRC for over 100 days, with EFL rules prohibiting more than 80 and that has led to regular protests from supporters demanding that Yongge sell the club.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, this week reports emerged that the controversial Chinese businessman had agreed to flog something else instead – Reading’s Bearwood Park training ground to League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers.And that has further infuriated fed-up fans as Caroline Parker, a spokesperson for Sell Before We Dai spokesperson, said in an open letter from the group: “The news that Reading FC owner Dai Yongge, his sister and fellow owner Dai Xiu Li, and CEO Dayong Pang, are selling our training ground shows that they never intended to sell the club.“They’re intent on only one thing – killing Reading FC – a club with a proud 152-year history. This club is now firmly on life support.“But if Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang are killing the club, then Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig is an accomplice. He might not have pulled the trigger, but he’s helping the owners to hide the body.Most read in EFLCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “Selling one of Reading’s key assets makes the club even less attractive to a new owner – and almost certainly scares off potential investors who were already having to contend with Yongge’s unpredictability, all while leaving more chaos for fans, players and staff to endure.“But questions must be asked.Watch hilarious moment lone EFL fan has rival supporters trying to storm past stewards after pitchside wind-up“To Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang – with a £1 million shortfall staring the club in the face, are they planning on using the funds to keep the club alive, or to run off with them to an off-shore tax haven, leaving Reading FC in an even more perilous situation?”It added: “It’s time for action. We’re calling on all Reading fans to gather tomorrow night (Friday) at 6pm outside Adams Park for a peaceful protest – and we’d invite all Wycombe fans who don’t want their club to become known as the new MK Dons to stand with us – because football has an ownership problem.“We know Reading fans are confused and worried. So are we. But one thing is clear: we will not give up in the fight for the future of our club.” More

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      Former EFL club slapped with 10 point deduction and hit whole new low as iconic team face dropping into seventh tier 

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      TORQUAY UNITED have been hit with a ten-point deduction as they near administration.The National League South side have fallen from 12th to 17th in the table due to the penalty.Torquay have been slapped with a ten-point deductionCredit: RexThey are now just three points above the relegation zone and are in danger of falling into the seventh tier.Torquay are in the midst of huge financial trouble and announced plans to go into administration.National League rules state that intending to appoint administrators is an insolvency event and punishable by ten points.Owner of the club Clarke Osborne revealed last month that he could no longer fund the Devon-based side.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said in a statement: “It is with sincere regret that I advise that circumstances beyond my control during the last five weeks have brought me to the position that I am unable to continue financially supporting the club.”I have today filed on behalf of the directors an intention to appoint an administrator for the club and company.”Osborne has been in charge since 2016 and overseen two relegations.He had initially saved Torquay after past financial issues – but they have now racked up debts worth a reported £4.2million.Most read in EFLCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL There are parties reportedly interested in buying the club.The Gulls, who play at 6,500 capacity stadium Plainmoor, were in the EFL as recently as 2014.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanThey were as high as League One ten years earlier.Former Soccer AM presenter Helen Chamberlain is Torquay’s most well-known supporter and she took every opportunity on the Sky Sports classic show to mention her beloved team.She even has the club’s crest tattooed on her bum.Helen Chamberlain is Torquay’s biggest fanCredit: Sky More

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      EFL clash called off just hours before kick-off as torrential rain wreaks havoc on pitch

