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

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

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      Leicester SUING Premier League and EFL as they launch damning statement after being charged with alleged FFP breaches

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      LEICESTER have launched legal proceedings against the Premier League and EFL.The Championship promotion hopefuls were yesterday charged with breaching the Prem’s Financial Fair Play rules.Leicester are second in the Championship tableCredit: PAThe Foxes, who sit second in the Championship, could face a points deduction next season, should they return to the top flight.Earlier this season Everton were deducted six points and Nottingham Forest four over FFP breaches.Leicester are accused of breaching financial rules during their last three Premier League campaigns.Enzo Maresca’s side are also facing a separate investigation from the EFL.Read More Football StoriesConfirming their intention to take legal action, the Foxes wrote in a club statement: “LCFC has been compelled today to issue two urgent legal proceedings against the Premier League and the EFL.”LCFC will be seeking that each of these proceedings is determined by an appropriate and fully independent legal panel.”The Club is committed to ensure that any charges against it are properly and proportionately determined, in accordance with the applicable rules, by the right bodies, and at the right time.”Leicester have also been placed under a player registration embargo by the EFL due to allegedly breaking P&S rulesMost read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe Foxes are one of two teams in the EFL to have been placed under such an embargo, with the other being Morecambe.Leicester’s accounts for the 2022-23 season have not yet been made publicly available.What is FFP? How Financial Fair Play is affecting Man Utd and Arsenal in January transfer windowBut in the year prior, up to May 2022, they made a club-record £92.5million loss.Top flight clubs are permitted to make losses of no more than £105m over three years.Yesterday, the Foxes vowed: “LCFC remains willing and eager to engage constructively with the Premier League and the EFL to seek the proper resolution of any potential charges, by the right bodies, and at the right time.”The Club continues to take careful advice about its position.”Leicester’s statement in full
      LCFC has been compelled today to issue two urgent legal proceedings against the Premier League and the EFL. LCFC will be seeking that each of these proceedings is determined by an appropriate and fully independent legal panel.
      The Club is committed to ensure that any charges against it are properly and proportionately determined, in accordance with the applicable rules, by the right bodies, and at the right time.
      While LCFC would prefer the proceedings to be in public, so its supporters and the wider world can be informed about the important issues of football governance that will be considered, the relevant rules require that these proceedings are conducted confidentially, and LCFC will therefore not be able to comment further about them at this stage.
      We reaffirm the Club’s position that we will continue to fight for the right of Leicester City and all clubs to pursue their ambitions, particularly where these have been reasonably and fairly established through sustained sporting achievement.
      The Club further notes that at 4pm today the EFL issued a public notification that LCFC has been placed under a registration embargo pursuant to its P&S rules. The EFL is aware that LCFC has disputed the EFL’s entitlement to impose this constraint, which is both restrictive and premature, with more than a quarter of the Club’s 2023/24 reporting period remaining.

      Leicester are the latest side to be hit by FFP charges by the Premier League.Everton were hit with an initial ten-point deduction, later reduced to six upon appeal, for exceeding the maximum loss in a three-year period by £19.5m.Forest were also charged and slapped with a four-point deduction after being found to have been £34.5m above the permitted losses.Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could appeal their deduction, although this may potentially lead to their deduction being increased.Chelsea and Manchester City have been warned that they could face being kicked out of the Premier League if found guilty of breaking FFP rules.City strongly deny 115 charges brought against them in February 2023.While Chelsea are yet to be charged, despite an ongoing investigation after club chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era.Leicester have spent much of this season at the top of the Championship.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey were overtaken by Leeds last weekend, although do still possess a game in hand on Daniel Farke’s side.The Foxes are just a point above third-placed Ipswich in what’s set to be a tight promotion tussle.Enzo Maresca’s side are in a tight battle for promotionCredit: PA More

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

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

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      EFL club chairman SACKS manager by WhatsApp… before releasing bizarre 1,105-word statement

