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      BBC hit by further chaos as 5 Live schedule ahead of Man Utd and Arsenal clashes is changed at last-minute

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      THE BBC have been hit with further chaos as Radio 5 Live’s Premier League schedule has been changed at the last-minute. Pre-recorded episodes of the Spygate: Sport’s Strangest Crimes podcast aired instead of the regular 12-2pm slot for Premier League games.
      BBC have been hit with further chaos as Radio 5 Live’s Prem schedule changed
      It comes amid Match of The Day presenter Gary Lineker’s row with the BBC following inflammatory tweets regarding the government’s new illegal migrants policy.
      Lineker was taken off the air, which led to a number of his colleagues striking in solidarity.
      As of now, Radio 5 Live’s schedule is due to resume at 2pm for commentary of Fulham’s game with Arsenal but no 606 phone-in show will air.
      Manchester United’s match with Southampton is also set to be broadcast this afternoon.
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      BBC staff refused to work on Saturday’s games, deciding to back Lineker following his criticism of the government’s new Illegal Migration Bill.
      Saturday’s TV and radio timetables were changed at the last minute – resulting in Football Focus and Final Score being scrapped from the BBC One schedule.
      MOTD, which Lineker has hosted for almost 25 years, was cut to just 20 minutes, with no commentary, analysis or interviews.
      It also went out without its famous theme tune – instead broadcasting only short highlight clips of the day’s matches.
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      It did, however, see its viewing figures soar by 500,000 to 2.6million – the highest number since November last year.
      The Beeb do not have the rights required to use world feed commentary, an issue that saw last night’s 20 minute broadcast go without.
      But their own commentators will return for Sunday night’s MOTD2, which will air highlights of Manchester United vs Southampton, West Ham vs Aston Villa and Fulham vs Arsenal without a studio host.
      There will also be no pre-game chat before this afternoon’s Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United, it is understood.
      MOT2 is expected to take a similar “reduced” format at 10.30pm, albeit with commentary, after host Mark Chapman decided not to present for BBC Radio 5 Live Sport on Saturdayand pundit Jermain Defoe announced he would not appear on the Sunday highlights programme.
      Mark Chapman ruled himself out of MOTD 2Credit: PA More

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      Man Utd defender Eric Bailly set to be deliberately frozen out by Marseille despite title battle with PSG

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      MANCHESTER UNITED defender Eric Bailly is set to be left out of at least three of Marseille’s remaining Ligue 1 fixtures, as the French side look to avoid having to sign him permanently.The Ivorian joined Marseille on a season-long loan deal from Old Trafford last summer.
      Eric Bailly has only played nine times in Ligue 1 this seasonCredit: Getty
      The deal includes an obligation to buy for £6.2million, if two key factors are triggered.
      One is that Marseille qualify for the Champions League, which they are well on track to achieve.
      The other is that Bailly features in 19 of his side’s 38 Ligue matches.
      After 26 games, the 28-year-old has played in just nine – meaning he would have to appear in ten of their remaining 12 for the clause to be triggered.
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      According to French paper L’Equipe, Marseille manager Igor Tudor “has lost confidence” in Bailly.
      And they add that the potential obligation to buy in his loan deal will not help him earn a place in the team.
      Bailly missed games during the first half of the season with thigh and leg injuries.
      He was then slapped with a seven-match ban for a horror kung-fu kick that saw him red-carded against fourth tier Hyeres in the Coupe de France.
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      Bailly, 28, was slapped with a seven-match ban for a kung-fu kickCredit: AFP
      After two substitute appearances upon his return, Bailly was thrown back into the starting XI for his side’s top of the table clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
      But he endured a torrid evening and was hooked on 66 minutes, as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe linked up to inspire PSG to a comfortable 3-0 win.
      Marseille currently sit second in Ligue 1, trailing leaders PSG by 11 points, albeit with a game in hand.
      Should he return to Man Utd this summer, Bailly will have one year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford.
      He played in a number of friendlies under Erik ten Hag during pre-season.
      But he hasn’t featured in a competitive match for the Red Devils since a 3-1 win over Burnley on December 30, 2021.
      Eric Bailly featured for United during pre-season under Erik ten HagCredit: Rex More

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      Roberto Firmino offered MLS transfer lifeline after Liverpool with St Louis City keen on Brazilian

