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      Uefa urged to BLOCK Qatari takeover of Man Utd to ‘protect integrity of competition’ due to PSG ownership

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      UEFA have been urged to block the Qatari takeover bid for Manchester United. Ahead of tomorrow’s bid deadline, Qatar are interested in taking over the Red Devils.
      The Glazers have put Man Utd up for saleCredit: AFP
      But Uefa have been urged to block a bid from Qatar due to links with PSGCredit: AP
      Though any United takeover bid will come in from Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-ThaniCredit: Rex
      However, Uefa have been warned to block any bid from Qatar while Qatar Sports Investment remain owners of PSG.
      The call comes from human rights group FairSquare.
      As reported by The Athletic, the group have sent a letter to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, general secretary Theodore Theodoridis and Premier League chief Richard Masters.
      It reads: “A basic study of Qatar’s political and economic system amply demonstrates the impossibility of any Qatari consortium proving itself independent of state influence, and thus separate from the ownership of PSG.
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      “Freedom House’s World Freedom Index classifies Qatar as ‘not free’, and its most recent assessment is highly critical of Qatar’s record on the rule of law, corruption, and political participation: ‘Qatar’s hereditary emir holds all executive and legislative authority and ultimately controls the judiciary.'”
      Uefa rules stipulate that “no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition”.
      Although Red Bull’s ownership of FC Salzburg and RB Leipzig was overlooked by Uefa after an ownership restructuring at Salzburg – with both playing in the Champions League.
      Earlier this week, it was reported Uefa would not block any Qatari offer for Man Utd due to them being satisfied about a bid coming from a separate entity.
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      The United bid will be launched by Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
      The Qatar Investment Authority is worth a staggering £370billion, and already owns French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain.
      United’s owners – The Glazers – are understood to want £6bn for the club.
      However, a more realistic outcome will see them pocket £4.1-£4.5bn.
      In their letter FairSquare added “UEFA’s Statutes are very clear on the critical importance of ensuring that no single party can exercise control or influence over more than one club, and this is all the more important when the owners are states.
      “State ownership of European football clubs jeopardises the integrity of the game, its proclaimed values and its sustainability.”
      Qatar’s interest is being rivalled by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, while Twitter owner Elon Musk is also a shock party considering a bid. More

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      ‘Chelsea is a massive club.. we need to play better’ – Ben Chilwell gives brutally honest assessment after Dortmund loss

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      BEN CHILWELL admitted that Chelsea have to play better following their 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. The left-back returned to the Chelsea starting line up for the first time since the game against Dinamo Zagreb at Stamford Bridge in November.
      Ben Chilwell looking dejected during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Borussia DortmundCredit: Rex
      Chilwell applauding the fans after Chelsea’s defeat to DortmundCredit: Getty
      Chilwell played 71 minutes before being replaced by Marc Cucurella but was powerless to stop Chelsea slipping to another defeat thanks to Karim Adeyemi’s goal.
      It’s now two wins in 14 games for Graham Potter’s side and Chilwell is under no illusions the team must do better.
      He said: “It is not ideal. We’d have love to have won or take the clean sheet.
      “They took their chance, we didn’t take ours, that is what happens at this level.
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      “We lost the game and in knockout competition, winning is the only thing that matters.”
      Chilwell added: “Fortunately, we’ve got a second leg now at Stamford Bridge.
      “We’re going to look forward to the weekend first but going into that game at Stamford Bridge, we’re going to take the positives knowing we’ve come here and played well, threatened and created chances.”
      The Chelsea man is aware of the quality in the team and felt the performance was better.
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      He said: ” When you look at the talent of the team, we want to be free flowing and play exciting football and scores lots of goals.
      “Tonight was a lot more like that, especially in the second half.
      “It just was the final ball or shot wasn’t quite there. All to play for at the Bridge.”
      Chelsea created plenty of chances and went close twice through Joao Felix who hit the bar and Kalidou Koulibaly who had an effort cleared off the line by Emre Can but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
      The defender added: “No, I don’t think it is luck. There are no excuses.
      “We played well tonight but if we want to go far then we need to play even better.”
      “We have a lot of new players who We’re trying to integrate.
      “Unfortunately, that takes time but we also don’t have time, but we’re trying our best to work hard and put that right.” 
      The former Leicester man knows the players have to turn it around and repay the fans.
      He said: “Chelsea is a massive club with massive standards. Our fans were excellent today and are wherever we go.
      “We’re working hard to repay them in training and in matches. We’ve got an exciting squad and I’m sure we’ll turn it around soon.”
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      Chelsea will look to return to winning ways when they take on managerless Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
      The second leg against Borussia Dortmund will be at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, March 7. More

