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      in Soccer

      Trent Alexander-Arnold breaks down in tears and kisses badge as he gets emotional send-off from Liverpool fans

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      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD broke down in tears in his Liverpool farewell – and received an incredible Anfield send-offThe departing right-back was benched for the Premier League champion’s final game of the season at home to Crystal Palace.Trent Alexander-Arnold shed tears in his Liverpool farewellCredit: GettyLiverpool captain Virgil van Dijk embraces with Alexander-ArnoldCredit: EPAAlexander-Arnold won two Prem titles at LiverpoolCredit: GettyHe was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 3-2 loss to Brighton and faced BOOS at Anfield after coming off the bench against Arsenal. Even Jurgen Klopp – who handed Alexander-Arnold his debut – condemned the boo boys. But in his last game for Liverpool, he came off the bench in place of Conor Bradley and received a warm welcome by fans. Alexander-Arnold was also cheered when he received his winners medal and the boyhood Red kissed the badge in response.READ MORE IN football While on the bench he looked like he was fighting back tears – but he could not hold it in at the final whistle.He peered around Anfield while wearing Liverpool red for the final time and gave his team-mates a farewell hug.He tapped and kissed the badge he has worn for 20 years while cheers echoed around Anfield. And that will be the lasting memory he would have hoped for before stepping out as a Liverpool player for the final time. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAlexander-Arnold admitted he was not sure what reception he was going to get at Anfield – but demanded one more match in red.He said: “I didn’t know what to expect stepping out at Anfield today after what had happened. “But I wanted to play for the club one more time, I told the manager, and he trusted me. “The reception I got means so much to me. I have never felt more loved and more cared for than today. “I hope that one day the fans and supporters of this club are able to recognise the hard work I put in for this team. “From six to 26, 20 years is a very long time. I have loved every second of it, it has been an honour and a privilege to be a part of this club. “I’ll remember these moments for the rest of my life. This day will go down as the best in my life.”Trent struggled to hold his emotions in checkCredit: GettyAlexander-Arnold made his Liverpool debut in 2016Credit: PAHe won the Champions League in 2019Credit: Getty – ContributorLiverpool won their first title in 30 years in 2020Credit: AFPIt’s little surprise TAA was so emotional, the defender did come through Liverpool’s academy – making his debut aged 16 in 2016 under Klopp.He later became a first-team regular in the German’s side, winning the Champions League in 2018.One year later and Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool to the league title – their first in 30 years. In 2021, Alexander-Arnold signed a new four-year Liverpool deal. And despite talks throughout the season, Liverpool could not manage to convince the player to extend it once more.An offer which would have made him one of the highest-paid full-backs in the world was said to have been rejected. Madrid are believed to have made a cut-price £20million bid for the defender in January – but Liverpool rejected it. Alexander-Arnold, though, had his heart set on the Spanish capital where England team-mate Jude Bellingham has been since his £115m move in 2023. Finally, on May 5 Liverpool finally confirmed his exit with a blunt statement. It read: “Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract.” Alexander-Arnold said: “I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it. “I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here. “I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it.”I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here.” He told fans directly: “There’s a lot I would like to say. The main thing is a massive thank you. “You guys have been there from the start with me, you guys have supported me, been there.“I’ve felt the support, the love, everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me, I’ve loved every single minute of it. “I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club.“I’m just hoping that we’re able to carry on winning games, the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season.“It has been an amazing season. It has been amazing to be part of it and I just hope that everyone is able to maybe not dwell on this news for too long and be able to celebrate what the rest of the lads have done.”Liverpool legend and former Madrid star Xabi Alonso is expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu.England team-mates Jude Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold are closeCredit: GettyAlexander-Arnold is expected to play in the Club World Cup for Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – GettyAnd Reds boss Arne Slot warned: “He’s going to leave anyway so why not, it might be the first gift I can give Xabi Alonso.”I wasn’t completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground.”In my opinion there were certain moments he could do more, to put it mildly.”He’s going to leave anyway so why not, it might be the first gift I can give Xabi Alonso.”I wasn’t completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground.”In my opinion there were certain moments he could do more, to put it mildly.” Alexander-Arnold was defended by fuming ex-manager Klopp after being subjected to boos by his own supporters. Klopp said: “I don’t want to tell anybody what they shall think, I don’t want to tell you what you have to think.Jurgen Klopp spoke out in defence of Alexander-ArnoldCredit: PAAlexander-Arnold received his ex-manager’s backingCredit: Getty”But I can tell you what you think is wrong. That’s what I can do. Because I’m an old man and I don’t waste time hiding my opinion.”Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the players that made it all happen.”This boy, 18-years-old, scored a free-kick in Hoffenheim where if he doesn’t score that we don’t qualify for the Champions League.”Against Barcelona he did the most cheeky thing in the world and set up the goal for 4-0, a result and a game which will not happen again.”I don’t tell you that you should not be disappointed, you should not be angry. I tell you don’t forget. “This club doesn’t forget. We are famous for not forgetting, we don’t forget anything. I watched the game where he came on and I heard the booing.”I switched the telly off because, honestly, I could not have been more disappointed in this moment.”This is not us. 100 per cent not us. Be angry, don’t understand, whatever.Alexander-Arnold with Liverpool manager Arne SlotCredit: APSlot gave the inbound Madrid star a farewell against PalaceCredit: Reuters”This boy, I was there everyday, if he didn’t give everything I would tell you now. But everyday he gave absolutely everything to this badge.”Now he decided after 20 years at this club that he wants to go somewhere else.”Why didn’t he sign a new contract?’ I hear this from fans, this money discussion: ‘He goes without a transfer fee’.”If somebody should be angry about that it’s the owners, but they are not.”He wears the Liverpool badge in the skin. But now he plays for another club. We decide how we deal with that.”Read More on The SunThe inbound Real Madrid star held back tears on the benchCredit: ReutersAlexander-Arnold and Mo Salah hug at AnfieldCredit: APCurtis Jones hugs Alexander-ArnoldCredit: AFPAlexander-Arnold got his hands on the league title againCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      ‘Not happening’ – Moses Itauma next fight decision made moments after undefeated Brit’s latest brutal KO

