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      Former EFL defender given FOUR-YEAR ban from football for sexually assaulting two women on coaching course

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      A FORMER EFL defender has been banned from football for four years after sexually assaulting two women.Danny Senda, 42, was on a coaching course abroad with the women last June when the incidents of inappropriate touching took place in a bar.
      Former Wycombe defender Danny Senda was given a four-year football banCredit: PA
      It is understood he was already in the bar when the pair arrived together with a few other people.
      The first complainant accused Senda – who spent most of his professional playing career at Wycombe – of pulling her towards him.
      He then put one arm over her shoulder and placed his other hand down the front of her shorts.
      She removed his arms from her.
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      As she was preparing to leave the bar, she saw Senda touching another woman.
      The second survivor explained she felt someone’s hands come from behind her and placed on her chest and then her breasts.
      She turned around to see that it was Senda and immediately left the bar with the other woman.
      They reported Senda’s behaviour to the course leaders – who asked the ex-Millwall man to leave the programme.
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      With permission, he met with the pair to apologise before flying back to the UK – although one complainant felt “railroaded” into attending.
      The women did not press legal charges as the assaults took place overseas but did make a formal complaint to the FA, who said they were “deeply sorry” for what happened.
      Senda has admitted two charges of misconduct but in an interview with the FA in July, he said because of drinking alcohol he did not remember the incidents but also did not deny them.
      An independent commission initially wanted to give Senda a six-year ban but this was reduced to four years due to his apology and early admission of the charges.
      They said the incidents were of “the utmost seriousness” and that they “amounted to the commission of criminal offences that could never be condoned or tolerated in any environment”.
      An FA spokesperson said: “Women deserve to be involved in professional football without the fear of any form of abuse.
      “This was a shocking case, and we investigated the very serious allegations as soon as we were made aware of them.
      Women in football will be supported and protected and offenders will be severely punishedFA spokesperson
      “We thank the victims for reporting the incidents to us, and supporting the investigation through to its conclusion, and we are deeply sorry that they endured such a terrible experience.
      “The behaviour shown by Daniel Senda in June 2023 will not be tolerated.
      “We will investigate all allegations of sexual assault in a football environment which are reported to us – usually working with the police, but in this case, the incidents happened overseas so were not within the jurisdiction of UK law enforcement.
      “We hope that the very lengthy ban serves as a strong deterrent, and a clear signal that women in football will be supported and protected and offenders will be severely punished.”
      Senda came through the youth academy at Southampton and joined Wycombe, initially as a striker, in 1999.
      After also playing at full-back and as a right midfielder and racking up 316 league appearances for the Chairboys, he joined Millwall in 2006.
      But midway through his three-year stint in South London, he suffered a lengthy injury and was sidelined for 16 months.
      Senda also had brief spells with Torquay, Bristol Rovers and Barnet but retired in 2013, 13 months after dislocating his kneecap.
      Read more on The Sun
      He transitioned into coaching, working through the EFL at Brentford, Barnet, Leyton Orient and, most recently, Charlton where he was a first-team assistant manager until Dean Holden’s sacking in August 2023 just five games into the new season.
      According to LinkedIn, Senda is now self-employed after setting up his own football academy in Windsor.
      The ex-Millwall man apologised for sexually assaulting two women on a coaching course abroadCredit: Getty More

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      Stockport star rushed to hospital after horror clash of heads which saw players frantically wave for medical attention

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      STOCKPORT’S match against Mansfield was stopped in the second half following a horror injury.Defender Kyle Knoyle suffered a horrible clash of heads with his own team-mate in the 59th minute.
      Paramedics attended to Kyle Knoyle on the pitchCredit: – pic by : Richard Parkes
      The defender was given oxygen as he received treatment for several minutesCredit: – pic by : Richard Parkes
      Knoyle was taken off on a stretcher following the clash of heads
      Medics from both teams and emergency service attended to the right-back and rolled him on to his front.
      Knoyle, 27, was given oxygen on the pitch and the medical teams spent a few minutes providing him with assistance.
      He was then taken off the pitch on a stretcher and went straight to an ambulance which took him to hospital.
      Stockport announced Knoyle was taken to hospital as a precaution and is conscious and responding well following his head injury.
      Manager Dave Challinor spoke after the game and said he and everyone at the club are keeping Knoyle in their thoughts.
      He also spoke about the need for his players to improve communication with each other following the clash of heads.
      The match was re-started with Stockport in search of an equaliser after George Maris put the visitors ahead.
      Fifteen minutes of stoppage time were played at the end of the game because of the lengthy delay.
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      That gave Mansfield enough time to add a second late on, with Davis Keillor-Dunn finding the net in the 12th minute of stoppage time.
      The win means the Stags moved to within just two points of League Two leaders Stockport.
      Mansfield have two games in hand and have lost just once this season, so manager Nigel Clough will likely have one eye on promotion.
      They are four points ahead of fourth-placed Barrow, who lost to third-place Wrexham 4-1 in another top-of-the-table clash. More

