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MANCHESTER CITY have been accused of an “Enron-style” financial deception by Spanish LaLiga boss Javier Tebas.Outspoken Tebas stunned an audience in London as he claimed the Etihad outfit had hidden losses that would have impacted their financial fair play status by hiding them in related Abu Dhabi-owned companies. More
IT’S the poshest, most exclusive and expensive stand in the Premier League.Bring your Speedos for a half-time dip in an open-air swimming pool, indulge your taste buds with a spot of lobster in a high-class restaurant, enjoy a drink on a roof-top bar overlooking the Thames.Dave Kidd visited Fulham’s new exclusive standThe Sun’s Chief Sports Writer paid £105 for his ticket with his son’s priced at £85 More
FORMER Leeds boss and current Canada manager Jesse Marsch has blasted US President Donald Trump in an astonishing rant. American-born Marsch is “ashamed” of Trump’s repeated comments about making Canada a 51st state.Jesse Marsch has blasted US President Donald TrumpPresident Trump has repeatedly joked about Canada becoming a 51st stateTensions have been rising between the neighbouring countries following Trump’s 51st state remarks, including proposed trade tariffs between the bordering nations.Marsch took charge of Canada in May 2024 and could face the US in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League next month.But the Wisconsin-born gaffer has hit back at Trump “insulting rhetoric” at the Concacaf Nations League media day in Los Angeles on Wednesday.Marsch, 51, said: “If I have one message to our president, it’s lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”As an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard we’ve shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies.”These international tournaments, for Canada, mean something different now.”Canada is a strong, independent nation that is deep-rooted in decency and it’s a place that values high ethics and respect.”Unlike the polarised, disrespectful and often now hateful climate that is in the US.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCanada and the US recently met across two fixtures in the 4 Nations ice hockey competition, with the former winning the final 3-2.The politically-charged nature of the tournament was hard to avoid.Lionel Messi fined after grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coachTheir first game descended into chaos with three fights breaking out between players in the first nine seconds, while the US national anthem was loudly booed.American supporters also jeered the Canadian anthem, which was sung with different lyrics in protest about Trump’s statements.After Canada won in overtime, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X: “You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game.”Marsch added: “When I look forward to a month from now I know this will fuel our team, the mentality and will that we have to play for our country.”The desire to go after this tournament in every way and to show on and off the pitch exactly what Canadian character is.”The politically-charged nature of the 4 Nations hockey tournament was hard to avoidMarsch has won six of his 13 games in charge of Canada, who are seeking their first piece of silverware since 2000 in the Nations League.Canada meet Mexico in the semi-finals on 21 March and the winner will face either the US or Panama in the CONCACAF final two days later.Marsch – who previously coached the US team in 2011, before a successful career in the MLS – has quickly taken to Canadian culture.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe sings the national anthem and has plans to eventually move to Canada ahead of the 2026 World Cup.The US, Canada and Mexico will share hosting duties in two years time. More
ARSENAL are planning to hire a new sporting director to replace Edu Gaspar next month.Edu, 46, resigned in November after five years with the Gunners who appointed their former player as the club’s first ever technical director in 2019 before his promotion as sporting director in 2022.Dan Ashworth is among the names Arsenal are considering for a new sporting directorCredit: PAArsenal are looking for a replacement for Edu GasparCredit: GettyThe Brazilian executive is now expected to link up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ new group, which also includes reigning Conference League winners Olympiacos and Rio Ave.According to The Athletic, the North Londoners are rigorously searching for Edu’s successor and are in the process of whittling down candidates before reaching a final decision.The likes of Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe and Thiago Scuro are among the names that have been discussed internally.The same goes for Arsenal interim sporting director Jason Ayto, who was promoted after Edu’s departure.Read More on ArsenalParis Saint-Germain strategic advisor Luis Campos was also linked but is not actually in the frame.The Premier League giants’ owners KSE are heavily involved and a final call will not be made without their approval.Ashworth has been a free agent since his sudden departure from Manchester United in December after just five months in the job despite his previous employers splashing £3million to Newcastle for his services.The ex-Man Utd chief enjoyed tremendous success at Brighton, whom he turned into a competitive Premier League side, and Newcastle, where he signed Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAyto has been with Arsenal for a decade and worked under Edu as his assistant