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    Love Island’s Curtis Pritchard ready to follow Tommy Fury into boxing ring and says he could train with a British legend

    CURTIS PRITCHARD is ready to follow Love Island pal Tommy Fury into the Misfits Boxing ring. The likes of Fury and Idris Virgo have both featured on the hit ITV show before and after making waves in the sport. Curtis Pritchard is ready to follow Love Island pal Tommy Fury into the Misfits Boxing ringCredit: Rex FeaturesAnd more recently, the unbeaten pair signed to Misfits – the home of celebrity-style crossover bouts headed up by YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI. And now professional dancer Pritchard – who was once trained by Fury – fancies his chances in the ring. He told SunSport: “I’ve always been into fighting and boxing and all of that stuff so it’s something I’ve always wanted to do as a kid. “But dancing was my main career at the time and you couldn’t balance when you’re doing it at a very high level.READ MORE IN boxing “So I feel like now I’m at a different place in my life and I thought, let’s do some boxing. Let’s do something I’ve always wanted to do and get in the ring.”Pritchard, 29, has laced up the gloves before with the help of Fury, 25 for a series called The Boxer and the Ballroom Dancer. Fury was taught how to dance for a live performance and Pritchard was coached for a white collar bout – which he won on points. And Pritchard said: “The boxer and ballroom dancer! Trained him up to a dancing competition, they trained me up to do a boxing match, loved it, sick little thing that was.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”The only downside was it was a white collar fight, so we had all the headgear on and stuff, and I just feel like it distracts you slightly.”You have to move more with that on, so I would have preferred to have done it without it, but I would say it’s easier with the head guard on, so it’d be nice to try it without it on.”Love Island’s Curtis takes savage swipe at Ekin-Su’s ex Davide and offers him boxing match for ‘not treating her well’Pritchard’s friendship with Fury strained over the years but he still keeps in contact with British boxing legend Ricky Hatton after their sessions for the series. He said: “I’ve done some boxing with him before many years ago, so I can always turn to them and ask them for advice.”Lovely people up in Manchester because that’s my hometown area of Cheshire.”Pritchard has teased a bout against Davide Sanclimenti, 30, the ex of his current girlfriend Ekin-Su Culculoglu.But pressed on opponents, Pritchard said: “All things to be thinking about and in the pipeline at the minute. “But I actually did my first little session earlier today.”Pritchard met Ekin-Su on the latest series of Love Island All Stars. READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile Fury last year split up with Molly-Mae Hague despite rumours of a recent rekindling. The 10-0 boxer last fought in October 2023, beating KSI via controversial decision but he pulled out of facing Darren Till, 31, in January. Pritchard won his first boxing march for an ITV showCredit: ITV/YouTube More

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    Marcus Rashford’s delighted brother Dane joins noisy Aston Villa fans in Bruges pub before huge Champions League tie

    MARCUS RASHFORD’S brother Dane was welcomed into the Aston Villa family in a Bruges pub.Footage shared by ITV showed fans serenading about the on-loan Manchester United forward with brother Dane in joining them in Belgium.Dane Rashford, smiling in the middle, was greeted by Aston Villa fans at a pub in BrugesDane, the older brother of Marcus Rashford, was greeted by former Villa star Ian TaylorFans were singing Rashford’s name in the pubRashford was named in Aston Villa’s starting XI for the Champions League clashCredit: AFPDane, the older brother of Rashford, was all smiles as he joined Rashford’s new fans ahead of Villa’s Champions League tie against Club Brugges in the Champions League last 16.Former Aston Villa star Ian Taylor, 56, was there to greet Dane.The ex-midfielder, who played for Villa for nine years between 1994 and 2003, was also seen standing on a table leading the chants.Rashford was named in the starting XI for the clash by Unai Emery.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 27-year-old is yet to open his goalscoring account for Villa, but has already racked up three assists in wearing the club’s claret and blue.He climbed off the bench against Chelsea in the Premier League to set up Marco Asensio twice to seal a 2-1 comeback win.Last weekend he then provided another assist for Asensio’s opener against Cardiff as Villa secured a 2-0 win to move into the FA Cup quarter-finals – where they drew Championship side Preston.Rashford’s more creative side really came to the fore in his last game, creating six chances for team-mates, equalling his highest tally in 426 matches for his boyhood club.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAfter falling out of favour at Man Utd under Ruben Amorim, Rashford was sent on loan to Villa.The deal features a £40million option for the Villa Park outfit to make the deal permanent at the end of the season, while Villa are currently paying 75 per cent of his wages.Why Marcus Rashford could be perfect fit for Aston Villa after Man Utd transferAs well as Dane, Rashford also has a brother named Dwaine Maynard, two sisters, and one half-sister.Dane is a director of DN May Sports Management – a sports management agency ”with the goal of elevating athletes to achieve their full potential and thrive in their sports and in their wider life” – alongside Dwaine. More