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      Millwall facing FA probe after linesman is hit on head by object thrown from crowd during QPR clash

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      MILLWALL face an FA probe after assistant ref Matthew Wilkes was hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd during the game with QPR.Wilkes made referee Thomas Bramall aware of the incident at The Den on 55 minutes.
      Assistant referee Matthew Wilkes was struck by an object from the crowdCredit: Alamy
      Millwall hosted QPR at The Den for the Boxing Day Championship clashCredit: Getty
      Lions boss Joe Edwards condemned it but said his keeper Matija Sarkic was also targeted in a 2-0 win.
      Home medical staff took a quick look at Wilkes before he continued.
      Edwards said: “We don’t want to see that behaviour.
      “Matija Sarkic had objects thrown at him as well. So there are issues that the club will have to look into. These things can’t happen.”
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      Tom Bradshaw’s poacher’s strike put Millwall on course to end their dismal run of seven games without a win.
      The Welsh striker slid in at the back post to score just before the break and Murray Wallace made sure when he fired home from close range in the 91st minute from George Honeyman’s corner.
      It delivered a much-needed lift for new Den manager Edwards.
      He said: “There is definite relief after the run we have been on.
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      “We want more quality and to play football. But you need a foundation to build on after that run and this was about the team’s spirit.
      “We were difficult to play against and were aggressive.”
      But the mini-revival sparked by QPR boss Marti Cifuentes is now over after their third straight defeat.
      He said: “That was the worst performance since I came to the club.
      “We can’t blame anyone else. We didn’t start well and they were more aggressive.”
      Lions boss Joe Edwards condemned the behaviourCredit: Getty
      Tom Bradshaw celebrates scoring in the 2-0 Millwall winCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-Liverpool star, 33, sent off for second game running after needless handball as fans say ‘he doesn’t work Christmas’

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      DANIEL AYALA got himself sent off for the second game running as fans joked he “doesn’t work Christmas”.The former Liverpool defender, 33, joined Rotherham as a free agent in October.
      Daniel Ayala picked up his second red card in as many matchesCredit: Rex
      He handled a long ball while already on a yellow card
      In just his sixth game for his new club on December 9, he got yellow cards in the 12th and 17th minutes to be given his marching orders and Swansea ran out narrow 2-1 winners.
      Ayala served his one-match suspension against West Brom in midweek but returned to the Millers side for Saturday’s trip to Plymouth.
      Incredibly, though, the Spanish centre-back again found himself heading in for an early bath.
      Already on a cheap booking from the 25th minute and after being involved in a horror clash of heads, Ayala inexplicably tried to stop a long ball getting in behind the Rotherham defence by sticking up a stray arm and stopping it.
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      The Plymouth players demanded a second yellow and the referee duly obliged.
      It made Ayala the first EFL player to be sent off in successive games this season.
      And following his red at Swansea in his previous appearance – making it two red cards in 55 minutes – he will now have to sit out for another ban.
      Ayala will miss next game, a trip to Championship leaders Leicester on December 23.
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      And SunSport have asked the EFL for clarification on whether his suspension will last for two matches – in which case Ayala cannot face his old side Middlesbrough at the New York Stadium on Boxing Day.
      The red card proved critical as Plymouth came from behind and scored a 96th-minute winner to keep Rotherham bottom of the Championship table, nine points from safety.
      Millers manager Leam Richardson said: “Experienced players are still learning but Daniel got caught under the ball and he lost balance but with an experienced player you’d expect a better decision.
      “We will certainly look at that and speak to Daniel moving forward and go from there.”
      ‘LIKES HIS TURKEY’
      But fans piled in on the former Liverpool man, who made five appearances for the Reds in the 2009-10 season, and insisted this is not the first time he has managed to get Christmas off work.
      In 2012-13, then playing for Nottingham Forest, Ayala again got two yellows in a 2-0 defeat at Watford on December 22.
      Following his latest misdemeanour, one Twitter user said: “Got to love him. For those thinking to themselves, it’ll be blatant to get Christmas off, it’s more blatant than you can ever imagine haha.”
      A Boro supporter wrote: “You are definitely unfamiliar with Daniel Ayala. He doesn’t work Christmas.”
      Daniel Ayala – Matches Played in December
      2009-10 – 0
      2010-11 – 0
      2011-12 – 1
      2012-13 – 2 (red card on Dec 22)
      2013-14 – 6
      2014-15 – 4
      2015-16 – 6
      2016-17 – 0
      2017-18 – 3
      2018-19 – 5
      2019-20 – 6
      2020-21 – 6
      2021-22 – 1
      2022-23 – 3
      2023-24 – 3 (red cards on Dec 9 and Dec 16)

