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      in Soccer

      Championship side send 4,000 tickets to WRONG CLUB in major blunder as non-league outfit post cheeky ‘thank you’ message

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY have been left red-faced after mistakenly sending 4,000 tickets to the WRONG CLUB.Oxford United travel to Hillsborough on April 12 for a bumper clash in their quest to secure Championship survival.Sheffield Wednesday accidentally sent thousands of tickets to the wrong clubCredit: GettyA huge following is expected to follow Gary Rowett’s men into South Yorkshire with the U’s requesting an allocation of 4,000.But instead of sending them to the Kassam Stadium to be sold, the Owls incorrectly sent them to Oxford City – United’s non-league neighbours from four divisions below.The embarrassing gaffe was revealed by the National League South side on social media as they posted a photo of their surprise delivery at the MGroup Stadium.That was accompanied with a caption saying: “A big thank you to Sheffield Wednesday for the delivery of 4,000 tickets for your game vs Oxford United.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA wink face emoji for the “intern at the Hillsborough ticket office” followed along with the message: “Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!”It finished with a “don’t panic” message and a promise to deliver the tickets to the Kassam “after lunch”.However, it seems their rivals “mustn’t have trusted” them as they headed straight round to collect them.Andy Gate, Oxford City’s press officer, said: “We do get calls now and then for people who want to get tickets to Oxford United and get the wrong number, and usually I’m quickly googling the Oxford United website to give them the number for the ticket office there. But we’ve had nothing like this, not at all.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“With the risk of sounding like Mick from Gavin and Stacey, it’s not the thing you expect when you come to work in the morning is it?”Sheffield Wednesday next face Cardiff City next Saturday, while Oxford United face Middlesbrough.’Arrogant’ Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri slammed for shoving young fan who filmed him while singing song More

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      in Motorsport

      Sky Sports host, 43, gives health update after walking out of live show due to illness

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      A SKY SPORTS presenter has given a health update after being struck down with an illness during live coverage of Formula One’s season opener in Australia.UK audiences are certainly familiar with the stars of Sky’s F1 coverage including David Croft, Martin Brundle, Karun Chandhok and Bernie Collins.Sandra Baumgartner confirmed she was taken unwell but that the issue was not seriousCredit: RexThe race was won by Lando Norris with Max Verstappen coming in secondCredit: GettyBut on the broadcaster’s sister channel in Germany, presenter Sandra Baumgartner went missing halfway through the race.The 43-year-old, who has worked in F1 since 2012, had been seen conducting interviews in Melbourne before the race.However, she suddenly went missing from the broadcast about halfway through Sunday’s race.Colleague Peter Hardenacke clarified she had been taken ill, saying: “Some of you will miss Sandra. We will! She said goodbye during the race. She’s not feeling well. READ MORE IN F1″She already had a headache yesterday after the first day and qualifying. Best wishes, Sandra! Get well soon. “We hope you’ll be back hosting the warm-up for the Chinese Grand Prix on Thursday at the latest.”Baumgartner has since taken to Instagram to post an update on her condition and confirm she will return to duty for the warm-ups of next weekend’s race in China before her next race day in Bahrain on April 16.Taking to social media, she said: “Melbourne was great until I got ill. I’ll be back on Thursday for the warm-up for the next race. Most read in Motorsport”My next race on-site is Bahrain and not because of illness, that was already planned.”Lando Norris won the chaotic season opener with Max Verstappen coming a close second and George Russell coming in third.’I’m about to cry’ – Fans praise Lewis Hamilton’s dad for classy gesture as he consoles F1 rookie after debut crashSix drivers crashed out thanks to the changeable conditions, including rookie Isack Hadjar who was left in tears after crashing out on the formation lap – he was later consoled by Anthony Hamilton.But one of the highlights of the weekend – or lowlights if you are a Ferrari fan – were the radio exchanges heard on radio with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with their engineers.Hamilton was heard blasting an expletive down the radio at a major Ferrari strategy blunder after repeatedly asking his engineer to “leave me to it”.In Leclerc’s case, he complained about water in his seat from a possible leak before his engineer said the issue “must be the water”, with the driver sarcastically replying: “Let’s add that to the words of wisdom.”The Chinese Grand Prix weekend also presents the first Sprint Race weekend of the season. More

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      in Soccer

      ‘This is a joke’ – Danny Drinkwater reveals moment he was told he had ONE HOUR to leave Chelsea

