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      Thiago Silva’s Wag Belle enjoys sunshine break on luxury yacht as their son Isago, 16, makes debut for Chelsea U-18s

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      LIFE doesn’t get much better for Thiago Silva’s family.Or that’s what the Chelsea legend’s wife and elder son might tell him!Belle Silva’s army of online fans loved her bikini snapsCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaShe has 724,000 followers on Instagram aloneCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaBelle rated this adventure with friends as ‘therapeutic’Credit: Instagram / @bellesilvaShe named three special things in her life while at seaCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaSocial media star Belle looked in balmy bliss on a “therapeutic” trip with friends aboard a luxury yacht off the sunny Brazilian coast.Meanwhile, the couple’s 16-year-old son Isago took another huge step forward to fulfilling his and dad Thiago’s dream.Isago made his Chelsea Under-18s debut, having joined the Blues’ youth team along with younger sibling Iago four years ago.Thiago would dearly love his two sons to follow him all the way into the Stamford Bridge first team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 40-year-old centre-back is still playing after returning to home-country giants Fluminense last May.Defender Isago, who normally plays in Chelsea’s U-16s, came on for the final 25 minutes as the U-18s beat Leicester 3-1 on Saturday.Mum Belle was sometimes a fiercely outspoken fan when her husband was at Stamford Bridge.But she will have had only an extra big grin on her face after Isago’s age-group elevation.Most read in FootballThiago Silva said a tearful goodbye from Chelsea in May 2024, with wife Belle plus sons Isago and Iago in attendanceCredit: ReutersJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHowever, it would be difficult to top the huge smile she wore when soaking in every second out in the water off secluded beaches.Super-toned Belle relaxed in a bikini as she shared snaps and named the three things that made it all so special.Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner set to get £750k to star in Celeb Big Brother – but only if bosses agree to strict ruleAlong with her Instagram photos, she wrote: “Bathing in the sea, friends getting together and my Rio de Janeiro… “There are things that are not therapy, but they are therapeutic, right?”And far from sounding envious, Belle’s online admirers lapped up her love for life.One said: “Wonderful as always, thank you for providing a weekend in my week.””Congratulations! You know how to enjoy life,” commented another, while a third simply claimed: “You are the best!”And one fan appeared to suggest Belle’s online offerings were literally out of this world.He called her the “best digital influencer in the universe”.Fans are used to Belle sharing snaps in perfect weatherCredit: Instagram @bellesilvaShe lists ‘fashion, family & lifestyle’ as prime interestsCredit: Instagram @bellesilvaHer smile suggests locations don’t come more dreamy than thisCredit: INSTAGRAM/BELLE SILVABelle was happy to speak her mind while Thiago was at ChelseaCredit: instagram @bellesilva More

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      Sheffield Wednesday in sights of controversial owner who took EFL club to brink of COLLAPSE

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      TALAL AL HAMMAD aims to make a comeback as a football owner – with Sheffield Wednesday firmly in his sights.The Bahraini had a disastrous spell at Wigan but now wants another shot in England.Talal Al Hammad is eyeing a shock move to become owner of Sheffield WednesdayCredit: GettyThe former Wigan owner left the Latics on the brink of bankruptcyCredit: GettyDejphon Chansiri has owned the Owls since 2015Credit: GettyAl Hammad bought the Latics when they were in administration four years ago.But after a frantic period in charge, he took the club to the brink of collapse.However, the Arab is now keen to cooperate with unhappy Owls fan groups who are trying to oust controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri.Chansiri disappointed supporters with a quiet January transfer window as the Owls chase the Championship play-offs – only fanning resentment.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut he wants big money for the club, so that may be beyond the reach of Al Hammad.Young German coach Danny Rohl has guided Wednesday to the cusp of the playoff spots.In a disastrous fan forum last month Chansiri admitted he hadn’t spoken to Rohl since December.Wednesday, four-time league champions and three-time FA Cup winners, haven’t been in the top flight in 25 years.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe club were relegated from the Premier League in 2000.They have since bounced around between League One and the Championship, with Rohl saving them from the drop last season.Fan confronts stewards armed with CORNER FLAG as Sheffield Wednesday fans invade pitch after all-but avoiding relegationWednesday’s last Championship playoff campaign was way back in 2017, when they lost in the semi-finals to Huddersfield Town. Protests were held at the recent Yorkshire derby against Leeds by the 1867 Group against Chansiri’s ownership. Club legend Chris Waddle begged the Thai businessman to sell up prior to kick-off at Elland Road.Waddle told ITV Sport: “Rohl has got great believe in his squad.”They work tirelessly and have overachieved this season in my eyes.”It’s a great club. Great fan base, great history and I’d love somebody to buy them.”Wednesday fans recently protested against the owner and called on him to sell the clubCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Birmingham’s feel-good relegation, with ticket sales UP, wages at staggering level and ambitious plans for future

