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      in Soccer

      My new pal Paul Gascoigne is a different talent to me… I am not a genius, he is, says Ronnie O’Sullivan

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      RONNIE O’SULLIVAN says his sporting talent does not compare to the genius of Gazza.The Rocket is routinely included in the top-10 lists of Britain’s top sportspeople in respect of his six world snooker championships.
      Ronnie O’Sullivan has described former England international Paul Gascoigne as a ‘genius’Credit: REX FEATURES
      The snooker star says he wishes Gazza had a Ferguson or Klopp figure to guide himCredit: GETTY
      Gazza is the best British footballer of all time, according to O’SullivanCredit: REX FEATURES
      Yet he feels he cannot hold a candle to the skills and abilities of Paul Gascoigne, who became an England football legend and thrilled fans at Newcastle, Tottenham and Lazio.
      The pair met recently at a posh health retreat in Hertfordshire and O’Sullivan exchanged messages with Gazza, 54, before heading to Sheffield for his own possible date with destiny.
      O’Sullivan, 46, said: “I was only with him two months ago. We were at Champneys spa.
      “We didn’t share a spa together. It’s quite a big place. It’s 60 acres there.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Rocket Ronnie .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}What is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s net worth and how many championships has he won?
      “It wasn’t just me and Gazza huddling up on the sofa. We did have some chats. Exchanged text messages. He is good.
      “I love Gazza. I just wish he could have had a Sir Alex Ferguson or Jurgen Klopp in his corner and maybe had someone around him to guide him.
      “It would have been a hard task. He’s just a maverick. He’s a different talent to me. I don’t call myself a genius. He’s a genius.
      “George Best was a genius. Alex Higgins was a genius. I don’t put myself in that bracket.
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      “Gazza is our greatest British footballer of all time. He could have played for Brazil.
      “Gazza reminds me of Diego Maradona. He has a big heart and could play in an absolute useless team but still make them win the league.
      “Look, I love Lionel Messi. He is my favourite. But when we talk about leaders, Gazza was a leader. He led from the front. You have to admire that.”
      The world No.1 faces qualifier Stephen Maguire on Tuesday in a record 20th quarter-final at world level.
      The Essex ace remains the biggest draw in the sport as he aims for a record-equalling seventh world crown.
      A film camera crew are following his every move in Sheffield and being successful in the last frames on Bank Holiday Monday would be the perfect finale to the future documentary.
      In rare retrospective mood, O’Sullivan acknowledged that he needed “guidance” in his 20s and 30s but he has finally found respite after trying different hobbies off the baize.
      He said: “I needed a few people to guide me and help me and keep me on the straight and narrow but I like a challenge.
      “Obviously in a different stage of my career, I have had people that have inspired me to keep going, to improve myself in every area, not just with the game, but with life. How to have the best life you can possibly have.
      “I just feel that I am okay with that, I am okay with where I am going.
      “I’m a bit of a control freak I suppose. I like to be in control.
      “So it is learning to take control of your life, control of everything around and doing it for good.
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      “I feel I was a bit stifled being a snooker player. I felt a bit trapped. Now I have branched out, it feels great.
      “I feel like life is good. The snooker is still going and that feels like a bonus.”
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    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Irish snooker legend Ken Doherty once told iconic Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson to ‘go f*** himself’