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    ITV ‘made £0 bid to broadcast major football tournament’ but was beaten by £800million offer

    ITV made a stunning £0 bid to try and land the broadcast rights for the Club World Cup, it’s been claimed.The rights for the revamped tournament – which was first contested in 2000 – were recently acquired by streaming powerhouse DAZN.The 2025 Club World Cup takes place in the summerCredit: GETTYITV reportedly tabled a £0 bid to acquire the broadcast rights for the competitionCredit: AFPFIFA snubbed the proposal and accepted an £800million offer from DAZNCredit: GETTYBut The Telegraph claim that ITV tried to get their hands on them for absolutely zilch in an audacious bid.The British broadcaster is said to have been confident of landing the rights due to its ability to reach a wide audience.They were hoping to reach that wide audience by putting the games on its main terrestrial channels.FIFA, however, weren’t sold on the idea and opted to accept DAZN’s lucrative offer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAn ITV spokesperson said: “We would never comment on speculative contractual matters.”DAZN ended up paying a whopping £800million ($1billion) to acquire the rights for the 32-team tournament.ITV could, however, still end up broadcasting some Club World Cup games if DAZN sublicenses them the rights.DAZN, however, are said to be “undecided” about doing so as they hope airing the games free of charge will get footie fans to subscribe to its service.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Club World Cup gets underway in mid-June and will culminate on July 13.The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the home NFL teams the New York Jets and the New York Giants, will host the final.Fans baffled as Donald Trump sends bizarre video message to pal ‘Jonny’ Infantino before Fifa Club World Cup drawThe 2025 Club World Cup will be a showcase of some of the finest teams across the globe.Chelsea and Manchester City will be the Premier League’s representatives, while Atletico and Real Madrid will represent LaLiga. More

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    Are there FA Cup replays in the fifth round? Extra-time and penalties rules explained

    THE FA Cup fifth round is underway with some huge ties taking place.And Football’s oldest competition is taking a slightly different look this season.All eyes are on the iconic FA Cup as the fifth round beginsLast term, Manchester United stunned neighbours Manchester City to win the trophy with a 2-1 victory at Wembley in May.Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored the goals as the red half of Manchester went wild in the capital.The win kept Erik ten Hag in a job for a few more months before he was sacked in October.However, in this season’s FA Cup, there is a major change which was already kicked off from the first round proper.Manchester United are the current holdersCredit: RexAre there replays in the FA Cup fifth round?From this season, there will not be replays in the FA Cup fifth round.Instead, the games that are level after 90 minutes will straight head into extra-time and then potentially penalties.This has been the case from the first round proper this season.FA chiefs agreed extra payments to compensate clubs for the abolition of all replays.Most read in FA CupAll 32 teams eliminated at the last 64 stage will be paid £25,000 from Wembley funds, with the winners each receiving £115,000.What are the FA Cup fifth round ties?Friday, February 28Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff CitySaturday, March 112.15pm – Crystal Palace v Millwall12:15pm – Preston North End v Burnley3pm – Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers5.45pm – Manchester City v Plymouth ArgyleSunday, March 21.45pm – Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion4.30pm – Manchester United v FulhamMonday, March 37.30pm – Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town More

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    Gary Lineker moves to ITV with Match of the Day host to hold ‘most honest interview yet’

