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      Morecambe could face points deduction with players fearing not having wages paid on time this month

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      MORECAMBE’S players are worried their wages will not arrive on time this month.The League One strugglers got their money late recently following a cash injection from would-be owner Sarbjot Johal.
      Morecambe’s players are worried their wages will not arrive on time this monthCredit: Rex
      But the Shrimps dressing room has been alerted to a potential snag coming up.
      And that may force the EFL to act and dock the club three points.
      Championship strugglers Wigan were also recently hit with a three-point deduction over the repeated non-payment of salaries.
      The situation got so bad players revolted and refused to train after FOUR missed payments, before calling off their strike action after being paid.
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      But things could soon get worse for Wigan, as just nine senior players will be tied down to contracts this summer.
      Defenders Jason Kerr and Jack Whatmough are on longer deals but the duo have been troubled by injuries.
      Jordan Jones is on loan while Anthony Scully can go.
      And Tom Pearce has been available for purchase for the last two windows.
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      Striker Josh Magennis does not start that often these days either.
      Tom Naylor and Charlie Wyke — both signed on lucrative deals — remain.
      While Callum Lang is under lock and key and in Latics chiefs’ plans.
      Wigan were recently hit with a three-point deductionCredit: PA More

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      Norwich confirm legend Teemu Pukki will LEAVE at end of season after five years as he targets new transfer ‘challenge’

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      NORWICH have revealed fan favourite Teemu Pukki will leave the club at the end of the season.The Canaries forward, 33, has scored 88 goals in 204 games for the Norfolk side, helping them secure two promotions since arriving from Brondby in 2018.
      Teemu Pukki has confirmed he will leave Carrow Road in the summerCredit: PA
      But now the Finland international has confirmed he will depart in the summer in search of a new challenge.
      Speaking to the club website, he said: “This has not been an easy decision because of what Norwich City means and has done for me.
      “I’ve loved my time with this great club, but considering the stage of my career, and I know I have a few more years in me, I’m keen for another new experience.
      “I have some amazing memories from my time here, with so many ups and downs. The two promotions were amazing.
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      “These five years have probably been the best of my career, both from a professional and personal perspective. I don’t think anyone believed it would go as well as it has. This club and city will always have a special place in my heart.
      “This club means so much to me. I think back to when I signed here, it was such an easy club to settle in at. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I will miss the whole club. The people around the place, players and support staff are amazing.
      “I feel I have a special relationship with Norwich and our supporters. I’ve always had a positive feeling from them. I hope I help give them one final gift with a few goals and a positive end to the season.”
      Norwich are still in the hunt for promotion this season as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.
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      They sit seventh in the Championship, four points adrift of the play-off places with seven games remaining.
      And Pukki, who was linked with a move to Manchester United back in 2020, is adamant he will put every ounce of energy into trying to secure a third promotion with Norwich.
      He added: “Obviously, there is still a lot riding on these final few games.
      “All my focus is on this season and doing everything we can to achieve success. We know we can still achieve our targets.” More

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      3pm blackout set to STAY as EFL reveal preferred bidder for new TV rights deal

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      SKY SPORTS have seen off the challenge of streaming service DAZN and other broadcast rivals to retain the rights to show live EFL football.EFL bosses are looking to almost double their current £119m per season deal.
      The 3pm blackout looks set to remain in place in EnglandCredit: Getty
      Streaming giant DAZN said it planned to screen all 1656 EFL games each season and seek to end the Saturday 3pm blackout.
      Despite that bid, and other offers understood to have been made by Viaplay and TNT Sports – the new name for BT Sport – Sky is the first choice of the EFL.
      A final deal is yet to be confirmed although it is understood that Sky intends to screen more matches than the 138 games shown in the current five-year deal that runs out at the end of next season.
      In a statement, league chiefs said: “The EFL has now completed a full and comprehensive review of the multiple submissions received as part of its broadcast rights sales process from 2024 onwards.
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      “The League will now enter into an exclusive month-long negotiating period with the preferred bidder, Sky Sports.
      “No further comment will be made on this matter at the current time.”
      The news will be a blow for DAZN, part-owned by Anthony Joshua, which felt it had made a significantly competitive and ground-breaking offer.
      But assuming an agreement is found over the next month, the news will bring a sigh of relief to Sky bosses.
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      It was reported last week that EFL bosses are looking to increase the current package to £200m plus, a huge potential financial lifeline for struggling clubs.
      The blackout was introduced, at the instigation of then-Burnley chairman Bob Lord more than 50 years ago, in the belief that it would prevent TV football damaging attendances at other matches.
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters declared earlier this month that he “didn’t see” the league’s backing for the blackout ending any time soon. More

