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      Wrexham star facing battle to play again this year after devastating ACL injury and being carried off on stretcher

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      WREXHAM ace Andy Cannon could be facing a battle to play again this season after suffering a “bad” knee injury.Cannon, 28, was given oxygen and stretchered off during the Red Dragons’ 2-1 victory at Mansfield Town on Sunday in League One.Wrexham ace Andy Cannon could be facing a battle to play again this seasonCredit: RexWrexham ace Cannon required oxygen after suffering a ‘bad’ knee injuryCredit: PAThe midfielder appeared to have seriously injured his leg after being tackled by Mansfield’s Louis Reed on 36 minutes at Field Mill.The ex-Hull ace looked in real discomfort after falling to the ground awkwardly as opposing players checked on him.Wrexham medics immediately rushed onto the pitch to come to Cannon’s aid and team-mates soon formed a protective huddle around him.The central midfielder subsequently received lengthy medical treatment and was given oxygen.Read More on FootballThe ex-Portsmouth ace helped doctors hold the oxygen mask to his face before he was eventually stretchered off.Wrexham confirmed their player suffered a ruptured ACL and will undergo surgery.The club, which is owned by Hollwyood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, also announced Cannon faces a “significant period of rehabilitation time”.Wrexham issued the following statement: “Wrexham AFC can confirm midfielder Andy Cannon suffered a ruptured ACL in the match against Mansfield Town on Sunday (February 23).Most read in EFL”The midfielder was stretchered off in the first half, and following a scan the serious extent of his injury is now known.”The 28-year-old has met with a specialist this evening and will undergo surgery next week, and faces a significant period of rehabilitation time post-surgery.”Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson confirmed at full-time that it doesn’t look good.Parkinson said: “Andy looks like a bad injury. His knee. But we don’t know the extent.”It’s not easy when a great lad like Andy is stretchered off. I said to the lads at half-time, ‘C’mon, let’s do this for Andy’ and they did that.” More

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      Mystery Reading buyer revealed as owner of two other football clubs as EFL side finally set to be saved from extinction

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      READING’S latest potential buyer is American businessman Robert Platek, owner of Italian club La Spezia and Portuguese side Casa Pia.The League One club yesterday announced that they had entered a “period of exclusivity with a potential purchaser” and were hopeful of “a quick completion,” although declined to name them.Dai Yongge put Reading up for sale in 2023Credit: JASONPIXRobert Platek is Reading’s mystery buyerCredit: GettySunSport has learned that the buying group are led by Platek with support from long-time associate Nishant Tella, a former investment banker who is now a partner at Clean Slate Capital.Platek is a serial investor in football and already owns Serie B club La Spezia and Lisbon club Casa Pia, who are currently sixth in the Portuguese top-flight.The 60-year-old previously owned Danish club Soenderjysky, but sold them after just two years shortly after completing the £21million purchase of La Spezia in 2021.La Spezia are currently third in Serie B pushing strongly for a return to the top flight after being relegated in a relegation play-off two years ago.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPlatek is the fifth potential buyer to enter exclusive talks with Reading in the last 12 months following offers from former Wycombe owner Rob Couhig, ex-Reading chairman Roger Smee and two proposals involving property magnate Paul Taylor.Significantly however, the proposed deal involves Platek buying the controlling stake of owner Dai Yongge, along with Reading’s stadium and training ground, keeping all of the club’s assets in one company.Platek’s plans for Reading are unclear, but he has extensive experience in football, including in England. In addition to his personal investments in European football he is a partner at MSD Capital, the investment vehicle of technology billionaire Michael Dell.MSD become significant players in English football and have lent tens of millions to several clubs including Southampton, Burnley, Derby and Sunderland over the last decade.Most read in EFLJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPlatek’s proposed purchase of Reading would be a personal venture with no links to MSD however, removing concerns over potential conflicts of interest.Reading were put up for sale by Yongge in October 2023, but despite considerable interest have been unable to complete a sale. The club have informed the EFL about the potential buyers and are hopeful a sale can be completed quickly.Football fan records hilarious video of Reading stadium step ‘everyone’ falls over as it’s ‘3mm higher than the rest'”Reading can confirm it has committed to a letter of intent with a potential purchaser of the club,” they said. “The parties will now enter a period of exclusivity to complete final due diligence and legally complete the transaction.“Whilst timelines cannot be guaranteed, the structure of the deal should allow for a quick completion, which would be for the benefit of all concerned.The club can confirm the agreed sale includes the transfer of Mr Dai’s shareholding in The Reading Football Club Limited, as well as the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Facility.”Fans’ group Sell Before We Dai have fought a long-running campaign pressuring Yongge to sell following frustration at the club’s financial problems, numerous transfer embargoes and late-payment of players leading to them being docked a total of 18 points by the EFL.In a statement released on Monday however, the supporters sounded cautiously optimistic that Yongge’s eight-year ownership could be drawing to a close.“The optimist in us may see today’s announcement as positive and welcome news,” a statement read.”The tone of the [Reading] statement seems different to before and we all hope that a deal can be done soon. We’ve been here before with the Dais though. Until a sale is done our campaign continues.”READ MORE SUN STORIESReading are ninth in League One, three points off the play-off places, with new manager Noel Hunt doing an excellent job since replacing Ruben Selles, who left for Hull in December.Reading and the EFL declined to comment.Platek also owns Italian side SpeziaCredit: Getty More

