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    Why is the Champions League music played at King Charles’ coronation?

    THE Champions League music is one of the most recognised anthems in the world of football.But did you know it is based on the song that is played during the Royal Coronation?
    King Charles III’s coronation is this weekendCredit: PA
    Here is all you need to know about the iconic Champions League anthem and its relation to the Royal Coronation.
    Why is the Champions League music played at King Charles’ coronation?
    The Champions League music derives from George Frideric Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’.
    When the Champions League was rebranded in 1992, English composer Tony Britten was commissioned to write the new anthem.
    He adapted the famous Zadok the Priest to create the tune that is traditionally played before huge European nights.
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    The anthem was initially composed in 1727 for the coronation of King George II.
    It has since been traditionally performed during the anointing of the sovereign at the coronation of every British monarch, including the late Queen Elizabeth II.

    Zadok the Priest will be performed again on Saturday for the coronation of King Charles III.
    Why was the Champions League anthem not played during home matches involving British teams ahead of the Queen’s funeral?
    The iconic song was not played in Champions League fixtures that took place prior to the Queen’s funeral.
    Most read in Football
    Liverpool, Rangers, Chelsea and Manchester City all had home Champions League games during the ten-day national mourning period.
    UEFA made the decision not to play the anthem, and clubs paid further respects with a period of silence.
    What are the Champions League anthem lyrics?
    Ce sont les meilleures équipesEs sind die allerbesten MannschaftenThe main event
    Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
    Une grande réunionEine grosse sportliche VeranstaltungThe main event
    Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
    Ils sont les meilleursSie sind die BestenThese are the champions
    Die MeisterDie BestenLes grandes équipesThe champions
    In English: 
    They are the best teamsThey are the best teamsThe main event
    The masterThe bestThe great teamsThe champions
    A big meetingA great sporting eventThe main event
    The masterThe bestThe great teamsThe champions
    They are the bestThey are the bestThese are the champions

    The masterThe bestThe champions More

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    Why is Man City vs Leeds shown live on TV during the 3pm blackout?

    MANCHESTER CITY will continue their title charge against Sam Allardyce’s Leeds on Saturday.The Premier League clash will break the long-standing 3pm blackout.
    Manchester City won the reverse fixture at Elland RoadCredit: GETTY
    It will be the first time the blackout has been broken since the COVID-19 pandemic.
    The ban was temporarily lifted as part of ‘Project Restart’ as fans were unable to watch their teams in the stadiums due to the outbreak of the virus.
    What is the 3pm blackout?
    The 3pm blackout is a rule that has been in place in the UK since the 1960s.
    It probits matches in the Premier League, Football League and FA Cup to be shown live on TV in the UK between 2:45pm and 5:15pm.
    READ MORE IN PREMIER LEAGUE
    The rule is in place to protect the attendances at all football clubs but specifically the lower league sides.
    This is because teams in lower divisions rely heavily on gate receipts and do not want to deter people from attending in person.
    Local and national radio stations are able to broadcast live commentary for all of the 3pm games in the UK.
    Why is Man City vs Leeds shown live on TV during the 3pm blackout?
    The Premier League fixture was initially scheduled for Sunday, May 7th, but has been pushed forward a day.
    Most read in Football
    The reason the match was moved is because of the game’s proximity to Manchester City’s Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday, May 9.
    Man City vs Leeds could have taken the early kick-off slot at 12:30pm on Saturday, May 6 but the fixture would clash with King Charles III’s coronation.
    A later kick-off time on the Saturday has been avoided due to a lack of police resourcing.
    What did the Premier League say about breaking the 3pm blackout rule?
    In a statement from the Premier League, they said: “With Manchester City visiting Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday 9 May, their home match with Leeds United has moved from Sunday 7 May to 15:00 BST on Saturday 6 May.
    “The match will remain live on Sky Sports in the UK, subject to further consultation with relevant stakeholders regarding Article 48.
    “The usual Saturday 12:30 BST UK live broadcast slot has been avoided so as not to clash with the King’s Coronation.
    “A later kick-off is not possible due to police resourcing.” More

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    Jurgen Klopp told Egypt prospect Mohamed Zidan he was ‘100 times’ a better player than Liverpool star Mo Salah

