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    Plymouth in furious statement as manager Miron Muslic, 42, ‘breaks promise’ to join ex-Champions League semi-finalists

    PLYMOUTH ARGYLE launched a furious statement after their manager “broke promises” to walk out for former Champions League semi-finalists. Miron Muslic, 42, only took over at Home Park in January, replacing Wayne Rooney in the dugout.Miron Muslic infuriated Plymouth Argyle by walking out on the club to join SchalkeCredit: RexHe masterminded the famous FA Cup victory over Liverpool before a valiant defeat against Manchester City in the fifth round.But the Bosnian was unable to avoid relegation from the Championship as Argyle finished 23rd – three points from safety. However, the club were willing to stick by Muslic and had already began making plans to back him in League One and push for promotion next season.That was until he suddenly told the Pilgrims he wanted to leave for FC Schalke in Germany’s second tier.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd Argyle “reluctantly” gave him permission to enter negotiations with Schalke.But their statement blasted Muslic for seemingly betraying his word months into his contract which ran until 2028.Plymouth fumed: “Argyle can confirm that we have reluctantly allowed Head Coach Miron Muslic to open talks with a 2. Bundesliga side after he expressed his desire to speak with the German team and not return to England.”Despite regular communication since the end of the season, and no mention of any issues, Miron has now made it clear that, after extended periods away from his family, this opportunity provides him the chance to be closer to them after four years on the road.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”We are frustrated by this decision, having implemented clear structures, processes and personnel to aid Miron and his coaching staff as we look to return to the Sky Bet Championship at the earliest opportunity.”Not only that, the club have also moved quickly to bring in new signings and received repeated verbal promises from Miron that he was committed to Argyle and would do everything to help the club bounce back to the second tier.’When we go down…oh God’ – Red-faced Plymouth owner accidentally admits club are getting relegated with 15 games left”Muslic joined the Greens in January 2025, on a three-and-a-half-year contract, after a period out of the game having departed Cercle Brugge. “He will now leave Argyle just four months into that long-term commitment.”We wish him the best for his future career.”We will be making no further comment at this stage.”In Muslic’s press conference after the final game of the season, he openly said he needed backing.The club responded by appointing David Fox as head of football operations and Tom Randle – who Muslic had worked with previously – as head of recruitment.Jamie Paterson and Caleb Watts signed last week – the former citing his conversations with Muslic as a major reason behind joining. One fan took to Wikipedia to edit his page name to “Plymouth Snake” in response to the shock bombshell news, which will reportedly see Argyle receive £1million in compensation. Seven-time top-flight runners-up Schalke suffered two relegations from the Bundesliga in three years from 2022 to 2024. Read More on The SunThey finished 14th in the 2 Bundesliga this term – with the likes of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius and Rasmus Hojlund’s brother Emil in the squad.Die Konigsblauen are six-time German Cup winners, won the Uefa Cup in 1997 and reached the Champions League semis in 2011, losing 6-1 on aggregate to Manchester United. Muslic was in charge when Argyle beat Liverpool in the FA CupCredit: Getty More

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    ‘She squeezed my breasts and I took off almost all my clothes’ – Wag Diletta Leotta reveals airport security trauma

    DILETTA LEOTTA has lifted the lid on a traumatic travel experience she described as “incredible torture”.The TV presenter has claimed she was left feeling “embarrassed” after an invasive security check at a German airport.Diletta Leotta has revealed her ‘traumatic’ travel experience in a German airportCredit: Instagram @dilettaleottaThe Dazn Serie A presenter revealed how a policewoman overdid it during a security checkCredit: GettyLeotta was returning from watching husband Loris Karis star for SchalkeCredit: AFPLeotta, the wife of former Liverpool star Loris Karius, explained she was returning to Italy after watching her partner play for Bundesliga 2 side Schalke.As reported by Bild, she told Radio 105: “I had to go back to Italy, and as I was going through the metal detector, a policewoman came and wanted to check me.”At one point, I took off almost all my clothes. I was wearing almost nothing under my arms and told her, ‘Look, I have nothing under my arms’. “But she insisted on tickling me under my arms, which was incredible torture. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”She also told me to take off my shoes and tickled me under my feet. “It was traumatic because my brother held me like that (with his arms raised) and tickled me under the armpits. “He was really strong. He tickled me all over my body and I used to wet my pants.”Leotta, 33, had been juggling her career working as a presenter on Dazn for Serie A games with travelling to see Karius.Most read in FootballKarius, 31, joined Schalke in January and has played in each of their last four games, with Leotta regularly in attendance, including the German’s debut when he was mobbed by team-mates.However, she admitted her job would make it difficult to attend matches all the time.Ex-Premier League star Loris Karius marries sports presenter Wag Diletta Leotta in star-studded Sicily wedding She told RND: “I was in Gelsenkirchen for the match against Preussen Munster two weeks ago and saw a packed stadium with over 60,000 people, just like the following week in Berlin. “It was a surprise to experience this fascinating second division with an incredible fan base. “Of course, I’m attending a Serie A match almost every week, which will make it difficult to come more often – but whenever I have time, I’ll be happy to come back.”The couple met in late 2022 and have enjoyed a whirlwind romance since, welcoming a daughter named Aria in August 2023. More

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    Loris Karius handed dramatic pay cut with TV presenter wife Diletta Leotta now earning more than ex-Premier League star

    LORIS KARIUS is set to earn less than TV presenter wife Diletta Leotta at Schalke, according to reports.The former Liverpool goalkeeper, 31, is attempting to resurrect his career with the second-tier German side.Loris Karius is looking to resurrect his career with SchalkeCredit: GettyKarius, 31, is married to TV presenter Diletta LeottaThe couple have been together since 2022Credit: The Mega AgencyKarius has barely played in recent years, making just two appearances since February 2021.Remarkably, one of these outings came in Newcastle’s 2023 Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester United, while the other was in a Premier League loss to Arsenal.The German had been without a club since leaving St James’ Park earlier this season.But this month he pulled the gloves back on, signing for Schalke until the end of the season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAccording to German paper Bild, Karius has signed, by elite football standards, a modest contract.They claim that he will receive around £125,000 between now and the end of the season, equating to approximately £5,700 a week.Schalke’s higher earners, for example, are said to pocket around £10k a week.Bild add that Karius’ wife Leotta earns around £840k a year for her presenting work, as DAZN’s lead Serie A host in Italy.Most read in BundesligaSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYLeotta recently took part in the Club World Cup draw ceremonyCredit: EPAThe Italian is DAZN’s lead Serie A presenterCredit: GettyThis means that she will pocket significantly more than Karius.Leotta is not set to move to Germany with Karius, instead staying in Milan. Glam presenter Diletta Leotta shows off underboob in tiny black dress as fans call Prem Wag ‘magnetic attraction’The former Champions League finalist is said to be living with a friend in Dusseldorf.Karius is optimistic about revitalising his career back in Germany.Upon signing, he said: “I had very good discussions with the Schalke officials and I’m looking forward to training with the team.”Schalke 04 is a big club with passionate fans, I’ve always felt that at my games in the arena.”Karius will not automatically become Schalke’s No1.He will compete with current incumbent Justin Heekeren for the position.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe former Anfield stopper has been with Leotta since 2022, with the pair welcoming their first child in August of the following year.They wed in a private ceremony in Sicily last summer.Karius and Leotta wed in Sicily last summerCredit: INSTAGRAMThe happy couple welcomed their first child in 2023Credit: The Mega AgencyLeotta shares many glam pics across her social media channelsCredit: Instagram @dilettaleotta More

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    Scary moment Schalke hooligans kick through stadium barriers and set off fireworks over rival fans as match is delayed

    SCHALKE’S 2. Bundesliga clash with Hansa Rostock was temporarily halted due to fan unrest in the stands.Traditionally a big top-flight club, Schalke now find themselves languishing in the second-tier.
    Fans kicked through the glass dividerCredit: X
    The balaclava-clad supporters burst through the barrierCredit: X
    Fans let off fireworksCredit: X
    With another relegation unthinkable, the Royal Blues travelled to Rostock aiming to ease concerns.
    During the first half of the match chaos erupted in the stands.
    Schalke fans housed in a small away section kicked down the glass wall separating them from home supporters.
    The balaclava-clad visiting fans then let off fireworks, with riot police getting involved.
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    This interruption caused the match to be suspended for 30 minutes during the first half.
    Referee Nicolas Winter sent both teams back to their dressing rooms while chaos ensued.
    When the madness eventually subsided, Rostock soon found themselves down to ten men.
    Junior Brumado was sent for an early bath in the 41st minute after being deemed to have thrown an elbow.
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    Blendi Idrizi eventually gave Schalke the lead on 72 minutes.
    And Kenan Karaman eventually made the points safe four minutes from time.
    Schalke’s win saw them leapfrog Hansa Rostock in the 2. Bundesliga table.
    They now sit 13th, two points above the relegation play-off place.
    After the match, Schalke boss Karel Geraerts said of the fan unrest: “I don’t want to see that in a stadium.
    “That wasn’t good for the teams, not good for football.”
    The match was delayed by 30 minutesCredit: Getty
    The suspension happened during the first halfCredit: Getty
    Schalke went on to win 2-0 to ease their relegation fearsCredit: Getty More

