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      Championship play-off final delayed by sickening injury as Sunderland ace forced off before calling Wag down from stands

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      THE Championship play-off final has been delayed because of an injury to Sunderland club captain Luke O’Nien.The defender dislocated his shoulder in the second minute.Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien was forced off with injuryCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe defender received treatment on the pitch for several minutesCredit: GettyO’Nien appeared to be in pain as he left the pitchCredit: PAThe match was delayed for around six minutesCredit: PAO’Nien injured his shoulder in an aerial challenge with Kieffer MooreCredit: PAThe club captain later joined in with the celebrations after Sunderland equalisedHis arm was held in a slingFollow the Championship play-off final with SunSport’s live blogThe incident occurred as he went to challenge Sheffield United ace Kieffer Moore for a header, with the striker almost scoring.O’Nien fell to the ground and immediately required treatment from the physios.He was attended to for several minutes and received oxygen.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA stretcher was brought out onto the pitch but was not required, with O’Nien walking off.However the Black Cats skipper did appear to be in a lot of pain as he trudged off.He grimaced as he clutched his injured arm – play only resumed six minutes later. O’Nien was applauded off by the Sunderland faithful and was replaced by Chris Mepham.Most read in EFLBefore making his way down the tunnel O’Nien beckoned to his partner Georgia to join him.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSShe walked down the Wembley steps and greeted the Sunderland star, before escorting him down the tunnel alongside the medical staff.O’Nien later returned to the Sunderland bench and was spotted in tears.Sheffield United star targets a hat-trick of promotions ahead of £200m play-off final against Sunderland at WembleyBut his game was not finished as he rushed to the corner flag to join in with the celebrations after Eliezer Mayenda equalised for Sunderland after Tyrese Campbell’s first half opener. More

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      Why are the EFL play-off finals kicking off a minute later?

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      SUNDERLAND and Sheffield United will meet in one of the biggest games on the English football calendar.A place in the Premier League awaits either the Blades or the Black Cats, with Chris Wilder’s side eyeing an immediate return to the top flight.Daniel Ballard headed Sunderland to Wembley with a last minute winner vs CoventryCredit: Scott Llewellyn | MI NewsChris Wilder is looking to guide Sheffield United straight back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Nick Potts/PA Wire.Charlton and London rivals Leyton Orient will meet in the League One play-off finalCredit: GettyWimbledon will take on Walsall in the League Two play-off finalCredit: Tom West | MI NewsRegis Le Bris is hoping to guide Sunderland back to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17. The Championship play-off final is just one of three promotion deciders happening at Wembley over Bank Holiday weekend, with the League One and League Two play-off finals also occurring.League One sees an all-London affair, as Charlton and Leyton Orient both look to book their place alongside Wrexham and Birmingham in the Championship next season.In League Two, either Walsall or Wimbledon will be joining Doncaster, Port Vale and Bradford in League One next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport can reveal why these games are starting one minute later than usual. Why are the EFL play-off finals starting a minute later?The kick-off times have been moved back one minute to promote the Every Minute Matters campaign.The campaign is a collaboration between EFL sponsors Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation, which aims to get supporters to learn CPR.More than 270,000 people have already learned the life-saving skill thanks to the campaign, which launched during last season’s play-offs.Most read in EFLAs a result, the three play-off finals will now have amended kick-off times:Sat, May 24: Sheffield United vs Sunderland – 3:01pm BSTSun, May 25: Charlton vs Leyton Orient – 1:01pm BST Mon, May 26: Wimbledon vs Walsall – 3:01pm BSTWhat TV channel are the EFL play-off finals and is there a live stream?All three play-off finals will be aired by Sky Sports.The matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.They can also be live streamed to customers on the Sky Go app and NOW TV.SunSport will have live coverage of all three matches. More

