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      RC Lens fans hold up classy message to Sky Sports presenter battling brain infection in emotional moment

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      RC LENS fans held up a classy message for a Sky Sports presenter who is battling a brain infection.Emma Saunders is one of the top names on the channel and has been a regular on screen for several years.Lens fans sent a classy message to Sky Sports presenter Emma SaundersCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/emmasaunds/3589641464853836405/The ace is battling a brain infection, having already been treated for cancer this seasonCredit: Instagram / @emmasaundsHowever, the ace sadly revealed this month that she was treated for thyroid cancer at the start of the season.And she is now in hospital after contracting a brain infection called encephalitis.Saunders is the partner of Lens’ English manager Will Still.The pair went public with their relationship during Euro 2024.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Lens fans sent Saunders a heartfelt message from the stands during Saturday’s Ligue 1 win over Rennes.Saunders posted a picture to her Instagram Stories showing the fans holding a banner.It read: “Courage Emma et Will.”Saunders was touched by the message and responded with a heart emoji, adding: “Merci Lens.”Most read in FootballRevealing her latest health battle earlier this month, Saunders said: unfortunately life took a bit of an unexpected turn a couple of weeks ago.”I’m now off work while I recover from Encephalitis – an infection of the brain.Saunders’ partner is Lens manager Will StillCredit: Instagram / @wrstillThe pair went public during Euro 2024Credit: Instagram / @wrstill”I hope it wont be long until I’m back to see out the end of 2024/25 – especially after missing part of the start of the season before this when I was treated for Thyroid cancer.”So, as I spend time now recovering and rebuilding – I just wanted to thank my family & friends for their rock solid support, my colleagues at Sky for their patience allowing me the time to heal, and our wonderful NHS for their extraordinary kindness and care.“And of course you @wrstill just for being you & being there for me.” More

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      Ligue 1 match ABANDONED and players rushed down tunnel as plume of smoke engulfs stadium after flares thrown

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      MONTPELLIER’S Ligue 1 clash with St-Etienne was abandoned due to flares set off by supporters.La Pallaide went into the match hoping to bolster their fading survival hopes.Several flares were set off at Stade de la MossonCredit: AFPFlares were also thrown on the pitchCredit: AFPThe match was suspended as a fire burned at the front of the standCredit: AFPBlack plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the Etang de Thau standBut after Jean-Louis Gasset’s side went 2-0 down to their fellow strugglers, supporters let their frustrations boil over.As Les Vertes doubled their lead early on in the second half, flares were thrown onto the pitch.This caused a stoppage in play of around three minutes.The match briefly resumed, before it became apparent that a fire had broken out at the front of the Etang de Thau stand.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSupporters could be seen running to the back of the stand as a plume of black smoke worryingly rose from the blaze.The referee suspended the contest and sent players back to the dressing rooms as the fire continued to burn.Etang de Thau is where Montpellier’s ultras stand during matches.After around half an hour, fans were instructed to evacuate the stadium, with the decision made to abandon the match.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSOfficials struggled to get the flames under controlCredit: AFPThe match was suspended for around half an hour before being abandonedCredit: AFPThe 2011-12 Ligue 1 champions have endured a disastrous season.They went into this weekend bottom of the table with just 15 points, having failed to keep a single clean sheet.Newcastle fans take over Covent Garden ahead of Carabao Cup final against Liverpool and bid to end 70-year trophy waitFormer boss Michel der Zakarian was sacked just minutes after their 5-0 defeat to Marseille in October.Owner Laurent Nicollin, who bizarrely sits in the dugout during matches, has often cut a forlorn figure on the sideline.First team regulars Mousa Tamari, Akor Adams and Arnaud Nordin were sold during the January transfer window.Montpellier went into today’s contest having lost six consecutive matches.During the delay, local players Teji Savanier and Joris Chotard could be seen looking devastated as they stood by the tunnel.La Paillade were humiliated 4-0 by fourth tier Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne in the Coupe de France earlier this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESDuring the match, Savanier suggested that he didn’t care about his side’s struggles due to his big salary.Nicollin subsequently made the decision to strip the midfielder of the captaincy.The match briefly resumed following the initial delayCredit: GETTYMontpellier have endured a nightmare seasonCredit: AFPSt-Etienne had taken a 2-0 lead before the match was abandonedCredit: AFP More

