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      Leicester risk kicking off season on MINUS points if they seal promotion to Premier League

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      LEICESTER will NOT face a PSR points deduction until next season.In a boost for the Foxes’ promotion hopes, EFL chiefs have now accepted they cannot proceed with enforcing the charge laid by Prem lawyers last month.Leicester will not face a PSR points deduction until next seasonCredit: PAInstead, the matter will revert to the top flight to prosecute.But it means the King Power club risks kicking off next term on MINUS points if they do return to the Prem.Leicester had launched a legal case accusing the Prem and EFL of “unlawfully conspiring” over the charges and asking for an injunction against League bosses imposing a penalty before the end of the season.EFL bosses have now told Leicester they do not believe they have the power to act and will leave the issue in the hands of the Prem, ensuring that no sanction can be applied until next term.READ MORE IN football Earlier this season Everton were deducted six points and Nottingham Forest four over FFP breaches.Meanwhile, Sheffield United were hit with a two-point deduction for their finances during the 2022/23 EFL season. The Blades begin next season on -2 points should they be relegated to the Championship.Elsewhere, Prem giants Manchester City and Chelsea await their fate. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChelsea chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. The Blues were fined £8.6m by Uefa but are still to be formally charged by the Prem although an investigation remains ongoing.Chelsea keen to keep Conor Gallagher while FFP hinders Newcastle’s spending in January Transfer WindowAnd City deny the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.PREMIER LEAGUE SIDES HIT BY POINTS DEDUCTIONS
      Nottingham Forest
      Deducted four points for breaching Premier League spending limit by £34.563m. Have launched an appeal, with final decision expected by early May.
      Everton
      Initial 10 point deduction for 2021-22 Premier League breaches reduced to six points on appeal. Now deducted a further two points.
      Sheffield United
      Hit with a two-point deduction for their finances during the 2022/23 EFL season. Will begin next season on -2 points should they be relegated to the Championship.
      OTHERS WHO COULD FACE PUNISHMENT…
      Manchester City
      Etihad club emphatically denies the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.
      Chelsea
      Blues chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. Fined £8.6m by Uefa but still to be formally charged by the Prem despite an ongoing investigation.
      Leicester (currently Championship)
      Foxes breached Prem PSR loss limits last season but did not have to report their 2022-23 accounts until this month because of their relegation. That puts the timetable back and means that they will probably face a Prem points deduction next term if they are promoted back to the top flight. More

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      Chelsea’s horror injury crisis revealed as Mauricio Pochettino could field entire starting XI of crocked stars

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      CHELSEA manager Mauricio Pochettino has been dealt another injury blow with Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi both doubts for Monday’s match against Everton.Both players are currently “undergoing medical assessment”, according to the club.Mauricio Pochettino has several injury concerns ahead of Monday’s match against EvertonCredit: GettyEnzo Fernandez is ‘undergoing medical assessment’Credit: GettyPochettino refused to go into detail when discussing the two injuries during his pre-Everton press conference on Friday.However, he claimed they are not considered to be “big” issues.The Chelsea boss said: “We’ll see. They are under assessment. They have different types of issues.”We don’t believe they are big issues but we will see if they can be available.Read More on Chelsea”At the moment, they have not trained after Sheffield United and that is why we don’t know.”Pochettino went on to admit that Chelsea are “suffering” due to a series of injury setbacks.He continued: “It’s true that it’s a special season for us because we are suffering a lot.”People are waiting for me to talk in the press conference because they know they are going to talk about that. We need to accept the reality and be positive with the players we have.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChelsea’s unavailable XI”Yes, we need to accept the situation and be positive. If something happens, we need to take the positives, having the possibility to train with the young guys from the academy.”Fernandez and Disasi are among several players currently absent from the first team squad.Chelsea’s top summer transfer targetsBen Chilwell remains in partial team training while recovering from a knee issue and illness.Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu are all on the road to recovery from their respective injuries.Meanwhile, Robert Sanchez and Raheem Sterling are expected to miss Monday’s match due to illness.Chelsea currently sit ninth in the Premier League, 16 points off the top four. More

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      Pep Guardiola warns Man City in ‘big, big trouble’ as he faces selection dilemma after star man asked for a rest