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      MOSES ITAUMA has had a major step up in competition ruled out as his next opponent.The Chatam clubber continued his surge up the heavyweight ranks in Glasgow on Saturday night with a blistering second-round KO of Mike Balogun.Moses Itauma blew Mike Balogun out of the water in the Glasgow clashCredit: PABoxing fans are keen on seeing the Chatam clubber take on Martin Bakole nextCredit: PAPromoter Frank Warren has ruled out the prospect of Itauma fighting Bakole nextCredit: GettyItauma dropped the American three times as he stretched his perfect record to 12-0, with ten of those wins coming via knockout.Boxing fans are keen for the 20-year-old to take a step up in calibre of opponent, with Congolese-born Scot Martin Bakole being touted as an ideal opponent.But Itauma promoter Frank Warren insists Bakole, who was blown out of the water in his short-notice showdown with Joseph Parker in February, isn’t in the running to face the prospect.When asked if the 31-year-old could face Itauma next, Warren told Queensberry Promotion’s YouTube channel: “No!READ MORE ON ITAUMA”Bakole’s got to be able to get himself in shape, the state of him, not happening.”Bakole was ringside for Itauma’s battering of Balogun and had some choice words for the slick southpaw.He said: “Moses has got a beautiful career before him. I want him to build up his career.”But big Martin Bakole, [right] now, I think it is too early for him. Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMartin Bakole has warned Moses Itauma he’s too big a step up in opponent at this moment in timeCredit: GETTY”I want him to work hard and maybe be a world champion tomorrow.”But I don’t want him to pick me now because he’d be making a big mistake.Moses Itauma: Future Heavyweight King is on Track to Break Mike Tyson’s Record I Contender Documentary”He’s playing with the fire. [But] he’s a man. If he thinks he can handle me, I’m open to it.”Itauma said of his latest demolition job: “I appreciate Mike Balogun, he is one tough cookie.“I couldn’t believe he got up from the second one.”Thanks to Mike Balogun for taking the fight, because nobody else would.”I don’t have to worry about doing rounds, but my team wants to see me in a 10-rounder.”And then I want in with the big dogs.” More

