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    Wayne Rooney slapped with brace of parking tickets after leaving car outside posh hotel and not returning for two days

    WAYNE Rooney is hit with two successive penalties — after parking wardens slapped his motor with a brace of tickets.The Man United and England legend, 39, parked outside a posh hotel with wife Coleen but did not return to the car for two days.Wayne Rooney has been hit with two successive penaltiesCredit: ZenpixThe Man Utd hero parked outside a posh hotel with wife Coleen but did not return to the car for two daysCredit: ZenpixAn onlooking builder in Wilmslow, Cheshire, said: “He can afford it. “But I can’t believe he’s left the car there.”We today revealed that the Rooney’s were on holiday.Wayne and his kids looked terrified on a day out at Alton Towers – but wife Coleen was SMILING on the rollercoasters.READ MORE ON WAYNE ROONEYThe Rooney clan enjoyed a fun trip to the Staffordshire theme park as they took advantage of the half term break.Footy legend Wazza had a go on several thrilling rides.But despite his reputation as a football hardman, Rooney could only grimace as he whizzed round the tracks at lightning speed.Youngest children Kit, 9, and Cass, 7, also looked petrified as they soaked up the thrill-seeking atmosphere.Most read in FootballHowever, Coleen appeared right at home.The 39-year-old is still basking in the glory of her second-place finish in last year’s edition of ‘I’m a Celeb’.Gary Lineker destroys Wayne Rooney’s managerial career live on BBC leaving pundits speechlessColeen was forced to battle the likes of snakes, spiders and other gruesome creatures while in the Australian jungle.So riding a few simple rollercoasters will have been a walk in the park.’He can afford it. But I can’t believe he’s left the car there’, said on onlookerCredit: ZenpixThe Rooney’s at Alton TowersCredit: INSTAGRAM @coleen_rooneyWayne looks less than pleased to be on one of the rides – but Coleen looks like shes having the time of her lifeCredit: INSTAGRAM @coleen_rooney More

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    Shamed Prem ref David Coote filmed delivering Evri packages after cocaine video & Klopp rant destroyed career

    SACKED Premier League referee David Coote is now delivering packages for Evri — and says: “I’m just ­trying to make an honest living.”A couple were stunned to see the 42-year-old on their Ring doorbell, below, dropping off a parcel.Sacked Premier League referee is now delivering parcels for Evri as he attempts to ‘make an honest living’ after his drugs shame got him banned from footballCoote is currently serving a 16-month UEFA ban, but pals say he could return to the game eventuallyCredit: PABanned ref David Coote was caught snorting cocaine in a video clipCoote is serving a 16-month UEFA ban after video emerged of him savaging former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, and a Sun clip showed him taking cocaine.He works for the courier firm near his home in Newark, Notts, and said: “I want to get on with my life.Have YOU got a story or an amazing picture or video? Email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk and you could even get PAID”I’m trying to move forwards and regain a sense of responsibility and purpose.READ MORE ON DAVID COOTE”The job is keeping me busy and occupied, it’s not a new long-term career.”The Sun told in November how Coote had called Klopp a “German c***” in a leaked video.We then revealed a film of him doing cocaine at last summer’s Euros.The homeowner at the address he delivered to said: “My husband’s a Liverpool fan and what David said didn’t go down well.Most read in Football”My husband had ordered a part for a vehicle he’s working on and recognised David.”He said, ‘He’s delivering packages now’. I was like ‘Oh my gosh, is he really?’”It’s his own downfall, at the end of the day. David got himself into this mess.Scandal-hit Premier League ref David Coote SACKED after videos emerged of anti-Klopp rant and snorting white powder”He lives up the road. I see him around town a lot.”Coote was fired by referee governing body PGMOL in December and is banned by UEFA till next June.He said: “The drugs happened on an entirely ad-hoc basis.”It fills me with a huge sense of shame to sit here and to say that I took that route.”Last month he ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon to raise money for his uncle Mick who has motor neurone disease.Coote said: “I’m doing what I want to do, focusing on what’s important like spending more time with friends and family.”Friends backed him. A source said: “David’s a great lad who lost his career through stupidity, as he fully acknowledges.”There might be a return for him to the game at some point, and football definitely needs experts like him.Read More on The Sun”Until then he obviously has to pay the bills.”Evri did not comment.He works for the courier firm near his home in Newark, NottsCredit: GettyThe former referee is concentrating on ‘spending more time with friends and family’Credit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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    Gary Lineker’s bitter feud with BBC worsens as final interview with Mo Salah BLOCKED amid fear pair ‘would discuss Gaza’

