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      Oxford vs Wycombe DELAYED by 40 minutes due to medical emergency in stands in worrying scenes

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      OXFORD’S League One clash with Wycombe was delayed by 40 minutes due to a medical emergency in the stands.Play stopped less than 20 minutes into the match so that an individual could receive urgent attention.
      Players from both teams leave the field of playCredit: Prime Media
      The two teams were level at 0-0 when the medical emergency occurredCredit: Rex
      Players were taken off the pitch while the supporter was treated.
      Oxford’s official Twitter account wrote: “The thoughts of everyone at Oxford United are with the individual involved.”
      They then added: “The game is due to restart at 4pm allowing both teams the opportunity to warm up again.
      “Thank you for your continued patience.”
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      Fans shared their concerns on social media, with one writing: “Sending lots of love, football doesn’t matter at times like these.”
      Another tweeted: “Hope the individual makes a swift recovery.”
      Wycombe echoed the sentiments, writing on their official Twitter account: “Our very best wishes to those involved.”
      One Wanderers fan replied: “Worrying news. Hope all ends well.”
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      And a second tweeted: “Thoughts with the fan who is unwell. Hope they make a full recovery.”
      The match was level at 0-0 when the medical emergency occurred.
      Oxford went into the match 18th on 11 points, with Wycombe one place behind on goal difference. More

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      EFL clubs could scrap plans to move games earlier to avoid using floodlights amid fears matchday revenue will take hit

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      EFL clubs are hurriedly working out if early kick-offs can save them money on using their floodlights.But cash counters seem to think it will cost even MORE to change games radically.
      EFL clubs are concerned about racking up huge bills with their flood lightsCredit: Rex Features
      The cost of living crisis has prompted the EFL to contemplate having more early kick-offsCredit: REX
      Some EFL clubs are dead against the idea while others who plan to try are unsure it will help.
      As revealed here months ago, clubs face energy bills which have doubled or trebled.
      There is leeway to change kick-off times and some are planned — but many think it will mean fewer fans and a big financial hit at bars and food stalls.
      One leading official said: “Moving kick-offs by two or three hours will impact crowds.
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      “It would only take 50 fewer people and that would be up to £1,000 gone for ONE game.
      “And that would be inevitable as home supporters would be lost and even more away fans could be disrupted by having to travel earlier.
      “Fans also take food and drink at games and they are less likely to booze before noon.
      “So the finances don’t add up. It might be better facing the pain of the fuel bills.”
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      One radical proposal that could see EFL clubs get a cash injection is the addition of a Premier League All-Star match, which new Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly reckons would have a trickle-down effect.
      The American said earlier this month: “Ultimately, I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson out of the American sports teams and really start to think about why don’t we do a tournament with the bottom four teams.
      “People are talking about why don’t we have more money for the pyramid?
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      “MLB did their All-Star Game this year. They made $200 million from a Monday and a Tuesday.
      “You could do a North vs South All-Star game from the Premier League to fund the pyramid very easily.”
      But the idea has been met with much derision among rival Prem managers and owners.
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      EFL sides look at lunchtime kick-offs during the winter to save on energy bills with teams desperate to cut costs