    • 225 Shares104 Views

      in Boxing

      I won’t be like Tyson Fury and have seven comebacks, when I retire I’m FINISHED, warns Josh Taylor

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      JOSH TAYLOR warned he will not contend with Tyson Fury as the comeback king – as he looks to fight against the threat of retirement. The Scottish former undisputed light-welterweight world champion moves up from 140lb to 147lb against Ekow Essuman in Glasgow tonight. Josh Taylor with Tyson Fury in 2021Credit: GettyAnd he does so off the back of two consecutive defeats with Taylor all-but putting his career at the top of the sport on the line. But he warned if and when he does retire, it will be for real, unlike his old pal Fury who has made a habit of going back on his word.Taylor, 34, said: “I ain’t going to be no Tyson Fury having six and seven comebacks. Once I’m finished, I’m finished.READ MORE IN boxing “But I’ve still got a lot of ambition and I’ve still got a lot of drive left to achieve more. It [retiring] hasn’t even crossed my mind yet to be honest with you”I’ve not even comprehended losing, it can’t come into my mind. It can’t happen, it won’t happen.”If that does happen and I have to go and climb back down the ladder and fight lesser opponents to get back up to where I am now – no, I’m not doing that. I’m here to be the best.” Taylor became the four-belt undisputed kingpin in just 18 fights but escaped with a split-decision against Jack Catterall in 2022. Most read in BoxingHe was then beaten by Teofimo Lopez in 2023 and lost to Catterall in their rematch last May. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTaylor admits he could retire a happy man – but still has plenty left to achieve after moving up to welterweight. He said: “This is a new journey for me, the first fight at a new weight.Ekow Essuman is the former basketball hopeful turned boxing champ looking to spoil Josh Taylor’s big comeback”I haven’t done anything yet. A lot of people are writing me off, saying, ‘He’s done, he’s finished’. No chance, I’m a long way from being finished yet.”I’ve got a lot of fire in my belly to prove people wrong again. This is Josh Taylor 2.0 – and it starts on Saturday night with a comprehensive win.”If I become a two-time, two-weight world champion, then I can retire a happy man. To be honest, I could retire a happy man right now.”I could retire tomorrow and be, like, one in 60 million or whatever population in the UK, the only one to become the undisputed world champion in the four-belt era.”I think I can sleep quite easily at night having achieved that. But I know six months down the line, I’d be thinking, ‘I could have done more, I could have got more out of it’. That would bug me.”23.05.2025 Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Official Weigh-In …………………………Credit: Kenny Ramsay More

    • 225 Shares125 Views

      in Boxing

      ‘Horrendous’ – Moment boxer Terri Harper clashes heads with Natalie Zimmerman to leave her with horror ‘blood mask’

