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    What did Rodrigo Bentancur say to Son Heung-Min?

    RODRIGO Bentancur drew widespread criticism after he made a comment at the expense of his Tottenham teammate Son Hueng-min.The footballer now faces charges from the FA, after making the comment on a Uruguayan TV show.Rodrigo has been charged by the FACredit: Reuters- Action ImagesSon Heung-min has addressed Bentancur’s commentsCredit: AFPOn the show, Rodrigo was asked about a teammate’s shirt.He responded: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too. They all look the same.”The video quickly spread across social media, leading Bentancur to post an apology on his Instagram story. In the video, he said: “Brother! I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke!”Read more in sportsHowever, there is still the possibility that Bentancur could face a serious ban.What have the FA said about Bentancur’s comments towards Son?The FA charged Rodrigo with breaching FA Rule E3, which covers references to someone’s nationality, race, or ethnic origin. The football body went one step further by releasing a public statement about the incident. The statement read: “Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview.Most read in Football”It’s alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.”It’s further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach” which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.”Rodrigo has until September 19, 2024, to respond to the charges.How will Bentancur be punished for his comments towards Son?It is not known how the FA will respond, once Rodrigo has addressed the charges, but they have a long history of punishing racist comments made by players.In 2011, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was fined £40,000 and given an 8-match ban, after he was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.Tottenham complete £20m Rodrigo Bentancur signing on permanent transfer from Juventus Also, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, was fined £50,000 and given a one-match ban, after he made a comment about Benjamin Mendy.Tottenham Hotspur FC released a statement regarding the incident, which included comments from Son.Son said: “I’ve spoken with Lolo. He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised.“Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.“We’re past this, we’re united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe football club has also said that further education promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion will be given to their players.They also said they hope that this will have a positive outcome. More

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    The story behind Scott Sinclair’s football career: How Helen Flanagan’s ex-boyfriend found his way back to boyhood club