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      ACCRINGTON STANLEY chairman Andy Holt has released a 1,105 word statement defending his decision to sack long-serving manage John Coleman via WhatsApp.Fans were outraged at the manner of the decision, despite Accrington’s performances this season having them sitting 16th in League Two.Accrington chairman Andy Holt has written a remarkable statement defending his decision to sack John ColemanCredit: RexColeman has been Accrington manager for a total of 22 yearsCredit: RexTheir poor performance this season follows relegation from League One last time out, but Accrington supporters have generally remained fiercely loyal to Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell.The manager served as Accrington manager for 12-and-a-half years between 1999 and 2012.Following spells at Rochdale, Southport and Sligo he then rejoined Accrington in September 2014 and was sacked on Monday.Despite Coleman’s two long-term stints he was told he had lost his job by WhatsApp and his departure was announced with a short 43-word statement which fans labelled “disgraceful”.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLOutraged fans attacked the chairman’s brutal decision online which led to Holt deleting his X account.He has now circumvented that self-imposed exile by taking to the club’s website to release a statement.The remarkable outburstwas titled: “STATEMENT: Chairman, Andy Holt, in His Own Words and Unedited.”Among a littany of complaints about Coleman and Bell, he defended his chance to sack them by WhatsApp by saying: “Both messages to them and that put out by the club may be used against the club, so it had to be simple, straightforward and seemingly cold.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “I have worked with John and Jimmy and most of the time it was great, and fun. They performed badly in our relegation season, I didn’t sack them like every other owner would have.“They made serious mistakes and despite this, I didn’t want it to end. They went public and divided our fanbase probably forever, an action that I did not deserve, having looked after them extremely well in my time at the club.Southampton’s St Mary’s stadium evacuated as it’s engulfed in smoke after huge fire breaks out hours before match“I knew without retraction our relationship was over. Despite having months and months to do this, they didn’t. It was a combination of poor performance and the public disagreements that resulted in the end.“Their performances led to losses last season of £600,000 followed by this season of £1m. Losses that I have a choice, either fund the club or put administrators in. “I chose to fund the losses because I still believe Accrington deserves and desperately needs a great club. But the continued funding of these losses stops at the end of this season.” More

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      Man Utd wonderkid ‘unofficially recalled’ from disastrous loan spell after playing just 63 minutes following transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid Maxi Oyedele has returned to the club from his loan spell at Forest Green Rovers, according to reports.The midfielder joined the League Two strugglers on loan on a deal until the end of the season in January.Maxi Oyedele, second left, has been unofficially recalled by Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyHe was signed by Troy Deeney who has since been sacked and he failed to win over his replacement Steve Cotterill.Oyedele has now been unofficially recalled by United, report the Daily Mail.He made just four appearances for Forest Green Rovers totalling 63 minutes – the longest of which was a 35-minute display against Crawley.Oyedele, 19, did not make a single start and was left on the bench after playing in three consecutive games after signing.Cotterill then left the youngster on the bench for three games on the bounce after the defeat to Crawley, with the veteran boss calling him out in public.The Forest Green boss said: “He has to do a lot more to get in the starting line-up.”I didn’t feel there was enough productivity from him in the second half.”Oyedele will return to Carrington where he will feature in Under-21 matches.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe played in a Premier League 2 game against Derby on Sunday but he is also expected to take part in first-team training.Oyedele has made 11 appearances for the U21s this season and even captained the side against Bayern Munich.Manchester United’s fall from glory since Sir Alex Ferguson More

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

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

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      ‘Best thing I’ve ever seen,’ cry fans as they spot former Premier League star’s brilliant reaction to red card

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      FOOTBALL fans labelled Ethan Ampadu’s reaction to an opponent’s red card as the “best thing I’ve ever seen”.The former Chelsea man, 23, is now a lynchpin in Daniel Farke’s Leeds side eyeing an immediate return to the Premier League. Jonathan Hogg saw red in first-half injury-time of the Yorkshire derbyCredit: Sky Sports The Huddersfield captain elbowed Junior Firpo while already on a yellowCredit: Sky SportsEthan Ampadu immediately wound up his opposite numberCredit: Sky Sports The former Chelsea man then signalled down the tunnelCredit: Sky Sports And he was right in the thick of the action in the Yorkshire derby away at Huddersfield today.The Terriers took a surprise lead in the first minute of first-half stoppage time through Michal Helik’s close-range finish.But just as it looked to be the perfect opening half for the hosts, they lost their captain four minutes into the nine added on.Jonathan Hogg, already booked, flung a stray elbow into Junior Firpo when challenging for a loose dropping ball.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd the referee immediately whistled then brandished the second yellow and subsequent red.A stunned Hogg had words for the referee… but captain Ampadu shared some of his own with his opposite number.The Leeds skipper, holding the ball, turned to Hogg and nodded his head repeatedly, appearing to say, “Yeah, yeah f*** off,” in agreement with the official’s decision. Ampadu then brilliantly gestured his thumb towards the tunnel – showing Hogg where to go for his early bath.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd the brilliant response from the 49-cap Wales international went down a storm among supporters on social media.One said: “This is the best thing I’ve ever seen.” Forgotten ex-Leeds star scores ‘quickest goal ever’ after netting just TWO SECONDS into non-league matchAnother wrote: “It’s funnier the more times you watch it.”A third added: “My captain.”And a fourth quoted the great literary genius Mike Dean to reply: “Off you pop.”But Leeds were not laughing come full-time as their 100 per cent Championship record in 2024 was ended by their rivals.Patrick Bamford did equalise midway through the second half but the ten-man Terriers dug deep to hold on for a crucial point at both ends of the table.Ampadu and Leeds could not find a winner as they dropped crucial pointsCredit: PA More