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    Schalke BANISH star from squad for breaking club protocol as he releases grovelling apology

    SCHALKE have banished Timo Baumgartl to their under-23s for breaking club protocol.The defender has since released an apology after being fined by the 2. Bundesliga side.
    Timo Baumgartl has been banished to the under-23s by SchalkeCredit: Getty
    Baumgartl was punished for breaching the club’s code of conduct following their 3-1 loss to St. Pauli on Saturday.
    The 27-year-old had a TV interview with Sky after the defeat, in which he criticised the team and manager Thomas Reis.
    In response, Schalke have fined Baumgartl and demoted him to their under-23s following a meeting with Reis and sporting director Andre Hechelmann.
    The club confirmed on Sunday that he will spend the week training away from the first-team squad.
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    Baumgartl also issued an apology for his comments in Schalke’s statement.
    “What I triggered with my statements was not my intention and should not happen to a player with my experience,” he explained.
    “That’s why I asked Thomas Reis and André Hechelmann to apologise and I’m very happy that they accepted it. I know that I am now challenged.”
    The former Germany under-21 international only joined Schalke this summer, signing from PSV on a free transfer in July.
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    Baumgartl has also been fined for comments he made in a TV interviewCredit: Getty
    He has since made seven appearances for the club so far this season.
    Saturday’s defeat leaves Schalke 15th in the 2. Bundesliga, although they could drop into the relegation play-off spot after Sunday’s matches. More

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    Stadium with capacity that puts Premier League grounds to shame is shadow of former glory after it was left abandoned

    SCHALKE moved out of their Parkstadion home back in 2001 after 28 years.The Bundesliga side had played at the multi-purpose venue since 1973, but departed for the glossy new Veltins Arena.
    Parkstadion is a shadow of its former selfCredit: Alamy
    Most of the ground has been demolishedCredit: Alamy
    A pitch still remains at the siteCredit: Alamy
    Parkstadion had hosted five matches at the 1974 World Cup, including Yugoslavia’s record-breaking 9-0 thrashing of Zaire.
    It also put on a series of high-profile concerts, with the likes of Michael Jackson and The Rolling Stones having played there.
    But as it began to age, Schalke deemed it necessary to move to a new state-of-the-art home.
    The 2000-01 campaign would be the German side’s last season at the 62,004 capacity venue, which held more than most Premier League grounds.
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    They beat SpVgg Unterhaching 5-3 in a dramatic thriller to end their 28 years at Parkstadion.
    Schalke fans celebrated wildly as they thought the win had clinched them the title, only for a last-minute Bayern Munich equaliser elsewhere to snatch it away.
    Following the Royal Blues’ departure, Parkstadion was partly demolished.
    As the ground was taken apart, Schalke even gave its old jumbotron to a stadium in German town Aue.
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    The remains of Parkstadion stand under a kilometre from Veltins ArenaCredit: Alamy
    Fans can occasionally still get into ParkstadionCredit: Getty
    Standing under a kilometre from the 62,271 capacity Veltins Arena, the remains of Parkstadion offers fans a reminder of what used to be.
    The old ground still has one of its stands open – featuring benches rather than individual seats.
    A pitch still remains in the same spot, with Schalke using it occasionally.
    They played there as recently as March of this year, when they beat VVV-Venlo in a friendly in front of just 1,113 people.
    In exhibition matches against SC Verl and SV Meppen during the summer of 2022 they were cheered on by 2,999 fans.
    Behind one of the goals now stands a hotel, where fans can stay on matchdays over at Veltins.
    Schalke have had a rough time of it in recent years.
    Since finishing second in 2018 they have twice been relegated from the Bundesliga.
    After winning just seven matches all year last time out they crashed back down to the second tier, where they currently languish.
    Parkstadion hosted matches at the 1974 World CupCredit: Alamy
    Weston McKennie has played in friendly matches at ParkstadionCredit: Getty More