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      ‘Very different to Wrexham’ – Gary Neville and David Beckham WON’T pour millions into Salford as they outline ‘project’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville outlined the plan he and David Beckham have for Salford City after their recent takeover of the club.Neville and Beckham, both 50, led a new consortium and gained control of the League Two side earlier this month by buying out shares from fellow Class of 92 icons Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville. Manchester United legend Gary Neville outlined the plan he and David Beckham have for Salford CityBeckham and Neville completed the takeover of Salford earlier this monthNeville insists he and Beckham won’t pour millions in SalfordThe United greats have teamed up with businessman Declan Kelly and Lawn Tennis Association chairman Lord Mervyn Davies after major backer Peter Lim stepped away last year. The former England internationals have big plans as they are determined to get the League Two outfit in the Championship within the next five years.Ever since their arrival in 2014, Salford got promoted from the Northern Premier League Division One North to the EFL in five years, but they have remained in the fourth tier ever since.Neville told The Overlap Fan Debate, on behalf of Sky Bet: “Shares in a football club for most owners, other than the passion and the feelings you get from it, you’re a reliability from an investment perspective more than an asset.Read More on Football”We’ve put money into Salford and in January we just thought we needed to get a group of people involved, who we could trust.”Me and Becks [Beckham] agreed that we would put money in for the next four or five years, which is a commitment we’ve all made.”Salford City won’t be changing the budget – to reverse out of the model we already have, you need two or three years. “You can’t go from investing to becoming sustainable that quick – you need to look at players’ contracts for three years and you’ve generally got a model that you’ve built which you can’t come away from.”Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSuccessful celebrity-owned clubs have risen to prominence in recent years and many are hoping Salford will follow suit.Wrexham have earned three successive promotions from the National League to the Championship under Hollywood celebrity owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.’Were we not good enough-‘ – Man Utd legend Roy Keane takes cheeky dig at David Beckham over 50th birthday snubAnd Birmingham won the League One title this season and will join the Red Dragons in the second division with NFL legend Tom Brady as minority owner.However, Neville is adamant things will be “very different” compared to Wrexham and Birmingham.The Man Utd hero insists millions will not be poured but instead he and Beckham will focus on turning the club into a “good football project” that will be very close to the local community.Neville added: “We just need to change the model of the club slightly, in fact quite a bit. It’s very different than Wrexham and Birmingham – you’re talking about millions going into those clubs. “That’s not what we’re looking to do with Salford. We want Salford to be a good football project.”Salford City has the cheapest ticket prices in the EFL. On day one, I committed to the fans that we would be the most affordable and accessible football club. I’d rather go down than do that [be unsustainable].”Neville is adamant Salford won’t follow Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ example with WrexhamThe same goes for Birmingham City, where NFL legend Tom Brady is a minority owner More

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      Boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh ‘holds talks’ over shock takeover of Championship club after series of approaches

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      BOXING chief Turki Alalshikh has held takeover talks with a Championship club, according to reports.The Saudi Arabian has become a prominent figure in the boxing world, brokering some of the biggest fights in the sport in recent years.Turki Alalshikh dropped a hint about which club he could buyCredit: GettyHis official role as the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority means he has varied business interests.And it appears he is set to get involved in English football after recently selling LaLiga 2 club Almeira, which he purchased in 2019, to Saudi investment group SMC.Several Championship clubs and one Premier League team have approached Alalshikh in recent months in hopes of striking a deal, according to the Daily Mail.And it has been claimed Millwall have engaged in talks with the boxing supremo.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRumours were sparked further when Alalshikh reacted to a Millwall post on X this week, commenting: “🔥🦁”However Millwall have insisted the club is not for sale and denied talks were held.Alalshikh appears to have held an interest in buying an English club for some time.Last month Simon Jordan claimed he told the promoter to buy Sheffield Wednesday when asked about investing by Alalshikh.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAlalshikh has an estimated net worth of £2.14billion and is the owner of the Ring Magazine.He previously owned Egyptian football club Pyramids from 2018 to 2019. More

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      Notts County manager Stuart Maynard SACKED just days after League Two play-off semi-final heartache

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      NOTTS COUNTY have sacked manager Stuart Maynard.The Magpies reached the League Two play-offs but were beaten by AFC Wimbledon in the semi-finals.Notts County have sacked manager Stuart MaynardCredit: ReutersNotts County were one of the favourites to win promotion before the start of the season and that was the aim of the club’s owners, Chris and Alex Reedtz.The pair released a joint statement announcing their reason for sacking Maynard.It reads: “After being unable to achieve our aim of winning promotion this season, we share the disappointment felt by everyone connected with the club.“While football is a game of fine margins, and Stuart undoubtedly faced numerous challenges over the course of the campaign, neither results nor performances reached the levels we believe the team was capable of – particularly during the defining period towards the end.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Stuart leaves with our very best wishes and gratitude for his considerable commitment and dedication to the role.“In the near future we will provide a comprehensive update to supporters, offering more of our own reflections on the 2024-25 campaign while also outlining our approach to next season and beyond.“Alongside our recently-appointed Head of Football, Roberto Gagliardi, our work is well underway to identify the correct coaching team and new signings to join us on these important next steps of our journey.“We are highly optimistic about the club’s future and remain as committed as ever to helping Notts County achieve its immense potential.”Most read in EFLBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMaynard, 44, joined County in January 2024, finishing 14th last season before guiding the club to the play-offs.He won 28 of his 73 matches in charge but fell short against AFC Wimbledon, losing 2-0 on aggregate.Former Premier League club closing in on return to EFL despite finishing 23 POINTS behind play-off opponentsFollowing that defeat Maynard revealed he was “confident” he would keep his job. More

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      ‘Intolerable position’ – Jeff Stelling QUITS job after nine years and releases furious statement