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      PEP GUARDIOLA claims Manchester City are in “big, big trouble” due to fitness concerns amid a hectic schedule.Following City’s 3-3 draw with Real Madrid earlier this week, Rodri admitted he desperately needed a rest having already played almost 3,500 minutes of football this season.Pep Guardiola claims Man City are in ‘big trouble’Credit: AFPRodri revealed he needs a rest amid City’s hectic scheduleCredit: GettyHe said: “I do need a rest. Let’s see how we speak, how we live the situation.”Sometimes it is what it is. I need to adjust but rest is something we are planning.”Rodri could be handed a break when City host Luton this weekend.But with Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden all concerns ahead of the clash, Guardiola suggested he may be forced to play.Read More on FootballThe City boss said: “I didn’t speak with him but if he needs a rest he will have rest. Or no. I don’t know.”I have the feeling that the games when he was tired like against Crystal Palace and Madrid, he was better in the second half.”He runs more and was more precise in the second half than the first. More than the physicality, it is a case of spending mental energy.”Playing every three days, three days. Of course he’s tired, playing a lot of minutes. Rodri is so important for us and we’ll decide tomorrow what we have to do.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”If a player doesn’t want to play then he’s not going to play. Simple. Another one will play. If he’s exhausted, it can happen and another player is going to play.”It’s not just Rodri. I’d love to rest central defenders but we don’t have them. In the [international] friendly games they were injured and we are in big, big trouble. So they cannot rest.”Man City boss Pep Guardiola says top-class Phil Foden can do whatever he wants in footballWalker and John Stones both suffered injuries while on international duty with England last month.While Stones returned to action earlier this month, Walker is yet to get back to full fitness.Discussing the full-back’s current situation, Guardiola added: “I don’t know right now. Honestly I would tell you.”Josko [Gvardiol] was a doubt for Madrid, but our physios did an incredible job, and he could play.”Man City face Luton at 3pm on Saturday before hosting Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg on Wednesday. More

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      English teams rack up £1MILLION in fines for misbehaviour as Virgil van Dijk slapped with highest punishment

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      ENGLISH clubs have clocked up a shameful £1MILLION in fines for player, manager and official misbehaviour this season.Burnley boss Vincent Kompany’s £10,000 penalty for losing his rag at ref Darren England after Lorenz Assignon’s contentious red card in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea took this term’s fines across the four divisions over the seven-figure mark.The FA have dished out £1million in fines this term, with Virgil van Dijk getting the largest individual sumCredit: ReutersBurnley boss Vincent Kompany became the latest person to be punishedCredit: RexIt was the second successive season in which out of control players and bosses have seen fines spiralling over the £1m mark.Prem clubs have coughed up the most money – £193,500 for manager and coaching staff outbursts and £665,000 for player misconduct.The biggest single fine was the £180,000 levied against Aston Villa for the player bust-up in their win at Brentford, with the Bees ordered to pay £175,000.Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk was hit by the highest individual punishment, when he was fined £100,000 for branding ref John Brooks “an absolute f****** joke” after he was sent off at Newcastle in August.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn total, more than half of the 20 Prem sides – 11 of them – have been hit by FA disciplinary beaks over players, managers or coaching staff members losing control and either abusing officials or confronting opponents.That included the £90,000 punishment for Chelsea and England star Reece James for a tunnel ruck with ref Jarred Gillett after the defeat against Villa he MISSED through injury.But the situation appears to be even worse in League One and League Two.While only eight of the 24 Championship clubs have been fined so far this season, the FA has punished 17 teams in BOTH of the lower two divisions.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWigan have been the EFL’s bad boys, with FOUR separate fines – three for mass confrontations and one for surrounding an official – adding up to £29,500.And Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens has picked up three fines, totalling £5,900, for losing his temper with officials and opposing players.Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top fiveAcross the season so far, fines have been paid by 53 of the 92 clubs in the Prem and EFL.It comes after the FA, in tandem with the two leagues, launched a pre-season clampdown.That was a response to last season’s catalogue of carnage which brought fines totalling more than £2m across the four divisions.The FA pledged to enforce tougher sanctions against players and their bosses and while this season’s fine total is large, it does appear the warning had some effect.Fines dished out by FA this seasonPremier League:

      Aston Villa – Failing to control players – £180,000

      Brentford – Failing to control players – £175,000

      Man City – Surrounding referee – £120,000

      Liverpool – Virgil van Dijk – £100,000

      Chelsea – Reece James – £90,000

      Fulham – Manager Marco Silva – £80,000

      Nottingham Forest – Failing to control players and technical area – £75,000

      Sheffield United – Manager Chris Wilder – £11,500

      Burnley – Manager Vincent Kompany – £10,000

      Nottingham Forest – Assistant Steven Reid – £5,000

      Chelsea – Assistant manager Jesus Perez – £4,000

      Luton – Assistant manager Paul Trollope – £4,000

      Wolves – Sporting director Matt Hobbs – £4,000

      Prem total: £858,500

      Championship total fines: £23,000

      League One total fines: £75,200

      League Two total fines: £43,850

      Grand total: £1,000,550 More

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      Chelsea vs Everton: Blues look to pile more misery on Toffees after their recent two-point deduction – stream, team news

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      CHELSEA’S rollercoaster of a season continues with a Premier League affair against relegation-threatened Everton.It was just under a fortnight ago when football fans were singing the Blues’ praises – especially Cole Palmer whose hat-trick helped them to secure a dramatic 4-3 win against Manchester United.Cole Palmer has been in incredible form for Chelsea this seasonCredit: RexBut, Mauricio Pochettino’s side’s inconsistency reared its ugly head once again as they were held to a draw by bottom-placed Sheffield United only three days later.And Chelsea could be in for an even tougher test as the West London outfit come up against an Everton side desperate to make up for their further two-point deduction.Furthermore, the Toffees will be confident they can be victorious following the result between these sides earlier this season.When is Chelsea vs Everton?
      Chelsea’s Premier League encounter against Everton will take place on Monday, April 15.
      It is scheduled to get kick off at 8pm BST.
      Stamford Bridge is the allocated arena for this match and it can host approximately 40,341 fans.
      Goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Lewis Dobbin helped Everton pull off a 2-0 win over Chelsea when the sides last met.
      Read more in ChelseaWhat TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
      Chelsea vs Everton will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
      Coverage is expected to commence from 6:30pm BST on both channels – one hour and 30 minutes before kick-off.
      Fans can stream the entire action on NOW TV
      Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the whole match through our live blog.
      What is the team news?Chelsea’s official website has confirmed that Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi will undergo a medical assessment ahead of the match.Enzo Fernandez could miss the Everton clashCredit: RexReece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (cruciate ligament), Levi Colwill (toe), Christopher Nknunku (knock), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Lesley Ugochukwu (muscle) and Malo Gusto (muscle) are all set to miss out.And they’ll be joined by Raheem Sterling and Robert Sanchez who are both ill.Most read in FootballHowever, there’s a chance for Ben Chilwell to be in the squad as the England international has been involved in partial team training.Elsewhere, Sean Dyche will have to cope without Lewis Dobbin (ankle), Idrissa Gueye (personal reasons). Armaut Danjuma (ankle), Dele Alli (groin), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) and Amadou Onana (knock).What are the odds?
      Chelsea to win 7/10
      Draw 29/10
      Everton to win 7/2
      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes are correct at time of publication More

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      Erik ten Hag insists relationship with Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ‘perfect’ despite Man Utd stars fearing he’ll be sacked

