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      ‘How f***ing stupid is this?’ – Alan Shearer recalls embarrassment at Newcastle’s open-top bus parades for LOSING finals

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      ALAN SHEARER has recalled his embarrassment at Newcastle holding open-top bus parades after losing finals in the 90s. The trophy-desperate Magpies finished 13th in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons and managed to reached the FA Cup finals on both occasions.
      Despite coming close, Shearer did not win any trophies during his 10 years at beloved NewcastleCredit: Rex
      Losing the cup finals did not stop Newcastle from putting on a well-attended open-top bus paradeCredit: PA
      But 2-0 defeats to Arsenal and then Manchester United followed at Wembley in consecutive years.
      Despite the losses, Newcastle still held open-top bus parades on both occasions.
      While the club confirmed they won’t be continuing the strange traditional if they lose against Manchester United in this week’s Carabao Cup Final, the memories still make Shearer cringe.
      He told Match of the Day’s Top 10 podcast: “We did open-top bus parades after being beaten twice in the cup finals which make you think … how f***ing stupid is this?
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      “It just shows how desperate the Newcastle fans are for success because there was hundreds of thousands of fans.”
      Host Gary Lineker said: “Only in Newcastle would they all turn out.”
      Shearer added: “Unbelievable. I mean it’s absolutely outrageous.
      “Hundreds of thousands of fans lining the streets. It’s like, ah, it’s embarrassing [to not have a trophy to show].”
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      Despite his famous goalscoring abilities, Shearer would not win a single trophy during his 10 year spell at his beloved Newcastle.
      The only major trophy he won in his career was the 1994-95 Premier League with Blackburn, although the former striker does have an array of individual awards and records to mark his career.
      Newcastle have confirmed they won’t be having any parades should they fail to beat Manchester United on Sunday.
      But if Eddie Howe and his team win their first major trophy since 1955, officials have planned for a parade through Tyneside on Tuesday. More

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      Supercomputer predicts Man Utd’s season – so how likely is quadruple after Paul Scholes’ bold claim?

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      PAUL SCHOLES reckons Manchester United can win a quadruple this season.But just how likely is the historic feat for Erik ten Hag’s brave battlers?
      Paul Scholes reckons Man Utd can win a quadruple this seasonCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag can land his first trophy in the Carabao Cup on SundayCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman has done a grand job since taking charge at Old Trafford last summer, leading his side to third in the table.
      United are just five points behind Arsenal after comfortably beating Leicester 3-0 at the weekend.
      And they are confident of making strong progress in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
      But Ten Hag can win his first trophy on Sunday when United take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
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      And Scholes feels victory at Wembley could spark an incredible run ending with United lifting all four trophies.
      However, Bettingexpert’s Supercomputer BETSiE has crunched the numbers and tallied the tables.
      And it reckons United have just a 0.04 per cent chance of getting their hands on the quad.
      In the Premier League, Arsenal still have a game in hand on the Red Devils, while rivals Man City occupy second place.
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      So therefore the odds of United winning their first Premier League title since 2013 is, in the eyes of the Supercomputer, extremely unlikely.
      And the Red Devils are predicted to finish in their current position of third.
      United have also been given very low odds of a Carabao, FA Cup and Europa League treble, with the boffin PC tipping them at just 1.56 per cent.
      However, should their sights be lowered to a double, United have an 8.23 per cent shot at winning the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
      On the European front, they are currently level at 2-2 with Barcelona after the first leg of their Europa League play-off.
      Manchester United’s chances are better should they target a domestic cup double of the Carabao and FA Cup with an 11.72 per cent chance.
      The Red Devils host West Ham in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup.
      But considering the last trophy United won was the 2017 Europa League under Jose Mourinho, any success in any competition will provide just cause for celebration amongst fans eager to see the return of Sir Alex Ferguson’s glory years. More

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      English referees to wear BODYCAMS in world’s first trial, FA announces

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      BODYCAMS for referees will be trialled for the first time in the world, the FA has announced.The hope behind the trial is to encourage better behaviour towards officials, according to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.
      Bodycams on referees are set to be trialed in EnglandCredit: Getty
      The trial will take place in four grassroots leagues in England.
      It will start this weekend in Middlesbrough and will then be tried in Liverpool, Worcester and Essex.
      A hundred officials will have the equipment in the adult grassroots leagues and the footage will be available for usage in disciplinary hearings if needed.
      If the trial goes well then it will be added to more grassroots leagues in the 2023/24 season.
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      Bullingham said: “Referees are the lifeblood of our game and we thank Ifab for its support in allowing us to undertake this new grassroots bodycam trial, the first of its nature globally.
      “We have listened to feedback from the referee community, and we hope this trial will have a positive impact on the behaviour towards them.
      “So that ultimately they can enjoy officiating in a safe and inclusive environment.”
      Hundreds of officials have told a BBC questionnaire that they have “feared for their safety”.
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      And 293 out of 900 referees have said that they have been physically abused by players, coaches, managers or spectators.
      A BBC report also suggested that some spoke about being “being punched, headbutted and spat at”. More