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      NATALIE ZIMMERMANN was left with a horrific gash on her head after her world title fight with Terri Harper.The German challenged the Doncaster destroyer for the WBO women’s lightweight title at the Keepmoat Stadium on Friday night.Natalie Zimmermann locked horns with Terri Harper for the WBO lightweight title on Friday nightCredit: PAThe German suffered a horrific cut in the final round of the ten-rounderCredit: PAThe cut was caused by a nasty clash of headsCredit: DAZNZimmermann was permitted to continue but was unable to get the winCredit: REUTERSZimmermann turned in a spirited display but was outclassed for 10 straight rounds on her way to suffering a unanimous decision defeat.And the 42-year-old suffered a horrendous cut in the final round thanks to a nasty clash of heads.The deep cut was just above Zimmermann’s right eye and leaked enough to prompt the referee to call a timeout.But the ringside doctor deemed the cut not worthy of a TKO stoppage and allowed Zimmermann to see out the last minute and fifteen seconds of the round.READ MORE BOXING NEWSCommentator Adam Smith said of the cut: “Oh it’s horrendous. “A bloody mask as Terri Harper continues to throw quality shots. “And Zimmermann, how is she still standing?Zimmermann was unable to land the Hail Mary punch she needed to end Harper’s reign as WBO queen, with all three judges turning 99-91 scorecards.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTerri Harper retained her WBO lightweight title via unanimous decisionCredit: REUTERSThe win on home soil stretched three-weight world champ Harper’s record to 16 wins, two defeats and two draws.And the 28-year-old has set her sights on a domestic dust-up with her WBC counterpart, Caroline Dubois.Eddie Hearn teases Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury in 2025?! + Allen KOs Fisher | Split Decision | Sun SportShe said of a showdown with Dubois: “Yes. 100 per cent, that gets my fire burning. “I said in the press conference she rubs me the wrong way. “I think it makes a cracking fight and it makes sense. “This was a very special night for me, very special training camp.”Massive thanks to my opponent for putting on a great show in my hometown.”She’s tough. She started strong, I thought I needed to stay switched on. “Once I let the nerves settle and the occasion settle, I found my way in the fight.”It’s given me memories I will treasure for a lifetime. “Not just in my boxing career, but as a person away from the sport.”I don’t know what’s next. Read More on The Sun”For me, I want to go on to fight the other champions of the division and really step up.”I’m going to take some time off and see what happens, see if any contracts get sent over, get back to my team and work out a plan.”Terri Harper is eyeing a domestic dust-up with Caroline DuboisCredit: GETTY More

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      in Soccer

      I needed emergency surgery last time I was meant to play at Wembley – now’s my time to shine in £200MILLION final

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      KIEFFER MOORE today finally fulfils his dream to play at Wembley as he aims to complete a hat-trick of promotions to the Premier League.The Sheffield United striker was cruelly robbed of the chance to tread the hallowed turf nine years ago.Sheffield United’s Kieffer Moore will be hoping for yet another happy visit to WembleyCredit: GETTYThe 32-year-old has twice won promotion at the home of English footballCredit: GETTYKieffer Moore is confident of Sheffield United’s chances of returning to the PremCredit: PASheffield United signed Moore from Ipswich in July and were unlucky not to go up automatically.They finished on 90 points — after having two deducted for defaulting on transfer payments — and were only kept out of the top two by Leeds and Burnley both hitting a staggering 100 points.But three defeats in a week to Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth killed off their automatic promotion hopes in April.Moore said: “Our season got defined by that bad week but we’ve accepted that and reset ourselves. We know what we’ve got to do.”Lifelong Sheffield United fan Chris Wilder is looking to be the first Blades manager to earn three promotions at the club, getting them to the Championship in 2017 and Prem in 2019.Read More on The SunBut he will have to end the club’s play-off curse, that currently stands at NINE failures.Moore said: “He drums into you what it means to the fans, the city and everyone involved — it’s a privilege.” More

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      in Soccer

      Mo Salah made secret pact with Arne Slot before the season that helped Liverpool win Premier League title

