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      Shrewsbury given FA Cup lifeline after coronavirus woe as Prem shift back Southampton game to create space for clash

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      SHREWSBURY have been handed an FA Cup reprieve – after Prem bosses agreed to put back Southampton’s trip to Leeds to create space in the calendar.
      League One Shews faced being booted out of the competition when a Covid outbreak meant they could not play their third round tie at St Mary’s last weekend.

      Jason Cummings of Shrewsbury poses with the FA Cup trophy last year Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      When the winners were pulled out of the hat to face Arsenal in the fourth round, Saints appeared set to be handed a walkover because of the Gunners’ congested fixture schedule and Europa League games next month.
      But Wembley’s Professional Game Board, which includes former Prem chairman and current FA acting head Peter McCormick, reached out to League bosses to find an alternative.
      And now the delayed third round tie will be played with an 8pm kick-off on Tuesday, allowing the fourth round to proceed as scheduled the following weekend.

      But the move will see Southampton’s scheduled Prem game at Elland Road, due to be played on Wednesday, postponed until a slot can be found later in the campaign.
      Confirming the decision, Wembley said: “The FA would like to thank the Premier League, EFL, BT Sport, Southampton, Shrewsbury Town and Leeds United for helping to make the re-scheduling possible.”
      The League said the delayed Prem clash “will rescheduled in due course”.
      A spokesman added: “Any future FA Cup rescheduling decisions involving Premier League teams will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.”

      The agreement is a sign of the mutual determination of the Prem and FA to complete the season as scheduled despite the growing list of Covid-enforced postponements.

      League bosses are expected to confirm they have granted Aston Villa’s request to call off Sunday’s rescheduled trip to Everton with the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground still closed.
      Middlesbrough were sent crashing out the cup losing 2-1 against Brentford which came amid a Covid-19 outbreak.
      The Teessiders training ground had been closed, leaving Neil Warnock’s side unable to prepare for the clash.

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      Women’s FA Cup paused as Covid crisis wreaks havoc in football following axed WSL clashes

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      WOMEN’S FA CUP clashes have become the latest sports events to be halted by the coronavirus crisis. 
      Football authorities say second and third round fixtures – currently classed as ‘non-elite’ sport by the government – will be paused during lockdown.

      Women’s FA Cup fixtures are being paused during the national lockdown

      And the announcement comes after 17 second round ties were cancelled in December due to Covid-19 restrictions.
      Officials say they will monitor and review the situation before making a decision over the resumption of the competition. 
      In a statement on its web site the FA says: “We can today confirm that, following the latest national lockdown enforced by the government, the 2020-21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup will not resume during this period and will remain on pause.
      “With all sport across the country outside of the elite level currently shut down, the competition is not in a position where the second and third rounds can be played, with clubs currently in the competition not permitted to train or play due to being at amateur level. 

      “Whilst it would have been possible to play elite-versus-non-elite fixtures under elite criteria with Government support, as seen in the Emirates FA Cup fixtures involving all non-elite teams do not meet elite criteria and cannot currently go ahead.
      “Therefore, the competition will remain paused during the current lockdown, with a number of options currently being explored on how best to complete it.
      “The health and wellbeing of players and staff are of paramount importance and we are not prepared to put any individual at risk during this pandemic.
      “It remains our preference to complete the 2020-21 competition with all clubs having the opportunity to play their fixtures, however the developing situation will continue to be closely monitored and will be reviewed before any further decisions are made.

      “We will now enter a period of consultation with all clubs that remain in the competition – alongside those who are due to enter from the fourth round – to discuss the options available. 

      Second and third round Women’s FA Cup clashes have been paused due to being classed as ‘non-elite’ sportCredit: PA:Press Association

      “We will look to make a further announcement in due course.” 
      The postponement of the competition is the latest blow to hit the women’s game in recent weeks.
      It comes a week after SEVEN games were axed in the Women’s Super League and Championship following a spate of positive Covid-19 test results.

