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      in Soccer

      Bruno Fernandes’ ex-referee wife went from paying for dates when he was broke to convincing him to snub £200m Saudi move

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      BRUNO FERNANDES revealed wife Ana had a huge say on his decision to snub the Saudi Pro League.The Portuguese star turned down a £200million package from Al-Hilal to stay at Manchester United.Bruno Fernandes’ wife Ana has helped convince him to stay at UnitedCredit: GettyThe pair are childhood sweethearts and have been together since they were teenagersCredit: Instagram @anaapinho_Ana is a former futsal referee and had to pay for their early datesCredit: Instagram/anaapinho_Fernandes and Ana married in 2015 and have two childrenCredit: Instagram/anaapinho_Fernandes was a rare shining light in a dismal Old Trafford season last term.And the skipper has now turned down a fortune to stay in the North West.Reports suggest Al Hilal offered to TRIPLE Fernandes’ £250,000-a-week wages. But with two years remaining on his United deal, the 30-year-old has decided to remain in Manchester.READ MORE ON SPORTFernandes said: “There was that possibility [I could leave], the president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask. “There was a waiting period on my part to think about what the future would hold. I would be open to it, if Manchester United felt it was my time.”I spoke with [manager] Ruben Amorim, who really tried to talk me out of it. “I spoke with the club, which wasn’t willing to sell, only if I truly wanted to leave.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”We never talked about money – that was all handled by my agent, not me.”Fernandes and Ana are childhood sweethearts and met in their teens. Gary Neville names four Man Utd stars who must leave this summer They married in 2015 and have two children together – Matilde, 8, and Goncalo, 4.And he leaned on his rock for advice on whether to leave the Theatre of Dreams this summer. Fernandes continued: “I spoke with my family to understand if that was what I wanted for my future.”It was actually my wife who asked me – I never said yes or no.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford”She put my professional priorities ahead of everything else.”During Fernandes’ early days as a struggling player, he did not have the money to take his beau out on dates.Ana funded their relationship by refereeing futsal matches on weekends.And the United star credits her with getting them through the “tough times”.Fernandes said: “Ana has been with me on this ride since we were 16, 17, 18 years old.”We met as teenagers, and when we first started dating, I wasn’t making any money as a footballer.”She had a nice job working as a futsal referee on the weekends.“She used to do three or four matches in a row on a Saturday, and then we would always go to the cinema on Sundays.“I personally didn’t have much money at the time so Ana was the one who had to pay for our movie tickets.”Same with going out to dinner. Even at the pizza shop, she had to pay.”Despite Fernandes bringing in the big bucks, Ana continues to be her own boss.She is the owner and CEO of architecture and interior design company Studio Otto.Read More on The SunAna boasts over 120,000 followers on social media.Her presence is mostly dedicated to her family and Bruno’s success at United, earning her the moniker “Queen of Old Trafford.” More

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      in Soccer

      Inside story of the ex-Man Utd wonderkid who retired in non-league that now helps clubs find the next gen of talent