for two years.He was heavily involved with talks that led to the signing of Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori last summer.Nuno thanks the fans after solid defensive performance against ArsenalBerta is one of the main figures that turned Atletico Madrid into LaLiga and Champions League challengers thanks to his stunning 12-year stint working with manager Diego Simeone until his exit last month.The Italian signed the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak as well as Rodri and recently spent time in London learning English as he is targeting a job in the Prem.Olabe is set to step down from his role as sporting director at Real Sociedad this summer.The Spaniard signed the likes of Merino, Isak, Martin Odegaard and David Silva during his seven-year spell at Sociedad – he also worked out deals with Arsenal involving Kieran Tierney and Nacho Monreal.Scuro has been with Monaco since 2023 where he was promoted as CEO after helping the club finish second last season for the first time since 2018.Arsenal ratings vs Forest as NOBODY looks like scoring for Gunners but Saliba’s a Rolls Royce againMIKEL ARTETA may not have anyone to put the ball in the back of the net but in William Saliba he has one of the best defenders in the Prem.The Arsenal boss watched his side’s faint title hopes go well and truly up in smoke in the goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.But his brilliant backline emerged, once again, with credit from this tricky clash at the City Ground.Together with Gabriel, Saliba kept a tight lid on Forest dangerman Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in his last appearance on this ground.But the fact the Gunners’ biggest threat at the other end of the pitch came from left-back Riccardo Calafiori – who was subbed off at half-time – says it all about the dire situation Arsenal somehow find themselves in.Here is how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the Gunners stars’ displays… More
GARY NEVILLE has made a bold claim over Mikel Arteta following the flop signing of Raheem Sterling.The Arsenal manager brought in the forward on deadline day last summer to bolster his frontline.Gary Neville has made a bold claim over Arsenal’s Mikel ArtetaCredit: AFPNeville claims that Arteta was the main voice behind signing Raheem SterlingCredit: PAHe has only played 307 minutes in the Premier League this seasonCredit: GettyArsenal are without a striker following injury to Kai HavertzCredit: PASterling, 30, joined the club on loan from Chelsea but has failed to make a notable impression in North London.It was hoped that he would provide quality support and competition to stars such as Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz.However, Sterling has failed to score in all 12 of his Premier League outings for the club.He has only provided one assist in the league and has netted just once, which came in the 5-1 win over Bolton in the EFL Cup.READ MORE ON ARSENALHis struggles on the pitch have seen him get just 844 minutes of playing time this season.Former Manchester United defender Neville has suggested that Sterling was wanted by Arteta.And the eight-time Premier League winner believes that the Spaniard’s failed signing has damaged the board’s trust in him.Neville even claimed that it may have “put off” the club making a move for a striker in January – which they desperately needed.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSpeaking on The Overlap with Sky Bet, he said: “Do you know what I think they’ve done? In the last part of the summer transfer window, I’m not sure Arsenal wanted to sign Raheem Sterling.”I’m not sure Arsenal, as a club, wanted him.Nuno thanks the fans after solid defensive performance against ArsenalBenjamin Sesko was heavily linked a move to with North LondonCredit: ReutersAlexander Isak was also a top target for ArsenalCredit: Getty”I think Arteta’s thought Sterling can play in all the positions up top and has basically told the club to get him in as cover.”I think that’s what he said.”He can play across the frontline so Arteta has looked at him as his second or third striker.”They’ve ended up backing him and I think that’s put them off doing another deal in January of the same ilk because they’re thinking ‘we brought Sterling in and Arteta hasn’t really used him’.”Arsenal were heavily linked with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak.However, the club opted not to seal a deal for any of the options and put their title hopes in Havertz.The support for the German backfired immediately as he suffered a season-ending injury during Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp.This paired with Gabriel Jesus’ ACL injury has left Arteta without a senior striker in his squad.In recent games, the manager has had to rely on playing midfielder Mikel Merino upfront.He made an instant positive impact with two goals in the role against Leicester City.But since then he and the rest of the team have drawn blanks in the defeat to West Ham and goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo picked up on Arsenal’s lack of firepower.Nuno admitted that he did not feel the need to play a back five against the Gunners due to their lack of a striker.Arteta admitted after the draw to Forest that he is trying to adapt the team to have more threat.He said: “We tried and adapted the quality that we have, how we can help the team to create different things.”To have threats from different qualities, probably they are not about arriving in the box and creating some magic moments, they are other kind