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      Man City fans help raise £20k to help Cheltenham ahead of FA Cup clash to help replace ticket cash slump due to Covid-19

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      MANCHESTER CITY fans have delved into their pockets to help raise £20,000 for FA Cup fourth-round opponents Cheltenham Town.
      Like many Football League clubs, the League Two side have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

      Cheltenham fans want to raise £20,000 from ‘virtual tickets’ to help their cash-strapped club survive the coronavirus pandemic

      Pep Guardiola takes his Man City squad to Cheltenham in the FA Cup fourth round later this monthCredit: AFP

      The Robins have seen a huge chunk of their income disappear due to lost matchday revenue from tickets sales.
      And now, Cheltenham Town supporters’ group, 1887 Red Army, has set up a campaign on Crowdfunder in an effort to help the club.
      The group are aiming to rake in £20,000 in ‘virtual tickets’ for the FA Cup clash at the empty Jonny-Rocks Stadium – likely to be picked for TV coverage.
      And Man City fans have chipped in, as well as Cheltenham fans, to help the struggling side.

      Already, over £19,000 has been raised for the Robins’ cause.
      James Robinson, a Robins fan and 1887 Red Army member, has been instrumental in managing the fundraiser – which started before the third-round win over Mansfield Town.
      All funds will be donated to Cheltenham Town, with Crowdfunder waiving platform fees for community and charity crowdfunding projects during the pandemic.
      James said: “We had plans to carry on our Crowdfunder from round three into the next round even before the draw was made to help the club out during these difficult times.

      Man City fans joined Cheltenham fans in donating money to the worthy cause

      “When the draw was made, it was a no-brainer and we got the virtual tickets on sale as quickly as possible.
      “The idea came from Marine, who raised thousands of pounds from virtual tickets in the third round against Tottenham.
      “We also had a Crowdfunder against Mansfield, raising more than £2,000 that would have helped the club out even before the City draw was made.
      “Crowdfunder is a ready-built platform so we simply designed the page around the Man City game within 20 minutes.
      “Cheltenham and Man City fans have come together and raised just under £5,000 in the first few hours and it’s just built from there.
      “There is a real sense of togetherness from both sets of supporters and Man City fans have been amazing as they were in a similar situation a few years back.”
      Supporters of the campaign sent the team their well-wishes after more than 1,300 people chipped in.
      One fan commented: “Being an old City fan I have never forgotten where we have been and come from.
      “Gutted I can’t attend as, a part from anything else, Cheltenham is a beautiful town for those that have never been.
      “Still hope we win of course.”
      Another joked: “Will never forget our days in the Second Division.
      “Good luck for the future… just not when you play us.”
      Cheltenham manager Michael Duff said: “This shows you the community spirit within football.
      “Man City were in lower leagues at one point and that’s given them a sort of grounding and certainly their older fans will know where they’ve come from and they’ve done the hard yards.
      “The fact they are helping out with this is brilliant and hopefully it ends up being a TV game too.”

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      Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and rest of teams in FA Cup warned they face punishment for breaking coronavirus protocols

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      ALL clubs left in the FA Cup have been warned they will face penalties for breaching Covid regulations.
      Wembley beaks moved to draft the letter to the 33 teams that currently remain in the competition after a series of weekend incidents during the third round.

      Wembley chiefs have warned FA Cup teams they face punishment for breaching Covid rulesCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The letter was said to “strongly reiterate the importance of complete compliance” with Covid protocols and Government legislation.
      Premier League and EFL bosses will send out similar letters to their individual members as football braces against calls for a shutdown if regulations are not followed.
      But in a warning shot, Wembley said: “The FA is committed to ensuring that all matches played in the Competition are done so in an environment that protects the safety of players, club staff and all other attendees and public health more generally.
      “As all clubs will be aware, it is absolutely essential that English football continues to demonstrate that the procedures it has in place for the continuation of elite football are reliable, robust and fully compliant with all necessary rules set by the government, Public Health England and the game itself.

      “Clubs and players are required to comply with any legislation and/or guidance in relation to Covid-19.
      “Furthermore, the Professional Game Board will consider any potential breaches and may impose such penalties as it deems necessary in the event of any proven instances of non-compliance.”
      That is likely to mean fines for clubs who flout the rules, rather than bans for players or expulsion from the competition.

      As SunSport reported, the post-game dressing room celebrations at Chorley and Crawley raised significant concerns, as well as goal celebrations with players openly hugging and giving each other high-fives.

      But clubs were left in no doubt that they must follow any new “enhanced protocols”.
      The letter added: “It is essential that clubs read and disseminate the content of those protocols to all relevant parties ahead of their FA Cup games on the weekend of 23 January.”

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      Britain’s tallest outfield pro footballer Kyle Hudlin is 6ft 9in, idolises Messi and Ronaldo and has Premier League aim

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      ON THE streets of Birmingham, a giant of the game walks among us.
      At 6ft 9in, Solihull Moors striker Kyle Hudlin is the tallest outfield pro player in Britain.

