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    What time is the two minute silence for the Queen’s funeral?

    THE QUEEN sadly passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2022, aged 96, after she spent 70 years on the throne.Her funeral will be 10 days after Her death, and this is what you need to know about the national two minute silence that will happen in honour of Her Majesty.
    What time is the two minute silence for the Queen’s funeral?
    The Queen’s funeral is set to take place on September 19, 10 days after her death.
    During the 10 days leading up to her funeral, the UK will be going through national mourning.
    Flags on government buildings will be flying at half-mast and there tend to be some cancellations of events and closures of establishments.
    The service will be televised and a national two minute silence is expected to be held at midday.
    A two minute silence is expected to be held during the Queen’s funeral at middayCredit: Alamy
    How to observe the two minute silence?
    The two minutes of silence are signs of respect and they represent a time for reflection.
    During this time, one can think about how the Queen served the country for 70 years, the longest-ever serving Monarch in British history.
    Read More On The Queen’s Death
    She earned the throne after her father, King George VI passed away on February 6, 1952.
    That was the date when she became Queen, but she was crowned on June 2, 1953, a year later.
    This was because they give time for the Coronation celebrations to pay respect to the deceased Monarch.
    In fact, not even the Platinum Jubilee was celebrated on the day the Queen earned her title.
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    The same will happen for King Charles to officially be crowned and that is why there has been no date confirmed on when his Coronation will be held.
    How can I watch the Queen’s funeral?
    First, there will be a procession in the streets of London, which you can attend and observe from the sides.
    The Queen’s coffin will be carried upon a gun carriage pulled by naval ratings using ropes rather than horses, just like they carried her father’s coffin.
    Members of the Royal family and the military will also be walking along in the procession.
    There are 2,000 guests expected to attend the service while millions are expected to be watching live on television from all over the world.
    Many mourners are expected to show up to pay tribute to the Queen, former counter-terror chief Nick Aldworth said.
    He said: “It’s probably the biggest operation that we’re likely to mount in the UK.”
    In the UK, a number of TV and radio channels will be broadcasting the funeral live.
    These include BBC, ITV and Sky and the BBC iPlayer offers free online live-stream.
    In the US, the funeral will be shown live on NBC News and their streaming service NBC News Now.
    CNN, ABC and Fox News will also be airing the funeral.
    All you need to know after Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96THE nation is in mourning after beloved Queen Elizabeth dies aged 96 – here is all you need to know about Her Majesty’s glorious life and what’s next. More

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    Barcelona ‘preparing lawsuit against Atletico Madrid over Griezmann after they find loophole around £35m transfer’

    BARCELONA are preparing a lawsuit against Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Antoine Griezmann, Spanish media say. The Frenchman left Atletico for Barcelona in 2019 but returned on a two-year loan in August 2021.
    Antoine Griezmann is currently on loan with Atletico MadridCredit: Rex
    The Spanish side face having to pay £34million to buy Griezmann permanently if he plays more than half of their matches this season.
    This obligation is only reached if he plays a full 45 minutes of football in half the games.
    To avoid activating the clause, Atletico appear to be restricting his game time.
    This season, Griezmann has been subbed on from the 62nd, 64th, 63th and 61st minutes of play.
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    But according to Sport, Barca are set to launch legal action, believing terms of the deal have already been met.
    Nou Camp chiefs insist Griezmann needed to play for 45 minutes or more in over 50 per cent of the matches during his first season on loan.
    And the second year would not be taken into account in calculations as it was simply an extension from the original terms agreed.
    But Atletico hit back to argue the clause extends over the second season of loan.
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    Meaning, by not meeting the conditions this campaign, they will not obliged to pay the full £34m transfer fee.
    Barca are believed to have informed Atletico of their intentions to file a lawsuit, seeking immediate payment.
    Griezmann joined Barca for £108million but failed to settle in, scoring just 35 goals in his 102 matches.
    Last season, he played 39 times, scoring only eight times all while starting 32 games.
    This term, Griezmann, 31, has three goals in his five matches but has only started twice.
    Antoine Griezmann is in his second year on loan with AtleticoCredit: Rex More

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    Miralem Pjanic completes shock Sharjah FC free transfer as Barcelona terminate contract after just 19 LaLiga games

