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      Premier League facing imminent legal action from top-flight giants over controversial new rule brought in TODAY

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      MANCHESTER City led a failed rebellion against Premier League financial rule changes that split the 20 clubs even further.And the champions – already embroiled in a drawn-out battle over the 115 charges laid for alleged FFP breaches – are now threatening legal action against the league following what was described as the “tightest vote in Prem history”.
      Man City will now threaten legal action against the Premier League over a new rule changeCredit: Reuters
      Prem clubs think the new rule hinders their chance to sign deals to boost spending on playersCredit: PA
      The proposed changes to tighten and speed up the timetable on “related party transactions” – companies linked to club owners were tabled at yesterday’s “shareholder” meeting of the 20 clubs.
      Prem leaders believe the new rules stop clubs from being able to sign commercial deals with companies under common ownership at inflated prices to boost their spending power on players.
      Before the vote, Premier League bosses informed all the clubs that one of their number – believed to be City – were launching proceedings because they argued the new regulations were “unlawful”.
      City, who declined to confirm they were the protagonists, are arguing that the changes are “unlawful” and breach competition legislation.
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      They warned Prem chiefs that would consider launching arbitration proceedings – a legal process questioning the validity of the new rules – if they were passed.
      That led to a clear division between the two factions – just as when proposals to ban clubs from signing players on loan from multi-club ownership sister organisations were defeated in November.
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      City’s overall sponsorship deals total £235m this season and financial backers include Etihad Airways, technology group Etisalat, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Emirates Palace.
      Three months ago, City, Newcastle and Chelsea had four allies to prevent the changes being passed.
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      But it is understood that Burnley and one other club abstained at yesterday’s vote.
      That meant 12 clubs in favour, with six opposed – exactly meeting the two-thirds threshold required for a vote to pass under Prem regulations.
      The spat left some of the losing sides angry and frustrated, with one club furious that the Prem position had “squeaked” through by the minimum margin after the two unexpected abstentions.
      Others were privately pointing fingers directly at rivals and the Prem leadership, claiming the dispute had highlighted “fractured relationships” throughout the League.
      In a statement, a Prem spokesman said: “Following a full review of the existing Associated Party Transactions Rules and Fair Market Value assessment protocols, clubs agreed to a series of amendments to further enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the system.”
      The new regulations will now be introduced into the Prem rulebook for next season but City and their allies may seek to overturn the new position either through a future vote or the legal option.
      It comes with disputes still between clubs on how future spending rules should be drafted, with a possible change in the Profitability and Sustainability threshold and linking expenditure to revenues on the table.
      But Prem bosses did signal a belief that the contentious potential “New Deal” for funding the EFL could be coming closer to an agreement after “productive discussions” including face-to-face meetings between clubs from both leagues on Wednesday evening.
      The spokesman added: “This included plans to move towards a new financial settlement with the EFL and to agree a long-term deal for the good of English football. 
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      “A desire to seek a resolution on remaining issues was reiterated in the meetings, including a commitment to a process and timeline, with the continuation of discussions between the leagues.
      “To build on this momentum, conversations between clubs from the two leagues will now continue over the coming weeks.” More

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      Jack Grealish seen filming new Pepsi advert in front of excited crowds days after signing seven-figure deal