    BBC chiefs delivered a final snub to Gary Lineker when they axed his last interview without warning — just before his final Match of the Day.He was due to talk to Liverpool goal hero Mo Salah, but there were fears Lineker — involved in an online row over an antisemitic post — would say something controversial about Gaza.Gary Lineker had an interview with Mo Salah axed without warning — just before his final Match of the DayCredit: AFPThere’s ‘no love lost’ between Lineker and the BBC’s director of sport Alex Kay-JelskiCredit: BBCA source said the plug was pulled by director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who got the job last summer.The Sun has revealed there was “no love lost” between Lineker and Kay-Jelski — with the ex-England hero allegedly giving him the cold shoulder at the FA Cup final.An insider said: “The plan was for the interview to be shown across the BBC the weekend of Gary’s final Match Of The Day.“That would include on Football Focus the day before as well as online and on social media.read more on Gary Lineker“Out of nowhere, it got cancelled. “Some people think they didn’t want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza.“Salah has spoken out in his support for Palestinians living in Gaza and Gary has made his feelings clear too. “It felt like it may have come up naturally in conversation.Most read in Football“It seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues. “They’d only just overcome one storm so to face another would have been a nightmare.”Eagle-eyed fans spot awkward Match of the Day gaffe on Gary Lineker’s farewell showThe Sun revealed Gary, 64, was leaving the BBC after 26 years following his sharing of an Instagram post which criticised Zionism. It included an illustration of a rat — historically used as an antisemitic slur.With the BBC coming under increasingly intense pressure, Lineker issued two apologies, then agreed to step down from his £1.3million-a-year jobThe ex-Spurs star is understood to be focusing on his Goalhanger Podcasts business, as well as considering rival broadcasters’ offers.He had been suspended from Match Of The Day in March 2023 after a post about the small boats controversy, but was reinstated after a boycott by his co-stars.The BBC said: “The interview was cancelled because it was planned to air after Gary’s last Match of the Day.“It would be wrong to suggest anything else.”Read More on The SunHowever a source insisted: “A cross-platform interview with the Champions’ star player could have aired anytime. “Salah wanted to speak to Gary so to axe it entirely seems short-sighted.”Gary and Mo have both spoken out in support for Palestinians living in GazaCredit: AlamyLineker on his last MOTDCredit: BBCUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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    ‘Just magic’ – One of F1’s most recognisable voices reveals Leclerc and Hamilton moments that will live with him forever

