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      in Soccer

      ‘The problem wasn’t him, it was the coaching’ – Inside Antony’s career revival after leaving Man Utd hell for Real Betis

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      MANCHESTER UNITED outcast Antony is back on the road to glory – all thanks to a manager still hailed as an Etihad hero.The Brazilian winger finally found an escape route from his Old Trafford hell with a six-month move to Real Betis in January.Antony has found his goalscoring boots at Real BetisMan Utd flop Antony looks a far happier prospect playing in La LigaCredit: PAThree goals in his first four games made him an immediate hit with fans, in a flying start to life in La Liga.According to one Betis legend, it is all because Antony’s new gaffer has put the freedom and fun back in his game…and that man is ex-City boss Manuel Pellegrini.The Chilean manager has an eternal place in the hearts of City fans as the man who led them to the title in the season always remembered for Steven Gerrard’s slip.And Antony should be just as thankful at swapping the shackles and stress of United for a boss who believes in him again.Read more football newsGabino Rodriguez is a Betis great, after nearly 200 games for his boyhood club, and the man who had a key role in David de Gea’s career during his days as Spain’s Under-21 coach.Now a respected pundit, Rodriguez is convinced Antony has struck gold and in the perfect place to rediscover the form which made him one of the world’s top wide boys.Rodriguez insisted: “It is obviously a bit too soon for a full assessment, but this footballer has class, no doubt about it. Technically he is a very gifted player.“The initial impression is he’s landed on his feet at Betis. He scored in his first game, I can see hunger in him and the fans are very happy.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“Personally I have no doubts that Antony will adapt really well to Pellegrini’s system because the manager likes to play attacking football.“Betis continuously go down the wings and Antony is the type of player who suits this coach well.Antony leaves Man Utd with more yellow cards than goals as £86m Ten Hag flop goes down as one of worst transfers ever“Under another one he would struggle in all aspects, and that’s what happened at United. For me, Antony’s problem wasn’t him, but a coaching one.”While Pellegrini – replaced by Pep Guardiola in 2016 – had a cautious public profile, his side were full of in-your-face flair, hitting 102 goals as he led City to their second Prem crown.It is an approach he has stuck with in four years at Betis, and Rodriguez reckons Antony couldn’t have a better manager to get him back to the top.He added: “Watching how he has developed in the few matches he’s played so far, I think he’s one for a very distinct kind of coach – and the clearest and closest example is Pellegrini.“There are others who take a more defensive approach and focus more on running and marking or covering.“They are the ones who tend to have a more direct style and use long balls. Players like Antony completely disappear in those sort of matches.”The born-again Brazilian is a world away from the one which left Manchester without starting a Premier League game all season.Ruben Amorim decided to let Antony leave on loan in JanuaryCredit: GettyBrazilians Vitor Roque and Antony have developed a good relationship on the pitchCredit: RexInsiders say he is already a popular figure in the dressing room, and a squad containing another couple from his homeland made settling in much easier.Rodriguez revealed: “He has a very good relationship with his compatriot Natan and don’t forget Victor Roque is also Brazilian.“There are other South Americans like Giovanni Lo Celso, Cucho Hernandez and Chimmy Avila too, which does help at the start when you are in a new place.“I’m told Antony has been well-received in the team and didn’t walk in with an air of superiority just because he came from United.“He’s been quite the opposite, very humble, with a real eagerness to work. Things like that are highly valued at Betis.“Antony just needed the type of coach who could spark him – and under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorin, everything surrounding United looked like a funeral.”Antony has scored three times in four games for Real BetisPrevious Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag failed to get the best out of the £80m signingCredit: GettyWhether Betis have the cash to turn the loan move into a permanent one is debatable. Rodriguez reckons they will certainly give it a go.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “I believe there is no definite buying option to his loan, but if he continues playing at this level, I am sure the club will try and find a way to keep him.“The player clearly likes the club and Sevilla is a very welcoming and friendly city. I am sure he is very comfortable here with his family.” More

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      in Soccer

      Former Chelsea and Tottenham star now living completely new life as a supply teacher