    BARCELONA midfielder Miralem Pjanic has made a shock switch to Sharjah FC after having his contract terminated at the Nou Camp.The 32-year-old, who joined the Catalan giants in 2020, moves to the UAE-based club for free until 2024, with the option of a further year.
    Pjanic has seen his Barcelona contract terminated ahead of a free transfer to the UAECredit: Getty
    Barcelona facilitated the move by ripping up his contract – which wasn’t due to expire for another two seasons.
    A club statement read: “Barcelona and Miralem Pjanić have reached an agreement to release the player from the contract binding the player to the club until the end of the 2023/24 season.
    “The club publicly expresses its gratitude to the player for his professionalism, dedication and commitment and for always adapting his contract to the club’s situations and needs.
    “It wishes him every success and fortune in the future.”
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    Moments after Barcelona’s announcement, the switch to Sharjah was confirmed.
    Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Official, confirmed. Miralem Pjanić leaves Barcelona and joins Sharjah FC on permanent deal, contract valid until June 2024 with option until June 2025.
    “Deal signed after agreement reached last Monday.”
    Pjanic made 30 appearances for Barcelona in the 2020/21 campaign after joining from Juventus – with 19 of those coming in LaLiga.
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    Last year the Bosnian was shipped out on loan to Turkey where he spent a season with Besiktas, playing 26 times.
    Upon returning to the Nou Camp, Pjanic has been on the bench for every one of Barcelona’s games so far this season.
    And he has not received a single minute of action – although does have a new hairline after his Turkish stint.
    The likes of Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets are all ahead of Pjanic in the Nou Camp pecking order.
    Now he has departed European football altogether and moved to the Middle East.
    In joining UAE outfit Sharjah FC, the midfielder will be linking up with Paco Alcacer.
    Read More on The Sun
    The only trophy Pjanic has to show for his time at Barcelona is the Copa del Rey, which he won in 2021.
    However, he did win four Serie A titles and two Coppa Italias with Juventus. More

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    Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso both left out of Barcelona squad for Champions League opener despite late transfers

    BARCELONA have left new signings Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso out of their Champions League squad. It comes after the full-backs sealed late transfers to the club from Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.
    Hector Bellerin during his unveiling as a new Barcelona playerCredit: Getty
    Marcos Alonso was unveiled alongside BellerinCredit: Getty
    Barcelona boss Xavi explained his reasoning behind the omissions.
    “They are two signings, they have to get used to what we are doing,” he told reporters.
    “They haven’t had minutes this season and they need a little more physical work. Saturday they will be in the squad.”
    However, Xavi did also detail the need to have plenty of players in the squad.
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    He added: “There will be rotations. The calendar is very demanding, we need people to have minutes, there is tiredness, fatigue and niggles after the Sevilla match.
    “We have a big squad and we have to rotate. That’s the idea.”
    Bellerin had his contract with Arsenal terminated in order to complete a transfer back to his boyhood club, whom he originally left in 2011 to join The Gunners.
    The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Blaugrana, but the deal has no option to be extended further.
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    Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso went to Barca as part of a swap deal that saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang go the other way.
    Chelsea paid £10million on top of the Spaniard to complete the deal.
    Barcelona will kick off their Champions League campaign against Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday. More

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    Fans all say the same thing as Eden Hazard proves he’s ‘finished’ in worrying Real Madrid training video

    FANS are all saying the same thing as a “finished” Eden Hazard featured on Real Madrid’s training video.The Spanish club released a clip showing the side’s stars going through their paces in a drill.
    Fans were unkind in their assessment of Eden Hazard’s training ground performanceCredit: YouTube / Real Madrid
    Hazard tried to find multiple ways around his teammate Lucas VazquezCredit: YouTube / Real Madrid
    Hazard eventually gets a tame shot away after spotting a gap to goalCredit: YouTube / Real Madrid
    Madrid won the Champions League and La Liga double last season but players were still keen to show their abilities in this clip.
    The training drill has attackers players going up against defenders in one-on-one challenges.

    They had to try and beat the defender and put it past the goalkeeper.
    The two-minute long video shows Real Madrid’s stars explore ways to beat their man before tucking the ball past the goalkeeper.
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    But the hapless ex-Chelsea ace Hazard noticeably struggled on his first attempt.
    The Belgian can be seen trying to dribble past Lucas Vazquez as he enters the box.
    After a moment of hesitation, he decides to shift onto his right boot.
    Struggling to find a route to goal, he then shifts the ball to his left foot before immediately returning to his right.
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    But his effort is comfortably saved by the keeper.
    In contrast, many of his teammates like wonderkid Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric make it look effortless as they evade their defenders before firing the ball home.
    Hazard did redeem himself and later in the video can be seen confidently striding into the box and dispatching the ball beyond the keeper.
    The moment did not save him in the eyes of some fans who gave a brutal critique of his performance.
    One said: “It hurts to see Hazard so stiff.”
    A second added: “Hazard is so finished.” 
    Another fan said: “It is so evident that Eden Hazard is washed up.” 
    The 31-year-old has struggled since moving to the Bernabeu in 2019 with injuries hampering his dream transfer.
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    He failed to score in 18 league appearances last season and registered only one assist.
    In four La Liga games this season, with Real having won all of them, Hazard has made two appearances so far and will be hoping his injury concerns are behind him. More

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    Miralem Pjanic quits Barcelona and set to join UAE side Sharjah FC in shock transfer, confirms Xavi