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      Ban on Grimsby Town fans taking inflatable fish mascot to FA Cup showdown lifted

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      A BAN on footie fans taking an inflatable fish to an FA Cup showdown has been lifted in a victory for The Sun. Grimsby Town’s Harry Haddocks was given the hook by Premier League Southampton FC – leaving fans trawling for another mascot.
      A ban on Grimsby Town fans taking their inflatable fish mascots to an FA Cup showdown has been liftedCredit: Getty
      After The Sun revealed the news there was a U-turn yesterday following a backlash against the decision and support for Grimsby who wanted to take the mascot for the fifth round clash on March 1. 
      But the two sides had “worked together to find a solution” for the mascots at the match, a club spokesperson said.
      Mariners chief executive Debbie Cook said she could not wait to see lots of fans “proudly waving” the fishes.
      She said: “Ever since the 1989 FA Cup, he’s been present at every big game in the club’s history.”
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      It would have been a real shame for him not to be there.
      “Fans had earlier been warned that any inflatables taken into Southampton’s ground for the FA Cup fixture would be confiscated.”
      A similar ban on the inflatable fish mascots was imposed on Mariners fans in 2017 when the side travelled to Barnet on the final day of the season. More

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      Grimsby Town fans banned from taking inflatable fish to FA Cup showdown with Southampton

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      FOOTIE fans have been banned from taking inflatable fish to an FA Cup showdown. Grimsby Town’s Harry Haddocks have been given the hook by Premier League Southampton FC.
      Grimsby Town fans have been banned from taking inflatable fish to an FA Cup showdownCredit: Getty
      Harry Haddocks have been given the hook by Premier League Southampton FC
      Supporters from the fishing port are now trawling for another mascot for the fifth round clash on March 1.
      Many hit out on social media, calling the decision “joyless” and “boring”.
      One fan warned it would only encourage supporters to “organise something that will cause you a bigger headache”.
      Another wrote: “It’s a disgrace. This has always been seen as a bit of fun. It’s a real shame.”
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      Announcing the ban, League Two Grimsby, which expects 5,000 fans to make the trip south, said yesterday: “The club have today received confirmation from Southampton that Harry Haddocks will not be permitted at St Mary’s Stadium.
      “We share our supporters’ inevitable frustration at this decision but we know you will support us brilliantly in our first FA Cup fifth round tie since 1996.”
      The club added that Southampton had made similar refusals to other clubs and warned that any inflatables found inside the ground would be fished out.
      Grimsby supporters were hit with the same ban when the Mariners travelled to Barnet on the final day of the season in 2017.
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      That ban came despite them being allowed to take hundreds of inflatable fish to the fixture two years earlier.
      In response fans raised cash to pay for a mariachi band to attend the game. More

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      Arsenal star Zinchenko explains why he kicked off at his ex-Man City team-mates after FA Cup clash

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      OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO has lifted the lid on why he kicked off with his old team-mates the last time he faced them.The Gunners star was involved in a fracas with former Manchester City pals after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Nathan Ake’s goal as City won 1-0.
      Kyle Walker taunted Oleksandr Zinchenko after Man City beat ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      Zinchenko was far from ecstatic about the jokesCredit: Reuters
      And he appeared to lose his coolCredit: Alamy
      Post-match Kyle Walker went up to the Ukrainian with a beaming smile, something which only seemed to worsen Zinchenko’s mood after being on the end of defeat.
      Zinchenko was visibly annoyed at Walker and Co and was seen appearing to lose his cool as he tried to move City stars away from him.
      However, ahead of their rematch next week, Zinchenko shed some light onto the incident.
      Speaking to Vbet News, he said: “I still keep in touch with most of them; we are friends and always will be.
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      “Yeah, they won that match, and they were joking with me. But I hope we will get revenge next Wednesday.”
      Before leaving the field after the game, Zinchenko swapped jerseys with Walker.
      That game was seen by many as a warm-up for the real dance to come in the Premier League, as Pep Guardiola faces his former student Mikel Arteta to see who can clinch this year’s title.
      Arsenal and City both lost last weekend to Everton and Tottenham respectively.
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      The results ensured Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the table remained intact.
      Both are once again in action this weekend, but City have the added backdrop of having been charged with over 100 breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
      Guardiola has come out in a bullish defence of City’s innocence, while Arteta refused to comment on the dealings of his former club.
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      Newcastle fans love Aleksandar Mitrovic’s reaction after he is booed by Sunderland supporters during BBC interview

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      ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC reaffirmed why Newcastle fans will always have a soft spot for him after a cheeky swipe at Sunderland. The Fulham talisman came off the bench to help his side knock Sunderland out of the FA Cup with a 3-2 win on Wednesday.
      Aleksandar Mitrovic revelled in the boos after the matchCredit: https://twitter.com/NUFC_HQ/status/1623460833912053762
      And Newcastle fans loved what he said after knocking Sunderland out of the FA CupCredit: https://twitter.com/Newcastle_FC/status/1623457701404581890