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      Almost 80,000 fans cram into Wembley for Bolton v Plymouth showing why Premier League must protect our lower divisions

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      WHAT was the world’s biggest football attendance this weekend?Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga clash against Borussia Dortmund? Or maybe it was Real Madrid taking on Valladolid at the Bernabeu. No, it was Plymouth v Bolton in the Papa John’s Trophy.
      Bolton won the Papa John’s Trophy after beating Plymouth 4-0 in the final
      Almost 80,000 fans packed into Wembley for the Papa John’s Trophy final
      A whopping 79,389 poured into Wembley and watched the two League One clubs battle it out for the most junior of all the pieces of silverware in English professional football.
      There’s not another country on the planet that would be able to attract that sort of crowd for a lower-tier match.
      Yet again this brings into focus the importance of preserving our lower divisions.
      Almost every single current England international has either played for an EFL club or cut their teeth in the EFL Trophy.
      The atmosphere in Wembley was as good — if not better — than many cup finals I’ve watched between Premier League sides.
      Teams like Bolton and Plymouth have a rich heritage. 
      Bolton famously won the first FA Cup final to be staged at Wembley 100 years ago when they beat West Ham.
      Back then it was estimated that 300,000 flocked to the stadium.
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      No country has such football heritage and the reason why clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Co are so huge is precisely because they have been part of that history.
      Clubs in England are at the centre of their communities. Bolton manager Ian Evatt was right after his team’s thrilling 4-0 win over Argyle when he said: “When clubs are successful, their communities thrive.”
      Even in dark times such as the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis, football brings a much needed boost to people’s lives.
      Yet Bolton Wanderers — who produced the legendary Nat Lofthouse — almost were wiped off the face of the football map less than four years ago.
      Sharon Brittan and some local businessmen stepped in and saved the club. The job they have done with the Trotters has been miraculous. And Evatt made sure he congratulated her when he walked up to the Royal Box to pick up his winners’ medal.
      Sharon Brittan congratulates Bolton boss Ian Evatt at Wembley
      Bolton owner Sharon Brittan celebrates Bolton’s superb Papa John’s Trophy triumph
      The road has been bumpy at times. They dropped into League Two but since recruiting Evatt it has been mostly uphill. He got them back into League One, they are challenging for a play-off spot this season and just won their first trophy since they won the same competition in 1989.
      Of course, the club in between their trophy triumphs had a glorious Premier League era, which brought them European football, under ex-boss Sam Allardyce, who was at Wembley to watch them on Sunday.
      Bolton are a great example why top-flight clubs should be happy to pour more money into the lower leagues from its vast broadcasting revenue streams. By doing so, they would not just be preserving clubs in the football pyramid but give themselves a security blanket if they were to drop out of the promised land.
      Rick Parry — when he was chief executive of the Premier League in 1996 — offered EFL clubs a 25 per cent share of all future income. 
      Incredibly, back then, EFL clubs insanely voted against that proposal. 
      Kyle Dempsey celebrates scoring for Bolton at Wembley
      But, now as chairman of the EFL, Parry is seeking to secure that 25 per cent funding as part of the New Deal for Football talks between the FA and the two leagues.
      With the huge success of our top division that 25 per cent slice would be a mouth-watering figure that would do so much to strengthen our pyramid — and the top clubs would benefit from that also.
      Now with a football regulator set to be appointed, the Premier League will be forced to share more of their considerable wealth. It is only fair they should do so.
      The reason why the Premier League is massive is because the clubs in it have grown through the rich history of the EFL.
      You can bet your bottom dollar that clubs like Brighton and Brentford will not be in the Premier League forever.
      And those two teams certainly know what it is like to be at the other end of the spectrum.
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      The Seagulls almost dropped into non-league while Brentford were just over a decade ago in League Two.
      Hopefully this can all be sorted and in place for the new season. More

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      Paul Warne and Freddie Ladapo both left Rotherham for League One as they both wanted to make names for themselves