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      IF EVER there was a feel-good  reaction to being relegated from the Championship, Birmingham had it last year.You could have forgiven supporters for venting their anger after a season which saw them use four managers and drop into League One.Tom Wagner has helped transform BirminghamCredit: RexTom Brady invited pal David Beckham to watch against WrexhamCredit: GettyBrum striker Jay Stansfield and Co are now hoping to stun NewcastleCredit: RexBut with the stardust of seven-time Super Bowl-winner Tom Brady in the background and a £20million transfer kitty, this was different.The message from the club now is: “It’s not the league you’re in, it’s the club that you are.”Even fans who demand instant  success could see there was something bigger at work here.Under American owner Tom Wagner and the Knighthead Capital Management group  — who took over in 2023 — things are on the up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBlues sit four points clear at the top of League One, with two games in hand on their promotion rivals.And as they host Premier League side Newcastle on Saturday, the gap between the teams may not be as great as you think.The Tynesiders have plans for a new stadium but so does big-spending Wagner, with a 60,000-seater arena scheduled for 2029 at the earliest.It could have been a summer of misery after Brum’s relegation but  season ticket sales were their best in 13 years, such was the optimism over the club’s rebuild.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMost home games are near sell-outs at the 29,409-capacity St Andrew’s.Manager Chris Davies was allowed  to spend £20m on a squad rebuild, including a new League One transfer record to bring in striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham for an initial £12m rising to £15m.David Beckham: Beyond the Pitch and Into the ScreenThe wage bill this season is in the region of £20m-£9m more than the next highest in the division — which would see them having a sizeable budget even in the Championship.But crucially there are no Profit and Sustainability Rules at work here.Birmingham are subject to SCMP  — Salary Cost Management Protocols — and, as a newly-relegated club, they can spend 75 per cent of turnover on player expenditure.Financial priorities will change with a  return to PSR in the  Championship.In the second tier clubs can lose up to £39m over a rolling three-year   period before being hit with any  punishment.But with promotion looking likely, Davies will be looking at another large transfer kitty.That is currently being helped by the generation of huge revenues from  partnerships with the likes of Nike, Delta Air Lines and sportswear brand Undefeated.And on Super Bowl weekend, it cannot be forgotten NFL legend Brady is also listed as a “minority owner” at St Andrew’s.When Birmingham hosted Hollywood-backed Wrexham earlier this season, Brady brought along pal David Beckham to watch the game.Yet, despite plans for a new Sports Quarter and super stadium, an incredible £15m was spent on their current home in the summer.And that was after making repairs to dilapidated areas of the ground.Newcastle celebrated reaching the Carabao Cup final but face a daunting FA Cup fourth-round clash at League One leaders BirminghamCredit: ReutersBrum chiefs have splashed out on their ground but want a new baseCredit: GettyBut why splash out on major improvements to their current home when a move is in the pipeline?The Blues are thinking on their feet. The reasoning is they want to grow their fanbase, as a leap from 29,000-plus crowds to more than 60,000 does not happen overnight.Wagner and his team want fans on board now and that means offering a matchday experience.Birmingham are already working on attracting more eight to 14-year-olds to games as they feel there has been a ‘lost generation’ of fans who were fed up of seeing them tread water under a Far Eastern ownership that appeared detached from supporters.Chief executive Jeremy Dale says they are already geared up to compete in the Championship — and beyond.He told Birmingham Live this week: “From a commercial perspective, the club is doing better than ever before.”If we got promoted, even to the Premier League, if we had the Premier League TV money we wouldn’t be in the bottom few teams in that league.“We’d be just below halfway, from a commercial perspective.“We believe next season, from a commercial point of view, we would be performing within the top five or six in the Championship.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The commercial partners say they can feel the vibe as they walk around the stadium — which is entirely different to what there was before.“They realise it’s not the league you’re in, it’s the club you are.” More

