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      ‘You can’t go to Bluewater’ – Ex-Premier League boss begs stars to ‘sacrifice everything’ in another classic interview

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      NATHAN JONES has revealed an epic list of “sacrifices” he expects from his Charlton players AND their families.Famous for his oddball quotes, Jones has produced one of his best with a selection of do’s and don’ts for the promotion hunters during their run-in.Nathan Jones says Charlton players face eight weeks of sacrificesAnd it’s far worse than more typical demands imposed by some clubs, like avoiding fast-food, being in bed early or forgoing nightclubs.Because the Addicks manager has told his players not to go… shopping or bowling!The ex-Luton chief even claimed it’s time to stop “walking around high-fiving and going to Costa Coffee”.Perhaps Jones’ most notorious comment came when he explained why he took the Southampton job in 2022.READ MORE IN SPORTThe Welshman said: “I could have stayed in a mining community, been a PE teacher and had a nice life, married a nice Welsh girl. “I don’t. I want to test myself on every level and that’s nothing against Welsh women. I want to test myself.”And last year he produced a different type of eye-catching interview.Ecstatic following a 2-1 League One victory over Derby, Jones launched an X-rated boast – then backtracked when realising he was live on the BBC.Most read in EFLJones didn’t pull any punches on how his Addicks must behaveCredit: RexCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsHe said: “We over-ran them, we f*****g… Sorry – we were aggressive in what we did and I’m really proud of the second half performance.”  This time Jones was explaining to Charlton’s media team the tough time in store – or rather, not in stores – for his players – amid the season’s finale.EFL star, 24, ‘REFUSES to show up for game’ over transfer speculation weeks after shocking Premier League sideFourth-placed Charlton want a top-two finish or at least to keep hold of a play-off spot.Jones, 51, said: “Going into eight weeks of your life now, where you sacrifice everything.”You’re not shopping tomorrow. Not bowling. Your diet’s good.”However, Jones also left himself open to accusations of stereotyping.He added: “If your wife or your girlfriend wants to go shopping, wants to do that, they have to make the sacrifices.”It’s a massive sacrifice for us – to achieve something – because you can’t now go to Bluewater, walking around high-fiving and going to Costa Coffee when you should be resting.” More

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      ‘There was blood everywhere’ – Inside Kenilworth Road riot, where ‘freelance’ hooligans turned Luton into war zone

