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      Wigan hit with 8-POINT deduction after failing to pay players for a fifth time as they prepare for life in League One

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      WIGAN have been handed a four-point deduction for next season after failing to pay players for a FIFTH time.The Latics will also trigger a further suspended four-point deduction should they fail to pay players again.
      Shaun Maloney’s side will begin next season with a points deductionCredit: Getty
      Shaun Maloney’s side were relegated from the Championship this term amid a backdrop of financial difficulties.
      Owner Abdulrahman Al Jasmi has consistently failed to pay players and staff in recent months.
      According to the Mail, Al Jasmi must deposit a total amounting to 125 per cent of Wigan’s wage bill each month next season to avoid the Latics being docked a further four points on top of the four they will already lose at the start of the campaign.
      He has also been fined £10,000 for breaking league rules, while Wigan have also been deducted a further three points from their final 2022-23 tally.
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      An EFL statement read: “In addition, the Club has also had a further three points deducted from its 2022/23 Championship total for the late payment of players’ wages in March 2023 resulting in their final total being 39 points.
      “Mr Al Jasmi was also charged with Misconduct and fined £10,000 for failing to comply with the terms of the Agreed Decision.
      “Both Mr Al Jasmi and the Club have accepted the sanctions, which have been ratified by an independent Disciplinary Commission, and have agreed to pay all associated costs.
      “In January, the Club was charged with Misconduct after it paid its players late on three occasions in June, July and October 2022.
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      “Accordingly, it was sanctioned with a suspended three-point deduction and entered an Agreed Decision with the League.
      “The suspended sanction was activated in March when the Club failed to meet its contractual obligations with its players and breached the terms of the Agreed Decision when Mr Al Jasmi failed to deposit 125 per cent of the Club’s forecast of its monthly wage bill into a designated account.”
      Wigan are likely to have to offload numerous players this summer, with the club facing an uncertain start to life back in League One.
      Without their points deductions during the 2022-23 campaign, Wigan would have finished on 45 points – more than Blackpool and Reading.
      The Royals were also handed a six-point deduction for their own rule breaches.
      Wigan were relegated from the Championship this seasonCredit: Rex More

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      Jamie Carragher aims cheeky dig at boss Darren Ferguson after Peterborough lose play-off thriller in ‘Fergie Time’

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER brutally mocked Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson after his side’s astonishing play-off defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.The Posh went into the second leg of their semi-final tie with a 4-0 lead over Darren Moore’s men.
      Darren Ferguson watched his Peterborough side unravel against Sheffield WednesdayCredit: PA
      Jamie Carragher couldn’t help himself as he handed out a Fergie-related digCredit: Getty
      The Liverpool legend jovially tweeted following Sheffield Wednesday’s late goal
      But a remarkable turnaround at Hillsborough saw Sheffield Wednesday send the game to extra-time thanks to a 98th-minute Liam Palmer strike.
      It then went to penalties after finishing 5-1 at the end of 120 minutes.
      And Wednesday clinched a 5-3 victory in the shoot-out to book their place at Wembley where they will face Barnsley or Bolton.
      Carragher tweeted his excitement when Palmer’s stoppage-time goal brought the tie level, taking to Twitter to simply say: “OMG!!!!!!!”
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      He then followed that up moments later with a cheeky dig, adding: “Fergie time!”
      The post was in reference to the dad of the Peterborough boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.
      The ex-Manchester United manager was famous for clinching games in added time during his 27 years at Old Trafford.
      It was such a regular occurrence that the phrase “Fergie time” was coined.
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      But on this occasion that very same “Fergie time” came back to bite son Darren as Peterborough suffered play-off heartbreak.
      They were hoping to return to the Championship at the first time of asking following relegation from the second tier last season.
      But despite sneaking into the play-offs on the final day, they came up short against Wednesday in an all-time classic tie.
      Ferguson returned to the club for a FOURTH spell in January, just 11 months after his third stint came to an abrupt end.
      Ferguson is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest ever managersCredit: PA More

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      Darren Moore reveals inspiring secret behind Sheffield Wednesday’s incredible League One play-off semi final comeback

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      DARREN MOORE has revealed the inspiring secret behind Sheffield Wednesday’s incredible play-off comeback.The Owls booked their place in the League One play-off final after a record-breaking display against Posh.
      Sheffield Wednesday pulled off a play-off miracle against PeterboroughCredit: Getty
      Darren Moore has revealed some key secrets behind the remarkable comebackCredit: Rex
      They battled back from 4-0 down in the first-leg to Peterborough to eventually go on and beat them in a shootout last night after a 5-1 win.
      That sparked jubilant scenes at Hillsborough with supporters invading the pitch as they celebrated making it to Wembley.
      However, one over-excited invader appeared to take out a linesman after bolting onto the pitch.
      Wednesday are now preparing to face either Bolton or Barnsley in the final to battle it out for Championship football.
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      Boss Moore has now revealed several key bits of inspiration and magic that helped his team do the impossible against Peterborough.
      The former West Brom defender, who was the victim of vile racist abuse following their first-leg trouncing, said: “When it came to penalties we were prepared for it.
      “We’ve worked on them in training.
      “We got the goals, we kept our head in the moments.”
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      The 49-year-old added: “We had a strong belief, we honestly did.
      “We showed them videos of great comebacks in the week.
      “The mindset was right.”
      Wednesday will discover who they will meet at Wembley later tonight when Bolton travel to Barnsley following last week’s 1-1 draw. More

