More stories

  • in

    ‘Got to be higher than that’ gasps Jack Grealish after seeing England team-mate Ebere Eze’s EA FC 25 rating

    JACK GREALISH was left in shock after Eberechi Eze revealed his rating on EA FC 25.The Crystal Palace midfielder is one of the most exciting players in the Premier League.Eberechi Eze is rated 81 on EA FC 25Credit: YouTube @EnglandJack Grealish was shocked by the ratingCredit: YouTube @EnglandEze, 26, impressed last season with the Eagles and earned his spot in England’s squad at Euro 2024.His performances for the South London side did see him get an upgrade on his rating from EA FC 24.The previous edition of the game saw him rated 79 overall, but he has had a plus-two upgrade.Eze is now rated 81 overall however it is lower than his two England international team-mates Grealish and Declan Rice.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe trio took part in a video showcasing their new cards while on international duty.Rice and Grealish were fairly happy with their cards, rated 87 and 84, respectively.However, when Eze revealed his card, there was a clear disappointment.The Man City star gasped: “Nah, it has got to be higher than that. You should be higher than that bro.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEze was less surprised as he said: “I expected it. It is what it is.”Fans also disagreed with the playmaker’s stats on the game as they commented on the video.The 25 top-rated footballers in EA FC25One posted: “Eze with less than 87 dribbling?”A second wrote: “78 pace for eze seems criminal. Bro put Casemiro into the Saudi league with one sprint.”Eze has already scored once in the Premier League this season for Crystal Palace.He was denied a wonder goal against Brentford due to an “awful refereeing decision” according to fans.Eze is not the only player to be unhappy with his rating as Richarlison hit out on social media over his “s**t” card”. More

  • in

    Anthony Gordon set to make Newcastle transfer U-turn after telling England team-mates at Euro 2024 he was leaving

    NEWCASTLE are on the verge of tieing down Anthony Gordon to a new long-term contract – despite the star telling England team-mates at Euro 2024 he was heading to Liverpool.The 23-year-old moved to St. James’ Park in a £45m deal from Everton in January 2022 and has become a key man in Eddie Howe’s side.Liverpool and Arsenal eyed Anthony Gordon but he is set to stay putCredit: RexHowever, with his contract due to expire in 2026, pressure was mounting on Toon’s sporting director Paul Mitchell to sort out the winger’s future.The chief’s relationship with Howe has been the subject of much speculation since he failed to land any top transfer targets this summer.But the head coach will be delighted to discover that Gordon and the club are close to agreeing terms on an extension.Talks have intensified over recent weeks and Sun Sport understands that the final few details of the package will be completed shortly.READ MORE TOP STORIESIt comes after Gordon’s head was turned while on England duty at the Euros as he nearly returned to Merseyside to join Liverpool – the club he supported as a boy.The Magpies were desperate to meet PSR regulations at the end of June and there were talks over a potential £100m move to Anfield.Newcastle eventually sold Yankuba Minteh to Brighton instead but that was only after sources informed us he had told a number of people in the Three Lions camp that he was heading to the Reds.But the North East club want to reward him for his performances and secure his future, especially with Arsenal also interested in him.Most read in FootballThe Magpies aim to sort out a new Gordon deal to end speculationCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd Gordon himself is keen to put pen to paper and focus all of his efforts on trying to get Newcastle back into Europe.Howe stressed the importance of Mitchell sorting out Gordon’s contract last week, saying: “I think having your players secure in their futures is key to their performances. Newcastle star reveals gruesome scars after horror injury as he’s pictured back at work“You don’t want the transfer speculation or the contracts potentially running into shorter terms because I think that it distracts and rarely benefits the player or the club.“So, my wish is that players are always focussed on their performances and that the outside distraction is minimal.“Our best way to do that is to get them secure and happy but of course there is a balance because with wage structures and PSR we can’t be reckless with what we do either.“So we have to get those calls right but, of course, getting those players to play at their best levels will have a dramatic effect on our season.“I think that if there are issues with either player, or any player, then of course communication and resolving any issues is really important.” More

  • in

    Premier League ref Anthony Taylor in firing line AGAIN after Uefa bosses admit he made monumental error during Euro 2024