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      EVERY day is a school day for former left-back Clive Wilson now he works as a permanent supply teacher at Roding Valley High School in Loughton in Essex.Manchester-born Wilson has been at Roding since 2019 — teaching year 11-16s.Today, Clive Wilson is a supply teacher at a school in EssexCredit: RexClive Wilson starred at Tottenham Hotspur in the 1990sCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe 63-year-old said: “I started to work in education in 2008.”After retiring from football in 2000, the ex-defender worked for Le Coq Sportif and Ted Baker before going to university and getting a degree in sports science.He revealed: “The odd thing was I fell into teaching by pure fluke.“I was at a golf driving range one day and there was a lovely guy there who was a Fulham fan and recognised me as a former footballer and asked what I was doing.read more on chelsea“He talked to me about the possibility of teaching. He suggested I should pop to a couple of local schools and have a look at them with no pressure, purely just to see what I thought.“I went along more as something to rule out really.“However, it had the complete opposite effect and I really thought it would be the type of job that I would enjoy.“I’m so grateful for his advice at the range. I haven’t looked back!Most read in Football“The odd thing is I have two brothers and a sister and two of them are teachers, too.Cult hero Ian Holloway spent four years out of football enjoying his hobby as a painter “I used to be one of those people who would tease them about them having the best job with a quarter of the year off with holidays.“Then I started teaching. Wow, was I mistaken! Believe me, you need that time.”Growing up, Wilson always wanted to be a footballer but thought it had passed him by when he had not been spotted by the age of 14.He left school at 16 and went to college to study electrical and electronic engineering with the intention of becoming an electrician.But in the last year of college he was spotted playing at Hough End — Manchester’s equivalent to London’s Hackney Marshes.He said: “Len Davies was a Manchester City scout in the days when people would scout the local talent.“And it went from there. I am a case in point that it’s never too late to chase your dream. “I joined at the time of Alex Williams, Andy May, Steve Kinsey, Tommy Caton — sadly no longer with us — and Steve Mackenzie, a 17-year-old Malcolm Allison signed from Crystal Palace, who went on to score one of the great FA Cup final goals.“The club reached successive FA Youth Cup finals in 1979 and 1980.“Sadly we lost them both to Millwall and Aston Villa. I played in the latter final.”Wilson still remembers his City debut — a League Cup tie against Stoke in October 1981 at Maine Road.Left-back Wilson made his debut with Man CityCredit: PAWilson is fondly remembered at Loftus Road where he played for QPRCredit: Getty – ContributorHe recalled: “I was excited at the thought of maybe getting a chance on the bench. Back then there was only one or two subs at the most.“But when I saw manager John Bond had named me in the team, reality suddenly hit me knowing I then had to go out and do it. All of a sudden I was playing alongside players who I thought were on a different level. But it all went OK and we won 2-0.”Clive spent eight years at Maine Road along with a small loan at Chester City for a season.Then he took on a new challenge in 1987 when he headed south to Chelsea.He said: “I liked the idea of playing for a club in London but then I had the biggest culture shock in terms of trying to find anywhere affordable to live!“I realise it’s nearly 40 years ago but you could get a three-bedroom house in Sale for £35,000.“In London I was lucky if I could buy a garage for that!“The first season at Stamford Bridge wasn’t great after being relegated from the top flight.“Not only that but we had the agony of losing a relegation play-off.“They were those two seasons when teams from the top flight would go into two-legged semi-final and final play-off games against teams from the second tier.Wilson hung up his boots in 2000 after a stint at Cambridge UnitedCredit: Getty“Sadly, we lost against Middlesbrough over two legs in the final.“However, we bounced back the following season — scoring 99 league points from our 46 games.”Wilson maintains his best playing years were under Gerry Francis at QPR between 1991 and 1994.He said: “In reflection, I think so. We finished fifth in the first all-new Premier League campaign in 1992-93 followed by another top-half finish the following season.“Then I think Gerry had a falling out with the club over the sale of Les Ferdinand and soon after he moved to Tottenham as manager.”Wilson ended up reuniting with Francis at White Hart Lane in 1995.He said: “Rangers boss Ray Wilkins wanted me to stay but, with no offence to QPR, I was 34 and I saw the switch to Spurs as possibly my last opportunity of playing at one of English football’s big clubs.“Working again with Gerry made it familiar for me, too.”He spent four years in North London but by the time he switched to Cambridge in 1999, he knew his football career was slowing down.Wilson admitted: “I was 38 and was picking up niggly injuries.Wilson is now enjoying life as a supply teacherCredit: RexWilson played for Spurs between 1995-199Credit: PA:Empics Sport“I was still undecided in that 1999-2000 season whether that would be my final year, but realised a few weeks after the end of the season that was it.“I never did go into my last game with any fanfares about it being my finale. And it suited me that way.“I loved my time as a player and I often get kids ask me why I am a teacher when I used to be a top-flight footballer. There is a concept that top-flight footballers have always been well paid.“It was a different time in English football. But I would never complain about it.“The game gave me a great grounding in my life. I am extremely proud of my 20-odd years in the game.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThis last week has been an opportunity for Wilson to take a well-earned break from the classroom for half-term.He said: “It’s been a nice pause but I’ll enjoy going back in and mixing with children who, in the main, are a pleasure to teach and work with on a daily basis.”Wilson occasionally returns to Loftus Road and makes guest appearancesCredit: RexNow 63, Wilson leads a different life to his football careerCredit: Rex More