      by

      IRISH snooker great Ken Doherty reveals he once told legendary Man United manager Alex Ferguson to ‘go f**k yourself’. Doherty delivered a stunning victory for Irish snooker in 1997 when he won the World Snooker Championship with an 18-12 win over Stephen Hendry.
      Irish snooker legend Ken DohertyCredit: PA
      Manchester United icon Alex FergusonCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      The Dubliner is an avid Manchester United fan and received an invite from Fergie to bring the trophy to Old Trafford.
      But Doherty, 52, mistook the iconic United manager for a friend playing a prank when he delivered the x-rated response.
      He told the Daily Mail: “The voice at the other end went, ‘Kenny, Alex Ferguson here, I know you are a big Manchester United fan, how about parading that trophy up at Old Trafford?’ and I told him to go f*** himself!
      “I thought it was my mate joking! He goes, ‘Kenny, I’m not going to ask you twice, it’s Alex Ferguson’ and I said, ‘Sorry Mr Ferguson’.
      “I went up the day they were picking up the Premiership trophy against West Ham. It was incredible. The roar I got walking out at Old Trafford was one of the most memorable days of my life.”
      Doherty’s win 25 years ago saw him welcomed home with an open-top bus parade through Dublin — and a Garda chief telling him crime stopped in the city for hours during the crucial frames.
      He said earlier this year: “I suppose May 5, 1997 is the day that defined my life really — wherever you go after that day you are referred to as the world champion.
      “When I saw Alex Higgins win it in 1982, I knew I wanted to be a snooker player, and then there was Dennis Taylor also from Northern Ireland in 1985.
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      “So to emulate them and win it was a dream come true, and especially to beat Stephen in the final who was going for six in a row and hadn’t lost there for so long. That was the icing on the cake.
      “The open-top bus was just unbelievable, that’s something you get for the Ireland football team or Olympic heroes — not snooker. But it had that impact.” More

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      Premier League referee Mike Dean looks unimpressed as he is spotted watching snooker at Scottish Open on day off

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      PREMIER League referee Mike Dean stayed calm as the reds flew about.But for once there was no controversy for the top whistler as he was watching the Scottish Open snooker on a day off from his main job.
      Leading top-flight football referee Mike Dean showed little emotion as he looked on at the Scottish Open snooker in Wales
      Mike Dean has been a Prem ref for 21 years but loves other sports tooCredit: Rex
      Multi-sport fan Dean also throws in a bit of summer caddying for pro golfers.
      But this time he dressed down in a hoodie and white trainers to see Scotland’s John Higgins beat Thailand ace Noppon Saengkham 4-1.
      Eurosport cameras caught Dean looking on impassively – or was it imperiously –  at the Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Wales.
      And it might have been the relaxing ‘break’ he needed after another contentious week in the Prem spotlight.
      Dean faced criticism on social media from Arsenal fans after reffing Everton’s last-gasp 2-1 win on Monday night.
      Despite a VAR review, Toffees’ defender Ben Godfrey escaped even a yellow card for catching grounded Gunners’ star Takehiro Tomiyasu in the face with his boot.
      And Anthony Gordon was also unpunished for flooring Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares with a studs-in challenge that VAR did not even look at.
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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      One supporter posted: “Awful, awful game from everyone, us, Everton, Mike dean, var… but how the sweet mother of Mary Godfrey stayed on the pitch & this Gordon tackle on Tavares weren’t looked at!?!?”
      In contrast, Dean watched on peacefully and out of the limelight as four-time world champ Higgins, 46, overcame 29-year-old outsider Saengkham in a disappointing cue contest.
      Golf, however, is usually considered the veteran official’s second sport.
      Five-handicapper Dean, 53, caddied for Aussie Whitney Hillier on the Ladies European Tour in June.
      And he famously had the same role when she got a hole in one in 2019.
      But now Dean must hope he doesn’t get himself into any more holes this season when he returns to the middle in the Prem.
      Mike Dean caddied for Oz golfer Whitney Hillier at the Scandinavian Mixed Event More

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      World Snooker Championship 2021 final: Live stream, TV channel, start time and schedule for Crucible showpiece

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      THE most eagerly-anticipated match on baize is coming your way when Mark Selby takes on Shaun Murphy in the World Snooker Championship final.After two weeks of play the two-day final at Sheffield’s iconic Crucible is here.
      Judd Trump won the World Snooker Championship trophy in 2019Credit: PA:Press Association
      Fans are expected back in the Crucible Theatre for the main event on Sunday and MondayCredit: PA
      It’s nine months since the final in the summer of 2020 and a full crowd is guaranteed in Sheffield for what has been a government pilot with fans attending.
      And now they will vie for the World Snooker Championship trophy over two days of action.
      When is the World Snooker Championship final?
      The final will take place over two days – Sunday May 2 and Monday May 3.
      The four sessions will take place as follows:

