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      Ex-Manchester United starlet John Cofie who bagged £1m deal in court accused of rape

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      A FORMER Manchester United wonderkid appeared in court yesterday accused of rape.John Cofie, 29, was the youngest footballer to bag a £1million deal when Sir Alex Ferguson signed him for the youth team aged just 14.
      Cofie is charged with raping a woman in Trafford, Gtr Manchester, in 2019, alongside co-accused Nathan StuartCredit: CHRIS NEILL
      Cofie is charged with raping a woman in Trafford, Gtr Manchester, in 2019, alongside co-accused Nathan Stuart.
      Cofie, who is still close pals with ex-Red Devils Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, signed in 2007 for the huge sum.
      But the Ghanaian-born player failed to make a single appearance for United and left in 2013.
      He retired two years ago and has since worked as a mentor for kids enrolled in a footie programme in Lancashire.
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      Cofie denies the charge.
      The trial at Manchester Minshull Street crown court continues. More

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      Tottenham star Son Heung-min escapes red card after horror tackle on Fulham’s Tete as fans slam ‘unbelievable’ decision

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      TOTTENHAM star Son Heung-Min escaped a red card after a horror tackle on Fulham’s Kenny Tete.And fans were less than impressed with the “unbelievable” decision in Monday night’s Premier League battle.
      Son Heung-Min escaped a red card for a dangerous foul on Kenny TeteCredit: Sky Sports
      Fans could not believe Son was only shown a yellow despite VAR checking the incidentCredit: Sky Sports
      Harry Kane equalled Jimmy Greaves’ record of 266 goals as his strike secured a 1-0 win for Tottenham at Craven Cottage.
      But a tense start saw both sides struggle to break the deadlock.
      South Korea ace Son looked particularly frustrated as his underwhelming season continued.
      And the Spurs forward made a hash of one challenge in the 28th minute as he clattered into Fulham defender Tete during a 50/50.
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      Son missed the ball completely as he stuck a leg out, instead catching his Dutch opponent on the ankle.
      Son’s slide saw him continue to crunch down on Tete’s leg as both men became tangled up.
      But while Fulham players rushed the referee in the hopes of seeing a red card, Son was instead only shown a yellow.
      VAR then took a look at the incident before agreeing with the ref’s initial booking.
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      ‘It’s not clear and obvious’, says Mark HalseyBy Mark Halsey
      SON HEUNG-MIN produced a reckless first-half challenge on Fulham’s Kenny Tete.
      But I agreed with ref Paul Tierney’s assessment that it was a yellow card and not a red.
      Tottenham forward Son was a fraction late and caught Tete on his ankle, but I did not think the challenge was with excessive force.
      If Son had been higher then he would have been sent off. It’s a subjective call and not a clear and obvious error by Tierney so VAR official Michael Oliver did not intervene.
      Dejan Kulusevski also appealed for a penalty when Issa Diop caught the Spurs attacker in the face with an arm while shielding the ball, but I didn’t think it was worthy of a spot-kick.

      But supporters watching on TV were left fuming with the tackle as one declared: “100 per cent a red card there for Son, unbelievable it wasn’t given.”
      Another said: “How Son got away without a red is laughable.”
      One gasped: “How’s Son not see red for that challenge on Tete?!”
      Another added: “Are the officials waiting for someone to get seriously hurt to take action?”
      The decision certainly came back to haunt Fulham, with Son assisting Kane’s opener on the stroke of half-time.
      The England captain let fly with a brilliant curling rocket from outside the box to hand his side the lead.
      And despite Fulham’s huffing and puffing in the second half, Tottenham held on for victory to move within three point of Manchester United and the top four. More

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      Harry Kane quiet on Spurs future after equalling Jimmy Greaves’ record of 266 goals to become joint-top scorer EVER

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      HARRY KANE equalled Jimmy Greaves’ Tottenham goal record to become the club’s joint-top scorer with a instinctive finish in the 1-0 win over Fulham.The Spurs and England striker had netted 265 goals across all competitions in 414 games before Monday’s fixture – one behind legend Greaves.
      Harry Kane equalled Greaves’ Spurs goal recordCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      It took Kane 415 games to reach the milestoneCredit: Reuters
      Jimmy Greaves scored 266 goals in 379 games for SpursCredit: Getty
      And just before half-time at Craven Cottage, Kane fired in goal No266 after being teed up by Son Heung-min.
      Kane’s killer instinct kicked in and the England captain didn’t need to look before finding the bottom right corner to win the game.
      Kane’s 20-yard strike was also his 199th goal in the Premier League.
      He said: “To get the goal and equal the record was a nice feeling. I’ve been playing football long enough to know where the goal is.
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      “That’s just instinct. That’s just being a striker, the joy of scoring goals.”
      Despite the personal accolades, Kane has still yet to taste silverware with Tottenham. but a move is not on his mind.
      Kane is about to enter the final year of his deal in North London.
      And reports claimed on Monday that Kane would be willing to extend his stay at Tottenham if the “circumstances are right”.
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      But Kane would not be drawn on his future.
      Kane added: “I am concentrating on this season.
      “There will always be talk about my future, I just want to focus on my job on the pitch.
      “There is a long way to go, a lot to play for like the Champions League, FA Cup and that is what my focus is on.”
      “We are little bit behind where we want to be but tonight was important.
      “We had a good talk amongst ourselves, just to get back to what we are good at, clean sheets, compact and hard to break down.
      “Then we know we will have a chance to score and have players who can do that.”
      Despite their recent struggles, Antonio Conte’s side are fifth in the league, and have moved within three points of fourth-place Manchester United with Monday’s victory at Fulham.

