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      Rishi Sunak delays announcing football shake-up after bombshell leak to The Sun

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      RISHI Sunak has delayed announcing his footie shake-up after we blew the lid on the plans last week.The PM was due to unveil the overhaul this week but has now kicked it back a fortnight following the bombshell leak to the Sun.
      Rishi Sunak has delayed announcing his footie shake-up after we blew the lid on the plansCredit: Alamy
      Our report revealed plans for a new regulator to block takeovers from dodgy owners while giving fans a greater say in the running of clubs.
      Teams would also be banned from joining breakaway competitions like the European Super League.
      And Premier League clubs would be forced to give more money to struggling lower league sides.
      Insiders admitted the delay was to let the dust settle after the leak so the PM can announce the Football White Paper with fanfare.
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      But Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said: “We urgently need proper football regulation.
      “Bury has already collapsed.
      “Many other clubs have been pushed to the brink.”
      Downing Street said it’s “not uncommon for timings to move on certain policies”.
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      Who will manage Leeds United against Manchester United this week?

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      JESSE MARSCH has been sacked as Leeds United manager after less than a year in charge.The American, 49, has been let go of as the boss at Elland Road, but someone still needs to put names on the teamsheet when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford.
      Michael Skubala is taking charge of Leeds United’s first team for their trip to Old Trafford after bossing the under-21sCredit: Rex
      Chris Armas was a coach for Manchester United under Ralf RangnickCredit: PA
      Leeds are just one place above the relegation zone, level on points with 18th-placed Everton, who have just hired Sean Dyche.
      Rene Marci, Cameron Toshack and Pierre Barrieu have also left along with Marsch.
      Carlos Corberan is the favourite to take over in a full-time role.
      The famous ‘War of the Roses’ is one of the most historic and colourful fixtures in English football.
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      Here is how Leeds’ dugout will look on Wednesday.
      Who will manage Leeds against Manchester United?
      Michael Skubala is in charge of the men in white at Old Trafford.
      The former England Under-18s manager has been coaching the Leeds Under-21 set-up.
      Paco Gallardo and former Manchester United assistant Chris Armas will be alongside Skubala.
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      Armas was an Old Trafford coach under interim boss Ralf Rangnick last season. More

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      Liverpool’s nearly-men of 2013-14 brutally troll Man City after FFP breaches and ask: Are we Premier League champions?

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      FORMER Liverpool stars have trolled Manchester City after the club was charged with FFP breaches.The Reds took City all the way in the title fight as they only lost out by two points.
      Liverpool were beaten to the Premier League title by Manchester City in the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty
      But in light of City’s charges and reports suggesting the club’s punishments could include forfeiting their previous titles if found guilty.
      This has led to some members of the Liverpool squad that year to all ask the same question on social media.
      Jose Enrique tweeted: “Am I a premier league champion?”
      The Spaniard also added: “When is the parade reds? I want to celebrate being a Premier League champion.”
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      He was joined by Lucas Leiva, who similarly tweeted: “Am I a Premier League champion?”
      Jon Flanagan also got in on the act as he tweeted: “When is our open top bus parade? 13/14 🏅.”
      Liverpool played some fantastic football that season with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez leading the line.
      However, costly performances against Crystal Palace and Chelsea saw them lose pace with City and in the end the title.
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      City have been charged by the Premier League with more than 100 breaches between 2009 and 2018.
      They, currently second in the table, face possible punishments, including a points deduction, transfer bans, spending limits and even expulsion from the league.
      In the period concerned, the reigning Prem champions won three titles – in the 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2017-18 seasons.
      It is not known what would happen to those titles, and whether they would be awarded to the runners-up, if City face the toughest possible sanction. More

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      Premier League rivals demand Man City be RELEGATED if found guilty of staggering 100-plus FFP rule breaches

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      PREMIER LEAGUE rivals are demanding Manchester City are RELEGATED if found guilty of a staggering 100-plus breaches of FFP rules.The Etihad outfit were left stunned as top-flight chiefs dumped the unprecedented charges after a four-year probe into the club’s financial affairs.
      Premier League club chiefs are demanding that Manchester City get relegated if they are found guiltyCredit: Reuters

      City were accused of a series of financial dodges between 2009 and 2018 including:
      Hiding the true source of the club’s funding
      Declaring only part of salaries to players and former boss Roberto Mancini
      Breaching Uefa AND Premier League financial fair play regulations.
      Deliberately obstructing the Prem investigation since it was opened in December 2018, including during this season.