    CHARLES LECLERC and Lewis Hamilton won arguably the two most iconic Formula One races of the 2024 season.Leclerc made history as he won his home race at the Monaco Grand Prix with “tears” in his eyes, while Hamilton defied the odds to take the chequered flag at the British Grand Prix in his final home race with Mercedes.Charles Leclerc won an emotional 2024 Monaco Grand PrixCredit: RexLewis Hamilton then made history at the British Grand Prix later onCredit: ReutersBoth races were made iconic by the man behind the microphone for F1TV and Channel 4, Alex JacquesCredit: X @C4F1Both races have already gone down in the annals of F1 history for their huge significance in the modern era of the sport.But for many fans, that experience was elevated to even greater heights by the man behind the microphone, Alex Jacques.Jacques is the lead commentator of F1TV and Channel 4, and the voice of the EA Sports F1 25 video game, while he has also featured in the Netflix series Drive To Survive.His voice has become synonymous with formula racing, given he also spent a decade as the commentator of F2 before leaving the role to spend more time with family at the start of this year.READ MORE IN F1Following his work at both Monaco and Silverstone last year, fans showed their love by featuring him in numerous social media clips, often edited with emotive background music, of the races.And Jacques has not been blind to the outpouring of love fans have given him for his work.Speaking exclusively to SunSport at a launch event of the EA Sports F1 25 video game, Jacques explained his thought process in the moment and gave his thoughts on the fan reaction to it.He said: “You’re trying to tell their stories and both of those examples that you used, so for Charles Leclerc, my overarching, and it links back to the previous question, so it’s amazing to see all of those edits. Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”As a commentator, you want to do justice to the moment. If you’re watching the Monaco GP and you’re watching Charles Leclerc, you might be an F1 fan and you might not know that backstory.”That’s my job as the commentator, to tell you that this guy from Monaco, oh, it’s just a rich kid winning the Monaco GP. Nothing of the sort. This guy’s been through heartbreak on multiple occasions and it’s his life’s purpose to win that race. Lewis Hamilton sent ‘flying’ after hitting huge bump as Ferrari endure Monaco Grand Prix nightmare”On that last lap, I tried to distil quite a complex story into quite a short amount of time. He’s such a well-supported driver that that lap has, as you say, been subject to so many edits on social media.”He continued: “With Lewis Hamilton, this is a driver that we got used to winning week in, week out. Suddenly, goes through a winning drought. “That was one of the best Grand Prix of all time in the entire history of the 75 years. To see him come out on top when it could have been five drivers. “So rarely do you get a Grand Prix where five drivers could win it. For him to come out on top, top three was three British drivers at the British GP. He ends his winless drought.”If you can’t do justice to those moments, that’s when you have to step forward as a commentator and hopefully provide the words that match the pictures. Both of those occasions were just magic Formula One moments.”Jacques’ infectious love for motorsport means it was “tough” for him to step away from working on F2.What was is like working on the EA Sports F1 25 game?Alex Jacques:”It’s a really long time recording the commentary for the game but it’s a wonderful experience because these are the games that I played growing up, right? So maybe it wasn’t the case with commentators from a previous generation but for me I used to love the F1 game coming out and then to be part of it and to get to record the lines. “So I’m very happy to spend a week of my life in a very dark room effectively reading and in fifth place and in sixth place and so on and so forth. “You also get to do loads of creative stuff as well and they’ll bring in other people for you to commentate with so it’s a long process but when you hear your own commentary in the game it’s well worth it.Anything in particular for fans to look out for?”Yeah, there’s new tracks all the time, there’s new storylines all the time. One of the cool things that we got to do this year is they were introducing the cars and the characters from the F1 movie. so that’s a part of the game as well and it was great to be able to, it’s very weird when you’re finding yourself talking about Brad Pitt’s character in the game. but yeah and a lot of fun. “There’s always something new, they’re always coming up with new things for the game as well. The accuracy of the tracks this year is ridiculously good and you’re like, hold on, I’ve been there, there is a hot dog stand at that point, how have they got that in the game? So yeah, loads of fun stuff like that to enjoy.”However, “he has no complaints” about stepping back to spend more time with his family after becoming a father for the first time just before this season’s Imola Grand Prix, although he jokes it has led to his favourite drink being a “strong black coffee, given how sleep deprived I am”.He said: “It’s been a strange one because I got the job in F2 first and then got opportunities in F1. F2 has always felt a little bit like the home team, if you like. “F1 is the big international call-up, if you want to put it in a football metaphor. It was tough saying goodbye because very rarely you have to leave that paddock behind. “The nice thing about whether you’re telling the story of George Russell or Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc, these are all drivers that I’ve known from when they were very young because of commentating on F3 and F2 and watching their journey all the way through. But eventually it’s time. “Eventually, you just cannot commentate on everything as much as I would love to. It was sad to say goodbye, but I have the best job in the world, so I have no complaints. “I think to get 10 years commentating on any championship in any sport is a privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed it…Thoughts on 2026 possibly being last year at Imola? Alex Jacques:”I’m not entirely sure what the situation is for Imola, but I will say that it is a historic place to go racing. “It’s very, very fortunate. Anytime you’re covering motor racing in Italy, you’re having a great week of your life. Right?”That’s the nature of it. It’s obviously the circuit closest to Ferrari’s factory, and also you’ve got the Racing Bulls factory close around there. “But it’s the nature of gravel traps, narrow circuit, tight walls, thrilling undulations. Those are the things that drivers, not just at Imola, but those are the things across the calendar that the drivers respond to.”It’s important to have that balance between the old school tracks that we love and to have the amazing locations that