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      Sheffield Wednesday fan who ripped up his ticket after team lost 4-0 in first leg goes viral after stunning comeback win

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      A SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY fan who ripped up his ticket for his side’s play-off miracle against Peterborough has gone viral.Darren Moore’s men were thumped 4-0 in their semi-final first leg last week.
      Sheffield Wednesday overturned a four-goal deficit to reach the play-off finalCredit: Getty
      One Sheffield Wednesday fan was not happy after their first-leg hammeringCredit: Twitter
      He filmed himself ripping up his ticket for the second legCredit: Twitter
      He then put two fingers up to the cameraCredit: Twitter
      But the Owls staged an incredible turnaround at Hillsborough on Thursday evening.
      Leading 4-0 after 90 minutes and 5-1 after extra-time, they booked their spot at Wembley with a 5-3 victory on penalties.
      And the result brought about the re-emergence of a clip from Wednesday fan Josh Jackson ripping up his ticket after the first-leg loss.
      He can be seen tearing up the paper before putting two fingers up to the camera.
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      It now looks like a foolish decision given the breathtaking second leg.
      But he took it all in his stride when one social media user asked: “How are you feeling now mate? 😂😂”
      To which he replied: “On top of the world.”
      Reacting to the original video, one person responded: “Live and learn. It’s a long journey.”
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      While another added: “His act willed his team to perform. He must be ecstatic!!”
      Sheffield Wednesday, who narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, will now face either Bolton or Barnsley in the play-off final on May 29.
      They are bidding to return to the Championship after two seasons in the third tier. More

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      Wales to hold EFL training camp next week ahead of crunch Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey in June

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      WALES are holding a four-day training camp next week ahead of their Euro 2024 double-header in June.Boss Robert Page will assemble 13 EFL players including the likes of Huddersfield’s Sorba Thomas and Oli Cooper of Swansea for the Cardiff get-together which starts next Monday.
      Robert Page will begin preparations for June’s Euro 2024 qualifying double-header in Cardiff next weekCredit: AFP
      Sorba Thomas, who has been on loan at Blackburn from Huddersfield, is linking up with the Wales squad on MondayCredit: PA
      The Dragons face Armenia in a crunch Group D qualifier in the Welsh capital on June 16 followed by an away trip to Turkey three days later.
      Page wants to keep his squad plying their trade in the Football League ticking over now the domestic season has finished so they are ready to hit the ground running next month.
      Wales captain Aaron Ramsey is still in club action with Nice until June 3.
      Page’s Premier League stars such as Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest and Tottenham’s Ben Davies are also on league duty until Sunday, May 28.
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      That means they will not travel to the Dragons’ Vale HQ on the outskirts of Cardiff for the camp.
      Luton hero Tom Lockyer will also be unavailable due to his involvement in the Championship play-off final against Coventry on May 27 at Wembley.
      Wales opened their bid to reach the Germany finals with a 1-1 draw in Croatia and a 1-0 home win over Latvia back in March.
      And there will be another friendly face around the camp too.
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      Former Dragons defender Chris Gunter will work alongside boss Robert Page as a national team development coach.
      Gunter linked up with the Welsh coaching staff in a short-term role for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia in March.
      But the 109-cap full-back will return in an official part-time capacity to support the next generation, starting with the June fixtures. More

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      Fans hail ‘greatest comeback ever’ as Sheffield Wednesday come from 4-0 DOWN after first leg to reach Wembley on pens

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY produced a sensational FOUR-GOAL comeback to book their place in the League One play-off final.The Owls went into tonight’s semi-final second leg trailing 4-0 from last week’s disastrous clash at London Road.

      Sheffield Wednesday celebrate their dramatic comebackCredit: Sky Sports
      Liam Palmer wheels away in celebrationCredit: Reuters
      Wednesday score their dramatic levellerCredit: Rex
      Sheffield Wednesday fans invaded the pitch after the matchCredit: SKY SPORTS
      In getting through, Wednesday became the first team in EFL play-off history to overcome a three-plus goal first leg deficit to reach a final.
      Darren Moore’s side stormed into an early lead on the night via Michael Smith’s ninth minute penalty, with Lee Gregory making it two on 25 minutes.
      Reece James put them back within one goal with 20 minutes remaining, but their hopes appeared to be ebbing away during stoppage time.
      Ninety seconds over the allocated six additional minutes, however, Liam Palmer sparked pandemonium by prodding home the most dramatic of equalisers.
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      The Scotland international was mobbed by his team-mates, while a smattering of fans even invaded the pitch to celebrate with the players.
      Moore himself was the calmest man in Hillsborough – coolly clapping his players for their late leveller.
      The dramatic leveller prompted a huge reaction on social media.
      One fan wrote: “Peterborough deserve that. They were absolutely dreadful.”
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      Palmer screams in pure delightCredit: Reuters