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      I was on books of EFL club’s youth teams… now I’m in England squad for major tournament in completely different sport

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      TO most players, a shock promotion to No 3 in the England batting line-up for a crunch match would be a huge change.But perhaps not for Jamie Smith – as he dropped a promising football career to become one of cricket’s most exciting prospects.Jamie Smith has raced up the England batting order to become No 3 for Saturday’s Champions Trophy opener against AustraliaCredit: GettySmith will bat one up from Test legend Joe Root in the ODICredit: GettyEngland are gambling by elevating the powerful hitterCredit: GettyTest legend Joe Root has been moved down to No 4 due to Smith’s rise up the order for Saturday’s Champions Trophy opener against Australia.It will be only the second time the big-hitter has come in first wicket down in professional 50-over cricket.Not only that, the 24-year-old will also take the gloves from Phil Salt, who will continue to open the batting alongside Ben Duckett.But it’s nothing too dramatic for Smith – not compared to the major decision he made aged 15.READ MORE IN SPORTHe was a highly-talented central midfielder for League Two club AFC Wimbledon.And indeed as a kid football dominated his thoughts… until he became the first person in his family to play cricket.Surrey CCC rated Smith so highly at the smaller-ball game that they picked him for their Under-17s when he was just 12.The wicketkeeper-batsman revealed how it all began.Most read in CricketSmith faces a big task behind the stumps and with the batCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe once told the Mail: “No one in my family played cricket. “I was pushed into a holiday camp with my local club, Sutton – something my parents did to keep me busy.”England legend’s son, 16, hits new career milestone with incredible century as dad watches on as his coachHowever, he confessed: “I didn’t really want that to be the case, but I knew with my cricket that I had something a little bit special. “I wasn’t naive. When you’re growing up, people push you for a reason.”They’re putting you in higher teams, because they can see a talent in you.‘It was getting to the point where football and cricket were overlapping too much. “Going on pre-season tours with Surrey in March meant missing things. Doing both wasn’t sustainable.”However, Smith revealed choosing cricket was partly down to a brutal self-assessment of his chances at football.He said: “Walking into a contracts meeting with Wimbledon at the end of the season, knowing how the contracts worked, I was never going to get one. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Everyone had their little percentage score for attendance and mine was 56.”Now, however, that’s a figure he’d love to match for England at cricket, where he averages an impressive 42 in Tests and a modest 22 in ODIs.England cricketer Smith was a youth footballer with AFC WimbledonCredit: Getty More

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      EFL club takeover takes major step forward after rapper A$AP Rocky is found not guilty in gun trial