    SCOTT Sinclair is known to football fans as a legend and to many others as the ex-boyfriend of reality star Helen Flanagan.He supported Manchester United from a young age and has gone on to have a successful career across multiple clubs.Scott was born on March 25, 1989, in Bath, Somerset.He got engaged to Corrie actress Helen Flanagan in 2018, but they split in 2022.Their relationship made headlines when Helen appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2024 and opened up about her love life.So what clubs has the football legend played for?Read more in sportsScott has been training since the age of nineCredit: Getty ImagesScott shares two daughters and a son with Corrie actress Helen FlanaganCredit: Splash NewsBristol RoversScott joined the Bristol Rovers at just nine years old.He became the second-youngest debutant on the club’s first-team at the age of 15 years old and 277 days.The youngest ever debutant in the first-team was Ronnie Dix, aged 15 180 days.The then-15-year-old’s first appearance was as a late substitute for Junior Agogo in a League Two game against Layton Orient in 2004. Most read in FootballScott left his boyhood team Bristol Rovers for ChelseaCredit: ReutersChelseaIn July 2005, Scott was signed to West London football club Chelsea FC. Scott scored his first goal for the blues in September 2007 when they faced off against Hull City, in a match Chelsea won 4-0.The young footballer signed a new four-year deal with the football club in August 2007 and received the squad number 17.History repeated itself for him, as his first goal for Chelsea as a senior player was against Hull City, which ended in a 4-0 win for the London side in the League Cup.Plymouth Argyle (loan)Plymouth Argyle was the first of Scott’s loans from Chelsea to another football club.When Scott was just ten, he was noticed by Plymouth manager Ian Holloway as a future star. Whilst playing for Plymouth for one month during 2007, he helped the team beat Coventry City, Barnet, Derby County and Crystal Palace.Scott signed with the Queen’s Park Rangers in November 2007Credit: PA: Empics sportQueen’s Park RangersScott had a brief, month-long stint at Queen’s Park Rangers after he helped Plymouth beat Crystal Palace in November 2007.At the time, it was reported that QPR had beaten off “stiff competition” to sign Scott. Charlton Athletic (loan)In February 2008, Sinclair was in demand as an upcoming star. He was signed to Charlton Athletic that month, but had little opportunity to play as a member of the first-team. Scott’s loan was terminated after just a month, during which he had three appearances from the bench.Crystal Palace finished fifth in the Championship with Scott in 2008Credit: Getty ImagesCrystal Palace (loan)Scott joined Crystal Palace in March 2008 for the rest of the season. Here, he had many more opportunities to play than he did at Charlton Athletic.He scored twice against Hull and Burnley, in six appearances, and was a key player in helping Crystal Palace to finish fifth in the Championship.Birmingham City (loan)Yet another loan brought Scott to Birmingham City, where his one-month stint was extended to span over the entire season.During his time with Birmingham, Scott made 14 appearances before returning to Chelsea in May.Upon his return to Chelsea, Scott was a substitute for the Blackburn Rovers but did not play.Wigan Athletic (loan)In 2009, Sinclair signed to Wigan Athletic for the 2009-2010 season. Whilst at the Premier League club, he scored his first goal against a familiar foe: Hull City.Unbelievably, his second goal with Wigan was scored (yet again) against Hull.Scot joined Swansea in a £1 million dealCredit: Action ImagesSwansea CityScott’s period of loans and transfers came to an end, as he signed a three-year contract with Swansea in 2010.The fee was worth £500,000 with the potential of the number moving up to £1 million. The footballer quickly made waves, when he scored a his first hat-trick against Peterborough united in a 3-1 win.He later scored another hat-trick against Reading and helped get Swansea promoted to the the Premier League.With only one season remaining, it was reported that he would not be extending his contract with Swansea. Scott transferred to Man United for a reported £8 millionCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdManchester CitySinclair signed for Manchester City in 2012, with a four-year contract.The transfer was reportedly worth £8 million.During his time with the club, he often made late appearances as a substitute which limited his time on the pitch.Surgery on a blood clot in his shoulder took him off the pitch for even more time, before he was loaned to West Bromwich Albion.West Bromwich Albion (loan)Scott started playing with West Bromwich Albion in August 2013, in a season-long loan.His time was cut short with the club though, when a hamstring injury kept him off the pitch until December. Scott played little for the team when he recovered, after their new manager Pepe Mel took over.Scott’s success with Aston Villa led to him being offered a permanent positionCredit: Dave Pinegar- The SunAston Villa (loan)A new period of being loaned to various football clubs continued for Scott, as he joined Aston Villa. He signed with the club in January 2015 as part of a season-long loan.Here, Scott was able to make a big impact.Scott scored their only goal in a 2–1 defeat to Stoke City and helped the team win by scoring in an FA Cup Quarter Final against rivals West Bromwich Albion.Aston Villa (permanent transfer)Scott joined Aston Villa permanently in May 2015 in a deal reportedly worth £2.5 million. At the time, he said: “This is the happiest I have been in a long time.”He stayed with the club until 2016 and scored 27 goals for the team. Scott was voted the player of the year for Celtic in 2017Credit: Kenny Ramsay- The SunCelticThe footballer signed with Celtic on August 7, 2016, and debuted on that same day.He scored the winning goal in that match against Hearts in the 81st minute.In 2017, he was voted Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year at Celtic’s Player of the Year Awards.He described his time with the club as “the best time and the happiest time in my career”.In May 2019, Celtic exercised a clause in his contract to keep him at the club, for one more season.During his time with Celtic, he was the club’s second-highest scorer with 25 goals, behind Moussa Dembélé.Moussa scored 32 goals during this time.Preston North EndScott was signed to Preston North End in January 2020.However, the Covid lockdown, announced in March 2020, made it difficult for the team to play together.He was released by Preston North End at the end of the 2021-22 season.Scott’s journey in football eventually led him back to the Bristol Rovers in 2022Credit: Getty ImagesBristol Rovers (second spell)After a long and varied career, it was announced that Scott would rejoin his childhood team in October 2022. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe returned for a short-time, at first, and beat another former club: Plymouth Argyle.In 2024, it was announced that Scott had accepted a one-year deal with the team and that he would be staying on to become club captain. More

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    Who is Harry Kane’s wife Katie Goodland, and how many children do the couple have?