    PREM ref Anthony Taylor has been hit by another blow – after Uefa bosses said he wrongly denied Germany a penalty during Euro 2024.Taylor was relegated to fourth official duties last weekend after booking a record 14 players in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth.Uefa have confirmed that Anthony Taylor made a monumental mistake at Euro 2024Credit: PAHe did not award a penalty for a handball by Marc CucurellaCredit: ReutersThe Wythenshawe whistler is due to be back in the middle this weekend after being appointed to take charge of Liverpool’s visit to Wolves on Saturday.But a report by Uefa’s referees’ committee, leaked in Spain, castigated Taylor for not awarding Germany a spot kick during extra-time of their last eight defeat by the subsequent champions.And that led to former Germany midfielder Toni Kroos lambasting Taylor for his decision and mockingly asking: “Can I now say that I am a European champion?”Taylor played on after Jamal Musiala’s shot was blocked by the arm of Chelsea defender Marc Cucarella, with his decision not to award a spot kick backed by VAR Stuart Attwell.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLArsenal summer recruit Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain soon afterwards, with the incident leading to Cucarella being jeered mercilessly by German fans in both the semi-final win over France and the Final against England.But the official report of the Uefa body makes clear that Taylor got it wrong.It said: “Following the latest UEFA guidelines, hand-to-ball contact that stops a shot on goal should be punished more strictly, and in most cases a penalty kick should be awarded, unless the defender’s arm is very close to the body or on the body.“In this case, the defender stops the shot on goal with his arm, which is not very close to the body, making itself bigger, so a penalty kick should have been awarded.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTaylor, one of Uefa’s most senior refs,  was surprisingly not appointed to any matches when the new-look expanded Champions League kicked off last week.And the report sparked a backlash from Germany, led by Kroos – who was playing what became the final match of his career.Football analyst bizarrely blames ref Anthony Taylor for ‘hindering Man Utd’s play’ in humiliating loss to LiverpoolToni Kroos led the backlash against the decisionCredit: GettyHe said: “It took them three months to realise that there was a handball, something that almost everyone could see in a second.“That reassures me a lot.”Can I say that I am now European champion because it has been officially confirmed? I don’t think so.”After the game, Cucurella admitted that the ball hit his arm but Taylor “immediately” told him it was not a foul.He said: “The ball hit my hand, but the referee immediately said no, no, no, and that made me feel better.”If the refereeing experts say it’s not a handball, then it’s not a handball”Taylor was also criticised for his role during Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Everton last season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe official denied the East Midlands outfit of three penalty decision.He was also involved as the fourth official as three red cards were handed out in Forest’s 2-2 draw against Brighton on Sunday.Official stanceBy Mark HalseyWHEN Morgan Gibbs-White went to ground on Joao Pedro already on a yellow card, I thought he could be in big  trouble.Rob Jones clearly signalled for a throw in to Brighton and then made a gesture that Gibbs-White had clearly won the ball.Therefore, fourth official Anthony Taylor should simply not have got involved.Taylor has refereed that second-half incident. Had he not made the signal for a throw and that he won the ball, then Taylor could have helped Jones.And that incident sparked the managers and saw things boil over on the touchline.Ultimately, the officials caused Fabian Hurzeler and Nuno Espirito Santo to be sent off for their reactions to the decision. More

  • in

    Major change to handball rule with more penalties than ever before set to be awarded – but Premier League exempt