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      Antonio Conte breaks silence as he hints at long lay-off with Spurs boss stuck in Italy after ‘underestimating’ surgery

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      ANTONIO CONTE has broken his silence after remaining in Italy for a post-operation check.The Italian boss failed to fly home with Spurs after the club’s 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
      Antonio Conte will remain in Italy after a post-operation checkCredit: Rex
      And now the ex-Chelsea boss has released a statement hinting at a long lay-off to allow him to recover.
      Taking to his Instagram, he said: “My great sense of responsibility towards the club, the players, the staff and the fans brought me to anticipate my comeback on field.
      “Sadly I underestimated the procedure, which wasn’t a routine operation, but a sudden and serious emergency.
      “My body has suffered my impatience and now I am forced to stop until my entire recovery.
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      “Who knows me, understands what a burden this is for me, but it is necessary. Come on you Spurs!”
      Conte was rushed to hospital to undergo gallbladder surgery at the start of the month.
      And he defied doctor’s orders to take charge of the clash against Milan.
      But following a post-op check, Conte will now remain in Italy at his family home while he completes his recovery.
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      In a statement, Tottenham confirmed Cristian Stellini would assume first team duties in his absence.
      Tottenham will be hoping to give Conte less of a headache by beating West Ham next weekend.
      The North Londoners were soundly thrashed by Leicester in a 4-1 defeat in their last Prem fixture.
      Providing Newcastle drop points against Liverpool, Tottenham could find themselves back in the top four with a win against West Ham.
      Speaking after the match on Tuesday, Conte said: “Frankly speaking in the previous match (against Leicester) I was completely out.
      “I have just had surgery and after two days my doctor told me I couldn’t go, I couldn’t make [the] effort.
      “So in the previous match I was distant from the pitch. Cristian was there replacing me and was able to share my ideas with the team, he really helped me out a lot.
      “I was wearing a medical device in that period, but I was still able to interact in a fair enough way with the team.
      “I was not 100 per cent [in] my physical shape but in the next game I will be fit and try to give my contribution.” More

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      Chelsea ‘set to offer contract rebel Mason Mount to Atletico Madrid in incredible swap transfer for Joao Felix’

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      CHELSEA want to offer Mason Mount to Atletico Madrid in a sensational swap deal for Joao Felix, according to reports. So far it looks like Felix and Mount are battling for the same position in a struggling Chelsea side, however, Felix is currently winning the fight to stay at Chelsea out of the two attackers.
      Joao Felix scored in a 1-1 draw against West HamCredit: Alamy
      Mason Mount came off the bench in a 1-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Felix only arrived in January for a £9.7m loan fee with no option to buy, but is one of the first names on the team-sheet despite being sent off on his debut against Fulham.
      The Portuguese, 23, picked up his first goal against West Ham last weekend before impressing against Borussia Dortmund despite the Blues’ Champions League loss.
      Meanwhile, Mason Mount’s contracts talks with Chelsea are stalling as the player wants to know he’s valued by Chelsea through a significant pay rise.
      Against West Ham and Borussia Dortmund, Mount started on the bench while Felix played a full 90 minutes.
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      Liverpool are sniffing around the Englishman, 24, as their midfield is a significant weak point and he only has one year left on his deal.
      According to Marca, Chelsea want to sign Joao Felix on a permanent deal and want to include players.
      Among players available for a swap deal is Mason Mount, who, the report claims, is one of the players offered to Atletico to make the Joao operation cheaper.
      However Atletico owner Gil Marin has made it clear his intention is to receive a significant amount of money WITHOUT the inclusion of surplus Chelsea players.
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      The aim is to recover as much as possible of the £113million fee paid for the star in 2019. More

