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    Lautaro Martinez facing ban for BLASPHEMY as Inter Milan star says ‘this accusation bothered me a lot’

    LAUTARO MARTINEZ is reportedly facing a ban for BLASPHEMY, according to sensational reports.It comes after the FIGC Federal Prosecutor found evidence of this blasphemy during Inter Milan’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus.Lautaro Martinez has been accused of blasphemyCredit: RexThe Argentinian World Cup winner is accused of using a blasphemous phrase after the defeat.The proof was only found days after the FIGC prosecutor opened an investigation.FIGC chief Giuseppe Chinè asked DAZN for all the images recorded during the episode and in the end found incriminating audio to confirm the blasphemy.However, the 27-year-old is unlikely to actually be hit with a ban.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLGazzetta dello Sport explains the sport judge could not intervene in the aftermath of the game as there was no audio evidence of the act.Martinez now has one week to decide how to respond.One option is to face a sports trial in the Federal Court and risk a one-game ban.The other pathway is to agree a plea bargain and get a fine.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSIt is reported his club will likely push for the second option, even if he denies the claim.Martinez has said of the accusation: “I have never blasphemed, never. Watch as Lionel Messi is FLOORED by his own team-mate as fans demand ‘someone check his passport, he’s not Argentinian'”I try to teach respect to my children too, this accusation bothered me a lot.”Martinez has scored 16 goals in 35 games this season. More

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    AC Milan boss ready to quit without compensation just two months after joining – despite already winning a trophy

    AC MILAN manager Sergio Conceicao has furiously threatened to QUIT the club after just two months in charge.Conceicao took over at the San Siro in December after replacing Paulo Fonseca.AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao has furiously threatened to quit the clubCredit: RexAnd he has already led Milan to Italian Supercup glory – beating arch rivals Inter 3-2 in the final. But their league form has dipped with Conceicao winning just eight and losing five of his 16 games in charge. Milan sit eighth in the league and recently lost 2-1 to Bologna – leaving Conceicao considering his future. He said: “Every day, people talk about my situation and it’s not fair.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”I know what I want, I know what I can do, I see a lot of people talking about me but the situation is simple. “If I have to leave, they tell me ‘you’re no longer needed’, I take my suitcase and leave without asking for a single Euro more. “I don’t come from nowhere. I have almost 100 games in the Champions League, I have won 13 trophies, but every day, they like to talk about me. “Coaches criticise me on match day. I have a family, I have people close to me and they see a lot of bad things about me and it’s not fair. Sorry for the outburst.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMilan – also knocked out of the Champions League – took the lead against Bologna through Rafael Leao. But goals from Santiago Castro and Dan Ndoye condemned the Serie A giants to defeat as Conceicao hit out at referee Maurizio Mariani. Cole Palmer left bemused as Chelsea star is asked about fighting giant chicken wingHe fumed: “There was a blatant handball in the first goal. All the incidents that are negative for us become decisive for the result. “We have to keep working, see what we did well. There are also our mistakes, obviously. “In general, we are connected to the game, we know where to attack and press. “When we are in the game and we do what we prepare, we create and arrive at the last 30 metres with ease and quality, but then incidents happen, sometimes through our fault and sometimes through the fault of others.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton admits Italian racists made him think twice about joining Ferrari after suffering sickening abuse in past

