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    I covered all 16 of Mike Tyson’s world championship battles but Jake Paul bout isn’t a fight, it’s a FARCE

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    WHOEVER wrote the advertising blurb promoting the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul boxing buffoonery that’s taking place in Texas on Friday would make George Washington blush with shame.The description of this ridiculous, universally condemned freak show between 58-year-old Tyson and novice YouTuber Paul, is a masterpiece of deception.Mike Tyson ends his near two-decade absence from the ring on FridayCredit: GettyFormer YouTuber Jake Paul will be the 58-year-old’s opponentCredit: GettyTyson suffered a medical emergency just four months ago, resulting in the fight being postponedCredit: ReutersIt thunders: “One of the most highly anticipated fights in boxing history. “It’s legendary power against relentless ambition promising an unforgettable clash in the ring.”Has there ever been anything more derisory or misleading? Because this isn’t a fight – IT’S A FARCE!It must be appalling to the good folk who run the Age Concern charity that looks after the welfare of the elderly.READ MORE ON MIKE TYSONBecause Tyson – one of the all-time great world heavyweight champions – is not only being allowed to climb through the ropes at his time of life after 19 years in retirement but encouraged to combat a man 31 years younger.At least he is only being asked to box eight two-minute rounds and he’ll be wearing 14oz gloves instead of the usual 10oz – as if that is going to lessen the danger to Tyson’s health.We keep hearing what incredible shape Mike’s in considering he’s well passed middle age – yet four months ago he was said to be seriously ill suffering from a bleeding stomach ulcer which he admitted caused him to vomit blood.This sorry spectacle has been approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations. Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOnly in America would this kind of punching parody be sanctioned – it certainly wouldn’t be tolerated here.Stranger things have happened across the pond and it reminds me of the Aaron Pryor horror story.Jake Paul threatens to ‘bet the purse’ ahead of his fight with Mike TysonJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTPryor was found to be blind in his left eye after losing his world junior welterweight title in 1988. Eighteen months later he decided to make a comeback – understandably he found great difficulty in getting licenced to fight in most cities in the States.Eventually, he applied to the licensing authorities in Madison, Wisconsin and it was granted. Marlene Cummings – who made the decision – in her infinite wisdom said solemnly: “Handicapped people should not be penalised for their handicap.”You couldn’t make it up.Pryor went ahead with the fight and KO’d his opponent in the third.Has there ever been anything more derisory or misleading? Because this isn’t a fight – IT’S A FARCE!Colin HartIf the Texan authorities had done the sensible thing and refused to give their blessing to this unjustifiable Tyson-Paul spectacle no doubt another State would have been found willing to cash in and stage it.At least 60,000 are expected in the 80,000-capacity AT&T stadium to see Tyson and Paul square off – probably most of them the kind of people who slow down on motorways to ogle at a car crash.It’s being shown worldwide on Netflix which has 200 million subscribers – which is why Tyson and Paul are each supposed to be getting anything between £20-£30million.Hand on heart, who who can blame the one-time Baddest Man on the Planet for grabbing such a massive fortune for a maximum of 16 minutes work?Obviously Mike believes it’s worth gambling on not getting seriously hurt.The Baddest Man on the Planet hasn’t fought professionally since 2005Credit: GettyJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTHaving covered 30 of Tyson’s 58 fights over a period of 17 years – including every one of his 16 world championship battles – I spent many hours with him talking about his troubled life inside and outside the ring.Always a tormented soul, it was in the cards he would grow old disgracefully – but he always professed his undying love for boxing and respected its history and traditions.That’s why I find it so dispiriting Mike has allowed himself to get involved in something he would have regarded in his prime as degrading – but we all know money always talks loudest.It must be appalling to the good folk who run the Age Concern charity that looks after the welfare of the elderly.Colin HartThe Tyson I want to remember was the terrifying fighting machine who sent shivers of fear up and down the spine of his opponents – and many in the press seats as well – before he ruthlessly blasted them insensible with the dynamite he carried in both fists.I’m so glad I’m going to be nearly 5000 miles from Arlington and won’t have to watch the charade that is going to be enacted in cowboy country.What two long-dead American authors had to say many moons ago perfectly sums up what the majority feel and brings home what the unedifying Tyson-Paul match-up is really all about.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCharles Bukowski pointed out: “Bad taste creates many more millionaires than good taste.”And H. L. Mencken wrote: “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIf there is a ring walk Iron Mike Tyson should come in to Any Old Iron – an old Cockney music hall song the rag-and-bone men used to sing as they toured the East London streets when I was a kid.They were collecting damaged goods. More

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      Arne Slot has only done the easy part at Liverpool – the fate of Unai Emery and David Moyes serve as a warning