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      EFL CHIEFS are considering the possibility of increasing the amount of lunchtime kick-offs to help lower-league clubs amid the cost of living crisis.A new survey from football reform group Fair Game has found that midday kick-offs for weekend league and FA Cup games would be considered by the majority of clubs in the EFL and the wider football pyramid as a way of cutting costs.
      Many clubs are considering lunchtime kick-offs in a bid to aid with the cost of living crisisCredit: Arron Gent/News Images
      Many believe that staging earlier games would help to reduce energy bills as the use of floodlights would not be necessary.
      Although the government has pledged to support businesses with rising energy costs, it is currently unclear whether or not this will benefit football clubs for a sufficient period of time.
      Overall, 63 per-cent of 40 clubs – including 12 EFL teams – have revealed that they will consider utilising earlier kick-offs if given permission.
      Clubs rated their concern about the cost of living crisis at seven out of 10, with League Two clubs considering it an eight out of 10.
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      This has prompted many to re-evaluate budgets for ground improvements as well as non-playing staff.
      Amid the financial crisis, Premier League clubs are currently preparing to hold further talks over a new financial distribution model to support the rest of the football pyramid.
      The plan is expected to include changes to parachute payments and a new merit-based payment system to Championship clubs.
      Changes to the domestic calendar from 2024 are also expected to be considered with many clubs pushing to axe FA Cup third and fourth round replays despite the fact that many lower-league clubs have benefitted from them over the years.
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      Fair Game chief executive Niall Couper has now demanded that action be taken to financially aid clubs in need.
      He said: “The results paint a very bleak future for football outside the top echelons of the game.
      “Having survived the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis could well be the death knell for the hard-working community clubs lower down the pyramid.
      “Lower-league football clubs are the heartbeat of their communities, but right now they are in intensive care.
      “The Premier League are at best going to offer a sticking plaster. They have had decades to address the problem and they should stand aside.
      “It is now up to the Government to intervene. The recent fan-led review set up by the Conservative Party revealed the financial flow within the game, and the governance that sits behind it, is broken.
      “Fair Game are calling for action now. We were promised levelling up, instead we could see the levelling of football stadia across the country with decades of history and tradition wiped off the map.
      “The Government needs to deliver on its promise of an independent regulator now. A regulator that can oversee football’s financial flow. Without it the pyramid of our national game will crumble.”
      Plans for an independent regulator for football have stalled following the appointment of new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
      But, clubs have been handed a boost as the government have proposed to cut energy bills for UK businesses by around half their expected level.
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      The new scheme will fix gas and electricity prices for firms for six months from October 1, protecting businesses from rapidly rising costs.
      This would shield many clubs – especially non-league – from entering a cost crisis. More

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      Sidemen charity football match SOLD OUT at The Valley as KSI and Logan Paul prove bigger draw than Charlton

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      CHARLTON are set for a record home attendance this season at the weekend… only it won’t be them playing.The Sidemen charity match returns after a four-year absence with the clash SOLD OUT at The Valley.
      KSI’s Sidemen group play in a charity match at Charlton’s stadium on SaturdayCredit: PA
      Tickets for the clash at The Valley are sold out, with around 27,000 fans to attendCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      With the Addicks playing away at Barnsley on Saturday at 3pm, the YouTube football clash will be held at the League One club’s ground at the same time.
      The game is between KSI’s Sidemen group taking on a selection of YouTube Allstars.
      And it is set to be played in front of a full capacity stadium, with The Valley able to hold 27,111 supporters.
      Should there be around 27,000 fans watching on from the stands, that would be 10,000 more supporters than Charlton’s highest home attendance this season.
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      Charlton’s current biggest attendance at The Valley this term is when 17,046 supporters watched the 1-0 win over Derby at the start of August.
      There were 12,644 fans watching the 1-1 draw with Cambridge two weeks later.
      Meanwhile 12,392 supporters rocked up to see Charlton in action against Plymouth last month.
      The last time the Sidemen charity game was played was in 2018, and money raised from the fixture went to the Charlton Athletic Community Trust and Young Minds.
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      All seven Sidemen members will be in action at The Valley – Josh Bradley, Simon Minter, Tobi Brown, KSI, Ethan Payne, Vikram Barn and Harry Lewis.
      Meanwhile KSI’s former rival-turned-friend Logan Paul will also be playing in the game, as will AnEsonGib, fresh from his sensational KO win over Austin McBroom.
      In addition, TikTok star Noah Beck, who stunned in his performance at Soccer Aid, has been confirmed too as has Australian YouTuber LazarBeam.
      Fellow Soccer Aid star Chunkz plus Cal the Dragon are also set to play.
      Manchester United fan and United Stand founder and presenter Mark Goldbridge and F2 Freestyler Billy Wingrove are the managers.
      Logan Paul will be taking part in the game between the Sidemen and YouTube AllstarsCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      EFL and National League clubs to be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England or Wales’ World Cup fixtures

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      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England and Wales’ World Cup games.A full schedule of fixtures is planned over the weekend of December 3 — when the Home Nations could be playing in the last 16 in Qatar.
      EFL and National League clubs will be allowed to call off matches if they coincide with England or Wales games at the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Southgate is aiming to lead England to glory in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Rob Page has been handed a new contract after guiding Wales to the World CupCredit: Alamy
      EFL and National League bosses both said clubs can decide whether they rearrange, though it is possible a collective decision could be made.
      England and Wales are in Group B with Iran and the USA — and feasibly both teams could progress.
      The top two to qualify will face rivals from Group A.
      That World Cup group is made up of hosts Qatar, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands, Sadio Mane’s Senegal and Ecuador.
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      Wrexham are due to visit York in the National League on the Saturday.
      But the Welsh side will likely postpone if Robert Page’s Dragons are in a first World Cup knockout game for 64 years.
      Then the next Saturday night could also see England or Wales play in the quarter-finals — hours after domestic games have finished.
      Argentina and France are both possible opponents for that one.
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      Although the leagues say they will expect teams to fulfil fixtures that day.
      England kick off their campaign against Iran on the opening day of the tournament, while Wales face the USA on the same day.
      The Three Lions take on the Dragons in their final group game. More