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      COLCHESTER UNITED’S clash with Doncaster Rovers has been postponed following a pitch inspection.The League Two game has been called off with the “surface unplayable” after torrential rain wreaked havoc on the pitch.Colchester United vs Doncaster Rovers has been postponed following a pitch inspectionCredit: RexFollowing talks with the EFL and PGMOL, the decision was made with a rescheduled date to be thrashed out. A statement read: “Colchester United’s clash against Doncaster Rovers has been postponed.”A local official carried out a pitch inspection early on Tuesday morning and decided that the surface was unplayable, with little chance of improvement given the forecast of heavy rain throughout the day.”Following discussions with the EFL and PGMOL, the decision was made to call the game off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Further details regarding the rearranged fixture will be communicated to supporters in due course. “All tickets for the fixture will be valid for the rearranged game (when announced), but if you can’t make it to the new date, there are three options available and they will show on your account in due course.” The Met Office said Brits would likely wake to a generally wet and breezy morning – with outbreaks of downpours.But it said the mercury would likely climb to the low-to-mid teens in parts of the north later this week, and upper teens in southern areas.Most read in EFLCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL It said London would likely enjoy 13C tomorrow, before climbing to 16C on Thursday and Friday, and hitting 17C on Wednesday.The Met said Edinburgh is set to see 11C for the next three days, before climbing to 14C on Friday.It’s a stark contrast to last week, when snow blanketed parts of the UK.Jack Keene & Matt Champman preview Day One of the Cheltenham Festival More

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      EFL owner ready to sell club’s training ground as furious fans demand action over ‘asset stripping’

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      READING fans are demanding action after accusing owner Dai Yongge of asset stripping.The Royals are up for sale after months of crisis which saw the club relegated from the Championship last season before receiving a points deduction for financial irregularities this term.Dai Yongge has placed Reading’s training ground up for saleCredit: Rex FeaturesThe Royals train at Bearwood ParkCredit: GettyOwner Yongge is now willing to sell after months of protests which saw games delayed and one even suspended.He has now stated he will continue funding the club until a new owner is found – but he has now placed the training ground up for sale.Reading released a statement confirming the news from Yongge and CEO Dayong Pang.It read: “Mr Dai is currently evaluating every option at present to secure sufficient funding until new ownership is confirmed. In doing so, he is open to the sale of Bearwood Park, should an appropriate offer be received.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Whilst dialogue with potential new ownership groups are progressing, as of today no single party has been granted exclusivity. “Mr Dai and representatives will continue to liaise with interested parties and hope to move forward at the earliest possible opportunity.”Further communication with substantive developments will come as appropriate.”But the statement has been met with backlash as fans have accused the owner of asset stripping.Most read in EFLCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL It comes after Reading flogged a number of promising young talents in January.One fan said: “Congratulations. You’ve just openly announced your intentions and willingness to asset strip the club. Utter, club, killers, the both of you.”Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersAnother added: “Nowhere near a sale, very near to the end of this football club. Asset thieving fraudsters.”And a third wrote: “Yeah we’re completely f****d. Asset stripping at its finest. Just sell the club.” More

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      West Brom star controversially recreates Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ to stop crucial goal in Championship

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      THERE was huge drama in the Championship last night as West Brom defender Cedric Kipre recreated Maradona’s “hand of god”.The incident took place in the 52nd minute of the game after QPR midfielder Sam Field headed a goalbound effort towards the West Brom net.Sam Field managed to loop the ball over PalmerCredit: Sky Sports/XBut Kipre was there to provide coverCredit: Sky SportsHe deflected the ball over the crossbarCredit: Sky SportsHowever, with the ball already having beaten West Brom keeper Alex Palmer, the shot was cleared off the line by the hand of Kipre – who slapped the ball over the crossbar with his hand.Kipre managed to disguise his handball so well that barely any QPR players in the West Brom box even appealed for a penalty.QPR fans behind the goal also didn’t appear to notice the hand of God, with many simply putting their head in their hands in the belief that the Hoops had missed a great chance.Likewise, the Sky Sports pundits at full time said they all thought they’d witnessed an “unbelievable” save from Palmer on first glance and only realised there had been a handball after they saw a replay.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe controversy could be crucial for both teams at either end of the table with the game ending 2-2.Victory would have seen QPR rise to 16th in their fight to stave off relegation.Instead, they sit in 19th and are just one point above the drop zone.And for West Brom, a point was valuable in keeping them in the hunt for a playoff place.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Baggies sit fifth on 60 points and are five points ahead of seventh placed Norwich.After the game, QPR coach Marti Cifuentes joked that his team would have to train playing against “two goalkeepers” going forward.My dad ‘beat up’ Man Utd legend Roy Keane in a furious dressing room fight – now I’m making my own way in the EFLThe Spanish coach joked: “I’ve been told West Brom have played with two ‘keepers for while. Football is a game with mistakes, and unfortunately, the referees can make mistakes as well.”It’s a difficult job, the second-most difficult job, after being a manager. But I’m not going to complain, I’m here to make sure my team is better than that, so if today we had to play against two ‘keepers, we need to practice against two ‘keepers.Like most at the ground, Cifuentes also thought that the hand of god was simply a great save at first, saying: “I thought the keeper made an amazing save. The real keeper.”QPR defender Steve Cook was less magnanimous however and said: “It was a blatant handball from Kipre and it can’t be missed. It’s a terrible decision from the referee.”West Brom manager Carlos Corberan meanwhile said he “couldn’t remember the action.”When pressed on the matter he said: “Hopefully the decisions made by the referees are the correct decisions, but unfortunately, mistakes happen.” More