    MOHAMED SALAH has excelled since joining Liverpool from Roma back in the summer of 2017.He has bagged a quite brilliant 185 goals in 301 appearances for the Reds and been an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s transformation at the club.
    Mohamed Zidan was told by Jurgen Klopp he was ‘100 times’ better than Mo Salah while at Borussia Dortmund
    But fellow Egyptian Mohamed Zidan once revealed the former Borussia Dortmund boss told him he thought he was ‘100 times’ better than Salah while at the German side.
    Speaking to ON Sport in January 2020, Zidan said: “Klopp told me that I was better than Salah 100 hundred times but I needed to be more professional.
    “Klopp said to me that I have a great talent and skills but I need to concentrate more. If I did this I could be one of the best players in the world.”
    However, while Zidan enjoyed a solid career with teams such as Dortmund, Mainz, Hamburg and Werder Bremen, he admits he lacked a good work ethic, which meant he never hit the heights Salah has.
    “I had to be more dedicated to training and be more professional to reach Salah’s level in the past,” he added.
    “Salah is more professional than me and more dedicated to football like Ronaldo and Messi.”
    Zidan netted 102 club goals in 294 games throughout his 16-year career, but never managed to bag 20 in one season.
    One of his career highlights was scoring the only goal for Egypt in a 3–1 defeat to England in March 2010.
    Salah, on the other hand, scored 44 times in his first season for Liverpool and has 14 already this season in all competitions.
    And upon arriving at Anfield, Zidan said back in November 2018 that Salah was carrying on a long legacy of Egyptians playing in the Premier League.
    Mohamed Zidan scores for Egypt against England in 2010Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Mohamed Zidan celebrates his goal against EnglandCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times

    LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS
    Speaking to Goal, he said: “He’s a good example, as we were before – me and other Egyptian colleagues who played in Europe, like Mido, Ahmed Hassan and many other players who played in top leagues.
    “Now Mo Salah is continuing the legacy of Egyptian players in Europe to make the Egyptian kids keep dreaming, because he’s one of us.
    “Today is Mo Salah time, it is going very well, he is giving hope to all Egyptians and then in the future it will be other kids from Egypt that will play in Europe.” More

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    Why is Declan Rice NOT playing for West Ham against Man City?

    WEST Ham are travelling to a Premier League champions Man City tonight.Though the Hammers are without their captain and talisman, Declan Rice for the clash at The Etihad.
    Declan Rice is not playing for West HamCredit: PA
    City can go back to the top of the league with a win, although Pep Guardiola is missing a midfield general of his own in Kevin De Bruyne, who is also out with injury.
    If City are to pick up all three points, then they will be at the summit with a game in hand over closest challengers Arsenal.
    Meanwhile West Ham could go above Wolves into 14th place with a victory.
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    Why is Declan Rice not playing for West Ham?
    Declan Rice is not playing for West Ham tonight because of illness.
    Manager David Moyes has said that a bug swept through the Hammers camp over the past 24 hours.
    Moyes said before kick-off: “Three of them took ill overnight.”
    Rice joins Tomas Soucek and Nayef Aguerd on the absentee list because of illness.
    The sickness bug means the Hammers could only pick five subs on the bench.
    Most read in Football
    Rice had played every minute of West Ham’s 33 league games this season but was sent back to London this afternoon along with fellow midfielder Soucek and defender Aguerd.
    Moyes told Sky Sports: “Unfortunately overnight three players took ill so we had to change it around.
    “Hopefully it’s not too bad, the sickness.
    “We had named some of the players not here in the side.
    “Two or three are unwell and there’s nothing we can do about it.
    “It only happened today, we sent them home at 2pm.
    Rice had played every minute in the Prem this seasonCredit: Reuters
    “It was too late to bring any of the younger boys up.
    “It was always going to be tough, we will try and make it as difficult as we can.
    “Anything out of the game will be a bonus.”
    Read More on The Sun
    West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Kehrer, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Emerson; Downes, Paquetá, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio.
    West Ham subs: Areola, Anang, Johnson, Lanzini, Cornet, Ings, Benrahma. More

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    Why isn’t Kevin de Bruyne playing for Man City against West Ham?