      And while angry City insisted they would be “vindicated”, Premier League clubs are demanding blood and a swift verdict AND punishment before the end of the season.
      One club chief said: “If these charges are proven there must be proper punishment – and the only fitting one is for them to be relegated.
      “We’re talking about a decade of alleged abuses and want the Premier League to do the right thing.”
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      The decision to bring 30 charges detailing 115 alleged breaches of regulations – and signed off by the League board including chief executive Richard Masters – came out of the sky blue for City chiefs who only knew it was coming in a telephone call to chief exec Ferran Soriano from Prem bosses, timed to coincide with the public release.
      Of the allegations, the biggest group accused City of failing to provide “accurate financial information” giving a “true and fair” picture of the club’s financial picture between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

      City are accused of obscuring the true source of millions of pounds in revenues.
      That money, claimed to have been legitimate sponsorship earnings from Gulf-based companies including Etihad Airways and investment giants Aabar is alleged to have actually directly from the club’s owners, Abu Dhabi United Group.
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      Manchester City’s financial charges
      City are also accused of effectively paying Mancini through two separate accounts – the official £1.45m salary through the club’s books and the remaining £1.75m via Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi club, Al Jazira.
      Another set of charges allege City failed to “include full details of player remuneration” – wages – for a six-year period starting in 2010-11.
      City are then accused of breaching League rules by flouting Uefa Financial Fair Play regulations – the allegations which initially brought the club a two-year Champions league ban in 2020 before that verdict was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
      Premier League legal beaks also laid charges that City had broken the League’s “profitability and sustainability” regulations for three seasons up to 2017-18.
      And perhaps most serious were the final set of charges, claiming that the club had “failed to cooperate” from “December 2018 to date” with the Prem investigation, including by not “providing documents and information in the utmost good faith”.

      Furious City hit back with a hard-hitting response in which the club said it was “surprised” by the charges, “particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials the Premier League has been provided with.
      City added: “The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
      “As such, we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
      Privately, City believe the Premier League was bounced into the decision by the looming publication of the Government’s White paper which will set up an Independent Regulator for football.
      The club feels League chiefs briefed out the announcement to put them on the back foot before the mid-morning ambush but remains adamant the process will end with City entirely in the clear.
      City have until February 23 to respond to the charges, by which time leading KC Murray Rosen, head of the League’s Judicial Panel, will have confirmed the make-up of the three-member commission, which will be headed by a senior lawyer.
      Read More on The Sun
      While the Premier League could not give a timescale last night, that could allow a hearing by as early as next month, although both parties would be entitled to ask for an appeal panel to hear the evidence again if the verdict went against them.
      But rival clubs are pushing for a rapid “trial” as they want any punishment in place for this season rather than City being allowed to drag the matter out. More

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      Man Utd transfer blow as ‘Tottenham will NOT sell club record scorer Harry Kane to Premier League rival in summer’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly set for failure in their pursuit of Harry Kane.Erik ten Hag’s side have been linked with the Tottenham star as they look to add a world-class striker to the squad.
      Tottenham reportedly will not sell Harry Kane to a rivalCredit: Alamy
      The England international is believed to be set to stay at Tottenham beyond the summer transfer window.
      The Times has reported that Spurs are determined to keep hold of their record goalscorer and “will not sell him to a rival”.
      Kane’s goal against Manchester City on Sunday took him one past the previous record set by legendary striker Jimmy Greaves in 1970.
      He has now scored 267 times for the North Londoners.
      READ MORE ON TOTTENHAM
      Many former pros and pundits have suggested that Kane’s arrival at the Red Devils would help make them title challengers.
      After the game against City, Kane refused to commit his future to the club.
      He told Viaplay Fotball: “I’m just here to perform every game and give my all for the badge.
      “We’ll see what happens but I’m concentrated on this season.
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      “We’ve got the FA Cup, we’ve got the Champions League coming up, and we’re in a good position in the league to really try and push forward.
      “So that’s what I’m concentrated on.”
      The 29-year-old’s current contract with Tottenham is set to expire at the end of next season. More