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      FEBIAN BRANDY has gone from being one of the hottest young talents in English football to helping clubs unearth the next big thing.Brandy, 36, didn’t quite hit the heights after nearly 15 years on the books at Manchester United.Febian Brandy was one of Manchester United’s top-rated talents in the 2000sCredit: GettyNow Brandy is helping find the next batch of top talentCredit: X @febianbrandyThe tricky forward was thought of as one of the brightest sparks in the English game, lauded by team-mates and chased by the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.But injuries meant that Brandy never played a professional game for Man Utd.He instead had 16 different clubs across multiple countries before retiring in non-league.However, he has insisted that he has no regrets over how things worked out, after it was that journey that led him to create Skouted – an app that helps unsigned players find a club to give them an opportunity.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBrandy told SunSport: “I always saw myself playing for Manchester United, I didn’t really know anything else. “I only really knew Man Utd and England. So when it did come to an end it was hard, I was upset.“But I thought to myself, for my career, this has to happen. I didn’t want to be one of those players that was 23/24 and signing contracts just to be at a big club. “I wanted to go and make a name for myself elsewhere. I was obviously upset, but it was something that had to be done.Most read in FootballPeople ask, ‘Should I have signed for Barcelona?’ Don’t get me wrong, the weather would have been nicer, but I’ve got no regrets.Febian BrandyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“People ask, ‘Should I have signed for Barcelona?'”Don’t get me wrong, the weather would have been nicer, but I’ve got no regrets.”Brandy (bottom row, second on the left) played alongside the likes of Ryan Shawcross and Darron Gibson in United’s youth teamCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe forward also represented England at youth levelCredit: GettyMan Utd had turned down a £1million bid from Barca when Brandy was just a teenager, a deal rejected by Sir Alex Ferguson after the iconic manager asked Brandy if he wanted to stay put.Barcelona had come sniffing after he had impressed in a youth tournament involving the Catalan club, Real Madrid, PSG and Ajax.Brandy explained: “About two weeks after the tournament, some Spanish guy – I don’t know how he got the number – rang my mum and dad’s house phone. “My mum picked up and he said ‘we’re interested in your son Febian.’“Another two weeks later I went into training and Sir Alex Ferguson walked past me in the corridor and said ‘have you heard?’. “I had a feeling what he was talking about, but you have to be respectful so I played dumb. He said ‘Barcelona are interested in you, what are your thoughts?’“I said, ‘listen, boss. I’m a local lad. I’m from Manchester and I see my career here, this is the place that I want to be’. Then he just slapped me on the head, called me a good lad and walked away.“Things started to come to fruition in the weeks that followed, and I think they [Barca] made a £1m bid, which obviously Sir Alex rejected and I didn’t hear anything of it from then.”Manchester-born Brandy ultimately left United in 2010, where he had come up through the youth ranks alongside the likes of Ravel Morrison, Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck.Just 22 at the time, Brandy had gone from training with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville – players he recalls being like “big brothers” to him – to trying to find his next club and the next step in his career in the lower leagues.Brandy had lined up a deal with Sheffield United in the Championship, but broke his metatarsal in the last minute of his last game for Man Utd’s reserves – scuppering the move.Brandy spent nearly 15 years on the books at Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man UtdCredit: Febian BrandyInstead, after seven months without a club, he found an opportunity with Notts County in League Two.From there injuries meant Brandy was never able to settle at one club, kickstarting a journeyman career that saw him play in Greece and Thailand as well as for the likes of Sheffield United, Rotherham and Rochdale.It was during that time of bouncing around from club to club and constantly battling injury that Brandy realised he had to start thinking about his future, which led to the idea for Skouted.He recalled: “When I was in my late 20s I had been battling with so many injuries and I started to think about my future.”I didn’t really want to be a coach or a manager. That’s when I started to put Skouted in place.“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset and I think what really triggered it was that when I was at Man Utd, I was pretty fortunate to be there as long as I was. “I was fortunate to get a contract every year from the age of eight until I was 22.“I had friends that might not have been good enough to make it at Man Utd, but they might have been able to go and play at a lesser club. “But when they got released their parents or their guardians didn’t have the connections to pick up the phone to someone in the Championship or League One and ask for a trial.Brandy moved to Sheffield United later in his careerCredit: BladesHe also had a spell with WalsallCredit: PA:Empics Sport“That’s when I thought to myself, ‘I need to create something that’s going to bridge that gap between players and clubs’. “Something where football clubs can find these players and players have got a platform to present themselves in front of these football clubs.”That’s exactly what he did, launching Skouted after hanging up his boots at non-league Ebbsfleet in 2017 and turning his attention to helping the next generation of talent.The app allows young players to upload clips of themselves playing, with top clubs then browsing through the videos to see if there’s any potential there.While Brandy has also begun to organise showcase games where young stars train together and are invited to play in academy competitions in front of top-level scouts – including the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.Everyone wants to sign a Messi or a Ronaldo, but the reality is that they’re rare gems. But my experience at Man Utd helps me know what level top clubs are still looking for.Febian BrandyIn fact, a recent entry into the SuperCup, formerly known as the Milk Cup, saw his side of hungry prospects grind out a 2-2 draw with Manchester United U16s with just four weeks of training – resulting in eight players being invited to trials at top clubs.It was that same competition that Brandy had played in as a teenager, winning player of the tournament over the likes of Sergio Busquets and Bojan – sparking interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.Brandy doesn’t know exactly how many players he has helped get an opportunity, but estimated that Skouted has helped in excess of 300 club-less players earn professional trials across the globe.He wants Skouted to be seen as a “breeding ground” for talent, and can already point to players that are now tied down at the top level thanks to the app’s help.Arsenal youngster Louis Zecevic-John, who has signed a scholarship with the Gunners academy and represented both England and Serbia at youth level, found himself on the Skouted app before getting his shot.Arsenal youngster Louis Zecevic-John is an example of Skouted’s successCredit: GettyBrandy explained: “Louis was picked up by one of the Skouted scouts and we put him up with a Championship club, who ended up not being too keen on him. “But after that he was picked up by a Premier League side before signing a two-year contract with Arsenal.“He was actually on the Skouted app a few years ago, it just goes to show that we know what we’re talking about. “He went from Regents Park, to the Skouted App and now he’s gone on to sign for Arsenal”.Now Brandy is planning on expanding his platform for the women’s game too, with plans in place to put on a female showcase game this year.For the former England youth international and two-time Saint Kitts and Nevis cap, it’s all about getting talented players back on the pitch.He added: “Everyone wants to sign a Messi or a Ronaldo, but the reality is that they’re rare gems. But my experience at Man Utd helps me know what level top clubs are still looking for.Read More on The Sun“Some of these players don’t know what to do, and their parents don’t know what to do. In terms of how they can get involved in the football system. “We’re not saying we’re going to turn everyone into a Premier League footballer, but what we’re trying to say is there’s a level out there for people to play football.”Brandy knows better than most that not everyone will make it to the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyBrandy wants Skouted to become a hotbed for talent around the globeCredit: X @febianbrandy More