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      MANCHESTER CITY winger Jack Grealish was spotted filming a new advert for Pepsi today.The 28-year-old recently agreed a seven-figure deal with the soft drinks company.
      Jack Grealish was spotted filming a new advert for PepsiCredit: Splash
      The Man City star was showing off his skills in front of a crowdCredit: Splash
      He was filming the advert at WembleyCredit: Splash
      He was using a Champions League footballCredit: Splash
      Grealish signed a seven-figure deal with Pepsi this weekCredit: Splash
      He is set to be the face of a brand new ad campaign alongside former footballer Vinnie Jones.
      A source said: “Jack is banking another million with his new Pepsi deal.
      “It’s for a new advertising campaign with Vinnie Jones who has also been signed up.
      “Both of them have filmed their parts for the advert and it’ll be seen by fans later this year.
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      “Jack is worth every penny as far as Pepsi are concerned because everything he touches turns to gold.
      “It’s a really fun advert, and Jack and Vinnie are following in the footsteps of other big players like David Beckham and Lionel Messi.”
      Grealish was today spotted filming at Wembley among a large crowd of fans.
      He was pictured showing off some skills with a Champions League football.
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      The winger was part of the Man City squad that won the treble last season.
      He lifted the Champions League trophy, the Premier League trophy and the FA Cup with the Cityzens.
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      As well as his Pepsi deal, Jack is a brand ambassador for Italian fashion house Gucci and has also sealed mega-money deals with US audio company Bose and German sportswear firm Puma.
      Last December, a gang of robbers struck at his Cheshire mansion, stealing watches and jewellery worth £1million.
      Jack’s fiancée Sasha Attwood, 27, and family members were there at the time.
      Jack Grealish enjoyed being in the limelight outside WembleyCredit: Splash
      The star took a classic black taxi to the filmingCredit: Splash
      Grealish showed off his skills to the fansCredit: Splash
      The England star recently posed with his new £25,000 Belgian Malinois protection dog in a “show of strength” after his burglary ordeal.
      The star, also seen with cockapoo Skye, wrote “My two babies” next to the online pic, adding a heart emoji.
      Pep Guardiola’s Man City have already won two trophies this campaign.
      They clinched the Uefa Supercup and the Fifa Club World Cup at the end of last year. More

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      Dortmund ‘ready to sign Jadon Sancho in permanent transfer… as they hand Man Utd loanee one condition’

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND are ready to steal Jadon Sancho from Manchester United but there is one condition.With the Red Devil loanee’s current price tag unaffordable for the German club, the winger will need to tell Old Trafford he wants a permanent move.
      Borussia Dortmund are ready to sign Jadon Sancho in permanent transferCredit: Rex
      For the move to happen the Man Utd loanee must put pressure on the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
      Following a very public fallout with current United manager Erik ten Hag, it’s hard to see how Sancho will go back to United.
      The 23-year-old has not had the same success in the Manchester outfit as he has with the yellow and black shirt.
      And now having returned to Dortmund for a second spell the club will do everything they can to not let Sancho go for a second time, according to Christian Falk at Caught Off Side.
      The report claims Dortmund chiefs are “hopeful” of keeping Sancho beyond his loan.
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      The Englishman has been in superb form since his return to Germany, registering two assists in his opening three Bundesliga games.
      But the club will need his help because United are currently expecting £40-50m for the winger.
      To get the price down Dortmund want Sancho to put United “under pressure” to sell him, the report added.
      This principal already worked with his loan which was very cheap for the Bundesliga side at around £3.5million.
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      This would mean Sancho would have to give up his £290,000 a week salary at Old Trafford.
      Meanwhile, the England international has impressed already Marco Rose’s side winning every game he has featured in.
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      Sancho has missed one game so far due to muscular problems against Heidenheim – which saw the match end in a dismal 0-0 draw. More

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      I’m a former Premier League star who was dubbed a mix of Gerrard and Lampard – now I’m happy as an estate agent