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      JACK NICHOLSON claims to have slept with 2,000 women in his prime while carving out a reputation as Hollywood’s ultimate swordsman.Imagine being the next bloke in the bedroom trying to follow that.Arne Slot has done the easy part at LiverpoolCredit: RexWhen in truth, it’s the man who keeps one beautiful woman happy and content for years on end that you really have to worry about, chaps.With that in mind, picking up the baton from Jurgen Klopp or Arsene Wenger goes down as two of the hardest jobs in football.Arne Slot has done pretty well at Liverpool, with one defeat in his first 16 games. But compared to Klopp’s unforgettable nine years at Anfield, he is still only in the foreplay stage.Unai Emery won 11 games on the trot in the same blistering three-month period having been tasked with leading Arsenal into a new era at the end of Wenger’s remarkable 22 years, in which he transformed one of the world’s biggest teams and football as a whole. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet less than 1½ seasons later, he was sacked. After an initial rush of blood, the Spaniard had flopped and was on his bike.Arsenal missed out on Champions League qualification in his first season by a solitary point — to Tottenham. They reached the Europa League final but lost to Chelsea.Not bad for a debut season but in every nook and cranny of the   Emirates, there were creeping doubts that he just was not the right fit.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBy the end of the first season, some Arsenal players were laughing behind Emery’s back at his poor grasp of English.The fans were confused about the style of play.Liverpool have put Jurgen Klopp’s sprawling £4million home for sale – after Anfield successor Arne Slot turned it down.Home games were played out amid baffled silence, the way was lost and the glue between manager and club simply did not set hard.It’s not an uncommon trend. Trace back through history and Bruce Rioch lost only three of his first 16 games when taking over from George Graham at the Gunners in 1995. He was history after a season.David Moyes lost only three of his first 16  Manchester United games — a decent enough return when charged with succeeding the most successful British boss of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson.It’s difficult including Chelsea because their idea of devotion is like that of bed-hopping Nicholson. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am, then on to the next one.Yet Avram Grant and Antonio Conte produced the goods when each took over from Jose Mourinho. Yet neither man really ‘got’ the club they were working for and paid the price.Emery is enjoying a more fruitful time at Aston Villa with his second bite at the Prem cherry. Then again, he has replaced Steven Gerrard, who did not even get one full season.Slot and Emery come face to face tomorrow when Liverpool host Villa.The Dutchman would do well to pull his opposite number to one side after the game to bend his ear on what to do, and what not to do, when juggling how to subtly move a club on while keeping tabs with tradition.Slot has passed the first test with a set of impressive results.But he still has work to do understanding, then changing, the culture at Anfield. His brand of football won’t ever be as full-on as Klopp’s organised chaos.The patient build-up to Tuesday’s eventual thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen underlines that, while the lack of noise at some home games this season reflects it.Slot’s tactics, transfer business and absorption into Liverpool’s way will be much more telling over time and it’s from now that he needs to build on the early positive vibes to construct a long-term transformation.Big football clubs don’t drop their drawers on the first date for anyone.GYOK A GAMBLEViktor Gyokeres could be a gamble for an English team to pick upCredit: RexPLENTY of debate about how and why Viktor Gyokeres is not playing for a Premier League big gun already.His remarkable 23 goals in 15 games for Sporting Lisbon this season makes him ripe for poaching — and that’s fair enough.Yet Chelsea already distanced themselves from previous links with the centre-forward from a year or so ago.And this makes me think something is not quite there with the free-scoring Swede to guarantee him being a hit over here.If you want previous on that, google Radamel Falcao, Serhiy Rebrov, Alvaro Morata and Andriy Shevchenko to find plenty of others who did not quite do it in England. We wait to see…TRUMP CARDRory McIlroy might be hoping Donald Trump can end golf’s civil warRORY McILROY must be the only person on planet Earth to consider Donald Trump a peacemaker.Yet the Northern Irish golfer hopes the re-election of a convicted felon as US President could be just the thing to end the lengthy standoff between the rival PGA and LIV Tours.How reassuring. It’s just the rest of the world we have to worry about now.Trump makes a formidable pairing with his ally, Tesla billionaire Elon Musk.The founder of SpaceX and owner of the X social-media platform has claimed in the past to be an alien.Golf went into meltdown when the rock ’n rollers from Saudi-owned LIV proposed 54-hole tournaments instead of the usual 72 and playing music at each one.God only knows what will happen should Trump and Musk get their hands on the Stableford scoring system.EERIE SILENCEThe atmosphere at Fulham’s Craven Cottage before their Brentford derby was eerily quietCredit: ReutersWALKING down to Fulham’s London derby against Brentford on Monday, it was eerily quiet.Then the peace was broken by the noise of a helicopter passing overhead having probably just taken off from the nearby helipad in Wandsworth.It made me think how much I miss the sound of those police choppers which used to hover around to keep an eye on things when there was a ‘tasty’  fixture in town.The constant heavy whirring made for a crackle in the air, especially at night matches.Anyone else feel the same? Just a thought.MUM’S WORDThe story of the week involves James Maddison being told off by his mumCredit: ReutersSTORY of the week was James Maddison admitting he has been in trouble with his mother for taking his shirt off every time he scores.With only seven goals since August 2023, the Tottenham midfielder clearly doesn’t give his old girl much grief and should still get his pocket money.But it got me thinking that while today’s over-paid, overhyped and often over-excitable Premier League stars might be bigger than their managers, they still all answer to one person.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo would it not be a good idea for all top-flight chiefs to be given the numbers of each player’s mum when they sign?Any backchatting or not eating your greens after training and the real boss is just a call away… More

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      Man Utd should follow England’s lead and appoint a German as their new manager… Sir Jim Ratcliffe must axe Ten Hag