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      in Boxing

      Fabio Wardley thought he was being SCAMMED on Facebook when Oleksandr Usyk asked him for sparring

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      FABIO WARDLEY thought he was being SCAMMED after being approached to spar Oleksandr Usyk in 2018. Usyk was preparing to defend his undisputed cruiserweight titles against Britain’s Tony Bellew at the time. Fabio Wardley with Oleksandr Usyk in 2018Wardley thought he was being scammed when he got the sparring offerCredit: Instagram / @fabiowardleyWardley was just 4-0 having only turned professional a year earlier off the back of four wins on the white collar circuit. So when the former recruitment consultant got a message to join Usyk’s camp in Kyiv – he could not quite believe it. Wardley told The Times: “I got this message on Facebook in broken English and at first I thought it might be a scam. “I was confused as to why I’d even be on Usyk’s radar. I’d left my job in London to focus on my career and I was working part-time in a commercial gym. READ MORE IN BOXING”I asked them for three weeks off and they said no, so I left. I flew to Ukraine and a driver had a sign with my name on it. “He didn’t speak a lick of English and I got into this stranger’s white van and I thought, ‘I don’t know if I’m making it home’, but then I met his team and they were all really nice. “I was extremely green. I didn’t know the scale of Usyk’s skill. To even lay a glove on him was really difficult. “I think I got something like £750 per week.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWardley’s success is one of the most unlikely in British boxing after forgoing amateur experience. His handful of white collar fights started as a way of keeping fit and ended with aspirations of a genuine pro career. Fabio Wardley faces off with Justis Huni ahead of his homecoming fight Wardley got his break in 2018 after sparring with Dillian Whyte and later being signed to his management stable. And he has since racked up 18 wins with just one draw – against Frazer Clarke which he brutally avenged in their rematch. Wardley now has the chance to put himself in line for the heavyweight titles former sparring partner Usyk holds. He said: “When I turned professional, I just thought I’d have a few fights and if I could win any kind of belt in my career, I’d be happy to have something decent to look back on. “I wasn’t supposed to be achieving these kinds of things.I got this message on Facebook in broken English and at first I thought it might be a scam. I was confused as to why I’d even be on Usyk’s radar.Fabio Wardley “I fought at the O2, then I headlined the O2, I’ve fought in Saudi Arabia as the chief support to Tyson Fury and to Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol. “It keeps feeling like we’ve peaked and that it can’t get any better and now I’m fighting at the stadium in my hometown. “I’m genuinely on the edge of a world title, which sounds crazy for me just to say.”Wardley, 30, has his homecoming Ipswich fight at Portman Road against Australian Justis Huni, 26, on Saturday.He was initially set to fight Jarrell Miller – the controversial serial drug cheat – until the American pulled out due to “injury”. So Aussie Huni – who won gold at the amateur World Youth Championships in 2016 – filled in as a late replacement on five weeks’ notice. Read More on The SunWardley said: “Huni is another opponent from a completely different end of entry in boxing terms. “After starting in white-collar, anything was a win. This wasn’t realistic, but you always imagine.”Wardley facing off with Justis Huni at Portman RoadCredit: Instagram @justis_huni More