      Sunday May 2 – 1pm and 7pm
      Monday May 3 – 1pm and 7pm

      What TV channel can I watch the World Snooker Championships final and can I live stream it?
      The final will be on BBC Two from 1pm on Sunday May 2. Coverage will continue until 6pm, there will be an hour’s break before the evening session starts at 7pm.
      The same timings apply on BBC Two on Monday May 3.
      Eurosport are also showing the final from 12.45pm on Sunday May 2, through till 4pm, then from 6.45pm to 10.30pm.
      On Monday May 3, Eurosport 1 will have live coverage from 12.45pm to 4pm and again from 6.45pm to 10.30pm.
      You can live stream the final via BBC iPlayer or Eurosport Player.

      Will there be a full crowd at the World Snooker Championships final?
      Yes! The Crucible will be FULL for the final.
      The Sheffield theatre’s capacity is 980 and lucky fans will have the chance to watch the action in person.
      Social-distancing rules will be scrapped but it is not known if everyone attending has to wear a mask while watching the live snooker and the trophy presentation.
      Tickets cost about £120 and some are available for the first day of the final on Sunday May 2 and the afternoon session on May 3. More

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      in Boxing

      Barry Hearn steps down as Matchroom Sport boss after almost 40 years with son Eddie replacing legendary promoter

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      BARRY HEARN, Britain’s leading sports promoter, has retired with immediate effect and is stepping down as chairman of Matchroom Sport.The 72-year-old has been at the forefront of top-level sport in the UK for the past four decades, transforming Steve Davis, Phil Taylor, Chris Eubank and Anthony Joshua into prime-time sporting royalty.
      Barry Hearn will be replaced by his son Eddie, who has promoted Anthony Joshua for the past decadeCredit: PA
      Hearn has seen the popularity of PDC darts grow significantly this centuryCredit: PA:Press Association
      The announcement he will move away from day-to-day operational duties comes more than a year after he suffered a “mild heart attack” and underwent emergency surgery to insert two stents. It is also just six months since he was struck down with Covid.
      Hearn, a chartered accountant, established Matchroom Sport in April 1982 and the organisation globally promotes darts, snooker, boxing, fishing, pool, tenpin bowling and golf.
      Son Eddie, 41, will take over the running of the company as its new chairman – which includes responsibility for PDC darts and PGA EuroPro golf – but he will retain his influential and powerful role as the head of boxing.
      Hearn’s daughter Katie will remain in charge of the recently-launched Matchroom Media.
      Steve Dawson, CEO of World Snooker Limited, will take over running of snooker after the conclusion of the 2021 Betfred World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
      Hearn will now become group president in an advisory role and he said: “It has been a huge honour to have worked with some of the greatest sports people on the planet across the last 40 years.
      “I’ve enjoyed so many wonderful experiences across our spectrum of events in that time, from snooker’s glory days of the 1980s to record-breaking boxing shows and the incredible growth of professional darts. We have created opportunities for thousands of sportsmen and women during that time.
      “I’d been determined to stay in charge until this Covid disaster passed. Now there is light at the end of the tunnel, I believe it’s the right time to pass control of Matchroom to my son Eddie and the brilliant teams we’ve assembled across all our activities.