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      THERE is nothing more infuriating than spending ages looking, only to find the answer has been staring you in the face all along.We’ve all been there. Usually it’s the most obvious of things as well.Erik Ten Hag insists he is safe at Man Utd – but his successor could be hiding in plain sightCredit: PAThe glasses still on your head, keys in the pocket, mobile on the charger…new manager hiding in plain sight.OK, I’ll admit that last one is a little more left-field. But after events this week, it may just be the blindingly blatant solution Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been seeking for months.One which has loomed into sharp and clear focus thanks to the most indirect, yet instructive, of nudges from the FA.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe governing body which scoured England and Europe, before deciding the perfect fit was a German and plumped for Thomas Tuchel.How ironic it would be, then, if Ratcliffe and his Ineos team came to the same conclusion and went down the Teutonic route at Manchester United.And before the wise guys jump in, I’m well aware Erik ten Hag insists he still has the full support of the club’s so-called Management Team.I also know his 12-month contract extension was activated in the summer.Most read in FootballBut do you seriously believe Ten Hag isn’t a man on the edge? That the odd impressive performance or result – like yesterday’s 2-1 win over Brentford – in the midst of the United mayhem will be enough?Erik ten Hag slams reports he’s set to be sacked as ‘fairytales’ but admits Man Utd ‘have a mountain to climb’ The brutal truth is the Dutchman only kept his job because Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and Co couldn’t find a suitable replacement, one who ticked enough boxes.Now, though, they just might. There is certainly a growing suggestion they are starting to think so, anyway. And, irony of ironies, he’s a German as well.A man of proven European pedigree, a fluent English speaker, who has worked over here before and is keen to do so again.And who – most appealingly of all for cost-cutting, count-the-pennies Sir Jim – could start at once, without his having to pay a bean in compensation.Edin Terzic is the man in question. One of the most understated top-level gaffers over the last two years.Edin Terzic fits the bill to replace the Dutchman at the Theatre of DreamsCredit: AFPTwo seasons ago his Borussia Dortmund side went within one goal of ending Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance, only blowing it with a last-day draw against Mainz.Then last season they were Champions League finalists and pushed Real Madrid to the limit before buckling to two late goals.Newcastle fans will remember Terzic. Dortmund beat them twice in the group of death, before impressively dumping Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid en route to Wembley.If their outstanding football surprised many along the way, it was nothing compared to the manager’s out-of-the-blue decision to resign that followed.The whisper back then was Terzic walked after falling out with senior players. The FA have rolled the dice appointing Thomas Tuchel as England bossCredit: SplashThe bigger word now claims it was a point of principle.Dortmund are a fan-owned club, which is great in theory but also means everyone thinks that gives them a say on everything from transfers to tactics.When opinions clashed – guaranteed with so many would-be chiefs – Terzic handed in his resignation, packed his bags and walked away.He’s been kicking his heels ever since, waiting for the right opening to plunge back in.And United, so the word goes, are well aware… even if he has so far gone under the radar.While all the bookies have a constant market on the next Old Trafford boss, only Paddy Power were alert to Terzic. And even then only as an 80-1 outsider.Man Utd player ratings vs BrentfordBy Neil CustisMANCHESTER UNITED produced a rousing comeback to beat Brentford at Old Trafford.Goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund cancelled out Ethan Pinnock’s first-half opener.The Red Devils’ win will ease pressure on beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag, who this week defiantly blasted reports that he is on the verge of the sack.On a crucial afternoon for Ten Hag and Co, here’s how SunSport rated each United performer.ANDRE ONANA – 6Did not have much to do for a lot of the game but pulled out a good first-half save to deny Christian Norgaard.DIOGO DALOT – 6Good display from right-back and almost capped it with a goal when he stormed forward only to have his effort beaten away by Mark Flekken.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6At the centre of the controversy in first-half injury time as he had to leave the field with a bleeding head wound when Brentford scored from a corner. He was already looking suspect, as was the bandage that was put on his head early in the game in the first place.JONNY EVANS – 7Continuing an amazing end to his career at Old Trafford. Man of the Match last time out in the goalless draw at Aston Villa and looked solid again. Great ovation when he came off towards the end.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7Shifted to an unaccustomed left-back spot but without problems and was particularly good getting forward down the flank.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6Chosen alongside Casemiro instead of new buy Manuel Ugarte who was on the bench again, but struggled to get into this game although he was involved for Hojlund’s goal. Thankful for the referee’s whistle in the first period calling play back for a foul after missing a sitter.CASEMIRO – 5Looked like he was off in the summer but back in the team although looking to be missing a yard and often beaten to the ball.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Does not operate as well on the right but Garnacho was so good down the left. Highlight of his first half was an incredible crossfield ball from right to left to set up Garnacho. Then in the second he provided the assist for Garnacho’s leveller.BRUNO FERNANDES – 7Tried to orchestrate something from midfield but looked a frustrated figure in the first period. Then he showed his class after the break with that great little flick to set up Hojlund for his goal.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 8Had an all action first half after switching from the right to the left but wasted too many chances. Made up for it in the second with a fine finish from Rashford’s cross in a Man of the Match performance.RASMUS HOJLUND – 7After getting one in Porto to open his season’s account he is now off and running with his first league goal of the campaign. A cool, clever chipped little finish it was too. The hope will be that starts a much needed run of goals but he needs to see more of the ball.SUBSTITUTESJoshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 74) – 5Strange change to make after Hojlund had just scored. His replacement fluffed the one half chance he had.Victor Lindelof (for Evans, 89) – 6A change that largely gave the fans a chance to acclaim Evans’ performance.Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 88) – 6A change that probably should have come earlier.Odds that subsequently crashed when Tuchel’s England appointment put Germany in vogue as a breeding ground of managerial talent.And we’re not talking a chance-your-arm rookie in Terzic but someone who knows the Premier League from the days as a key part of Slaven Bilic’s staff when he was West Ham boss.A man who – here’s another huge irony – did his Uefa Pro Licence in England on the same FA coaching course as Graham Potter and two United old boys, Nemanja Vidic and  Nicky Butt.Someone fluent in the language and the footballing culture… and desperate to come back to the Prem as a boss in his own right.The ideal man, you would imagine, to lead United back towards the days Ratcliffe boasts they can again enjoy.Maybe not title challengers just yet, but finally Edin in the right direction once more. The ball’s in your court, Sir Jim.Bookies whip up outrageJockey Jamie Powell was disqualified from the CesarewitchCredit: PATHE second Alphonse Le Grande won last week’s Cesarewitch, it was clear he wouldn’t keep the race.Jockey Jamie Powell had used the whip ten times – four above the permitted level – meaning disqualification was inevitable. No grey area, no debate, not even from the victors.Yet racing rules are such that the BHA’s Whip Racing Committee didn’t meet for three days… too late for those who’d backed promoted 7-1  runner-up Manxman.An inability to sort it on the day is bad enough, another case of an antiquated, creaking-wheels system making the sport a laughing stock.But the mass refusal of bookies – as is their right – to do the honourable thing and pay out on slips which were now winning ones was morally disgraceful.No wonder so many people put them on a par with estate agents, traffic wardens and tax inspectors.Alex axe is insaneSir Alex Ferguson opted for Celtics vs Aberdeen after his shock Man Utd ambassador axeCredit: PAWE could all name a boss with the man-management skills of Genghis Khan — and you wouldn’t find many inside Old Trafford who would struggle for suggestions right now.If only they gave out prizes for failing to read the room, Sir Jim Ratcliffe would indeed know what it was like to be a title winner.Whether Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit as Manchester United ambassador is yet more ruthless cost-cutting or a mutually agreed parting is open to debate. But one thing is certain.If your back’s against the wall, there are few better to have alongside you than Sir Alex.As Ratcliffe will doubtless discover if things continue to go t**s-up.ANGRY Little Englanders are out in force since Thomas Tuchel took the England job, insisting the boss must be from our shores.READ MORE SUN STORIESOne even labelled the German a manager of “limited success”.With an unlikely Champions League win, three top-flight titles, Club World Cup and six more trophies, you wonder what it’d take to accept Tuchel as a high achiever. More