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      MO SALAH and Arne Slot made the secret pact that took Liverpool to the title and made him Player of the Year.The campaign began with Anfield shrouded in doubts – especially over whether Salah would sign a new deal and how Slot might handle the strain of being Jurgen Klopp’s successor.Mo Salah and Arne Slot made a pact at the start of the seasonCredit: EPABut Salah revealed how he was certain he could make the Dutchman a Prem champ in exchange for a pledge from the new manager.Slot kept his word and so did the Kop’s Egyptian king as he reveals how over a series of discussions between the pair he declared: “I was very honest.“I told him: ‘with me, you are going to win the Premier League but I have to feel really comfortable with the way we play.’“He was very honest with me, we had a few honest conversations and he said to me: ‘OK, I will get the best out of you. I will put you in a situation where you feel comfortable but I need you to provide the numbers’.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLProvide those numbers Salah, just crowned the Football Writers Association’s player of the year for a third time, certainly did.In what became a cruise to the crown he has set a new Prem high for a 38 – game season of 28 goals and 18 assists.He needs two more goal involvements in tomorrow’s last game of the season against Crystal Palace to claim history by overtaking the joint record of 47 held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole set over 42 matches.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWhat’s more Salah will spend at least two more seasons with Liverpool having agreed a near – £400,000 a week new deal when he admits that the one pre – season doubt he did have was whether the club would come up with the numbers to make him stay.Most read in FootballPart of his concern was over the fact that owners Fenway Sports Group had always made age a number for older players.Cheeky Mo Salah reveals Liverpool’s Premier League title felt way better without Klopp, Mane and FirminoHe explained: “There is always a time either now or later when it is going to happen (Salah leaving) but I love this club.“I always wanted to stay but I know my value and I was waiting for the club to arrive to the right point where me and the club are both going to be happy so that’s why the contracts took so long.“Based on the club history, because the club treated players of 30 or 31 in different ways I wasn’t clear in my head that I was going to stay 100 percent.”Salah, who has equalled Thierry Henry’s record of three FWA awards, couldn’t be happier with the way it has all worked out for him – and for the former Feyenoord manager.His content is based not only on his own personal pride over what he says was a “crazy season, a crazy year” but also on the warm respect he has developed for Slot.The 32-year-old stresses: “It’s so special, I have a good relationship with him and I am very respectful towards him and his staff because we all work really hard.“At the beginning, we had that conversation, he asked me for stuff he wanted me to do.“I asked him and put me in the positions and situations where I can really provide numbers and our relationship is very good and it’s working well.“And he has improved me, absolutely. Now he will have to deal with me a bit longer!“I’ve always believed there’s always room to improve and I think he did it very well and you see the numbers this year and I feel very happy about it.Salah has been incredible this seasonCredit: ReutersHe is set to win the Premier League Golden Boot yet againCredit: Reuters“I would give him half the credit and the other half to my teammates because they always help me in the situations to give me the ball or be at the right spot so they can pass the ball and I score.”Salah also speaks warmly of the bond he has always had with the fans, even throughout a campaign of questions over whether he would go, or like skipper Virgil van Dijk, also sign on for another two years.He says: “My relationship with the fans, I see it as very special.“They see me as an honest guy and they could see that straight away.“I think that’s why our relationship is special and that’s why they love me. I don’t hide the stuff, I always share.”He has improved me, absolutely. Now he will have to deal with me a bit longer!Mo Salah on Arne SlotHaving picked up the FWA prize at an awards dinner on Thursday night he can now look forward to an even brighter future with Slot – and makes another vow.He says: “One game to go, I broke the record for 38 games so I am going to go fully focused for the last game and hopefully I can get two goals or assists.“So I go again next year to break records again!”There are no doubts for him that he can keep doing so either, even if he turns 33 next month.The daddy of them all throughout Liverpool’s Prem history insists: “People need to realise that in the last five or ten years players start hitting their peak when they are 30 and upwards.“When they have more experience and can manage their emotions and can provide big numbers.Read More on The Sun“Football has changed now, people take care of themselves, if you try to do everything right you are going to play until you decide it’s time to retire.“I said the other day I will probably play until I’m 39, 40 … until the kids tell you: ‘It’s OK, you leave football now and you stay with us!” More

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      in Soccer

      I’m a League One star targeting Wembley glory with Charlton in play-off final – but I’m also training to be a PILOT