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      in Boxing

      Zhilei Zhang brutally knocked out by Agit Kabayel as Chinese warrior, 41, stopped for first time in career

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      AGIT KABAYEL climbed off the deck to chop down 20-stone, 6ft6in Zhilei Zhang.The underdog gave away six inches in height and three stone in weight but beat the breath and enthusiasm out of the loveable veteran inside six fun rounds.Agit Kabayel beat Zhilei Zhang in a desert dust-up in RiyadhCredit: GettyThe German picked himself off the canvas to beat the giant Chinese veteranCredit: GettyZhang was unable to take anymore punishment in the sixth roundCredit: GettyBarring a fifth-round knockdown, Kabayel showed exactly how a good little’un beats a good big’un, flooding Zhang’s basement until the Great Wall fell.China’s 41-year-old southpaw started the bout like a man who knew time was not on his side.FOLLOW THE ACTION FROM RIYADH WITH OUR BOXING LIVE BLOGZhang chased the Kurdish German around the ring, slashing at his head from every angle.READ MORE ON BOXINGKabayel, 32, was clever and stayed out of range, he stabbed at Zhang’s body and threw the occasionally looped right hand.Twenty stone Zhang started to fatigue from as early as the second but every punch Kabayel connected with his shaven bowling-ball of a head bounced right off.The better shots from the 2017 Derek Chisora conqueror were the whipped hooks to Zhang’s never-ending torso.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMost read in BoxingMoments after Callum Smith and Josh Buatsi had put on a valiant show of light-heavyweight body punching, these two titans gave us an XXL version, in slower motion.Kabayel seemed confident that surviving the first half of the bout would allow him to pick off an exhausted veteran late on.Worrying new footage shows moment Deontay Wilder gets brutally KO’d by Zhilei Zhang while COMPLAINING to refereeKabayel poured on the pressure thick and fast in the fourth, like chilli sauce on kebabs, his self-confessed guiltiest pleasure.But Zhang was far more resilient than the sort of late-night pitta bread that melts limply in your hands at 3am.Kabayel was coasting the fifth after a minute of one-way action.But Zhang threw a three-punch combination that looked clumsy when the first two missed, but the final right hook shot landed flush and Kabayel was decked and had to crawl up after eight seconds.Kabayel rallied though and almost burst Zhang with a body assault as soon as the sixth started.It looked like Zhang was beaten and needed to take a knee but he battled on and kept taking blows.Eventually, Kabayel toppled the giant and Zhang folded into the canvas and could not rise in time to continue.Kabayel had hit the canvas during a dramatic fifth roundCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Callum Smith rushed to hospital after handing Josh Buatsi first defeat of career in fight of the year contender