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal tried every trick in the book and still couldn’t topple Man City – Mikel Arteta needs to cherish that point

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      ELITE football is a war-game that begins with the manager and ends with the referee’s final whistle.Under-fire Arsenal, a man short, played the war game and eventually shared the points with champions Manchester City on Sunday.Mikel Arteta may have deployed the dark arts against Manchester CityCredit: GettyBut he should savour that pointCredit: AlamyThey have been accused of “dark arts” by crudely wasting time, but it seems a huge majority of teams use similar tactics in the circumstances.Mikel Arteta is an exceptional manager, so suggestions that he deployed a rookie player to tell goalkeeper David Raya to feign injury was unworthy of him.The poor young pro who was apparently sent to deliver the message to Raya was rewarded with a yellow card for unsporting behaviour, this before he had played a single minute of professional football.But no matter the tactics, unsporting or otherwise, his players did what they were told and were ruthless in trying to retain their 2-1 lead.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet in a way their steely defence confirmed how difficult it is to overcome the class of the four-in-row champions.Just as well Sunday’s 107min 17sec marathon was competently refereed by Michael Oliver. Not so easy in a match of colliding bodies, fierce tackles and endless delays.Oddly this stirring 2-2 draw was fascinating.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSI am quite sure Pep Guardiola would not have been as fractious as his former assistant but as the saying goes “needs must as the devil drives”.One or two Arsenal players might have been tempted to break ranks.How Arteta outsmarted Pep AGAIN with cunning Calafiori ‘piggyback’ trick and ‘secret Arsenal coach’At half-time Arteta set the tactics to give the Gunners a chance to win — and his players did as they were told. Like every manager, Arteta is THE BOSS. No prizes for guessing the orders the Spaniard gave to his men: simply, stay back and stop them.Pushing, wrestling, body-checking, time-wasting are ugly but commonplace and they still exist despite many crackdowns. Managers tend to turn a blind eye to most fouls unless a penalty results or an offender is sent off.In first-half injury-time, Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard saw red for kicking the ball away and receiving his second booking.Arsenal ratings vs Man CityTEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.Here’s how the players rated…DAVID RAYA – 9Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol. RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.GABRIEL – 9Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.WILLIAM SALIBA – 8Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal – but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.JURRIEN TIMBER – 8Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.DECLAN RICE – 7Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.THOMAS PARTEY – 7Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.BUKAYO SAKA – 6Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.  KAI HAVERTZ – 7Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.SUBSWHITE – 7(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.KIWIOR – 6(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.JESUS – 6(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutesLEWIS SKELLY – 6(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.Click here to read more on Arsenal.No doubt Arteta was furious — not least because Declan Rice committed the same silliness earlier this month and missed a match.Managers tend to be practical and Arteta knew all too well how City dominate opponents of the highest class.With his weakened team, he ordered impassible non-stop defence, last-minute blocked shots, strong tackles, muscle in the six-yard box and decisive heading.No way were his men going to chuck away their lead, defending it as if it were the Siege of the Etihad, bloody but unbeaten.All of this to succeed in running down the clock and defy City by any way legal or close to it. They did this with a lock-tight defence, holding off one of the world’s best teams until John Stones finally equalised deep into added time.READ MORE SUN STORIESYet Arteta should cherish the point. Players are vastly paid and often spoiled but here was an example of defiance that is as much to be admired as challenged.Yes, Arsenal’s time-wasting was epic. They used every trick in the book but, on balance, two lost league points for City was a small win for their closest rivals. More

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      in Boxing

      Team GB boxer emotionally torn apart and battling depression after Olympics 2024 robbery