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      IT WAS one of English football’s bleakest nights and one of its most significant occasions.The Kenilworth Road riot — before, during and after an FA Cup quarter- final between Luton Town and Millwall on March 13, 1985 — was a hideous orgy of disorder which had profound ramifications for the English game.The 1985 Luton riot occurred before, during and after a 1984–85 FA Cup gameCredit: PAFans stormed the pitch after Luton beat Millwall 1-0Credit: GettyIt was halted by Millwall fans for 25 minutes and ended with a frightening riotCredit: AlamySeats in Kenilworth Road were destroyedCredit: GettyFormer Luton gaffer David Pleat spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: RexForty years ago today, Millwall’s infamous Bushwackers firm were joined by a band of ‘freelance hooligans’ from Chelsea and West Ham.Luton’s home ground became dangerously overcrowded, sparking a series of violent pitch invasions as an entire town was turned into a war zone.Eighty-one people were injured, including a policeman who had to be resuscitated after being knocked out by a concrete slab.A knife was thrown at Luton keeper Les Sealey. Hundreds of seats were ripped out and used as missiles. Billiard balls were hurled into the directors’ box, before a pitched battle raged between hooligans and police.David Pleat, who managed Luton that night and for 12 years over two spells, told me: “The victims of the violence — many of them either very young or old — were treated in the players’ tunnel. There was blood everywhere. The scenes were horrific.”“Outside, homes, pubs and shops were vandalised. Carriages on a train carrying travelling fans had ceilings torn out and, according to police, were left “looking as if a bomb had gone off”.In that spring of 1985, English football was entering its lowest depths.Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsThe Luton riot would be swiftly followed by the Bradford City fire, in which 56 supporters perished, and the Heysel disaster at the European Cup final in Brussels, when rioting by Liverpool fans and a crumbling stadium caused the deaths of 39 people — mainly supporters of Juventus.As a result, English clubs would be banned from all European competitions for five years.New Luton Town Stadium given planning permissionPoliceman and dogs were deployed onto the pitchCredit: AlamyPolice with batons out tackled fans invading the turf in 1985Credit: AlamyThen manager Pleat has included details in his new autobiographyCredit: GettyFor many years before, football supporters had been treated like animals and far too many acted accordingly.Pleat recalls that Margaret Thatcher’s government was already “waging war” against the battered national sport, scapegoating football for society’s ills.And after the Kenilworth Road riot, Thatcher found a willing ally in Luton chairman David Evans. The soon-to-be Tory MP introduced a ban on away fans from his club’s stadium, as well as an ID card scheme which the prime minister sought to have introduced for supporters nationwide.It was only after the horrors of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster — and the subsequent Taylor Report which deemed the scheme unworkable — that the national ID card project was abandoned.Anyone who watched football from behind fences in the 1980s would have experienced dangerous overcrowding and been in little doubt that the deaths of 97 Liverpool supporters at Hillsborough could have happened to fans of any club.After Lord Chief Justice Taylor’s intervention, all-seater stadia were made compulsory in the top two tiers of English football.Along with the advent of the Premier League, the game and its venues would be transformed.Police and fans battled during Luton vs MillwallCredit: GettyThe aftermath of the riots brought huge changes in English footballCredit: AlamyLuton’s away-fan ban ran from 1987 until 1991. Many clubs banned Hatters supporters in a tit-for-tat.And Luton were thrown out of the League Cup for one season after refusing to back down.Football supporters were societal pariahs in the 80s. And Luton — the riot’s victims — would become hated inside the sport.Pleat damningly describes the late Evans as “a visionary in his own mind” and “a lapdog for Mrs Thatcher”. He added: “Evans was not a good person and Luton became widely hated because of his actions.”On the 40th anniversary of the riot, the details sound difficult to comprehend.The match was not all-ticket, although matches very rarely were.The trouble was premeditated and organised, yet police were unprepared — despite the sight of thousands of known hooligans congregating at London’s St Pancras Station four hours before kick-off.Bedfordshire’s force had no horses, with reinforcements arriving from Cambridgeshire only after serious disorder had flared.Soon-to-be Tory MP David Evans was the chairman of Luton Town at the timeCredit: RexAway fans were banned from Kenilworth Road from 1987 until 1991Credit: GettyStadium overcrowding was a huge problem in the 80sCredit: RexThe overcrowding was dangerous and, in Pleat’s words, the arrangements were “completely chaotic”.But the English domestic game, now the envy of the world, was unrecognisable four decades ago.Conditions at most stadiums were appalling, violence was rife, overcrowded terraces endangered lives, fans were herded like sheep, barked at by police dogs, and watched matches from behind barbed-wire fences or within cages.David Brown, a 59-year-old Hatters supporter who attended the Millwall match as a teenager, said: “You would go to away matches in those days and be terrified.