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      MICHAEL JOHNSON was expected to be the future of England’s midfield but now works as an estate agent.The ex-Manchester City star burst onto the Premier League scene in 2006 as a teenager.
      Michael Johnson retired at the age of 24Credit: PA:Press Association
      But Johnson’s progress was halted by persistent injuries.
      He sustained regular abdominal problems and had to undergo a double-hernia operation while trying to nail down a place in the starting XI.
      Further knee issues followed and he ended up playing just 45 times for Man City and twice for England’s Under-21s.
      Johnson struggled to cope with the pressure put on him and turned to drink as he then dealt with knee and hip injuries.
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      He was twice arrest for drink-driving in the year leading up to his release from Man City in 2012.
      Johnson hung up his boots at the age of 24 and he also suffered with his mental health, twice entering The Priory.
      Micah Richards played with the now 35-year-old estate agent while he was at the Etihad.
      He explained on the Rest is Football podcast: “People were saying he was a mix of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
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      “He was tenacious, he could pass, he could arrive in the box late. He was the best natural player at Man City since Colin Bell.
      “He got paid a lot of money at a young age and we’d go out on a Saturday and on a Tuesday or a Wednesday.
      I’m an ex-Man City wonderkid who made ONE Prem appearance.. now I’m fixing floodlights after closing plumbing business
      “He would be the best player in training the next day, he was fitter, as strong as anyone and technically as good.
      “But he got injured and when he returned he wasn’t the same player. His posture wasn’t the same afterwards.
      “He got back – but he started drinking and there is no way back for him as a footballer.
      “But he is happy with just being an estate agent. His life is a lot better.
      “Some players just can’t deal with the physical and mental demands that the game puts on you.
      “The papers every week would be saying he’s so great – but really inside, he wasn’t strong enough to deal with that at the time.”
      A young Micheal Johnson was compared to both Frank Lampard and Steven GerrardCredit: Getty More

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      Declan Rice wanted to rejoin Chelsea but board pushed back transfer, reveals ex-Blues assistant

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      FORMER Chelsea assistant Jody Morris has revealed Declan Rice wanted to rejoin Chelsea years before his departure to Arsenal.Rice has ended up becoming one of the Premier League’s best midfielders and was sold to the Gunners for £105million last summer.
      Chelsea assistant Jody Morris said Declan Rice wanted to rejoin ChelseaCredit: Alamy
      Rice spent seven years at Chelsea’s academy
      During Frank Lampard’s days as Chelsea’s manager from 2019-2021 Morris who worked as the boss’s assistant claimed he was targeting Rice to replace injured N’Golo Kante.
      He said in an interview with No Tippy Tappy Football brought to you by William Hill: “I was always on Frank Lampard’s case saying how unbelievable Rice would be for us when N’Golo Kante kept getting injured.
      “And he wasn’t sure at first, but a month later he was all over him!
      “I messaged Declan Rice when I was at Chelsea, and I asked him whether he’d come back, even after being released by the club.
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      “He said, “I’m a Chelsea fan, of course I would!”
      “And from then on Lampard was speaking to him and the upstairs members at the club were talking to his parents.”
      Rice was released by Chelsea’s academy in 2013 to the Hammers after spending seven years at the club.
      And Morris claims West Ham would have accepted a bid worth £60 million.
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      He continued: “In the end, it got put on the back burner in favour of a couple of other signings.
      “I didn’t end up going through, but at the time they were quoting around £60-65 million so that would’ve been a steal for someone who could have easily been at the club for 10 years.
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      At West Ham, Rice succeeded Mark Noble as club captain and led the club to a UEFA Europa Conference League title the following year, as well as being named the competition’s Player of the Season.
      After making 245 appearances for West Ham, Rice was signed by Arsenal in July 2023 for a club record fee of £105m, making him the joint-most expensive English player in history.
      In his debut game for Arsenal, the midfielder won the Community Shield against Manchester City.
      And has since made 32 appearances across all competitions as he battles for a spot on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad this summer. More

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      Arsenal legend Mesut Ozil trolls rivals over blue card as he names team that ‘will have to play with six players’

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      ARSENAL icon Mesut Ozil trolled Atletico Madrid with a cheeky comment about football’s new blue card.It was revealed on Thursday that blue cards could be brought into the game.
      Mesut Ozil has trolled Atletico Madrid with a comment about blue cardsCredit: Getty
      The midfielder played against Atletico eight times during his time at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Players on the receiving end will have to spend 10 minutes of the match on the sidelines.
      If implemented, they will be given for cynical fouls or dissent towards an official.
      The prospect of the rule change has not been well-received by fans and pundits, with Paul Merson fearing that it will have a negative effect.
      Meanwhile, former Arsenal star Ozil responded to the announcement by poking fun at Atletico Madrid.
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      He tweeted: “So Atletico Madrid will only play with 6 players then?”
      The 35-year-old’s comment left fans in stitches, with one person responding: “Thought it was a parody lol, Ozil doesn’t miss 😭.”
      Another wrote: “Common Ozil W.”
      While a third commented: “Ozil skills off pitch 😂.”
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      Ozil came up against Atletico on eight occasions during his time at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013.
      He left the Santiago Bernabeu to join Arsenal in 2013 and went on to make 254 appearances for the Gunners.
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      I was a Premier League referee who handled Keane and Terry – blue cards are NONSENSE, we are over-complicating football