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      DELICIOUS ORIE has been emotionally torn apart and is still battling     the depression that engulfed him after he was robbed by Olympic  boxing judges.Orie hasn’t yet recovered from that intense sense of injustice he felt in Paris last month.Great Britain’s Delicious Orie, right, was devastated after losing to Davit Chaloyan during the Men’s +92kg final in ParisCredit: PAHe said ‘I’ve never suffered depression in my life before’Credit: GettyDJ, as he likes to be called, won Commonwealth Games and European Championship golds.And Great Britain’s super-heavyweight was a favourite to become Olympic champion.The smell from sewage in the Seine may have been unpleasant but there was a far greater stench in the boxing arena.The XY chromosomes controversy over Algerian Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting — allowed to compete in the women’s event despite previously failing gender tests — and some disturbing judges’ scorecards saw to that.READ MORE IN BOXINGOrie wasn’t at his best fighting Davit Chaloyan yet was given the first round by all five judges.The second and third rounds were much closer but DJ and his team were dumbfounded as he was ruled a 3-2 loser.Orie was distraught and is struggling to come to terms with that dodgy defeat to the Armenian.When I tracked Orie down this week, on holiday with his parents in Thailand, he was pleased to unburden himself.Most read in BoxingThough he was 5,000 miles away, I could feel his pain when he said: “It’s going to be a very long time before I get what happened to me in Paris out of my system.“I just can’t stop thinking about it.Ten things from the Olympics closing ceremony you may have missed“Knowing my Olympic boxing history, I know it has happened to much better fighters than me — Roy Jones Jr in Seoul and Floyd Mayweather Jr in Atlanta being the most famous victims.“But I couldn’t believe it when my opponent’s hand was raised — I felt sick to my stomach as if I’d been hit by a low blow from Mike Tyson.“It took eight hard years preparing to win gold, then all my dreams were just shattered.“I’ve never suffered depression in my life before — I just can’t get it out of my mind and my whole world seemed to have collapsed.“I’ve taken a lot of punches, been dropped in sparring, been really wounded as an athlete.I couldn’t believe it when my opponent’s hand was raised — I felt sick to my stomach as if I’d been hit by a low blow from Mike Tyson.Delicious OrieSunSport“But this is by far the worst thing I’ve had to go through — nothing has hurt me as much as this.”Orie is 27 and won’t want to stay amateur for another four years to try to make it to the Los Angeles Games.Not least because it’s uncertain if boxing will be included for 2028.He could turn pro — or quit boxing altogether and rely on his first-class honours degree in economics from Aston University to earn a living.Having failed to get an Olympic medal, DJ can’t expect to be offered a lucrative promotional deal to start punching for pay.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe’s certainly not too old to leave the amateurs — 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce didn’t turn pro until he was 32 and was interim WBO world heavyweight champ.Orie is not a big puncher but with his brains   and colourful background — his mother is Russian and his father Nigerian — he would be a welcome addition to Britain’s talented and highly competitive heavyweight scene.You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicideIt doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: More

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      in Boxing

      Meet the British boxer likened to Marmite who makes fools out of fellow pros with moves out of Strictly Come Dancing

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      RASH, brazen and bombastic Brummie Ben Whittaker will once again bring his stomach-churning showboating antics into the ring with him on Saturday.The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist is expected to flash his teasing talents when he clashes with Nigerian Ezra Arenyeka at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park ground.Ben Whittaker has divided opinion during his short time as a professional boxerCredit: GettyWhittaker, with just seven unbeaten light-heavyweight fights, has recently been the subject of more arguments than a General Election TV debate.He divides opinion among ringside fans and Sky viewers who either strongly object to his eccentric behaviour or praise him for his entertainment value.When Ben turned pro two years ago he decided there was one way of making an instant impact.He set out to cause controversy inside the ring by indulging in the kind of outrageously extravagant moves one would normally expect to see on Strictly Come Dancing.READ MORE IN SPORTShamelessly he shimmies, shakes, pirouettes, makes 360-degree turns, hops on one leg and patronisingly pats his opponents on the head while battering them with both hands.Showboating is not exactly a new phenomenon. I watched Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Chris Eubank, Naseem Hamed and other masters of the craft of showmanship.But there is a world of difference between what Ali and company got up to and Whittaker’s behaviour.They were showing off their fancy footwork in the face of elite fighters amid the heat of world championship battles.Most read in Boxing’You need to sort your commentary out’ says Ben Whittaker in awkward interview on live TV leaving pundits looking sheepish Whereas Ben is making fools out of his fellow pros who have limited skills — and were hand-picked so he can enjoy himself.To me it’s a form of bullying.Boxing is dangerous and often brutal but there is a definite unwritten code that comes under the category of Ungentlemanly Conduct.It is generally accepted that under no circumstances should inferior opponents be ridiculed or humiliated.Whittaker, 27, has been heavily criticised for doing exactly that but vehemently denies he is disrespecting the opposition.He claims he is simply giving the public what they want to see — and that’s showbiz with blood.His promoter Ben Shalom certainly will not curb his clowning and boasts his wannabe superstar has a million Instagram followers and puts bums on seats.Arenyeka has won all his 12 fights — mostly against unknowns in Lagos — and it is doubtful that he will be much of a threat to Britain’s latest motormouth.However, he summed up what many genuine fight fans feel about Whittaker when he said: “Most boxers aren’t appreciative of the way he does things in the ring.“He’s acting like a little diva — a little kid.”Ben has achieved what he set out do — become notorious extremely quickly.READ MORE SUN STORIESNow it’s time for referees to clamp down on his nauseating excesses and take points away when necessary.Whittaker has been compared to Marmite — which means you either love him or hate him. I happen to hate Marmite! More

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      Dave Kidd: Jurgen Klopp’s row with Mo Salah will define the collapse of his Liverpool empire… he totally botched exit