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      Ex-Prem ace Christian Atsu ‘remains missing’, teammate says, amid reports he was pulled from rubble of Turkey earthquake

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      FORMER Chelsea star Christian Atsu is still missing after becoming trapped under rubble in a huge earthquake, his teammate claims.It is understood the dad was on the ninth floor of an apartment block when two earthquakes rocked Turkey on Monday, devastating at least 12 cities and killing thousands.
      Christian Atsu became buried under rubble during an earthquakeCredit: Getty
      Thousands of people have died after two powerful earthquakesCredit: Getty
      Rescuers are desperately trying to find Ghana star Atsu after he was caught up in the first powerful 7.8 magnitude quake.
      Several members of his new team had to be rescued from their homes after the earthquake struck at 4am local time.
      But Atsu, 31, and Hatayspor’s sporting director Taner Savut were reported missing under rubble.
      Reports claimed Atsu had been found early in the evening, but these were dismissed by Hatayspor manager Mustafa Ozat.
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      His Hatayspor teammate Kerim Alici also appeared to suggest in an Instagram story posted that Atsu and Savut remained missing.
      Atsu, who has three kids with wife Marie-Claire, plays for Hatayspor, who he joined last summer.
      The earthquake hit hard in Kahramanmaras, where Hatayspor are based.
      Earlier in the evening, Ozat said: “All members of the playing body and staff are accounted for, except Christian Atsu and Taner Savut, who are still under the rubber.
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      “We are still trying to reach them.”
      Newcastle and Chelsea are anxiously awaiting news of their former player.
      A post on Newcastle’s official Twitter account said: “Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20.”
      While Chelsea tweeted: “We’re praying for you, Christian Atsu.”
      Atsu, who scored deep into stoppage time on Saturday to secure a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa, left St James’ Park during the summer of 2021 after making 121 appearances for the club.
      He joined Chelsea from Porto for £3.5million in 2013 but didn’t make a single appearance for the Premier League giants.
      Atsu took in loans at Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle.
      And the Magpies made his deal permanent in 2017 after Atsu played a key role in their promotion from the Championship.
      The ace ended up making 86 appearances for Newcastle before joining Al-Raed in 2021.
      Atsu moved to Hatayspor last summer and has one goal in four games for the Turks.
      It comes as many thousands are feared dead after two “once-in-a-century” earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria today.
      A massive 7.8 magnitude shock – one of the biggest for 100 years – was followed hours later by another huge 7.5 magnitude quake.
      Frantic survivors used their bare hands to dig through the rubble of flattened homes and were filmed pulling children to safety amid scenes of utter destruction.
      The twin earthquakes also sparked tsunami alerts on Mediterranean coasts in Greece, Cyprus and Italy, and shaking was felt as far away as Egypt and Iran.
      By night time the confirmed death toll was over 3,700 – but the WHO has warned the total could rocket to more than 20,000 as rescuers find more victims in the rubble.
      Most victims were asleep when the initial mega quake hit at 4am local time.
      The 7.8 shock was the biggest in Turkey for “hundreds of years”, geophysics professor Martin Mai told the BBC.
      It struck near Gaziantep in eastern Turkey at a depth of around 15 miles.
      Credit: Splash News
      It was followed by dozens of powerful aftershocks which toppled already damaged buildings in great heaps of dust.
      Then just before 1.30pm a second massive quake of magnitude 7.5 sent terrified locals running into the streets.
      Videos showed buildings collapse as rescue workers fled for their lives amid dust and chaos.
      The second quake – which was just six miles deep with an epicentre 59 miles north of the first – would itself have been the region’s most powerful since 1999.
      An official from Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said it was “not an aftershock” and was “independent” from the earlier quake.
      Earthquake experts said it lay on a separate fault line but would almost certainly have been triggered by the initial shock.
      Read More on The Sun
      Northern Syria was also devastated by the double shocks which caused buildings to violently shake side-to-side.
      It is expected to be one of the worst-ever disasters in a region that is susceptible to catastrophic earthquakes.
      Atsu never made a senior Chelsea appearance but played for Newcastle 86 timesCredit: Reuters
      Rescuers are desperately searching for people trappedCredit: EPA More

