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      I’m an ex-England star and used to bet online, smash my laptop then buy a new one the next day – tons of players gamble

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      GABBY AGBONLAHOR admitted that he and many other players have bet on football as the sport’s crisis is laid bare.The former Aston Villa striker, 36, says that betting is a deep rooted issue in football after Ivan Toney was banned for eight months.
      A former England international admitted he bet during his playing daysCredit: Getty
      Agbonlahor also believes it is likely that a lot of footballers are using their friends to place bets within the game.
      Since 2014 any form of betting on football has been banned worldwide by the FA for players, managers, coaches, club staff, directors and licensed agents involved in all levels of the English game.
      This includes the Premier League, EFL, National League, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship.
      Before then, when Agbonlahor bet, players were only banned from betting on the matches that their own team was involved in.
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      Agbonlahor told SunSport: “Players used to bet on football, I used to bet on games – never any that involved my team. Sometimes it wouldn’t even be my league.
      “It could be the Spanish or Italian league. Say you’d bet on Juventus and Real Madrid in a double.
      “It was a boredom thing. You finish training at 12pm, kids are at school. Everyone normally works nine to five or long hours. It’s something to keep you entertained.
      “You’re looking at the scores throughout the day across the app.
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      “For players who really have that urge to gamble now they will just use their friends. There’s ways around it. [Toney’s ban] Is not really going to stop it. This life is about not getting caught.”
      Brentford striker Toney accepted breaking 232 FA betting rules and has also been charged £50,000.
      His suspension starts immediately, but can return to training four months before it ends on 17 September.
      He will not be allowed to play again until 17 January, 2024.
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      Aston Villa hero Gabriel Agbonlahor used to smash his laptop after losing a betCredit: Getty
      Agbonlahor added: “It’s not so black and white. What Ivan Toney might have been doing is betting on leagues he’s not in.
      “I’d be interested to know if a lot of it happened when he was at Peterborough before he blew up to this star at Brentford.
      “When you’re in the lower leagues you don’t think anyone is going to be bothered about what you’re doing.
      “I don’t think the punishment is going to change things. If I was a footballer today and I had the urge to gamble I’d get my friend to do it for me. It’s easily done.”
      Agbonlahor revealed his gambling addiction once grew so bad that he was smashing expensive Apple laptops on a daily basis out of frustration after losing online poker.
      The only thing that saved him from spiralling down into a crisis was the birth of his first son Gabriel Junior.
      Agbonlahor bought a new laptop only the next day back when he gambledCredit: Getty
      The striker, who joined Villa at age 19, added: “I would come home around age 21 and I’d go on my laptop and play poker in bed, chilling.
      “I’d blow £10,000-20,000 and then I’d smash my Apple laptop and I was that addicted I’d go and buy a new one the next day.
      “A laptop isn’t going to stop you if you have an addiction.
      “I was definitely addicted, but what changed for me was having a child. I had my son when I was 22 and I thought to myself, what am I doing?
      “I’m wasting all the money on poker and that can be for my kid and their future. It was a slap in the face to just stop, the jokes over, you don’t need to gamble.”
      Former Villa boss Martin O’Neill would often hear through the grapevine that Agbonlahor would be tucked away in a dingy Birmingham Casino after training.
      The striker continued: “I remember O’Neill saying to me, ‘Well, we know where to catch you on a Tuesday afternoon – you’ve been in the casino’. In Birmingham people talk.

      “The gaffer used to always find out but it was just down to boredom. I’ve never gambled because I wanted to win. I was getting paid good money. So it makes sense.
      “I’m sure there’s more help for players now who are suffering with a gambling addiction.” More

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      Former highly-touted Chelsea star who spent nine years at Blues unemployed at 29 after being released by TWELFTH club