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      Arsenal boost as Mikel Arteta considers putting Ben White straight back in squad just days after returning to training

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      MIKEL ARTETA is considering throwing Ben White straight back into the Arsenal squad – just days after returning to full training following a knee operation.The Gunners have been in Dubai since Thursday morning for a mid-season winter break – flying back to London on Tuesday ahead of their Prem clash at Leicester on Saturday.Arsenal ace Ben White is closing in on a return from knee injuryCredit: GettyArsenal boss Mikel Arteta is considering throwing White straight back into the squadCredit: GettyWhite has followed Arsenal’s squad for the mid-season winter break in DubaiCredit: GettyOne of the standout names in the travelling group out in the Middle East is right-back White, 27 – who has not played since November 10.The versatile defender underwent knee surgery, having played through the pain for weeks, with fears he could be out for five or six months – but is now in contention to feature after three months of rehab.Arsenal’s medics predicted a speedy recovery from White, whose injury record has been exemplary since joining the club from Brighton in the summer of 2021 for £50million.And they have been proven right with White ahead of schedule and back in full training with the first team in a timely boost for the North Londoners.Read More on ArsenalFull-back is a position that Arteta has plenty of options in with the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney to choose from.As a result, the Arsenal boss will not take any unnecessary risks – but is keen to get White back on the bench to face the Foxes at the King Power Stadium.Winger Bukayo Saka is also out in Dubai with the squad, but has not been involved in training, instead continuing his rehab from hamstring surgery underwent just before Christmas.The England star is due back at the start of March, with Arsenal targeting the Champions League Last 16 first leg on either March 4 or 5 – or their trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Prem on March 9.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut the injury issues continue to pile up for Arteta with Gabriel Martinelli potentially out for a month with a hamstring issue.The Brazilian hobbled off in the first half of their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second leg defeat away at Newcastle on Wednesday.Ben White ruled out for months in mega blow to Arsenal title hopes, confirms Mikel Arteta There are hopes that Martinelli – who has also flown out to Dubai – can defy that timeline and get back sooner ahead of the final run-in to the end of the season.Martinelli joins Saka and striker Gabriel Jesus in the medical room – the latter out for the rest of 2025 following an operation on an ACL rupture last month.Arteta’s fit attacking options include Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and 17-year-old academy product Ethan Nwaneri. More

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      Everton 0 Bournemouth 2: Antoine Semenyo and Daniel Jebbison fire Cherries to FA Cup fifth round as Toffees come unstuck