      Hearn, right, managed Steve Davis in the 1980s as he won six world snooker crownsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “Now is the time to give all Matchroom employees the opportunity to take this great British company to the next level and beyond”.”
      Barry Maurice William Hearn, the son of a bus driver and a cleaner, was born in June 1948 and grew up in a post-war working-class council house in Dagenham, Essex.
      According to the 2020 edition of the Sunday Times, his family wealth is estimated to be £158million.
      It was in the smoky snooker and billiards halls of Romford in the 1970s where he spotted the talents of a fresh-faced, shy Steve Davis.
      A friendship and relationship developed there that would define both their lives and spark the halcyon days of the sport.
      On Easter Monday 1981, a sporting empire began when the 23-year-old Davis beat Doug Mountjoy 18-12 in the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield. It was the first of six world titles and he dominated the baize throughout the 1990s.
      I’ve enjoyed so many wonderful experiences across our spectrum of events in that time, from snooker’s glory days of the 1980s to record-breaking boxing shows and the incredible growth of professional darts. Barry Hearn, sports promoter
      From there, the irrepressible entrepreneur moved into the world of boxing, locking horns with Don King and Frank Warren and promoting fights involving Eubank, Nigel Benn, Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno and Joe Bugner.
      However it is the riches surrounding the emergence of Joshua as a heavyweight world champion this past decade which have swelled the coffers of a company that avoided bankruptcy during the recession of the early 1990s.
      Hearn supported Leyton Orient since the age of 11 and owned the club for 19 years, overseeing their promotion as chairman to League One in 2006.
      Yet he was often criticised by fans during his tenure for not overspending to improve the team and he later regretted selling the club in 2014 to businessman Francesco Becchetti.
      Awarded the OBE in the 2021 New Year Honours List for services to sport, opinionated and controversial Hearn retained the salesman chatter throughout his career, happily dishing out one-liners for the media and snappy soundbites to boost ticket sales.
      Though he won’t completely disappear from public life – officially he will advise on “group strategy and global expansion” – Hearn plans to spend more time with his four grandchildren.
      Other hobbies include playing golf, fishing at the lake at the bottom of his home and padding up this summer for East Hanningfield over-70s cricket XI in Essex.
      Hearn is working on an autobiography which will be out later this year and according to those involved, it tells the definitive and astonishing account of his life.
      Eddie said: “Anyone that knows me is well aware of what Matchroom means to me and our family.
      “It has a legacy that spans 40 years from a small office under a snooker hall in Romford to a global powerhouse of sports entertainment.
      “My father has dedicated his life to the company and since I joined in 2004 I have done the same.
      “Now a greater responsibility falls on my shoulders and I am very proud to continue his great work and lead the business and the incredible team that we have built at Matchroom.”
      Boxing legend Barry Hearn suffers heart attack and has operation as son Eddie reveals he is ‘in good spirits’ More

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      Ronnie O’Sullivan snubs Lewis Hamilton from seven-man sport GOAT list despite F1 world champion bagging knighthood

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      RONNIE O’SULLIVAN reckons Lewis Hamilton can’t be considered one of sport’s greats because his car gives him an unfair advantage.The snooker world champion snubbed Hamilton from his list of all-time greats because Formula One is not ‘a level playing field’.
      Ronnie O’Sullivan dismissed Lewis Hamilton as one of sport’s greatsCredit: Getty Images
      Lewis Hamilton won his seventh F1 world title in the 2020 seasonCredit: Getty Images
      Hamilton, 36, won his seventh world title with victory to equal Michael Schumacher’s incredible record in the 2020 season.
      Immediately after the record-equalling success, there were calls for the Mercedes driver to be knighted, with the Brit later named in the New Year Honours list.
      But O’Sullivan told the Daily Star: “It is fantastic for Lewis to win seven world titles, but if your car is going around quicker you can afford to make a few mistakes and still get away with it.
      “It’s a bit like driving around smoking a cigar with one finger on the wheel!
      “I think it’s difficult to say where he is (among the greats).
      “A lot of the sports I watch – the people that have done it, you have to look whether it’s a level playing field.
      “If you have a car that is going a second a lap quicker than the other cars, in theory all he has to beat is his team-mate Bottas – who seems to be comfortable and happy playing second fiddle.
      “I wouldn’t have felt as good about my career in snooker if I had been playing on a table where the pockets I was using were bigger than my opponents’.”
      O’Sullivan went on to name seven great sports stars which he claimed dominated on a level playing field, unlike Hamilton.