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      JAMAL BLACKMAN has been released by Exeter City.The former Chelsea youngster joined the Blues as a 12-year-old and didn’t leave until 2021.
      Jamal Blackman made 41 appearances for Exeter CityCredit: Getty
      He was loaned out eight times during his stint in West London, before finally departing two years ago.
      Following permanent spells with Los Angeles FC and Huddersfield, Blackman signed for Exeter City last summer.
      The 29-year-old keeper made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Grecians before being let go this summer.
      On letting Blackman, Jack Sparkes and Jevani Brown go, manager Gary Caldwell said: “It’s never easy telling players their time at the club has ended.
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      “We thank everyone that has departed the club for their efforts this season and in previous seasons and we wish them all the best for their future careers.”
      Exeter came 14th in League One after losing boss Matt Taylor to Rotherham in October.
      Blackman progressed through Chelsea’s academy before earning a professional deal at Stamford Bridge.
      He was named in the Blues’ matchday squad on a number of occasions, but never made a first team outing.
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      Blackman represented England up to Under-19s level.
      He was subsequently loaned by Chelsea to Middlesbrough, Ostersund, Wycombe, Sheffield United, Leeds United, Vitesse, Bristol Rovers and Rotherham.
      The 6ft 6in stopper will now look for a new club ahead of next season.
      Blackman trained alongside Thibaut Courtois at ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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      Who would win between Man Utd treble winners and Man City revealed by AI as Pep’s side aim to match historic feat

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S treble-winning side would beat the current Manchester City team, according to Artificial Intelligence.City have a chance to match their rival’s magnificent achievement in 1999 by winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
      AI believes Manchester United’s 1999 team would beat Manchester CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Manchester City need to win three more games to win the TrebleCredit: Reuters
      In fact, Pep Guardiola’s side only need to win three more games after beating Real Madrid to reach the Champions League final on Wednesday.
      Victory over Chelsea will see the Citizens wrap up the Prem before they take on United in the FA Cup Final.
      Despite their success, ChatGPT believes United’s 1999 team would come out victorious if the two sides played today.
      It picked out Paul Scholes, David Beckham, and Ryan Giggs as the main threats for the Red Devils.
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      And with Jaap Stam providing leadership in defence and Roy Keane bossing the midfield, the AI predicts a 2-1 win for the Sir Alex Ferguson-managed outfit.
      There has been much debate over which side is better following City’s march to treble success.
      Pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville clashed when picking their combined team made up of United 99 and City 23.
      In particular, Neville took exception to his colleague leaving out Giggs in favour of Jack Grealish, while Carragher also picked Ilkay Gundogan ahead of Scholes.
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      Neville said: “I love Jack Grealish, I love Gundogan.
      “But I’m not entertaining the conversation about Ryan Giggs over Jack Grealish or Paul Scholes and Gundogan.
      “I’m not entertaining the conversation.” More

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      What is a football Treble and what teams have won it?

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      THEY say three is the magic number – and it certainly will be if Manchester City complete the Treble this season.Pep Guardiola’s men have been unstoppable in the second half of this campaign.
      Bernardo Silva inspired Man City’s thrashing on Real MadridCredit: Getty
      And City humiliating Real Madrid in the Champions League has kept them on course to create history on the blue side of Manchester.
      But what is the footballing treble and has anyone pulled it off before?
      What is a football Treble?
      In technical terms, a footballing Treble is when a club side wins three trophies in a season – but there are different types of trebles.
      A domestic Treble is when a team lifts their league title, and two cups within their country.
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      So for the English sides, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup would be classed as winning the Treble.
      However, the ‘proper’ Treble that Manchester City are chasing is labelled as the continental Treble.
      And to accomplish this, Pep Guardiola’s men need to secure the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League all before the season ends.
      What teams have won the treble before?
      Manchester City will be looking to join a list of superior teams who have achieved the continental treble before them including their bitter local rivals.
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      Bayern Munich x2 – Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League – 2012/13 and 2019/20
      Barcelona x2 – La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Champions League – 2008/09 and 2014/15
      Inter – Serie A, Coppa Italia, Champions League – 2009/10
      Manchester United – Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League – 1998/99
      PSV – Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European Cup – 1987/88
      Ajax – Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European – 1971/72
      Celtic – Scottish League, Scottish Cup, European Cup – 1966/67

