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      ‘My daughter thought I was a referee’ says England legend Ashley Cole as he’s inducted into football Hall of Fame

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      ASHLEY COLE was an Arsenal Invincible, a European champion at Chelsea, a record seven-time FA Cup winner and a member of England’s exclusive 100 Club, once recognised as the best left-back on the planet. But ask him to reflect on that glorious career, after being inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame, and Cole highlights his regret at the “silly bitterness” which overshadowed a large part of his career.Ashley Cole was inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of FameCredit: PAEngland Under-21 assistant boss Cole won major awards with Arsenal and ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – GettyCole, now a well-respected assistant to England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley, insists he is a very different person now to the hot-headed player who left Arsenal under a cloud after being tapped up by Chelsea.Back then he infamously wrote in his autobiography that he “almost swerved off the road” when being informed that Arsenal were offering “only £55,000 a week”.And Cole, 44, admits: “I’ve grown up since then, from making silly mistakes, silly words, bitter words, feuds – I’m so grown and so over that now.“I respect the both clubs I was at, they gave me a lot, they gave me opportunities.Read More on Arsenal “There isn’t one memory that sticks out, I’ve won Premier Leagues, Champions League, created history in the FA Cup, I look back and say, ‘Yeah you’ve done well and they were your rewards’.“And competing for my country at World Cups and Euros was really important to me.”Cole’s career was one of English football’s finest but after his tumultuous high-profile marriage to pop star Cheryl Tweedy and the controversy over his move to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, he shied away from speaking to the media.As a result he is often under-appreciated and it turns out that even extends to his own home.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeCole, who won 107 England caps, said: “I’ve got two young kids who are always asking me, ‘Was I a good player?’ My daughter thought I was a referee!“Getting this award did open my eyes as to what an achievement it was to get to the level I got to.Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI… but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars?“Working with these young [England Under-21] lads, I can see a lot of me in them. They are a very humble, hard-working group. It’s inspirational for me to watch these players grow and hopefully get into the senior team.“I look back at the journey from where I was as a 14, 15, 16-year-old, all the hard work and sacrifice. Then to make my debut for my boyhood club [Arsenal] and to win trophies and to grow as a player is something I won’t take lightly.“I really enjoyed the journey. There’s a message for the kids – keep working hard on the training pitch, keep persevering and hopefully you have a career like me.”Cole has urged patience with Arsenal’s teenage duo, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.I’ve grown up since then, from making silly mistakes, silly words, bitter words, feuds – I’m so grown and so over that now.Ashley ColeLeft-back MLS has gone straight into the England senior squad, while Nwaneri will make his Under-21 debut away to France under Carsley and Cole on his 18th birthday on Friday.Cole said: “I’ve seen Myles in the last year and a half. I’ve seen it with Ethan too. When you have so much talent, there is sometimes an urge to play them and do they sometimes fall short? These two haven’t.“Now he [Lewis-Skelly] is in the seniors, he has just got to continue to play well for Arsenal and continue to get himself in the senior squad.“But you’ve got to be careful with these young players. They are special and precious so you have to take your time sometimes.”After winning the last Under-21 Euros two years ago, Cole believes England are capable of retaining their crown in Slovakia this summer.Cole said: “That group two years ago, they had real pride in playing for the Three Lions, working for the badge.I’ve got two young kids who are always asking me, ‘Was I a good player?’ My daughter thought I was a referee!Ashley Cole“They were a great bunch and what they did in the last Euros showed a great team spirit and belief.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’ve told this group that they have left a legacy for you and we want to continue that and hopefully do well in the Euros and leave a legacy for the next generation.“Every day I watch them train, I see the hunger and desire and if we don’t win the Euros, I know they will have given everything.” More

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      Dele Alli shown red card just 10 MINUTES into first game for two years as even rival Kyle Walker pleads with referee