    LEWIS HAMILTON admits Italian racists made him think twice about moving from Mercedes to Ferrari.Italian football has been plagued with racism problems, with ex-Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku suffering sick monkey taunts while playing for Inter Milan and Roma.Lewis Hamilton has admitted he thought twice about joining FerrariCredit: AlamyThe 40-year-old has expressed concerns over Ferrari’s lack of diversityCredit: AFPAnd Hamilton, F1’s only black driver, confessed: “It definitely crossed my mind when I was thinking about my decision.”It’s often such a small group of people that set that trend for many. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”Hamilton, 40, was racially abused during his days in karting and also targeted by Spanish bigots in 2008.READ MORE ON F1But now he has been fired up by F1 pundits attacking his name, like former team owner Eddie Jordan, who branded Ferrari’s decision to axe 30-year-old Carlos Sainz for the Brit as “suicidal”.Hamilton told Time Magazine: “I never reply to any of the older, ultimately white men who have commented on my career and what they think I should be doing.”How you show up, how you present yourself, how you perform slowly dispels that.”But Hamilton has expressed concerns over Ferrari’s lack of diversity.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIn 2020, he started the Hamilton Commission to increase black representation in UK motorsport.Mercedes launched their own diversity initiative and began hiring staff from under-represented groups.Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeClerc arrive on red carpet at F1 02 car launch in styleBut Hamilton said: “Now I’m going back to the beginning of my time with Mercedes, where it wasn’t diverse.”Ferrari, along with every other F1 team,  signed a Diversity and Inclusion charter in November.Yet boss Fred Vasseur said: “It’s not politically correct but first is performance. “I’m keen to go into the  direction of diversity and so on but I want to build up the best team.” More

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    Maurizio Sarri reveals he ‘exchanged notes’ with former Chelsea star as he hints at return to management

    MAURIZIO SARRI could be set for a return to management as he revealed family issues have kept him away from the dugout.The Italian revealed that he recently exchanged notes with his former Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas.Maurizio Sarri could be set for a shock return to managementCredit: GettySarri won the Europa League during his one year in charge of ChelseaCredit: Kenny RamsayCesc Fabregas now manages Como in the Serie ACredit: Action ImagesSarri has been out of the dugout since resigning from Lazio halfway through the season in March 2024.He joined Lazio in 2021 and led them to second place in Serie A in the 2023-24 season.That was the club’s best league finish since they won the title in 1999-2000.But the 66-year-old has revealed that his personal life has stopped him from returning despite being approached by several suitors.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe told Corriere della Sera: “It hasn’t been a good period due to some family issues. “I’ve received many offers in this period, from different continents, even from Arabia. “But nothing has yet made me make that internal click.” He added: “I would like a big project, that will rekindle the spark in me. Otherwise I will remain still. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Me close to Milan in January? I will not answer. I will say that I have received proposals that have not made me waver at the moment.”Sarri also revealed that before he joined Napoli in 2015 he had a positive conversation with AC Milan chiefs but didn’t hear from them again.Ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri could be in line for Arsenal and Tottenham jobs if Mikel Arteta is sacked after flop seasonThe former Prem boss admitted there’s one thing he doesn’t miss about football.He said: “I miss the adrenaline of football. I like everything about this sport – except the transfer market. “I have watched and studied many games in this period. Fabregas’ Como intrigue me.”He was a player of mine at Chelsea and we recently exchanged notes.”Sarri spent just one season at Chelsea after replacing Antonio Conte in 2018.But he left Stamford Bridge after just a sole season, winning the Europa League with Fabregas in 2019.READ MORE SUN STORIESFrank Lampard would replace Sarri, who went on to join Juventus.With Juve, he won the league title but again his reign lasted no more than a full season after he was sacked in October 2020. More

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    Shocking scenes as ace defies team orders, is confronted by team-mates, scores penalty but then gets hooked IMMEDIATELY