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      IT is the image which will define the collapse of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool empire.A manager who admitted at least five months ago he was running out of gas, having a heated touchline row with a star player who wanted to take the Saudi shilling last summer.Jurgen Klopp’s side have fallen away in the Premier League title raceCredit: GettyKlopp and Mo Salah had a row on the touchline during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with West HamCredit: GettyThe sanctimonious ‘This Means More’ brigade have turned on Mo Salah for his petulance, while arriving as a late sub as Liverpool’s title chances moved from slim to non-existent in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at West Ham.And Salah’s behaviour certainly told us that the extreme unity of Klopp’s ‘Mentality Monsters’ was a thing of the past.Salah has still had a decent individual season but there have only been three Premier League goals from the Egyptian since Klopp handed in his notice and since his injury at the Africa Cup of Nations.And Liverpool’s only genuinely convincing display during their recent season-wrecking, ten-match run was the 3-1 win at Fulham — when Salah was dropped.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLStill, Klopp should take the lion’s share of the blame for Liverpool’s capitulation because the German has botched his exit.When he announced his intention to quit the club in January, Liverpool were top of the league having suffered a single — unjust — defeat all season, thanks to a VAR debacle at Tottenham.While a quadruple was always a long shot, it was not entirely unrealistic.And a second Premier League title was very much on.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut Klopp is burnt-out, quite understandably, and he knew as much in November when he told his staff he would leave at the end of this season.Indeed, Klopp’s No 2 Pep Lijnders said he knew last summer that ‘we were going towards the end of this project’.Mo Salah held back by team-mates after explosive touchline row with Jurgen Klopp before coming on at West HamAs an elite football manager, when you know your time is up, you’re no longer fully effective.And when you’ve told everyone else that your time is up, your time is up.So, Klopp’s announcement was always likely to derail Liverpool’s season — especially given how extremely his team, at its best, reflects his own manic personality.Would Liverpool have enjoyed a more successful season had Klopp quit last summer, when he knew he was no longer in it for the long term, and if Salah had been allowed to leave for lucrative Saudi semi-retirement?Probably not. Finishing third in the Premier League and winning the Carabao Cup is no disgrace.And at the start of the campaign, it would have been considered par for the course.But the post-Klopp rebuild could have started a year earlier and without such an avoidable and predictable anti-climax to this season.Now, having been snubbed by Xabi Alonso, the outstanding candidate to succeed Klopp, Liverpool have gone down Manchester United’s ‘bald Dutchman’ route with Arne Slot, rather than the expected ‘Latin hipster’ approach with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim.Slot needs patience and may well get it. But replacing a long-serving club great is always a tough gig, especially in the likely event that Liverpool lose their best two players, Salah and Virgil van Dijk.Arne Slot’s record is WORSE than Erik ten Hag’s
      ARNE SLOT is set to be tasked with a near-impossible job – replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
      Should he swap the Eredivisie for the Premier League, Slot will follow in the footsteps of fellow follically-challenged Dutchman Erik ten Hag.
      Ten Hag left Ajax to become Manchester United manager in 2022.
      But he has suffered a nightmare spell at Old Trafford and appears to be a dead-man walking despite making the FA Cup final.
      With Slot seemingly destined for Anfield, fans won’t be able to help but compare his record in Holland with Ten Hag’s.
      And Reds supporters won’t like what they see.
      Click here to see all the stats…

      Liverpool’s time as Manchester City’s leading domestic rivals is over, with Arsenal having now usurped them over two seasons.Klopp’s four-year Anfield peak finished in 2022, when another quadruple ended with Liverpool pipped to the title by Manchester City and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.Now we know Klopp’s final major trophy haul at Liverpool — one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup, two League Cups and (if you must) a World Club Cup — where does his reign stand among the greatest of the Premier League era?In black-and-white terms, Klopp is way behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, the only two men to have won multiple Premier Leagues and a Champions League at the same club.Those two sit alongside Brian Clough, Bob Paisley and Sir Matt Busby as the undoubted all-time managerial greats of the English game.Klopp copied Fergie’s ‘biggest mistake’ and it’s derailed his final season, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      JURGEN KLOPP was genuinely surprised to hear it, on the January day when he announced his intention to quit Liverpool at the end of the season.
      It was put to him that Sir Alex Ferguson had told his Manchester United players in the summer of 2001 that the coming season would be his last.
      Ferguson later performed a U-turn and stayed at Old Trafford for another 11 years.
      But the great Scot admitted that revealing his intentions had been the ‘biggest mistake I made’.
      “I think a lot of them put their tools away,” said Ferguson, “They thought, ‘Oh, the manager’s leaving’.”
      It was a part of English footballing history which Klopp knew nothing about and he raised his eyebrows when he was told about it.
      Liverpool were top of the Premier League, having lost only a single domestic match all season – and that a controversial VAR-infested affair at Tottenham.
      But their form has nosedived since, with dreams of a farewell quadruple long gone.
      And Klopp may well now be reflecting on the wisdom of his announcement.
      Read Dave Kidd’s take on Klopp’s demise in full here.
      Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles.

      But Klopp ranks in the next tier down — with Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho (the Chelsea version), Bill Shankly and Don Revie.These were all men with the strength of character to transform their clubs in their own image and enjoy success but who did not win as much as they might have done.Had Klopp managed to keep his intentions under wraps and ended up with another title, perhaps even a treble or quadruple, he’d have edged himself up into that highest echelon with Ferguson, Guardiola, Clough, Paisley and Busby.But deciding the timing and the manner of your exit is one of the toughest calls for any manager or sportsman.Klopp got it wrong. And the sight of him squabbling with Salah on the touchline at West Ham is cast-iron proof of that.COLE’S A VOTE WINNERTHE voting for the Footballer of the Year award closes on Tuesday and, unlike many, I’ve gone for Cole Palmer.Most Football Writers’ Association members vote by starting with the likely Prem champs and work backwards. So the winner will be Phil Foden, Rodri, Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard.There is dissent if a player from a less successful team wins, like David Ginola from mid-table Spurs in Manchester United’s ’99 Treble- winning year.But enjoying a superb individual season in a poor team is a greater achievement.And for Palmer — just 21 and in his first season as a regular starter — to have chalked up 23 goals and 13 assists in such a basket-case team as Chelsea, makes him this season’s outstanding player.TEN-TERTAINMENTMUCH guffawing when Erik ten Hag proclaimed his Manchester United side as “one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams” in the Premier League after a 1-1 home draw with Burnley.But I agree with him.This season I’ve watched live as United beat Liverpool and Wolves 4-3, drew 3-3 with Coventry and Galatasaray and lost 4-3 at Bayern Munich and Copenhagen. I also watched on telly as they were beaten 4-3 at Chelsea.As a neutral, I can’t remember seeing any team involved in quite so many mental matches during the course of one season.The problem is Ten Hag isn’t there to produce chaotic entertainment for the likes of me, he’s there to make Manchester United successful and make their fans happy — which is an entirely different metric.FINAL FLING FOR FLOPSMOST people fancy a glamour Champions League final between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, whose star man Kylian Mbappe is about to move to the Bernabeu.But I would prefer an all-German affair between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund — like the last Wembley final in 2013.Just for the larks of seeing Englishmen Eric Dier and Jadon Sancho line up against each other in the world’s greatest club match, after both were frozen out of average Premier League teams and with neither of them in England’s Euros plans.FLAT NO TO VARDESPITE the horrors of Ikea, Sweden is my new favourite country after its clubs voted against introducing VAR.READ MORE SUN STORIESThose of us who opposed VAR and now want it scrapped are told this can’t happen, as if any rowing back against technology makes you some kind of flat-Earther.But the Swedes have seen this ruinous system operate and are right not to touch it with a flat-packed bargepole. More