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      A$AP ROCKY’S shock takeover of Tranmere Rovers has moved a step closer after he was found not guilty in a gun trial.The rapper was facing two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm following an incident in 2021.A$AP Rocky was found not guilty of firing a gun at a former friendCredit: GettyHe celebrated as he left an LA court with pop star wife RihannaCredit: The Mega AgencyA$AP Rocky is involved in a consortium that wants to buy Tranmere RoversCredit: GettyRocky had been accused of shooting at his former friend and rapper A$AP Relli several times after a dispute in Hollywood.The hip-hop artist, who is married and has two young kids with pop star Rihanna, was facing multiple years in prison if the prosecution was successful.But the verdict from a Los Angeles court today was that Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was not guilty.The defence successfully argued that he fired blanks from a prop gun he got from a music video set.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was overcome with emotion when the verdict was read out, hugging his family and wife Rihanna as she burst into tears.Rocky was defended in court by renowned attorney Joe Tacopina.As SunSport exclusively revealed in October, the lawyer and rapper are both part of an American consortium interested in buying Tranmere Rovers.Rocky’s not guilty verdict is a major boost in their hopes of taking over the League Two side before the start of next season.Most read in EFLJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe group are in talks with current owner Mark Palios about a deal.Tranmere are involved in a battle to avoid the drop at the bottom of the fourth tier and sit just two points above the relegation zone.Rihanna shares very raunchy Valentine’s Day video with A$AP RockyThe Merseyside club staying in the division is also key to the deal. A behind-the-scenes documentary on Tranmere similar to the one about Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buying Wrexham could be commissioned by a TV giant.Tacopina served as an attorney for Donald Trump in his case involving payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels and in a civil rape, sexually assault and defamation case with E. Jean Carroll.The lawyer has previously owned shares in Italian clubs Roma, Bologna, Venezia and SPAL.Two-time Grammy nominated Rocky has had two No1 albums in the US and has a reported net worth of £15million.The rapper’s attorney Joe Tacopina [right] is involved in the Tranmere dealCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      Kevin Phillips AXED by National League side Fylde after just FOUR MONTHS in charge in blunt statement

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      KEVIN PHILLIPS has been axed by National League side AFC Fylde after just four months in charge.The former Premier League star leaves with the club languishing in 22nd place.AFC Fylde have axed Kevin Phillips after just four months in chargeCredit: GettyAnd it brings to an end a miserable four months at the helm, with Phillips winning just five of his 20 matches following his arrival in October.A club statement revealed Fylde parted ways with Phillips by “mutual consent.”And assistant David Longwell will take charge on an interim basis as chiefs hunt for a new manager to save them from the drop to non-league.The statement read: “AFC Fylde can confirm that the club and Head Coach Kevin Phillips have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We would like to thank Kevin for his efforts and wish him well for the future.”Current assistant coach David Longwell will take charge of the team on an interim basis until we announce a permanent replacement.”Fylde was Phillips’ third job in management.Before that, he spent over three months with fellow National League strugglers Hartlepool.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHe won seven games before leaving in April last year.Before that, Phillips’ first dugout job came in January 2022 with Northern Premier League side South Shields.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersPhillips starred for numerous top English sides including SunderlandCredit: GettyHe won promotion there in his second season but ended up leaving in April 2023.Phillips, who has also enjoyed coaching roles with Leicester, Derby and Stoke, was an eight-time England international who starred for a host of clubs.Phillips first played for Watford, netting 25 goals between 1994 and 1997.He then spent six years at Sunderland where he managed 130 goals.And Phillips’ travels then saw him score 26 times during two seasons at Southampton.A single year at Villa, which yielded five goals, saw him join West Brom in 2006.Phillips scored 46 goals in two years before moving to Birmingham, where he netted 22 times in three seasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESPhillips then turned out for Blackpool, bagging 19 goals before heading to Crystal Palace where he managed a further seven strikes.His final season came in the 2013/14 campaign with Leicester, where he scored twice before hanging up his boots. More

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      Football League referee, 46, is charged with child sex offence & suspended from officiating