    UEFA is set to tweak the handball rule – after admitting its referees made a huge mistake at Euro 2024.The Uefa Referees Committee claims hosts Germany should have been awarded a penalty during their quarter-final loss to Spain.Germany were incensed after not being given a penalty at Euro 2024Credit: GettyThe ball struck Marc Cucurella on the arm and was on target, but Anthony Taylor turned down German’s appealsCredit: APGermany were left incensed after Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella appeared to handle in the area during extra time on July 5.Anthony Taylor, the on-field referee, and VAR Stuart Atwell, decided not to award a spot-kick after a lengthy review. Eventual champions Spain would go on to win the game in the 119th minute, leaving Cucurella to be booed for the remainder of the tournament. Following the incident, Uefa’s Referees Committee has recommended a change to its handball guidelines. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt wants to “strictly punish” instances where a player’s hand blocks a shot on target.According to Spanish publication Revelo, the report reads: “Following the latest UEFA guidelines, hand-to-ball contact that stops a shot on goal should be punished more strictly.”And in most cases a penalty kick should be awarded, unless the defender’s arm is very close to the body or on the body.”Referencing the Cucurella incident, it continues: “In this case, the defender stops the shot on goal with his arm, which is not very close to the body, making himself bigger, so a penalty kick should have been awarded.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe committee concluded that although a penalty should have been given, Cucurella should not have been booked. Changes to the Uefa guidelines are likely to see more penalties awarded for handball. Watch Cucurella stand on table and sing about ‘drinking Estrella and making Haaland tremble’ during Spain celebrations The tweaks will not however impact the Premier League, a separate governing body. German coach Julian Nagelsmann was inconsolable following ref Taylor’s decision.But he called for the handball rule to be reviewed in light of the incident.Nagelsmann said: “They applied the rule and it was not a penalty. I do not feel cheated. “For me, the question is about making it more practical, more logical, in terms of how this [handball] rule is assessed. “I say this for football [overall], not just today. “You look at the hand. If it is at 3 o’clock, if it is a bit higher or a bit lower. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But there are people with bigger muscles than me, different movements.”Is it going into the clouds or is it going in the goal? In one case it is a penalty, in the other, it is not. If it is going into the stands, then it is no penalty.” More

  • in

    Liverpool legend Graeme Souness forced to undergo emergency heart operation after health scare during England clash

    GRAEME SOUNESS revealed he underwent an emergency heart operation after experiencing a health scare while watching England. The Scotland and Liverpool legend was making a cup of tea during England’s 2-0 friendly win over Finland on September 10.Graeme Souness underwent emergency heart operation after experiencing a health scareCredit: GettyHe told the BBC: “We had a bit of a setback last week. “I had a bit of an episode 10 days ago, where I was watching England play Finland got up at half 10 to make a cup of tea, felt chest pains.“Without dwelling on it three days later, I had a couple of stents put into one of my coronary arteries. I feel great. “I’ve got a great cardiologist soil Talwar down in Bournemouth. And he’s looked after me for 15 years and I’m in great hands.”READ MORE IN football Souness has had a history of heart trouble – having been diagnosed with coronary heart disease at 38 and also a triple bypass.He had a stent fitted ten years later as another one of my arteries had become blocked. Then in November 2015, Souness was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home.The Sky Sports pundit wanted to take part in an event for DEBRA, the butterfly skin charity.Most read in FootballIt included a cross channel swim and cycle from the channel to Westminster.But Souness suffered a bad shoulder, needing an operation in January. Graeme Souness launches stinging attack on ‘FC Hollywood’ Man Utd and singles out star as ‘not the go-to man’Still he planned to do the cycle part of the challenge last week until his chest pains hit.Souness stop playing in 1991 to move into management with old side Rangers before stints in charge of Liverpool and Newcastle. But more recently he has been a pundit for the likes of Sky, Channel 4 and ITV.Souness is now a football punditCredit: Kenny Ramsay More

  • in

    Football hooligan who left England fan with broken jaw in horrific Euros attack caught using face recognition technology

    A FOOTBALL hooligan who attacked a fellow England supporter at the Euro 2024 was tracked down using facial recognition tech. Josh Waugh, 34, broke his victim’s nose and jaw following the Three Lions’ match against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.Cheshire Police, the UK Football Policing Unit, and German officers collaborated to track down WaughA witness took a photo of him and gave it to policem who tracked him down using Retrospective Facial Recognition Technology (RFR) and mass messaging app SOLV, The Times reports. It is the first time the technology has been used at an overseas tournament. Cheshire Police, the UK Football Policing Unit, and German officers collaborated to track down Waugh. The picture was used in a witness appeal issued using SOLV. Read more FootballIt got more than 54,000 hits and aided the police investigation into Waugh. He appeared at Middlesbrough magistrates’ court on Wednesday and got a three-year banning order.German police have not yet taken any action against him. Chief constable for Cheshire and the head of UK Football Policing, Mark Roberts, said: “This is the first time that we have used this type of technology at overseas tournaments, but as the results demonstrate it can make a real difference. Most read in Football”Thousands of people attend football matches every week, many of them travelling long distances, so trying to identify and locate a suspect on the ground can sometimes be difficult.Sir Alex Ferguson booked me a flight home from my holiday and hauled me back to Man Utd – I hadn’t done anything wrong“However, systems such RFR and SOLV allow us to identify offenders even when they’re hundreds of miles away, so we can ensure that those who do offend are arrested and held accountable for their actions.”Josh Waugh broke his victim’s nose and jaw following the Three Lions’ match against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, GermanyCredit: Reuters More

  • in

    Who is Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner and how many children do they have?