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      IPSWICH striker Freddie Ladapo says he and Derby boss Paul Warne both left Rotherham to make names for themselves.And today they face each other at Pride Park in a crunch League One clash with both bidding to win their second promotion in a row to the Championship — having done it with the Millers last season.
      Freddie Ladapo played for Derby boss Paul Warne at Rotherham
      Third-placed Ipswich have a huge chance to go up automatically after six wins on the bounce put them within five points of Sheffield Wednesday while also having a game in hand.
      Meanwhile, the Rams will almost certainly need to do it via the play-offs, desperately trying to keep their place in the top six with Peterborough, Wycombe and Portsmouth hot on their heels.
      Ladapo, 30, was released from his Rotherham contract by Warne in the summer to allow him to take up a new challenge with the Tractor Boys — while his old boss opted to also drop back down a division to take over at Derby in September.
      And the Ipswich striker said: “We’ve both left for the same reasons. Ipswich and Derby are huge clubs and you get to make a name for yourself.
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      “Warney is a lovable character, especially for the fans. He’s someone who gives everything to everyone and wears his heart on his sleeve. 
      “He always makes sure players are happy and, although I didn’t appreciate it before, allowed me to find something new in my career.
      “It was a choice that I wanted.
      “We still message each other from time to time. He’s a person who understands this league and what it takes to get out of the division.”
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      Ladapo has scored 16 goals so far for Ipswich
      Ladapo has netted 16 goals so far this season — 12 in the league — and is offering his promotion know-how to a club that is now in its third season in League One after relegation from the Championship.
      He said: “As a footballer you’re interested in projects like Ipswich. You look at the place and see 30,000 every week, a huge club.
      “You want to do well at a club like this and create memories you’ll forever hold on to.
      “Also with a young talented manager like Kieran McKenna here, you could tell something was brewing and I wanted to be part of it.”
      Despite Ipswich’s hot form, Ladapo knows you can take nothing for granted in League One. 
      Take Sheffield Wednesday for example, who were top of the table and seemingly coasting to automatic promotion after five wins on the bounce.
      But the Owls have now only taken two points from their last four games, have been overtaken by Plymouth and now are nervously looking over their shoulders at Ipswich and Barnsley.
      Ladapo said: “I’ve played a lot in League One and what I’ve noticed is many teams have good runs. You see clubs go 10, 15, even 20 unbeaten, everything is rosy and everyone says you’re going to get promoted.
      “But suddenly these teams hit a dry run and everyone starts worrying you’re going to drop out of the promotion picture.
      “What has been key for us this season is that when we’ve not been at our best, we’ve still not been losing. We’ve only lost four all season — the lowest in the division.
      He believes something special is brewing in Suffolk
      “So in games where it hasn’t happened, we’ve still managed to get a point. That’s been massive for us.”
      Ladapo wants to end the season as club top scorer but is currently three behind midfielder Conor Chaplin’s 19 in all competitions.
      But his form has picked up since Ipswich signed fellow frontman George Hirst on loan from Leicester.
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      He said: “The competition has helped. You want to not only compete against your opponents but your team-mates.
      “There is plenty of banter flying around between me and Conor as to who is going to end up top scorer. Hopefully it’ll be me!” More

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      My kids were born eight weeks early and needed round-the-clock care, but I managed to keep going and focus on football

