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    Wimbledon keeper Nik Tzanev plays pass to himself from free-kick in disaster that leaves club on verge of relegation

    THIS IS the moment of madness from AFC Wimbledon’s goalkeeper that leaves his side on the verge of relegation to League Two.Shot stopper Nik Tzanev, 25, conceded a free-kick in the 88th minute against Fleetwood Town after passing to HIMSELF from a free-kick.
    22nd-placed Wimbledon were two minutes away from a 7th league victory of the season.Then, in the 88th minute, keeper Nik Tzanev decides to play a free-kick to himself.From the following indirect free-kick, relegation rivals Fleetwood do this… 🤦pic.twitter.com/sdH1NM1xG3— FansBet (@FansBet) April 24, 2022

    Joe Garner buried the free-kick in the 88th minute to send AFC Wimbledon back to League TwoCredit: Rex
    Wimbledon were leading 1-0 at the time.
    The referee blew for an indirect place-kick for Fleetwood Town just inside the box.
    And Joe Garner coolly slotted into the far corner for the home side.
    There was thunderous celebrations at Highbury Stadium as the relegation-threatened hosts put themselves one step closer to safety themselves.
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    The 1-1 draw leaves Wimbledon three points from safety with one game to go.
    But with a vastly inferior goal difference, they are effectively consigned to the fourth-tier next season.
    A wonderful finish from Luke McCormick had given Wimbledon the lead, finding the top corner early in the first half.
    And they were heading towards a massive victory before the moment of madness against their relegation rivals.
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    Dons manager Mark Bowen said this after the game: “I’ve been in this game for 40 years now and I realise that you’ve got to choose your words very carefully. I’m angry and I’m disappointed. I’ve just been to see the referee and he has told me that he can’t even remember if he blew the whistle to restart the game after the free-kick was awarded, which I find quite staggering.
    “Our goalkeeper knew it was a free kick and like every goalkeeper he put the ball down and tried to nick a few yards whilst the referee was running away. The referee then blew and said that he had kicked it twice after the free-kick had been given. I then asked the referee ‘Why would a keeper kick the ball twice? There’s only one possible scenario – he didn’t hear the whistle being blown’.
    “The common-sense approach would have been to ask the keeper if he had heard the whistle, reset it and then play. But instead, he’s given them a free-kick and they’ve scored from it.”
    The Dons have been awful this season and sacked boss Mark Robinson last month after 21 games without victory which left them fighting for League One survival.
    Wimbledon’s last victory came on December 7 against Accrington Stanley.
    One Twitter user said: “This might be the worst few moments of goalkeeping I’ve ever seen; and it has effectively relegated AFC Wimbledon. Calamitous doesn’t come close.”
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    Another added: “Genuinely have no words… means they’re virtually relegated as a result in a huge 6 pointer gotta feel bad.”
    Elsewhere in League One, Wigan Athletic look to seal the title and promotion to the Championship with a result against Portsmouth tomorrow. More

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    Watch as Fleetwood vs Bolton bizarrely interrupted by a DUCK as feathery pitch invader stops play in League One clash

    A DUCK bizarrely interrupted Fleetwood’s game with Bolton after invading the pitch. The League One clash was stopped in full flight just before half-time, with the bird waddling on near the corner looking for a puddle as Bolton waited to take a defensive throw-in.
    A duck trotted his way on to the pitch during Fleetwood vs BoltonCredit: Sky Sports
    The bird waddled around in the corner of the pitch as the rain poured down in LancashireCredit: Sky Sports

    It is understood the bird was keen to play on the wing.
    But a brave member of the ground staff collected the invader and escorted it away to safety, with the advertising hoardings moved for the duck to exit stage left.
    Thankfully, EFL beaks are unlikely to press charges against the trespassing offender.
    Fleetwood tweeted: “45+2’ Play stops as there is a pitch invader.
    “It’s only a duck and won’t be getting banned, though.
    “It’s carefully removed by one of the ground staff and play continues.”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    Bolton said: “Play has just resumed following a brief pause whilst a couple of members of staff prevented a duck from entering play.”
    Specsavers joined in the fun and replied: “Wonder if the fine for entering the pitch will be added to its bill.”
    Another wrote: “Got to be a fowl.”
    A third added: “Give it a Bolton shirt. Probably do a better job.”
    And with the rain pouring down and the Fleetwood duck needing a Mac, a final user joked: “Perfect weather for them. I’d give it a pair of boots and stick it upfront for us.”
    Fleetwood led the Trotters 1-0 at the time, thanks to an early quacker from Gerard Garner, before going on to win 3-0. More

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    Joey Barton reveals he left Fleetwood after bust-up with chairman… and pair didn’t speak for TEN days before axe

    JOEY BARTON has confirmed he left Fleetwood Town following a bust-up with the club’s chairman over transfers.
    The former Newcastle midfielder was sacked by the Cod Army last month that followed an earlier dispute over the future of Ched Evans.