    KEVIN DE BRUYNE will NOT be involved in Man City’s clash with West Ham at the Etihad TONIGHT.He also didn’t feature in Manchester City’s 2-1 away win at Fulham on the weekend.
    Kevin de Bruyne misses Manchester City’s Premier League clash with West HamCredit: REUTERS
    The Belgian hadn’t trained prior to Tuesday’s late afternoon training session ahead of City’s Premier League clash with the Hammers on Wednesday night.
    Julian Alvarez played in the 31-year-old’s absence and scored a screamer to claim the opener at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
    Erling Haaland scored his 5Oth goal of the season to give City a valuable three points in their race for the title.
    Why isn’t Kevin de Bruyne playing for Man City against West Ham?
    The Belgian playmaker was forced off late on in City’s huge 4-1 win against Arsenal last week.
    READ MORE IN MAN CITY
    Despite being withdrawn De Bruyne certainly made his mark on the game scoring a superb brace at the Etihad.
    The Premier League’s top provider also added to his assists tally that evening setting up John Stones.
    Many regard City’s triumph over Arsenal as the moment that decided the fait of this season’s title.
    What has Pep Guardiola said about Kevin de Bruyne’s injury?
    The Spaniard spoke to the media on Tuesday prior to the West Ham fixture: “Kevin’s started to move but didn’t train with the team – we have training in a few hours, and we’ll see how they feel.”
    Most read in Football
    Speaking at Craven Cottage before kick-off against Fulham on Sunday, Guardiola said this about De Bruyne: “He doesn’t feel good.
    “He has an injury and could not travel.”
    Julian Alvarez will keep his place in the side after a sublime performance against Fulham.
    When is Man City vs West Ham?

    Man City vs West Ham will take place TONIGHT, Wednesday, May 3rd.
    Kick off will be at 8pm UK time.
    The Etihad will play host. More

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    Man City 3 West Ham 0 LIVE RESULT: Record-breaking Erling Haaland on target against illness-ravaged Hammers

    MANCHESTER CITY are have beaten West Ham 3-0 after Nathan Ake, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden goals.Haaland’s goal saw the Norwegian sensation break the record for most Prem goals scored in a single season.
    City faced a Hammers side without their captain and talisman Declan Rice.
    Manager David Moyes said that Rice along with Tomas Soucek and Nayef Aguerd were taken ill overnight as a sickness bug sweeps through the West Ham camp.

    Result: Man City 3 West Ham 0
    Man City XI: Ortega, Moreno, Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish, Haaland.
    West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Kehrer, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Emerson; Downes, Paquetá, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio.

    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    Follow ALL of the updates below…
    Haaland reacts:
    “Special night. A special moment, I am really happy and proud, what more is there to say?”
    “Of course I knew about it, we tried to create the chances to score goals, but they didn’t make it easy, they came to defend for 90 minutes.”
    “Me and Jack spoke before the game, he said he wanted to give me the assist for the record breaking goal. Perfect ball from Jack.”
    “I was really grateful for the guard of honour, everyone hit me in the back, but I am really lucky.”
    “I’ll go home now, play some video games, eat something and then sleep, that is what I will do.”
    Erling Haaland reflected on his record breaking goal with Sky SportsCredit: Getty
    And on Erling Haaland:
    Guardiola then reflected on Erling Haaland breaking the record and the Norweigan forward’s impact on his side…
    “He is unbelievable, how many goals he has already scored to help us to win games.
    “He is a unique person, the person is so special and he deserves the guard of honour that we have done to him because it is an incredible milestone.
    “Maybe one day he will break his record, but yes he has scored a lot of goals”
    Pep Guardiola reflects on the game:
    “Really pleased, five games left, one of the games we had in hand we have used it well.”
    “Now we recover quick, for Saturday at 3pm against Sam Allardyce.”
    “In the second half John (Stones) helped us a lot to attack better down the right hand side (…) We were a little bit anxious in the first half in the defence, and the defenders were making stupid fouls, but that is the reality and in general with this amount of games sometimes you drop a little bit.”
    “In the end we had much more chances than them, and it is three more points, we keep going.”
    Two more to go…
    Erling Haaland has scored against 17 Premier League teams so far this campaign in all competitions.
    The only two he hasn’t scored against are Brentford and Chelsea.
    There is still time, as he faces both of those teams before the end of the season.
    He couldn’t, could he?
    Of course he could, he is Erling Haaland.
    Record breaking Haaland
    You have to be some player to be given your own guard of honour at the end of a Premier League game.
    But that is exactly what Erling Haaland is, a special, special player.
    Tonight he scored a delightful chip to break the record for the most goals scored by a Premier League player in a single season, it was his 35th league goal this campaign.
    That takes him to 51 so far for the season in all competitions, and there are still games to go!
    He is simply a sensation.
    Erling Haaland received a guard of honour after breaking the record tonightCredit: Getty