      Manchester United won the Treble in the 1998/99 seasonCredit: Getty
      What has been said?
      Pep Guardiola revealed that his Manchester City side can “visualise” the treble after pummelling Real Madrid to book their place in the Champions League final.
      The City gaffer said: “Let me win the first two,” said Guardiola when asked about City’s chance of winning the treble.
      “In the Premier League we are close. We know we need one more game and I would say we play against our neighbours [Manchester United] and against an Italian team [Internazionale] in the finals.
      “The season is really, really good, now we have to lift it. We are close and of course we are going to try.
      “We are there, we can think about it, we can visualise it. We are three games away. One each of the competitions, we can do it.” More

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      Man Utd transfer plans thrown into chaos as agent reveals top target will join military next month

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      MANCHESTER UNITED target Kim Min-jae is set to complete military service next month.The Napoli star has attracted plenty of interest from around Europe with his fantastic displays in his side’s title-winning campaign this term.
      Kim Min-jae has been in stunning form for NapoliCredit: Alamy
      Kim was claimed to have agreed terms with the Red Devils by Italian press earlier this week.
      But his agent has cooled such talk, while confirming that the 26-year-old will be attending mandatory military training next month.
      He told Star News Korea: “It is not true that a deal has been done with Manchester United.
      “Kim is concentrated on seeing out the season, besides which we still don’t know which English clubs will qualify for the Champions League next term.
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      “There is no rush for the future. United were interested in him when he was still in China, but we only ever chatted about that.
      “I repeat, there has been no concrete contact. In any case he has to enrol for military service in June.”
      Able-bodied men in Korea are required to undergo between 18 and 21 months of military service between the age of 18 and 35.
      Kim, like Son Heung-min, received an exemption by winning the Asian Games in 2018 – but still has to participate in a reduced three-week training block.
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      He will complete the training in June and July, with Son having done so in 2020.
      Kim has been in exceptional form for Napoli this season, helping them to win their first title since 1990.
      He has made 43 appearances, having joined from Fenerbahce last summer.
      The highly-rated defender also played at the World Cup for South Korea, and represented Jeonbuk in the K-League and Beijing Gouan in the Chinese Super League, prior to moving to Europe.
      Son Heung-min completed his military training in 2020Credit: AP More

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      FA reveal conversation between Klopp and ref Tierney that sparked furious row as Liverpool boss is hit with ban

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      THE FA have revealed the details of the conversation between Jurgen Klopp and Paul Tierney that triggered the Liverpool boss’ suspension.Klopp was hit with a two-game touchline ban for his comments regarding the referee on April 30 – although one of those is suspended until the end of next season.
      Jurgen Klopp was hit with a ban and a fine after his comments about Paul TierneyCredit: Reuters
      The Reds chief also got hit with a fine worth £75,000 for what he said.
      Klopp, 55, was charged the day after he accused Tierney of having an agenda against his team and giving biased decisions – despite failing to send off match-winner Diogo Jota in the dramatic 4-3 victory over Spurs.
      And as part of the disciplinary commission which heard the case on Monday, the conversation on the touchline when Klopp celebrated in fourth official John Brooks’ face then argued with Tierney was publicised.
      Brooks told Tierney: “Jurgen Klopp has just run and celebrated in my face. I think it’s a yellow card mate, minimum.”
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      The commission agreed: “Mr Brooks considered Mr Klopp’s conduct to be misplaced celebration rather than an aggressive or threatening move.”
      Tierney then asked the VAR officials in Stockley Park for advice and was told a yellow card was sufficient.
      When he went to issue the card, Tierney told Klopp: “Right. I have to show you yellow.
      “It could be red, but I am going to show you yellow. He said yellow. We will give you the benefit of the doubt, don’t do anything more.”
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      In a written submission, Klopp said he was “sorry”, describing that as “the most important sentiment I must express”.
      Klopp claimed on May 2: “Paul Tierney came over to me. I didn’texpect a red card, to be honest because I didn’t feel that was right.
      “I expected a yellow card in that moment. And he said to me, ‘For me it’s a red card, but because of him.’
      “That’s what I understood, so it was loud in the stadium, but, ‘Because of him, it’s yellow.’
      “Shows me yellow card, smiles in my face, that’s it. I [said], ‘Red card? For what?'”
      The FA confirmed the conduct on the touchline did not warrant the charge – although it provided background information – and it was his TV interview that prompted the punishment.
      Klopp said to the media: “We have our history with Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us.
      “He has said there [are] no problems but that cannot be true.”
      ‘I AM SORRY’
      FA lawyers described Klopp’s comments as “a particularly serious example of misconduct involving media comments about a match official” and that they were “particularly more damaging” than typical post-match gripes.
      The commission found that these were “allegations of persistent bias against a blameless referee”, “highly damaging” and “unacceptable”.
      Klopp admitted his comments were “improper” as “they imply bias, question the integrity of the referee, are personal, offensive, and bring the game into disrepute”.
      The German added: “I am sorry for some of the tone and content of my post-match interview.
      “Although it was not my intention I accept now it appears that I was questioning Mr Tierney’s integrity.
      “I take ownership of this. On reflection, the words I used were inappropriate.
      “To be absolutely clear, I know that Mr Tierney, along with all other officials, do their work without any pre-conceived bias or prejudice.”

