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      English clubs fined staggering £1.3m for ref abuse… with one Premier League side miles ahead of the rest

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      PREMIER LEAGUE and EFL clubs have shelled out a staggering £1.3million in fines this season for abusive and aggressive behaviour.SunSport today reveals the astonishing sums collected by the Football Association when punishing foul-mouthed players and managers.
      Aleksandar Mitrovic could receive a massive fine for manhandling Chris Kavanagh
      Manchester City and Arsenal have received the biggest single fines of the season
      Arsenal have been fined four times for failing to control their playersCredit: Getty
      Jurgen Klopp was fined £30k for screaming in an official’s faceCredit: PA
      In the wake of Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-final meltdown with three red cards in a mad 40 seconds on Sunday – with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marco Silva still to discover their punishment – another 54 teams from the 92 have been fined.
      Arsenal have paid out the biggest amount in the Prem this season with fines totalling £185,000 while Manchester United and Everton have also parted with six-figure sums.
      There are just five Prem clubs which have yet to be charged for poor on-field behaviour.
      The FA have issued more than 100 fines to Prem and EFL clubs, totalling a remarkable £1,279,375.
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      Mitrovic will be a head on the FA’s disciplinary spike, and rightly so, for his appalling conduct towards Chris Kavanagh in Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat.
      But five years after Wembley re-launched its “Respect” campaign, the disrespect has plunged to an all-time nadir.
      Of the 20 Prem clubs, no fewer than 15 have fallen foul of the FA, with aggregate fines of a stunning £932,500.
      Mitrovic’s looming fine, alongside those for Fulham and boss Silva, will comfortably take that tally over the £1m mark – a badge of shame for the Prem.
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      Arsenal top the league for the most fines this season
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      Top of the “table”, as they are of the one that captures most attention, is Arsenal, with fines totalling £185,000 after four separate charges of “failing to control” their players.
      Mikel Arteta, criticised by many for some of his touchline behaviour, has rightly been feted for the football his Gunners have shown.
      But just as the red cards picked up by Arsene Wenger’s side became something of a running joke two decades ago, so the current Arsenal seem not to be worried about their disciplinary lapses.
      The biggest single fine so far this season was the £75,000 collected by Manchester City for their behaviour in the crunch clash at the Emirates last month.
      And along with Arsenal, United and Everton have both been fined more than £100,000 for multiple breaches of the regulations.
      Arsenal’s rap sheet
      November 2 – £20,000 (failing to control players)
      January 13 – £40,000 (failing to control players)
      January 19 – £40,000 (went up to £60,000 on Feb 17 – failing to control players)
      February 15 – £65,000 (failing to control players, surrounding official)

      Such is the FA’s concerns about what is happening week-in, week-out that senior Wembley officials recently wrote to all clubs “reminding them of their responsibilities” over the behaviour of players and coaching staffs.
      In response to SunSport’s investigation, an FA spokesperson said: “Referees and match officials play vital roles in our national sport.
      “Any inappropriate behaviour towards them is completely unacceptable.
      “Players, coaches, support staff and club officials have a responsibility to treat them with respect, and action will be taken against anyone involved in English football where there is evidence that they have failed to meet that standard.”
      The trouble, of course, is that the misbehaviour is not isolated to the top flight.
      In addition to the Prem numbers, 15 of the 24 Championship clubs, 13 in League One and 12 in League Two have fallen foul of the disciplinary department.
      The FA operates a sliding scale of financial punishments, ensuring the wealthier clubs in the top flight are hit more heavily in the pocket.
      Yet many of Arteta’s squad, perhaps the majority of the first team, earn more per WEEK than the £185,000 fines they have been ordered to pay.
      It is the same for the rest of the Prem. If it doesn’t hurt, and might give you a competitive advantage in the match, it will continue to happen.
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      Let there be no doubt: something is rotten in the state of football.
      Something needs to change – and quickly. More

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      Piers Morgan names greatest ever Arsenal XI with two current stars… but fans stunned by one shock omission