    MIRALEM PJANIC has QUIT Barcelona and will seal a transfer to the United Arab Emirates Pro League. The former Roma and Juventus star will leave Barcelona after two years with the club.
    Miralem Pjanic has seen his role at Barcelona limited to a bench one this seasonCredit: Alamy
    Pjanic previously in action for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Barcelona boss Xavi has confirmed the 32-year-old would be departing soon, after omitting him from the club’s squad.
    As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, he said: “Pjanić has decided to leave for more opportunities — he has been a great professional, so I think he had chances here but everyone chooses their own path”
    In joining UAE side Sharjah FC, the midfielder will be linking up with a familiar face from European football in Paco Alcacer.
    Pjanic has been on the bench for every one of Barcelona’s games this season, but has failed to play a single minute in any of them.
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    Last year the Bosnian was shipped out on loan to Turkey, where he spent a season with Besiktas playing 26 times.
    And Pjanic would have not been thrilled to see Barcelona massively bolstering their squad without any major departures in central midfield.
    Xavi has a whole host of options to choose from, with Pjanic some way down the pecking order in terms of ranking.
    His options are so vast in fact, that Manchester United and Chelsea target Frenkie de Jong has been limited mostly to a bench role with Sergio Busquets, Gavi, and Pedri taking up slots in midfield.
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    While his career may be on a downward trajectory as it stands, Pjanic has breathed new life into his hair following a hair transplant.
    Photos revealed the extent of the difference between his hair before and after his loan move to Turkey. More

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    Hector Bellerin to be given ‘absurd’ termination clause in Barcelona deal after quitting Arsenal – but there’s a catch

    BARCELONA have reportedly added a huge termination clause into Hector Bellerin’s new contract in a bid to avoid a breach in Financial Fair Play rules.Bellerin, 27, joined the La Liga giants on a free transfer from Arsenal on deadline day.
    Bellerin joined Barcelona in a free transfer from Arsenal on deadline dayCredit: Getty
    The defender has signed a one-year dealCredit: Reuters
    However, club chiefs were only able to offer him a one-year deal due to FFP regulations.
    According to Spanish outlet MundoDeportivo, in a bid to avoid FFP breaches Barcelona have taken advantage of financial ‘tricks’ such as offering short-term deals.
    And, they have inserted a £50MILLION termination clause into his contract.
    New boy Marcos Alonso was also offered the same deal following his last-minute move away from Chelsea.
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    The Spaniard joined Barcelona as part of a swap deal which saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang go the other way to Stamford Bridge.
    Xavi was eager to add at least one new full-back to his ranks after Sergino Dest agreed to join AC Milan on a season-long loan.
    Despite the club’s dwindling financial status, Barca spent over £140m on new signings during the transfer window.
    Raphinha became Xavi’s first big signing of the summer when he made the £55m move from Leeds in July.
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    Robert Lewandowski then joined in a £42.5m transfer from Bayern Munich after requesting to leave the Bundesliga.
    And Jules Kounde made the £45m switch from Sevilla.
    Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen also signed in free transfers from AC Milan and Chelsea respectively.
    But Barcelona almost had to RELEASE both players before the season kicked off after struggling to register them. More

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    Robert Lewandowski ‘has termination clause included in £216k-a-week contract’ as Barcelona deal is broken down

    ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI’S £216,000-a-week Barcelona contract has a termination clause inserted, according to reports. But his wages CHANGE every season throughout his four-year stay at the club.
    Robert Lewandowski’s contract at Barcelona makes for interesting readingCredit: Getty
    Lewandowski, 34, joined Barca from Bayern Munich in a £42.5million transfer this summer after declaring his desire to quit the German champions.
    He put pen to paper on a deal at the Nou Camp until 2026.
    And now the finer details of the paperwork have been revealed by Cadena SER Catuluna.
    Incredibly, the Poland star will get paid a net £8.6m in the current 2022-23 season – which works out as £165,000 per week after tax.
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    This will jump to £11.2m (£215,000 per week) next term and then £13.8m (£265,000 per week) in 2024-25 before dropping back to £11.2m in the final year, by which time he will be nearly 38.
    Any club wanting to buy Lewandowski during the course of this deal would need to trigger his £430m release clause.
    However, Barca have the option to terminate his contract early under special circumstances.
    If Lewandowski plays less than 55 per cent of matches in the 2024-25 season, the club will be able to rip up his deal and release him.
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    There are also a series of bonuses in the contract including up to an extra £500,000 should he win LaLiga during his spell in Spain and £1.72m if he secures a league, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble.
    However, there are no bonuses for only winning the Copa del Rey.
    Lewandowski is the main striker in Xavi’s squad, especially after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s £12m transfer to Chelsea on deadline day.
    And he has made a lightning start to life at the Nou Camp.
    Lewandowski failed to score against Rayo Vallecano on the opening day but then struck doubles against Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid plus another goal against Sevilla to take his tally to five in four matches. More