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      DANNY DRINKWATER has revealed he was given just ONE HOUR to leave Chelsea.The former Blues midfielder has lifted the lid on his brutal Stamford Bridge exile, which came just a year after his shock £45million switch from Leicester.Danny Drinkwater has revealed he was give just one hour to leave ChelseaCredit: https://x.com/FIVEUKHe stunned Rio Ferdinand with the tale about his brutal axeCredit: https://x.com/FIVEUKDrinkwater was signed by Chelsea in 2017 following their title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte.But a lack of form and several injuries saw him make just 12 Premier League appearances.And when Maurizio Sarri took charge in 2018, Drinkwater began to fear the worst.The Blues already had himself, Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante and Ross Barkley on the books after Tiemoue Bakayoko was loaned out to AC Milan.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA young Ruben Loftus-Cheek was making waves in the academy too.But Sarri’s arrival saw TWO more midfielders join, with Jorginho signing from Napoli and Mateo Kovacic coming from Real Madrid.It saw club captain Cesar Azpilicueta initially warn Drinkwater that he may have to start searching for a new side.The three-time England international told Rio Ferdinand’s podcast: “Looking back actually, I remember Azpi tried giving me the heads up about this when I was in that second season.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge”So I was in there with Cesc on that Sarri first pre-season, so it would’ve been me and Cesc I think, Kova might have been there, and they were trying to bring Jorginho in.”N’Golo was obviously there wasn’t he? So N’Golo, Cesc and me, I can’t remember if Kovacic was there at the time.’Reminded me of Gerrard at Liverpool’ – Cole Palmer told he needs to LEAVE Chelsea and has outgrown the club alreadyMaurizio Sarri wanted to send Drinkwater to ItalyCredit: GettyThe midfielder stayed put but failed to make another appearance for ChelseaCredit: Getty“But then Azpi’s like, ‘Drinks, if they bring Jorgi in, which they’re going to, they want to, you need to think about what you want to do here.'”Despite the warning, Drinkwater ended up staying put at Stamford Bridge throughout the summer.He even came off the bench in the 2-0 Community Shield defeat to Man City, suggesting he still had a future at Chelsea.But on transfer deadline day, Drinkwater received the “joke” message he’d been fearing for several months.The midfielder was summoned to Sarri’s office after training, where he was told he was not in the club’s first-team plans.Sarri told Drinkwater that several teams wanted to sign him on loan, including one Italian side.But Drinkwater, father to a young baby at the time, dismissed any exit talk with just ONE HOUR left in the window and insisted he’d take his chances as a fringe player.He continued: “So Sarri’s English, again, when he came, wasn’t the best… That first window after that summer, it was like the last day of the window. Danny Drinkwater’s football careerMan Utd, 2008-2012: 0 games, 0 goalsHuddersfield (loan), 2009-2010: 37 games, 2 goalsCardiff (loan), 2010: 12 games, 0 goalsWatford (loan), 2011: 12 games, 0 goalsBarnsley (loan), 2011: 18 games, 1 goalLeicester, 2012-2017: 218 games, 14 goalsChelsea, 2017-2022: 23 games, 1 goalBurnley (loan), 2019: 2 games, 0 goalsAston Villa (loan), 2020: 4 games, 0 goalsKasimpasa (loan), 2020-2021: 11 games, 0 goalsReading (loan), 2021-2022: 34 games, 1 goalEngland, 2016: 3 games, 0 goalsTrophiesLeicester: Premier League, ChampionshipChelsea: FA Cup”My son was a year old here as well, so I’ve got stuff off the pitch that I’m focusing on as well.”Zola came and saw me, and said, ‘Drinks, the gaffer would like to see you.’ So I was like, ‘Yeah, buzzing, sweet.’ Didn’t expect anything from it.”I came up and he’s like, ‘I think you should go on loan.’ So I was like, ‘What? What time is it?’ I was like saying, ‘I’ve got an hour to get a club, what do you mean?'”And he’s like, ‘No no, loads of like… I’ve got a Serie A team, loads of teams asking about you.’ [I’m] like, ‘Nah nah, I ain’t going out of England, are you mad?'”Just had a baby, I’m a footballer but I’m a dad, I ain’t going anywhere. And he’s like, ‘Well, you might get frustrated.’ I was like, ‘Well, I’m going to get frustrated aren’t I? This is a joke.'”Drinkwater’s decision to stay at Chelsea saw him fail to add to his Communiy Shield cameo for the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign.The Premier League title winner eventually saw his career fade out with unsuccessful loans at Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish side Kasimpasa and Reading.Drinkwater then retired from football aged 33 in 2023 after failing to find a new side.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe’s since lost £782,000 after going into the restaurant business.And last summer Drinkwater shared a photo of himself “grafting” on a building site. More