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      in Boxing

      Justis Huni survived a drive-by-shooting before swapping Australia for Blackpool ahead of Fabio Wardley fight

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      JUSTIS HUNI enters enemy territory when he faces Fabio Wardley in Ipswich – but it will take a lot to faze the travelling Australian. After all, Huni survived a terrifying drive-by-shooting in June 2022 only to win his next fight less than a week later. Justis Huni survived a terrifying drive-by-shooting in June 2022Credit: GettyPolice investigating at the house of Huni after the attackCredit: GettyThe boxer was just 23 when his family home in Brisbane, with ten inside, was targeted with five bullets. Two children, one aged eight and one just six months old, were among those in the house when shots fired at 4am. And despite cops and news crews surrounding the property – Huni was more focused on his morning sparring session that day. He told Ring Magazine: “I still remember it well.READ MORE IN BOXING”It was like, gunshots fired at my house then all of a sudden I had police and TV crews at the front of my house all morning. “But I had sparring that morning. I just looked straight past the news crews and just went to sparring. “Got my sparring done and then came back home to so much news and reporters at the house.”The frightening ordeal came while Huni was 5-0 – with four knockouts – and was approaching a fight against Joseph Gooddall.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd he would amazingly win the bout over ten rounds, not losing a round in the eyes of one judge.Three years on and no arrests were made and the perpetrators remain a mystery.Fabio Wardley prepares for dream Portman Road homecoming fight Huni has since improved his record to 12-0 and returns on Saturday in the biggest fight of his career. He replaced Jarrell Miller – the controversial serial drug cheat – after the American pulled out of facing Wardley through “injury”. Huni accepted the deal on just five weeks notice and has no fear in taking on Ipswich’s Wardley at Portman Road having overcome far worse. He said: “The timing of the shooting was crazy because I had the Goodall fight five days later. “I think if I could get through that, I’m sure I can handle what’s going to come at me on June 7th.”Everything is all character building and everything has got me to where I am today and to be able to get me past obstacles that are about to come up like June 7th. “Everything in my life has happened for a reason. It was scary of course, I was living in the house and my whole family was in the house that night. “It was a scare but I think I was so zoned in and focused on the fight it did not affect me. I kind of just overlooked it.”Now that I think back at it, it was a big deal, but at the time I was so focused on my job at hand that I kind of just brushed it away and just kept moving forward. I think if I could get through that, I’m sure I can handle what’s going to come at me on June 7th.Justis Huni on his drive-by-shooting ordeal “I won that fight and there was so much security and stuff at the fight because obviously they thought it was connected to me.”I don’t know. It just shows what the mind can do when you’re locked in on something so bad. You just kind of forget about it.”Huni, 26, flew to England in mid May to face off with Wardley, 30, for the first time on the football pitch. And instead of flying 10,000 miles back, the Aussie set up camp in Blackpool’s Sharpstyle Boxing Gym for the remainder of his training. He said: “It’s a kind of interesting place. It’s a bit different to the Gold Coast.”I haven’t had a chance to look around and go down to the water yet but from what I’ve seen it seems quiet here and that’s how I like it. “It’s a lot better than when I was in London for a few days – that was too busy for me, too much traffic.”But there’s not nearly as much traffic in Blackpool so I’ve liked it. “We’ve managed to get the sparring we need from a few local boys who have come down to help me out. Read More on The Sun”I’ve got all the training that I’ve needed. I’ve done all the hard work I’ve needed to do. “I’m just going to go in there and do my job… do what I’ve done for the last 20 years since I started in this sport.”Huni is from Brisbane but has been training in BlackpoolFabio Wardley facing off with HuniCredit: QUEENSBERRY More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea pair were like ‘Mr and Mrs’ and ‘drove each other mad’ in rows over moisturiser… but arguments HELPED squad