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      SKY SPORTS legend Jeff Stelling has announced that he will no longer be honorary president of Hartlepool United.The 70-year-old made the decision after being left disappointed with the state of Hartlepool’s takeover process.Jeff Stelling has quit his job at HartlepoolCredit: Getty Images – GettyHartlepool owner Raj Singh put the club up for sale in April 2023 and resigned from his role as chairman two months ago.Despite stepping down, he committed to funding staff and player wages until the end of the campaign.But with a takeover yet to be completed, planning for the 2025-26 season is behind.The latest round of talks recently stalled, putting the future of Hartlepool in limbo.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBoard members have now asked Singh to commit to further funding, but the owner will only do so if backed by the supporters.He even suggested that a vote be completed to determine how many season ticket holders would be open to accepting his assistance.The latest revelation has left talkSPORT presenter Stelling furious – so much so that he decided to step down from his role as honourary president.Stelling took to X to write: “Following Raj’s latest statement, I have resigned as President of @Official_HUFC.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I know this is only an honorary role but it is the best way I felt I could protest against the treatment of the party trying to take control the club.”Supporters have been left in an intolerable position with a perceived threat to the future of the club should they not support the current owner.Fans have ‘tears in eyes’ as Sky Sports icon Chris Kamara reunited with old pal Jeff Stelling on shock commentary return”Let’s remember it was him who wanted to stop funding the club. Yet now he seems almost affronted that others want to take over.”Not once have I been consulted about this even though I am a shareholder.”I have not met the would be buyers but I do know they have been trying to buy this club for over a year – not the actions of time wasters.”I will always love this club and wish all our fans the best.”Hartlepool finished the season 11th in the National League table with 60 points from 46 games. More

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      EFL stadium looks unrecognisable as pitch is ripped up for maintenance work and fans spot where turf has been dumped

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      AN EFL stadium looks unrecognisable after the pitch was ripped up ahead of maintenance work.League Two side Grimsby Town are undergoing renovations in the off-season.Grimsby Town have ripped up their pitchCredit: X @officialgtfcWork is ongoing to renovate the pitchCredit: X @officialgtfcTurf has been dumped behind one of the stands, where the club car park isCredit: X @officialgtfcThey have removed their pitch and dumped the mud and grass behind the Young’s main stand.Eagle-eyed fans spotted the mound of turf, which is taking up space in the car park and limiting the number of spaces available for vehicles.Work is ongoing at the ground to install a new pitch, which should be complete by the new season.Grimsby confirmed part of the car park would be closed during the renovation. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA statement read: “Car park notice!”Due to ongoing maintenance work at Blundell Park, limited parking is available onsite.”For supporters planning on visiting the Ticket Office or the end of season clearance sale, there is ample street parking available around the ground.”Grimsby are preparing for their fourth consecutive season in League Two next season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey narrowly missed out on the play-off places this term, finishing ninth, two points behind Chesterfield.Grimsby also resurfaced the pitch in 2022 following promotion from the National League to the EFL.Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms More

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      Ex-Chelsea star Sam Hutchinson reveals he had HEART ATTACK in game he scored winner that sent Wimbledon to play-offs

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      AFC WIMBLEDON defender Sam Hutchinson has revealed that he suffered a heart attack just six minutes into a crucial League Two match – and then went on to score.The 35-year-old endured the frightening ordeal against Grimbsy Town earlier this month.Sam Hutchinson has bravely opened up about his recent heart attackCredit: X/ AFCWimbledonHutchinson scored the winner in the match against Grimsby – after suffering the heart attackCredit: RexJust moments into the match, unbeknownst to him, Hutchinson suffered a heart attack while on the pitch.As he wasn’t aware of what was happening, the defender played on and completed the full match.He even scored the decisive goal in the 52nd minute as Wimbledon clinched a 1-0 win to secure a place in the League Two play-offs.But it wasn’t until after full-time that he realised something was seriously wrong.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRecalling the ordeal while speaking to Wimbledon club media this week, he explained: “It’s crazy really. Obviously I was experiencing a lot of pain then.”I look back as well and my mrs said: ‘Oh you didn’t look right when you had the interview,’ and then I got back on the coach, started getting more chest pains, the adrenaline wore off and we ended up making a pit stop in Nottingham.”He continued: “Bob [Bacic, head physio] took me in and basically they said I had a heart attack.”Then they said it could be an infection, so I was in there for five days.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I was like a pin cushion by the end of it, I was getting loads of tests done.”And then it turned out, yeah, I did actually have a heart attack.Incredible before and after video shows AFC Wimbledon’s progress fixing huge sinkhole after Carabao Cup clash postponed”A branch of an artery was blocked, 75 per cent, so I had an angiogram and they put a stent in. I had that in London and saw a top specialist who was unbelievable.”And I’m on the road to recovery now.”Hutchinson went on to admit that he “broke down” after being told he’d suffered a heart attack because he didn’t want his football career to end.But the specialist he saw insisted there is “no problem” with him continuing to play.AFC Wimbledon face Walsall in the League Two play-off final on Monday.And while he is “devastated” that he will miss the occasion, Hutchinson is looking forward to watching.He added: “I’m there to support the boys and fingers crossed we can get it over the line and do what everyone wants us to do.”I genuinely think I could play, obviously it would be dangerous but that’s just my opinion. I’m never going to but I’d love to.”Hutchinson joined Chelsea at the age of nine and graduated from the club’s academy to make the first team.However, he was limited to just six senior appearances in total.Read More on The SunThe defender was loaned out to Nottingham Forest, Vitesse and Sheffield Wednesday before completing a permanent move to Hillsborough.He then went on to play for Pafos and Reading before joining AFC Wimbledon in December.Hutchinson previously played for ChelseaCredit: PA:Empics Sport More