      They’re also in the knockout stages of the Champions League and travel to Preston in the FA Cup fourth round next weekend.
      But if Spurs aren’t able to convince Kane to stay, they’ll face a huge decision this summer.
      Kane’s strike was his 16th in the Premier League this season.
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      But his fine goal-scoring form has been overshadowed by the ruthlessness of Erling Haaland.
      The Manchester City striker has an astonishing 25 Prem goals in just 19 games played. More

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      Chelsea ‘plan to raid crisis-hit Everton for Anthony Gordon and Amadou Onana in double transfer swoop’

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      CHELSEA are reportedly ready to take advantage of the turmoil at Everton.That’s by raiding the relegation battlers for Anthony Gordon AND Amadou Onana.
      Chelsea are plotting a fresh swoop for Everton winger Anthony GordonCredit: Reuters
      The Blues are also keen on signing Amadou OnanaCredit: Getty
      Everton are approaching crisis mode as they sit joint-bottom of the Premier League table with Southampton.
      Chelsea legend Frank Lampard was sacked by the Toffees on Monday after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham.
      But there is also financial trouble brewing at Goodison Park as Everton struggle to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
      And the Telegraph claims Chelsea could make bids for both Gordon and Onana before deadline day.
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      The pair, both 21, are regarded as key men by Everton’s hierarchy and unsellable.
      But Chelsea are prepared to step in with tasty bids while also loaning Gordon and Onana back to the Toffees for the remainder of the campaign.
      The Blues remain keen on signing Gordon after having a £60m bid rejected last summer.
      Meanwhile, Onana has emerged as a target to boost Graham Potter’s midfield, despite only joining Everton from Lille six months ago.
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      And Goodison chiefs now face a battle to keep the pair past the end of the season as they look to quickly appoint a new manager.
      Chelsea have already signed SIX players this month, with Noni Madueke the latest arrival from PSV Eindhoven.
      But Todd Boehly is ready to make it seven after launching a bid for Lyon right-back Malo Gusto.
      The American is also keen on Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez.
      And the future is looking bright for Chelsea fans after glimpsing some exciting debut performances from attackers Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk. More

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      Newcastle ‘hold talks over Scott McTominay transfer but face battle to convince Man Utd to agree to deal’

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      NEWCASTLE have reportedly held talks with Manchester United over a shock January move for Scott McTominay.The Magpies are keen to add a midfielder to their squad to help sustain their top-four charge.
      Newcastle have held talks over a January transfer for Scott McTominayCredit: Getty
      Eddie Howe’s men sit third in the Premier League after 20 games.
      And, according to The Athletic, How thinks McTominay could help his side stay there.
      Talks over a January transfer have been held – but Man Utd are expected to turn down any formal offers.
      Toon were interested in McTominay in the summer, however a move did not materialise.
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      And summer 2023 transfer cannot be ruled out, if they don’t get him this month.
      Should McTominay join Newcastle’s exciting project, he would be a key part of Howe’s squad moving forward.

      The 26-year-old is having to settle for a squad role at Old Trafford following the big-money arrival of Casemiro from Real Madrid.
      Despite handing McTominay limited game time, manager Erik ten Hag says the Scotsman is a “great player” for the team.
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      Speaking on McTominay’s selection ahead of Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Arsenal, Ten Hag said: “I’m convinced this is the right solution, Scott can do the job, he’s a great player for our squad.
      “He’s a great player for this team and I think he’s also making a good development.
      “I had something in mind for where Fred could have played, a role like last week against City, but during the game, we can change if necessary.” More

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      Uefa set to change transfer rules after Chelsea’s January transfer spree sparks concern among rival clubs