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      Spare a thought for long-suffering Coventry fans like ‘Simon’ who should have whole country backing them against Man Utd

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      THE NEXT time Simon from ­Surrey pours out his heart to talkSPORT about the woes of supporting Manchester United, spare a thought for ‘Steven’ from Coventry.‘Steven’ is not his real name. We are keeping his identity secret to spare the shame and indignity of being outed as a Coventry City supporter.Long-suffering Coventry fans should have the majority of other clubs backing them at WembleyCredit: PABecause unlike United in recent years who may have been a bit crap, the Sky Blues really have been to s***ville and back.Which is why there should be no debate about who I and the rest of the country should be rooting for on Sunday when the two teams meet at Wembley in their FA Cup semi-final.Being ‘sent to Coventry’ is a metaphorical punishment. But being temporarily ghosted by pals is nowhere near as extreme as having to stay there and support the city’s football team.‘Steven’ is just one of hundreds if not thousands of helpless victims unable to escape this miserable addiction — like eating toilet paper (yes, people do do it).READ MORE ON FOOTBALL‘Steven’ moved away and found a new life with a successful career but still couldn’t shake the drug of watching the Sky Blues.One day in 2016 he took a mate with him to see City play at Cambridge, appropriately in the FA Cup.‘Steven’ was hoping to turn his pal into a fan like him and imagined them enjoying memorable boy time together on road trips to and from games. Firming up their friendship by celebrating famous victories in the pub and on long car journeys with a mix tape blaring away.But things went wrong when League Two Cambridge stuck four goals past League One Cov, with Luke Berry scoring them all.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS‘Steven’ noticed a change in his mate, who seemed more distant, ­different somehow. Finally the ‘friend’ came clean and confessed that he would prefer to support Cambridge instead — and he still does.‘Steven’ also got done for speeding on the way home (three points is still three points, son) and Coventry were relegated to League Two at the end of the season.Shocking moment Coventry boss wildly celebrates in ball boy’s FACE after FA Cup winner – then accuses him of ‘smirking’Still the nightmare went on. The ­following season ‘Steven’ went with his dad to see City play Yeovil in League Two.He told me (in a disguised voice): “We were outclassed and outplayed. I had now seen City lose in the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.  I made a point of going to the home game later that ­season as we had finally picked up form — we lost 6-2.”Coventry went 51 years without a promotion season between 1967 and 2018.Since winning the 1987 FA Cup courtesy of Gary Mabbutt’s knee, there have been three relegations, one administration, countless humiliations and years of frustration.Home games played in entirely ­different cities, ownership strife, fan ­protests and being forced to groundshare with London rugby club Wasps.After plummeting out of the Premier League in 2001, there have been 13 different full-time managers — but even Sky Blue diehards lose count when you ask.Coventry lifted the FA Cup at Wembley back in 1987Credit: GettyIn that same period Manchester United have won six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, five League Cups, the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup.But they haven’t won the league for 11 years and have American owners they don’t particularly like. Heartbreaking.There are more like ‘Steven’. ‘Mark’ drove from home to Oldham one night and broke down on the M6 en route. He arrived at half-time with City 1-0 up. They lost 2-1.One of ‘David’s’ first dates with his new girlfriend was to see Coventry at home to non-league Worcester City in the FA Cup first round. What a way to impress a girl.City were knocked out by the Conference North side 2-1. ‘David’ and his new beau were two lovebirds among 8,000 devotees on a blustery Sunday in November 2014.There is at least a happy ending. ‘David’ is soon to wed that loyal lady who can see beyond his obvious weakness and will dedicate her life to ­caring for the man of her dreams.‘David’ tells me he will be at ­Wembley on Sunday cheering on the love of his life in full kit.Why FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin Lipton
      THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
      No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
      Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
      If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
      Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
      And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.
      Read more on the FA Cup by clicking here.