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      EFL fans slam club’s ‘disgraceful’ 43-word statement sacking manager after 25 years – as owner DELETES his Twitter

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      ACCRINGTON STANLEY fans slammed the club’s “disgraceful” 43-word statement after sacking their long-serving manager.The League Two side were thumped 4-0 away at Wrexham yesterday – conceding all four in the first half in North Wales.John Coleman’s ten-year stint as Accrington Stanley boss ended after defeat at WrexhamCredit: RexCredit: Accrington StanleyThat left the ‘Owd Reds 16th in the table after a third defeat in a row as hopes of securing a play-off spot appear to be fading. And it spelt the end for Coleman, who had been boss since 2014, and his assistant Jimmy Bell.Before this decade-long stint, Coleman had also managed Accrington from 1999 to 2012 taking them from the Northern Premier League to the EFL – totalling nearly 23 years in the What Stadium dugout. But despite his dedicated service to the club dating back to the previous century, the 61-year-old’s exit was announced with a brief, blunt comment from the club. READ MORE ON EFLThe statement said: “Accrington Stanley can today confirm that John Coleman and Jimmy Bell have been informed that their contracts are terminated with immediate effect.”Everyone at the club thanks them for their long-standing service and we wish them all the very best for the future.”However, the ridiculously short press release prompted a furious backlash from raging supporters on social media.One said: “Are you taking the p***? They deserve better than that, after such brilliant and long service.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother wrote: “Is this statement for two people who have given nearly 25 years of service to the club?”A third added: “The manner of this statement is horrendously thought out. Two paragraphs for almost 25 years of promotions from obscurity in non-league to punching their weight in the EFL really does leave a very bad taste. It’s the end of a bloody great era.”EFL clash POSTPONED just an hour before kickoff as fans fume ‘you’re a disgrace’A fourth fumed: “A truly graceless statement. Over two decades at the club, John Coleman has the respect of many in the game and deserved better than this shoddy paragraph.”And a final user simply replied: “Shocking.”To make matters worse, unpopular Accrington owner Andy Holt appeared to delete his X account immediately after news of Coleman’s sacking broke. Holt – who famously put the club up for sale on the social media platform – regularly got into bitter spats online.That included a row with Boris Johnson during Covid and Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham over ticket prices.The Hollywood pair’s side were angered that Accrington hiked up prices for their fans’ trip to the Wham Stadium – and responded by reducing the costs for yesterday’s return fixture.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat led to Holt hitting out at Wrexham’s “stupid mistimed statements”. And just two weeks ago, the controversial owner revealed on X he was raising season ticket prices and the cost of beer to fix a “million-pound hole” at the club relegated last season. More