      A third added: “Up to his old antics again… winter off Ayala… same s*** every year, different club.”
      A fourth typed: “Done his best with two reds in two games.”
      A fifth joked: “Death. Taxes. Danny Ayala’s Christmas holiday.”
      A sixth quipped: “Must like his turkey.”
      A seventh wrote: “Daniel Ayala has more days off in the winter than an ice cream man, a chancer of the highest order. It’s a shame really as he’s a top player.”
      Read more on The Sun
      An eighth commented: “Another Daniel Ayala red. 2 in 2 games now. Must be Christmas.”
      And a final user replied: “At this time of year everyone else receives Christmas cards, Daniel Ayala meanwhile…”
      The former Liverpool defender joined the Millers in OctoberCredit: Alamy More

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      Football League fixtures battered by brutal weather with five games POSTPONED hours before kick-off including Wrexham

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      WREXHAM’S League Two clash with Forest Green has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.An official statement from the Welsh side read: “Following a pitch inspection this morning, we can confirm that today’s fixture against Forest Green Rovers has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
      Wrexham’s clash with Forest Green has been postponedCredit: PA
      “After a heavy downpour of rain overnight, the pitch was deemed unplayable and failed a pitch inspection at 11:30am.
      “Details for the rearranged fixture and ticket information will be communicated in due course.
      “We can confirm however that all supporters who travelled on Official Supporter Travel will be offered free transport to the rearranged fixture.”
      Fans were left devastated following the announcement, with one person tweeting: “Imagine if the EFL actually cared about the fans and ensured inspections were done in a timely manner! Pathetic.”
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      Another added: “Stuck on the M54 for no reason then, absolutely brilliant.”
      A third person wrote: “Should have called it off earlier, no thought for us travelling fans.”
      While a fourth commented: “Forest Green v Wrexham is postponed. A lot of disappointed Americans on this train.”
      The match is one of five League Two fixtures to have been postponed this morning.
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      Barrow’s clash with Gillingham has also been called off due to the weather, as well as Bradford’s match against Salford.
      Mansfield vs MK Dons is among the postponed games, as is Sutton’s clash with Harrogate. More

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      Forgotten ex-Premier League ace Yannick Bolasie, 34, returns to English football on free transfer after Turkey spell

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      YANNICK BOLASIE has signed for Swansea on a short-term contract.The Swans confirmed the winger will wear the No 17 shirt after putting pen to paper.
      Yannick Bolasie has signed for Swansea on a short-term contractCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      His transfer is subject to EFL and international clearance.
      Bolasie, 34, returns to English football following a two-year spell in Turkey playing for Caykur Rizespor.
      He experienced relegation in his first season with the club before scoring 17 goals in 26 league games to help them return to the Super Lig at the first time of asking.
      However he was released at the end of the summer and was unable to find a new club – until now.
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      Bolasie previously had spells in the Championship with Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and most recently Middlesbrough.
      He helped Palace win promotion to the Premier League in 2013 and scored 13 goals in 144 games for the Eagles.
      Bolasie was also part of the side that finished as FA Cup runners-up in 2016.
      The Lyon-born star has also had spells at Plymouth, Barnet and once signed for Everton for £25million, but injuries limited his opportunities and he subsequently spent time on loan at Sporting Lisbon and Anderlecht.
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      Bolasie could be in line to make his first Swansea appearance against Leeds on Saturday.
      The Swans are 17th in the Championship with just five wins in 17 games, but they are only seven points off the play-offs. More