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      ROBERTO FIRMINO has been offered an MLS transfer lifeline, according to reports.The Liverpool forward, 31, confirmed he will leave Anfield at the end of the season when his contract expires.
      Roberto Firmino has emerged as a free transfer target for St Louis CityCredit: Getty
      But he is already being lined up as a possible transfer target by numerous clubs.
      And reporter Tom Bogert states St Louis City are interested in snapping up the free agent.
      The new Missouri side joined the MLS for the 2023 season, starting with a perfect three wins from three to top the Western Conference on nine points.
      But they are said to be keen to add the experience and quality of Firmino to their attack.
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      And the club could be boosted by the fact that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel was on the staff at Hoffenheim during Firmino’s time with the German club.
      However, St Louis City are set to face plenty of competition for Firmino’s signature.
      The report adds Los Angeles FC are keen on landing him in the summer while as many as SIX European sides have submitted offers to land the 55-cap Brazil international.
      But Firmino is NOT expected to return to his homeland at this stage in his career.
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      The Brazilian striker has won five trophies in his eight seasons at Liverpool, including both the Champions League and Premier League.
      And his return of 108 goals and 79 assists in 355 appearances makes him a fan favourite – the most-recent goal being the seventh and final strike in the thrashing of Manchester United last weekend.
      Boss Jurgen Klopp admitted his shock at the news of Firmino’s upcoming departure, especially as talks over a contract extension had started.
      The German said: “Surprised? Yes, a little bit – it could go two ways and it went one. And I respect that a lot.

      “But it’s completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club.
      “There’s no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there’s enough time for that later in the season.
      “Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song [Reds fans’ Firmino chant] will still be for a long, long time in everybody’s ears.
      “I think he’s one of these players that even when he would come with an opposition team, people would be really happy to see him.” More

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      Watch Napoli sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia score Maradona-esque goal after embarrassing entire Atalanta defence

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      NAPOLI sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a stunning Maradona-esque solo goal to leave the Atalanta defence red-faced. The Serie A league leaders look unstoppable in their romp to the Italian title and continue to take apart opponents at will.
      The Atalanta defence found Khvicha Kvaratskhelia too hot to handle as he charged on their goalCredit: BT Sport via Twitter
      The star has 11 goals and nine assists in 22 Serie A games this seasonCredit: BT Sport via Twitter

      The club has two of Europe’s most impressive players in Victor Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia to deploy on opponents – and both are now being linked with moves away.
      And yesterday it was the Georgian winger who stole the show with his dazzling footwork and finishing.
      After an hour of frustration for Napoli, the 22-year-old burst into life as he received the ball in his half from Osimhen.
      Atalanta defender Rafael Toloi tries to hold Kvaratskhelia up but is twisted like a pretzel as the attacker tried to find an angle.
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      Other defenders behind Toloi try to come to his aid but also find themselves totally bamboozled by the Napoli man’s movements.
      After embarrassing the defence, Kvaratskhelia sends the ball into the top corner and sparks wild celebrations on the touchline.
      The moment was reminiscent of some of Napoli legend Maradona’s mazy runs, not least the ‘goal of the century’ against England in 1986.
      Defender Amir Rrahmani headed home from a corner to seal the win.
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      The club now sit an incredible 18 points clear at the top of Serie A after Inter’s shock defeat at Spezia on Friday night.
      Kvaratskhelia has been a revelation after arriving as a virtually unknown player from Dinamo Batumi last summer for just £8m.
      And fans were going crazy at his wonder goal on Twitter.
      One said: “WHAT A GOAL!!! Victor Osimhen & Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are the hottest combo in world football right now. Unreal talents!”
      Another said: “I watched that Kvaratskhelia goal today. This guy is everything Man City wished [Jack] Grealish was. What a proper baller!”
      One fan even nicknamed the star “Kvaradona”. More

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      Match of the Day viewing figures soar by 500,000 with 2.5MILLION tuning in for bizarre episode after Gary Lineker axing