    HARRY KANE married Katie Goodland in June 2019 after meeting his childhood sweetheart while at school.And the couple are now loving life in Germany following Kane’s stunning transfer to Bayern Munich in August 2023. Katie supported Harry Kane and England at Euro 2024Credit: Paul EdwardsHere is what SunSport know about Kane’s wife Katie Goodland.Who is Katie Goodland?Katie Goodland, 31, is a fitness instructor who has dated England striker Harry Kane since meeting in school. Goodland is a sports science graduate who is said to find her husband’s fame a little “crazy”. They have two dogs called Brady and Wilson, named after NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Russell Wilson. Speaking to Esquire, Harry said of Katie: “We went to school together, so she’s seen my whole career. Of course, she’s finding it a little crazy. I think she’s even been in the papers a couple of times taking the dogs out.” Kane and Goodland at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018Credit: PA The pair got engaged during July 2017 on a holiday to the BahamasCredit: InstagramWhen did Katie Goodland meet Harry Kane?Katie and Harry are childhood sweethearts who have been together since they met in their school days. The pair got engaged during July 2017, when Kane was aged 23, on a holiday in the Bahamas. Kane, who is England’s captain, got down on one knee on a beach to ask the question – then revealed on Twitter that “she said yes!” Harry Kane’s wife Kate joins star in Germany after Wag spent time ‘hunting for houses & schools for their three kids’ Katie dazzled in a stunning green dress on holiday with Harry and their baby daughter Ivy, who was born in January 2017Credit: InstagramWhen was the wedding?The pair married in the summer of 2019, with Kane announcing that he had married his “best friend”. He had previously joked that he would not cry on his wedding day and only if England won a trophy. The Bayern striker celebrated his joyous day by posting this message: “Finally got to marry my Best Friend! I love you.” And in a wedding photo on Instagram, he planted a tender kiss on his new wife’s forehead.Do Katie Goodland and Harry Kane have any children?Harry and Katie currently have four children together, Ivy (7), Vivienne (5), Louis (3) and Henry (ten months). Baby boy Henry was the latest addition to the family born on August 20, 2023. Harry Kane with his family after becoming England’s all-time record scorerCredit: GettyIn January 2017, the loved-up couple announced the birth of their first daughter to fans with a touching social media post. In the heartwarming snap, Kane and Goodland both kissed little Ivy with Kane writing alongside the photo: “Our beautiful baby girl Ivy.” The England hitman told fans back in July 2016 that he and Katie were expecting their first child, and that their baby was due to be born after Christmas.Kate, who was famously snapped alongside Harry and David Beckham when they were kids, went into more detail about her labour on her Instagram page, revealing she had a water birth. She wrote: “Our beautiful hypnobirthed [sic] baby girl Ivy. “Being a first time mum, I was very scared about labour and was recommended to try hypnobirthing [sic]. “We had an amazing water birth with no pain relief or gas and air and Harry was an incredible birthing partner.” In January 2018, Kane revealed on Twitter the couple were expecting their second child. Their second daughter was born in August 2018 with the couple again taking to social media to announce the new arrival. And the Kane family announced the birth of their first son, Louis Harry Kane, on December 29, 2020. On April 8, 2024, Louis, three, Vivienne, five, and Ivy, seven, were involved in a car crash in Germany on the day the Bayern Munich ace landed in England for his