      The six-time world snooker champ said: “It doesn’t mean as much as say a sport like tennis with Federer playing everyone on a level playing field, or Kipchoge running against everyone on a level playing field.
      “Snooker is like that, too, with a level playing field.
      “In boxing certain boxers avoid certain fighters so that makes it hard for them to have credibility unless they fought the best.
      “That’s why you have to give credit to people like Tyson Fury because you know they won’t duck anyone and will fight anyone anywhere at any time.
      “I just think sport is where there is no advantage.
      “You don’t get to choose your opponent or have better equipment.
      “So for me, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Phil Taylor in darts, Tiger Woods, Messi, Ronaldo… it’s there to see.”
      Hamilton won the Turkish Grand Prix in stunning style to clinch his seventh world titleCredit: Reuters
      Ronnie O’Sullivan won his sixth World Snooker Championship last yearCredit: Rex Features
      Lewis Hamilton ‘a bit grumpy’ during pre-season Sky filming and ‘seemed unhappy’ at Mercedes negotiations More

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      Barry Hearn plans to celebrate OBE with cricket special next summer

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      SPORTS KINGPIN Barry Hearn plans to pin the OBE to his cricket bat when he plays for Essex over-70s cricket side.
      The 72-year-old was left surprisingly gobsmacked when an email dropped saying he would be recognised in the New Year Honours List for services to sport throughout an illustrious career.

      Barry Hearn is being recognised for more than 40 years involved in sports promotionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It is long overdue when you consider his 45-year sporting record, perhaps unrivalled by any other sports promoter in the UK or abroad.
      This is a man who has nurtured and managed the careers of world champions Steve Davis, Chris Eubank, Phil Taylor, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Anthony Joshua.
      And though he has never forgotten his working-class roots, he jokes his cricket team-mates will be reminded of his gong when the season returns next summer.
      Hearn said: “Not too much throws me out in life but that email did. We all like a little pat on the back sometimes, and this is a massive one.

      “It’s a statement for all the wonderful people who work for me. It’s recognition which is quite humbling.
      “My head might drop off as my smile is so big now. I’m chuffed as hell.

      The big break for Hearn came when he managed Steve Davis, the six-time world snooker champion, in the 1980sCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “I’m a very proud Englishman and the thought of going to Buckingham Palace to get my OBE is a life-changing moment. I wish my mum and dad were here to see it.
      “I might wear my medal when I go out to bat. I’ve been invited to play for the Essex over-70s next year. My cricket will get more attention like my golf.

      “Doing things which people didn’t think was possible has been my greatest compliment.
      “Especially when I look at darts, turning a pub game into a global sport; rescuing snooker 11 years ago when it was dying on its feet; and my early days of boxing and with Steve Davis.
      “Sport is special. It is what builds the character of a nation and unites us all, irrespective of colour, race or creed. Covid-19 has shown us that.
      “One of the wonderful things about getting old and doing well in life is that you have the ability to tell the truth at all times.
      “It’s also good to tell the truth because as you get older you cannot remember the lies.”

      Hearn has entrusted the boxing control to his son Eddie and heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is the biggest client of their companyCredit: PA:Press Association
      Hearn, a chartered accountant, established Matchroom Sport in 1982 in a Romford billiards hall and it has grown enormously over four decades, promoting darts, snooker, boxing, fishing, tenpin bowling and golf.
      The company has offices in Brentwood, New York, Beijing, Shanghai and Munich, employs thousands of staff and puts on more than 650 event-days annually.
      The Dagenham-born star previously owned Leyton Orient for 19 years, overseeing promotion as chairman to League One in 2006.
      His son Eddie is the biggest boxing promoter in the world while daughter Katie is in charge of the company’s TV production arm.
      Hearn said: “I’m on a mission to spread the gospel of sport and the pursuit of excellence. I will never change that even if it means I’m unpopular with people.
      “My time is coming. Fortunately I’ve built a team of people that are capable of taking the sports we promote to another level. It’s a natural evolution that will happen over the next months and years.”