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      DARYL HORGAN hopes to finally make an impact on Stevenage’s promotion bid after a tough couple of months following his wife Donna giving birth to twins EIGHT WEEKS early.The winger arrived at the club on loan from Wycombe in January. But within weeks he was juggling football with supporting his missus, caring for their three other children and dealing with the challenges and risks of the premature births.
      Daryl Horgan and his wife Donna’s twins were born eight weeks prematurely
      Stevenage’s on-loan winger can fully focus on the club’s bid to get promoted to League One now his twins are safely home and doing well
      Today Irish ace Horgan, 30, will be in the Stevenage squad that travels to Northampton fully focussed on the crunch promotion battle — with his two new little ones safely home after round-the-clock neonatal care at hospital.
      He told SunSport: “It’s true twins generally arrive early — but not eight weeks! The two lads were already quite small so they had to get them out and on to the incubator.
      “They weighed 3lb 10oz and 3lb 7oz — so very tiny fellas.
      “It’s been taxing. It was tough on us both. We’ve another three kids at home, which doesn’t make it any easier.
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      “Thankfully, we had our family over, giving us a hand. 
      “When it’s your kids, you’ll do whatever you can — no matter what.
      “We got on with it. We went to the hospital to be with our twins and were there for our other children when we needed to be.
      “We were spread a bit thin but that’s just life.
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      “But the twins are now out of hospital and thriving. Fingers crossed they keep going but they’re doing brilliantly. 
      “I’m loath to say it was a tough time because it’s brilliant to bring two babies into the world. There was a bit of effort involved but there’s no harm in that whatsoever.”
      It is estimated that around 58,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK every year.
      And there is always a risk that a premature baby will not survive or develop health problems.
      Horgan was amazed by the superb care and support given by NHS staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
      He said: “With every pregnancy, there’s always a chance something can go wrong but with premature babies the risk is greater.
      When it’s your kids, you’ll do whatever you can — no matter what.”DARYL HORGAN
      “The nurses and doctors cannot just say everything is going to be rosy. You know the risks involved.
      “You have to be aware of that but at the same time there’s no point getting bogged down in it.
      “Thankfully, there was great staff at Stoke Mandeville. They had a plan and we knew constantly how everything was going.
      “They take it day by day and have a set of criteria that the babies must meet.
      “First, they’re put on an incubator and oxygen before bringing that down gradually.
      “The heating comes down on the incubator so the babies can regulate their own body temperature. They also need to breathe on their own. 
      “They also must see if they can feed through a bottle or their mother or do they need to be fed through a tube through their noses. 
      “There were a lot of things that had to come to the fore. Thankfully they got there fairly quickly and after four-and-a-half weeks were home with us.”
      To stay focussed in any profession, let alone football, with such a scenario playing out would be difficult for most people.
      Daryl Horgan signed on loan from Wycombe in January
      But Horgan tried his best — although he concedes it is hard to perform at your highest level when you have family concerns in the background.
      He said: “The best thing is wherever you are to be present as much as you can. 
      “When you’re away or training, you cannot affect what’s going on at home and the manager Steve Evans has been brilliant.
      “He’s always said, ‘If you need to get away, you can … if you need time off, you can.’
      “It’s an enjoyable job most of the time when you’re running around a patch of grass kicking a ball around.
      “There are a lot harder jobs you could be doing but to perform at your maximum can be more difficult when you have things going on like that.
      “I just had to keep my head down. While I was away I was able to focus on my family and when at Stevenage Borough my football.
      “I knew my missus and family were taking care of things which made it much easier for me. I knew they were there helping me out.”
      Horgan understandably has not been able to reach his peak form at Borough yet and has only started one game, while coming off the bench in seven others.
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      But there are now nine huge games coming up. Stevenage are in the third and final automatic promotion spot, just a point in front of Carlisle in fourth and two behind today’s opponents.
      The winger said: “It’s a massive game. We shouldn’t see it as  high-pressure but high-opportunity. They’ve managed to go above us so this is our chance to get right back into it.” More

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      I was the tallest player in the Football League and a star with Birmingham… now I fight crime & gangsters in Canada

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      THE ONCE former tallest player in the Football League now has a very different career fighting gangsters in Canada.The towering 6ft 7in striker became a firm favourite with the likes of Birmingham City and Stockport County back in his heyday.
      This 6ft 7in former Birmingham striker was the tallest player in the Football LeagueCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He is now fighting mobsters for the Calgary Police Force
      He is now loving life as part of the Calgary Police Force.
      The man we are talking about is, of course, the legendary Kevin Francis.
      The 55-year-old was plucked from non-league Mile Oak Rovers by Derby County in 1989 but after just 17 appearances he was off to begin his journey into football folklore when joining Stockport County two years later.
      Francis was spotted playing for the Rams’ reserve side by then County manager Danny Bergara, who claimed he instantly wanted to sign him.
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      The big man scored five to help them seal automatic promotion as runners-up in the old Division Four and then hit 26 the following season to help the club reach Wembley twice, although they lost both times.
      But his hot-streak continued the following year with 33 goals as another Wembley appearance came along – but once again it was disappointment in store in the final of the Autoglass Shield.
      Undeterred, he found the net another 30 times the next season, and there was another Wembley defeat, as the big clubs began circling.
      He still managed another 13 goals for Stockport in the 1994/95 season before his hometown team Birmingham City swooped to sign him in January for £800,000.
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      And he could not have gotten off to a better start for the Blues as this time he enjoyed Wembley glory in the Football League Trophy against Carlisle.
      And then he followed that up by helping them finish as champions of Division Two with eight goals.
      He stayed at Birmingham for two more seasons in what is now the Championship but began to struggle with injuries, although he did play a key role in their run to the League Cup semi-finals in 1996.
      Francis left Birmingham in 1998 to join Oxford United, scoring eight in 40 appearances, prior to a brief return to Stockport in 2000.
      But he suffered a broken leg on just his fourth appearance and was released at the end of the season.
      However, despite that sad end to his time with the club, he was still named “County Player of the Century” in 2002.
      Short spells with Exeter City and Hull City followed before he bowed out of the Football League to sign for Hednesford Town which was followed by stints with Redditch United and Studley prior to retirement in 2005.
      Francis also enjoyed a taste of the international scene, winning two caps for Saint Kitts & Nevis after qualifying through his parents.
      The giant Kevin Francis achieved legendary status at Stockport CountyCredit: Getty
      But any thoughts of coaching soon evaporated once he had retired as he embarked on a whole new journey in Canada.
      After briefly coaching Birmingham City Ladies on a part-time basis, he landed a truck-driving job across the pond for a company in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Calgary.
      Francis, wife Sharon and one of his daughters Keisha went with him while his other girl, Stacey, stayed in the UK to focus on her netball career – a decision that paid off for the now 35-year-old England international star who helped Team GB secure bronze at 2010 Commonwealth Games.
      Eventually, with trips sometimes lasting up to ten days on Canada’s hazardous roads, in 2009 he joined the Calgary Police Force after looking for a another new venture.
      He currently serves on the Gang Suppression Team, which is devoted to monitoring and investigating local criminal groups, and it is as terrifying as it sounds – although he is still producing award-winning displays.
      Speaking to The Athletic, Francis said: “There was one incident at a club. 
      “We were about to do a walk-through and, in certain places, we all go in together. Strength in numbers.
      “It was a cold night but we had the windows down and were waiting for one of the other cars to turn up when we heard the gunshots and the range. It’s a very different sound in the night air.
      “We looked at each other and sprang into action. You don’t think about it. Guns out, we ran across the street just as our other unit was coming around the corner.
      “The shooter was outside and his gun must have jammed. One of the doormen grabbed him and wrestled him to the ground.
      “I got a hold of the guy and got the gun from him but there was pandemonium because people were saying another shooter was inside. And the hardest thing for me was staying there on my own and not being able to go in with the rest of the boys to clear the bar.
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      “Because we train as a team, we go in together. Obviously, the guy needed to be subdued and that was my job but it was still tough.
      “We apprehended an accomplice too, who was waiting in a car and ready to drive off. One guy — a completely innocent bystander — got hit inside the bar but survived and we ended up getting a police award for our efforts that night, which was pretty cool.”
      He initially moved to Canada to become a truck driver but joined the police in 2009Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      His daughter Stacey is an England international Netball star who has represented Team GBCredit: Getty More