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      CALLUM SMITH was rushed to hospital after handing Josh Buatsi the first defeat of his career with an age-defying performance of brilliant brutality and courage.The Liverpool light-heavyweight hero looked close to retirement after punishing losses to Canelo Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev left him beaten and adrift.Callum Smith slugged his way to a stunning win over Joshua BuatsiCredit: GettyThe unbeaten Buatsi had been favourite heading into fight nightCredit: ReutersBut Smith put on a show to seal the WBO interim light-heavyweight titleCredit: ReutersBut he stood up to the tough Ghana-born favourite, sucked up all of his best shots and won a unanimous decision.The three ringside judges had the horrible job of splitting the two marvellous men – with Steve Gray going far too wide –  and decided: 119-110, 115-113 and 116-112. FOLLOW THE ACTION FROM RIYADH WITH OUR BOXING LIVE BLOG Smith was then rushed to hospital for an injury to his eye, while Buatsi was assessed by medics at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.READ MORE ON BOXINGDespite both light-heavy beanpoles being tall and technical range-fighters, the best action of the opener was up close and personal.The pair clinched and swapped hooks like little Mexicans.Buatsi, 31, scored with a hook double to head and body but then Mundo landed a left hook to the ribs that echoed around the Riyadh arena.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMost read in BoxingSmith was bundled down once but it was rightly called a split that didn’t need a count.Smith, 34, made a bright start to the second and made his ringside family roar with clever uppercuts.But a Buatis left hook clipped his cheekbone and silenced the travelling Scousers and another even round followed.By the third round, former super-middle world champ Smith was using his superior experience and reach to score from a safe distance.But then Buatsi peppered him with body blows toward the end of the session and for a second it seemed like Smith was folding to the canvas.Frank Warren’s Commonwealth Gold medalist Lewis Williams builds to second pro fight | Contender Watch the full episode of Contender on Sun Sport’s YouTube channel NOW as we exclusively go behind the scenes with Lewis WilliamsTypically he dug deep and held on, even landing a long right hand before the bell.In the fourth round, the two brilliant Englishmen glued their foreheads together and went to war.Hooks slashed in from both sides as their torsos took a leather but it was Smith who walked back to his corner with a cut and welt around his right eye.Smith enjoyed his best round in the fifth after Buatsi made a horrible start. The Croydon ace spent the first two minutes tucked up in his shell, absorbing blows on his tight guard.Smith battled on despite a bad cut above his right eyeCredit: GettyHis combination work earned Mundo a unanimous decision winCredit: GettyHis only respite came when a blow blew the mouthguard out of his mouth.Smith totally dominated the session and Buatsi needed a drastic change of pace.But it was Smith who raced up the gears, battering Buatsi throughout the sixth, with referee Howard Foster looking on the cusp of a stoppage.Suddenly, with ten seconds left of the one-sided beating, Buatsi landed a huge left hook and it was Smith who was buzzed and struggling and glad to hear the bell.Both warriors needed a breather in the seventh and took a break from the brutal hooks and right hands they had swapped.They exchanged long and safe jabs and recuperated, it was a well-earned rest in a superb fight that was almost impossible to split.Buatsi ate three scything right hands in the eighth that forced him backwards but, just before the bell, it was Smith who had to stagger backwards, onto the ropes, when he was tagged back with a reverse one-two.In round nine, Buatsi completely gave up defending against Smith’s right hand and was peppered with the same predictable blow to make it a clear round for the 30-2 veteran.The win extends Smith’s pro record to 31–2Credit: ReutersIn serious danger of drowning in the desert, Buatsi turned the tide in the tenth and ran away with the round with clinical combinations, thrown from angles.But when he got greedy Smith shot back with that right and bought himself another round.Smith’s daddy-long legs started to betray him in the eleventh, when Buatsi’s fresher engine started to make him look the most likely winner. But both heroes kept punching and ducking and digging deeper and deeper.They hugged before the start of the 12th, it was boxing perfection, the best of Britain.Smith was forced into the backfoot but it was from there that he landed a right hand and left hook that wobbled Buatsi.It was Smith’s turn to lose his gum shield with 50 seconds to go but there was enough time for both magnificent men to finish with a gunfight.READ MORE SUN STORIESSmith’s team, led by brother Paul, raced into the ring to celebrate and Callum climbed the corner turnbuckles to wave victoriously to the crowd.The pair embraced and waited for the judges to decide that Smith was back among the light-heavyweight world title race. More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury ‘ages 30 years’ in bizarre Instagram post as Gypsy King declares ‘father time now’