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      DELE ALLI was sent off just TEN MINUTES into his first appearance in over two years.The former England midfielder signed for Italian club Como in January on a free transfer.Dele Alli made his Como debut on Saturday night but was sent for an early bathCredit: GettySubstitute Alli’s yellow card was controversially upgraded to a red by the refereeThe ex-England midfielder caught Ruben Loftus-Cheek on the back of the legCredit: GettyPlayers from both teams pleaded for the decision to be overturnedCredit: ReutersEven Alli’s ex-Spurs and England team-mate Kyle Walker tried to talk the referee roundCredit: XAlli last played in the Turkish Super Lig for Besiktas and has penned an 18-month deal with the Serie A side. The 28-year-old came off the bench on Saturday against AC Milan, his first appearance since February 2023. But the cameo quickly turned into a nightmare for the ex-Tottenham ace.Alli was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the closing stages at the San Siro. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe appeared to rake his studs down the back of the former Chelsea man’s leg.Referee Matteo Marchetti was called to the monitor after an intervention from VAR.After studying the tackle for several minutes, Marchetti decided to upgrade Alli’s yellow card to a red. The decision sparked fury on the Como bench, with head coach Cesc Fabregas seeing red himself shortly afterwards.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd even Milan’s Kyle Walker – a former England and Spurs team-mate of Alli – was seen begging with the ref not to send the 28-year-old off.One fan agreed on X: “That’s a yellow. The force is so little. Slow motion makes it look 10x harder.”Dele Alli hailed for opening up on mental health battles as Everton star joins Monday Night Football panelAnother said: “Even Walker was saying to not give him a red for it. That’s actually heartbreaking.”While a third added: “Feel for Dele, man has gone through so much s**t and now this.”Alli broke through as a teenager at MK Dons before earning a big-money move to Tottenham in 2015. He has since gone on to earn 37 England caps, but his career has taken a nosedive over the past five years.Dele’s career in numbersDELE ALLI has been handed a career lifeline by Como – here’s his career path up until this point.2012-15 MK Dons (88 appearances, 24 goals)2015-22 Tottenham (269 appearances, 67 goals)2022-24 Everton (13 appearances, 0 goals)2022-23 Besiktas loan (15 appearances, 3 goals)2025-present Como (1 appearance, 0 goals)International career2012-13 England U17 (9 appearances, 0 goals)2014 England U18 (2 appearances, 0 goals)2014 England U19 (4 appearances, 0 goals)2015 England U21 (2 appearances, 0 goals)2015-2019 England (37 caps, 3 goals)Alli spent an unhappy three years at Everton, joining Besiktas on loan in 2023.His last game before Como’s clash in Milan was a 0-0 draw with Antalyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on February 26, 2023.READ MORE SUN STORIESAlli was praised for a groundbreaking interview with Manchester United legend Gary Neville later that year. The midfielder opened up on his mental health struggles, opening up on childhood trauma including being abused and selling drugs. More

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      Arsenal wall was 11.2 yards back for stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick as furious fans slam referee Anthony Taylor