      Hearn, 72, told SunSport that he was overwhelmed when he was informed by email he was getting an OBECredit: Vicki Couchman – The Sunday Times More

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      The 17 most explosive sporting bust-ups in 2020 including Keane vs Klopp, Lloris vs Son and Tyson Fury vs SPOTY

      by

      WE all know 2020 has been a year like no other – but we can still rely on sport to provide a sense of normality with explosive bust-ups galore.
      From boxing heavyweights to fighting team-mates to Jurgen Klopp over and over again, the last 12 months have certainly delivered.

      Hugo Lloris vs Son Heung-min was one of the biggest bust-ups of the yearCredit: Sky Sports

      Jurgen Klopp was involved in his fair share of spats with fellow managers, broadcasters and punditsCredit: Sky Sports

      So SunSport takes a look back over some of the most bonkers, bizarre and brutal clashes of the year…
      Hugo Lloris vs Son Heung-min
      Where else can we start? Arguably the biggest in-match bust-up of the year came just before half-time in Spurs’ 1-0 win over Everton in July.
      Spurs goalkeeper Lloris was furious with his team-mate’s failure to press and attempt to win the ball back.
      And he raced up to Son as the teams headed down the tunnel, shouting furiously and shoving the South Korean – before things continued in the dressing room. 

      Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris and Son Heung-min separated by team mates after furious row during Everton clash
      Roy Keane vs Jurgen Klopp
      Just like in his playing days, Keane refuses to dodge an argument and is not afraid to speak his mind during his punditry. 
      The Sky Sports man labelled Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Arsenal in September as ‘sloppy’ with Klopp taking exception to the assessment and firing back – forcing Keane to clarify.
      He added: “I said there were sloppy moments, but I think you have been outstanding, I’ve been giving the club nothing but praise. I’m not sure you’ve heard me correctly.”

      Roy Keane was at his prickly best throughout the year during his work with Sky SportsCredit: Sky Sports
      The Irishman then muttered: “Very sensitive, imagine if he’d lost,” once Klopp had gone.

      Keane also clashed with presenter Dave Jones over his beard as well as fellow pundits Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards.
      Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev
      Joshua got back inside the ropes for the first time in a year when he saw off Pulev in December.
      But the Bulgarian certainly got under AJ’s skin at the weigh-in with his trash talk.

      Kubrat Pulev did plenty of talking at the weigh-in with Anthony Joshua but the Brit had the final word come fight nightCredit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom
      Tensions rose and tempers flared as the Brit branded his opponent a ‘p****’ and they were pulled apart.
      Joshua had the last word, though, with a ninth-round knockout to retain his world titles.
      Lionel Messi vs Barcelona
      Messi’s fallout with the Barcelona board almost led to one of the most incredible transfers of all time.
      Poor results on the pitch and power struggles off it, as well as the treatment of close pal Luis Suarez, led the captain and legend to hand in a transfer request and threaten legal action to force an exit.

      Lionel Messi had a major and public fallout with the Barcelona board, threatening to take legal action to quit the clubCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Fans revolted and demanded president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s head instead – eventually getting their way as Messi made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year of his contract.
      But things are far from resolved and the six-time Ballon d’Or winner may well still leave the Nou Camp next summer.
      Eric Dier vs Tottenham fan
      In one of the most dramatic moments of the sporting year, Dier clambered his way up the stand at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the FA Cup penalty shootout defeat by Norwich in March.
      The England star’s frustrations boiled over at one fan’s repeated ‘f*** you’ right in front of Dier’s brother so he confronted him.

      Eric Dier climbed up into the stand and confronted a fan in spectacular scenes after defeat to Norwich in the FA CupCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      It landed the Spurs defender in hot water with the FA, who banned him for four matches and fined him £40,000.
      Speaking on the Amazon Prime documentary, he said: ““Our parents have to stand there and have someone two rows in front call you a c*** and f***ing son of a b****, and a p**** and s*** and this — and they think it’s OK.”
      Tyson Fury vs SPOTY
      All the way back in February, in the pre-lockdown age, Fury dethroned Deontay Wilder to become WBC heavyweight champion of the world.
      That spectacular night in Las Vegas earned the Gypsy King a spot on the six-name shortlist for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.