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      AN ASSISTANT referee who officiated EFL and FA Cup matches is due to appear in court charged with a child sex offence.Gareth Viccars, 46, has been charged with “engaging in sexual activity” with a 15-year-old girl.The assistant referee appeared in court earlier this month (stock image)The assistant referee appeared in court earlier this month accused of “intentionally touching” a girl aged 15 “not reasonably believing she was 16 or over”.He has worked as an official for League One clashes in the EFL alongside his day job as an estate agent. Viccars appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on February 7 charged with engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The assistant referee, from Milton Keynes, is alleged to have committed the offence in Romford, east London, on November 15, 2021. Read More on FootballOn March 7, he will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London where a plea will be entered.He has not refereed in the EFL since last year, and last appeared on February 3 2024 when he was the fourth official League One Charlton Athletic v Derby County.The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which is responsible for the refereeing of games in professional English football, suspended Viccars while the police investigation was ongoing.A PGMOL spokesperson said: “As soon as the allegations came to light, Mr Viccars was immediately suspended.Most read in Football”As the matter is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, we are not in a position to comment any further.”Gareth Viccars will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court next month (stock image)Credit: Getty More

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      Nottingham Forest announce Taiwo Awoniyi suffered concussion and broken nose in injury that saw match delayed 11 minutes

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST manager Nuno Espirito Santo announced Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a concussion and a broken nose after a bloody clash against Exeter City.Awoniyi, 27, started for Forest in the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Exeter at St James Park and scored a goal during a dramatic 2-2 draw that led to a tense penalty shootout won by the visitors.Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo lifted the lid on Taiwo Awoniyi’s injuryCredit: RexNuno confirmed Forest star Awoniyi suffered a concussion and broken noseCredit: RexForest manager Nuno said Awoniyi was in ‘a lot of pain’Credit: GettyBut Nuno insists Awoniyi quickly regained his smileCredit: AlamyThe striker made it 2-1 after team-mate Ramon Sosa cancelled out Josh Magennis’ opener but couldn’t finish the match after a horror collision with the Grecians’ goalkeeper Joe Whitworth’s elbow.The Nigeria international fell to the ground and required almost 11 minutes of treatment before being taken off the pitch on a stretcher in the 13th minute of stoppage time, just before the final whistle.Nuno, 51, shared the full extent of the centre-forward’s injury stating he was in “a lot of pain”.However, the Portguese tactician confirmed Awoniyi quickly regained his smile.Read More on FootballNuno said: “He had a concussion and I think he broke his nose, so a lot of pain.”But he has a smile on his face, that [is] because he did an amazing job. We are delighted with him.”Forest endured a stressful night in Exeter as Magennis completed a brace after Awoniyi’s goal, which led to a penalty shootout.The Tricky Trees won 4-2 after netting all of their spot-kicks but Nuno was criticised for his heavy rotation, which included 10 changes.Most read in FA CupHowever, the ex-Tottenham boss insists that was a necessity and hinted he will do the same in the fifth round against Ipswich Town.This comes amid Nottingham’s stunning season that has seen them challenging for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.Taiwo Awoniyi left with blood pouring from his face after horror clash with Exeter ace in Forest’s FA Cup frustrationNuno added: “It’s not about resting [players], it’s about how we are approaching the competition. “We did the same at Luton, and we’re going to probably do the same [again] because, unfortunately, we cannot give minutes to all the players. “So this is a reward for all the players that worked so hard, the young boys. It’s good for us. It’s not resting players. It’s taking care of all the squad.”The FA Cup is very hard, and just look at the draws that came. A lot of surprises will happen. “We just have to do our job. It’s going to be at the City Ground [the match with Ipswich], and we’re going to be ready.” More

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      It’s not right, fair or proper that only two non-league clubs win promotion to EFL – hypocritical rules must change