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      Inside football’s greatest cup competition where upsets are encouraged with minnows set to take on £3.5bn giants

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      EVERY year debates rage over whether the FA Cup can ever regain its “magic”.But over in France, their domestic competition is going from strength-to-strength.Stade Briochin produced a sensational upset in the last roundCredit: AFPThe lower-league side are set to take on PSGCredit: AFPUpon first inspection, you might wonder what the big deal is: after all, Paris Saint-Germain have won it 15 times, Marseille on 10 occasions.But look a little closer, and you’ll see a competition that consistently delivers drama, upsets and “magic”, every single season.This season’s quarter-finals feature just four teams from Ligue 1, with some of the top-flight’s biggest clubs having been humbled along the way.And with fourth-tier Cannes hosting Ligue 2 Guingamp, at least one team from outside the top flight is guaranteed to reach the semi-finals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLyon were astonishingly beaten on penalties by fifth-tier Bourgoin-Jallieu, who hail from a town of just 28,000 people barely 20 miles away.And the minnows very nearly backed up their incredible win, only falling to top-flight Reims on penalties in the last round.Lille, who have defeated Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus on the way to the Champions League round of 16, were also defeated via spot kicks by second-tier Dunkerque – despite stars such as Jonathan David being in action.Montpellier, Ligue 1 champions in 2012, finished their Coupe de France campaign in disgrace this season.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAlready bottom of the table, they received no respite in the Coupe as they were astonishingly trounced 4-0 by fourth-tier Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne.During the match, experienced captain Teji Savanier was asked “Last in Ligue 1 – does that hurt?” – to which he brashly replied: “When you’re being paid €210,000 (£175k) a month, no.”Inside PSG’s £250m lavish new training complex with luxury pools as fans joke ‘players will spend half the time lost’Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Nice, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 by fourth-tier Stade Briochin courtesy of Hugo Boudin’s late double.Their reward? The opportunity to face Ligue 1 champions PSG in the quarter-finals.Such has been the interest in the fixture, set to take place tomorrow, that the match has been moved from Stade Briochin’s charming Stade Fred-Aubert home to Rennes’ Roazhon Park.Luis Enrique’s star-studded side will of course be huge favourites, but their lowly opponents will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of Europe’s most in-form teams.Part of what sets the Coupe de France apart is its format.Ditching two-legged ties in 1999, the competition now automatically makes the underdog in each game the home side, provided that they are two divisions or more below their opponents.Third-tier US Quevilly subsequently reached the final in 2012, while Les Herbiers from the same level finished as runners-up in 2018.Coupe de France fixturesQuarter-FinalsAngers vs ReimsCannes vs GuingampBrest vs DunkerqueStade Briochin vs Paris Saint-GermainIn 2020, the Coupe de France also scrapped extra time, meaning underdogs just have to last 90 minutes before reaching the lottery of penalties.With the Coupe de la Ligue having also been axed that year, the competition also has maximum prestige as France’s only domestic tournament.Another fun wrinkle of the competition is that it allows clubs from semi-autonomous French regions around the world to participate.Earlier this season, AS Venus made the 30-hour trip from Tahiti to face fourth-tier ASM Belfort in round seven.While last season, Golden Lion made the 8,000 mile round trip from Martinique to face the stars of Lille, although the ruthless Ligue 1 side played their full-strength side and won 12-0.It may well be that PSG go on to beat Stade Briochin before marching to a 16th Coupe de France triumph.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut that wouldn’t change the fact that this season’s competition has been full of shocks, upsets and incredible stories.And perhaps it still has another fairytale or two left to tell.The stars of PSG will be in action against Stade-BriochinCredit: GettyLille took on Golden Lion last seasonCredit: AFP More

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      ‘Scandalous’ – Roberto De Zerbi vows to NEVER manage in France again after Marseille chief declared Ligue 1 is ‘rigged’