of players.”Try to adapt to that and do the best that we can.”Sterling was called upon against Forest as he replaced Ethan Nwaneri in the closing stages.The former Manchester City and Liverpool star only managed six touches and did not muster a single shot.READ MORE SUN STORIESTitle rivals Liverpool have taken full advantage of the misfiring Gunners with back-to-back wins.The Reds beat Manchester City and Newcastle United to extend their lead at the top of the table to 13 points.Arsenal ratings vs Forest as NOBODY looks like scoring for Gunners but Saliba’s a Rolls Royce againMIKEL ARTETA may not have anyone to put the ball in the back of the net but in William Saliba he has one of the best defenders in the Prem.The Arsenal boss watched his side’s faint title hopes go well and truly up in smoke in the goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.But his brilliant backline emerged, once again, with credit from this tricky clash at the City Ground.Together with Gabriel, Saliba kept a tight lid on Forest dangerman Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in his last appearance on this ground.But the fact the Gunners’ biggest threat at the other end of the pitch came from left-back Riccardo Calafiori – who was subbed off at half-time – says it all about the dire situation Arsenal somehow find themselves in.Here is how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the Gunners stars’ displays… More
ROY KEANE has savaged Manchester United’s flops in an extraordinary rant – with skipper Bruno Fernandes singled out for extra criticism. The Red Devils legend, 53, savaged “imposters” in the team during a wild argument with ex-England striker Ian Wright. Roy Keane has unleashed a furious tirade in the direction of Man Utd playersCredit: YouTube/The OverlapThe ex-Utd midfielder argued with Ian Wright about who was to blame for the Red Devils’ issuesCredit: YouTube/The OverlapUnited skipper Bruno Fernandes was singled out by KeaneCredit: GettyKeane joined Wright, Gary Neville and Jill Scott to discuss United’s recent form. The 53-year-old went off on an explosive monologue, hitting out at United’s flops following a dreadful season.And he singled out captain Bruno Fernandes – much to Wrighty’s displeasure. Ruben Amorim’s men are languishing 14th in the Premier League, with just 9 wins from 27 games.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLKeane fumed on Stick To Football, brought to you by Sky Bet: “You go back to the recruitment and the team.”Show a bit of fight, a bit of speed, a bit of quality in your play. “They draw at Everton and it’s like they’ve won the cup. It’s f***ing bizarre.”Even the fans. I see fans at matches, and they sing for Bruno [Fernandes]. I see these boys, I think they’re f***ing imposters.”Most read in FootballWright interjected: “No bro, not Bruno.”Keane flopped back in his chair and snarled: “You know what Wrighty? I’ve had enough of that rubbish man.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”You watch Arsenal every week, I’m focusing on United.”Sit and watch a game. Sit and watch a game with him [playing]. New footage emerges of Alejandro Garnacho that ‘explains why Man Utd star marched down tunnel’ after being hauled off “We watched [Fernandes] in the cup at Leicester. Watched him at Everton last Saturday. “People [including him] are pretending to be closing people down.”Wright continued to push his point, claiming Fernandes had the talent to “save” United from their slump. A staggered Keane hit back: “They’re 15th in the league. And he’s saving them?! Praise the Lord.”Talent is not enough. You keep coming back to talent. Bruno is a talented player, but talent is not enough.”Still Wright continued to back Bruno, claiming United would be in the relegation zone if Fernandes wasn’t involved. A now shouting Keane continued: “Leadership is about action.”Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Maguire saves the day after Onana makes case to be WORST ever signingMANCHESTER UNITED eased their fears of the drop in a topsy-turvy relegation six-pointer with Ipswich.The Red Devils triumphed 3-2 despite playing the second half with ten men.A major cock-up from Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana saw Ipswich take a third-minute lead through Jaden Philogene.Then, after United had recovered to lead 2-1, Dorgu saw a straight red card for a poor challenge on Omari Hutchinson.Philogene scored again to level it before the break only for Harry Maguire to nod in to be United’s saviour.But who was United’s best player on the night?Here, SunSport’s Phil Thomas reveals his Manchester United player ratings…But Wright countered: “Bruno does action. Maybe you don’t like his petulance. I’m not having Bruno being dug out.”Former Lioness Scott attempted to get involved, but Keane fired one final rant in Fernandes’ direction, slamming him for failing to be an enforcer in the United midfield. He fumed to Wright: “I’ve asked you a question, who [else] would you start going ‘He’s got to do a bit more’? “When [all United players] go out on that pitch, show some courage, want the ball. “When you close somebody down, close them down properly!”Let me tell you something, when you close somebody down, this is what I call a bluffer, I’m closing you down, but I’m not really closing you down and you pass it. They will say ‘I’ve done my bit!'”F*** off! Excuse my language.”Keane’s passionate rant quickly went viral, racking up over 1.5 million views in less than six hours.One fan gasped on X: “Who wouldn’t have that rant as an alarm call. You wouldn’t want to press snooze.”Another said: “Spot on by Roy.. leadership by example. You can’t be showing exasperation and despair on the pitch almost all the time when things are not working.”While a third laughed: “Roy Keane wants a starting XI of Conor Gallaghers.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut a fourth countered: “Roy has no right to go after Bruno like that, he is a great captain.”Roy Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. More