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      CHELSEA’S January transfer policy is set to see a change in Uefa rules – to stop clubs manipulating Financial Fair Play regulations.The Stamford Bridge club’s eye-popping £400million spending spree has included handing out unconventional contracts of six, seven and even EIGHT years to signings including Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk.
      Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has splashed the cash since his arrival in West LondonCredit: Getty
      Mykhailo Mudryk is the latest big-money arrival, joining for an eye-watering £88million from UkraineCredit: Getty
      That means transfer payments for players can be spread over the length of the extended contracts in the Blues’ accounts – a process known as amortisation – meaning just a fraction counts towards the Blues’ FFP allowance each season.
      But rival clubs have complained at the loop-hole being exploited.
      And now Uefa chiefs are ready to bring in new regulations which will see all future fees calculated over a maximum of five years.
      Fifa, which has oversight over all international deals, states that contracts should last for a “maximum” of five years unless a longer deal is “consistent with national laws”.
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      Premc lubs have that allowance under UK law and Chelsea are among the clubs to have taken advantage.
      It does mean that players signed on the longer deals are a “cost” for clubs throughout the contract, meaning they cannot be booked at a full sales price – the normal accounting practice – if they are sold after five seasons. 
      Uefa, though, is prepared to step in with a new rule from this summer which will cap amortisation over the five year period that applies in most countries.
      While there is no threat to the status or calculations over the deals Chelsea have undertaken this season, a similar spending spree in future campaigns would see the FFP cost rise.
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      That would be in parallel with the new Uefa “cost control” requirements that will see spending pegged to revenues from this year.
      In the initial season, clubs will be permitted to spend 90 per cent of income on net transfers and wages, dropping to a new maximum of 70 per cent over three years.
      One prominent Uefa source said: “If other clubs start doing the same with eight-year contracts it will be a mess so we need to protect them.
      “This is simply shifting a problem to the future. 
      “Either a club can get stuck with a player on a high salary that they cannot sell, or if they sell him after three or four years they will not realise much profit because a lot of his transfer fee has not been amortised.” More

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      Man Utd stars back in training just hours after Arsenal defeat as Erik ten Hag gets stars primed for fixture MAYHEM

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S players shrugged aside the incredible fixture jam awaiting them to train with the intensity that Erik ten Hag demands.Jadon Sancho as well as long-term crock Axel Tuanzebe took part – ahead of four games in ten days.
      Key midfielder Casemiro was back and buzzing in training after missing Man Utd’s 3-0 defeat at Arsenal on SundayCredit: Getty
      Brandon Williams and injury-hit fellow defender Axel Tuanzebe have struggled for game-time for different reasons under Erik ten HagCredit: Getty
      Harry Maguire leads Brandon Williams, Anthony Elanga and Tyrell Malacia as the Red Devils prepare for an amazing period of fixture congestionCredit: Getty
      Facundo Pellistri, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho go through their paces at Carrington Training GroundCredit: Getty
      In fact, United will have played ten matches in 32 days by February 26, starting with Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest.
      Next come Saturday’s FA Cup home tie with Reading, the Forest return on February 1 and the Premier League visit of Crystal Palace three days later.
      Boss Ten Hag is unsure when Sancho, 22, will be back in contention following the England winger’s physical and psychological issues.
      But injury-plagued centre-back Tuanzebe, 25, did some light training two days before the first cup contest with Forest.
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      Casemiro too was a welcome sight for Ten Hag.
      The Brazilian anchorman was badly missed due to his one-game suspension as United suffered a late 3-2 loss at Arsenal on Sunday.
      That sparked fiery words from Ten Hag over the Red Devils’ lack of resilience in the closing minutes.
      The Dutchman said: “I am annoyed and I told the players if you want to win titles and medals, you have to change the mentality.
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      “We’ve already seen how the mentality of the players has changed over the last couple of months. But we have noticed that we still have a way to go to get to the top level.
      “They have to realise a game is only finished when the ref blows.”
      Just how tough United are will become much clearer by the end of next month.
      After opening with a four-game burst, they then have a double header with Leeds in the Prem on February 8 and 12, home then away.
      They visit Barcelona in the Europa League on Thursday February 16, entertain Leicester in the Prem three days later and take on Barca again on February 23.
      Finally, three afternoons later, they meet Brentford in the Prem at Old Trafford – a return of the August 13 clash where the Bees led 4-0 after 35 minutes and won by the same scoreline. More

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      Chelsea announce Noni Madueke’s shirt number as he takes new team-mate’s top after £35m transfer

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      CHELSEA have announced Noni Madueke’s shirt number for the season.And the star has taken a new team-mate’s top after completing his £35million Stamford Bridge move.
      Noni Madueke has been handed his new shirt number by ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Madueke, 20, was snapped up by the Blues from PSV Eindhoven last week.
      The left-footed right-sider penned an eight-and-a-half year deal in the process.
      And Madueke will be hoping to make his debut in next week’s home clash against Fulham.
      Should he get the nod from Graham Potter, Chelsea’s sixth signing of the January window will show off his new shirt number.
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      It has been confirmed by the Blues that Madueke will wear the No31.
      The jersey has been taken off new team-mate Malang Sarr, who is on loan at Monaco.
      And the change hints that the French defender is not welcome back at Chelsea this summer, despite playing 21 times last season.
      Previous wearers of the shirt include Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Rob Green.
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      But Madueke may yet have his eye on eventually taking the No10 shirt which he wore at PSV.
      It is currently occupied by Christian Pulisic, but the American is being tipped to depart Chelsea at the end of the season.
      Wearing the No10 would also allow Madueke to emulate hero Eden Hazard, who won two Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge.
      Madueke said: “[Blue I most admire?] Eden Hazard, just a ‘get you off your seat’ type of player.
      “So exciting in terms of the flair and being able to get people off their seat, create and stuff.
      “There’s definitely similarities but I hope to be as good as him some day.” More