we go to around the world. “And we’ll see. But I certainly adore going to that racetrack every time we do.””Eventually, my wife was like, it would be nice if we could hang out at some point rather than you travel the world all the time. “I got that F2 job when I was 25, so eventually you have to make more time for the people that support you when you’re away for ages and have to do the day-to-day moments. “So, yeah, very, very fortunate to be the dad of a lovely baby girl and I have a very supportive wife and it’s nice to have a bit more of a balance even though there’s still a fair bit of travel involved.”Despite his new responsibilities away from the track, Jacques does still make time to keep an eye on F1’s feeder series and earmarked Irish racer Alex Dunne as one star to keep an eye on, even before he scored a maiden pole position at Monaco last weekend.Jacques said: “I’ve been impressed with Alex Dunne, Irish driver, making that step up. There are some drivers that I think you take them from a F3 car, you put them with a little bit more power, a little bit more grip, and they seem to come alive.”He seems to fall in that category. So, he’s an exciting prospect. but there are loads of really, really talented drivers. You’ve got to be consistent. Thoughts on Ipswich Town’s season?Alex Jacques:”Was there a season this year? I don’t know. You skipped over.”Well, it’s worth saying that we are having this chat underneath Tottenham’s stadium. And the one thing I would say about Ipswich’s season is that, okay, it didn’t go to plan. “And I think there was an expectation around the club that we would be more competitive than we turned out to be. But we got some away days at grounds that we hadn’t visited before.”We got away days at, you know, and the combination of being able, I watched Ipswich win their first Premier League game in 22 years with my dad upstairs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. That’s a memory I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. “What Kieran McKenna gave Ipswich Town fans was not only amazing football in League One, in the Championship, but also when we got to the Premier League, away days and experiences that other clubs take for granted. And Ipswich hadn’t had for two decades.”Hadn’t had a trip to Old Trafford. That was amazing. Taking the lead there. You’ve got to see it as glass half full.”Okay. Lost a lot of points from winning positions this year. But hold on, last year we gained 30 points from losing positions. So you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth.”Did we get promoted a little bit too early? Clearly on the evidence, yeah, we probably did. But have we bought? well?”I think so. I think we’ve got a great squad for the Championship next year. Take nothing for granted with like, oh, bounce back immediately. You have to win so many games.”We’ve seen this with Burnley. Seen this with Leeds. You’ve got to win an awful lot of games. I think the club is a little bit exhausted.”It will catch its breath over the summer. I think when you go from League One, when Kieran McKenna took over at Ipswich Town, Ipswich Town were below Accrington Stanley in the table. “I don’t think anyone could be moaning about the fact that it didn’t go to plan in the Premier League. I’ll take whatever timeline this is and he can stay for as long as he likes.”We need to build a statue of him for what he did. Not all seasons are going to go to plan, but I still enjoyed all the away days in the Premier League I was able to get to. “And I’ve got full confidence that if he’s still behind the wheel next year and he hasn’t been poached by a Premier League club, we’ll bounce straight back. “”But ultimately, I think all the drivers that eventually make it to F1, there are defining days in F3, in F2, where you watch what they do.”Thinking about Kimi Antonelli, the new Mercedes driver, at Silverstone last year, one second a lap faster than everyone else in the field. And that includes three F1 drivers who also graduated with him.”That is the type of performance that if you put in in F2, you can make a name for yourself. And everyone’s watching, everyone’s watching in the F1 paddock. “So, great start for Alex Dunne, lots of talented names in that championship this year, but you need to see a standout performance, whether it be an overtaking performance through the field. Get yourself on the radar. A standout head-bind drive is the best way to do it.”However, Jacques’ position on the “ludicrous” three-way 2025 F1 title race is far less clear as the 36-year-old can’t pick between McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris or reigning world champion Max Verstappen, but is certain it is “the best type of season” with the field being so close.He added: “I really loved it because you’ve got three drivers at totally different stages of their careers. You’ve also got Lando Norris, [who] came in as the pre-season favourite.”Can he deal with the expectation on his shoulders? And Oscar Piastri, exceeding expectations for where he is. You’ve got the McLaren drivers trying to win their first championships.”You’ve got Max trying to make history and emulate the great Michael Schumacher. And he’d only be two behind the all-time record if he gets five with a lot of his career still to go. It’s a wonderful dynamic. The qualifying sessions have been so tight.Read More on The Sun”We’ve not had a gap between first and second. that’s been over a tenth. That is ludicrous. We used to have gaps between first and second of a second back in the early 90s. F1 is ultra-competitive, we’re having a great season.”EA SPORTS has launched their new F1 25 game, with the iconic Edition out now and the Standard Edition launching May 30th. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.Quickfire questions: Alex JacquesBuild your dream driver:Racecraft: Fernando AlonsoQualifying Pace: Charles LeclercTalent: Max VerstappenAwareness: Lewis Hamilton all dayDefence: Fernando AlonsoTyre management: Ooh, tyre management. Probably be one of the McLaren boys at the moment because they seem to have that on lock, don’t they? Yeah, we’ll give Lando tyre management.Quickfire round: Favourite drink: Favourite drink? Wow, I didn’t expect that. Probably a strong black coffee, given how sleep deprived I am on the boat.Favourite food or snack during comms: You’ve got to have a bag of Haribo to get you through, especially if you’re doing an overnight one.Guilty pleasure: Guilty pleasure. Yeah, watching Ipswich Town win this year because it’s not been a regular occurrence.Favourite racetrack: Monza. Favourite car: Favourite car? Of all cars. F1 or… F1 or what? The 1998 McLaren. That’s the first season I watch, so that’s always my favourite F1 car. Favourite driver of all time: Favourite driver of all time? Similar answer. Mikka Hakkinen, champion the first year that he won and my childhood hero. And yeah, still get starstruck by him in the paddock. He’s a lovely chap. More