      Kyle Hudlin on signing for Solihull Moors, with agent DJ Campbell (left) and agency rep Tom Brady (right)

      And although the 20-year-old may have finally stopped growing, there’s no limit to how high his dreams are.
      He said: “I am enjoying life at Solihull right now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have aspirations in England and in the Champions League.
      “I don’t want to run before I can walk and I understand how high the jump is to that level, but I want to make that jump.
      “If all goes well I will be playing in the EFL soon, possibly even with Solihull next season.”

      After banging in 25 goals in 22 games for Sunday league side Boldmere Falcons, he signed for Solihull United last March in the Midland League Division Two.
      A hat-trick in just his second game caught the eye of neighbours Solihull Moors, who snapped him up in October on a two-year deal.
      A maiden goal in the FA Cup second round against Morecambe – and two more since then – confirmed Hudlin has some hefty substance with his size.
      “Everything that has happened so far, it is a dream,” he gushed. “Scoring in the FA Cup, as a kid they are things you have on your bucket list, and I have done that.

      “I couldn’t have written a better script. Signing this contract was sent by God. It has been a blessing.”

      ‘I WATCHED VIDEOS OF MESSI’
      A blessing that was needed for Hudlin to ever realise his dream having endured a tough upbringing.
      Early interest from academies such as West Brom was scuppered with both his parents working and unable to get him to and from training.
      The alternative was men’s football in the local leagues aged just 16, while learning all about physicality by playing street football with his uncles.
      But his immense height at such a young age came with disadvantages: “Coaches thought I had just one bow to my game. I got played as a centre back just because I was big.
      “But growing up, I always had the ball at my feet, doing a skill. I haven’t trained as a big guy and I haven’t had that academy training.
      “I have always been around the small technical players and you have to drop a skill in there.
      “I would watch the likes of Ronaldinho, Robinho, Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo – his heading attributes is like he is a big guy.”

      THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS

      Here are the players in the line-up (left to right)
      6ft 4in – Olivier Giroud
      6ft 7in – Peter Crouch
      6ft 9in – Kyle Hudlin
      6ft 3in – Harry Maguire
      6ft 6in – Dan Burn

      When he was finally trusted as a striker at 17, Hudlin’s inspirations matured, and admired the likes of Peter Crouch, Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham.
      “You will get furthest in this game by building your own identity though,” he argued.
      “I want young players to be looking up to me and wanting to be like Kyle Hudlin.”
      With no player in the UK coming close to his size – barring 6ft 9in Ipswich Town keeper Tomas Holy – they will have no choice but to look up to him, and that has its perks.
      Hudlin laughed: “People are already put off by me as soon as I get off the bus. The mental battle is already won.
      “I have the mental confidence when I get on the pitch that I am going to be better and bigger than them.”

      Hudlin is not your stereotypical footballer in more ways than one.
      He has balanced the start of his football career and the pandemic with a Sports and Fitness degree at University College Birmingham.
      “I have got a different type of hunger compared to those academy product players,” he said.
      “Everyone has fire in their belly to achieve their dreams but when you have come from where I have come from, playing at every step you can possibly imagine, it is different.
      “I will never forget the reason why I started.”

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      Abbey Clancy jokes dad will ‘kill’ Peter Crouch after he drew Liverpool and Man Utd together in FA Cup fourth round

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      PETER CROUCH joked he’ll be sleeping in the “spare room” after wife Abbey Clancy warned him her dad will “kill” him for pairing Liverpool with Manchester United in the FA Cup.
      Crouch’s Liverpool-mad in-laws groaned as the former Reds’ striker picked out balls drawing the Premier League’s top two sides together in the fourth round.

      Sorry, Crouchy, you’ve lost that loving feeling, at least for now with the in-laws, as Abbey Clancy’s husband sent family favourites Liverpool to Man UtdCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Abbey Clancy has put hubbie Peter Crouch strictly in the doghouse after joking his FA Cup fourth-round draw left her Liverpool-mad dad groaningCredit: Splash News

      And amused fans on social media claim Crouchy will deserve all he gets – or doesn’t get – after he set up the classic clash.
      Model Abbey, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, sparked doom and groom for her hubbie by tweeting: “My dad is gonna kill you @petercrouch Man U v Liverpool #facupdraw.”
      Ex-England striker Crouchy replied: “I’ll head straight to the spare room” – followed by a head-in-hands emoji.