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      ARSENAL superfan Piers Morgan named his all-time starting XI – but Gunners fans are up in arms over a shock omission.Sun columnist Piers no stranger to giving his opinions on the north Londoners’ fortunes, which he’s regularly shared on Twitter since the latter part of the Arsene Wenger era.
      Sun columnist Piers Morgan is an Arsenal superfanCredit: TWITTER@PIERSMORGAN
      Morgan revealed his all-time Arsenal starting XICredit: TWITTER@PIERSMORGAN
      He left fans stunned with his commission of Ashley ColeCredit: GETTY
      And after catching wind of SunSport’s combined greatest Gunners XI, picked by ChatGPT, Morgan has named his own.
      Gooner Piers opted to deploy a traditional 4-4-2 formation for his dream XI.
      Up front, he, unsurprisingly, picked club icons Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.
      Robert Pires and current Emirates hero Bukayo Saka occupied the wings, filling the left and right flanks respectively.
      READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
      While club legend Patrick Vieira anchors Morgan’s midfield along with fellow Frenchman Emmanuel Petit.
      But it’s at the back where Piers did not leave fellow fans convinced.
      He named former England defender David Seaman in goal, behind a back four of Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, David O’Leary and… Oleksandr Zinchenko.
      While the majority of the Emirates faithful were in agreement with the rest of Piers’ selections, many took umbrage at his selection of Zinchenko ahead of Ashley Cole.
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      One of his followers tweeted: “Lol Zinchenko.”
      Another said: “Cole was better.”
      And another said: “Ashley Cole far better than Zinchenko.”
      One remarked: “Ashley Cole has to be there, as much as it pains me to say it.”
      Another chimed in: “Zinchenko over Ashley Cole?”
      Premier League leaders Arsenal will be back in action a fortnight on Saturday, welcoming relegation battlers Leeds United to the Emirates. More

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      Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace appointment bizarrely endorsed by ex-Fifa chief Blatter.. but fans notice something wrong

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      SEPP BLATTER has bemused Crystal Palace fans by endorsing Roy Hodgson’s return… and making a strange blunder in his gushing message.Palace followers hope Hodgson casts a spell in his second stint as boss – after noticing ex-Fifa chief Blatter failed to cast an eye over his spelling.
      Roy Hodgson is back as Palace chief, having left last club Watford in May 2022Credit: Getty
      Sepp Blatter surprised fans with a message hailing Hodgson’s Palace returnCredit: EPA

      Eagles-eyed observers spotted the controversial former football supremo hash-tagged his good wishes to the ex-England chief #ChrystalPalace.
      One fan posted: “There’s no h in Crystal. That’s like saying Chorruption.”
      Another wrote: “Spell it right you daft b******.”
      That might be a touch harsh because, whatever else you think of Blatter, the Swiss 87-year-old is fluent in five languages – German, French, Spanish, Italian and English.
      READ MORE CRYSTAL PALACE NEWS
      And anyone can make a mistake.
      In fact fans mainly just seemed baffled he had tweeted his support for Hodgson.
      Blatter, 87, wrote: “Dear Roy, welcome back old chap! Good luck with your first love in football! #RoyHodgson #ChrystalPalace #England #TheEagles #SelhurstPark.”
      One supporter replied: “Is there such a thing as a reverse vote of confidence?”
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      Another, who was unhappy with Hodgson coming back, added: “Only thing worse than his appointment today is you tweeting about it.”
      And a third, just possibly being sarcastic, posted: “We admire you and your work Mr Blatter! Love from everyone at Crystal Palace xxxx.”
      But some observers took Blatter’s post in a more generous spirit.
      One said: “Wonderful stuff. How big are we!!!”
      Hodgson, 75, took charge of Palace until the end of the season on Tuesday following Patrick Vieira’s sacking.
      The former Liverpool and Inter Milan chief said: “It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me.
      “Our sole objective now is to start winning matches, and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status.” More

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      Arsenal’s greatest EVER XI named by artificial intelligence with an old-school midfielder and unusual formation

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      ARSENAL’S greatest-ever team according to artificial intelligence contains just ONE star that did not play under Arsene Wenger.The Frenchman has also been named as the Gunners’ greatest-ever manager.
      ChatGPT has selected Arsenal’s best ever team
      Thierry Henry and Dennie Bergkamp are two of four Invincibles includedCredit: Getty
      Ian Wright and Tony Adams also make the cutCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The ChatGPT system was asked to select the best players from the club’s rich history based on statistics and trophies won.
      And it has been dominated by members of Arsenal’s 1998 double-winning squad.
      Seven players involved in that famous season have been selected by the AI, though the likes of Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn were also part of the famous 1989 title-winning side.
      Seaman has been named in goal ahead of Invincibles star Jens Lehmann, with the former England No1 making 564 Arsenal appearances and winning nine trophies with the club.