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      MATCH OF THE DAY last night received its largest audience since November.The programme was watched by 2.58 million people – up nearly 500,000 from last week’s 2.09m viewership.
      Gary Lineker was suspended by the BBC this weekCredit: Alamy
      The BBC aired a shortened 20 minute highlights package at 10:20pm last night.
      Following the mutiny sparked by Gary Lineker’s suspension after his tweet likening the language used in introducing the government’s controversial Illegal Migration Bill to that of 1930s Germany, the bizarre version of the show featured no studio punditry.
      Regular analysts and presenters Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in, plunging the show into crisis.
      The broadcast didn’t feature a host or even commentary, instead moving from game to game showing just the highlights.
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      No interviews with players or managers were included, with stars not asked to give interviews to Match of the Day.
      Despite the large viewership, many fans were left unimpressed by the stripped-back version of the show.
      One fan wrote: “Even the Match of the day intro is protesting!”
      Another asked: “Why am I sat commentating on Match of the Day myself?”
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      MOTD regulars Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out of the programme… beginning a mutiny within the BBCCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “Match of the Day with no commentary – what a farce,” declared another.
      A fellow viewer wrote: “Surreal watching a silent match of the day.”
      While another said: “Match Of The Day on BBC One with zero commentary is…different.”
      One added: “Bit speechless watching Match of the day.”
      Some, however, didn’t mind the unusual show.
      One fan wrote: “Fantastic match of the day instead of listing to all the b******s!”
      Another said: “Honestly. This match of the day without presenters and over the top commentary is f***ing miles better !!!”
      The 2.58m viewership was the largest since 2.63m tuned in on November 5.
      On that day, fans watched Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Fulham, Leicester 2-0 triumph at Everton and Leeds’ thrilling 4-3 victory over Bournemouth, among other games.
      Sun columnist Piers Morgan was not impressed by last night’s reduced offering.
      He wrote: “BBC should now adjust the licence fee so that everyone on Twitter pretending to prefer Match of the Day in the new format can pay £1 less a month but only ever watch it that way in future.
      “Spoiler alert: nobody would take that deal. It’s s***.”
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      Match of the Day 2 is now in the balance this evening, with regular host Mark Chapman backing Lineker.
      Pundit Jermain Defoe has also announced he will not be appearing on the show.
      Piers Morgan was not impressed by last night’s showCredit: Getty More

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      Ian Stirling dead at 57: Man Utd fan and campaigner passes away with club to pay tribute against Southampton

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fan and campaigner Ian Stirling has died aged 57. Stirling was the independent supporter liaison officer for the Manchester United Supporters Trust, a role he took up in 2003.
      Man Utd fan and campaigner Ian Stirling has died aged 57Credit: Manchester United FC
      He was also a regular on TV as a representative of fans and led campaigns against the club’s unpopular Glazer family owners.
      United will pay respect to Stirling by wearing black armbands against Southampton at Old Trafford today and released a statement following his passing.
      It read: “Everyone at Manchester United is profoundly saddened by the loss of our longstanding friend and fan representative Ian Stirling, who has died at the age of 57.
      “Over many years, Ian played a vital role in dialogue between fans and the club and as a fearless champion on fan issues.
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      “Ian was a founding member of the club’s Fans’ Advisory Board and a long-time member of our Fans’ Forum.
      “As the Independent Supporter Liaison Officer for Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, Ian worked tirelessly to promote and protect the interests of our fans.”
      United’s chief executive Richard Arnold said: “This is truly devastating news for all of us at the club who knew and worked with Ian.
      “He was a towering figure within our fan community, loved and respected in equal measure.
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      “Ian was a relentless and unflinching advocate for the interests of fans, particularly match-goers, and we highly-valued the plain-speaking advice he provided.
      “We send our sincere condolences to his wife, Lynn, daughter Lucy, and other loved ones. 
      “The best tribute we can pay to Ian is to continue strengthening the club’s commitment to fan engagement via the Fans’ Advisory Board and Fans’ Forum, and preserving the lines of communication and advocacy which he opened in his role as Independent Supporter Liaison Officer.”
      Manchester United Supporters Trust said: “Everyone at MUST is heartbroken at the news that Ian Stirling, our much loved friend and colleague, has passed away.
      “Ian was a truly great man. Warm, compassionate, generous and funny. As his closest friends and family will confirm, no-one enjoyed a joke more than Ian, and there are few in our fanbase who have inspired such widespread affection and respect. 
      “For many years he has been at the heart of championing fans’ interests.
      Ian was a relentless and unflinching advocate for the interests of fans, particularly match-goers, and we highly-valued the plain-speaking advice he provided.Man Utd chief exec Richard Arnold on Ian Stirling
      “He served as our Independent Supporter Liaison Officer directly helping countless fans in their dealings with the Club and other football authorities but his reach went far beyond that.
      “He also served as our representative on the Fans Forum, making the supporters’ case firmly and consistently.
      “His stature with the club was such that in latter years he was asked to join the Fans Advisory Board where he spoke truth to power representing the interests of fans and our football club at the highest levels.
      “It really is impossible to think of another United supporter who has done so much for his fellow fans. The tributes to Ian have been flooding in from all over the world.
      “We can’t really imagine our organisation without him but through the tears and emotion of today we are determined to continue his work to create a truly fitting legacy.
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      “Away from football Ian was a devoted husband and father and we send our love to his wife, Lynn, and his daughter, Lucy and his many friends in Salford and Manchester and all around the world.”
      A floral tribute sits on the seat of fan Ian StirlingCredit: Getty
      Man Utd paid their respects before playing SouthamptonCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd want Joao Palhinha but face transfer battle with FIVE Premier League rivals including Arsenal and Chelsea