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      Barnsley star Brad Collins covered in blood after suffering horrific head gash which caused 14 MINUTES of added time

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      BARNSLEY goalkeeper Brad Collins suffered a horror head injury in the Tykes’ 3-0 win against Cambridge United.The 25-year-old was helped from the pitch with blood pouring down his face.
      Brad Collins was helped off the field covered in bloodCredit: Jim Steele
      Collins was sent clattering to the floor by Cambridge ace Sam Smith five minutes into the second half as he came out of his box to head the ball away.
      Smith also required treatment after the sickening collision, but it was Collins who came off worse.
      The game was brought to a halt for more than 10 minutes to allow for the Barnsley stopper to be tended to by paramedics.
      A stretcher was brought on but Collins was eventually able to clamber back to his feet.
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      He left the field to a huge ovation as the blood continued to pour down his face.
      Barnsley are yet to provide an update on his condition.
      There were 14 minutes of added time at the end of the League One clash following the injury to Collins.
      Fans were left concerned for Collins’ wellbeing after seeing the nasty collision.
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      One wrote on Twitter: “Hope Brad Collins is ok. Looked like a nasty one. Wishing him a speedy recovery!”
      While another said: “Get well soon Brad Collins.”
      Barnsley were 1-0 up thanks to a Devante Cole goal at the time of his injury, before being reduced to 10 men when Liam Kitching was sent off for two bookable offences.
      But goals from Robbie Cundy and James Norwood helped the 10-man Tykes to a valuable three points.
      The result helped Michael Duff’s side climb to sixth in the League One table.
      Meanwhile the U’s are ninth after back-to-back defeats. More

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      EFL confirm Championship, League One and League Two to return from tomorrow after postponement following Queen’s death

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      THE EFL have confirmed that its fixture schedule will resume from tomorrow following the death of The Queen.The Queen died peacefully aged 96 on Thursday – marking an end to her historic reign and making her son, Charles, King.
      The EFL have confirmed that its fixtures will resume from TuesdayCredit: EFL
      The Championship, League One and Two is returning tomorrowCredit: Rex
      The Premier League and EFL postponed all matches last weekend as Scotland followed suit along with a host of other sporting events to pay tribute to Her Majesty.
      Now the EFL have announced that its midweek fixture list will go ahead as planned.
      A statement read: “The EFL fixture programme will return as scheduled from Tuesday 13 September, with tributes to be paid to Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at grounds around the country.
      “A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the National Anthem to be played in stadiums.
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      “With a national policing plan now in operation, the League and Clubs will continue to work with forces in respect of any challenges that may emerge regarding policing of specific fixtures.
      “Consideration to individual circumstances will be made on a case-by-case basis, in line with standard match Safety Advisory Group (SAG) protocols.”
      Meanwhile, football chiefs and police are continuing talks today over a number of potential match postponements for this coming weekend.
      The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II has been confirmed for Monday 19 September in London.
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      A host of police officers from across the country are set to be drafted into London to work on it and the other events surrounding the send-off with millions of mourners due to descend on the capital.
      As we reported last week, that means that Sunday’s Premier League games between Brentford and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and Manchester United vs Leeds are among those being discussed about being postponed or moved.
      Up in Scotland, Rangers’ Champions League fixture at home to Napoli has been delayed for 24 hours and away supporters have been banned.
      SunSport understands that England’s representatives in Uefa’s competitions this midweek will not be affected, with Arsenal’s Europa League clash in North London against PSV on Thursday still scheduled to go ahead.
      But talks are still ongoing regarding the domestic top-flight clashes for next weekend.
      Switching games to the opposition’s venue has already been discussed, but they have also hit major roadblocks.
      For example, Liverpool’s neighbours Everton are also playing at home on Sunday, meaning Chelsea switching their game to Anfield is highly unlikely.
      Meanwhile, a huge police presence is expected at Old Trafford for the game between heated rivals United and Leeds, which would also stretch resources.
      And EFL fixtures are also at risk in and around London with Millwall, QPR and Watford due to be hosting matches.
      But officials are still “hopeful” that a positive conclusion could be reached.
      A National Police Chiefs Council spokesperson said: “We will work with football clubs to try and ensure that, where possible, football fixtures can take place safely when balanced against the requirement to support national events and deliver day-to-day policing.
      “This is a unique situation and we are working closely with everyone involved.”
      More to follow… More