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      DAVID MOYES urged his born-again Blues to become Wembley warriors – instead they turned into a suicide squad.Two self-inflicted wounds, one such a catalogue of errors it was almost comical, sent Bournemouth into the fifth round for the first time in their history.Bournemouth booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win at EvertonCredit: AlamyThe Cherries took their fine form from the Premier League into the cupCredit: AlamyBut for Everton and manager Moyes it was a heartbreaking and humiliating last-ever FA Cup tie at this famous old ground before they move to their brand spanking new stadium next season.Goodison Park, this bearpit of an arena which has hosted some ear-splitting, bone-rattling clashes over the years.Yet now Toffees fans will look back on its final knockout fixture with only embarrassment and anger, after a first half fiasco which brought the curtain down in such a pitiful manner.James Tarkowski’s ‘what-was-he-thinking’ lunge to upend Antoine Semenyo for the penalty which gifted the Cherries their opener was bad enough. He really should have known better.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut it was nothing compared to the number of clangers they managed to drop en route to Daniel Jebbison doubling the lead two minutes before half-time.The fact they tried – and failed – to sign him twice as a kid when his family relocated from Canada only dribbled a touch more salt into the wounds.No wonder Moyes looked stunned into disbelief in the dugout. Pretty much everyone inside Goodison was rubbing their eyes at the cock-ups being served up.First that penalty from Semenyo to break the deadlock, when Tarkowski sent him tumbling as he raced onto a majestic through ball from Milos Kerkez.Most read in FA CupJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWith no VAR at this stage, the Everton skipper’s complaints about the foul were as pointless as they were fruitless, and to be fair referee John Brooks was probably correct.Whether it was equally right not to flag Semenyo offside, though, is another matter. There certainly wasn’t much in it.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersMind you, Harry Maguire’s Old Trafford winner the previous night suggests that rule doesn’t apply in the fourth round either.And it was still no excuse for the Blue-shirted blunders that gift-wrapped the second goal for Jebbison…one which ultimately meant the mountain was simply too big to scale.Again Tarkowski was chief culprit with a crossfield ball from his own box that never went close to a team-mate, but picked up Marcus Tavernier on the right flank.Antoine Semenyo gave Bournemouth the lead from the spotCredit: GettyIt was a deserved goal for the CherriesCredit: AFPHis shot pinballed off a penalty box full of bodies, quote possibly even off an arm or two as well, before hitting Jebbison in the guts and falling kindly.He prodded a shot which came back to him and a desperate Jarrod Branthwaite off keeper Pickford…only for the Cherries forward to poke it goalwards again.Once more Branthwaite made a desperate, scurrying scramble to try and save the day. Instead the ball trickled into the corner almost in slow motion.Daniel Jebbison made it 2-0 just before the breakCredit: GettyThe ace was delighted to score after landing a rare startCredit: ReutersThe way Everton finally showed some attacking gumption after the break bore all the hallmarks of a Moyes ear-bashing that would have come with a post-watershed warning.Yet even then it wasn’t until the final 15 minutes that Bournemouth backs were truly against the wall.Three times their woodwork was rattled, twice by Jack Harrison and again from a Carlos Alcaraz free kick, as the substitutes offered a spark those who started never did.READ MORE SUN STORIESA fiery game saw plenty of tackles fly inCredit: GettySemenyo clashed with James Tarkowski at one stageCredit: GettyBy that stage, though, it was desperation stakes – and even then Bournemouth could easily have nicked a third when Kluivert came from the bench and caused immediate panic.And now they’ve got a fifth round ticket at last, you never know. Maybe this year’s FA Cup cake will indeed have a cherry on the top.David Moyes was left scratching his head at the final whistleCredit: GettyAndoni Iraola will be dreaming of going all the way to the finalCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League legend dropped from Saudi Pro League squad for rest of this season to make space for £42m January signing

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      AL-AHLI have decided to drop Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino from their Saudi Pro League squad for the rest of the season.The striker has fallen foul of rules on foreign players – after Al-Ahli paid Porto £42milion for fellow Brazilian Galeno.Roberto Firmino will miss the final 15 games of the Saudi top-flight termCredit: RexAl-Ahli newcomer Galeno celebrates beating Al Sadd with Ali MajrashiCredit: ReutersFirmino, 33, is under contract until next year but speculation is growing over an early exit.However, Al-Ahli  are flying in the AFC Champions League.And the 55-cap star can still play in that tournament – the top competition for Asian clubs.Al-Ahli are already guaranteed a spot in the knockout phase after winning six of their first seven Group B matches.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut domestically, amid a blitz of signings from Europe, the Saudi League has limited the number of overseas recruits to 10 per club.And the arrival of 27-year-old winger Galeno from Porto has put paid to Firmino’s domestic season.It comes after the inventive attacker netted five times in 17 league games for Al-Ahli during the current campaign.Al-Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle said: “It was a difficult decision for the club and based on the rules.”Most read in FootballGaleno was a big name at Porto but switched to Al-AhliCredit: RexJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd Jaissle appeared to suggest Firmino could still have a major role – away from the final 15 games in the Saudi Pro League.He added: “We appreciate him and he dealt with it professionally. He’s still one of our leaders.”Aston Villa confirm Jhon Duran’s £64million transfer to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr with blunt 58-word statement But Firmino’s new situation could now spark transfer talk.And Al-Ahli might be amenable to offloading one of their big earners – if he finds a suitable taker. Firmino arrived at the Middle East club in July 2023, having won the Champions League, Prem and FA Cup in eight years with Liverpool.There’s speculation Firmino could now wave goodbye early to Al-AhliCredit: Rex More