side’s 2-2 Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal. Kane, 30, played and scored in the game — the day after the Monday afternoon crash. A Renault driver, 20, smashed into a black Mercedes Vito while trying to turn onto a motorway slip road, as reported by Bild. Three of the top striker’s children – Louis three, Vivienne, five, and Ivy, seven – were travelling in the Mercedes and were taken to hospital as a precaution.Meet England’s Euro 2024 WagsEngland Wags range from childhood sweethearts to recently blossoming love stories.Katie Goodland (Harry Kane’s wife)The fitness instructor has been married to the England captain since 2019 and joined him in Germany with their four children after he joined Bayern Munich.Laura Celia Valk (Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend)The stunning Dutch model, 25, has more than half a million Instagram followers and is said to be absolutely smitten with the Real Madrid star.Rebecca Cooke (Phil Foden’s girlfriend)Foden’s childhood sweetheart and the mother of his two kids tends to keep out of the spotlight, but is a regular at England games.Dani Dyer (Jarrod Bowen’s girlfriend)England’s most famous Wag, former Love Island winner and daughter of Eastenders’ Danny Dyer.Iris Law (Trent Alexander-Arnold’s girlfriend)Dani Dyer isn’t the only actor’s daughter dating an England star. Iris’ dad is Hollywood legend Jude Law.Megan Davison (Jordan Pickford’s wife)Megan has been with Pickford since he was 14 years old. The couple married in 2022 and have one son.Olivia Naylor (John Stones’ girlfriend)The 33-year-old former beautician has stepped back from her role after giving birth to a baby son.Read more about the Wags supporting England at Euro 2024 hereA spokesman for Kane said: “There was a crash, but the kids are fine, and none were injured. “No injuries at all. “They went to hospital for a routine check-up.” Kane’s wife and his youngest child Henry, seven months, were not in the car. The Mercedes was driven by a 24-year-old woman from the district and there were three passengers in the Renault, aged three, 43 and 48. The Land Rover driven by a 63-year-old woman was also caught in the shocking collision. All eight people caught up in the smash suffered minor injuries and were transported to hospital via ambulance and helicopter, police said. In a statement Munich police said: “On Monday, 8 April 2024, around 5:15pm, a 20-year-old resident of Munich was driving a Renault on state road 2071 towards the A95. “A 48-year-old, a 43-year-old and a three-year-old were also passengers in the 20-year-old’s car. “At the same time, a 24-year-old resident of Munich was also driving a Mercedes on the state road of 2071 in the opposite direction. “There were three children between five and seven in the 24-year-old’s vehicle. “At the junction of the A95 the 20-year-old wanted to turn left on the motorway access road there. “The 20-year-old’s car collided with the 24-year-old’s on-coming car. “As a result, the 20-year-old’s car began to skid and collided with another Land Rover car belonging to a 62-year-old woman who lives in the Munich district and was on the exit of the A95 slip road. “All occupants of the vehicles involved suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision. “They were taken to hospital via helicopter and emergency services. “The 62-year-old went to the doctor herself. “There was material damage amounting to tens of thousands of euros.”How old are Harry Kane and Katie Goodland?The England captain is 31-years-old and he made his professional Tottenham debut in 2011 when he was just 18. His wife Katie is 31. Their eldest child is daughter Ivy who is seven years old. Vivienne Jane is the middle child who is five, Louis who is three years old and Henry was born on August 20, 2023. More