“I remember going to Newcastle in the 80s and being scared to open my mouth for fear of being beaten up.“Last season I went to St James’ Park for a 4-4 draw and Newcastle fans couldn’t have been friendlier.“When you think of the conditions you’d watch football in back then, you wonder why we bothered going.“I’d seen other serious outbreaks of hooliganism — but nothing like the Millwall riot.”Stewards were asked to clean up Luton’s ground the day after the riotCredit: GettyThose who complain about the ‘sanitisation’ of the modern match-going experience tend to conveniently forget how bad things were in the ‘good old days’ of the 70s and 80s.English football was a powder keg. The Luton riot was the night it truly exploded.The Kenilworth Road End, which was supposed to house travelling Millwall fans, became overcrowded as their numbers had been seriously swelled by supporters of rival London clubs.Kick it upfield, I’ll blow the final whistle, then run for your life.Referee told goalkeeper SealeyBrown later worked with a Chelsea fan who had been at the Kenilworth Road riot and admitted to becoming a ‘freelance hooligan’ because “we all wanted to have a go at Luton”, whose own hooligan fringe had been involved in violence at grounds in the capital.By 7pm — 45 minutes before kick-off — a gate had been forced open, leading to crushing, with hundreds of fans invading the pitch and goading Luton supporters in the opposite Oak Road End of the ground.Remarkably, the game kicked off on time but after 14 minutes there was a further pitch invasion, which led to a 35-minute delay.Soon after, forward Brian Stein scored the only goal of the tie for top-flight strugglers Luton against Millwall’s Third Division promotion chasers, with Pleat admitting “we all feared the worst”.Luton Town executives John Smith and Millwall chief executive Tony Shaw met with Sports Minister Neil MacFarlane to discuss the violent clashes in 1985Credit: PABut referee David Hutchinson, a policeman himself, was determined to finish the match. Just before the end, with Sealey about to take a goal-kick, Hutchinson told Sealey: “Kick it upfield, I’ll blow the final whistle, then run for your life.”And all 22 players sprinted for the relative safety of the dressing rooms.For Pleat, reaching an FA Cup semi-final should have been a career highlight.Instead, that achievement was utterly tarnished.The next day he was dragged into an emergency meeting in Parliament — with Luton’s bosses, as well as FA chiefs, grilled and urged to get their house in order.Yet Millwall would be fined a measly £7,500 — a punishment overturned on appeal.Kenilworth Road had been trashed and Evans used the opportunity to ban away fans, to build several executive boxes on the site of the vandalised Bobbers Stand, to install a controversial plastic pitch, as well as introducing the away-fan ban and ID card scheme.Millwall boss George Graham led his players off and later told Pleat he wanted to leave the South London clubCredit: PABrown said: “Evans used the trouble for his own political means. He gave a rabble-rousing speech at the next Tory party conference and, at the next election, he was elected an MP.“The away-fan ban made Luton very unpopular — but the hypocrisy of Evans was that wealthy away fans who could afford the executive boxes were still welcome.”Millwall’s manager that night was George Graham, a friend of Pleat’s ever since they had faced each other in an England v Scotland schoolboy international in 1960, through to their time as rival managers of Tottenham and Arsenal, to the current day, with both men now aged 80.Pleat said: “Before kick-off, George used the stadium’s loudspeaker to urge the Millwall fans to get off the pitch. “We were the last two people inside Kenilworth Road that night and George then told me he wanted to leave Millwall. “They won promotion that season but the following year he was off to Arsenal.”Pleat claimed: “A third of Luton season-ticket holders stopped going to matches after the riot, never to come back.”Thirty-one people were arrested for the violence, appearing at Luton Magistrates Court the next morning.But with Hatters fans waiting outside, at least one Millwall supporter — who had been fined, then freed, for his part in the riot — lost his bravado and refused to leave the courthouse for fear of reprisals.Pleat said: “People forget how dark a place English football was in back then.“The Bradford and Heysel disasters would come soon after.“Now supporters can enjoy matches in decent conditions — but back then, it was a very different game.” Just One More Goal — The Autobiography of David Pleat is available from Biteback Publishing. More