      The Serbian had a direct hand in the Cottagers second goal as he assisted Andreas Pereira – taking a tumble over an advertising board for is troubles.
      And in an interview with the BBC after the game, Mitrovic couldn’t hold back his beaming smile amid a chorus of boos from around the Stadium of Light.
      He said: “Yeah, yeah, I love it.
      “I’m a Geordie boy, so they don’t like me here. I knew it before!
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      “A good atmosphere and three goals against them so I’m sure a lot of Newcastle fans will be happy as well.”
      And the 28-year-old’s hypothesis was correct, with particular fervour for his post-match interview.
      Taking to Twitter, one Newcastle fan said: “Was with us for a while but he is forever one of us man, always loved his attitude towards derbies.
      “Really felt like every fan when he played, no matter what we’ll always be grateful to Mitro.”
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      A second declared: “Love you Mitro.”
      A third commented: “Good lad, always a geordie.”
      A fourth added: “Brilliant 👏 👏 👏.”
      Mitrovic is experiencing a minor goal drought, with his last competitive goal coming against Leicester at the start of January.
      He added: “It was really hard to come off the bench, but I got an assist.
      “I would be more happy if I grabbed a goal but I managed to find Andreas who put the goal away. In the end, job done so we’re really happy.”
      Fulham will host Leeds in the fifth round of the FA Cup, but first they face the visit of an in-form Nottingham Forest. More

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      Sheff Utd captain Billy Sharp fires brutal dig at Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham after players clash in tunnel after FA Cup tie

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      SHEFFIELD UNITED captain Billy Sharp fired a brutal dig at Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham after dumping them out of the FA Cup.The duo played out a thrilling fourth-round replay at Bramall Lane last night, with the hosts scoring twice in injury time for a 3-1 win.
      Sheffield Utd captain Billy Sharp blasted Wrexham after his side’s FA Cup winCredit: YouTube / Sheffield United FC
      Sharp aimed a dig at the ‘disrespectful’ club owned by Ryan ReynoldsCredit: Rex
      But tempers flared after the final whistle as Sharp clashed with several Wrexham players in the tunnel.
      The Blades striker, 37, allegedly said “shove that on your documentary” in a reference to Wrexham’s show on Disney+.
      And afterwards Sharp blasted the Welsh side for being “disrespectful” in a fiery post-match interview.
      Aiming a dig at Hollywood owners Reynolds and McElhenney, Sharp said: “It was a great FA Cup tie, over two games, they played excellent.
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      “I think they have been disrespectful though, a few things before the game, thinking they was already through. I’m glad we beat them.
      “They are doing well in their league, we are doing well in ours. I wasn’t very happy with a few of their players tonight, but I’ll say now, we’ve got one over them.
      “Good luck to them for promotion and hopefully we’ve put that one to bed. A few of their players I wasn’t happy with. I was a little bit frustrated there, I probably should have put the game to bed before I did.
      “I wasn’t happy with the way they have been as a club. Before the game they were eyeing up Spurs when they’ve not even beat us.
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      “We are an honest set of lads and we want to go as far as we can in this competition. If we get beat in the next round so be it, we’ll give it a right go.
      “I think they just thought we were going to roll over when they got back in it, and I think the ref was helping them all night.
      “I don’t think he gave me one foul all night but it’s one of those things, I probably lost my head a bit. But I’ve got a smile on my face because we’ve got through to the next round of the cup.”
      Wrexham fired back at Sharp’s comments afterwards, with captain Ben Tozer saying: “I feel like a bit of a dampener has been put on the game with the way they’ve acted in the tunnel.
      “They showed a real lack of humility. But that’s the way they want to be and I feel like if we won that game we would have shown a lot more humility and respect.

      “They should show more respect to us. They were telling us to ‘shove it on the documentary’.
      “I feel like he [Sharp] has fabricated stuff in his head to make that acceptable for himself if I’m honest.
      I said to him face-to-face ‘show a bit more humility’. We’ve congratulated them on the win, we haven’t sulked, we’ve walked down the tunnel as normal and it’s just a shame that’s the way it’s ended.
      “You had lads like Oli McBurnie saying stuff in the press; I don’t think any of our lads said anything disrespectful. We certainly approached the game properly.
      “If that’s the way they want to be that’s the way they want to be.”
      Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson added: “I’m a bit disappointed with Billy to be honest with you, some of the things he was shouting down the tunnel at the end.
      “Well done Bill, you’re a fantastic player but I thought he was disrespectful after the game.
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      “I think the way the players celebrated and the crowd and staff was just a mark of how tough we made it for them and they were relieved to get through.
      “The message to Billy is: You’re better than that, you really are. My players are humble people and a great credit to the football club.” More