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      in Boxing

      Premier League stadium tipped to hold world title fight as reigning champion Callum Smith says ‘the time is now’

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      CALLUM SMITH dreams of fighting at Anfield and has vowed “the time is now”.The 34-year-old became the WBO’s interim light-heavyweight champion by beating Joshua Buatsi last month.Callum Smith became interim light heavyweight champion last monthCredit: GettyThe Battle of Britain affair took place in Riyadh on the undercard of the rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.For his next bout, particularly while holding a world championship belt, Liverpool-born Smith dreams of a homecoming fight.Speaking to Sky Sports, the former world title challenger was asked about the possibility of Anfield.He said: “It’s always the dream and always has been the dream. How realistic it is I’m not too sure.READ MORE IN BOXING”I think it needs the right opponent, the right time of year – there’s only a short window where Anfield would let events go on.”But I’ve got an interim world title now so if it’s going to happen I believe now maybe is the time.”I’m going to have to speak to my team and people above me to see how realistic it is to happen.”I don’t just speak for myself, I speak for the whole of Liverpool, I think we’d love to get that over the line but we’ll wait and see.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”I don’t want to get my hopes up too much but if we can… it would be a quick answer if I got offered to fight at Anfield and I’m sure it would be for every other Liverpool fighter.”Having beaten Buatsi to earn the interim title since losing to Beterbiev last year, Smith now fancies a crack at Bivol.’You f—ed up’ – Explosive moment Conor Benn tries to attack Chris Eubank Jr on Piers Morgan’s UncensoredThe 175lbs star said of the world champion: “He’s the man in the division. We’re waiting to see what he’s going to do with his future. He’s got all the belts so he’s going to get a handful of mandatories.”He’s going to go with the fight that makes the most sense for himself financially, whether it’s the trilogy [with Beterbiev] or [David] Benavidez.”He’s got the IBF mandatory, I’ll be his WBO mandatory. He’s got a lot of options himself.”Smith also opened the door to another Battle of Britain fight, this time with Anthony Yarde.But he is in no rush to get in the ring with Buatsi again.”I think a rematch would probably be a bit of a similar fight,” Smith said.”I’m sure the fans would probably want to see it again. Me, I’m not in a rush to do it again, I don’t think he would be either!”Smith, 34, defeated Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh last monthCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Family of international burglars facing jail for raiding Newcastle United ace Alexander Isak’s home

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      A FAMILY of international burglars is facing jail for raiding footballer Alexander Isak’s home. Three previously admitted conspiracy to commit burglary while Valentino Nikolov, 32, was found guilty yesterday. The gang made off with £68,000 of jewellery and up to £10,000 cash from Newcastle star Alexander Isak’s Northumberland home last AprilCredit: MatchDay Images LimitedValentino Nikolov and Charlie Jovanvic both face jail over the raidThe gang drove from Italy to target homes in the North East — stealing more than £1million of items from two houses. They then made off with £68,000 of jewellery and up to £10,000 cash from Newcastle star Isak’s Northumberland home last April. Valentino and brother Giacomo, 28, their sister Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son Charlie, 23, were traced and arrested. Judge Robert Spragg said jail “is inevitable” when they are sentenced at Newcastle crown court. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSDetective Constable Mark Armstrong, of the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit, added: “This is a fantastic result.” “Burglaries are an insidious crime and cause a great amount of emotional and financial trauma to victims.” Prosecutor Daniel Cordey said: “It is the prosecution case that they all travelled to the North East together as part of that conspiracy or agreement to commit high value targeted burglaries of residential properties. “The burglary was discovered when Mr Isak returned just after 10pm. He found his bins had been moved and entry had been gained by smashing a glass door leading from the back of the property to the TV room. Most read in Football”Inside an untidy search had taken place and cash to the value of between £5,000 and £10,000 had been stolen together with jewellery valued at about £68,000.” Giacomo Nikolov and sister Jela Jovanovic both played a part in the raidNewcastle’s Alexander Isak talks to Alan Shearer about Champions League desires More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Tuchel’s plan to win World Cup from high-fives and NFL tactics to calling players at 10pm and telling them off