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      ARSENAL fans have been left raging after finding out their wall was marched too far back for Bruno Fernandes’ stunning free-kick.Manchester United broke the deadlock in the 1-1 draw on the stroke of half-time via an incredible set-piece strike from their captain.Arsenal’s wall was marched further back than ten yardsGunners fans felt the extra 1.2 yards made all the differenceBruno Fernandes’ goal broke the deadlock just before half-timeCredit: APThe free-kick was won by Alejandro Garnacho after he was fouled on the edge of the box by Leandro Trossard.Fernandes stood over the ball as referee Anthony Taylor walked Arsenal’s rearguard backwards.Despite man mountains in Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Gabriel and Declan Rice forming the line, United’s talisman was still able to generate enough power and dip to beat the jumping wall and David Raya in goal.But eagle-eyed fans noticed that Arsenal’s five-man wall looked a long way from where the ball was placed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGary Neville spotted it immediately, saying on commentary: “The wall looks a fair way back. Looks like it’s giving him a chance. It looks a mile back.”Usually, you see the wall, particularly a big wall like that, it always looks really difficult to get it up and over.”There just seemed to be so much space, so much space that he didn’t even have to go that high up into the net.”Sky Sports later confirmed that the wall was in fact 11.2 yards away – instead of the regulated ten.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNeville added after the game that you could tell “something was wrong” as the ball went in only “half way up the net”. Arsenal fans were left fuming, with one saying: “If Arsenal were a yard closer to the Bruno free-kick, its hits the wall.”Thousands of Man Utd fans launch furious protest march at way club is ‘slowly dying before our eyes’Another added: “The extra 1.2 yards gave the ball enough space to get up and over the wall.”A third commented: “There’s a lot that was our fault about going behind, but the wall being over a metre too far back is unbelievably poor refereeing.”But United fans hit back, saying: “Arsenal fans complaining about how far away the wall was lined up might be a new low.”More responded: “You find any excuse.”On the free-kick, Christian Eriksen revealed: “Happy that the wall was about 15 metres away, so it was perfect for him to put it over.”I think I saw it early before the kick. It was the same when they had it in the second-half, obviously we were a bit angry with the ref for putting us so far back.”Rather than take issue with the wall, Gunners hero and pundit Paul Merson instead slammed Raya’s positioning, which led to him “getting nowhere near it”.Jamie Redknapp praised Joshua Zirkzee and Casemiro for pushing Thomas Partey into the keeper’s eyeline as Fernandes ran up to the ball.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe pundit also added that he was surprised Arsenal’s wall stayed behind the magic spray line and did not edge forward.If Raya was to blame, he later made amends with stunning saves to deny Noussair Mazraoui and a late Fernandes chance to win it.Arsenal were unhappy with ref Anthony Taylor over the wall’s positionCredit: RexFernandes’ effort had the perfect balance of accuracy, power and dipCredit: Getty More

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      Mo Salah ‘tries to stop Liverpool making a substitution over fear of rule breach as referee is forced to intervene’

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      MOHAMED SALAH had to be reassured that his team weren’t about to break the rules in the late stages of Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.Salah was spotted doing everything he could to stop Jarrell Quansah from being substituted on in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Egyptian fearing Liverpool were about go over their quota of substitutes.Mohamed Salah tried to stop Liverpool from making a sixth substitution during their win over SouthamptonCredit: EPAThe Reds had already made five changes – the usual limit in a Premier League match – before Quansah was warming up on the touchline.And fearing punishment for going over their allotted amount, Salah was “desperately” trying to stop the sixth sub of the match in the 89th minute.That was until referee Lewis Smith went over to explain that a little-known rule was in play and Liverpool were allowed to make a sixth switch.A head injury to Armel Bella-Kotchap in the first half had led to Southampton leaning on a concussion substitution to replace the German with Jan Bednarek.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLConcussion protocol rules enforce that if a team uses a concussion substitute it does not count towards their allocation of tactical switches.As a result, the opposition team are granted a sixth change too – meaning Liverpool’s decision to bring on Quansah was perfectly legal.Fans online were all for Salah’s attempts to stop the substitution, telling that it was an example of just how much he wants to win the league.One wrote: “Mo was trying to prevent it from happening in case we get docked points. He’s really making sure we win the league”.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSEven if Liverpool had gone over their quota it is very unlikely they would have been handed any kind of points deduction for the blunder.IFAB rules state that any team trying to exceed the permitted number of subs “must be prevented by the referee”.Liverpool manager Arne Slot says his team were ‘lucky’ to beat PSG Salah’s influence on the game didn’t stop at trying to prevent tactical errors.The Premier League’s leading goalscorer added two more to his tally as he scored twice from the penalty spot in the 3-1 win.Both penalties came after Darwin Nunez had levelled for the Merseyside outfit following a Will Smallbone opener for the Saints.Liverpool’s victory means they are now an astonishing 16 points clear at the top of the table, with closest rivals Arsenal travelling to face Manchester United this afternoon. More

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      Arne Slot salutes controversial hero Darwin Nunez as Liverpool ace escapes red card to lead comeback against Southampton