      Tyson Fury pleaded with his fans not to vote for him in the BBC Sports Personality of the YearCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101
      But he demanded he was removed – which the Beeb rejected – before telling his fans not to vote for him.
      Thankfully for all involved, the public toed Fury’s line and crowned Lewis Hamilton the champ.
      John Fury vs David Haye
      Staying with the Fury family… despite his new love of poker, Haye insisted he doesn’t like to bet and was in no mood to accept Fury Sr’s wager.
      In a fiery exchange before his son’s rematch with Wilder, Fury was willing to stump up £100,000 to back the Gypsy King – but Haye, who fancied the Bronze Bomber, was having none of it. 
      And John was back in November to challenge Haye yet again, this time offering odds of 2-1 that Fury Jr would beat Anthony Joshua – if he bet £1million. 
      Haye’s response? “No, let’s definitely not go with £1m.”

      “Shall we start with £1,000,000?!” 🤬”No, let’s definitely not go with £1,000,000!” 😂Big John Fury tried to make ANOTHER bet with David Haye, this time about #FuryAJ…Full episode of the Heavyweight Debate drops tomorrow night! pic.twitter.com/iXBMGJbMsn
      — Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) November 23, 2020

      Jurgen Klopp vs Frank Lampard
      Klopp has enjoyed his fair share of arguments over the course of 2020 – as well as lifting the Premier League trophy.
      In fact, it was on the same night they finally got their hands on the silverware that Klopp and Lampard went at it on the touchline.
      A questionable refereeing decision against Chelsea had the Blues boss seething and it resulted in a fiery exchange between the pair, with Lampard telling Klopp to ‘sit down’ before getting more irate when the Reds gaffer repeatedly instructed him to ‘calm down’.

      Frank Lampard accused Liverpool of ‘arrogance’ as tempers boiled at Anfield in JulyCredit: AFP or licensors
      Lampard then hit back: “If he’s going off at me I’ll f****** say something,” before turning to Klopp’s assistant Pep Lijnders and shouting: “You can f*** off and all.”
      Afterwards, Lampard labelled Liverpool ‘arrogant’ while Klopp responded by warning his opposite number he ‘has a lot to learn’.
      Danny Rose vs Jose Mourinho
      The All or Nothing series also revealed details of Rose’s bust-up with manager Mourinho – which resulted in a loan to Newcastle last season and being banished to the Under-23s this term.
      The left-back confronted his boss about a lack of playing time in Mourinho’s office at their Enfield training base. 

      Danny Rose made his feelings clear to Jose Mouirnho in a fiery conversation at the Spurs training groundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Rose fumed: “Gaffer, I was just wondering what the problem is? You know exactly what I mean. How I’m being treated.
      “You know I was very excited when you came in as manager but if you don’t want me to play I’d rather you just tell me now and I’ll stay at home gaffer and I’ll train at home.”
      Gary Anderson vs Mensur Suljovic
      There may not have been dressed-up Shreks, Christmas trees or bananas at Ally Pally this time around – but there is still plenty of spice. 
      Anderson hit out at Suljovic’s excruciating slow play and placing his darts on the wrong table in their December World Championship grudge match.

      Gary Anderson was fuming with Mensur Suljovic after his opponent’s antics at Ally PallyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And the Flying Scotsman was so angry he threatened to QUIT the sport if he felt he was ever subjected to similar ‘joke’ gamesmanship tactics again.
      Mark Noble vs West Ham
      Noble let rip at his own employers when they announced the sale of exciting youngster Grady Diangana to rivals West Brom.
      The decision sparked fury among the London club’s supporters – angry at one of their brightest prospects being offloaded to bring in funds.
      Captain Noble took to Twitter to vent his frustration – with his tweet ‘liked’ by Declan Rice – saying: “As captain of this football club I’m gutted, angry and sad that Grady has left, great kid with a great future!”