    UDINESE star Lorenzo Lucca caused chaos and enraged his team-mates last night by insisting on taking a penalty over their designated taker.And despite converting the first-half spot kick, Lucca was IMMEDIATELY hooked by his manager.Lorenzo Lucca was determined to take Udinese’s penaltyCredit: Serie ALucca’s stubbornness prompted a frustrated reactionCredit: Serie AThe striker was booked during the incidentCredit: GettyThe Italian side were taking on Lecce in Serie A.When they were awarded a penalty shortly after the half hour, a bizarre scene followed.Captain and designated taker Florian Thauvin was ready to take the spot kick.But Lucca, 24, refused to give the French World Cup winner the ball.READ MORE FOOTBALLSeveral of his team-mates, including former Manchester United and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, angrily pleaded with Lucca to back down.The striker did not, however, and was even booked during the unusual incident.When his team-mates finally relented, Lucca made no mistake in converting the penalty.But his colleagues, still fuming, refused to celebrate with him.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSLucca, 24, went on to convert the penaltyCredit: SplashThe Italy international was substituted just minutes laterCredit: RexManager Kosta Runjaic then hooked Lucca off just moments after he converted and replaced him with Iker Bravo.The forward looked miffed as he exited the pitch.Conference League last 16 draw sees Chelsea face Copenhagen And after Udinese’s eventual 1-0 win, he could be seen not smiling as the team took a celebratory picture together.After the match, Runjaic told DAZN: “We have clear hierarchies with penalty kicks.”I didn’t like the discussion, they were talking for a long time, he made the decision independently and I preferred to take him off the pitch after he took the penalty anyway, which he shot very well.”It is also not the first time that two players on a team have argued over who gets to take a set-piece. We will definitely talk about this during the week.”I made this choice because I don’t like those who don’t respect the rules, so I had to take measures. However, this will all be solved in training and we will focus on our next match.”Lucca, who was capped by Italy for the first time last year, has taken six penalties across his senior career, scoring three and missing three.Thauvin, meanwhile, has scored 13 spot kicks, missing six.Lucca, in the middle of the photo at the back, did not smile for a celebratory post-match pictureCredit: X @Udinese_1896 More

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    ‘Deeply disrespectful’ – Lookman releases statement after own manager called him ‘one of worst penalty takers ever’

    ADEMOLA LOOKMAN has called criticism of him “deeply disrespectful” after his manager slammed his missed penalty.The former Fulham and Everton star was in action for Atalanta last night as they were dumped out of the Champions League by Club Brugge.Ademola Lookman missed a spot kick last nightCredit: AFPSimon Mignolet saved Lookman’s penaltyCredit: AFPAtalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini was unimpressed with the wingerCredit: RexThe Serie A side trailed 3-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate at half time in Bergamo.Lookman, 27, pulled a goal back in the first minute of the second period, before being handed a golden opportunity to further reduce his side’s deficit from the penalty spot.The Nigeria international’s spot kick was saved by Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, however, with Atalanta going on to lose 3-1 on the night.After the game, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini said: “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them. (Mateo) Retegui and (Charles) De Ketelaere were there, but Lookman in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring decided to take the ball and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”Lookman has since hit back at criticism directed his way.In a statement posted to his social media accounts, he wrote: “It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city.”Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. This makes what happened last night even more hurtful.”Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result.Scottish fan is only away supporter to turn up to cheer on Atalanta against Napoli”During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took responsibility in the moment to do so.”Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which l’ll continue to do.”Lookman’s botched spot kick last night was not his first underwhelming penalty.With Fulham trailing West Ham 1-0 in November 2020, the winger stepped up from 12 yards in the 98th minute.He infamously attempted a Panenka penalty, which was easily saved by the goalkeeper.Prior to last night, however, he had scored all four spot kicks taken for Atalanta’LOST HIS HEAD’In the closing stages of last night’s match, Atalanta skipper Rafael Toloi “lost his head”.As the 34-year-old went to take a throw in, he was needlessly bumped by Maxim De Cuyper.The red mist then descended upon Toloi, who tried to throw the ball at his opponent.It slipped out of his hand, however, and he fell over.Feeling embarrassed, Toloi got up and begun to charge at De Cuyper, who had turned and was walking away.The referee attempted to get in the Brazilian’s away but his efforts were futile, Toloi bundling over his opponent.He went on to be sent off for his head loss, while De Cuyper was yellow carded.READ MORE SUN STORIESGasperini, 67, added of the incident: “That was an ugly incident and we must never lose our heads.”Atalanta must leave the Champions League with dignity, having played great games against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Barcelona.”Rafael Toloi bundled over an opponentCredit: TNT SPORTS More

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    ‘He’s really lost his head’ – Atalanta captain sent off for moment of madness after ’embarrassing’ blunder