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      TYSON FURY has given fans a bizarre glimpse into his future – after calling time on his glittering career. The Gypsy King decided to hang up his gloves last month following 16 years in the ring. Tyson Fury hung up his gloves after his loss to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GettyThe 36-year-old has called time on his career on a number of occasionsCredit: PATyson has hinted this time he may retired for good with his latest Instagram updateCredit: InstagramFury, the unified heavyweight world champion from 2015 to 2016, lost just two of his 37 pro fights.Fans are convinced that Tyson, 36, will come out of retirement to fight again.He has announced his retirement five times in total, with his last hiatus from the ring in 2022.But despite rumours he will fight again, Tyson appears to be preparing for life after boxing. READ MORE ON BOXINGTaking to Instagram on Saturday, the 36-year-old heavyweight uploaded an apparently doctored snap of him sporting a full white beard. Fury captioned the pic: “Father time now.” One fan responded: “See you in two weeks when you get bored.”Another laughed: “You aged yourself 30 years with your own hype.”Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile a third joked, referencing Tyson’s dad: “Big Johns had a glow up.”And a fourth predicted: “Until you announce AJ [Antony Joshua] in summer…”‘Greedy Belly has been my best opponent’ – Oleksandr Usyk reveals how he really feels about Tyson Fury Fury left boxing behind again following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.A blockbuster all-British bout against Anthony Joshua has been long in the making. Despite Fury’s retirement announcement, AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn is pushing to get the fight on. Hearn told IFL TV about an ultimatum he has given Fury, saying: “Maybe there is a conversation in a week or two weeks or three weeks time.View of The Sun’s boxing expert: ‘I think it’s a ploy’By Wally Downes JrCALL ME a miserable fat little boxing cynic, but Tyson Fury’s latest retirement just doesn’t wash with me.It wasn’t too long ago we were hearing he had a ten-fight deal with Saudi Arabia, that he was gonna fight Anthony Joshua twice, then he was going to face Joseph Parker twice.He was planning on doing every fight in the world – there was even talk he’d rematch Francis Ngannou and do a better job.IF he has retired, then he goes out with an incredible career having made over £300million in boxing events alone, let alone all the extra stuff.He does so having sacrificed bundles of his own life for such success.We know his wife Paris suffered a miscarriage going into the first Olesandr Usyk fight.We know for Deontay Wilder III, his little girl was put in intensive care, he barely even trained for that fight, he was sleeping on the hospital floor.IF he has retired, IF it is genuine, then it’s been an incredible career.And for the big showman, it’s probably a nice little short sharp way to go out by just posting a video while sat inside his car.But I can’t help but think that it’s a bit of a ploy to drive AJ a little bit crazy.AJ was at the Ring Awards the other day and put out a social media post saying “Fury, where are you? I’m looking for you.”It’s the only fight that AJ wants, and Fury being wise and looking at the Floyd Mayweather playbook, knows that once you retire, you have to be coaxed out of retirement.And how do you coax someone out of retirement? Loads more readies.The fact of the matter is, Fury has always told us: I’m a prize fighter, I do it for money, I’m gonna do it for as long as I can and make as much money as I can.So the idea that he suddenly ducks out now doesn’t seem to ring quite true.As Fury made the announcement, I was with Frank Warren and he said hadn’t spoken to Tyson about it today, but that he hopes that it’s true, that Fury’s done enough and made enough money.IF it’s true, then what an incredible career.Fury and AJ have put British boxing on the map where it’s not been for decades, not since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago.So thank you, but rather than being at his leaving party, which I’m sure The Sun would be invited to, I suspect we’ll see him boxing AJ in Riyadh in a few months. “We say to Fury, ‘Just to let you know, you don’t wanna fight AJ, in the summer, August, September, because if you want to come out of retirement, now is the time to do it’.”The only things I know are AJ wants to fight Fury and he wants to fight for the world heavyweight title, that’s it.”Hearn additionally told Sky Sports: “We will ask the question.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Frank Warren was saying, ‘Well, he’s retired’.”I know but it’s still my job to say we are going to make our decision, just double-checking there’s no chance he’s going to fight.” More

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      talkSPORT presenter opens up on 50-yard Premier League ‘clearance-goal’ after being forced out of Chelsea