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      CHELSEA need brotherhood, shower gel and plenty of moisturising cream to get back to the summit of football.Legendary Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel believes dressing room chemistry is the key to success on the pitch. And he can see it brewing in the current squad.Chelsea legends John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou had a funny feudMikel and Kalou’s friendly feud created morale in Chelsea’s dressing roomHe was part of the all-conquering Chelsea team which landed title after title, cup after cup during his 11 years at Stamford Bridge.But small details are behind big wins and Mikel revealed how his bizarre relationship with Salomon Kalou epitomised the strong bonds between the players of the time.Together they won the Champions League, Premier League and four FA Cups when team spirit was the fear factor which often made the difference in key games.Mikel, 38, said: “It is very important, the friendship between your teammates in the squad, because It brings you guys together. Read More on Chelsea“The chemistry is there, not just the chemistry on the pitch, the chemistry outside the pitch because you already know your partner, your team-mates. “You know what they like and what they don’t like. How to approach them in terms of when they’re not performing,“How do you get them to wake up? Do you go to them? Do you scream at them, or is it like a quiet word you need to have and get them to keep going?“So that relationship is very important. And of course, Salomon Kalou, what can I say about the guy? Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“Listen, we were Mr and Mrs at the football club, we were called Tom and Jerry.“He drives me mad, a guy I absolutely love. I can never say a bad word about Salomon Kalou.Here is why Liam Delap is the perfect striker for Chelsea “He never bought his own shower gel, his own cream, he always went to my locker and nicked mine. “I’d finish having a shower and I go to my locker trying to get my cream, it’s not there. Salomon Kalou’s nicked it.“Sometimes it’s fine to use it, but please, return it to my locker. He didn’t.“And when I go to him and ask where’s my cream? He says, ‘buy another one’. I’m like, ‘what? Why don’t you buy yourself your own cream?’“He just drove me mad. But then on the pitch, when you’re that honest and open with each other, on the pitch, you know each other so well, right and it helps so much. “I’d love to see the players create that friendship, that chemistry between each other. Looking at this team squad, They’re young but I can see a little bit that they have that.Mikel insists the current Chelsea team need a similar dressing roomKalou and Mikel had some hilarious exchanges“I need to see a bit more. It’s so important to create that atmosphere.”Where Mikel won, lost and partied alongside superstars like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, modern day Chelsea is about building reputations through ambitious young players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and soon-to-arrive Liam Delap.Mikel said: “We enjoyed good times together. We went out to central London every time we won a trophy. We celebrated quite heavily because we were successful and were given a licence to go out and enjoy ourselves.“That brought that chemistry together because every year, every other year, we had something to celebrate. We were always winning something. So we were always having a massive party come the end of the season. That brought us together.“They have to win trophies in order to be able to bring that chemistry in the squad.”New Chelsea have started the process by qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Conference League. But the post-match party was tame by previous standards, mainly because a lot of the players are now on international duty before travelling to next week’s Club World Cup.I’d finish having a shower and I go to my locker trying to get my cream, it’s not there. Salomon Kalou’s nicked it.John Obi MikelThe month-long tournament in the US Club World Cup railroads through the traditional summer. Mikel said: “It’s silverware to be won and we want to go out and compete to win it. “We have to talk about the prize money as well.  Almost £100million. That puts you in a great advantage in terms of in the summer, transfer window, bringing in players, strengthening your squad. There’s a lot there for these players to think about.“I know we players talk about having a rest, which we should. But we actually don’t rest when we go on holidays.“We fly back to our different continents where we’re from, countries where we’re from.“And then we go back after a week or a few days, playing locally with the local teams where we grew up from, kicking the ball about, playing five-a-side, ten-a-side games.“You don’t want to rest for two, three weeks without doing anything. When you come back for pre-season, it takes you even longer to get in shape.“During the summer, you’re looking at yourself thinking, I need to get back into it. You start running, you start playing football and make sure you come back, so that it doesn’t take you a long time to get back into shape. We all did that. I get it, I understand. Read More on The Sun“The Club World Cup, for the teams involved, it’s a great opportunity, a great way for those teams to keep their players fit, keep them ticking over, knowing that when the season starts, they are almost half there.”John Obi Mikel was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Watch all 63 games live on DAZN for free.  More

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      in Athletics

      Transgender athlete, 17, tells critics to ‘get a life’ as they are booed after winning girl’s state track race