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    Who is bare-knuckle boxer Danny Christie?

    DANNY Christie is making headlines as he prepares for his next high-stakes match.Scheduled to fight for the BKFC Championship at BKFC 67 on October 12, 2024, his journey from a troubled past to becoming a rising star in the combat sports world is nothing short of inspiring.Dannie Christie is a bare-knuckle boxerCredit: Instagram/danny_tb_christieWho is Danny Christie?Danny Christie is a British bare-knuckle boxer who has gained recognition in the combat sports world, particularly in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).He rose to prominence due to his aggressive fighting style and notable matches, including a rivalry with fellow fighter Anthony Holmes.Danny is from Carlisle, England and transitioned into bare-knuckle boxing after competing in traditional boxing and mixed martial arts. His story is also compelling because of his journey from battling personal issues, including substance abuse, to turning his life around through combat sports.read more bare-knuckle boxingDanny’s matches are known for being intense and brutal, reflecting the nature of bare-knuckle boxing, a sport that has been growing in popularity in recent years. He is seen as one of the rising stars in this field, representing the UK on the global bare-knuckle boxing stage.What is Danny Christie’s fight record?He won five out of his seven fights so farCredit: Instagram/danny_tb_christieDanny Christie has fought a total of seven times in his bare-knuckle boxing career.Out of these fights, he has won five and lost one. Most read in BoxingAdditionally, one of his scheduled fights was cancelled.What are the rules in bare-knuckle boxing?In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the rules are designed to ensure safety while maintaining the sport’s intensity. Fighters are allowed to wrap and tape their wrists, thumbs, and mid-hands. However, no gauze or tape can be within one inch of the knuckles.At the beginning of each round, fighters Toe The Line by positioning their front foot on one of two lines that are three feet apart in the centre of the ring. The referee will then instruct them to Knuckle Up, signalling the start of the round.Only closed-fist punches are permitted. Kicks, elbows, knees, and grappling are not allowed.During a clinch, a fighter may use open-hand punches to try to create space. If there is a lull in action for three seconds, the referee will break the clinch.If a fighter is knocked down, they have 10 seconds to get back on their feet. Striking a downed fighter is prohibited and can result in disqualification and withholding of the fighter’s purse.The other fighter will be instructed to return to a neutral area during this time.If a fighter is cut and the blood impairs their vision, the referee may call a timeout to allow the cutman 30 seconds to address the cut.If the bleeding cannot be controlled and affects the fighter’s vision, the referee will stop the fight and award victory to the other fighter.Each round lasts 2 minutes, with each bout consisting of 5 rounds.Fighters must wear a groin protector with a cup, a mouthpiece, boxing trunks, and boxing or wrestling shoes.All fighters are expected to give their best effort and demonstrate complete sportsmanship throughout their bouts.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen is Danny Christie’s next fight?Danny Christie’s next fight is scheduled for October 12, 2024, at BKFC 67: Tenaglia vs. Soto. He will be facing David Mundell in a title bout, competing as the challenger for the BKFC Championship. More

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    Who are Jack Grealish’s parents Kevin and Karen?

    JACK GREALISH is the superstar footballer who is one of the nation’s favourite players.But who are the star’s parents? Here’s everything you need to know Kevin and Karen Grealish.Karen and Kevin Grealish inspired Jack to go into footballCredit: SportsfileJack plays for Manchester City and EnglandCredit: GettyWho are Jack Grealish’s parents Kevin and Karen?Jack was born on September 10, 1995, in Birmingham and he was raised by his parents Kevin and Karen.Kevin Grealish is a property director, while Karen is the director of Hampton Gate Management company.The couple were born just a year apart, with Karen being born in 1964 and Kevin being born the following year.They raised their son in Solihull, Birmingham, and were active supporters of his football dream.Read more on Jack GrealishKevin sees the funny side in his son’s career though, when he revealed Man City’s whopping £47,000 drinks bill from their Premier League and Champions League celebrations in 2023.How long have Kevin and Karen Grealish been together for?Kevin and Karen has kept much of their personal life private, so they have not confirmed when they got married. However, they have been together for as long as Jack has been alive. They are partly responsible for Jack’s love of football, as they are huge Aston Villa fans. Most read in FootballJack grew up watching Aston Villa’s games with his parents, inspiring him to pursue the sport himself.Jack now plays for Manchester City though, as a midfielder, as well as playing for the England national team.He is dating Sasha Attwood and the couple are expecting a child together.How many children do Kevin and Karen Grealish have?Jack’s family, including his fiancee Sasha and sister Kiera, are very closeCredit: PA: Press AssociationKevin and Karen have welcomed five children, including Jack who is their oldest. Their other children are named Kiera, Kevan, Holly, and Keelan Daniel Grealish.However, sadly, Keelan passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 2000, at the age of just nine months.Holly also has cerebral palsy, a group of movement disorders that cause poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. More

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    Who are Declan Rice’s parents Stephanie and Sean?