    GARY LINEKER is set for a move to ITV – but he won’t be heading up their footie coverage.SunSport exclusively revealed last year that Lineker’s incredible run as Match of the Day host will come to an end this summer.Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season and the Beeb next summerCredit: PALineker has been presenting MOTD since 1999Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTDThe former Everton and England star is set to appear on a brand new ITV showCredit: RexLineker is set to leave the Beeb in the summer of 2026.And he’s already bagged himself a temporary gig on a new ITV show.The former Everton and England hitman has been confirmed as the first star on the broadcaster’s new show, Assembly, where guests will face their “most honest interview yet”.In the show, Lineker will field questions from people who are neurodivergent, autistic and/or learning disabled.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAn ITV statement read: “After a long and illustrious career as both a Golden Boot-winning footballer and top sports broadcaster, and with his tenure as the longest-serving presenter of Match of the Day drawing to a close this summer, there’s no end to the stories that Lineker might share.”Carefully considered PR fluff won’t cut it on this show.”And the celebrities can expect plenty of mischief and surprises once they get in the hotseat.”JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSGary Lineker will officially leave the BBC after the 2026 World Cup finalCredit: PALineker will appear on the show with other celebs, including former Doctor Who, David Tennant, Little Mix star Jade Thirwall and actor Danny Dyer.Most read in FootballITV have previously tried to acquire Lineker’s services, offering him a chance to appear on Celebrity Big Brother.Gary Lineker ‘turns into Barry White’ as BBC viewers left stunned by sound of MOTD host’s voiceDuring a recent episode of The Rest is Football podcast, he revealed: “Do you know, last week I got requests to go on Celebrity Big Brother.”He added: “My agent sent it through, and then jokingly he replied, ‘Oh, yes. Gary’s fee will be £50 million!'”He did it completely as a joke, obviously. And they came back said, ‘Oh, that’s a little bit…that’s not within our budget.'”Lineker’s 25-year stint presenting Match of the Day will end at the culmination of the 2024-25 season.He will, however, head up the Beeb’s coverage of the 2025/26 FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Canada, Mexico and the USA.The final of the tournament, which will take place at the MetLife Stadium in New York on July 19, will be his farewell appearance for the broadcaster.It was announced in December that Lineker will be replaced by veteran footie presenters Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan. More

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    Embarrassed Kate Abdo covers face on live TV as she says Arsenal legend was her celebrity crush

    KATE ABDO was left red faced after revealing her childhood celebrity crush as none other than Arsenal legend Ian Wright.The presenter was hosting the broadcaster’s Champions League coverage alongside Micah Richards, Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher.Kate Abdo was left red faced after revealing her childhood celebrity crushCredit: CBSCarragher, Henry and Richards were all left shocked with Abdo’s revelationCredit: CBSThe latest clip to come off the CBS production line shows the pundits each discussing their old celebrity crushes.As ever, the much-loved quartet had provided some unexpected, but hilarious, answers.Carragher, Henry and Richards pressed Abdo for her puppy love, before she blurted: “I already said, Ian Wright!”The trio of former footballers were left genuinely shocked, causing Abdo to squirm in her chair and hide away behind her cards in embarrassment.READ MORE ON ARSENALAn animated Richards kept repeating: “You didn’t say that! Hold on.”Carragher added: “Wait. I thought he was your favourite pundit.”While Henry – who fans have long joked has a crush on Abdo – simply gasped: “Wow. Now we know”.The pick of the bunch from the three pundits came from Carragher.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Liverpool legend’s answer of Sheila Grant from 80s TV show Brookside was met with a fit of laughter from others in the studio.Richards went with American actress Jessica Alba and said he might dive into her DMs now that she’s split from husband Cash Warren.Watch Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s hilarious reaction after being called out by boxing champ Oleksandr UsykArsenal legend Ian Wright was Abdo’s celebrity crushCredit: GettyHenry picked Daisy Duke, who is a fictional character, played by Catherine Bach, from the US series The Dukes of Hazzard.Abdo tied the knot with former pro US boxer Malik Scott in an intimate wedding ceremony last September.Last year, Carragher’s awkward “loyalty” joke caused carnage.The incident occurred during coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Porto at the Emirates in March 2024.In a skit involving a Gunners shirt, Abdo stated that she wouldn’t wear it because she is “loyal” to Manchester United.Carragher then made a quip about her Scott, saying “not to Malik”, prompting her to ask: “Why would you even ask that?”Fans cringed and hit out at the former Liverpool defender for his ‘unfunny’ comment which uncomfortably missed the mark.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Abdo patched things up soon after and accepted Carragher’s apology after initially “feeling hurt” by it.Abdo subsequently addressed the incident live on TV 24 hours later, delivering an hilarious ‘brotherly’ put-down to Carragher.Sheila Corkhill (second right) is a fictional character from British soap opera Brookside, played by Sue Johnston More

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    FA Cup TV games CONFIRMED with Plymouth fans facing nightmare journey home from Man City clash