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      THOMAS TUCHEL’S plan to win the World Cup has been revealed — and it is more about high fives than back fives.The new England boss has told his players he does not have time to introduce any visionary new tactics — but wants his team to become a ‘brotherhood’.Thomas Tuchel’s plans to win the World Cup have been revealedCredit: GettyTuchel wants his team to become a ‘brotherhood’Credit: GettyAnd the German believes body language is key, claiming that NBA outfits who perform the most high-fives with team-mates are more likely to win.Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who has the 6ft 7in frame of a basketball player himself, is in Tuchel’s squad as much for his strong character as his playing ability.And while Burn insists ‘I’m not just here to be a cheerleader’, he clearly buys into Tuchel’s philosophy that team bonding will play a major role at next year’s  tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico.Burn, 32, said: “The manager had a meeting on Monday night, saying that we have only got 24 training days until the World Cup, so it is not a lot at all.Read more football news“It is not going to be that he can really implement a strong way he wants us to play, which can take time, it is more about how we interact with each other and push each other. Not being afraid to speak up if something is not right.“Especially when I was younger, I would struggle with that because you didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.“But I think that is how you learn best about each other — if something is not right or you feel you could push more, I feel that is how we are going to have to be if we want to achieve that ultimate aim of winning the World Cup.”BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAsked if he would be happy, as an international rookie, to have a go at Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane, Burn replied: “Absolutely. I’ve  no problem with that!”Most read in FootballTuchel has been asking previous tournament winners from other nations for insights on what makes a successful team, as well as studying  sports such as basketball.And Burn said: “There was more talk about ‘brotherhood’ in that initial meeting. It was more about mentality and how he wanted us to act around each other.Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad for upcoming match with Albania “He said he’d spoken to players from previous tournaments and from other countries about what the difference was between where they went out in early rounds and what happened when they won it.“And a lot of it was about interactions. The best teams historically in the NBA are normally the teams high-fiving each other, picking each other up and having a lot of those interactions.“We do a lot of that at Newcastle and speak about it, knowing those things keep people switched on and keep motivation levels high.“Working under people like Graham Potter and Eddie Howe, they say a lot of the time in meetings, people don’t want to speak up because they find it a bit embarrassing.“But I love the NFL and I feel like they’re really good at that. If they feel something going to help the group, they’ll just get up and say that — and I feel that’s something English football could probably  learn from.“I feel we’ll learn most about each other and you get close to each other as a team. When you do that, you take a risk and stand up in front of people and speak and be a bit vulnerable.”Burn has enjoyed a dream week, scoring the opener in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, just two days after receiving his first England call-up from Tuchel.And the bruising defender admits he has to apologise to a few new team-mates, saying: “I absolutely smashed Jarrod Bowen when we were at West Ham and straight away, I went to apologise. I think it was a bit of red mist.”Burn confesses to having played his entire career with a ‘chip on my shoulder, wanting to prove people wrong’ after a career of ups and downs.Dan Burn spoke about Tuchel referencing NFL and NBA teams and their mentalityCredit: RexAnd he knows his ungainly frame can make him the target for excessive criticism.When Tuchel announced his squad last Friday he quipped that ‘despite being 6ft 7in, Burn was easy to overlook’.Burn said: “That made me laugh a little bit but it’s probably the story of my career. Visually, on the pitch, if I do make a mistake, I feel it is probably magnified just by how it looks. I was actually surprised how tall the gaffer is!”Tuchel is 6ft 4in and he made Burn feel ten feet tall when they spoke on FaceTime twice last week.Burn said: “It started off with the  manager FaceTiming me on Tuesday, saying they were debating calling me up and he’d let us know by Thursday.“Then it got to six o’clock on Thursday night and I’d not heard anything, so I said to my wife ‘nothing’s going to happen’. Then I got a text saying ‘are you still awake?’ at 10pm.“He FaceTimed, told us the good news and said I was very unprofessional for not being in bed by 10 o’clock!England’s stars enjoy a training session on Tuesday under Tuchel’s gazeCredit: GettyTuchel has 24 training days with his squad before the World CupCredit: Rex“He said he wanted me in the squad and just to use what he felt my strengths were.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I thought I could offer just as much off the pitch as on it. I feel I’m a leader on and off the pitch.“I know it’s going to be tough coming here with all these international players but that’s how I feel I can best help the team.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Everyone was very impressed’ – Dan Burn reveals Thomas Tuchel’s rallying cry for England to win World Cup