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      Plied with drugs dissolved in booze and hosed down like an animal – inside tragic Maradona’s House of Horror court case

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      ON the football pitch, Diego Maradona was revered as a god, but in his final days the legendary footballer is alleged to have been treated more like an animal.This week Argentina has been gripped by the start of a five-month trial in which seven of the people tasked with caring for the man who led the country to the 1986 World Cup are accused of his homicide with possible intent.Seven people tasked with caring for Diego Maradona are accused of his homicide with possible intent, the legend in coaching role in 2019Credit: GettyMaradona’s cheat goal against England in the quarter-final of 1986 World Cup in MexicoCredit: GettyFans crowd the hearse as Maradona’s body is taken to the cemetery in 2020Credit: AFPDoctor Leopoldo Luque, centre, wrote ‘the fat man’s going to end up kicking the bucket’ in vile WhatsApp messagesCredit: AFPMaradona died aged 60 from heart disease at his rented home in Tigre, near Buenos Aires, on November 25, 2020, two weeks after undergoing brain surgery.The prosecution claims that the team paid to look after him were criminally negligent.In heated scenes, Maradona’s former lover, Veronica Ojeda, was heard shouting “daughter of a bitch” at one of the accused as the hearing got under way on Tuesday.Outside the court in San Isidro, north of Argentina’s capital, a fan held up a placard with the message “Justice for D10S” — a nickname mixing Maradona’s shirt number and the Spanish word for God.READ MORE ON MARADONA‘Kicking the bucket’Others had tears in their eyes as they chanted his name.There have been claims that Maradona drank beer in the morning and was given sleeping pills dissolved in his booze at night while he was under the accused’s medical care.WhatsApp messages were uncovered in which his neurologist, Leopoldo Luque, wrote “the fat man’s going to end up kicking the bucket”.And it is alleged Maradona was washed down with a hosepipe rather than being helped to the shower.Most read in FootballThe former Barcelona and Napoli player has been adored in the South American nation since his moments of individual brilliance — and his infamous handball “hand of God goal” against England — saw them lift the World Cup in Mexico in 1986.Considerable amounts of his fortune, once estimated at £75million, were blown on addictions to alcohol and cocaine, which contributed to his terrible state of health.Diego Maradona’s daughter fights back tears as she says family live in fear of mafia ahead of trial into his death At the time of his death his heart weighed 503 grams, which was almost double what it should have been.But the prosecution case is that with the right medical care, Maradona would have survived.Chief prosecutor Patricio Ferrari told the court: “You will see during this trial what reckless home care is — reckless, deficient, without precedent, without any type of control during the period that ended with Diego’s death. “In that house of horror where Diego Maradona died, no one did what they had to do.”The problems began for Maradona when he was feted in the southern Italian city of Naples for twice taking their once-lowly side to historic league titles in 1987 and 1990.The Mafia, dominant in the region, kept him supplied with drugs and prostitutes, yet he still somehow managed to play at the top level.Two years before his death, the star told British documentary maker Asif Kapadia of his time there: “Sunday to Wednesday I was partying on cocaine. I would come home high on drugs.”In that house of horror where Diego Maradona died no one did what they had to doChief prosecutor Patricio Ferrari In 1991, traces of cocaine were found in Maradona’s urine sample and a couple of weeks later 1.5g of the same drug was found by police at his flat in Buenos Aires.Maradona’s ex, Veronica Ojeda, demands justice outside trialCredit: GettyA fan holds up a placard with the message ‘Justice for D10S’ — a nickname mixing Maradona’s shirt number and the Spanish word for GodCredit: AFPMaradona’s daughters Dalma and Gianinna arrive for trialCredit: GettyLater, he was sent home from the 1994 World Cup in the United States after testing positive for a stimulant called ephedrine.His attempts to get clean were always short-lived, with hangers-on often willing to get him whatever substances he desired.He also had a voracious appetite for alcohol, food and young women.In 2005, the 5ft 5in Maradona weighed nearly 20st and underwent a gastric band operation.Emergency surgeryThe star had eight children by various mothers that are known of, but since his death at least three other people have come forward claiming to be his offspring.It was not until 2007 that he recognised Diego Jnr as his son. He had been born in 1986 to a mistress.There were a number of health scares over the years, including being treated by doctors at half-time when he was watching Argentina play at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.The most serious was on November 3, 2020, when he underwent emergency surgery at La Plata hospital in Buenos Aires for a blood clot on his brain.His personal doctor, neurosurgeon Luque, performed what appeared to be a successful operation.But there was a question over whether the patient would be better off staying in hospital, where there would be swift access to emergency care, or if he should instead recover in a home setting.Luque, who is one of the seven accused, agreed to take Maradona to the legend’s rented residence in Tigre on November 11.If he got up at 9am and asked for beer he was given itGriselda Morel, an educational psychologist Prosecutor Ferrari told the court: “Clearly, the victim was not in full use of his mental faculties and even less could decide on his own about his health.”He entered that place for a clinical rehabilitation and home medical care that we can say without any doubt was calamitous.”The prosecution alleges that there was no defibrillator on hand to help restart Maradona’s heart if he went into a cardiac arrest and that the medical team did not carry out the necessary checks.Prior to the start of the trial, Griselda Morel, an educational psychologist who worked with Maradona’s eight-year-old son and visited his home, claimed that the sick star was given alcohol.She alleged: “If he got up at 9am and asked for beer he was given it.“One of his custodians crushed tablets he was taking and put them in his beer so he didn’t cause a fuss at night.” Griselda said that Maradona was so confused he would speak on an imaginary phone.The other six accused are psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, addiction specialist Carlos Diaz, doctor Nancy Forlini, nursing co-ordinator Mariano Perroni, nurse Ricardo Almiron and clinical physician Pedro Pablo Di Spagna.Heart in formaldehydeAnother nurse, Gisela Dahiana Madrid, has asked to be tried separately.Gisela’s lawyer, Rodolfo Baque, has claimed that when the nurse warned that Maradona’s heartbeat reached a high 115 beats per minute in the days before his death, “nothing” was done about it.When the former footballer was found unconscious at around 12.30 in the afternoon on November 25, 2020, the medical team spent 45 minutes trying to revive him. But experts believe he died between 4am and 6am, which suggests no one checked on the patient for at least six and a half hours.Post-mortem blood and urine tests revealed Maradona had been given a cocktail of prescription drugs including Quetiapine, Venlafaxine and Levetiracetam which are used to treat depression, panic attacks and epilepsy among other conditions.Fernando Burlando, the lawyer representing Maradona’s daughters Dalma and Gianinna, said outside court that the player had been treated like an animal and went as far as to call it “murder.”The accused are on trial for homicide with possible intent, which could result in 25-year prison sentences. They all deny the charges.Luque said: “The death occurred unexpectedly, suddenly, during sleeping hours, without offering us any time.”The complex medical trial will last until July and see around 100 witnesses give evidence.The final verdict will be delivered by three judges.One of the key pieces of evidence will be Maradona’s heart, which has been kept in formaldehyde at a police laboratory ever since his death.One of the key pieces of evidence will be Maradona’s heart, which has been kept in formaldehyde at a police laboratory.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere have been claims that fans had plotted to steal the organ. And during the 2022 World Cup, Argentinian fans campaigned to have the heart flown to host nation Qatar along with the country’s football team.Why the heart finally failed Maradona — a lion on the football pitch — is sure to inspire a passionate response from devoted fans whatever the court decides.Model of Maradona in a model house shown to courtCredit: Getty More