    Joey Barton has lifted the lid on his Fleetwood Town exitCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    SunSport revealed that Barton let the striker join Preston after alleged disciplinary breaches despite chairman Andy Pilley remaining a fan.
    The 38-year-old has now discussed the ‘disconnect’ with the League One side’s owner that led to him leaving Fleetwood as well.
    Speaking on Robbie Fowler’s podcast, Barton felt Pilley wanted to dictate transfers and admitted the pair didn’t speak for ten days before his sacking.
    He said: “When you leave and it doesn’t go so well you think you’ve been removed for the wrong reasons.

    “He was brilliant (the chairman). He gave me an enormous opportunity probably when no-one else in world football would.
    “The chairman was good as gold (at first) in that he didn’t force his opinion on me as a senior chairman and he let me make a few of my own decisions in terms of transfers – some good, some bad, some indifferent. We finished in the play-offs in the second season.

    Ched Evans, I’d had enough of him. He just wasn’t performing on the pitch and I felt we needed to improve in that position.
    Joey Barton

    “We came back this time and were trying to rebuild the side and I think what happened was he went into a transfer embargo.
    “A few players were at the end of their cycle – Ched Evans, I’d had enough of him. He just wasn’t performing on the pitch and I felt we needed to improve in that position.

    “When I went to speak to him, he let me know about the embargo which was a lot longer after it had happened than I felt I should have known about it. He said ‘We’re not going to go in the market or come out of the embargo’.
    “Where we were, eight points out of the play-offs if we get a couple of bodies in we’ll be there or thereabouts.
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    Barton and the owner disagreed over Ched EvansCredit: PA:Press Association

    “We don’t need Sergio Aguero but he disagreed and felt we should have gone with the younger players.
    “I was trying to say ‘They’re young players, we’re growing them but they’re not ready yet’.
    “It got to the point where we both couldn’t be right.”

    Joey Barton sacked as Fleetwood manager after Ched Evans bust-up More

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    James Beattie on shortlist to become new Fleetwood boss with Southampton legend looking to replace Joey Barton

    JAMES BEATTIE is reportedly in the running to replace Joey Barton as the new Fleetwood manager.
    The 42-year-old is believed to be ready to step back into management having not been at the helm of a club since departing Accrington Stanley in September 2014.

    Former Southampton striker James Beattie is believed to be on the shortlist to become the new Fleetwood bossCredit: Getty – Contributor

    League One side Fleetwood are on the lookout for a new gaffer after they sacked Barton two-and-a-half-years into his reign at Highbury.
    Barton was dismissed by Fleetwood on Monday after club chairman Andy Pilley spent a few days reviewing the background of his fall out with striker Ched Evans.
    The ex-Manchester City midfielder has since opened up on his axing, where he admitted he ‘didn’t always get it right’.
    According to the Daily Mail, Southampton legend Beattie is on the shortlist of potential candidates to replace Barton.

    It has been stated that should the ex-England international be hired, he would like to bring Dave Kitson in as his assistant manager.
    The duo played together at Stoke in the Premier League during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
    Though Beattie hasn’t had a managerial job in over six years, he still boasts plenty of coaching experience.
    He has been part of Garry Monk’s coaching staff at a number of different clubs since 2015.

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    Joey Barton had his contract terminated by the League One side on MondayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Beattie linked up with Monk at Swansea where he coached the club’s forwards, before he moved with the 41-year-old to Leeds in 2016.
    The ex-Sheffield United forward then followed Monk to Middlesbrough in 2017 as a first-team coach.
    A move to Birmingham happened a year later, with Beattie staying at the club even after the former Swans skipper was sacked.
    However following the arrival of Aitor Karanka, Beattie left, where he again linked up with Monk at Sheffield Wednesday in August, though the duo have since departed.