      West Ham captain Mark Noble made his feelings clear after the club sold Grady Diangana to West Brom
      Dani Ceballos vs David Luiz
      Ceballos has certainly been at the thick of things off the pitch for Arsenal this season – more so than on it.
      The Spaniard had been going in hard on some of the younger players, forcing Luiz and Rob Holding to step in during one training session in November.
      But tempers boiled over to the point where a scuffle unfolded and the Brazilian drew blood from the on-loan midfielder’s face. 
      During the warm-up before the opening-day victory against Fulham back in September, Ceballos left a foot in on Eddie Nketiah resulting in a pushing match between the pair.  

      Arsenal’s season had not even got underway when Dani Ceballos clashed with Eddie Nketiah during the warm-up at Fulham
      Nick Kyrgios vs Novak Djokovic & Alexander Zverev
      One of the most controversial moves of 2020 was the organisation of the Adria Tour in Europe during the height of the pandemic.
      World No1 Djokovic and other top players gathered with fans and no social distancing – then a number tested positive for coronavirus, including the Serb.

      Novak Djokovic, centre, and Alexander Zverev, back right, were both blasted by fellow tennis ace Nick KyrgiosCredit: Reuters
      Outspoken Aussie Kyrgios slammed Djokovic as ‘bone-headed’ then labelled fellow pro Alexander Zverev as ‘selfish’ after he was spotted partying six days after saying he would self-isolate. 
      Djokovic’s disqualification from the US Open was also a major event of the sporting year as he was booted out of the tournament for carelessly hitting a ball into a line judge’s throat.
      Jurgen Klopp vs Des Kelly 
      Klopp is back once again for his final bust-up of the year – as he went toe to toe with BT Sport’s Des Kelly. 
      In similar fashion to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just weeks earlier, the Anfield boss raged at the broadcast company for scheduling his side in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off slot – citing the lack of recovery time for the high numbers of injuries to his squad. 
      But Kelly refused to back down and stood his, and the industry’s, ground admirably in the live on-air row.  

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, like Klopp, went on the offensive in a TV interview live on BT SportCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Mark Allen
      O’Sullivan is never too far away from a spot of controversy and so it proved during his Champion of Champions quarter-final clash with Mark Allen in November.
      The Rocket claimed his opponent had stood up and was ‘moving in my eyeline’ – but Allen strenuously denied any gamesmanship and accused O’Sullivan of ‘bullying’ behaviour. 
      But it was the Essex man who came off worse, going on to lose the frame and therefore the match.

      Karim Benzema vs Vincius Jr
      As one of the most senior players at Real Madrid, it was not a great look from Benzema when he claimed team-mate Vinicius Jr was ‘playing against us’.
      The French striker was talking to his compatriot Ferland Mendy in the tunnel at half-time of the 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League.
      Benzema said: “Don’t play with him. On my mother’s life, he [Vinicius] is playing against us.”
      Incredibly, boss Zinedine Zidane claimed his No9’s outburst was a ‘good thing’ and denied any rift between the two players. 

      Karim Benzema told Ferland Mendy not to pass to Vinicius Jr during a Real Madrid matchCredit: TELEDOT DIRECT
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs FIFA
      Despite being used in EA Sports’ flagship game for years and years, suddenly Ibrahimovic decided he had had enough and kicked up a storm when FIFA 21 was released. 
      The Swede questioned how the developers managed to get the rights to his name and likeness for the game and called for an investigation. 
      Mino Raiola, Gareth Bale and allegedly another 300 players supported the move to get to the bottom of the issue – but EA defended their position due to the deals they have in place with clubs and leagues.

      Zlatan Ibrahimovic called for an investigation into EA Sports’ use of his name and likeness in FIFA 21

      Somebody is making profit on my name and face without any agreement all these years.Time to investigate
      — Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) November 23, 2020

      Other notable mentions must also go to Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn’s spat with his former man Kell Brook.
      There is also the ongoing feud between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United on one side with Paul Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola on the other as well as UFC man Colby Covington threatening to make LeBron James ‘eat the canvas’.

      Former Matchroom boxer Kell Brook clashed with his former promotor Eddie Hearn in 2020Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      LeBron James was called out by UFC fighter Colby Covington in a bizarre spatCredit: Getty Images – Getty More