      It was expected Klopp would be hit with a two-game ban, ruling him out of the rest of the campaign.
      Instead, while Klopp will be in the stands for Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa on Saturday, he will be able to return to a pitchside view for the final game of the campaign at Southampton on May 28. More

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      Delighted Arsenal fans say ‘we are acting like a big club again’ as transfer plan for wonderkid revealed

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      ARSENAL fans are delighted to learn of the club’s long-term plan for Charlie Patino.The promising youngster spent the season on loan at Blackpool in the Championship.
      Charlie Patino wants to leave Arsenal on a permanent basisCredit: Getty
      Arsenal want to loan Patino out again but he is now believed to be keen on a permanent move to further his development.
      However the Gunners are planning to include a buyback clause in any deal that will see the midfielder sold, according to Fabrizio Romano.
      Arsenal fans are glad such an option will be included as it gives the Gunners an opportunity to bring him back to the Emirates if he performs well elsewhere.
      Some fans believe the plan is evidence Arsenal are acting like a big club in the transfer market once again.
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      One supporter wrote: “Moving like a proper club 🤝🏼”
      Another added: “We are acting like a big club again.”
      A third said: “Best thing ever….please if we’re going to let him go let there be buy back clause.”
      Another commented: “Good luck to the lad and happy to see lessons are being learnt in terms of covering our backs and planning.”
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      Patino made his senior debut for Arsenal in a League Cup victory over Sunderland in December 2021.
      He then made his first start in a FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest in January 2022.
      Patino has played 37 times for Blackpool in all competitions this season, scoring three goals and assisting a further four. More

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      Newcastle eye double transfer raid on Leicester for James Maddison and Harvey Barnes as sporting director watches Foxes

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      NEWCASTLE UNITED are keen to double down on Leicester by pinching two of their best players this summer.The Magpies are ready to splash the cash on top-quality Premier League players in multiple positions across the pitch.
      James Maddison heads a list of stars who could leave Leicester in the event of relegationCredit: Alamy
      Harvey Barnes is one of few players that can come out with any credit this seasonCredit: Getty
      Eddie Howe looks on course to seal a brilliant top-four finish for the Toon, after losing just five matches all season.
      But Howe is determined to bolster his squad with experienced reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window.
      He is particularly eager to add a new midfielder, to provide competition for Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton.
      The club is therefore eyeing a potential double raid on relegation-threatened Leicester.
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      Reports from talkSPORT claim that James Maddison is one of their top targets.
      This comes as the Magpies were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign the England midfielder last summer.
      Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth, who watched Leicester’s spiritless 3-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Monday, is also known to be a big admirer of winger Harvey Barnes.
      Barnes, 25, has scored 12 goals this season and is estimated to be worth 28m.
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      Leicester are sprinting towards relegation, and face a mass exodus if they drop into the Championship.
      Maddison is reportedly expected to leave regardless of whether they avoid the drop.
      The 26-year-old is their most valuable player, with a reported transfer value of £48m.
      Despite this season being tainted by injury, the England midfielder has 19 goal contributions 27 league appearances.
      And the Magpies will have to fight for him, as Manchester United and Tottenham have also been linked.
      Free agent Youri Tielemans will definitely leave while centre-back Caglar Soyuncu has already agreed a pre-contract with Atletico Madrid.
      Ironically, in order for Leicester to survive, they will most likely need to beat Newcastle this weekend. More