    Full-time stats…
    This is how the match stats look at full-time, as Manchester City’s dominance eventually paid off.
    Just the 16 shots for Pep Guardiola’s side tonight, with 70% possession to their name as well.
    The full-time match stats for Manchester City vs West Ham
    FT. Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
    It’s full time here at The Etihad, and it ends 3-0 to Manchester City thanks to three second half goals from the Cityzens.
    Erling Haaland broke the all-time goalscoring record in a single Premier League season, as well as goals from Nathan Ake to open the scoring and Phil Foden to finish things off.
    90+2. Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
    It’s almost four, but for Fabianski.
    Silva does brilliantly to find Phil Foden inside the box, but he cannot beat the keeper from close range.
    90. Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
    There will be three minutes of added time at the end of the second half.
    90. Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
    Change for Manchester City, and Kalvin Phillips is coming on for Rodri to see out the game.
    89. Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
    Brilliant defending from Bernardo Silva, who gets in the way of Lucas Paqueta’s shot at the death in this one.
    He has given Emerson a lesson in how to block a shot…
    87. Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
    It was another goal from a set piece for Manchester City, as the corner came in and was briefly cleared by West Ham, but only to the feet of Phil Foden.
    The English starboy then smashed the ball on the volley at Emerson, who had turned his back to block the ball, and it went in off of him.
    85. Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
    GOAL!
    It’s three!
    It’s Manchester City’s 1000th goal under Pep Guardiola, and it is Phil Foden who volleys it home from outside the box!
    Phil Foden made it 3-0 against West HamCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    82. Manchester City 2-0 West Ham
    City are just constantly on top of West Ham here, their work rate is as outstanding as their possession.
    They don’t stop running, and it is really a team where each player is desperate for their position in the side.
    80. Manchester City 2-0 West Ham
    Said Benrahma comes on for West Ham, he replaces Jarrod Bowen.
    78. Manchester City 2-0 West Ham
    Man City are flowing now, and West Ham will be cautious not to get beaten too heavily even though the game might now be lost.
    76. Manchester City 2-0 West Ham
    Double change for Manchester City…
    Manuel Akanji and Phil Foden are on in replacement of goalscorer Nathan Ake and Julian Alvarez.
    73. Manchester City 2-0 West Ham
    That is a huge goal for Erling Haaland, but also a huge goal for Manchester City.
    In the context of the game, and in the context of the title race.
    West Ham were just starting to look as though they could cause a problem for Manchester City, and then that happens…
    70. Manchester City 2-0 West Ham
    GOAL!He has done it!
    Erling Haaland has broken the record for the most goals in a single Premier League season and killed off West Ham at The Etihad.
    The ball is played through to him on the counter attack, and he strides through before chipping the ball over Fabianski.
    Erling Haaland broke the record for the most goals in a single Premier League season, with 35 goals so far this campaignCredit: Getty
    69. Manchester City 1-0 West Ham
    Alvarez has another go from distance, but this time it is within reach for Fabianski, and the Polish stopper makes an easy enough stop.
    It is West Ham’s turn to come forward now, and Paqueta shows some lovely footwork on the edge of the box, not for the first time tonight.
    68. Manchester City 1-0 West Ham
    Michail Antonio’s game has come to an end, as he is replaced by Danny Ings for West Ham.
    Antonio looks disappointed to be coming off, and rightly so, he has caused Ruben Dias problems tonight…
    67. Manchester City 1-0 West Ham
    The free-kick is crossed in by Julian Alvarez, but high and wide over the crossbar.
    Waste.
    65. Manchester City 1-0 West Ham
    Jack Grealish wins a foul from Ben Johnson deep in the attacking third.
    62. Manchester City 1-0 West Ham
    Vladimir Coufal looks as though he has got a hamstring injury, and goes down to be swapped off the pitch for Ben Johnson.
    60. Manchester City 1-0 West Ham
    West Ham have shown a bit of purpose since going a goal down, and they get down the right hand side with Coufal here.
    He crosses towards the back post, but it is cleared for a corner by Kyle Walker.
    Load more entries… More