      While a second tweeted: “When football is at it’s absolute best, there’s no sport within a million miles of it. Absolutely unbelievable.”
      Making reference to Posh’s manager Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex, Jamie Carragher tweeted: “Fergie time!”
      The match then went into extra time… but Peterborough provided yet another twist…
      On the stoke of half-time, the Posh sensationally went back in front after Gregory inadvertently headed a free-kick into his own net.
      Peterborough were only back in the lead until the 112th minute, however, when Callum Paterson coolly slotted home ANOTHER Wednesday equaliser to make it 5-1 on the night.
      The match then went to penalty kicks, with Dan Butler the unfortunate man to miss from 12 yards for Posh.
      Everyone else scored, with Jack Hunt netting Wednesday’s winner to mark a historic comeback – sparking a dramatic pitch invasion.
      Following the incredible 5-3 shoot-out outcome, one fan gushed: “Wow. What a great comeback from Sheffield Wednesday. Unbelievable. The greatest play off comeback in EFL playoff history.”
      Another added: “What a story. Surely the greatest playoff comeback of all time.”

      Wednesday will face Barnsley or Bolton at Wembley on May 29 for a place in the Championship.
      Barnsley host the Trotters tomorrow night having drawn 1-1 in last week’s first leg.

      Jack Hunt’s winning penalty sparked pandemoniumCredit: SKY SPORTS More

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      Former Chelsea wonderkid who snubbed Real Madrid transfer wakes up unemployed after he is released from League One club

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      FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran is without a club after being released by League One side MK Dons.The midfielder, 30, was tipped to go to the very top of world football and attracted offers from Real Madrid and Manchester United at the age of 16.
      Josh McEachran made a total of 22 appearances for Chelsea, which included turning out for The Blues in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfielder told the Daily Mail back in 2017 that he turned down the offers because he “believed he was going to make it”.
      He said “When I made my (Chelsea) debut I thought, ‘Ah, that was a good choice for me to say no to Real Madrid,’ but looking back now maybe I should have (gone).”
      The midfielder had been involved with first team training at Chelsea from the age of 15 onwards, having been called up from the youth team by then manager Carlo Ancelotti.
      But he would go on to make just 11 appearances for Chelsea during his time at the club between 2010 and 2015.
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      The midfielder instead found himself bouncing between a number of clubs on loan, including Swansea City and Middlesbrough before joining Brentford permanently in 2015.
      He made 101 appearances for the Bees before moving on to Birmingham City in 2019, where he made just 10 appearances during an injury-hit stint.
      McEachran dropped down a league to join MK Dons in 2021.
      After initially only training with the club to gain fitness, McEachran earned a series of contracts and made 100 appearances for the Milton Keynes side.
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      But it was announced today that McEachran will be without a club going into the summer after MK Dons released their retained list.
      McEachran was one of nine players released by MK Dons following their relegation to League Two.
      Their relegation was sealed on the final day of the League One season, and sparked angry scenes that saw supporters confront Dons owner Pete Winkleman. More

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      Former highly-touted Chelsea star who spent nine years at Blues unemployed at 29 after being released by TWELFTH club

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      JAMAL BLACKMAN has been released by Exeter City.The former Chelsea youngster joined the Blues as a 12-year-old and didn’t leave until 2021.
      Jamal Blackman made 41 appearances for Exeter CityCredit: Getty
      He was loaned out eight times during his stint in West London, before finally departing two years ago.
      Following permanent spells with Los Angeles FC and Huddersfield, Blackman signed for Exeter City last summer.
      The 29-year-old keeper made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Grecians before being let go this summer.
      On letting Blackman, Jack Sparkes and Jevani Brown go, manager Gary Caldwell said: “It’s never easy telling players their time at the club has ended.
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      “We thank everyone that has departed the club for their efforts this season and in previous seasons and we wish them all the best for their future careers.”
      Exeter came 14th in League One after losing boss Matt Taylor to Rotherham in October.
      Blackman progressed through Chelsea’s academy before earning a professional deal at Stamford Bridge.
      He was named in the Blues’ matchday squad on a number of occasions, but never made a first team outing.
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      Blackman represented England up to Under-19s level.
      He was subsequently loaned by Chelsea to Middlesbrough, Ostersund, Wycombe, Sheffield United, Leeds United, Vitesse, Bristol Rovers and Rotherham.
      The 6ft 6in stopper will now look for a new club ahead of next season.
      Blackman trained alongside Thibaut Courtois at ChelseaCredit: Getty More