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      JASON CUNDY turns the clock back to 1992 and the first month of the all-new Premier League.The 55-year-old former defender, who now works for talkSPORT co-presenting the Sports Bar with Jamie O’Hara, reflects on his freak ‘clearance’ goal from 50 yards to give Tottenham the lead at Ipswich.Jason Cundy talks THAT goal for Tottenham against Ipswich in 1992Cundy scored a fluky goal from past the half-way lineCundy is now a presenter on talkSPORTI would love to tell you I looked up, spotted Ipswich keeper Craig Forrest off his line, measured my shot from 50 yards and the ball flew in just as I had planned.But here’s the TRUTH of what really happened 33 years ago.I was just inside Ipswich’s half and the ball was played into a space which I thought was going to end up being a 50-50 challenge between myself and Jason Dozzell.My thought process was that I wanted to make sure I got to the ball as quick as possible to avoid there being any sort of contact between the two of us.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWhat played out was Jason didn’t make the expected challenge by which time I was fully committed.My proposed tackle ended up being a completely freakish clearance  that ballooned in the wind and sailed over the top of a flailing Forrest in the Ipswich goal.As a defender, I didn’t score that many goals in my career — in fact this was my only one for Tottenham. But because it’s completely niche, this one resurfaces whenever a collection of madcap Premier League goals are replayed.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt’s also odd how 30 or more years can blur certain moments . . . and facts too.It wasn’t until I looked back at this game to see that Tottenham were bottom of the table going into this game in the all-new Premier League.The Tottenham team take the INEOS Grenadier 4×4 for a spinAnd that this draw took us off the foot of the league. It took me by complete surprise because I had no recollection that we had started so slowly.I had joined Tottenham in March, 1992 back in the days when the ‘transfer window’ went on until March. The move came completely out of nowhere.Manager Ian Porterfield called me in and told me Chelsea had accepted an offer from Tottenham.  I wasn’t happy with the way it was  a ‘done deal’ and no one had even talked to me.But back then, if I had decided to turn it down I could have quite literally been thrown into the reserves and never played in the first  team again.I heard again from Porterfield shortly after that a meeting had been set up with Tottenham’s Terry Venables. And that was it.It was odd because Peter Shreeves was manager when I joined Tottenham with Terry taking training.Then we started 1992-93  with Doug Livermore and Ray Clemence in charge.Sadly, despite spending four years at White Hart Lane — with a couple of loan spells at Crystal Palace and Bristol City — my time at the club was blighted with injuries.By pure coincidence I ended up switching from Spurs to Ipswich in 1996 and so was back at the ground of this bizarre goal moment.It also meant that one of my new team-mates was Forrest — the unfortunate keeper who conceded my crazy goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESI have to say even before we became good friends I had so much sympathy for him for having to watch those endless repeats of the goal.It’s crazy to think that he played for 17 years, made 56 appearances for his country —  yet most people only remember him for either my strike or conceding nine at Manchester United in the Premier League! More

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      Politicians are bad at running trains, building cars & installing phones – why would they be better at running football?