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      MARSEILLE boss Roberto De Zerbi has been left so furious with Ligue 1 referees that he vowed to never manage in France again.De Zerbi, 45, saw his team lose 3-0 to Auxerre on Saturday at Stade de l’Abbe Deschamps.Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has been left furious with Ligue 1 refereesCredit: RexDe Zerbi is so angry that he vowed to never manage in France againCredit: AFPL’OM were fuming at full-time as they were very unhapy with the red card at Derek Cornelius, who was booked twice.The ex-Brighton manager was so incensed that he described the officiating as “scandalous” when he spoke to the media after the final whistle.The Italian tactician claims he has had enough and will never work in France again once he leaves Marseille, where his contract runs out in 2027.De Zerbi told Telefoot: “I’m Italian, and after OM I’m not going to coach in France again. Read More on Football”There’s a problem in the French championship, if French people are happy with this level of decision making, then good for them. “But today it was scandalous. The referee was not in a serene position to referee this match because of all the controversy surrounding him.”Marseille raised concerns with the board of arbitration of referees before the match following the appointment of Jeremy Stinat as the match official.Stinat was the fourth official when the French giants were eliminated from the Cup against Lille last month.Most read in FootballThat was when sporting director Medhi Benatia was handed a three-month suspension for incidents on the touchline.According to La Provence, Marseille president Pablo Longoria also “flew into a fit of rage” in front of journalists after the match.Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey gives verdict on Everton’s overturned penalty against Man UtdLongoria alleged that everything was “organised” against his team and it all started in the build-up to the match with Leonardo Balerdi’s booking, which led to his suspension for the game at Auxerre.The Spanish football executive was also angry about a penalty he claims should have been awarded to Quentin Merlin as well as Cornelius’ red card.The club chief went as far as to urge the reporters to quote him saying the league is “corrupt” as well as “rigged” and he would happily join the European Super League rebels if they approached him.Longoria reportedly shouted: “This is corruption! I’ve never seen anything like it. You can write it down: Pablo Longoria says it’s corruption. “Everything has been organised since the third yellow given to Balerdi. It’s planned, it’s rigged. “There’s a penalty on Merlin, four European referees have told me so by message, and the most scandalous thing is the red card to Cornelius.“This is a s***** championship, If the Super League comes to see us, we’ll go right away.” More

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      Major broadcasting change as Amazon Prime secure more football coverage amid ongoing £500million compensation row

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      AMAZON Prime Video have secured rights to show Ligue 1 football on their platform.The streamer will offer a selection of matches from the French top flight.Fans in the UK will be able to watch Ligue 1 matches on PrimeCredit: GettyLigue 1 has been without a UK broadcast partner since the end of last season.Previously, TNT Sports showed most of their matches.But following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, which coincided with Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain departure, TNT did not renew their deal.This left Ligue 1 without a UK broadcast partner going into the season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey subsequently launched Ligue 1 Pass, a streaming service on which fans can watch all matches either live or on demand, costing £9.99 per month or £79.99 for the full season.Fans will now be able to watch some matches on Prime Video, although not for free.Games shown through Prime will cost £2.49 each to watch via pay-per-view, with viewers not required to hold a Prime subscription.The streamer will target the biggest matches, with only two available on Prime this weekend.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAuxerre’s clash with Marseille will kick off Prime’s coverage on Saturday night, while they will also show Lyon vs PSG on Sunday.Prime have also confirmed that they will broadcast Monaco vs Reims on February 28, PSG vs Lille on March 1 and Marseille vs Nantes on March 2.Amazon Ends ‘Try Before You Buy’ for Prime MembersLEGAL FIGHTFrench domestic football’s governing body, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), finds itself embroiled in a legal battle regarding Ligue 1’s domestic rights.Between 2021 and 2024, the league was broadcast in France by Amazon Prime Video and Canal+.With the likes of Mbappe, as well as Lionel Messi and Neymar, having departed the league in that time, the LFP struggled to sell their TV rights at a similar price.In the end they agreed to four-year deals with DAZN and beIN Sports at 10 per cent less than they were previously receiving.London-based DAZN agreed to pay £334million per year to show eight of the nine matches each weekend.While beIN committed to pay £83m per year to show the remaining game.The combined £417m received from the two networks is around half of what Mediapro had agreed to pay from 2020 onwards, in a deal that collapsed just five months later.Prime Video previously broadcast live Ligue 1 matches in FranceCredit: GettyCanal+ broadcast Ligue 1 matches between 2021 and 2024Credit: GettyThis week, DAZN were due to pay their latest £58m instalment to the LFP.They are claimed to have only paid half of the sum due to various gripes against the governing body.DAZN reportedly feel that the LFP have not made big enough efforts to shut down illegal streaming of matches, while they are also claimed to believe that some clubs have not made sufficient efforts to provide extra content.Reports in France claim that DAZN have gathered 400,000 subscribers in the country, having targeted 1.5 million after completing the deal.It is believed that if the streaming platform does not reach its target by this December, they can trigger a break clause in the deal for the end of next season.Per The Athletic, the LFP have gone to court in order to “obtain, as a matter of urgency, an order against DAZN to pay the sums stipulated in the contract and an injunction to perform all of its contractual obligations”.They have also outlined their hopes to reach an “amicable outcome”.READ MORE SUN STORIESFrench outlet RMC Sport, meanwhile, report that DAZN have also gone to court, demanding £500m for a “breach” of contract and “market dishonesty”.The affair could be set to rumble on for months.DAZN’s legal war with the LFP could be set to rumble onCredit: Rex More