MANCHESTER UNITED are a club that is never out of the headlines.On the pitch and off it, United are under more scrutiny than any other side in the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes is working hard to improve morale in the Man Utd squadCredit: PARuben Amorim believes his players were happier at training after their team bonding sessionCredit: ReutersStarting today, only on Sun Club, our team of reporters will bring you the inside track on Old Trafford affairs every week.CAPTAIN FUN-TASTICBRUNO FERNANDES is keen to make team-bonding sessions a permanent fixture – as he bids to try to turn around Manchester United’s fortunes. The Red Devils captain, 30, arranged a night out with his under-pressure team-mates earlier this month. United insiders say it has brought the players closer together while Ruben Amorim was also impressed by the attitude of his team in training following their bonding session.He said the “noise” in and around Carrington, where United are based, has improved as the club tries to rescue their season. Fernandes, who is a respected leader among his team-mates and the club’s management, has taken it upon himself to try to improve morale.Earlier this month the group headed to the Lane 7 Bowling Alley in Manchester, where they treated themselves to ten-pin bowling, darts, shuffleboard, table tennis and pool.Rounds of bowling at the popular bar cost £12-a-head, mere pennies for the club despite their financial headache and controversial cost-cutting measures.Pictures later showed the group, including Alejandro Garnacho, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro and a high-spirited Rasmus Hojlund, walking from Lane 7 to a nearby Brazilian restaurant.Amorim will be pleased to see his players making an effort to come together off the field.How Man Utd’s latest meltdown and brutal money-saving cuts were predicted by Paddy Power in hilarious video FROM DEVIL TO VILLANMARCUS RASHFORD is prepared to turn his January loan move to Aston Villa into a permanent deal.Rashford’s fall-out with Ruben Amorim saw him exiled to the United margins despite scoring the first goal of the Portuguese manager’s Old Trafford reign.But Rashford, 27, has told pals he feels revitalised at Villa Park.And the striker, desperate to reclaim his spot in the England squad under new Three Lions chief Thomas Tuchel, believes that Unai Emery is the perfect manager to resurrect his Premier League and international career. While Rashford is still looking to open his scoring account for Villa, he was credited with two assists in the comeback win over Chelsea.He has also impressed his team-mates, his new manager and Villa’s fans since his arrival in the West Midlands.That has been reiterated by Rashford’s strong commitment on the training ground – one of the areas of his game which was questioned during his time at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford is revitalised at Aston Villa and is set to join permanentlyCredit: EPAWhile Amorim refused to be drawn on whether Rashford might have a future at the Red Devils when he was asked earlier this month, United have strongly hinted he is unlikely to return to the fold while the former Sporting boss remains in charge.Rashford has been linked with a number of moves abroad, with European giants Barcelona and PSG heading a list including clubs in Italy, Germany and Saudi Arabia all monitoring his form ahead of the summer window. But Rashford is veering towards the idea of remaining in England and in the Premier League rather than relocating overseas. Rashford’s international ambitions have been rekindled since the appointment of Tuchel, with the striker – who has scored 17 goals in 60 appearances for his country but has been out of the frame for 12 months – out to catch the eye of the German.MOLE HUNT THEORYDISGRUNTLED United staff are convinced they are being used in the club’s “mole-hunt” against bad news being released to the media.Last week’s email from chief executive Omar Berrada, which threatened that revealing club information would be treated as “gross misconduct” was, of course, swiftly made public.But in the wake of the confirmed extra job cuts, anxious staff are now warning friends that the emails might have been part of the hunt for those responsible.The theory is that batches of the main email were sent out with small but significant changes, allowing club bosses to whittle down the list of possible leakers.True or not, it hardly seems a culture of goodwill.Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Maguire saves the day after Onana makes case to be WORST ever signingMANCHESTER UNITED eased their fears of the drop in a topsy-turvy relegation six-pointer with Ipswich.The Red Devils triumphed 3-2 despite playing the second half with ten men.A major cock-up from Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana saw Ipswich take a third-minute lead through Jaden Philogene.Then, after United had recovered to lead 2-1, Dorgu saw a straight red card for a poor challenge on Omari Hutchinson.Philogene scored again to level it before the break only for Harry Maguire to nod in to be United’s saviour.But who was United’s best player on the night?Here, SunSport’s Phil Thomas reveals his Manchester United player ratings…Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cuts have been described as ‘ridiculous’Credit: Getty’RIDICULOUS’ CUTSSIR Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos appear dead-set on alienating the very people they were intending to enthuse.Staff morale is heading in one direction after club bosses confirmed a further potential 200 job losses, the end of the Old Trafford staff canteen and limited dining options for remaining employees.Now the chemical billionaire has refused to reconsider a cost-cutting move which saw him labelled a “Scrooge” by United fans. Ratcliffe and the new United high command stopped the club from giving £40,000-a-year to a charity which helps its network of old players. The Association of Former Manchester United Players (AFMUP) was formed in 1985 to help footballers from bygone eras who earned nothing like the megabucks of today’s superstars to socialise at four social events a year.In December, SunSport revealed how United minority shareholder Sir Jim had ordered funding to be cut.AFMUP trustee Jim Elms, 84, who played for United’s youth team and reserves from 1957 to 1960, slammed the move as “ridiculous” and hoped for a change of heart from United after chief executive Omar Berrada promised a meeting. But United’s Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche has now confirmed the club will be “unable to continue sponsorship”. She said the decision was made because AFMUP refused to become part of United’s Foundation charity, which itself also faces hughes cuts to its budget. Jim, of Bramhall, Cheshire, said: “I just wish they would think again because the association does so much good for some of the old players.”Man Utd are struggling for goals with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in dreadful formCredit: APFIRING BLANKSSometimes the cold numbers tell the story, far more than emotions.For Ruben Amorim, his forward players’ collective inability to do their main job – finding the opposition net – explains why United are now 18 points closer to the relegation zone than the summit.United’s joint top Prem scorers this season, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo, have netted just SIX times each.Diallo, whose season is over through injury, did not score in any of the six matches in all competitions after his late rescue act hat-trick against Southampton, while the skipper’s strike at Everton was only his second in nine Prem games since the Manchester derby, although his dead ball deliveries resulted in all United’s goal in the 3-2 win over Ipswich.And those two are prolific by comparison with the other three alleged striking options at Amorim’s disposal.Alejandro Garnacho has not scored a single top flight goal since Amorim’s arrival, Rasmus Hojlund has ONE Prem strike – in the home defeat to Nottingham Forest – since mid-October, while Joshua Zirkzee’s last league goal was against Everton on December 1.United’s record Prem low goals campaign came in 2015-16, under Louis van Gaal, when they scored just 49. They still need to score 17 in their last 11 matches to beat that.What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More
FORMER Real Madrid star Javier Dorado has passed away aged 48 after a brave battle with cancer.The Spaniard was part of the Los Blancos academy system in 1996 before getting a promotion under Vicente del Bosque.Former Real Madrid star Javier Dorado has passed away aged 48Tributes have flooded in to honour and remember Dorado, who made his Madrid debut in 1999 against Valencia in the Copa del Rey.He won the Champions League a season later with Liverpool legend Steve McManaman, who scored an incredible volley in Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Valencia.Dorado was part of the squad that beat Manchester United over two legs in the quarter-finals of that winning 2000 campaign. But, in his second campaign, Dorado made only seven appearances due to a fierce competition with Brazilian icon Roberto Carlos.READ MORE FOOTBALLThe left-back was loaned out to UD Salamanca and Sporting Gijon, before leaving joining Rayo Vallecano on a permanent basis.He continued his career with other Spanish sides, such as Mallorca and Atletico Baleares, where he retired in 2012 at the age of 35.Dorado had been battling cancer since 2022, according to Spanish outlet Marca.The former defender told El Comercio a few months ago: “I’ve been here for a while now.Most read in FootballDorado won the Champions League with Madrid in 2000″And I hope that this time this nightmare will end, that we can go out and be at peace. “I’ve been fighting for years and the tough treatments take their toll , especially when they end because they leave me a little more tired and a little more affected, but I try to lead a normal life.”A club statement on Thursday read: ‘Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Javier Dorado.”We would like to express its condolences and affection to his family, his team-mates, all his loved ones and all the clubs he was a part of.”During the two seasons he played for Real Madrid, Javier Dorado won one European Cup, the Eighth in Paris (2000).”Born in Talavera de la Reina, Dorado also featured in four matches for Spain’s Under 21s between 1998 and 2000.He made eight appearances for Madrid’s first team, while most of his career games came in the Spanish second division.A fan honoured his memory saying: “What a great player. May you rest in peace.” More