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      I served a two-year drug ban and worked in a garage while I was suspended – now I’m making my own way again in EFL

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      BAMBO DIABY swapped playing football for flogging cars during his two-year FA drugs suspension.And now the defender wants to help Sheffield Wednesday transform from a clapped-out banger to a purring Rolls Royce.
      Bambo Diaby is with Sheffield Wednesday, two years after his drug ban endedCredit: Rex
      Diaby was found guilty of breaching anti-doping rules while he was at Barnsley in 2019Credit: Rex
      Diaby, 25, was found guilty of breaching anti-doping rules after testing positive for the banned substance Higenamine while at Barnsley in 2019.
      Although the Senegalese ace was cleared of having knowingly taken the drug, he still had to sit out a lengthy ban.
      He said: “It was a difficult time. I went home to Barcelona and spent all the money I had on working out in a professional gym to keep myself fit.
      “But I also started working in a local garage as I’ve always had an interest in cars.
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      “I went along and asked the boss if I could work there. I explained my situation — that I was a professional footballer who had been banned.
      “I wasn’t shy to tell him because that was the reality.
      “So they gave me a trial and I learned so much about cars —  if you ever want a car, I can sell you one!
      “I had to sell cars online, over the computer, on the phone, talking to people face-to-face.
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      “The cars were coming in and going out. I was having to buy and then sell them. I had to control around 200 cars. It was such a great experience.”
      Diaby’s whole life up to that point had been training and playing in front of thousands of people each week in the glitzy world of football.
      But during his time selling motors Diaby was having to live in the ‘real world’, working normal working-day hours from Monday to Saturday.
      He said: “In between working I was going to the gym to do my personal training, which was important for when I returned to football.
      “I’d wake up early, work out until about 10am and then do a full day. If I was an hour late, I’d have to work later or do extra to make up the time.”
      It was a humbling but happy experience for Diaby, who says he has always stayed grounded despite making it as a footballer.
      And during those dark days it was his family, friends and new work colleagues that provided him with much strength to get through two years without football.
      Diaby, who signed for Wednesday from Preston during the summer, said: “They all helped me. It’s thanks to them that I didn’t give up on football.
      “During those low moments where you think your career is done, they are there to say, ‘Hey, you need to come back strong.’
      “They remind you why you started playing football in the first place.
      “And that time was an experience that made me stronger. It’s also something that helps me in the situation we find ourselves in now at the bottom of the Championship.
      “It doesn’t matter how difficult a situation is. You must work, have trust and belief. Then you can do it.”
      If you ever want a car, I can sell you one! I had to sell cars online, over the computer, on the phone, talking to people face-to-face.Bambo Diaby
      Diaby said he got much support from  former team-mates and coaches during his football exile — and that they believed he was not guilty of deliberately taking a banned substance.
      He added: “They know how hard you work and train to be in shape and know me  outside of football. They knew it was  impossible for a player like me to knowingly take banned substances.
      “All of my Barnsley team-mates were texting and helping me through my time in Barcelona — even if it was just a quick message, saying ‘Bambo, your time will come again.’ It meant a lot.”
      His ordeal has given him experience to help others make sure they do not make any  mistake.
      He said: “I always tell young players, like I do with my nephew, to take care of what you eat because sometimes there are risks. You must take responsibility for your body.”
      Rock-bottom Wednesday travel to Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham on Saturday, having only won once all season — a 3-0 win over Rotherham last month.
      But under new boss Danny Rohl, Diaby believes the team are on the right path to turning things around.
      The defender was part of a Barnsley team that were embroiled in a relegation scrap before ultimately staying up.
      He said: “I look at the table to use it as inspiration and to say to myself and the team, ‘Come on, we’ve got to get up’.
      “I don’t look for excuses why we’ve done badly. I only look for excuses to be  motivated. I want to get up the table with this team. I know how hard we’re working and feel we can improve.
      “To successfully beat relegation the most important thing you need is belief.
      “If you go onto the pitch without it, you already have the wrong mentality and have lost before a ball has been kicked.
      “I like to have belief and if you look into the eyes of each player, they believe.”
      Diaby thinks Wednesday can turn their season around under new boss Danny RohlCredit: Rex More