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      Anthony Joshua in line for shock world title fight if Tyson Fury snubs £300m grudge match

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA could end up fighting for a world title if a showdown with Tyson Fury fails to come to fruition.Fury, 36, seemingly killed off the long-overdue Battle of Britain in January by announcing his fifth retirement from boxing.Anthony Joshua’s hopes of fighting Tyson Fury are seemingly hanging by a threadCredit: REUTERSThe Gypsy King is retired and has shown no sign of reversing his retirement decisionCredit: PAAJ could end up fighting Agit Kabayel for the interim WBC heavyweight titleCredit: GETTYAJ and his team aren’t giving up hope of the mammoth melee coming to fruition but are willing to move on should Fury remain retired.And WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has revealed the Watford warrior is in contention to fight Agit Kabayel for the interim heavyweight title.He told Sky Sports: “We will [support an undisputed heavyweight title fight] and we will assess what is happening, what is the best scenario.”[Kabayel] has the WBC interim championship that [he] can defend.READ MORE ON FURY”There’s other big fights like Joshua, Wilder or even Fury. So many other possible great fights.”[Joshua,] he’s highly ranked in the WBC, he’s a legendary champion and we will support him, of course.”Fury, according to his cousin Andy Lee, is content with his life after boxing, which he can no longer be “f****d with”.But Joshua is still holding out hope of sharing the ring with his long-time rival later this year.Most read in BoxingCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsDuring a recent interview with iFL TV, he said of the domestic dust-up: “I feel like it’s the best fight [for me].”People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know. ‘I think he’ll return’ – Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight update as Saudi boxing chief reveals chat with Gypsy King”But I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight and it’s a great man’s fight as well. So I think it makes sense.”You could say it’s been years in the making. “But listen, the heavyweight division has been thriving.”And why I say it’s probably still a great fight is as I said Parker is, for me, a great story of someone that never gives up.”And the thing is, there is going to be one winner and one loser.”And there’s going to be bloodshed. And it ain’t gonna be mine.”Anthony Joshua hasn’t fought since losing his Wembley war with Daniel DuboisCredit: GETTY More