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      Birmingham vs Newcastle live stream FREE: How to watch FA Cup clash today

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      NEWCASTLE and Birmingham face off in a HUGE clash for a place in the FA Cup fifth round.Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have already reached a final this season, beating Arsenal 4-0 on aggregate in the Carabao Cup semi-final.Newcastle reached a second Carabao Cup final in three yearsCredit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.Birmingham are looking for an upset against NewcastleCredit: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesBirmingham are currently four points clear at the top of League One, with two games in hand over second placed Wycombe.The side are enjoying a good season in England’s third tier, and look poised to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.Newcastle will provide a tougher test than Stevenage away, though, so Chris Davies will need his side to give it everything against the Carabao Cup finalists. How to watch Birmingham vs Newcastle?Birmingham vs Newcastle will be free to watch in the UK.The game will be shown on BBC One.Coverage is also available to stream on BBC iPlayer.The game kicks off at 5.45pm GMT on Saturday, February 8.What other FA Cup games are happening this weekend?Chelsea will travel to Brighton in the final game on Saturday, February 8, at 8pm GMT, following the conclusion of Birmingham vs Newcastle. Sunday, February 9 will showcase three games, with Blackburn vs Wolves starting the day at 3pm GMT.Liverpool travel to Plymouth at 3pm GMT, before Sunday’s action finished at Villa Park as Aston Villa take on Tottenham at 5:35pm GMT.Most read in FA CupOn Monday night, Doncaster will host Crystal Palace at 7:45pm GMT.The fourth round actions concludes at St James Park, as Exeter take on Nottingham Forest at 8pm GMT. More

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      Who owns Birmingham City?

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      IE has been 14 seasons since the blue side of Birmingham have been able to cherish the glories of Premier League football.Since relegation in the 2010-11 season, the club have meandered in the Championship and met face with higher-ups negligence last season as they were relegated to League One. Ex-owner Carson Yeung had a underwhelming stint as owner before relinquishing duties in 2014 following his arrest for money laundering chargesBirmingham Sports Holdings, formerly Trillion Trophy Asia Limited took over from Yeung as the neglect culminated in an inevitable relegation in 2024Credit: GettyChinese-owned group Birmingham Sports Holdings (BSH), formerly Trillion Trophy Asia Limited, were maligned throughout their tenure.They eventually ceded control to American investment firm Knighthead Capital Management, headed up by financier Tom Wagner, in July 2023.Though the US-based Shelby Companies Limited (SCL) company oversaw relegation to League 1 – the first time the club have been out of the top two divisions since 1995 – they’ve caused a rebirth in response. Blues are undoubtedly the most expensively formed, having spent between £20 million and £25 million ($24.7 million to $31 million) over the summer.READ MORE IN FA CUPThe record-breaking investment that sent shockwaves through the rest of the league, even amongst Hollywood rivals Wrexham – owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney. The club is first in League 1 – fourth points and two games in hand ahead of closet rivals Wycombe and are in the fourth round of the FA Cup as they host Premier League Newcastle United. The revival of a once forsaken club is firmly underway so who’s behind the ownership?Tom Brady is occasionally spotted at the Blues’ gamesCredit: GettyMajority owner Tom Wagner and co have spearheaded the club’s rebuild with Premier League football amongst aimsCredit: GettyWho owns Birmingham City?As stated, SCL, fronted by the company’s co-founder Wagner acquired a majority share in the team and complete ownership of the stadium with a 45.96% stake. Most read in FA CupAlthough BSH retains 51% of the shares, Wagner said that Shelby will be “responsible for the operations of the club moving forward” and that “nothing about the way the transaction is structured will prevent us from achieving the long-term goals we have for the club.”Since takeover, swift changes have been ensued, particularly off the pitch. Garry Cook, former Manchester City CEO, was appointed to the same job at Birmingham before stepping down in January this year. Fellow Blues fan and former Microsoft executive Jeremy Dale, who helped broker the deal to bring American owners Knighthead to St Andrew’s, has assumed the role of interim CEO since. The blockbuster arrival of NFL great Tom Brady as minority owner has gained considerable publicity.The seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback may have the glitz and nosie, but he apparently has no voting rights and serves mostly as the club’s face, spreading the message and drumming up interest across the pond. More