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      THE idea to introduce blue cards into football is nonsense.Trials in amateur and youth games in both England and Wales saw referees have the power to send players off the pitch for 10 minutes for dissent or denying a promising attack.
      Mark Halsey does not want blue cards introduced into the gameCredit: Rex
      Halsey dealt with hard men such as former Manchester United captain Roy KeaneCredit: Alamy
      But I’d like to know what the full protocol will be because I have major doubts.
      Firstly, I don’t see a difference between a current yellow card and this new blue card?
      Yellow cards are already used as a warning to players that if they persist with misconduct then further punishment will follow. So what’s the difference?
      We don’t need blue cards if officials manage the game properly in itscurrent form.
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      I never showed many yellow cards for dissent throughout my careerbecause one of the main jobs of a referee is to have control and man-manage the players on the pitch.
      And I had to manage the likes of Craig Bellamy, Roy Keane, AlanShearer, John Terry, Danny Murphy, Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard, who were all big personalities and not afraid to tell me what theythought of my decisions!
      By bringing in a blue card is effectively telling officials they have lost the art of managing players.
      Rather than show a yellow or what could be a blue card I would speakand build relationships to avoid further sanction and maintain fairplay.
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      Another point on this is tactical or cynical fouls are not worded in the laws of the game so why are we changing our game for something so trivial?
      Whether this comes into non-league or elite football it doesn’t matter.
      Paul Merson fears ‘the game will be killed’ as football prepares for huge rule change
      Who is going to enjoy a match that could be decided by blue cards?
      Imagine watching a game with nine players against seven – it wouldmake the game farcical.
      Officials have enough on their plates at the moment without sendingplayers to a sin-bin for 10 minutes.
      We are over-complicating football and only going to confuse more people.
      It’s a simple game which is being made difficult by others.
      Just look at VAR. As I have said many times, it’s been a disaster since its introduction.
      Football has been in existence for many years but IFAB are constantlytrying to spoil our game.
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      They have regular meetings about law changes but are they talking to the people that matter? They are only making the game worse.
      Please leave it alone. More

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      Newcastle join European giants ‘in race for Arsenal’s next Bukayo Saka on free transfer’ if Gunners contract talks fail

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      NEWCASTLE have expressed an interest in signing Arsenal youngster Amario Cozier-Duberry, according to reports.The 18-year-old, who is yet to make his senior debut, is widely considered the “jewel” of Arsenal’s academy.
      Amario Cozier-Duberry is currently negotiating a new deal with ArsenalCredit: Getty
      In 13 appearances for the club’s Under-21s so far this season, Cozier-Duberry has scored seven goals and provided two assists.
      The Gunners are now attempting to tie him down to a new deal, with talks ongoing.
      But according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are among the clubs ready to pounce if negotiations fall through.
      Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Anderlecht and Wolves have also shown an interest.
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      Cozier-Duberry’s current contract expires in June, so he could become available for a free transfer if he does not agree fresh terms with the Gunners.
      The winger was spotted in first team training this week ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with West Ham.
      Mikel Arteta allegedly fast-tracked him into the senior squad in preparation for the match, meaning he could be in line to make his debut.
      Arsenal youth team coach Jack Wilshere has previously likened him to Bukayo Saka.
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      He said: “Amario is very exciting and Mikel likes him.
      “He reminds me of Bukayo Saka, he plays in the same position as him but he needs to get better with his decision-making.
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      “He’s definitely exciting, in some moments he’s unplayable. You give him the ball and he can make things happen.
      “You can set up a team and have a game plan, but when you’ve got individuals like that you’ve got a chance.”
      Cozier-Duberry joined Arsenal in 2019 and signed his first professional contract three years later. More