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      THERE are plenty of things wrong with this country. Our schools, trains and courts are underperforming.The Football Governance Bill is a prime example of unnecessary regulation by politicians seeking to showcase their man-of-the-people credentialsCredit: GettyNo foreign equivalent comes close to the popularity of the Premier League, which is watched by an incredible two billion people all over the worldCredit: GettyWhy tinker with what is working well? Why regulate something that, without ­regulation, has become England’s most popular export?Many civil servants have not bothered to return to the office. Our healthcare system is pitied around Europe.But our football leagues are world-beating.No foreign equivalent comes close to the popularity of the Premier League, which is watched by an incredible two billion people all over the world.Indeed, not only is the ­Premier League the most ­popular in the world; the lower tier English Football League is sixth.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWhy tinker with what is working well? Why regulate something that, without ­regulation, has become England’s most popular export?The Football Governance Bill, currently in its final stage in Parliament, is a textbook example of needless and ­meddlesome regulation by politicians wanting to flaunt their man-of-the-people credentials.Price of failure It is a non-solution to a non-problem which is bound to have unintended consequences. MPs are using a sledgehammer to miss a nut.Most read in FootballThe new law will create a new ­regulator with 250 staff. (So much for Keir Starmer’s claim that we should focus on growth.)Those staff will be able to tell clubs where they play, in what strip and on what terms.Unify League explained after European Super League launches again in new format They will even be able to commandeer some of their assets to give to other clubs.This is more shocking than people realise.It won’t be long before the state is telling clubs what they must do in terms of gender quotas, Net Zero, ticket prices — you name it. It is one thing for successful clubs to make voluntary ­“parachute payments” to those facing relegation. It is quite another for the Government to help itself to their cash.Regulators never offer to reduce their role. They always want more power. It won’t be long before the state is telling clubs what they must do in terms of gender quotas, Net Zero, ticket prices — you name it.To what problem is this measure a ­solution? Are our clubs facing ruin? Far from it.The taxes they generate are bigger than the employer National ­Insurance rise, the extension of VAT, the farm estate tax and the scrapping of Winter Fuel ­Payments combined.English clubs are successful precisely because the price of failure is high.Two events are cited by ­supporters of the law. One did not happen at all and the other was much less of a problem than is claimed.The one that did not happen was the proposal for a European Super League in 2021, a breakaway group of 20 top clubs, six of them English.Among other things, it is now proposed that clubs should monitor the diversity of their season ticket holders. There was a backlash, and the idea was dropped within weeks.But not before MPs had jumped on the Something Must Be Done bandwagon.The one that did happen was the bankruptcy of Bury FC, which was ­traumatic for many in the town.But Bury is still playing at the same ground and in the same colours — albeit as a new legal entity that must work its way back up from the lower leagues. All that happened without any regulator. Indeed, of all the teams that were in the ­Football League in the Sixties, not one has disappeared.Is one case really enough to justify handing control to the government? Apparently so.The financial collapse of Rangers in 2012 might seem a bigger deal but ­Scotland is outside the scope of this Bill and, in any case, the Gers have also climbed back.The legislation started life under the Conservatives, and has been beefed up by Labour since the election.Create problemsAmong other things, it is now proposed that clubs should monitor the diversity of their season ticket holders.Of course it is. This is how all ­regulators operate.They start with a limited role — in this case, stopping the financial collapse of a club — and end up extending their powers across the board.Let me make a prediction. This regulation will fail in its own terms, creating more problems than it solves.If MPs think that fans are angry now about the occasional rogue proprietor, just wait until they see the relative decline of English football and turn their anger, not against the occasional absentee owner, but against the ­politicians who foisted the ­system on them.The worst sequence in politics goes like this: “Something must be done. This is something. Let’s do this.”READ MORE SUN STORIESPoliticians were bad at ­operating trains, building cars and installing telephones. What makes them think they’ll be any better at running football?Bury FC’s bankruptcy was traumatic for the town, but the club was ultimately saved by fans – not meddling politiciansCredit: AlamyAmong other things, it is now proposed that clubs should monitor the diversity of their season ticket holders.Credit: AFP or licensors More

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      in Boxing

      Daniel Dubois’ team left fuming as heavyweight champ KO’d by viral infection after late-night Saudi dinner

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      DANIEL DUBOIS lost his mega-money world title defence against Joseph Parker — after picking up a viral infection following a late-night Saudi dinner.The IBF heavyweight king had to attend a Wednesday night meeting with 11 of the other main fighters here on the Riyadh card.Daniel Dubois was set to defend his IBF heavyweight title against Joseph ParkerCredit: GETTYIllness to the champion scuppered the eagerly-anticipated Riyadh rumbleCredit: GETTYPromoter Frank Warren has revealed ‘Triple D’ is ‘p****d off’ with the whole ordealCredit: GETTYThe rivals sat just yards apart and Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren fumed: “He is p****d off.”It was a big fight and he has trained very hard and if you don’t fight, you don’t get paid.“Imagine the cost involved in the training camp, booking places to set the camp up, sparring partners, nutritionists, chefs, trainers and you don’t get paid.”It’s a massive loss.”READ MORE BOXING NEWSThe tense get-together had finished at around 1am and Dubois, 27, woke up the next morning with swollen glands and needing medical attention.Warren added: “It was an unbelievable purse that he was getting paid for the fight.”But if you’re not well, you can’t fight.”Promoters salvaged a fight for Parker tonight — on the undercard to Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 — by drafting in Martin Bakole to battle the New Zealander.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBeterbiev vs Bivol 2: Start time, TV channel, full card – everything you need to know for MASSIVE Saudi rematchDubois spent yesterday desperately trying to get a last-minute flight out of the country to recover in his own home, while Bakole jetted in from the Congo to take his place.And the Scotland-based slugger is confident of pulling up an almighty upset against the former IBO heavyweight king Parker.Martin Bakole vows to cause huge upset and could weigh in at over 300 pounds for Parker fight “This is it, this is unbelievable,” he said. “It looks like I’m dreaming. But I’m not dreaming.”I think I’ll shock the world tomorrow. I’m a boxer, a boxer is like a soldier.”Any time they ask you to go to war, always be ready. Thank you so much.”Congolese clubber Martin Bakole has been drafted in to replace Daniel DuboisCredit: Getty More