    ATALANTA captain Rafael Toloi saw red as the Serie A side crashed out of the Champions League.The Italians went into last night’s second leg trailing Belgians Club Brugge 2-1 from the first match.Rafael Toloi attempted to throw the ball at an opponentCredit: TNT SPORTSHe then bundled over the Club Brugge aceCredit: TNT SPORTSThings swiftly went from bad to worse for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, as a disastrous first half saw them fall 3-0 down on the night.Ademola Lookman pulled one back for the Serie A side moments into the second half.But after the former Everton and Fulham man missed a penalty on the hour mark, Atalanta’s hope began to ebb away.In the 86th minute, Toloi’s frustration boiled over.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs the 34-year-old went to take a throw in, he was needlessly bumped by Maxim De Cuyper.The red mist then descended upon Toloi, who tried to throw the ball at his opponent.It slipped out of his hand, however, and he fell over.Feeling embarrassed, Toloi got up and begun to charge at De Cuyper, who had turned and was walking away.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe referee attempted to get in the Brazilian’s away but his efforts were futile, Toloi bundling over his opponent.He went on to be sent off for his head loss, while De Cuyper was yellow carded.AC Milan manager walks out of Champions League press conference after just one question After the game, veteran boss Gasperini was disappointed at his skipper.He said: “That was an ugly incident and we must never lose our heads.”Atalanta must leave the Champions League with dignity, having played great games against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Barcelona.”On the winger’s botched penalty, the 67-year-old added: “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them.”Retegui and De Ketelaere were there, but Lookman in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring decided to take the ball and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”Ademola Lookman botched his second half penaltyCredit: AFP More

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    Kyle Walker’s AC Milan loan turns into nightmare after European giants suffer disastrous Champions League exit

    KYLE WALKER’s stint with AC Milan has suffered an unexpected and embarrassing blow.The England international joined the Italian giants on loan last month from Manchester City.Kyle Walker joined AC Milan on loan from Manchester City in JanuaryCredit: GettyMilan having Champions League football likely played a role in his decision to move to the San SiroCredit: GettyBut they won’t be playing in Europe’s elite competition any more after being knocked out by FeyenoordCredit: APKyle Walker and his Milan team-mates let their frustrations get the better of them during the matchCredit: TNT SportsThe prospect of playing Champions League football at the iconic San Siro stadium was no doubt one of the things that attracted Walker to the move.But just 25 days after his arrival, the Rossoneiri are now no longer in Europe’s elite club competition.Milan were dumped out of the prestigious tournament thanks to a 2-1 aggregate defeat in their last-16 qualifier against Feyenoord.Feyenoord, who secured a stunning 3-3 draw with Walker’s parent club last year, went into the second leg leading the tie 1-0. READ MORE ON KYLE WALKERBut Santiago Jiminez cancelled out their lead just 43 seconds into the return leg and laid the foundations for a big comeback. Sergio Conceicao’s troops huffed and puffed but failed to breach the vistors’ goal a second time. And they paid the price in the 73rd minute when Julian Carranza struck to restore the visitor’s advantage and fire them into the last 16.Walker and his Milan team-mates cut frustrated figures after the final whilst.Most read in FootballKyle Walker has enjoyed a mixed start to life with AC MilanCredit: GettyThe visitors, on the other hand, were ecstatic with their famous progression through to the knockout stages.It’s been a rough few days for Walker, who is currently renting a £10,000-a-week apartment in the heart of Milan.Kyle Walker pictured reuniting with wife Annie & four kids over a meal after flying to Italy to watch him play for AC MilanThe former Sheffield United and Spurs ace was hooked at HALF-TIME during AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Hellas Verona last weekend.And to make matters worse, his replacement, Alex Jimenez, went on to help set up the winning goal.Walker has made six appearances for Milan since his temporary transfer. Milan have only won three of those matches, four of which Walker has played the full 90 minutes. Walker and his team-mates will be back in action on Saturday evening, travelling to Turin to take on Torino. More