      And the pundit found little support online as many supporters argued the last-32 tie was far from a match made in heaven for both clubs.

      One said: “He’s had a mare there Abbey!”
      Other jibes included: “Divorce worthy” and “tell him he’s sacked”.
      Gentle joshing included: “That was SO bad of him! Please tell him off when he gets home!”
      But most worrying was the spate of dreadful new football songs created just for the moment.

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      Probably the least painful was: “He’s big. He’s red. He sleeps in the spare bed, Peter Crouch.”
      But amongst the relegation certainties was: “He’s big, he’s red, he’s sleeping on the sofa tonight, Peter Crouch Peter Crouch.”
      Just like the FA Cup draw, sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason! 

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      Alfie Devine rewarded for historic FA Cup heroics aged just 16… by being put back in Tottenham academy

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      ALFIE DEVINE has been rewarded for his FA Cup heroics – by being sent back to Tottenham’s academy.
      The Spurs starlet, 16, lit up Sunday’s 5-0 win at Marine with his beaming smile after scoring on his senior bow as a sub.

      Alfie Devine has been dropped to Spurs’ academy despite scoring in the FA Cup win over MarineCredit: Reuters

      Mourinho put Devine back in the academy in a bid to keep him groundedCredit: AFP

      Asked if Devine has stopped smiling yet, boss Jose Mourinho said: “I don’t know because I sent him back to the academy.
      “When you reach that high moment it’s time to go back to where he belongs.
      “It’s time to calm down because, as you say, lots of lights on him.
      “So this is the moment to calm down and go back to the academy.

      “I don’t want to see him for maybe one or two weeks. Let him be there.”
      Meanwhile, Mourinho has lashed out at Fulham boss Scott Parker for moaning about Wednesday night’s rearranged clash.
      Mourinho reckons 48 hours is more than enough time compared to the two hours’ notice he received when the fixture, originally due to be played in December, was called off due to a Covid outbreak at the Cottagers.
      Parker had claimed: “I am normally the last one to moan or whine about anything as I realise it is tough out there (with Covid).

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      Mourinho has also lashed out at Scott Parker for moaning about Fulham’s rearranged game with SpursCredit: AFP

      “But to confirm a (Wednesday) Premier League game at 9:30 on Monday morning is scandalous.
      “It is not about the fixture. I accept we have to play, but it is the notice. 
      “Maybe the people in these places making these decisions don’t understand how you manage teams and manage players. You are constantly working out well in advance.”
      But when told of Parker’s reaction to the change, Mourinho barked: “Are you serious? 
      “I had the news I was not going to play them two hours before the game started.
      “The biggest impact is to have matches postponed… that is the biggest impact.
      “The changing of the order of the matches, the impact is minimal I would say.
      “In the end you have to play 19 matches at home and 19 away, and two matches against every team.
      “So if it is to help the Premier League, it’s a solution we all have to accept as a positive solution.”

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      FA Cup giant-killers Chorley and Crawley ordered to NOT repeat wild celebrations if they win next tie over Covid fears

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      GIANTKILLERS Chorley and Crawley have been urged to not repeat their FA Cup dressing room celebrations.
      The non-leaguers greeted their win over Derby with a linked-arms and maskless chorus of their adopted anthem, Adele’s “Someone Like You”.

      Crawley stunned Leeds to reach the fourth roundCredit: Rex Features

      Chorley beat an under strength DerbyCredit: Twitter @chorleyfc

      And League Two Crawley were equally joyful in their changing room after destroying Leeds on Sunday.
      But while the FA recognises there was nothing malicious or wrong in the players enjoying their moment, Wembley chiefs are under pressure to ensure Covid protocols are followed by all clubs.
      Advice was sent to all competing clubs ahead of the third round weekend, with the teams told they were under scrutiny to comply with taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
      But the emotion of the victories saw the two giantkillers ignore those regulations.

      And that means a further letter will be sent to all clubs, including the weekend heroes, to remind them of the need to stick to the Covid rules.
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      The FA, though, is powerless to do anything about the street scenes around Tottenham’s game at Marine, which saw hundreds of fans massing to greet the team coaches.
      That is purely a police matter and it was united that Merseyside officers did not attempt to disperse the supporters on the streets of Crosby.

      Chorley were handed a home tie against Premier League outfit Wolves in the fourth round.
      Meanwhile, Crawley travel to Championship high-flyers Bournemouth.

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