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      Only one side is worse than Birmingham since Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney became boss – Tom Brady might have a call to make

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      TOM BRADY had Wayne Rooney’s number on speed dial in the weeks before the Three Lions legend was made manager of Birmingham.The seven-time Super Bowl winner joined the St Andrew’s board in an advisory capacity in early August after becoming a minority shareholder.
      Wayne Rooney has had a horrible start to life as Birmingham City managerCredit: PA
      He then made it his business to lure Roo back to England.
      Apparently, the fact that John Eustace had been doing a great job at the Blues was of no consequence.
      What the Birmingham board wanted was someone sexier in the dug-out, a coach who would deploy more exciting attacking tactics.
      He also needed to be a sexier name, a figure admired world-wide – just like Brady.

      So an English icon joined an American icon last month, Brady having persuaded Rooney that once his deal with MLS club DC United ended he should return to Blighty and make Birmingham big.
      It will all have made perfect sense to new owners Shelby Companies, a subsidiary of US-based Knighthead Capital who took over in July.
      Rooney, along with Brady, would illustrate the vision head honcho Tom Wagner and CEO Garry Cook had for the club – one that saw Brum in the Premier League, maybe even out-shining neighbours Aston Villa.
      Rooney, said the board, would bring a “winning mentality and a culture of ambition.”
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      He would be a new appointment responsible “for creating and identity and clear ‘no fear’ playing style.”
      Five games after Eustace was dropped like a stone there is plenty of fear around the place – among the fans, at least.
      Rooney has collected only one point – only Burnley out of the 92 have a worse record in that time – and after getting his hands on a team that lay sixth, he takes them into Saturday’s clash with rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday in 18th position.
      Wagner had purred that “Wayne is a born winner” and true enough he was in making himself Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals and also England’s record hitman until Harry Kane came along.
      But he’s not showing that trait with Birmingham.
      Defeat against the Owls, run by their cuckoo owner Delphon Chansiri, is almost unthinkable.
      Wagner insisted Roo would always have the support of the board, when he signed his three-and-a-half year deal.
      He may be revising that stance.
      Brady’s main role is to apply his extensive leadership experience and expertise across the science department to advise on health, nutrition, wellness and recovery systems.

      Well, that’s according to the blurb that accompanied his entrance.
      He’s got a job on, then, for Rooney’s players don’t seem well.
      The boss used last week’s international break to give them a few days off, which was somewhat of a surprise given that he has revealed they aren’t fit enough to deal with his high-press football.
      Rooney gave them personal fitness programmes to be completed at home.
      After the latest defeat at Sunderland he said: “It’s a chance for the players to put some really good fitness work in ahead of a tough three or four months.
      “The fitness work is such an important thing with how I want my teams to play.
      “This is nothing to do with the former manager and nothing to do with the fitness coaches.
      Rooney’s appointment is now looking like an accident waiting to happenKen Lawrence
      “The way they played before was a completely different way and involved sitting back a lot.
      “What I’m asking the players to do now is be front-footed and press high, it’s really intense and hard work, so it’s a different fitness level.”
      Or maybe he was just sick of the sight of them – and perhaps the other way round, too.
      Rooney arrived with a decent CV. DC United were a basket case when he took over last year and while he didn’t take them to the play-offs he made the side better.
      His work at Derby won him plenty of plaudits.
      He guided the Rams to safety in the Championship then in his first full season failed bravely to keep them up due to a 21 – point points deduction.
      The 55 points won in that campaign would have been good enough to ensure safety in any other Championship season.
      Now it looks like safety is all he can hope for again, not a glorious stride towards the top of the mountain of money aka the Premier League.
      Birmingham co-owner Tom Brady might have a decision to make if Rooney cannot turn things aroundCredit: Getty
      Unless things improve fast Brady might have to get back on the blower, this time to persuade Wagner to keep him and not sack him if things get any worse.
      As things stand however, he’ll be making a 999 call.
      For Rooney’s appointment is beginning to look like it was an accident waiting to happen. More