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      I cried after announcing my MMA retirement and got job on railway tracks… now I’ve got a second chance through boxing

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      WITH his eyes full of tears and admittedly harbouring regret, Darren Stewart announced his retirement from MMA. And after getting a job on the railway tracks to support his family – the father-of-two might have thought his fighting days were over. Darren Stewart retired from MMACredit: GettyBut an opportunity Stewart had been waiting for finally arised – offering his career a second chance. Stewart had fought professionally in MMA since 2014 – spending five years in the UFC until a losing streak saw him demoted to the domestic scene. And after six Cage Warriors bouts – the Londoner’s fight offers had dried up – prompting him to announce a heartbreaking retirement. Stewart, 34, told SunSport: “That day I was asking like, ‘What’s happening any more fights?’ READ MORE IN BOXING”And I was getting told that there might not be no more fights until the end of the year.”And I fought at the beginning of the year, so how am I gonna survive? “Remember, I got no job, how am I gonna survive from the beginning of the year to end of the year? No sponsorships, I mean, nothing”And then when I got that message, I started breaking down into tears. I was crying, I said, ‘You know what I’m done.’Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”My missus came and said, ‘What’s wrong?’ I said, ‘I’m gonna call it a day.’ I think she said something like, ‘Yeah, but you always say this.’ “I was like, ‘I’m done now.’ That’s a hard thing to do and I had to do it.” Chris Eubank Jr reveals relationship with dad has broken down completely Stewart was fighting full-time, relying only on his purses to get by and the cost of his fight camp expenses also piled up. He said: “I was getting loads of messages and saying, why, why, why? “I said, ‘What do you mean why?’ I’m not getting no help as a fighter, people just see us fight – it’s more than that.”What happens after the fight? What happens after three, five minutes (rounds). You gotta pay this, you pay that.”I didn’t have no sponsorship either, so you gotta pay this and pay that. It’s just too much, man.”And then what you’re left with that’s gotta cover your rent until so and so and when’s the next fight? You don’t know.” Stewart got a job working on a railway tracks and clocked in every evening as a retired fighter. I started breaking down into tears. I was crying, I said, ‘You know what I’m done.’Darren Stewart on retiring But everything changed when he got the call from Misfits Boxing – an avenue he had his eyes on for a while. Misfits – headed up by YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI – homes to celebrity-style crossover bouts. And Stewart will fight ex-UFC star Darren Till, 32, in Manchester on March 29 having never lost faith in a getting another break. He said: “It was a struggle, man.”I started working on the railway, so going to work every night when everyone’s sleeping. Working on the tracks, lifting heavy stuff. It’s not me.”I mean, my body wasn’t recovering, it was a big struggle, I just kept praying and saying, ‘You know what, something will come around, something will come around.'”I had good people around me and my coach I was still training with, not only do I box with him, I do rehab with him. ‘It’s sad that I’m saying it'”So I do my rehab, get my mobility back for all the years and trauma that my body took from MMA.” Stewart admits to regretting putting all his chips into the MMA basket without having a back-up plan to turn to. And he would advise his eldest so Tyler – who has just started judo – against doing the same. Stewart said in rare honesty: “I will support him, but I’ll say to him, ‘Do something else, just learn it for self defence.'”And depending what he goes into as well. If he’s really good at it, I can’t say nothing I’ve gotta support him, but if you’re just doing it for fun, no, it’s not a fun game.”Fighting’s a real thing, just do it for self defence and go do something else. It’s sad that I’m saying it. “I know people don’t wanna hear this, but I’m the only guy I tell you the truth.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I should write a book after this, honestly. A lot of people ain’t telling you this. When I speak to people, they’re like, ‘Wow, really?’ Yeah, really.”I’ll tell my son, ‘You know what, if you really want to, I’ll support you, but honestly, just learn their self defence and just keep it moving’.”Stewart with his eldest son TylerCredit: @darren_mma More