    DECLAN RICE is an England ace who previously turned out for the Republic of Ireland.The Arsenal ace’s roots are Irish, but he was born in London. Here’s everything you need to know about Declan’s mum and dad, Stephanie and Sean Rice.Declan Rice’s dad Sean is also his managerCredit: Twitter/XDeclan with mum Stephanie after the match against Slovenia at Euro 2024Credit: GettyWho are Declan Rice’s parents Stephanie and Sean?Declan was born on January 14, 1995, in Kingston Upon Thames.His father, Sean, was born in London after his parents emigrated from County Cork, Ireland.Although Declan plays for Arsenal, his father Sean is a massive Chelsea supporter.His dad encouraged him to play football and became his agent in 2020.Read more on sportsDue to his Irish heritage, Declan played for Ireland’s youth teams from 2015-2018, winning 17 caps from Under-17 to U21 level.He then made his senior debut in 2018, earning three caps.However, in 2019 Declan switched his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England.Speaking about the transfer, Declan’s dad said: “I’m very Irish, my mum and dad were very Irish and Declan grew up in an Irish/English environment as a lot of people from London do.Most read in Football”And so at the end of the day he had to make a choice and I have to support my son.”Declan posted a statement about his transfer on Instagram that said he has “equal respect and love for both England and Ireland”.He said that, ultimately, he made the decision based on what he believes is “best for my future”.How long have Stephanie and Sean Rice been married?Stephanie and Sean have chosen to keep much of their personal life private, but Declan sometimes shares a snap of his parents on social media.Although they have not confirmed when they got married, the couple have been together since before Declan was born. Declan credits his mum with creating a close-knit family environment that encouraged him to pursue his passions.Like her husband, Stephanie is also of Irish descent but was born and raised in London.Declan is the proud dad of a son named JudeCredit: PA WireDeclan had Jude with his partner LaurenCredit: PA MediaHow many children do Stephanie and Sean Rice have?Stephanie and Sean have three children – Conor, Jordan and Declan.The footie star is the youngest and regularly posts pics with his brothers on Instagram.He credits his brothers with helping to get him into football and driving him to be the best he can.READ MORE SUN STORIESOne of his brothers made headlines in 2023, when he teased Declan transferring from West Ham to Arsenal.Declan is a now a parent himself as his partner, Lauren Fryer, gave birth to their son Jude in 2022. More

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    How many Ireland caps does Jack Grealish have?