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      Bizarre optical illusion confuses fans as Colchester star ‘punches rival hard in ribs’ but some claim there’s no contact

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      COLCHESTER and Tranmere fans witnessed what seems to be an unbelievable optical illusion on Saturday’s League Two match at the Colchester Community Stadium.The hosts earned a penalty in the 65th minute and Connor Hall celebrated passionately with a usual fist bump.
      Colchester earned a penalty against Tranmere in League TwoCredit: Sky Sports News
      Colchester’s Connor Hall appeared to have punched Tranmere’s Tom DaviesCredit: Sky Sports News
      But he did it right next to Tranmere’s Tom Davies, who momentarily reacted with shock but stayed on his feet.
      Many argue that Hall actually punched Davies in the ribs during his celebration.
      Some fans took to Twitter to complain as they insist the striker should have been sent off with a straight red.
      They also praised Davies’ toughness as the defender didn’t go down or dive to simulate a red card.
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      One fan said: “Surely that is a straight RED for the Colchester lad…that did not seem like punching the air from the Tranmere players [sic] face…”
      Another posted: “Absolute disgraceful so unprofessional and this is unsportsmanship.
      “The FA needs to take a good hard look at this and for me a charge for the player is fully deserved it’s wrong and unacceptable it’s assault tbh.”
      A third commented: “This is actually proper bad, hope it does get looked into EFL. Fair play to the lad for not making a big deal out of it.”
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      This fan said: “Definitely malicious this, fair play to the Tranmere player staying on his feet, think he was too shocked to react.”
      And that one tweeted: “Three match ban for violent conduct.”
      However, there are also many fans who insist this is nothing but an optical illusion.
      They claim Hall was actually celebrating and there is no chance he could have punched Davies or else the Tranmere ace would have collapsed under excruciating pain.
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      But many claim that bizarre incident was nothing but an optical illusionCredit: Sky Sports News
      One fan tweeted: “He pulls his hand away at the last instant. Davies reacts with shock but not pain. Colchester lucky that didn’t make contact.”
      Another wrote: “Calm down, calm down, Never touched him.”
      A third posted: “I don’t think he touched him…”
      This supporter said: “Doesn’t touch him. Wants to, but pulls it back.”
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      And that one tweeted: “Look closely, he does not hit him, he in fact scares [Davies]. Its [sic] like an optical illusion.
      Noah Chilvers then scored from the spot to cancel out Tranmere ace Harvey Read Saunders’ opener and earn Colchester an important point from their 1-1 draw. More