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      WILL MANNION has been training to become an aeroplane pilot.And the keeper hopes his Charlton team will be flying in tomorrow’s play-off final against Leyton Orient – before landing a place in the Championship.Will Mannion is targeting promotion to the Championship with CharltonCredit: GettyThe keeper is a pilot in his spare time away from the pitchCredit: AlamyThe 27-year-old has already done 15 hours of flying lessons and is a third of the way through being able to fly solo.Mannion told SunSport: “I was 14 when I took my first lesson. It was something I was going to do properly if football didn’t work but thankfully it did.”Now it’s something I want to do after football. I’m going to do more lessons so I can get my Private Pilot Licence in the next couple of years.”I’ve been flying Cessna 172 planes, which are like a four-seater washing machine with wings! I’ve got a fair way to go yet.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”When I was at my last club Cambridge, I flew out of RAF Duxford, which was awesome because you would have Spitfires taking off in front of you!”It’s hard to describe the feeling of flying a plane. I would liken it to riding a bike in the sky!”It’s intuitive when you’re up there with the controls.”It’s not as scary as people think. It’s fun, especially when ­taking off and landing.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Although taking off and landing are the two hardest things because that is where things can most likely go wrong.”But I’m never frightened, you just have to know what you’re doing.Ex-Rangers star Greg Docherty sends message to his dad following Charlton Play-Off semi-final victory”The plan is to get more lessons locally. Biggin Hill isn’t too far away so will probably fly out of there.”Mannion cannot pinpoint why he fell in love with aviation but he then took it up in case a football career did not pan out.And now he is contemplating a career in the sky when his days in football are over.He added: “The next stage for me is to go out solo. I’ve got to do around 45 hours to get my licence.”The great thing is it’s not something you need to do by a certain deadline, you can just chip away at it in your own time.It was something I was going to do properly if football didn’t work but thankfully it did.Will Mannion”There are various exams — theory and practical — you must do. Then I can be in a position to just take a plane out for leisure at the weekend or on my days off.”But that is only the first stage.”There are quite a few more exams before you can fly a plane for easyJet.”At this stage I don’t know how far I’d go with it but might consider working in the commercial airline industry one day!”Back on the ground, Charlton have the chance to return to the Championship after five years stuck in League One.Mannion has played a crucial role in helping the Addicks reach this Wembley final – having kept a club-record TWENTY-FIVE clean sheets this season.Not bad for a keeper who only joined last summer from Cambridge.He said: “To have played in as many games, finish fourth, play like we have as a team and keep as many clean sheets has been massive.”It’s not something I predicted when I came but as the season progressed you could see we were a solid defensive unit and it paid off in terms of our league position and reaching a Wembley play-off final.It will be surreal but it’s just another game. We cannot afford to get carried away by the occasion and romance of it.Mannion on Wembley”The clean sheets aren’t just down to me. It starts from the front in terms of how we play, we’re a high-pressing team.”That transcends throughout the team.”The lads in front of me have been outstanding all season. They’ve limited what I’ve had to do to a minimum.”Mannion is establishing himself as a No 1 after a lot of years doing the hard yards.He was a young pro at Hull – rubbing shoulders with the likes of Harry Maguire, Jarrod Bowen and Andy Robertson – after being signed by Steve Bruce.He had loan spells in non-league with Aldershot and Kidderminster before a season with Cypriot team Pathos having struggled to find a club at home.Charlton’s boss Nathan Jones is aiming for promotion on SundayCredit: Shutterstock EditorialHe said: “It was during the Covid spell. I couldn’t even find a club to look at me, never mind sign me. So I had this opportunity to go abroad and I gave it go.”As a life experience it was good to see a different culture – although on the football side I didn’t get a lot of opportunities.”A move to Cambridge brought 29 League One appearances over three years before what has turned out to be his best season yet at the Addicks.Mannion has only previously been to Wembley as a spectator — watching Crystal Palace beat Watford in the 2013 Championship play-off final and the 2009 FA Cup final when Chelsea saw off Everton 2-1.He said: “It’s one thing imagining yourself playing there and quite another actually thinking you will play there.Read More on The Sun”It will be surreal but it’s just another game. We cannot afford to get carried away by the occasion and romance of it.”We’ve one more game to achieve what we set out to do – win promotion.” More

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      in Athletics

      Swimmer becomes millionaire within 21 seconds after shattering world record while juiced on performance-enhancing drugs