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    Why has Lionel Messi been suspended by PSG?

    LIONEL MESSI has been dealt a two-week suspension by his current club Paris Saint-Germain.The football legend’s future at the French giants has been up in the air in recent months.
    Lionel Messi in action for PSG during their 3-1 loss to LorientCredit: REUTERS
    The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract with PSG expires at the end of the season.
    And the Parisians are reportedly choosing not to offer the Argentinan a new deal at the Parc des Princes.
    Why has Lionel Messi been suspended by PSG?
    The World Cup winner has been banned by the Ligue 1 champions for an untheorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
    He reportedly did ask PSG representatives for permission to go on the trip to the Middle East.
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    But the club’s hierarchy did not give the former Barcelona man permission meaning he will be fined two weeks’ wages and suspended for two games.
    Messi’s two-gam ban will mean he will miss PSG’s matches against Troyes and Ajaccio.
    The French giants are currently five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with five games remaining.
    What did the tourism minister of Saudi Arabia tweet about Lionel Messi’s visit?
    Ahmed Al-Khateeb (tourism minister of Saudi Arabia) tweeted: “I am happy to welcome Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences,”
    Most read in Football
    “We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”
    Lionel Messi pictured during his trip to Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
    Lionel Messi and family on their trip to Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
    The forward works as an ambassador for the country’s tourism board.
    He agreed a huge £25million deal to promote Saudi Arabia last May but had only visited once prior to this week.
    Messi shared a picture of his trip to the Gulf State on Instagram alongside a caption that reads: “Who thought Saudi has so much green?
    “I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can. #visitsaudi.”
    Saudi side Al Hilal have also been linked with a mind-boggling £350million-a-year move for Messi. More

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    F1 Miami Grand Prix 2023: Date, UK start time, stream, TV channel and full schedule for HUGE Autodrome race

    START your engines Formula One fans as the racers make a fast and furious return for the Miami Grand Prix – and Red Bull are looking to make it five wins from five.Sergio Perez pipped teammate Max Verstappen to a thrilling victory at the Azerbaijan GP.
    Sergio Perez secured P1 in BakuCredit: Getty
    And as a result, the Spaniard has reignited the title fight having won in the Sprint Shooutout 24 hours earlier.
    As for Lewis Hamilton, the British icon struggled to keep up with the pace once again which led to him securing a fourth-place finish in Baku.
    But Hamilton has enjoyed success in Miami over the years so he’ll be determined to achieve his first victory of the campaign.
    When is the Miami Grand Prix?

    The mouthwatering Miami Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, May 7.
    It is scheduled to get underway at 8:30pm BST – 3:30pm local time.
    Max Verstappen beat Charles Leclerc to the chequered flag in the 2022 Miami GP.

    Read More on F1
    What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

    All the action for the Miami GP will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports F1
    Coverage is expected to commence from 7:30pm BST – a whole hour before the race starts.
    Subscription members of NOW TV can stream the entire race through the NOW TV app or website.
    Alternatively, SunSport will have lap-by-lap coverage of the huge event including build-up and post-race reaction.

    Miami Grand Prix FULL schedule
    Friday, May 5

    Practice 1 – 7pm BST
    Practice 2 – 10:30pm BST

    Saturday, May 6
    Most read in Motorsport

    Practice 3 – 5:30pm BST
    Qualifying – 9pm BST

    Sunday, May 7

    Miami GP – 8pm BST More