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      Premier League and EFL call off all weekend’s football following the death of The Queen as sporting world pays respect

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      PREMIER LEAGUE and EFL chiefs have cancelled this weekend’s football following the death of Her Majesty Elizabeth II.After talks between bosses and government officials, the decision has been made to abandon the scheduled programme.
      West Ham paid tribute to Her Majesty the Queen on Thursday eveningCredit: PA
      There was a minute’s silence at Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United’s game against Real SociedadCredit: Reuters
      As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed.— Premier League (@premierleague) September 9, 2022

      A Prem meeting and a call between sport bodies and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport took place this morning.
      The Government informed sport bodies that they were under no obligation to cancel scheduled games.
      But the decision has been made to call off the weekend’s Premier League and EFL matches after The Queen died yesterday, aged 96.
      Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement that Her Majesty Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, had passed away peacefully at Balmoral.
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      The FA have also confirmed that all fixtures across the English football pyramid, including grassroots games, have been postponed, meaning no fixtures will take place at any level.
      Monday evening’s Prem clash between Leeds and Nottingham Forest has also been called off.
      A Premier League statement said: “At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 
      “To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game.”
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      They added: “Further updates regarding Premier League fixtures during the period of mourning will be provided in due course.”
      Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.  
      “As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.  
      “This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”
      Meanwhile an EFL statement said: “Further to discussions on Friday morning it has been determined that all EFL fixtures from 9-10 September will be postponed as a mark of respect by the National Sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
      “This is aligned with the approach that the Premier League and the FA will take with their competitions this weekend.
      “Further information, in respect of how football, Clubs and their supporters will commemorate Her Majesty’s reign will be confirmed at an appropriate point.
      “Details regarding rearranged games will be announced in due course.”
      Confirming the entire English football pyramid will come to a halt this weekend, the FA said: “Her Majesty the Queen was a long-standing patron of the Football Association and has left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game.
      “As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, English football has united to postpone all football fixtures between 9-11 September.”
      “The FA can confirm that all football fixtures across the Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship, the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, and the Isuzu FA Trophy, will be postponed this weekend.
      “We can also confirm that all football fixtures across the National League System [NLS], Steps 1-6, including the Vanarama National Leagues, the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP], Tiers 3-7, and matches across grassroots football in England will be postponed.
      “The Premier League and the EFL have all confirmed that their fixtures this weekend will be rescheduled for a later date.
      “All flags at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park will continue to fly at half-mast over the weekend.
      “Our thoughts remain with our president, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, and the whole of the Royal Family during this time.”
      But the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League will still go ahead as English teams would forfeit any matches they fail to take part in.
      An announcement on the weekend’s football fixtures has been made before fans start travelling up and down the country for tomorrow’s games.
      Prem chief Masters and his board were aware of a potential backlash if they played the matches as scheduled.
      Another factor considered was the potential drain on police resources as towns and cities up and down the land pay tribute to The Queen.
      Talks over whether to move next weekend’s London fixtures due to issues with policing are also set to go ahead.
      Tottenham host Leicester on Saturday 17th, while Brentford vs Arsenal and Chelsea vs Liverpool are scheduled for the following day.
      Games are permitted to go ahead on the day of the Queen’s State Funeral, which is expected to take place on Monday 19 September.
      Again officials have said there is no obligation to cancel fixtures, but sport bodies may want to consider postponing games or readjusting kick-off times on the day as to not clash with the service.
      It had already been confirmed on Thursday that the two EFL fixtures scheduled for today, Burnley vs Norwich and Tranmere vs Stockport, had been postponed.
      Last night’s European games involving Manchester United, Arsenal and West Ham all went ahead.
      A minute’s silence was observed before United hosted Real Sociedad in the Europa League and West Ham played FCSB in London.
      Players also wore black armbands in tribute.
      Arsenal’s match against FC Zurich in Switzerland saw a minute’s silence carried out at half-time after the news broke while the game was in play.
      A full Football League fixture list went ahead three days after King George VI, The Queen’s father, died in February 1952.
      But the decision has been made to postpone this weekend’s games as the UK enters a period of national mourning following the passing of Her Majesty Elizabeth II.
      Wembley pays tribute to Her Majesty Elizabeth IICredit: Splash More