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      Charlie Edwards has brother Sunny back in his corner for Andrew Cain bout after revealing their DAD wanted them to fight

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      CHARLIE EDWARDS has brother Sunny in his corner after retirement paved the way for a full reconciliation. The two came up in the sport together, sparring each other in prepration for battle. Charlie Edwards has brother Sunny in his corner againCredit: X @CEdwardsBoxingThe two have feuded in the past but are on good terms againCredit: X @CEdwardsBoxingBut their relationship strained at times over the years – fuelling shock talk of a never-before-seen brotherly battle. And Charlie once revealed it was their dad Larry who wanted the brothers to settle the family feud in the ring. He told the Daily Mail last year: “That’s my dad’s dream. “And I don’t talk to my dad really anymore for a few years now because I’ve grown up and I’m a man now and I don’t like that energy. READ MORE IN BOXING”He always played us against each other, I see it for what it is. The sad thing is it’s his dream that we fight on the big stage, and I don’t know if that’s like a narcissistic thing, but that’s what he would try and do. “But for me, no thank you. I love my family. If I was to put 8oz gloves on and fight my brother and hurt him, I could never live with myself anymore. “I also love my nephews and that’s their dad. Why am I going to do something like that? We don’t need to fight each other.” The Edwards brothers did eventually go up against each other in opposite corners. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCharlie fought for the European bantamweight title in September against Thomas Essomba – who is managed by Sunny. And Charlie won over 12 rounds – with Sunny standing in the opposite corner – but it ended in a hug between the two.Nick Ball is the British world champ likened to Mike Tyson tipped to fight pound-for-pound KO king Naoya InoueCharlie said after his win: “We’ve always been in competition. He’s always been a sore loser! He’s always quit on Fifa and thrown the controller! “But do you know what? I love my brother dearly, and I thank you for the opportunity as Thomas’ manager.” Sunny, 29, called time on his career in November after losing to 2024 Olympic champion Galal Yafai, 32. But he is still managing fighters and looks to have added a new feather in his boxing cap by becoming a trainer too. Sunny has been out in Portugal – where Charlie lives with his wife Kristin and daughter Sofia – helping coach his older brother. Charlie, 32, returns on Saturday night in a British and Commonwealth bantamweight title fight against Andrew Cain, 28, in Liverpool. And Sunny has been overseeing Charlie’s training alongside head coach Stephen Smith in the Algarve – bringing the two closer than ever. Sunny has been coaching brother CharlieCredit: X @CEdwardsBoxing More

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      KSI called out by footballer who infamously knocked out Premier League legend for Misfits Boxing fight

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      KSI has been called out to a fight by football hardman Phil Bardsley. Bardsley infamously knocked out Wayne Rooney in a drunken kitchen sparring session in 2015. Football hardman Phil Bardsley has called out KSICredit: PABardsley infamously knocked out Wayne Rooney in a drunken kitchen sparring session in 2015KSI is the founder of Misfits BoxingCredit: PAHe only retired from playing in 2023 and moved into coaching – but now he fancies a switch to the boxing ring. Bardsley, 39, told BoyleSports, who offer Premier League odds: “I would step in there with anyone, including KSI.“I had an operation recently but it won’t take me long to get my fitness up when I’m back in the gym. “I’d love to give it a go and I think I’d really enjoy the routine of it, it’s something I’d really look forward to.READ MORE IN BOXING“I’d never turn down a fight on one of the Misfits cards, but it’s not in my nature to go out there promoting myself. Let’s see what happens.”Bardsley came through Manchester United’s academy and was signed with the Red Devils from 2003-2008. During that period, he also had loan spells with Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Rangers, Aston Villa and Sheffield United. The right-back later played for Sunderland, Stoke, Burnley again and finally Stockport County – where he retired. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBardsley is an avid boxing fan watched on as former United team-mate Danny Simpson also made his boxing debut. Simpson, 38, drew against YouTuber Danny Aarons, 22, last August and continues training for another bout. KSI’s sparring partner says he snubbed Love Island return to focus on Misfits Boxing and reveals how hard YouTuber hits Misfits is the home to celebrity-style crossover bouts headed up by YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI. KSI, 31, returns against MMA star Dillon Danis, also 31, in Manchester on March 29. But Danis replaced Wayne Bridge, 44, after the ex-Chelsea player pulled out when KSI referenced his infamous feud with John Terry. Danny Aarons and Danny Simpson drewCredit: GettyKSI facing off with Wayne BridgeCredit: misfits boxing More