    FOOTBALL ace Kyle Walker and his estranged wife Annie Kilner have welcomed another baby. The former couple have had a tumultuous year so far, following allegations he cheated on his wife of six years. Kyle Walker and Annie Kilner pictured in 2018Who is Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner?Annie Kilner and Kyle Walker started dating in their teens.The brunette beauty said: “When we started going out it was love at first sight.” They were together for over nine years before splitting in May 2019, after reality star Laura Brown opened up about romps in Walker’s £200k Bentley. After splitting from Kilner in 2019, the England ace was embroiled in a number of steamy encounters – culminating in a coronavirus lockdown sex party with two sex workers in April 2020. Walker then became a dad for the fourth time after a short-term relationship with Lauryn Goodman. THE TIME IS NOWENGLAND face their destiny against Spain TONIGHT – hoping to end 58 years of hurt in the Euro 2024 final.Annie branded him “gutless” after he broke the news over the phone. Brave Annie told a friend: “He’s a fool for risking his family for this. “When he told me I was heartbroken. I also felt physically sick. All the air in your body leaves you. “My world completely caved in on me in that second.Most Read in Sport”It was the worst-case scenario, the one thing I dreaded most but knew was possible, given his track record with women.”I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Not only had he cheated on me but she was pregnant with his baby.” In 2020, Annie told SunSport: “Kyle says he wants his future with me and the kids. He wants to marry me but he’s caused a lifetime of damage. But when you have children they come first.“My kids want their daddy. Until you’re in this situation you don’t know what you’d do.”SunSport revealed how Annie held secret talks with lawyers over a share of Walker’s £30million fortune.Despite the challenges in their relationship, Walker and Kilner put their troubles behind them and got married at the beginning of 2022 after the England star proposed with a £250,000 engagement ring More

  • in

    England could be BANNED from playing in Euro 2028 despite hosting tournament due to Keir Starmer proposal

    UEFA have threatened England with a ban from playing and hosting Euro 2028.Prime Minister and Arsenal fan Sir Keir Starmer is set to push forward with plans to implement a football regulator.Keir Starmer is ready go ahead with plans to implement a football regulatorCredit: APUefa are unhappy about the regulator and could ban England from the EurosCredit: GettyThe new legislation is set to prevent clubs forming a breakaway-style Super League and “protect clubs” by “ensuring their financial sustainability”.Britain will be the first country to have a football watchdog in place and Uefa are said to be unhappy about it.The European governing body has slammed the proposed “interference in the running of football”.And in a leaked letter sent to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis has threatened to strip England from competing in tournaments.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTheodoridis wrote: “We do have concerns remaining… as normally football regulation should be managed by the national federation.”One particular area of concern stems from one of Uefa’s fundamental requirements, which is that there should be no government interference in the running of football.”We have specific rules that guard against this in order to guarantee the autonomy of sport and fairness of sporting competition.”The ultimate sanction for which would be excluding the federation from Uefa and teams from competition.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis would mean that English clubs could be banned from European tournaments like the Champions League.Uefa also hit out at the football regulator’s proposed “backstop powers”.England fans SLAM Lee Carsley for not singing the national anthem at Wembley The move could see the watchdog be allowed to intervene in talks between the Premier League and EFL over funding.On this, Theodoridis said: “Mandating redistribution which effects the competitive balance in the game and wider European competition would be of concern to us. “We also fear that having a third party intervene in redistribution would likely prevent amicable solutions being found.”As we see it, the ‘backstop’ power, while intended as a safety net, should be carefully reconsidered to avoid undermining these fundamental principles.” More