      In central defence Gunners legend and arguably their greatest-ever captain Tony Adams is paired with Sol Campbell, who is one of four Invincibles to make the side.
      The centre-backs won 15 trophies with the club between them and played alongside one another in the 2001-02 season.
      Accompanying them in defence is Lee Dixon at right-back and Nigel Winterburn on the left.
      The pair played with Adams throughout the 90s and made 616 and 529 appearances respectively for the Gunners.
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      Arsene Wenger was named as Arsenal’s greatest ever managerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Old school Arsenal great Liam Brady is part of the diamond midfieldCredit: Press Association Images
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      In midfield the AI has chosen an unusual diamond formation, featuring old-school great Liam Brady.
      The Irishman won the FA Cup with the Gunners in 1979 and is the only player in the AI XI not to have played under Wenger.
      He is joined by Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, two of only four Gooners who won the double in 1998 and went invincible in 2003-04.
      Cesc Fabregas also makes the team despite winning only one trophy with the club – the 2005 FA Cup.
      The Spaniard scored 57 goals in 303 games for Arsenal, but makes it into the side ahead of the likes of Mesut Ozil, Robert Pires and Ray Parlour.
      ChatGPT has a more straightforward pick up-front, opting for Arsenal’s top two goalscorers of all time – Ian Wright and Thierry Henry.
      The latter is regarded by many as Arsenal’s greatest player ever after scoring 228 goals and producing 103 assists in 376 games for the Gunners.
      He also won the Premier League and FA Cup twice and was part of the Arsenal side that finished runners-up in the 2006 Champions League, as were Campbell and Fabregas.
      Meanwhile Wright won five trophies with Arsenal and was the club’s record goalscorer before Henry overtook him. More

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      Chelsea flop labelled ‘best defender in the world’ by international boss after release on free transfer

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      FORMER Chelsea flop Andreas Christensen has been hailed as one of the best centre-backs in the world.The Danish defender left the Blues at the expiry of his contract last summer.
      Andreas Christensen joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summerCredit: Getty
      Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand has hailed him as ‘one of the best’ centre-backsCredit: EPA
      He went on to sign for Barcelona on a free transfer and has become a regular member of the team.
      The 26-year-old has featured 25 times in all competitions this season for Xavi’s side.
      Christensen is also currently on course to win a LaLiga title in his first season with the club.
      Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand has praised the defender ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Finland and Kazakhstan.
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      He said: “Andreas Christensen is one of the best centre-backs in the world, if not the best.
      “If I was at a club and I had to choose a centre-back, I would choose him.”
      The comments echo that of Xavi’s own praise for Christensen back in January when he hit back at critics that suggested Real Madrid had done the better deal by signing Antonio Rudiger, who had also walked away from Chelsea.
      He said: “Surely the signing of Christensen has been the less highlighted, but he has been extraordinary.
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      “I remember when people said that Real Madrid signed Chelsea’s starting centre-back, and we signed the substitute.”
      During his time at the Blues, Christensen featured 161 times but was often not the first-choice defender.
      The Dane was viewed as a backup to either Rudiger or Thiago Silva. More

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      Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu ruled out for season with knee injury as Mikel Arteta’s men suffer big title blow

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      ARSENAL ace Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out for the rest of the season.Tomiyasu hobbled off the pitch on Thursday with a knee injury against Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League Last 16 at the Emirates.
      Arsenal have been dealt a major injury blow amid their Premier League title bidCredit: Alamy
      Arsenal ace Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out for the rest of the seasonCredit: Alamy
      The full-back underwent knee surgery in London earlier today and doctors deemed he will have to miss the rest of the campaign.
      Arsenal issued the following statement: “Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee.
      “Tomi [Tomiyasu] has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season.
      “Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi, so he can join pre-season training ahead of next season.”
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      This poses as a major blow for Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes as manager Mikel Arteta only has Ben White at right-back until May.
      The Gunners sent Cedric Soares out on loan to Fulham during the January transfer window.
      Therefore, White, who plays predominantly as a centre-back, will have to cover the right flank in defence.
      However, the England international has stood out in this position since the start of the campaign.
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      The 25-year-old perfectly compliments Arteta’s back four, which also consists of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
      However, the Spanish tactician has also dealt with another injury blow as Saliba also limped out on Thursday’s Europa League exit.
      The centre-back was ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League win against Crystal Palace.
      And reports suggest the France international could be out for “several weeks”, and is set to withdraw from international duty. More

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      What happened to former Arsenal and Man City player Samir Nasri and where is he now?