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      TRANSGENDER athlete Veronica Garcia has told their detractors to “get a life” after being booed at a state track championship in Washington.The 17-year-old blew away their 400m rivals by a whole second and played a big role in their East Valley of Spokane team-mates winning the 4x100m relay race.Veronica Garcia was subjected to a torrent of boos during a Washington state track meetCredit: runnerspaceFor the second year in a row, Garcia, the first transgender athlete in the state of Washington to win a track title, was heckled by track goers.The Seattle Times claims scores of attendees booed when Garcia – who is permitted to compete against biological females as students in Washington state can participate in sports based on their gender identity – stood on the podium after cheering loudly for their counterparts.That wasn’t the only backlash Garcia had to deal with as a man wearing a ‘Save women’s sports’ t-shirt – shouted: “Let go, girls!”The man, who made his feelings known during the warm-up, also shouted: “Girls’ race!”READ MORE IN SPORTGarcia fully “expected” to be hounded given the reception they received last year.But unlike last year, they had a defiant message for the minority in attendance who targeted them.Garcia said: “It maybe didn’t have their intended effect.”It made me angry, but not angry as in, I wanted to give up, but angry as in, I’m going to push.Most read in AthleticsVeronica Garcia blew away rivals in the 400m by a whole secondCredit: X@RILEY_GAINES_”I’m going to put this in the most PG-13 way, I’m just going to say it’s a damn shame they don’t have anything else better to do. “I hope they get a life. But oh well. It just shows who they are as people.” Garcia could care less about her critics, insisting: “I’m really proud of myself.”I did what I came to do, and that’s good enough for me.” Garcia pipped Lauren Matthew to victory in the 400m, although their rival insisted they were the “real champion” with a homemade sign.Garcia also had to endure a rival school wearing tees which read ‘Keep Women’s Sports Female’ before and after the 4x400m relay. More

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      in Soccer

      Coventry sleep coach says it is ‘bonkers’ that Prem clubs don’t take his work seriously after helping Frank Lampard

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      COVENTRY CITY are just the latest club in English football to reap the benefits of a sleep expert as they aim for marginal gains at the elite level.And “The Sleep Geek” James Wilson admits it is “bonkers” that Premier League sides wanting to win titles are still reluctant to fully embrace his unique and successful methods.Frank Lampard embraced a sleep coach in Coventry’s play-off runCredit: GettyJames Wilson worked with Jarrod Bowen before his Conference League-winning goalCredit: GettyWilson has worked with a variety of EFL clubs including RotherhamWilson has built a sound reputation in the world of football, helping players and coaching staff to perfect the art of sleeping and recovery at the likes of Rotherham United, Sheffield United, Lincoln City, West Ham and now Coventry.His influence is telling, and appears to have the golden touch, involved in promotion success tales with Rotherham, Lincoln and Sheffield United, while also playing his part in West Ham’s Europa Conference League triumph of 2023.Frank Lampard’s Coventry are the latest club on Wilson’s list of honours, the Sky Blues coming within seconds of the Championship play-off final only to concede in injury-time to Sunderland in the semi-finals.Having also worked with F1, NBA and NFL stars, Wilson’s knowledge in the sleep field currently sees him approached by top footballers in the Prem and the EFL.read more footballBut other than Brentford having sleep coach Anna West in their ranks, Wilson’s dream of his field being taken more seriously by the country’s biggest clubs is still falling on deaf ears.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWilson told SunSport: “It’s bonkers to me, it really is. There’s me and Anna and that’s it.“It’s not me making the decisions, but is it that they don’t see sleep as that important? Is it that they feel they’ve already got the resource internally?Most read in Football“One of my worries is you see more and more clubs working with brands that have some connection to sleep, maybe like a sleep supplement company or a piece of sleep technology.“That’s not sleep advice. It is worse now than when I started because those pieces of technology are so inaccurate. They are driving a sense of fear and despair in players.Doctor reveals the dangerous effects going to sleep after midnight has on our brain“It needs people who are properly trained. Some of the advice given by members of the medical team is not taken from reliable sources, like Jake Humphrey and Steven Bartlett podcasts, that can be troubling. And even if the stuff is right, it is not right for that individual.“We’ve got to a point where bringing me in means you may upset a commercial brand paying for that relationship. I don’t understand why every club hasn’t got [a sleep coach].“You might not get as much commercial benefit, but you’re going to get a team into the play-offs. You’re going to get promoted. You’re going to win European trophies.“That’s what happens when you get proper sleep expertise. People responsible for the performance and wellbeing should have some sort of proper sleep knowledge.“You can see how well Bentford have done can’t you? You can see how well Rotherham did when I was there, Sheffield United, West Ham, Coventry.“It’s not hard, is it? If clubs invest properly, it really, really does work.”Wilson began working with Coventry at the end of last season, giving the squad advice on how to prepare for their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United – one that they agonisingly lost on penalties under former boss Mark Robins.Wilson helped Coventry prepare for last season’s FA Cup semi defeat to Man UnitedCredit: The TimesWilson explained: “We did this little tweak before the United game where we suggested watching the other semi-final with Manchester City the day before might not be the best thing to prepare for sleep before you go and play.”At other clubs, Wilson dealt with players who struggled with sleep paralysis. Parasomnia sufferer Richard Wood would sleep walk and head balls in his sleep, but the former Rotherham defender’s career was prolonged with Wilson’s help.Wilson is now also sponsoring his local non-league side Nostell Miners Welfare from Wakefield in the Northern Counties East League.It is undecided whether Wilson will continue working with Coventry next season, but he is highly rated by performance director Claire Marie and head of sports science Adam Hearn and worked alongside sports psychologists.Wilson continued: “The culture at Coventry was really good – they were doing a lot around the players, supporting them emotionally. Frank was really open to what we were doing.“I started with a few seminars. I went in every four or five weeks from pre-season to February and I was then available from then for players who needed it.“It’s not snazzy. It’s not wham-bam, thank you ma’am. It’s conversations.“You can see improvements within about three months. Give them the simple signs behind sleep and an understanding of themselves. You need to drop your heart rate, drop your core temperature.Read More on The Sun“We did an education on sleep posture. It’s scary how little a professional footballer spends on a mattress.“You’re going to earn more money if you do this stuff because you’re going to have a longer career.” More