    David Beckham’s Inter Miami face name change after losing first round of bitter legal battle with Inter Milan More

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    Joey Barton breaks silence over Fleetwood sacking and admits ‘I didn’t always get it right’ amid Ched Evans row

    JOEY BARTON has opened up on his sacking by Fleetwood Town in the wake of his row with Ched Evans.
    The 38-year-old admitted ‘I didn’t always get it right’ in a statement released after his departure.

    Joey Barton has broken his silence after his Fleetwood sacking in the wake of his row with Ched EvansCredit: Rex Features

    The Cod Army axed Barton after chairman Andy Pilley spent a few days reviewing the background of his fall out with striker Evans.
    Barton and Evans came to blows after the manager reacted to a ‘comedy skit’ performed by Evans at a team meeting, according to the Mail.
    Barton then revealed he was letting Evans go after alleged disciplinary breaches, but Pilley was left to clear up the mess.
    Pilley had backed Barton in past controversies, but the Evans episode was the final straw. And it also comes on the top of indifferent results.

    Barton made no mention of the Evans incident in a statement released via the LMA but did admit he made mistakes amid ‘highs and lows’.
    It read: “First of all I would like to thank the chairman Andy Pilley for the opportunity to manage Fleetwood Town. I have enjoyed every minute of my time at the club. I have learned so much over the past two and half years.
    “There are some brilliant people at Fleetwood Town and I have enjoyed getting to know every one of them.
    “I would also like to thank all of the coaching staff, both the ones I inherited and the ones I brought in. It has been some journey with some highs and lows and I have really enjoyed watching each of them get better every single day.

    Barton said Evans would be leaving the club because of discipline issues

    “I would like to thank the fans and say that I appreciate you sticking with me in my first management role. I am not naive enough to think I always got it right, but my only intention during my tenure was to drive this football club forward.
    “I have nothing but good things to say about the people of Fleetwood and the surrounding community. I was welcomed from day one.
    “To the players, thanks to each of you for bringing it every day. Nobody enjoyed playing against Fleetwood Town and ultimately that is down to you.
    “Thanks for being patient with me on my coaching journey. I look forward to watching you as you continue to improve.
    “It is tough times for everybody at the moment with all that is going on in the world.
    “I am just a football manager who has lost his job, there are plenty of people who were much better than me at theirs that have lost them over the past 12 months.
    “I will use this time out to keep getting better, until the next opportunity comes. All the best for 2021.”

    Joey Barton’s first interview as Head Coach of Fleetwood Town More

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    Ched Evans in advanced talks over free Preston transfer after leaving Fleetwood for ‘discipline and behaviour issues’

    PRESTON boss Alex Neil is leading the race for Ched Evans — as he tries to get away from Fleetwood.
    The ex-Wales striker, 32, will be released by the Cod Army if they can sort out a settlement.

    Preston are leading the transfer chase for Ched EvansCredit: PA:Press Association

    Sunderland and Ipswich are keen but he may want to stay in the north west.
    Boss Joey Barton wants Evans out but Town could now ask for a fee.
    He is unlikely to play any more games as he will qualify for a new deal.
    Evans is leaving the League One side after a reported fall out with Barton.

    His manager said last month: “He’s no longer with us and he’ll leave the building due to his discipline and his behaviour.
    “There’s been multiple infractions and we always try to give a bit of leeway but it’s just run its course.”
    Evans was originally convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman in Rhyl, Denbighshire, in May 2011 following a trial.
    He was playing for Sheffield United at the time, who he scored 48 times for in 124 appearances, and was believed to be earning £18,000-a-week.

    However, a Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial in 2016.
    A team of private investigators offered a £50,000 reward for any new information to help his case as they gathered new evidence.
    A jury at Cardiff Crown Court then heard from two men who had had sexual relations with the complainant around the same period as the rape allegation.
    Evans was found not guilty of the charge following the eight-day trial in less than three hours by the jury.
    He then reached an out-of-court settlement, believed to be six-figures, with his original defence team over their handling of the case.
    He joined Fleetwood initially on loan in the 2018/19 campaign and later joined permanently, scoring 31 goals in 84 league matches.

    Ched Evans reveals vicious abuse he receives in first major interview since returning to football More