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      UNDER-PRESSURE Erik ten Hag admits he will miss the support of John Murtough after losing his Director of Football this week.Murtough has left after nearly 11 years at Manchester United as part of new part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s sweeping changes.Erik ten Hag insists he has a good working relationship with Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to deliver a public vote of confidenceCredit: PAThat follows the departure of Chief Executive Richard Arnold and it was those two who were behind the appointment of Ten Hag after flying to Amsterdam to interview him.Now Dan Ashworth is coming in from Newcastle to take on Murtough’s role with Jason Wilcox arriving from Southampton as Technical Director.Ten Hag said: “I think it’s very important that the new ownership is working on this, to replace his function, to go into a new season.“For the moment, of course, I miss his support, the surround support, you miss that. He has moved on, we worked very good together, I say thank you to John and wish him all the best for the future.”Read More on Man UtdTen Hag insists he still has a good working relationship with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir David Brailsford who are now overseeing the football side of the club.He said: “I work with the new ownership very good, closely together, it doesn’t change the way I work here.“It’s perfect, still perfect, I am happy with that but we want to set the right conditions to be successful.”Ten Hag goes into tomorrow’s 5.30pm kick at Bournemouth on a run of only one win in six in the league.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFootball Director John Murtough (R) left Man Utd after 11 years earlier this weekCredit: GettyThat has all but paid to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.The sixth placed Red Devils stand 11 points behind Tottenham in fourth with just seven league games to go.Man Utd hero Lee Sharpe opened up about the most unforgettable hairdryer treatment he ever received from legendary manager Sir Alex FergusonBournemouth will be no easy fixture either as they found out in December losing 3-0 at home.That came just three days after having beaten Chelsea 2-1 away and Ten Hag curiously claimed ahead of the game that they were not ‘mentally strong enough’ to handle those two games in such a short space of time.He said: “It was after a very good performance against Chelsea in the week and we were mentally not ready for that game.“They battled us and we lost the battles, this game will not be different, that is the way they want to play, they want to fight with you.“You have to go into that fight, have the conviction and need to support each other to win battles, outplay them, out run them.”Ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to be fit after he hobbled out of United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend.Tuchel showed why he could be the perfect man for Man Utd, says Andy DillonBy Andy Dillon
      TOMMY TUCHEL could not have done it better had he submitted his CV to LinkedIn or Indeed.
      Somehow mustering some gumption from the worst Bayern Munich team in more than a decade to stop a rampant Arsenal dead in their tracks is a spectacular job advert for a manager soon to be looking for work.
      If Sir Jim Ratcliffe wasn’t watching from his Old Trafford office or from the cinema room in one of his tax havens, he should have been.
      They may have even sat up and taken notice in Newcastle or in the owners’ Riyadh hub as Tuchel reminded everyone of his credentials as a top-level coach with devilish timing.
      If change is coming then Tuchel is playing a trump card.
      His side turned up and cowed the team that, as far as the current Premier League goes, is the best in England.
      It may only add to the questions around Tuchel that after tossing away the only league easier to win than Scotland’s or Spain’s, Munich have sprung to life in Europe.
      After 11 years unopposed as German champions, Chelsea’s former manager has chucked it in at home in a remarkable act of ineptitude. But freak years can happen.
      Tuchel is an enigma. But that is part of the appeal as much as winning the Champions League with Chelsea just three months after taking the job.
      With no new signings, he took a team that had lost five of the previous ten games and turned them into European Champions.
      With Ratcliffe considering swingeing budget cuts at Old Trafford, a coach who can perform wonders on peanuts would be music to his ears.
      Click here to ready Andy’s column in full.
      Or to read more from Andy Dillon, click here. More

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      Erling Haaland dubbed ‘ultimate luxury player’ as Carragher names THREE Premier League icons better than Man City star

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER has dubbed Erling Haaland the “ultimate luxury player” while naming three Premier League icons better than the Manchester City striker.Haaland, 23, has come under fire this season for his lack of all-round play in important games.Erling Haaland has been hailed as the ‘ultimate luxury player’ by Jamie CarragherCredit: GettyCarragher reckons three Prem icons were better than HaalandCredit: AlamyDespite scoring 30 goals in all competitions, the Norwegian has struggled to link up with teammates on the pitch.And as a result, City are in danger of losing their Premier League crown to either Arsenal or Liverpool.Haaland’s issues came to the fore in recent draws against City’s title rivals.And he also failed to make an impression in the 3-3 Champions League draw with Real Madrid on Wednesday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHaaland’s drop-off comes after he banged in 52 goals in his debut campaign last year, helping City to a historic Treble.But with the goals drying up, Liverpool legend Carragher believes Haaland must start contributing more to his all-round game.The player-turned-pundit reckons Haaland will never win the Ballon d’Or without adding some more strings to his bow.And Carragher also believes Haaland is not as good in his overall game as iconic Premier League strikers Thierry Henry, Luis Suarez and Harry Kane.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERCarragher told The Telegraph: “Erling Haaland is the ultimate luxury footballer. He is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest goal-scorers, but is yet to become a world-class player.“To be truly world-class you need more than one, all-encompassing trait. Think of the best Premier League strikers of the last 20 years – Thierry Henry, Luis Suarez or Harry Kane – and they had or have a major influence on the biggest matches whether they scored or not.Haaland slapped by referee during Man City’s clash with Real MadridCarragher reckons Thierry Henry is one of the league’s best-ever forwardsCredit: Getty“All of them could play for any side in the world and contribute more than an impressive strike-rate.“In general play, Haaland is not at the same level as these strikers yet, his three most recent games against top class centre-backs confirming that for all his brilliance inside the penalty area, he is a work-in-progress out of it.“Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba and Antonio Rudiger bullied Haaland, the much-hyped showdowns between top defenders and a goal machine nothing of the sort. They were a mismatch rather than a match-up.Luis Suarez is another of Carragher’s favourite forwardsCredit: PAHe also rates Harry Kane highlyCredit: PA“If his sole interest is breaking goalscoring records, he has no need to change anything. “If he has serious ambitions to win the Ballon d’Or and play for Real Madrid, he may have a problem. He must add more to his game to make that leap and to seriously challenge his rival to the title of best player of his generation, Kylian Mbappe.”Erling Haaland’s career statsThose numbers in full:

      Byrne, 2016: 16 games 0 goals

      Molde, 2017-2018: 50 games, 20 goals

      RB Salzburg, 2018-2020: 27 games, 29 goals

      Borussia Dortmund, 2020-2022: 89 games, 86 goals

      Man City, 2022-2024: 90 games, 82 goals

      Norway, 2019-2024: 31 games, 27 goals

      Trophies: Austrian Bundesliga, Austrian Cup (RB Salzburg); German Cup (Borussia Dortmund); Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup (Man City) More

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      Liverpool and West Ham’s Europa League defeats at huge risk of costing Premier League fifth Champions League spot

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      SPURS fans may be secretly hoping for Arsenal to BEAT Bayern Munich next week – to keep the fifth Champions League spot safety valve alive.England had been favourite to claim one of the two extra spots in the competition following the Champions League quarter final first legs.Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Atalanta has left England’s hopes of an extra Champions League spot in tattersCredit: GettyWest Ham’s 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen has handed Germany an advantageCredit: PABut Liverpool’s humiliating 0-3 home defeat by Atalanta, coupled with Leverkusen’s two late goals against West Ham, changed the equation.It allowed Germany to push past England into second spot in the coefficient table.And unless the Anfield side can pull off one of the great European comebacks or the Hammers turn around their tie at the London Stadium, it may require an Arsenal win in Bavaria to keep England’s hope of an extra place in the Champions League on track.Tuesday’s draws for Arsenal and Manchester City against Bayern and Real Madrid respectively saw England nudge level with Germany in this season’s coefficient table and ahead when last season’s results were then taken into account as a tie-breaker.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut while Aston Villa’s narrow 2-1 home win over Lille in the Conference League was a boost, the two Europa League games represented massive blows to England’s chances of earning one of the two extra spots for the best performing countries.Every win, draw and round progression by a team adds to a country’s total, which is then divided by the number of clubs involved at the start of the competition.But it means that any wins by German sides are worth more than those by the Prem teams.That’s because the Bundesliga had only seven representatives across the three competitions at the start of the season, compared to the eight English sides.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAhead of the second leg ties next week, Germany has created space above England in the seasonal table – while Italy now looks certain to be confirmed as getting the first extra place.But if Arsenal can win in the Allianz Arena, alongside a City victory over Madrid at the Etihad and Villa avoiding defeat in France, England would edge back in front and be in the box seat.Liverpool 0 Atalanta 3- Jurgen Klopp’s Treble dream in tatters as Reds are humiliated in Europa League quarter-finalBut a Bayern win and Leverkusen avoiding defeat – unless Liverpool do something incredible in Bergamo – would then require City to both beat Madrid next week and eliminate Munich in the semis before triumphing at Wembley in June.And with Liverpool’s likely exit making Leverkusen front-runners to lift the Europa League, Villa would need to at least reach the Conference League Final for there to be any realistic chance of England leapfrogging Germany.English teams in EuropeQuarter-final, first-leg results:

      Real Madrid 3 Man City 3 (Champions League)

      Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 2 (Champions League)

      Liverpool 0 Atalanta 3 (Europa League)

      Bayer Leverkusen 2 West Ham 0 (Europa League)

      Aston Villa 2 Lille 1 (Europa Conference League) More