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      ARNE SLOT saluted his controversial hero Darwin Nunez — as Liverpool stormed SIXTEEN points clear at the top of the Prem.The pair had a bitter fallout last month when Kop boss Slot accused the £64million striker of a lazy attitude following his horror open-goal miss against Aston Villa.Darwin Nunez scored and won a penalty versus SouthamptonCredit: GettyNunez was perhaps fortunate not to be red carded for wild lunge on Kyle Walker-PetersCredit: Sky SportsVAR decided not to give him a red cardCredit: RexBut after Nunez escaped a red card for kicking Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, he turned the game in four second-half minutes by levelling and winning a penalty from which Mo Salah put them ahead.And Slot declared: “In the second-half, he showed the workrate that he can bring to the team.”The Dutch boss wildly celebrated in the stands amid his two-match ban for an X-rated rant at ref Michael Oliver as his Reds profited from TWO penalty awards.First, rookie ref Lewis Smith adjudged Saints’ scorer Will Smallbone had fouled Nunez, then VAR Matt Donohue ruled Yukinari Sugawara handled.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut SunSport’s ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey insisted Nunez was lucky not to be sent off for scything down Walker-Peters.VAR did look at the incident – and backed Smith’s decision to only give him a yellow card.Yet Halsey said: “Nunez deliberately kicked an opponent when there was no chance of getting the ball. It was violent conduct.“On another day, with another referee, it would have been a red.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBBC pundit Chris Sutton added: “It was such a reckless, daft challenge. Liverpool were lucky to have 11 on the pitch.”Salah’s two pens took his Liverpool goals tally to 243 — and he sits third in their all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285). ‘The miss I can accept, but what is harder to accept…’ Arne Slot slams ‘behaviour’ of Liverpool star Darwin NunezBut superstar Salah revealed Slot got the hairdryer out at half-time.The Egyptian said: “It was a bit of frustration. His head was going for us. We were sloppy and slow in the first half. I don’t think we played well.“But if you want to win the title, you have to win games like that.”Slot made a triple half-time substitution to inspire their comeback — bringing on Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Andy Robertson.Arne Slot praised Nunez’s workrate after he changed the gameCredit: GettyNunez missed an open goal against Villa last month and was slammed by Slot for his attitudeThe Reds chief said: “I had to make hard calls to create a certain anger with the players.“Our energy levels were far, far, far too low.“The three who came on did really well. But I saw a different attitude from the other eight, too.”Liverpool are 16 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand and visit Manchester United.But Southampton boss Ivan Juric was fuming over both penalty decisions.The Croat blasted: “The first, contact is almost nothing. This just cannot be a penalty — ever.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m sorry it happened because then it was 1-1 and it changed the match.“The second one, maybe it was a handball, but he was pushed. My guys fought until the end.” More

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      Max Fosh tries SHREDDING yellow card after being booked by ex-Premier League ref in Sidemen vs YouTube All Stars clash

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      FORMER Premier League ref Mark Clattenburg had his yellow card hilariously shredded by a booked player in a charity match.Some of the internet’s biggest stars featured in the Sidemen FC vs YouTube Allstars game in front of a sell out crowd at Wembley today.Max Fosh shredded the yellow card given to him by Mark ClattenburgCredit: SidemenAfter a technical problem, his device finally workedIn a chaotic match that ended with 18 goals, there was a brilliant moment in the second half when Allstars defender Max Fosh gave away a penalty for fouling Joe Weller.Referee Clattenburg immediately went to his pocket and booked the comedian with 4.4 million subscribers online.But the 29-year-old hilariously hit back by whipping a mini shredder out of his sock and destroying the yellow card.The stunt did not go quite to plan, however, as the machine initially did not turn on and Fosh chucked it onto the ground in anger.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt seemed to smash the shredder into life and Clattenburg obliged when asked to book him again to complete the joke.Fosh pulled off a similar trick in the Sidemen charity match last year, getting booked by the ref again and instead responded by holding an Uno reverse card aloft.On his shredding mishap, the stand-up comic said: “I’ve been working on that shredder for months. I’ve been testing it every single day.”When I made the challenge, the batteries came out and I heard no whizzing.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I threw it to the ground and it caused the batteries to go back into place, so turns out all you need is an Uno reverse card.”Host Munya Chawawa said: “You pulled it out and it didn’t work, we’ve all been there.”Sidemen 9 YouTube All Stars 9- iShowSpeed scores crucial penalty as AngryGinge spared of last-gasp howlerBut Fosh’s blushes were spared as the Allstars won the game on penalties, with Speed netting the winner. In other hilarious moments in the game, Logan Paul used his WWE skills to floor Weller and goalkeeper Sketch briefly lost his glasses after a save.When he was booked last year, Fosh pulled out an Uno reverse cardCredit: Sidemen More