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    Gary Lineker’s brutal snub of BBC boss days before he quit revealed as he leaves channel for good in antisemitism row

    GARY Lineker ended his Match of the Day career last night — as details emerged of his parting shot at his BBC boss.The former England football captain, 64, began his final show with a quip about his telly departureGary Lineker was emotional as he said goodbye to the MOTD audienceGary Lineker arrives to present his final Match of the DayCredit: MCPIXLineker was seen to snub his boss Alex Kay-Jelski and made remarks about him in earshot of staff, it was claimedCredit: BBCIt came after he recently left colleagues in no doubt about his feelings on BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.He was seen to snub his boss and made remarks about him which were described as “blunt”.Once cameras began rolling on his final MOTD appearance, Gary used his opening line to aim a cheeky dig at the Beeb.He said: “It wasn’t meant to end this way.”Read More on SportThe legendary striker then continued: “But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about.”TV frontman Gary then became emotional as he said goodbye to the MOTD audience after a host of former teammates and colleagues paid tribute in a video package.He said: “Let me thank for all the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the 25 years…”Thank you for all the people on the show you don’t see.. Thank you all.Most read in Football”Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work.”He began his role on the highlights show in 1999 alongside Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson and had been due to anchor the BBC’s World Cup coverage next year.But he took the decision to quit the corporation altogether after he was blasted for reposting a video on social media which criticised Zionism with a picture of a rat — used as an insult to Jews by the Nazis.He has repeatedly apologised. Co-stars and close pals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were also seen arriving at the MediaCity studios in Salford.Insiders said there was no love lost between Gary and his boss Alex, who took over the top job at BBC Sport from Barbara Slater last April.A source said: “By the end of Gary’s tenure at BBC Sport he didn’t have much time for Alex.“When he was working on the FA Cup final, just two days before he quit, Alex came over to where Gary was and he just walked off without a word.Read More on The Sun“He made a couple of remarks about Alex in earshot of people working around them. It’s clear there’s no love lost. “Gary is really well liked and there are plenty of people who joked that they agreed with what he said.”Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he’s quitting BBC next weekGary tried to hold back tears as he signed off for the last timeCredit: BBCLineker with Alan Hansen and Mark LawrensonCredit: BBCAlan Shearer was snapped as he arrived at the studiosCredit: ZenpixMicah Richards arrives for the showCredit: Zenpix More

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    Bungling masked robbers targeted Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho’s £4m mansion – but fled after making HUGE mistake