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      Jake Paul reveals ‘hefty’ six-man hit-list of opponents for next fight including Anthony Joshua and world champ

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      JAKE PAUL has included Anthony Joshua in his “hefty” six-man hit-list of opponents after he fights Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The YouTuber-turned-boxer returns on June 28 against former middleweight world champion Chavez in a cruiserweight clash. Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: ReutersAnthony Joshua has been called out by Jake PaulCredit: GettyBut he is targeting even bigger bouts in the future, including against 41-year-old WBC world champion Badou Jack. Paul told his Most Valuable Promotions: “After Chavez I think Gervonta Davis, Anthony Joshua, KSI, Tommy Fury, Ryan Garcia, Badou Jack. It’s a pretty hefty list.” The American revealed he is lining up an exhibition bout against WBA lightweight champion Davis, 30, later this year. Davis, 30, was in talks to face Paul this summer until he controversially drew against Lamont Roach, 29, in March with the two set to rematch in August. READ MORE IN BOXINGPaul, 28, audaciously called out two-time heavyweight champion Joshua, 35, earlier in the year. And he has claimed the two struck a shock verbal agreement to fight in 2026. He has also voiced lofty ambitions of fighting for a world title and claimed talks are underway with Jack’s camp for a championship bout. Garcia, 26, is another big American name who was formerly friends with Paul until the two started to call each other out. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd Garcia – recently upset by Rolando Romero – revealed he would be willing to jump from 147lb to 185lb in order to fight Paul. KSI, 31, is another to have rivalled Paul for several years but a disagreement over weight has stalled talks. ‘I would’ve beaten him’ – Jake Paul blasts Canelo Alvarez’s win over William Scull and but says shock fight WILL happenPaul’s next fight is at the 14st 4lb cruiserweight limit of 200lb having beaten Mike Tyson, 58, at heavyweight weighing 227lb (16st 2lb). Meanwhile, KSI’s last fight came in defeat to Fury, 26, in October 2023 at 183lb over a STONE lighter than Paul’s fighting weight. Paul himself wants to rematch Fury after his split-decision loss in 2023 – which stands as his first and only defeat so far. He said: “I definitely think that will happen at some point Tommy just has to be realistic about what he’s worth and taking the amazing deal that we had. “I can fight any big name opponents all Tommy has is me. But I do wanna make the rematch happen and I definitely know that I’m going to destroy and knock him out. “Based off his last fight, he hasn’t got any better whereas I have two and a half years worth of more experience. “And better preparation, better coaches, better diet, better everything. Read More on The Sun”I’m just a completely different boxer than I was when we got in the ring the first time. He hasn’t improved as much. “He’s been doing this his whole life so the level that he can get to is not going to change much versus every year that goes by I can increase expediently.” Gervonta Davis is set to rematch Lamont Roach JrCredit: GettyWBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack has been called out by Jake PaulCredit: GettyTommy Fury beat Jake Paul in 2023Credit: EPARyan Garcia has called out Jake Paul in the pastCredit: RexKSI facing off with Jake Paul in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty More