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      Legia Warsaw 1 Leicester 0: Misfiring Foxes stunned by Poles as Rodgers left ruing leaving out Vardy and Barnes

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      LEICESTER battled to the end but were forced to surrender three crucial points to Legia, the Polish Army’s team.Roared on by a partisan crowd, Legia’s players produced a performance which kept them on top of Group C thanks to Mahir Emreli’s 10th goal of the season.
      Mahir Emreli pinged Legia Warsaw into a first-half lead in the Europa League clashCredit: Reuters
      The visitors did not quite run up the white flag but their fans will demand to know why Brendan Rodgers kept his big guns on the bench until the real damage was done.
      Even Jamie Vardy needs more than eight minutes to work his magic and the Foxes small band of travelling fans showed their frustration at the final whistle, gesturing to some of their players, who again underperformed.
      Rodgers will argue he was without suspended lynchpin Wilfred Ndidi following his red card against Napoli, while striker Kelechi Iheanacho was grounded by Polish border guards following an embarrassing red-tape wrangle.
      But it was Jonny Evans’ absence through illness, which would have concerned him most as Leicester simply don’t look the same without his calming influence at the back.
      Last year’s FA Cup winners have only managed one clean sheet in six Premier League and two Europa League games this season – and that was on the opening day of the season at home to Wolves.

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      There were signs of early nerves in front of 30,000 boisterous Poles when Caglar Soyuncu gifted the ball to Legia under no pressure whatsoever.
      Mattias Johansson almost made the big Turkish defender pay for his sloppiness but Daniel Amartey blocked the Swede’s shot.
      At the other end, Legia’s teenage keeper Cezary Miszta – replacing injured veteran Artur Borux – himself appeared a bag of nerves.
      He failed to deal with a couple of inswinging corners from Dewsbury-Hall – missing the second entirely.
      Legia demonstrated their growing confidence when midfield playmaker Bartosz Slisz pinged an ambitious effort just wide from 25 yards.
      It was a frustrating night for Leicester boss Brendan RodgersCredit: Reuters
      And two minutes later, the Poles’ pressure paid off as they snatched the breakthrough goal to send their rowdy fans berserk.
      Azerbaijan dangerman Mahir Emreli outmuscled Amartey and fired in a low shot which crept agonisingly over the line as Schmeichel stood rooted to the spot.
      Leicester tried to respond and should have equalised just before the break when Ayoze Perez squandered a stunning Youri Tielmans pass.
      Urged on by around 800 travelling fans, the Foxes pushed hard after the break and Perez had the ball in the net within three minutes of the restart from a corner.
      But the Croatian referee ruled it out after spotting some grappling in the box.
      The Foxes found their trip to Poland a tough oneCredit: Rex
      Rodgers eventually turned to his bench, sending on James Maddison and Harvey Barnes – then Ademola Lookman and finally Vardy as he went for broke.
      But the damage was already done.
      Daka thumped a scissor-kick over and Maddison had a shot cleared off the line by Mateusz Wietska.
      But the Poles should have put the game beyond doubt when sub Lirim Kastrati danced through, only to hit the post with the goal gaping.
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      Leicester City fined £17,000 by Uefa after fan violence at end of Europa League draw with Napoli

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      LEICESTER CITY have been fined £17,250 for the fan violence that marred their Europa League tie with Napoli.Supporters of both sides clashed at the end of the 2-2 draw with a series of missiles also thrown.
      Fans clashed in violent scenes at the end of Leicester’s 2-2 draw with NapoliCredit: AP
      Uefa hit the Foxes with two charges, for ‘crowd disturbances’ and ‘throwing of objects’ and have now confirmed the fine.
      Napoli, who faced the same two charges plus causing ‘damage’ to the King Power Stadium, were fined just under £13,000.
      A dozen fans were arrested following the match on September 16.
      Around 100 police and stewards raced to the far corner of the ground, where 250 Napoli fans were housed as bottles were launched shortly after the full-time whistle.
      And there were ugly scenes when baton-wielding cops waded in to separate rival fans as skirmishes broke out and stewards struggled to restore order.
      An appeal over the speaker system called on supporters to ‘respect your club’ by ‘moving away from the segregation line’.

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      However, the trouble flared for a few minutes before police restored some level of order.
      It came after Leicester fans saw a two-goal lead wiped out by second-half strikes from Victor Osimhen, with the Napoli striker snatching an equaliser three minutes from the end.
      On the final whistle Napoli’s small band of spectators appeared to taunt their Leicester counterparts before the mood took a sickening sinister turn.
      Foxes followers clambered over tarpaulin covers and stewards were overwhelmed as punches were thrown.
      Some Italians were seen to remove their belts which they used as weapons to attack rivals.
      Uefa also confirmed Aaron Wan-Bissaka must serve a two-game Champions league ban for his red card in the defeat at Young Boys.
      Meanwhile, Spurs were warned over the gloves worn by keeper Pierluigi Gollini in the Conference League draw at Rennes, which breached Uefa regulations on logo size.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka will miss two Champions League matches after his red card against Young BoysCredit: Getty
      The size of the logo on Pierluigi Gollini’s gloves led to a Uefa warning for Tottenham
      Napoli fans clash with Leicester supporters on the streets ahead of their Europa League match More

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      Villarreal icon Senna insists Europa League fairytale against Man Utd would not have happened with European Super League

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      VILLARREAL legend Marcos Senna reckons his side’s fairytale Euro triumph proves why the European Super League isn’t needed.In May the Spanish minnows beat Manchester United in a penalty shoot out to seal the unlikeliest of Europa League final wins.
      Villarreal shocked Man Utd to win the Europa League in MayCredit: AP
      Marcos Senna is glad the European Super League plot has failedCredit: Getty
      It was a triumph that would never be possible if talk of an elite, closed-shop European Super League ever came to fruition.
      And Senna, one of the club’s all-time greats, is convinced that should be enough to make sure any future plans are KO’d once and for all.
      The Brazilian-born former midfielder, who spent 11 years at the club, said: “You have to win and deserve things on the pitch, not in the offices. We beat United with the ball.
      “A Super League would take the shine off what football is all about and I’m so glad it’s not going ahead. We would have been so annoyed if it had.”
      Senna, a 2008 Euros winner after taking out Spanish citizenship and now a Villarreal director, will be at Old Trafford tonight when the sides meet in the Champions League.
      And he insists that Unai Emery’s team are coming to England convinced they can pull off another famous victory. He added: “A draw wouldn’t be bad, but the obligation to win.

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      “United are coming off the back of a defeat, which makes things more difficult for us, but we have the opportunity to make a very important leap in Europe.
      “I haven’t spoken to Unai about tactics, but he has clear ideas and always wants to go out to win. I don’t think he’s coming to Old Trafford to lock himself in or protect the team.
      “We have great players and we have to try to go out for the game. United are a great team but our best defence is a good attack.
      “The plan is to go to Old Trafford, compete and not give up on anything. We’ve been to their ground twice and drawn both times, so if it’s three points, then great.
      “It’s a source of great pride for the city to meet a world-class team. And we know we’ll be up to the task and compete.
      “At Villarreal we dream of getting through the group stage, enjoying it, going far and trying to get back into the Champions League next season. We want to stay in the elite.”
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      Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha in tears after fans unveil banner in support of him after Europa League howler

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      THOMAS STRAKOSHA was left tearful by Lazio supporters who unfurled a banner backing the keeper after his Galatasaray mishap.The Albania stopper virtually put the ball in the back of his own net during the Serie A side’s  Europa League duel with the Turkish giants. 
      Thomas Strakosha was left emotional after Lazio fans showed their support for him after his mishap against GalatasarayCredit: Getty
      Strakosha ended up tipping a high ball from Manuel Lazzari into his netCredit: BT Sport
      And the unfortunate error led to Lazio losing their opening clash in the competition with the Stadio Olimpico side falling to a 1-0 defeat in Turkey. 
      The stopper, 26, ended up tipping spooned high ball from Manuel Lazzari into the back of his own net rather than over his crossbar.
      However, the club’s fiery fan base are keen to forgive and forget Strakosha’s howler against Galatasaray.

      They showed this was the case during the warm-up ahead of Lazio’s game against Cagliari this evening. 
      Before the clash supporters unravelled a giant banner featuring a quote from Dante Alighieri’s famous 13th-century poem ‘Divine Comedy’ 
      The quote said: “Don’t care about them, just look and go on.” 

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      And Football Italia reports the unveiling of the message held aloft a number of the club’s ultras prompted an emotional response from Strakosha. 
      The Albania international, who joined the club as an Under-19 prospect in 2012, was seen sobbing into his towel. 
      However, the player started this evening’s game on the bench with ex-Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina preferred in goal. 
      Strakosha, who began his Lazio career at 17 has made 178 appearances for the club.

      The keeper has won four major honours at senior level with the side including two Italian Super Cups. 
      Lazio, who are currently ninth after four Serie A games, are due to play Torino away followed by a derby duel with Jose Mourinho’s Roma. 
      And the club will take on Locomotiv Moscow in their second Europa League group stage clash. 

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      West Ham to unveil European champions statue in honour of club legends Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters

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      WEST HAM are to pay tribute to Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters with a statue celebrating the club heroes.Artwork featuring the iconic trio will be unveiled before the club’s Europa League duel with Rapid Vienna on September 30. 
      West Ham are to unveil a statue in honour of Sir Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Martin PetersCredit: Getty
      Sir Geoff described the timing of the unveiling of the statue as “fantastic”Credit: The Sun
      Fans at West Ham’s first home match in the competition will be among the first to have sight of the statue, which honours the club’s 1965 European Cup Winners’ triumph. 
      Sir Geoff Hurst, 79, said: “The timing of this, with the club qualifying for Europe, is fantastic.
      Irons officials reportedly liaised with their fanbase about its creation after an agreement was made to retain the original Champions Statue next to their famous former Boleyn home turf. 
      Hurst, Moore and Peters are three of the West Ham academy’s most famous graduates. 
      The trio who went on to excel for club and country made a combined total of 1,257 appearances for the Irons. 

      And all three were part of the World Cup-winning England squad of 1966 with Hurst and Peters the scorers during the tournament against West Germany. 
      The statue of the team-mates will highlight West Ham’s memorable Cup Winners’ Cup triumph at Wembley where they sealed a 2-0 win against 1860 Munich in front of almost 98,000 fans. 
      The piece, which will be known as West Ham United’s European Champions, will depict the trio together lifting the trophy together. 

      And the cup is one of two won by the Irons in European competition with the club also winning the Uefa Intertoto Cup in 1999. 
      The statue in honour of Hurst, Moore and Peters has reportedly been given its name following a vote amongst fans. 
      The piece will include the names of all the players and manager Ron Greenwood who helped West Ham triumph in Europe in 1965.

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      Watch Thierry Henry taunt Tottenham in build up to Europa Conference League clash to the delight of Arsenal fans

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      THIERRY HENRY aimed a cheeky dig at Tottenham in the build up to their Europa Conference League clash – and Arsenal fans loved it. Spurs drew 2-2 to French outfit Rennes to open their European campaign with a draw.
      Thierry Henry aimed a cheeky dig at Tottenham in the build up to their Europa Conference League clash

      Before the match, Arsenal legend Henry, providing punditry for Amazon Prime, claimed to not even know who his former arch enemies were.
      A presenter, in French, said: “Second consecutive loss for Stade Rennes.
      “It’s something they have to be worried about, furthermore on Thursday they are facing Tottenham in the Europa League at Roahzon Parc.”
      Henry then interrupted with: “Sorry, who? I don’t know them.”
      Gooners loved the jibe but rival fans were quick to point out Henry’s Arsenal are not even in Europe themselves this season.

      One said: “A true Arsenal legend.”
      Another said: “King Henry.”
      One commented: “The funniest thing I’ve heard this month.”
      Another posted: “His beloved Arsenal not in any European competition, maybe he’s still upset about that.”

      Henry may have had one more laugh after Spurs failed to pick up three points in France with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s 76 minute equaliser saving his side from defeat
      Manager Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Was not perfect. I think we started very well in possession, finding good lines.
      “We scored, then we lost a little bit of control. Rennes is a good team; they caused some problems for us.
      “It is hard to judge all the game with all the circumstances that happened during the game.
      “But I think we finished well; we showed a lot of character and belief to change the result after we conceded.
      “In the end, I think we were in control. A hard team to play, a hard pitch to play, but the attitude was good.
      “A lot of players out of position, so it is hard to analyse and be fair.”
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      Rangers 0 Lyon 2: James Tavernier in own goal blunder as Steven Gerrard’s 50th European tie as boss ends in defeat

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      JAMES TAVERNIER scored an own goal as Rangers lost 2-0 to Lyon at Ibrox in the opening tie of their Europa League group stage campaign.Karl Toko Ekambi had opened the scoring in the first half with a sublime finish after a blistering run down the wing.
      A calamitous own goal early in the second half left Rangers with a lot to doCredit: AFP
      Islam Slimani wheels away celebrating Lyon’s secondCredit: Getty
      John Lundstram was handed a rare start by Steven Gerrard who had earlier called this match ‘possibly the biggest challenge’ of his managerial career.
      Gerrard was taking charge of the Light Blues for the 50th time in European competition.
      Ibrox was raucous but Lyon started the brighter of the two sides and went deservedly ahead after 22 minutes through the tricky Toko Ekambi.
      The visitors capitalised on some sloppy play at the centre circle from Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent and released the Cameroonian down the right.
      Lundstram came over to occupy him but his attempts to thwart the attack were lacklustre as he backed off the winger and left a gap for him to cut inside.
      But in all fairness – the stepover was fantastic and the finish itself was sheer quality, rasping into the bottom corner past Allan McGregor.
      Lundstram was then involved in two openings for Rangers at the other end as he went down in the box but saw penalty claims waved away before he dragged a left footed shot wide from the edge of the box following terrific work by Ryan Kent in winning the ball off Lyon in their own half.

      The Scouse midfielder stepped inside and fired at goal but Anthony Lopes’ gloves were kept clean.
      Moments later Lyon could and should have had a second but Gusto curled his effort wide after being set up by Lucas Paqueta who’d nutmegged Borna Barisic at the by-line.
      Lopes was properly tested with five minutes left in the second half and it was Kent again causing problems as he skipped past the on-rushing Lyon defenders and rattled a shot towards the bottom corner only to see the keeper palm it to safety.
      Kent then went down in the box as the Ibrox crowd again called for a penalty but once more the referee saw nothing in it.

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      Rangers set about finding a way back in the second half but with only eight minutes going the uphill battle became a mountain to climb.
      Some terrible – borderline comical, even – defending from the home side ended up with Gers skipper Tavernier diverting the ball into his own goal.
      Kent won the ball back on the edge of the area, lost it immediately and Houssem Aouar forced a save from McGregor.
      A bit of pinball followed and Islam Slimani had an easy tap-in but somehow it fell to Goldson on the line, who then hit it off Tavernier and into the net.
      Lyon perhaps knew at this point that the three points would be theirs barring a monumental effort from the Glasgow side and took off goalscorer Toko Ekambi with 20 minutes left, as ex-Liverpool and Stoke ace Xherdan Shaqiri took his place.
      Gerrard had already replaced Steve Davis with winger Scott Wright but was forced into an unwanted change when Kent pulled up injured and was subbed off for Kemar Roofe.
      Fashion Sakala was also introduced late on to inject a bit of pace and he did just that when he skipped past Emerson and surged into the box from the right-hand side but the Lyon defence swarmed the six-yard area and denied him any chance of finding Alfredo Morelos who was wanting the cutback

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      Neil Lennon taking legal advice after Rangers denied him access to Ibrox saying he was security risk

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      FORMER Celtic boss Neil Lennon is believed to be taking legal advice after being denied access to Ibrox.The Hoops legend and former Parkhead striker Chris Sutton were both told by Rangers they couldn’t attend tonight’s Europa League match against Lyon.
      Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon was denied entry to Ibrox tonight
      Fellow Celtic icon Chris Sutton was turned away from Ibrox tooCredit: The Sun
      Ibrox chiefs informed BT Sport that they could not guarantee their safety.
      It’s understood that Lennon is taking legal advice over possible compensation for loss of earnings as a result of Rangers’ decision.
      Lennon and Sutton had been asked by BT Sport to be their analysts for the 5.45pm kick-off between Real Betis and Celtic in Seville from a Winnebago outside the stadium and then do the same again from an open studio inside Ibrox – a 40-yard walk away – for the 8pm kick-off.
      However, Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson informed BT that the club could not ensure the pair’s security at such short notice and that, as a result, they could not be admitted inside the ground.
      BT had followed their usual protocol by contacting UEFA and Rangers with the names of those who would be working for them on Wednesday. That led to text messages later that night, which resulted in the club rejecting BT’s request for accreditation for Lennon and Sutton.
      Former Rangers stars Ally McCoist, Neil McCann, Derek McInnes and Kris Boyd have broadcast from Parkhead recently without any such issues.

      McCoist and former captain David Weir have been drafted in to replace them for the Rangers match, while the Celtic game will now be covered from BT’s studio in London.

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      Sutton, for his part, attacked the club’s response on social media.
      A BT spokesperson said: “We had hoped that Darrell Currie and the team would be able to present the coverage of both the Celtic and Rangers UEFA Europa League games live from Ibrox this evening, as we have done in the past. 
      “Rangers have since raised security concerns and so we have had to change our plans. 

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      “This evening Paul Dempsey will now present our UEFA Europa League coverage of Real Betis v Celtic alongside Stiliyan Petrov live from the BT Sport Studio in Stratford. Darrell Currie, Ally McCoist and David Weir will present Rangers v Lyon live from Ibrox.”
      Rangers insist they have fulfilled all obligations towards UEFA.
      They said: “We have complied with all UEFA contractual obligations to facilitate BT as host broadcaster. Any conjecture or speculation is both inaccurate and unhelpful.”

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