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      SAMIR Nasri was one of the most exciting young players in the world, during his spell with Arsenal.He has now retired after a string of failed attempts to resurrect his career. Here’s what we know about the former French international.
      Samir Nasri played for Arsenal, Manchester City and West Ham during his time in the Premier League
      Who did Samir Nasri play for?
      After starting his career at Marseille, Nasri signed for Premier League side Arsenal in 2008.
      Nasri scored on his debut for the club in a 1-0 win against West Brom at the Emirates in August 2008.
      The highlight of his first season saw Nasri score two goals against Manchester United in a 2-1 win.
      The season ultimately ended in disappointment for the Frenchman, with Arsenal exiting in the semi-finals of the Champions League and the FA Cup, and finishing fourth in the premier League.
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      A third place finish followed in the 2009/10 season, but a poor season by the midfielder saw him miss out on a place in France’s World Cup squad in 2010.
      2010/11 was a resurgence in form for Nasri, scoring 15 goals in all competitions, including a stunning brace in a 2-1 victory over Fulham at the Emirates.
      Nasri joined Manchester City for £25million in August 2011.
      He scored vital goals against Tottenham and Chelsea, as Manchester City won the 2011/12 Premier League title on goal difference ahead of Manchester United.
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      The following season was less successful. City beat Chelsea to win the Community Shield in August 2012, but they failed to retain their title, and lost the 2013 FA Cup final to Wigan Athletic in one of the cup’s biggest ever shocks.
      Manuel Pellegrini replaced Roberto Mancini as manager ahead of the 2013/14 season, and Nasri appeared to be back to his best.
      He scored and was named man of the match in the 2014 League Cup final, as Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-1, and scored the opening goal on the final day of the season in a 2-0 win against West Ham, which helped City regain the Premier League.
      His final two seasons at the club were marred by injuries, and he was loaned out to Sevilla following the arrival of Pep Guardiola.
      Nasri made 41 appearances for the French national team, scoring five times, including a goal against England at Euro 2012 in a 1-1 draw.
      What happened to Samir Nasri?
      After a season with Sevilla, Nasri moved to Antalyaspor on a permanent deal in 2017.
      He returned to the Premier League with West Ham in the 2018/19 season, most notably assisting Declan Rice in a 1-0 win against former club Arsenal.
      Where is Samir Nasri now?
      Nasri retired from football after a short spell at Belgian side Anderlecht.
      He has been seen playing in charity matches since his retirement, including for Marseille legends in 2021 alongside Didier Drogba. More

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      Robin van Persie slammed major issue holding Arsenal back when he joined Man Utd says Patrice Evra

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      FORMER Arsenal star Robin van Persie has slated his previous club’s training standards after his move to Manchester United in 2012.Patrice Evra has revealed how former teammate Robin van Persie was shocked by how much harder Man United’s players worked compared to his former Arsenal team.
      Robin Van Persie criticises former Arsenal squad after move to Man UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Robin Van Persie and Manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrate after Manchester United win the Premier League in 2013Credit: Getty
      Speaking on the Vibe with Five, Evra recalls Van Persie hammering his former team’s lack of dedication.
      In contrast, speaking about his new Man United teammates, Evra said: “Robin, he’d say, ‘Patrice, I’ve never seen people so professional. Training the way you’re training in the training session’. 
      ‘He’d say he’d finish the training session, everyone is in the gym. Before training in the gym, after training in the gym.”
      “That’s why he was like, ‘When I was playing at Arsenal, I was still on the pitch and I’d see kids with convertible cars already going to Harrods or whatever’.”
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      The Dutch striker made the controversial move to join the Red Devils for £22.5 million in the summer of 2012 after failing to win a trophy in eight years playing for the Gunners.
      Van Persie was one of Arsenal’s best strikers, scoring 132 goals across 278 games.
      Yet even after netting 30 league goals in the 2011-12 season to win his first Golden Boot, Arsenal still only finished third that year, 19 points behind Manchester City.
      Desperate to escape his losing streak at Arsenal, the top scorer moved to top rivals Man United and immediately tasted success.
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      He went on to take the Golden Boot again the following year scoring 26 league goals – this time on the winning team, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side finishing 11 points ahead of Man City.
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      This was only the beginning of his success at Man United.
      During his first season, Van Persie was named the club’s player of the year, and went on to win the English Super Cup in 2014.
      In the following three years at the club, the striker netted 58 goals over 105 games.
      Van Persie’s success was nurtured by veteran United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, who knew how to get the best out of the seasoned goal scorer.
      Evra told former United teammate Rio Ferdinand: “I don’t know if you remember, the way Ferguson managed Van Persie.
      “He knows we are animals, if someone doesn’t train we are going to say he doesn’t deserve to play.’
      “But with Van Persie he said: ‘Guys, this guy he won’t (be) training every day.
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      “Sometimes he’s going to be on the side training with his own physio.
      “But I have to manage his injury. But this guy is going to win the league for us’.” More