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      Emotional ex-Tottenham star Nabil Bentaleb, 30, scores just four minutes into return after suffering cardiac arrest

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      NABIL BENTALEB scored just four minutes into his first appearance since suffering a cardiac arrest last June.The former Tottenham star, 30, now plies his trade for his hometown club Lille in Ligue 1.Nabil Bentaleb celebrates scoring on his first appearance of the seasonCredit: AFPThe midfielder, 30, was mobbed by the Lille benchCredit: RexPrior to last night’s match, Bentaleb had not played since featuring in a World Cup qualifier for Algeria on June 10 last year, having suffered with a cardiac arrest later that month.He was subsequently fitted with a defibrillator by the same heart specialist that treated his former Spurs team-mate Christian Eriksen.Following eight months of rehab, Bentaleb was cleared to return to action by the French Football Federation last Wednesday.Having returned to full training, the all-action midfielder was named as a substitute for Lille’s trip to Rennes on Sunday evening.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBruno Genesio’s side went into the match having endured a shock home defeat to lowly Le Havre last weekend.While their hosts had won their first two matches under their new boss, former Newcastle and Aston Villa full-back Habib Beye.With the score level at 0-0, Bentaleb was called upon to replace Ngal’ayel Mukau in the 76th minute.Barely four minutes later, the returning star was on the scoresheet – stabbing home the rebound after Brice Samba had saved Chuba Akpom’s header.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBentaleb was back in the matchday squad for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrestCredit: AlamyBentaleb ran to the bench in celebration, being mobbed by his thrilled team-mates in the process.Things got even better on 86 minutes, with Akpom scoring Lille’s second to secure a 2-0 victory on Bentaleb’s return.Spurs fans hold sit-in protest against board and owenrs after Man Utd winSpeaking after the match, boss Genesio said: “It’s worthy of a film. He deserved it, because I don’t believe in luck, he believed in himself.”It’s an incredible, wonderful story.”Nabil’s goal put us on cloud nine, it’s hard to describe. It could be a moment that will mark the end of our season, that will remain engraved in the history of the club, of this season – and in Nabil’s mind, of course.”Prior to Bentaleb’s introduction, it had looked as if it may not be Lille’s day in front of goal.Akpom had been denied from the penalty spot, before having a goal disallowed for an extremely narrow offside.Rennes defender Christopher Wooh was sent off on 74 minutes, receiving a yellow card for bundling the forward over.READ MORE SUN STORIESLille’s victory saw them rise back above in Lyon into fifth in the Ligue 1 table, just two points off the Champions League places.They will return to action this Saturday when they host AS Monaco.Bentaleb was awarded man of the match for his goalscoring cameoThe popular returning star was celebrated by Lille’s fans at the end of the matchCredit: AFP More

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      Arsenal fans ‘will never forgive Edu’ after academy kid Gunners sold for just £4m last summer scores ANOTHER hat-trick