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      WHAT have Oldham, Southend, Scunthorpe and Macclesfield got in common?All four clubs were relegated to the National League in a complete mess after years of financial mismanagement in the EFL.Wrexham are chasing Championship promotionCredit: RexIn fact, Macclesfield went bust and had to reform at the bottom of the non-league pyramid.Now — what have Luton, Wrexham, Stockport and Bromley got in common?All four sides were promoted from the National League in excellent financial health and are proving to be model clubs.Luton climbed all the way to the Premier League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBromley are enjoying their first-ever season in the EFL, while the Dragons and County are even challenging for promotion to the Championship.All 72 clubs in the National League and National South and North last week supported the launch of the 3UP campaign, which is calling for three promotion and relegation places between League Two and the fifth tier.And I agree with them. It’s not right, fair or proper that there are currently only two up and two down between these divisions.The 72 EFL clubs are due to discuss these proposals in more detail this month. There will clearly be a number of matters to consider.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne of the red lines would be for the National League to adopt its Profit and Sustainability Rules — or something close to it.Fifth-tier clubs are not subject to the same financial scrutiny.EFL star, 24, ‘REFUSES to show up for game’ over transfer speculation weeks after shocking Premier League sideThere have often been examples of them spending more on wages and players than many League One teams, never mind League Two.EFL chair Rick Parry beats the drum for the importance for the League to look down as well as up. They are seeking fairer financial redistribution of funds filtering down from the Premier League — something I also support.The government is set to appoint a football regulator, but its remit does not include issues such as promotion and relegation.The National League is not like the old days of the Vauxhall Conference, when almost every team was semi-pro. All but two of its 24 clubs are full-time.And even one of its part-time teams, Tamworth, held Premier League giants Tottenham to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes of their recent FA Cup third-round tie before succumbing in extra-time.We’ve seen National League North club Kidderminster almost knock West Ham out of the FA Cup — and last season National League South side Maidstone reached the last 16 after toppling Ipswich at Portman Road.This illustrates the depth of quality in the fifth and sixth tiers.These clubs are not Sunday morning beer-bellied hoofers.They have the same ambitions and aspirations as Championship teams currently trying to get promoted to the Premier League.’IT’S UNFAIR’It is hypocritical on one hand to allow three to go up to the top flight from the second tier, while not allowing the same for teams in the National League.Can you imagine the stink in the EFL if there was only one automatic promotion spot up for grabs between the Championship and the Prem — with the second one decided by the play-offs?The National League decide their second promotion spot with a six-club play-off format.In this system, teams finishing second and third play the winners of games between fourth v seventh and fifth v sixth before progressing to the final. This is done to give more of the clubs hope they can achieve promotion to the EFL.And then you have the bizarre situation where there are four promotion and relegation places between Leagues One and Two.It’s unfair for League Two clubs to enjoy that sort of privilege, while National League teams are only allowed half the amount of spots.For any changes to happen, it will need to carry a majority vote across all 72 EFL clubs — and even then there has to be a majority of Championship teams endorsing.The EFL have previously warmed to the idea of changing the number of promotion and relegation spots but are waiting for the regulator to be appointed — and for a fair deal struck with the Premier League.READ MORE SUN STORIESMy concern is it could take three or four years before any of that is sorted. In that time, the dreams and aspirations of National League clubs and the towns and cities they represent are being held back.The EFL should get on the front foot on this issue — regardless of progress with the Premier League and regulator — and be a champion of fairness for all teams that make our national game so great.What is the 3UP campaign? By Martin LiptonAll 72 clubs in the National League have signed a letter to EFL chiefs asking them to back a vote of member clubs over changing to a three-up, three-down system between League Two and the fifth tier.National League clubs argue that the current system, where only one club gets automatic promotion to the EFL with a second place available through the play-offs, is inconsistent with the rest of the pyramid.And at a meeting last week which formally endorsed the “3UP” campaign, clubs in the National League’s three divisions unanimously backed the move.EFL bosses have previously spoken positively about the idea but a switch would need the formal backing of the clubs – with those in League Two likely to need more convincing.National League chairman Jack Pearce suggested the likely arrival of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator this summer meant that the EFL had to respond. More