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      Man Utd chief admits club risk FIVE-YEAR trophy drought as they commit £2BILLION to 100,000-seat ‘New Trafford’ stadium

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      MANCHESTER UNITED admit they “risk” a five-year trophy drought by committing £2BILLION to “New Trafford”.United yesterday unveiled their vision for a state-of-the-art, 100,000-seater home next to the Theatre of Dreams.Man Utd have unveiled ambitious plans for a new £2bn stadiumCredit: PACo-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe revealed the club would have gone bust without his interventionCredit: GettyUnited chief executive Omar Berrada admits the £2bn outlat is a ‘risk’Credit: PABut it came less than 24 hours after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed the club could have gone bust by Christmas without his savage cost-cutting measures.The “brave” stadium plans were backed by legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.While chief executive Omar Berrada hopes current under-fire boss Ruben Amorim will still be in charge when the stadium is completed in 2030. However, asked if the build could affect their competitiveness on the pitch, Berrada admitted: “That is a risk.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Clearly it’s something we want to avoid.”We don’t want to inhibit our ability to invest in the team, for us to continue being competitive while we are building a new stadium.”There are various ways around that. One of the things we are looking at is to shorten the construction timelines so we can have a new stadium within five years, that’s our ambition.”In the meantime, by getting our finances back in order and becoming profitable, we believe we can be very competitive.”Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsPrem rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have also moved homes in recent memory — and suffered on the field as a result. But Berrada added: “The big benefit that this club has is that it has the biggest fanbase in the world and therefore the ability to be the No 1 in terms of revenues it generates.”Sir Jim Ratcliffe launches scathing attack on struggling Man Utd squad saying some ‘not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’United hope to start construction this year, but the aim is to be in their new home by the start of the 2030-31 season.The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) said the images looked “stunning and exciting” but the project raises more questions than answers.Amorim’s men are currently 14th in the table and many regulars believe the squad needs a major rebuild.The MUST statement said: “Whilst investment is much needed and welcome, fans remain anxious about what it means and what the consequences will be.”Will it drive up ticket prices and force out local fans? Will it add to the debt burden which has held back the club for the last two decades?”Will it lead to reduced investment in the playing side at a time when it is so badly needed?”Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Red Devils signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as everIT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.The stadium plans were backed by Fergie, who said: “Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does.”Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home fit for the future, where history can be made.”United believe they can continue to play in the 74,000-capacity Old Trafford, which has been their home since 1910, right up until their new stadium is ready.The cost of the project left some fans scratching their heads — as it came just a few hours after Ratcliffe issued his chilling warning about the club’s finances.Berrada confirmed the stadium, along with club areas like fan zones and a megastore, will not be paid for by the general public.He added: “We won’t be asking for taxpayer money.”But, at the same time, the stadium, the new build in isolation does not make sense if there’s not an investment in the wider generation project.”United will also explore the possibility of raising some cash by selling the new stadium’s naming rights.Berrada admitted the hope in the boardroom is that Amorim will still be in charge come 2030.The Frenchman said: “We’d love it if he was still coach when we move.”United’s hopes of playing Champions League football next term are hanging on them winning the Europa League.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey host Real Sociedad in a last-16 second-leg clash on Thursday night with the score 1-1.Berrada said: “If we qualify to the Champions League, we will have more revenues and we’ll have more capacity to invest in the team.” More