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      FORMER Arsenal academy starlet Mika Biereth has scored hat-tricks in back-to-back home games for AS Monaco.The striker, 22, was allowed to leave the Gunners to join Sturm Graz for just £4million last summer.Mika Biereth scores against Nantes for AS MonacoCredit: AFPThe Swede has impressed since moving to FranceCredit: AFPAfter excelling in his first half a season in Austria, Biereth signed for Monaco last month in a deal worth up to £12.5m.While Arsenal have struggled with an injury crisis among their forward players of late, Biereth has excelled since moving to France.The Swede continued his rich vein of form on Saturday afternoon by bagging a brilliant hat-trick against Nantes.Biereth’s treble helped his side on their way to a 7-1 demolition of Les Canaris at Stade Louis II.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe hat-trick made it seven goals in five league games for his new side, with Biereth having also netted in his previous two home outings.And Monaco even took the opportunity to goal Arsenal in a post on X, calling him an “absolute Gunner”. He scored his first goal for his new side in a 3-2 win over Rennes on January 25.The 6ft 2in forward then added a treble in a 4-2 triumph over Auxerre.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBiereth, 22, was allowed to leave Arsenal last summerCredit: GettyBiereth is now team-mates with fellow former Arsenal academy graduate Folarin Balogun.But the US international, 23, has been sidelined for much of this season with a shoulder injury.Arteta reveals Havertz tore hamstring during set-piece routine and admits Arsenal could sign free agentBiereth never made a first team appearance for Arsenal.He made a Premier League matchday squad just once, for a 0-0 draw with Burnley in January 2022.During his time at Arsenal he spent loan spells at RKC Waalwijk, Motherwell and Sturm Graz.Seeing his latest goalscoring exploits for Monaco, several Gunners supporters ranted about his sale on social media.One fumed: “2021… Edu Gaspar I will never forgive you for selling Mika Biereth.. he should have been Arsenal’s main striker.”While a second claimed: “We could have given Mika Biereth a chance.”Another added: “Another day to lament about the selling of Mika Biereth. Many of us knew he was class.”READ MORE SUN STORIESArsenal are currently without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli.Mikel Merino rose from the bench as a makeshift centre forward to net a double in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Leicester earlier today. More

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      PSG rivals moving into 19,000 capacity stadium right next to Parc des Princes after Jurgen Klopp moaned about atmosphere

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN’S rivals Paris FC are moving into a 19,000-capacity stadium right next to the Parc des Princes following complaints from Jurgen Klopp about their atmosphere.The French minnows currently play in Ligue 2 and are hoping to seal promotion to the top flight this summer.Paris FC are set to move into a stadium right next to PSG’s Parc des PrincesCredit: AFPThe Ligue 2 side will play at the 19,000-seater Stade Jean-Bouin from next seaasonCredit: AFP – GettyRed Bull chief Jurgen Klopp felt that Paris FC needed to move to improve their atmosphereCredit: GettyParis FC hope to improve their standing at their new homeCredit: GettyBut should they enter Ligue 1 for the 2025/26 season, Paris FC will end up having an incredible derby with city rivals PSG.That’s because they are set to move into the 19,000-seater Stade Jean-Bouin, which located right next to PSG’s Parc des Princes.The fancy arena is currently used by rugby side Stade Francais.However, they will share it with Paris FC from next season, with a deal agreed until 2029.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe second-tier side have been playing at Stade Charlety this term, which is located to the south of Paris and has a capacity of 20,000.But fans are not happy with it due to it mainly being used as an athletics stadium.Seats are located far away from the pitch.And nobody was more displeased after a visit than Liverpool legend Klopp.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe German now works as Global Head of Football at Red Bull.They became minority investors in Paris FC late last year.Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp talks about his new role at Red Bull Paris FC currently play away from the city centre at the Stade CharletyCredit: AFPIt is primarily an athletics stadium and features the pitch far away from the crowdCredit: GettyStade Jean-Bouin has a more modern look to itCredit: GettyIt is also the home of top rugby side Stade FrancaisCredit: GettyAnd Klopp went to visit Stade Charlety to see them in action.But after being treated to the incredible atmospheres of Anfield and Borussia Dortmund’s Yellow Wall, Paris FC were found lacking.Klopp said: “The stadium is a stadium where you cannot create an atmosphere.“It is long ago since I watched a game from that far and I was in the stadium rather than in front of the TV.”As a result, Paris FC will now play at the Stade Jean-Bouin and will be hoping to become their city’s dominant side should they win promotion this term.Owner Antoine Arnault said: “Reaching this agreement to play at Jean-Bouin from next season was a priority for my family to offer our supporters, partners and spectators a perfect setting to see Paris FC teams.” More