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      DAN BURN is determined to win England’s first trophy since 1966 – just like he ended Newcastle’s long wait for silverware.The 6ft 7in Toon defender earned his first international call-up two days after heading the opener in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.Dan Burn has praised Thomas Tuchel after his maiden England call-upCredit: RexThomas Tuchel has told his player to ‘put a second star on the shirt’Credit: GettyIt was the Toon’s first domestic trophy in 70 years.  And now he wants to be part of England’s first World Cup success since 1966 – after revealing that new boss Thomas Tuchel has urged his players to ‘put a second star on the shirt’.Burn, 32, said: “I see a lot of similarities between Newcastle and England in that respect so it would be amazing for everyone associated with the whole country.“We’ve got a long way to go but I’d say from speaking to the manager, I’ve got confidence that everything possible will be done to finally bring the trophy home.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEngland kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Albania at Wembley on Friday night.And as Tuchel assembled his squad for the first time at St George’s Park on Monday, he left them in no doubt that his ambition is to win the tournament in the United States next year.  Burn said: “He told us that the goal is to put another star on the jersey and, speaking to the lads afterwards, everyone was very impressed with how he came across, with his vision of what he wanted to do.“You could just see that people were tuned in and really want to buy into that.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“Personally, I just want to make as much of a big impression as I can and then try and make the next camp.“Every little kid’s dream is to play in a World Cup or even just to play for your country so to know I have got that opportunity if I take it is special.”How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricks More

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      in Soccer

      Fans convinced they know what Virgil van Dijk said to Newcastle hero Alexander Isak after Carabao Cup final

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      LIVERPOOL fans believe they know what Virgil van Dijk said to Alexander Isak after the final whistle of the Carabao Cup final.When the whistle blew, Van Dijk was spotted congratulating several Newcastle players on the Wembley pitch following their 2-1 win.Virgil van Dijk and Alexander Isak embrace after the Carabao Cup finalFan are speculating van Dijk told Isak to join the RedsHowever, cameras soon panned to the Dutch defender embracing goal hero Isak.As the players came together, the Reds captain was seen whispering in the Sweden star’s ear.Now, Liverpool fans are speculating on social media what they think Van Dijk said to Isak.One wrote on X: “See you in pre season.”Read more football newsA second shared: “See you in the summer.”A third posted: “That was definitely Alex saying to Virg “see you next season.” Im so happy i could cry.”While a fourth added: “Virg telling Isak he’s Liverpool’s number 9 next season.”Isak was in inspired form for the Toon in their famous win over the Reds in the final.Most read in FootballCarabao Cup final ratingsNEWCASTLE ended their 70-year trophy drought in style by beating Premier League champions-elect Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.The 2-1 scoreline flattered the Reds in truth, with Eddie Howe’s Toon having produced a sensational performance to flatten runaway league leaders.Local lad Dan Burn, fresh off his first England call-up, rose highest to head his boyhood club into the lead on the stroke of half-time.Alexander Isak then deservedly doubled Newcastle’s lead shortly after the break.The Toon could have further increased their advantage, only for forgotten man Federico Chiesa to hand Liverpool a late lifeline on 94 minutes.But that goal was unable to spur a further comeback as Newcastle saw out the remaining added time.Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Liverpool players and Gary Stonehouse rated the Newcastle players.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHis instinctive strike, Newcastle’s second goal of the game, proved to be the winner.The 25-year-old has scored 23 goals in 33 games this season, which has seen him linked with a move away from the club.Newcastle’s Alexander Isak talks to Alan Shearer about Champions League desires Arsenal are said to be interested in bidding for the Sweden international – who could cost over £100million.While transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool have made contact with people close to Isak, as they attempt to bring him to Anfield.Ahead of the cup final, Isak was asked about his future.He said: “This club can achieve great things.”I think we should really look at it one season at a time and this season we can achieve winning a trophy which would be amazing for everyone.”About my future, it’s nothing really I think about. I’ve said many times during a season – just focus on the job – and now is probably the worst time to think about anything else, so all of our focus is just on Sunday and doing good and hopefully bringing the trophy back to Newcastle.”READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen he was quizzed about signing a new contract, Isak added: “I’ve said I’m not really thinking about the summer, but yes, that’ll probably be a talking point once the season is finished.”We will really see because no talks have been held yet.”Isak scored Newcastle’s winner in the Carabao Cup final win over LiverpoolCredit: Rex More