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      Arsenal legend Ian Wright singles out ‘naive’ star for criticism and claims Man City ‘set traps for him’ in crunch clash

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      IAN WRIGHT has singled out one Arsenal star for his “naive” performance against Manchester City. The Gunners, previously unbeaten at the Emirates, fell to defeat against Man City to cede first place in the Premier League.
      Ian Wright blasted one Arsenal defender’s performance as “naive”Credit: Getty
      Pep Guardiola’s serial winners made the most of Arsenal errors to run out 3-1 winners as Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland all got on the scoresheet.
      Takehiro Tomiyasu was the culprit for City’s first goal, with De Bruyne anticipating a back pass and lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
      Bukayo Saka fired the North Londoners level from the penalty spot after Eddie Nketiah was brought down in the area by Ederson.
      But the game’s next goal from Grealish came courtesy of City forcing a turnover from Gabriel.
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      And Arsenal legend Wright feels Gabriel was the epicentre of the Gunners second half collapse.
      Speaking on Premier League productions, he said: “We were very fortunate that he didn’t give away a penalty because he was offside but for me the pass [for Grealish goal] is into nowhere.
      “City are setting traps for him there and as soon as they win the ball, bang, they get the ball back and Haaland’s awareness for a striker was very good because he could have easily had a shot but he’s made sure that he passed it on so that they definitely get the goal and go in front.
      “For me it came down to a bit of naivety and inexperience but they are the youngest team in the league and you’re going to get those type of mistakes.
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      Gabriel was Man City’s target for pressing traps according to WrightCredit: AFP
      “For me Gabriel doesn’t know where it’s going. That’s going to be a problem and it was.”
      Haaland rounded out the match by scoring his 26th league goal of the season.
      Arsenal are now winless in three league matches, having lost to Everton and drawing controversially to Brentford.
      Up next, they face a test against Mikel Arteta’s predecessor Unai Emery when they visit Aston Villa.
      However, Wednesday’s game has now tipped the balance of power back in City’s favour in terms of who are now favourites to win the title. More

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      There’s NO doubt Arsenal target Declan Rice will leave West Ham in big-money summer transfer says Hammers legend

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      DECLAN RICE will leave West Ham this summer – and his desire to win trophies needs to be respected, according to Tony Cottee.The Hammers are bracing themselves for an almighty transfer saga as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United prepare bids to snap up the 24-year-old England star.
      Tony Cottee believes West Ham must respect Declan Rice’s ambition to win trophiesCredit: Getty
      Rice’s contract expires at the end of the season, with West Ham having the option to extend that by a further 12 months.
      However, many inside the East London club are resigned to the fact this will be his final campaign, with boss David Moyes hoping to bring in over £100m for his services.
      Cottee, 57, knows what it is like to leave West Ham in search of silverware, doing just that in 1988 – ending a six-year stint with his boyhood club to join Everton.
      The closest he came to lifting a trophy with the Toffees was in the 1989 FA Cup final, losing out to rivals Liverpool, before returning to West Ham in 1994.
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      And Cottee told SunSport: “It is different with the likes of Declan or myself. The reason I left the club, and I didn’t want to but I felt I had to because I wanted to go and win something.
      “When you don’t win things, it is hard, and the money side is not easy either.
      “If West Ham had a successful team that was winning things, Declan wouldn’t be leaving. There would be no reason to leave.
      “He will leave this summer. I said all along that the moment they lost to Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-final last season was the moment Declan knew he needed to leave.
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      “If they had won that and won the Europa League and got into the Champions League, why would he leave?
      “Now we are at the stage where Rice is in the prime of his career and wants to play Champions League football.
      “As long as his exit is handled correctly, and I think it will be because he is a really good lad leading in the right way, I don’t think any West Ham fan would begrudge him.” More

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      Every Premier League club’s value revealed as greedy Man Utd and Spurs owners demand MORE than their worth for takeover