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing Fulham star Joao Palhinha to beef up their midfield this summer.United, Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all monitoring the Portuguese.
      Joao Palhinha is set to be at the centre of a massive transfer battle this summerCredit: Alamy
      But boss Marco Silva is determined to resist bids for the star.
      Fulham paid an initial £17million to sign Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon last year but his performances so far in this campaign will have more than doubled his value to £40m-plus. 
      He has made more tackles than any midfielder in the big five leagues in Europe and has been the heartbeat of Silva’s side as they chase qualification for Uefa competition next season.
      Palhinha’s price tag is also pushed up by the fact that he still has more than four years left on his contract, with the club holding another year’s option.
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      Because of his age – he will turn 28 in July – the Fulham star may not be the first choice of top clubs who have a policy of signing younger players.
      Liverpool are also said to be confident of signing Palhinha’s Portugal team-mate Matheus Nunes from Wolves, and possibly compatriot Ruben Neves, to revamp their midfield.
      But Moises Caicedo, another target for the Reds as well as for Chelsea and Arsenal, has signed a new contract with Brighton that will send his price tag soaring.
      And even if the Ecuador international leaves the south coast, only one club will be able to sign him.
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      So Palhinha will be high on the list of candidates as the biggest clubs in England look to strengthen their options in the middle of the pitch.
      But he will not be available to Fulham for today’s clash with Arsenal because he is serving the second game of a two-match suspension for racking up ten yellow cards.  More

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      Chelsea snap up Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards after beating Newcastle to transfer of 17-year-old Jamaican wonderkid

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      CHELSEA have signed wonderkid Dujuan Richards from Phoenix All Stars.The Blues have beaten Newcastle to the 17-year-old’s signature.
      Chelsea have signed Dujuan ‘Whisper’ RichardsCredit: Instagram / @kylebutler_77
      The 17-year-old puts pen to paperCredit: Instagram / @kylebutler_77
      Richards, known as “Whisper”, will arrive at Stamford Bridge from Phoenix All Stars, an academy side from Kingston, Jamaica.
      The youngster has agreed terms with the Blues and signed on the dotted line, as revealed in pictures posted by Phoenix themselves.
      In his last season for the All Stars, Whisper bagged 31 goals and laid on a further 19 assists.
      His form attracted plenty of Prem interest, with Newcastle also keen.
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      The Toon even took him on a trial basis, and the Chronicle claim that he attended their 1-1 draw with West Ham on February 4.
      According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Blues chief Joe Shields played an integral part in sealing the deal.
      Despite his youth, Whisper has been called up to the senior Jamaica squad for matches this month.
      The Reggae Boyz take on Trinidad & Tobago next week, and Mexico on March 26.
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      Richards is the latest starlet to be recruited by the Blues since Todd Boehly’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea have spent around £540million on transfers this season, including more than £300m in January alone.
      As well as stars for the first team, the West Londoners have also looked to recruit fresh talent for the future too.
      These include players like David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos and Gabriel Slonina.
      But also players immediately for the academy team, like Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Zak Sturge and Omari Hutchinson. More