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      THE first edition of the Enhanced Games will be staged in Las Vegas in May 2026.The controversial sporting event – which is backed by businessman Donald Trump Jr., the son of the US President – will encourage its athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs to break existing world records on the track, in the pool and in the gym.Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev claims to have broken the 50m freestyle world recordCredit: X @enhanced_gamesGkolomeev was awarded $1million after taking performance enhancing drugsCredit: X @enhanced_gamesIt will be held annually and will initially consist of three sports – short-distance swimming, sprinting and weightlifting.Competitors will be permitted to use substances that are banned from elite sport – and there are significant cash bonuses available for those who produce “truly superhuman performance”.Organisers say the Enhanced Games will “move humanity forward” and “to redefine what mankind can be with audacity” – and to create “the next era of human potential”.They claim that Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev, who was fifth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, swam 20.89 seconds in a 50 metres freestyle time trial in the US in February.READ MORE ON SPORTThis is 0.02 seconds quicker than the world record set by Brazilian Cesar Cielo in 2009.Separately, the Bulgarian-born star swam 21.03 seconds “in jammers”, which was 0.01 seconds faster than American Caeleb Dressel’s 2019 mark.For “breaking two world records” and becoming the “fastest swimmer in history” he has received a £1million bonus but World Aquatics, the sport’s governing body, will not recognise his achievements.Their big goal is to find someone who can run faster than Jamaican sprinting sensation Usain Bolt, whose 100 metres world record time of 9.58 seconds, set in Berlin in 2009, stands as the benchmark of athletic endeavour.Most read in AthleticsBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIf that happens, then the individual runner will earn $1million.At a glitzy launch in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening, president of the Enhanced Games Dr Aron D’Souza – an Australian entrepreneur and lawyer – said: “The world is hungry for something new.Fury after three-time Olympic swimming medallist is offered $1m to break records while ‘juiced to the gills’“A new vision of sport, of science and of human potential.“We are not just organising competition, we are in the business of unlocking human potential.“The idea came to life in 2022 during a moment of reflection where I found myself asking: ‘Why are athletes still bound by outdated rules that ignore everything we know about science?’“I imagined a new kind of competition where science, sport and society could evolve together. Where we stop apologising for progress, and start to embrace it.“A platform that celebrates human innovation, rewards excellence and explores enhancements openly, responsibly and ethically.“Make no mistake, in 50 years we’ll look back and realise that biology was never the ceiling.This is definitely not a free-for-all. It’s controlled, safe and athletes’ first.Maximilian Martin, Deputy president of the Enhanced Games“We will be faster, stronger, younger for longer and wonder why it took so long for society to catch up with science. The old rules didn’t just hold back athletes – they held back humanity.“We are the vanguard of super-humanity. This is disruption by design.”D’Souza says there will be a “performance enhancement protocol” where all athletes are enhanced “ethnically, safefully and above all, with great safety and effectiveness”.Two commissions – “one medical, one scientific” – will be established to assist coaches and athletes, whilst also developing and marketing “new drug compounds” for the American public to purchase.Las Vegas will stage the first Games on the Memorial Weekend of May 24-26, 2026 at Resorts World.Maximilian Martin, deputy president of the Enhanced Games, expects about 100 athletes to join next year, including finalists at the Paris Games and world-record holders.He said: “Our medical framework is built to the highest standards in sport.“The main difference to traditional testing is that we don’t make a decision for athletes which substances they can or cannot take – as long as it is inherent with the law.“We care about athletes’ safety and health while being at the peak level of athletic performance. This is definitely not a free-for-all. It’s controlled, safe and athletes’ first.”The idea behind the Enhanced Games has received widespread criticism for potentially endangering athletes’ health and undermining fair play.Anyone that signs up for the unprecedented concept will find that they cannot compete at the LA 2028 Olympics for their country or at the world championships in their respective sports.Speaking in Glasgow in February 2024, World Athletics chief Seb Coe – a two-time Olympic 1500 metres champion – said: “Well, it’s b******s isn’t it? I can’t really get excited about it.Read More on The Sun“There’s only one message, and that is if anybody is moronic enough to officially take part in it and they are in the traditional part of our sport, they’ll get banned for a long time.“But I really don’t get sleepless nights about it. It’s not going to be a page turner.” More