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      EVERY Premier League’s club value has been revealed – as at least two major sides prepare for potential takeovers. The deadline for bids for Manchester United is set to close tomorrow as major bidders circle for control of one of the world football’s giants.
      The Glazers announced last year their willingness to sell Man UnitedCredit: AFP
      Tottenham’s Daniel Levy is the Premier League’s longest-serving chairmanCredit: Alamy
      Man United are estimated to lead the league in terms of club valuations
      Meanwhile reports yesterday suggested Tottenham were attracting the attention of Iranian-born US billionaire Jahm Najafi.
      United and Spurs are among the Premier League’s most valuable assets with the 20 clubs collectively worth tens of billions.
      The Red Devils sit top of the estimated valuation list compiled by Sportico, a sports business publication.
      They have a valuation of £4.8bn and are believed to have drummed up £583.2m in revenue in 2022.
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      But the Glazer family are believed to be looking for a £6bn fee, above the club’s reported value.
      The same appears to be the case at Tottenham with owner Joe Lewis believed to value the club between £4bn-£4.5bn.

      But Sportico claim the club is the seventh-most valuable in English football at an estimated £2.57bn, way below Lewis’ reported asking price.
      Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham follow United as English football’s most valuable clubs.
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      West Ham are the highest-ranked outside of the traditional top six, with the Hammers rated at £535m.
      At the other end of the rankings, Bournemouth are estimated to be the least valuable club at £115m with Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Brighton also among those in the lower half.
      The Premier League could be set for another big takeover after Todd Boehly’s acquisition of Chelsea last MayCredit: Alamy
      Liverpool owner John W. Henry controls the Premier League’s second most valuable clubCredit: Getty More

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      Antonio Conte ‘will QUIT Tottenham in the summer with Mauricio Pochettino finally returning as manager’

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      ANTONIO CONTE is set to “leave” his position as Tottenham head coach at the end of the season. And his incoming replacement will be none other than former Spurs gaffer Mauricio Pochettino.
      Antonio Conte is set to leave SpursCredit: Getty
      With former boss Mauricio Pochettino returning for a second stintCredit: Getty
      This is according to talkSPORT host Alan Brazil.
      Brazil, who scored nine goals for Spurs during his one season with them in 1983/84, has been disappointed with Tottenham’s performances this season.
      Their latest result in the Champions League saw them lucky to escape with a 1-0 defeat, while this compounded a 4-1 defeat suffered against Leicester at the weekend.
      Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Brazil said: “I’ve been disappointed with Spurs.
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      “But you look at the table, you look at what they’re left in, and I think that they can overcome Milan in London, I do.
      “I think they can go through at the next round.”
      However, Brazil also revealed information which suggests Spurs are looking to make a managerial change.
      He added: “I understand what Jamie was saying, I do, and I’ll say it again, I’m told that he’s [Conte] probably going to leave and Poch will come in.
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      “But whoever comes in has got to have money to improve – especially in the midfield area now that they’ve lost [Rodrigo] Bentancur who is a decent player on the ball.”
      Bentancur has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a UCL tear.

      Conte went against doctor’s orders in order to take charge of Spurs’ last 16 tie against AC Milan on Tuesday, having recently gone under the knife for gallbladder surgery.
      Today it was revealed the Italian has remained in Italy with his family following the game to help him recover from his surgery.
      In a club statement, Spurs confirmed Cristian Stellini would take on first team duties without the former Chelsea and Juventus manager, with a clash against West Ham up next.
      Brazil was also critical of club chairman Daniel Levy.
      He added: “I think something has got to give.
      “I think the chairman has to find some more money for whoever goes in, if it’s Poch, he can trust Poch, but I believe he’s got to find it.
      “Tottenham are not that far away, I’m not saying they’re an Arsenal or a [Manchester] City, but they’re not that far away.
      “They’ve been up there, but you have to invest.”
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      It comes amid the club being linked to a £3billion takeover by American-Iranian billionaire Jahm Najafi.
      However, current owner Joe Lewis reportedly wants a bid closer to £4.5bn if he is to sell. More