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      Premier League referees could wear BODY CAMERAS as FA chief backs sensational change

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      FA chief Mark Bullingham wants Prem refs to wear BODY CAMERAS — with footage shown live on TV.Bodycams are used at grassroots level to protect referees from abuse.Referees could wear bodycams in the Premier LeagueCredit: RexFA chief Mark Bullingham is backing the changeCredit: PABullingham feels the cameras will help cut out bad behaviour from managers and playersCredit: GettyChief exec Bullingham feels pro officials wearing cameras could be hugely popular with fans — while helping cut out managers and players’ bad behaviour.Prem whistler Jarred Gillett trialled a head-mounted RefCam in last season’s Crystal Palace-Manchester United clash.It was a Premier League first but the footage was not broadcast live.While official Rob Jones also wore a chest camera in Chelsea’s 4-3 pre-season win over Brighton in the US back in July 2023.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Bullingham said: “In the pro game, bodycams are more about if they will be good for the broadcaster.“It is something which should be trialled — and potentially allowed.“Initially, it might be trialled without audio and then with audio.”Only this week, the FA gave its written reasons for handing Liverpool boss Arne Slot a two-game ban for abusing Michael Oliver following the Merseyside derby against Everton.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSSlot got a red card for confronting Oliver and a linesman in the aftermath of last month’s 2-2 draw.The three-person panel explained: “It was alleged Slot initially used abusive words whilst shaking the referee’s hand.Never-before-seen moment in English football as referee speaks to crowd to confirm why Spurs goal ruled out vs Liverpool“Including that the ref had ‘f***ing given them everything’ and that he hoped the ref ‘was proud of that performance’.”The panel also claimed that Slot said, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll f***ing blame you.”And Bullingham revealed abuse towards referees at grassroots level has fallen thanks to bodycams.He said: “They have had a really positive impact.“What we’re speaking with Fifa about is whether we can get more countries to adopt a trial and even get Fifa behind it.“We see that as a good way of referees being more confident.“We have seen a huge decrease in the number of issues in the leagues where there’s bodycams.” More

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      Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca handed NINE-MONTH ban after squaring up to referee in shocking scenes

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      PAULO FONSECA has been handed a NINE-MONTH ban after his heated confrontation with a referee.The Lyon manager had squared up to official Benoit Millot during a Ligue 1 match against Brest.Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca has been banned for nine months after squaring up to a refereeCredit: AFPFonseca’s ban will last until November 30Credit: RexFonseca’s ban will last until November 30.The Portuguese boss had squared up and then pressed his forehead against the ref after being sent off for dissent during the game on March 2, which had ended in a 2-1 win over Brest.The act, which was paired with screaming in the refs face, was considered a head-butt and very aggressive gesture.Referee Millot told L’Equipe after the game he was “frightened”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFonseca apologised after the incident, admitting it was “the wrong thing to do”.Reports had suggested he could be banned for seven months.But the actual punishment handed out by French officials is an even harsher nine-month ban.It also means he cannot even step into the locker room to manage his squad until September 15.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe decision leaves Lyon chiefs with a decision to make over whether they stick with Fonseca going forward.Fonseca took over Lyon at the end of January, and has managed just five Ligue 1 games so far – winning three and losing two.Crystal Palace and Lyon chief John Textor wears cowboy hat in sarcastic response to rivalHe has previously managed Lille in France, where he lasted for 90 matches between July 2022 and June 2024.Elsewhere, Fonseca has managed the likes of AC Milan, AS Roma, SC Braga, Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Porto.He won seven trophies with Shakhtar, one with Braga and one with Porto. More