    JACK Grealish is back in the Three Lions squad after missing out on a spot at Euro 2024.But he wasn’t always an England player, having come up through the youth ranks in Ireland.Jack Grealish first represented Ireland at Under-17 levelCredit: CorbisWhen did Jack Grealish play for the Republic for Ireland?Birmingham-born Jack Grealish’s rise to England’s senior set-up took a five-year detour through the Republic of Ireland.In 2010, 14-year-old Grealish was sent home from an England Under-15 training camp after he fell ill and fainted.Following this disappointment, scout Mark O’Toole alerted Ireland to his grandfather’s Galway heritage after watching him play at the Nike Premier Cup.It paid off as Grealish went on to earn caps with the U15s in a green shirt — but England was still interested in the youngster and made contact a year later.read more on jack grealishFormer Three Lions U17 coach John Peacock said: “Myself and U16 head coach Kenny Swain had several discussions with him about switching back but he was undecided.”Grealish was veering towards Ireland, but doubts appeared when he was left out of the U21 squad in October 2012.This encouraged another offer from the Three Lions, with Ireland U21 coach Noel King revealing in May 2013 that Grealish’s eye was wandering to England.But the FAI refused to back down, having already lost defender Michael Keane to England in a similar situation.Most read in FootballKing acted three months later by giving 17-year-old Grealish one of the youngest ever caps at U21 level, making his debut as a sub against the Faroe Islands.Paul Lambert was appointed Aston Villa manager — Grealish’s club at the time — in June 2012, but it was not until late 2014 that he saw international dilemma reach boiling point.‘Fake Paddy’ slurs were thrown at Grealish during matches, and he was on the wrong end of loaded remarks made by assistant Ireland coach Roy Keane.This turbulence led to England U21 boss Gareth Southgate admitting to trying to get the midfielder back in an England shirt in October 2012.Within days of this, he pulled out of an Irish U21 game against Norway to play in a friendly for Villa, before then distancing himself from a senior international debut.Watch sweet moment Jack Grealish says ‘do you still like me-‘ to young Aston Villa fan who asks him to sign shirtVilla boss Lambert was already in Grealish’s bad books after warning the club against giving him a bumper new contract, afraid of the trappings of fame, which he described as ‘nightclubs, alcohol and girlfriends’.But his player’s national identity was also proving to be a tense issue.He said: “I had Jack in the office several times for a good telling off, one in particular for not turning up to training.“Then the Irish thing came up. He seemed pretty torn. I didn’t want him to make the wrong decision.[Jack] realised he had a serious choice to makeTim Sherwood“You have to be comfortable playing for an international side. All I was saying was ‘watch yourself’.“He might turn around today and say ‘Paul Lambert was a real s**t’ or may understand. I thought he had too much on his plate too soon.“I was trying to guide him. I hope he sees that now.”Fast forward to March 2015, and Tim Sherwood was in the Villa hot-seat.But Grealish still hadn’t made his choice between England and Ireland, with things made even more confusing when he won the Ireland U21 Player of the Year award in Dublin.Sherwood said: “I think that night was when it really all started for him. He realised he had a serious choice to make.”Sherwood tried to guide Grealish, telling the youngster: “Don’t choose Ireland just because you think you will get into the team quicker.”You have a long career ahead of you to make it for England.”When he picked up the award, Grealish said he took a year out of internationals to concentrate on club football, promised he would play for Ireland again soon.But Jack switched allegiance to England in 2015 to play for the seniorsCredit: Rex FeaturesBut two months later he turned down another call-up, this time for a friendly against England and a Euro qualifier against Scotland, following a chat with Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson.On October 28, 2015, Grealish finally told Ireland boss Martin O’Neill he’d made the decision to represent England at senior level.Sherwood added: “If you have a player who is head and shoulders above most of your squad, you will fight hard to recruit him.“In the end, he chose England. He made the decision to wait, even if his performances were already befitting of an international player.”How many Ireland caps does Jack Grealish have?Grealish made his debut for the Republic of Ireland U17s in October 2011 when he was 16 years old.He went on to earn seven caps at that level and score three goals.The midfielder won six caps for the U18s, scoring twice.And in August 2013, while he was still 17, Grealish played for the Irish U21s for the first time, going on to achieve six caps at the level and score one goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo in total, the Man City ace has 19 caps for Ireland and scored six goals.So when England line up against the Irish in the Nations League on Saturday, September 7, 2024 in Dublin, it wouldn’t be surprising if Grealish receives somewhat of a hostile reception. More

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    How many caps for Ireland does England manager Lee Carsley have?