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      ‘Envy isn’t a good quality’ – Graham Potter slams rivals including Klopp & Guardiola after criticism of Chelsea spending

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      GRAHAM POTTER has defended Chelsea’s heavy spending after the club was criticised by other Premier League managers.Rivals such as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp had hit out at the Blues’ expenditure over the last two transfer windows, but Potter has insisted they are “envious”.
      Graham Potter has defended Cheslea’s spendingCredit: Getty
      Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have both criticised the clubCredit: AFP
      Chelsea spent £320million during the January transfer window, taking the club’s spending to over £600m since the summer.
      And Potter has admitted that he knows there will be critics, but he is not worrying about it.
      He said: “All of football will be singing that song, that’s for sure. Everybody is entitled to their opinion.
      “There’s free speech, which is good. I don’t worry about that.
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      “Envy isn’t a good quality to have. I’ve never been envious of anybody. I’ve tried to work and do the best I can in the circumstances I have.
      “You’re best to compare to yourself rather than somebody else because you don’t know the context or the situation.
      “I also understand that’s the world we’re in, and that’s fine by me.
      “Most managers would love to be in my position.”
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      The new signings such as the £107m Enzo Fernandez and £88m Mykhailo Mudryk all follow the same strategy.
      Chelsea are targeting the most promising players with the hope of them developing into world class players, although they have paid a top price for them all.
      Liverpool boss Klopp said that he did not “understand” that part of football and joked that he would speak about it without a “lawyer”.
      Guardiola, however, suggested that Manchester City would have been condemned if they had spent the same.
      He said: “I know what would happen because we have in the last five or six years.
      “What counts is winning titles. What Chelsea and the other clubs have done is not my business.
      “You need good players like they [big spending teams] all believe but the market is just wow now. You have to spend to achieve. This is the reality.
      “In football there’s not a position where you are completely right so we just do our best.” More

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      Man Utd legend Gary Neville slams Chelsea’s ‘staggering’ spending under Todd Boehly and reveals ‘it doesn’t feel right’

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      GARY NEVILLE says Chelsea’s “staggering” spending under Todd Boehly “doesn’t sit right with him”.The Blues have forked out more than £600m on new players since the American businessman bought the club last summer.
      Gary Neville said Chelsea’s spending this season doesn’t sit right with himCredit: PA
      Chelsea have splashed out more than £600m under Todd BoehlyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      In the off-season window, Chelsea spent more than £275m on bringing the likes of Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Raheem Sterling to Stamford Bridge.
      But Graham Potter’s side were already out of both domestic cups and some way behind the top four by the end of January.
      As a result, Boehly spent another £326m with the standout signings Mykhailo Mudryk and deadline day man Enzo Fernandez, who alone cost £107m.
      Potter unleashed three of those to start against Fulham on Friday with another two featuring from the bench, but the Blues’ struggles continued as they could only draw 0-0.

      And Neville is confused with their transfer strategy and expects another load to be forked out in the summer.
      Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast, he said: “With Chelsea, they need time. They’ve got new owners, a new manager and new players.
      “You can’t get away from this staggering spending. I’m not sure about it, it doesn’t feel right to me.
      “I’m not buying the eight-year contracts either, it comes with great risk.
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      “I don’t see how an eight-year contract can be honoured if the player progresses.
      “The owners could look like the smartest people in the room in two years or they could look pretty stupid. I don’t think it will be somewhere in-between.
      “We have to allow time to see how this plays out. They’ve signed some very talented young players, I like Badiashile and Mudryk has shown great promise.
      “Fernandez has got a lot of promise and his numbers are big in terms of what you want your midfielder to do.
      “There is promise at Chelsea but they have got a problem at centre-forward and that needs dealing with so there’s going to be another load of money spent in the summer unless they’re thinking of bringing Lukaku back.
      “It’s interesting times at Chelsea but something doesn’t feel right and when something doesn’t feel right it’s usually not. But we need to see how it plays out over the next 18 months.” More