    PLYMOUTH ARGYLE fans face a nightmare journey home from Manchester after the next round of FA Cup TV games were confirmed.The remaining eight fixtures are set to take place on the first weekend of March.TV games for the next round of the FA Cup have been revealedCredit: ReutersAnd the FA Cup fifth round games have now been divvied up between national broadcasters ITV and the BBC.But Argyle fans will be feeling hard done by after their trip to Manchester City, a reward for KO’ing Liverpool, was given a 5.45pm kick-off time by ITV4 on Saturday March 1.The journey up from the south west alone will take nearly six hours.And supporters face being stranded in Manchester overnight, with the final train back to Plymouth leaving at 6.25pm — 40 minutes after kick-off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe train doesn’t even get back to Devon until nearly midnight.And it means any fan who wants to catch it will likely be unlikely to see more than a few minutes of the game, given the 1.4 mile distance between the Etihad and Manchester Piccadilly station.Man City vs Plymouth is just one of FOUR matches taking place on Saturday March 1.Crystal Palace vs Millwall kicks off at 12.15pm on BBC One.Most read in FA CupJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWhile Preston vs Burnley starts at the same time on BBC iPlayer.Bournemouth vs Wolves is also taking place at 3pm.Alex Scott given a fright by BBC presenter’s comment after picking last ball of FA Cup draw But it is the one game of the weekend that will NOT be on TV, and has instead been selected as the featured broadcast for BBC Radio 5 Live.The day before, Friday February 28, sees Aston Villa host Cardiff at 8pm on ITV1.Sunday March 2 then boasts Newcastle vs Brighton, which kicks off at 1.45pm on ITV1.That game is later followed by Man United vs Fulham at 4.30pm on BBC One.And the last match of the round features Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich on Monday March 3, which kicks off at 7.30pm on ITV4.FA Cup fifth round fixtures in fullFRIDAY 28 FEBRUARYAston Villa v. Cardiff City at 20:00 GMT on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV PlayerSATURDAY 1 MARCHCrystal Palace v. Millwall at 12:15 GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayerPreston North End v. Burnley at 12:15 GMT on BBC iPlayerAFC Bournemouth v. Wolverhampton Wanderers at 15:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 LiveManchester City v. Plymouth Argyle at 17:45 GMT on ITV4 and ITVXSUNDAY 2 MARCHNewcastle United v. Brighton & Hove Albion at 13:45 GMT on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV PlayerManchester United v. Fulham at 16:30 GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayerMONDAY 3 MARCHNottingham Forest v. Ipswich Town at 19:30 GMT on ITV4 and ITVX More

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    ITV forced to apologise as Plymouth hero says ‘I f***ing love it’ TWICE live on air after shocking Liverpool

    ITV had to apologise after a Plymouth player swore TWICE during a live interview following Argyle’s famous 1-0 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup.Argyle defender Nikola Katic let a few f-bombs slip during his post match interview as Liverpool’s quadruple hopes went up in smoke at Home Park.Nikola Katic swore during ITV’s live coverage of Plymouth’s shock 1-0 win over LiverpoolThe Plymouth hero said ‘I f***ing love it’ TWICE live on airCredit: ITVKatic – who lost a tooth in the opening stages following a collision with his own team-mate – couldn’t contain his emotion.When asked what’s like to beat Liverpool, he said: “I f****** love it”, before repeating, “I f****** love it” AGAIN immediately after.Katic – who only joined Plymouth on loan from FC Zurich last month- added: “That’s why I came here. It’s a beautiful day here.” Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard – who was booked in the second half – could be seen laughing after Katic made his faux pas.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSRyan Hardie’s penalty clinched a historic victory over the Premier League leaders and fans inside Home Park had their hearts in their mouths when the fourth official put nine additional minutes up.The millions at home were waiting for Katic to apologise for his profanity, but he seemingly forgot too, instead adding: “We did what the coach asked from us. That is it.”But ITV host Mark Pougatch took charge of matters after the camera switched back to the studio.Pougatch said: “We’re very sorry for the industrial language.”Most read in FootballBlood was seen pouring from Katic’s mouth as he received medical treatment on the pitch in the opening minutes. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFortunately, Katic was back on his feet and was able to resume the game shortly after.The Bosnian is on loan from the Swiss Super League and put in a Player of the Match performance, as he made 11 headed clearances.Plymouth hero Ryan Hardie reveals touching reason he ‘teared up’ in warm-up before scoring penalty to stun LiverpoolMark Pougatch was forced to apologise after Katic sworeCredit: GettyHe previously played for Rangers, where he was managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.In fact, Katic was part of Gerrard’s title-winning side in the 2020-2021 season.Meanwhile, Slot made 10 changes to the team that beat Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.Ryan Hardie made no mistake from the penalty spot to give his side a deserved lead early in the second half.The ball had smacked off Harvey Elliott’s arms, which were raised well above his head, inside the area.Hazard produced a stunningly late match-winning save from Diogo Jota, adding: “That’s just my job, isn’t it? Keep the ball out the net the best I can. I’m delighted with it.”Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Alisson and Andy Robertson were among those given the afternoon off with Trent Alexander-Arnold unavailable through injury.READ MORE SUN STORIESPlymouth, meanwhile, sit 43 places below Liverpool at the bottom of the Championship.The FA Cup fifth-round draw takes place on Monday night.Plymouth pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent FA Cup memoryCredit: RexHardie made no mistake from 12 yardsUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More