    BURGLARS targeted footie star Alejandro Garnacho’s home — but got the wrong house.Two balaclava-clad thugs arrived on the Man United star’s road just as he kicked off at Old Trafford.Two balaclava-clad thugs targeted footie star Alejandro Garnacho’s home — but got the wrong houseCredit: GettyThey buzzed on a door in a bid to work out if anyone was there — but were at one of his neighbours. A dog walker then saw and challenged them, before private security guards arrived.It came as United hosted Real Sociedad on March 13, with the Reds winning 4-1.One neighbour in Altrincham said: “They were targeting Garnacho — but they got the wrong home. “They were after his house as it was 8pm and they would have known he was playing at Old Trafford.” READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother local who witnessed the attempt said: “I was about to take the dog out but I saw two men walk past so I waited.“They were wearing dark clothes and balaclavas so I wondered what they were up to. When I went into the street I saw one had climbed on to the wall and fence on either side. “I then shouted, ‘What are you up to?’. Security guards came out and they jumped back over a fence and ran off.”They added: “I think the security was enough to scare them away. They saw the measures that are in this street — and have not been back.”Most read in FootballArgentine winger Garnacho, 20, has since put his family’s £3.85million mansion up for sale — and hinted he could leave United. A club source said his security team were “aware of an incident at an adjacent property”.Dramatic video of Paul Pogba fleeing Old Trafford after learning raiders had targeted mansion as children slept in bedA string of United stars have been burgled while they were away, including Victor Lindelof and Paul Pogba.      Since the attempted robbery, Garnacho put his family’s £3.85million mansion up for sale and hinted he could leave UnitedCredit: Getty More

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    Premier League wage bill hits record £4bn – with hapless Man Utd’s bloated budget revealed…where does your club rank?

    PREMIER League wages hit a record £4billion last season, a new study has discovered.It means the 500 stars who make up Britain’s top league pocketed an average of £8million a year during 2023/24.Erling Haaland is city’s top earner after negotiating a deal worth £500,000 a week in JanuaryCredit: GettyMo Salah has pledged his future to Liverpool in a new dealCredit: GettyAnd Manchester City players were the Prem’s top earners, taking home a combined £413million.The figures have been collated by football blogger Kieron O’Connor, who runs The Swiss Ramble football finance blog.He says striker Erling Haaland is city’s top earner after negotiating a deal worth £500,000 a week in January.Liverpool came runners-up in the pay stakes, with the Anfield squad taking home £377million.Read More on SportMo Salah is the club’s top earner and recently banked a pay rise after committing his future to Anfield, taking him to £400,000 a week.All Premier League clubs have revealed their accounts from the 2023/24 season, with the figures showing the post-Covid pay bubble continues to climb.The clubs’ combined wage bill has jumped from £2.9billion in just six years, the equivalent of 38 per cent.The wage bills also show the Big Six became the Big Five, with a huge gap opening up between the highest-paying sides.Most read in FootballKieron reveals City and Liverpool are joined by Man Utd (£365million), Chelsea (£338million) and Arsenal (£328million) in the huge pay stakes.Aston Villa had the sixth-largest wage bill, which came in at £252million — a gap of £76million to Arsenal.Arsenal wages 2024-25 revealedTottenham and Newcastle also paid out more than £200million.This year’s FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were the league’s highest achievers last season, finishing tenth despite only four clubs having a smaller wage bill.Man Utd underachieved, finishing eighth, despite having the third- largest wage bill. The three clubs with the lowest wage bills were relegated last season — Luton Town, Sheffield Utd and Burnley.Luton’s wage bill was the lowest in the league, paying out £57million to its squad.The figures were released before today’s final round of games, with Liverpool already crowned champions.’A bit crazy’While Haaland himself admitted his salary was “a bit crazy” when his new ten-year deal was announced in January, wages of the best Prem stars are well below that of other sporting stars around the globe. A study by Forbes magazine put Haaland 27th on the list of top earners when comparing him with greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. And his money pales into insignificance when compared to NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who signed a £410million deal in 2021.And last December the New York Mets baseball team agreed to pay slugger Juan Soto £628million for a 15-year deal.Clubs must remain vigilant as there is still much work to be done to restore pre-pandemic profitabilityAleksander Ceferin Haaland’s outgoing teammate Kevin De Bruyne has previously told how he believes top footballers are underpaid, despite earning £400,000 a week.When asked in 2022 if he got paid too much, the Belgian linked with a move to Serie A winners Napoli, responded: “No. I compare it to a singer at a concert and 60,000 people come. I look at it logically.“There are millions of people watching the football on TV, there’s 60,000 watching the games, the income of a club is £500million to £600million. Yeah, it’s a lot of money, but is it too much?“If the club can afford it, it’s not too much.”In March, figures revealed player wages across Europe had reached £15.1billion in 2023/24, up by 6.5 per cent on the previous year.Following the release of the latest Uefa Club Licensing Benchmarking Report, the governing body’s president Aleksander Ceferin warned teams about paying excessive amounts to their players.‘Players are the stars’He said: “While most clubs appear to be managing player wage increases responsibly, other costs are rising rapidly, putting greater pressure on operating margins than ever before. Clubs must remain vigilant as there is still much work to be done to restore pre-pandemic profitability.”Premier League clubs have to pay within Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) each year or face punishment. Everton and Nottingham Forest faced points deductions for breaching the rules.In February, it was reported the Professional Footballers’ Association, which acts for players, threatened the Premier League with legal action if it brought in a salary cap.Clubs voted last year to explore the introduction of a spending cap from the start of the 2025/26 season as part of a new system of financial controls.It will limit clubs to spending 85 per cent of their total revenue on wages, transfer payments and agent fees.Sponsorship consultant Nigel Currie said: “The players are the stars, they are the talent and the reason millions tune in every week and buy the kits.Read More on The Sun“The Premier League is hugely successful, the wealthiest football league in the world, and that will continue.“There will continue to be massive financial implications for players. Sponsorships will go through the roof in terms of value.”SAUDIS UP SALARIES DESPITE earning a fortune, the salaries of Premier League stars are nowhere near what is on offer in the Saudi Pro League.Here is what the big names earn each week at their clubs there.Cristiano Ronaldo,£3.2million, Al-NassrKarim Benzema, £1.6million, Al-IttihadRiyad Mahrez, £850,000, Al-AhliSadio Mane, £650,000, Al-NassrIvan Toney, £490,000, Al-AhliN’Golo Kante, £400,000, Al-Ittihad More