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      I sat on bench next to Saka at the FA Cup final but Arsenal released me after 15 years… now I’m making my way in EFL

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      MATT SMITH came within touching distance of making his Arsenal debut in the FA Cup final.And he still walked away from Wembley with a winner’s medal.Matt Smith and Bukayo Saka were unused subs in the 2020 FA Cup finalCredit: GettySmith is forging his career in the EFL with WiganCredit: GettyBut after being released following 15 years with the Gunners, he is now making a name for himself in the EFL.Smith, 23, is a year older than Bukayo Saka and the pair came through at Hale End together, both playing in the 2018 FA Youth Cup defeat to Chelsea.But while Saka burst into the first team under Unai Emery in November 2018, the holding midfielder had to remain patient.Then when Covid struck and restrictions meant Mikel Arteta needed to call upon some of the best academy talents to train in the senior squad bubble.READ MORE ON ARSENALAnd as he impressed the Spaniard, Smith found himself in an Arsenal matchday squad for the first time for the behind-closed-doors 2-0 win at Southampton during Project Restart. Five weeks later, he was once again named among the substitutes – this time under the famous arch as Arsenal took on Chelsea in the FA Cup final.Smith sat two seats along from pal Saka for the full 90 minutes at Wembley, with fellow academy graduates Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson not brought on while Eddie Nketiah got on for the final eight minutes.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice after Christian Pulisic’s early goal to crown Arsenal FA Cup winners for the record-extending 14th time. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSmith told The Athletic: “It is my best memory. “It was different due to there being no fans but the full day was an amazing experience. The medal is pride of place at my mum and dad’s house.Arsenal fans fall in love with Bukayo Saka after response to young kid asking him to join struggling League One club “I didn’t play but it will be one of those things at the end of your career you look back on and appreciate it a little bit more. I appreciate it now but my career is just getting started.”Saka has kicked on in style since, racking up more than 50 goals and 200 Arsenal appearances – plus he is a regular starter for England.Smith, though, would never make a first-team appearance for the boyhood club he joined aged seven. He went on loans to Swindon, Charlton and Doncaster before giving it one final go at Arsenal in the 2022-23 season.But as Arterta’s men challenged for the Premier League title, he captained the Under-21s and was limited to nine senior matchday squads, including three in the league. And with his contract expiring at the end of last season, he was let go.Reflective Smith added: “It was always in my mind that I might be coming on. “There were definitely times I think Arteta did consider bringing me on. I felt I was next in line.“He doesn’t dish out the debuts willy-nilly. That sums him up as a manager – he is very calculated in everything he does.There are no passengers allowed with Arteta… he was a massive help with my developmentMatt Smith“It was frustrating but that’s football. You can think about what would have happened but at the end of the day, I didn’t get the opportunity.“There are no passengers allowed with Arteta. He was a massive help with my development, showing me little movements to make the game easier, so I have nothing but good things to say about him.“We had meetings at the hotel before the match and there would always be a game or something silly to get everyone switched on and working together as a team.“Some involved tennis balls and other times there were quizzes, which would be about the tactical information on the opposition we’d been learning all week. You had to get into groups and play things like Pictionary.“It was an ‘are you ready for the game?’ type of thing but it was mad because, at times, it was only two hours before kick-off!”After thinking about moving abroad, that next club ended up being Wigan.Smith joined the Latics fresh from their relegation to League One and starting this season on -8 points. The ex-Gunners man grabbed his first goal for the club with the winner in the 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury in February 2024. Now he has cemented himself as a key man in Shaun Maloney’s midfield, one of the more experienced heads despite his age.READ MORE SUN STORIESWigan are sitting comfortably in mid-table and already looking ahead to a title charge in the next campaign.Success in that endeavour and Smith would have another medal to put on display at his parents’ house. Smith learnt lots under Mikel Arteta but did not get a first-team appearanceCredit: GettyThe midfielder joined Arsenal when he was sevenCredit: GettyHe was named on the bench six times during Project RestartCredit: GettyCaptain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to down ChelseaCredit: GettyWembley was empty as Smith collected his winner’s medalCredit: PA More