      THE END OF THE MAGICTHE dear old FA Cup is being forced to make room for boring group stage European matches.Sorry, that should read, boring ‘Swiss-style format’ European matches.There’s a difference apparently.I love the third-round replays because I am a bit of a dinosaur and watching the big clubs cock it up at home then lose away is cracking entertainment. But that’s not the issue.Bringing forward the FA Cup final to the penultimate weekend of the domestic season means the oldest cup competition in the world is now robbed of its grand finale place in the calendar.Yes, it has happened before but that doesn’t mean it’s OK.Even though the Cup is normally dominated by the elite teams, the likes of Crystal Palace and Hull can enjoy a huge day out and a puncher’s chance of victory.The Premier League is scrapping games the night before to allow build-up to the big occasion next season. But there might be some the day after.Thus making the FA Cup final merely a bridging tournament as the title race hots up.RIP FA CUP.Gabriel Jesus is shown a yellow card by referee Danny Makkelie against Bayern MunichCredit: ReutersCLOCK UPWATCHING Gabriel Jesus petulantly toss the ball away and mouth off to the referee in the final, frantic few minutes of Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich, something struck me.Instead of booking tetchy footballers for such unsportsmanlike acts, why don’t refs just knock 30 seconds off whatever stoppage time is left?The Gunners were desperate for an equaliser on Wednesday night and every second was precious.If the losing team knows that any outburst like that will cost them on the clock, it will soon put an end to it.ALL DUN?THE goalless draw for Rangers at Dundee means they are now without a win in three games.It has blown the Scottish title race wide open.READ MORE SUN STORIESSuch drama north of the border.Who on earth do you think might win the Premiership instead of them? More

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      Justin Allen: Shelf-ish West Ham chief Sullivan shows he doesn’t live in real world with bizarre EFL supermarket analogy

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      DAVID SULLIVAN likened the Premier League to Tesco and the EFL as a small supermarket chain.And the West Ham owner argued that the retail giants don’t pay out a subsidy to the little shops. he questions why should the top flight pour more money into the three lower divisions?David Sullivan does not back the Premier League paying more to the EFLCredit: GettyI don’t know if Sullivan ventures much into our high streets.But if he does, he will see that they have mostly been destroyed by retail giants. He will see boarded-up windows all over the place.Little shops were, and still should be, at the heart of communities… as should our EFL clubs.Sullivan can afford to shop at Harrods and Selfridges while most of us have to scour the shelves for bargains at Aldi or Lidl.READ MORE ON EFLJust like West Ham can afford to pay more than £50million for Brazil international Lucas Paqueta while the EFL’s bottom club Sutton United are a team packed of freebies.The Hammers chief does not seem to live in the real world – or appears at least detached from it.Does he care much about the loss of things such as our independent greengrocers, butchers and bakers?And does he give a damn about what has happened to clubs like Bury and Macclesfield as well as what is unfolding at Reading?Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIf he does, Sullivan should be front and centre of a Premier League campaign to safeguard the EFL for generations to come.He should be sticking up for the little guys because once upon a time he himself heralded from humble beginnings.Sky Sports Soccer Saturday crew burst out laughing after mascot’s hilarious reaction to being shoved in EFL clashSullivan was brought up in a council house and should understand the value of things.The West Ham owner has rightly been receiving widespread stick for his ridiculous comments and has been accused of being selfish.His remarks smacked of “I’m alright Jack, pull up the ladder”.What Sullivan failed to mention is that EFL clubs, and non-league ones for that matter, are vital to the health of the Premier League.I wonder if it dawned on him in Prague in May when West Ham lifted the Europa Conference League trophy that matchwinner Jarrod Bowen started his career in non-league with Hereford and then honed his skills in the EFL at Hull City.And key frontman Michail Antonio also did the non-league yards with Tooting and Mitcham before touring the EFL with the likes of Reading, Cheltenham, Southampton when they were in League One, Colchester, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest.Without these clubs and lower divisions, neither player would have developed to become Premier League household names.Sullivan’s central argument is against introducing an independent football regulator to clean up our national game – and oversee a fairer distribution of funds across all levels of football.He believes that redistributing more funds out of the Premier League clubs’ ever-expanding coffers would threaten its status as the best football division on the planet.EFL chief executive Rick Parry pointed out clubs dining at English football’s top table pay more than £2BILLION more in wages than the four other major European leagues.Jarrod Bowen with the Conference League Trophy he won with West HamWest Ham’s Jarrod Bowen started in non-league with HerefordMichail Antonio also started his career in non-league and the EFL before West HamSo the notion that the Premier League will somehow be overtaken by other countries is fanciful and for the birds.What peeves me about the likes of Sullivan is his seemingly complete ignorance to the fact that the Premier League do not OWN our national gameThey are simply top of a highly-successful English football pyramid system that has been around for more than a century,Nowhere else in the world do you see a fourth-tier club like Bradford pulling in average gates of almost 18,000, apart from when Rangers were booted down to Scotland’s bottom division in 2012 of course.Or do you see elsewhere a cup competition for third and fourth-division clubs (the EFL Trophy) that in recent years have seen attendances at Wembley finals of 85,021 in 2019 for Charlton v Portsmouth and 79,839 for Bolton v Plymouth last April?Since the Premier League was formed in 1992, West Ham have only spent four seasons of the 32 in the second tier.Sullivan has experienced relegation from the top flight in East London and twice while he co-owned Birmingham with the late David Gold.So he knows first-hand how huge the disparity is between the Championship and Premier League.Sullivan does not want the parachute payment system to stop.Simple solution, David: manage your finances and contracts better then.But something has got to give. It is not right that clubs like Leeds, Leicester and Southampton should this season have received around £55m each while the other Championship clubs, apart from those still getting parachutes, receive just £8.2million. The West Ham owner does not think it is right for clubs like his to help those lower down the food chain who have mismanaged their finances.But then he contradicts himself by saying parachute payments are “not big enough” to help support teams that get relegated. He argues going down to the Championship would be “horrendous”.Well, simple solution, David: manage your finances and contracts better then.All deals should have relegation clauses in them where wages MUST drop as a result. I’m afraid Premier League footballers should also start living in the real world.If you fail, your wages must be cut accordingly.The Premier League right now have an opportunity to avoid a regulator coming in – but they want to play with the ball all to themselves.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo I am afraid it’s time for an adult to enter the room, crack their heads together and tell them to play fairly with the others.That will be the best way to make sure the EFL doesn’t turn into a little shop of horrors.Bury fans during the run-up of the Shakers being booted out of the EFL in 2019Macclesfield supporter protests about his club’s woesThe future of Reading is under threat More