    LEE Carsley is leading the Three Lions into a new era following Gareth Southgate’s exit after England’s Euro 2024 final heartbreak.His first match in charge is against the country he represented as a player for over a decade — the Republic of Ireland.England interim manager Lee Carsley and assistant coach Ashley Cole pictured during training on September 4, 2024Credit: ReutersWho is Lee Carsley?Lee Carsley was born in Birmingham on February 28, 1974.He enjoyed a long career as a professional footballer, playing for five clubs between 1994 and 2011 — a total of 548 matches.His two longest stints were at Derby County and Everton, where he made his name as a talented midfielder during a six-season spell.Lee also played Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, as well as two stints at Coventry City.READ MORE ON LEE CARSELYHe started earning his coaching badges while still playing for Everton, and was appointed head coach of Coventry’s Under-18s in July 2011.Lee left for then Championship side Brentford in 2015 as manager of the development squad.Following the sudden departure of Marinus Dijkhuizen, he was promoted to lead the first-team, taking charge of ten games.He won half of the matches and was named Championship manager of the month in October 2015, before he stepped aside when Dean Smith was appointed.Most read in FootballLee joined the England youth setup as a specialist coach in 2017, before becoming England U20 head coach in 2021.He only took charge of two matches before being promoted to the U21 side in July of the same year.England interim manager Lee Carsley speaks to the media as he announces his first squad since taking over from Gareth SouthgateHis stunning record as England U21 boss includes winning 79.3% of his 29 matches in charge, as well as leading the Young Lions to a Euros win in 2023 — their first title in the competition since 1984.The former Under-21s boss was revealed as the replacement for Gareth Southgate on August 9, 2024.He will be in charge of England’s matches against the Republic of Ireland on September 7, and Finland at Wembley three days later.Ex-England left-back Ashley Cole has been named as Lee’s assistant coach.It’s weird, one minute I was down in the dumps. The next I’m thinking over which of two squads to joinLee CarsleyA statement from the FA confirmed the news, reading: “Lee Carsley has been appointed interim head coach of England senior men ahead of the start of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign.”Carsley will step up from his role in charge of the Men’s U21s, initially for September’s fixtures away to Republic of Ireland and at home to Finland.”But with a view to remaining in the position throughout autumn while the FA’s recruitment process for a new permanent head coach continues.”Lee said: “It’s an honour to step up and lead this England squad on an interim basis.”As I am very familiar with the players and the cycle of international football, it makes sense for me to guide the team while the FA continues the process to recruit a new manager.Lee Carsley was appointed interim head coach of England on August 9, 2024Credit: Getty”My main priority is to ensure continuity and our goal is to secure promotion in the UEFA Nations League.”Lee Carsley is married to Louisa, but when the couple tied the knot hasn’t been reported.They live in Kenilworth, Warwickshire with their three children — two sons named Callum and Connor, and a daughter called Lois.When did Lee Carsley play for the Republic of Ireland?Lee qualified for the Irish national side through his grandmother, who was from County Cork.Lee Carsley led England to victory in the 2023 U21 EurosCredit: Getty In 1995, Ireland manager Jack Charlton’s assistant Maurice Setters approached Lee about joining the naton’s U21 set-up.After his club at the time, Derby, was approached by the FA about inviting then 21-year-old Lee to join England U21s at the Toulon Tournament, he seemingly had a decision to make.But he was struck down with a serious injury, could not got to the competition representing either nations, and was under the impression his England U21 chance had passed him by.Following his recovery however, in November 1995 he had a tough choice to make.Speaking to local reporters in Derby at the time, he said: “It’s weird, one minute I was down in the dumps. The next I’m thinking over which of two squads to join.”Lee Carsley with former Everton teammate and doppelganger Thomas GravesenCredit: AFP — GettyLee spoke with speaking with Derby manager Jim Smith before making his decision.Smith said full England international caps are hard to come by, whereas the Ireland route represented more of an opportunity for playing time. A week later Lee played the Republic of Ireland U21s 3-1 defeat against Portugal.At the time, he told the Derby Telegraph that he chose Ireland because he “could wait forever for another call” from England.He went on to add that his Irish grandfather was “absolutely delighted” and that he was “happy with the choice”.His international career playing for the Ireland men’s team lasted from 1997 to 2008.How many caps for Ireland does England manager Lee Carsley have?Lee earned his first cap for the Ireland senior side on October 11, 1997 in a World Cup 1998 qualifying match against Romania, which ended in a 1-1 draw.He went on to play in Ireland’s two playoff matches against Belgium — ultimately failing to qualify after a 3-2 aggregate defeat.Lee became a regular fixture in the team during the nation’s unsuccessful Euro 2000 qualifying campaign.He was selected in Mick McCarthy’s squad for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, despite not featuring regularly in internationals for the previous year and a half and only playing in one qualifier for the tournament.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, Lee only made one appearance during the tournament as a late substitute in a 3-0 group stage win over Saudi Arabia.On the international stage, Lee won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland senior side in a career spanning over a decade. 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