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    Victorious Spurs stars party until 4am shouting ‘F*** you Maguire’ after 1-0 Europa League Final win

    TOTTENHAM stars partied until 4am after their 1-0 Europa League Final win, chanting: “F*** you Maguire.”  Spurs’ Cristian Romero had clashed with Man United’s Harry Maguire during the game and at full-time in Bilbao, Spain.  Tottenham players partied until 4am after their 1-0 Europa League Final win, chanting: ‘F*** you Maguire’Credit: AlamyFans also joined in and celebrated all night to mark the club’s first trophy in 17 yearsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialManchester United defender Harry Maguire was the target of ridicule by the Spurs playersCredit: Shutterstock EditorialJames Maddison and Lucas Bergvall led the victorious team in a raucous celebration.And the Spurs players changed the lyrics to Gala 1997 hit ‘Freed From Desire’ to taunt the England centre back. The partying started with the players wildly celebrating in the changing room.Crates of beer were delivered to the Spurs dressing room for the players to enjoy.READ MORE ON SPURS’ WINAs were bottles of champagne, several of which ended up being sprayed as captain Son Heung-min re-enacted the trophy lift.While Yves Bissouma, who was Spurs’ star man on the night, went live on social media, showing stars toasting their first trophy in 17 years with boatload of pizza too – while listening to Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’ being blasted over the speakers.Fans celebrated all night to mark the club’s first trophy in 17 years.  Rod Jones, from St Albans, Herts, said: “We did a bar crawl from the stadium to town then the airport.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“We’re so buzzing that sleep can wait.”  The bleary-eyed team flew back to Stansted yesterday, with an open-top bus parade today.  Richarlison bangs on drum and celebrates with Tottenham fans following Spurs Europa League triumph Ange Postecoglou’s troops celebrated wildly in the dressing roomCredit: InstagramCrates of beer and pizza galore were delivered to the north Londoners’ dressing room after the matchCredit: InstagramDestiny Udogie showed off his winners’ medal on InstagramCredit: InstagramSeveral players took to social media to show off their winners’ medalsCredit: InstagramThe squad will need to recover quickly, as Spurs play Brighton in their last Premier League fixture on Sunday Around 70,000 fans of both teams travelled to Bilbao, with seven arrests.  Newspaper El Correo said: “The main objective was to try to avoid large-scale serious fighting, which the authorities consider they achieved.”  Pedro Porro celebrates the victoryCredit: GettyThe bleary-eyed team flew back to Stansted on Thursday, with an open-top bus parade taking place on FridayCredit: Getty More