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      in Soccer

      Chelsea pair were like ‘Mr and Mrs’ and ‘drove each other mad’ in rows over moisturiser… but arguments HELPED squad

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      CHELSEA need brotherhood, shower gel and plenty of moisturising cream to get back to the summit of football.Legendary Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel believes dressing room chemistry is the key to success on the pitch. And he can see it brewing in the current squad.Chelsea legends John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou had a funny feudMikel and Kalou’s friendly feud created morale in Chelsea’s dressing roomHe was part of the all-conquering Chelsea team which landed title after title, cup after cup during his 11 years at Stamford Bridge.But small details are behind big wins and Mikel revealed how his bizarre relationship with Salomon Kalou epitomised the strong bonds between the players of the time.Together they won the Champions League, Premier League and four FA Cups when team spirit was the fear factor which often made the difference in key games.Mikel, 38, said: “It is very important, the friendship between your teammates in the squad, because It brings you guys together. Read More on Chelsea“The chemistry is there, not just the chemistry on the pitch, the chemistry outside the pitch because you already know your partner, your team-mates. “You know what they like and what they don’t like. How to approach them in terms of when they’re not performing,“How do you get them to wake up? Do you go to them? Do you scream at them, or is it like a quiet word you need to have and get them to keep going?“So that relationship is very important. And of course, Salomon Kalou, what can I say about the guy? Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“Listen, we were Mr and Mrs at the football club, we were called Tom and Jerry.“He drives me mad, a guy I absolutely love. I can never say a bad word about Salomon Kalou.Here is why Liam Delap is the perfect striker for Chelsea “He never bought his own shower gel, his own cream, he always went to my locker and nicked mine. “I’d finish having a shower and I go to my locker trying to get my cream, it’s not there. Salomon Kalou’s nicked it.“Sometimes it’s fine to use it, but please, return it to my locker. He didn’t.“And when I go to him and ask where’s my cream? He says, ‘buy another one’. I’m like, ‘what? Why don’t you buy yourself your own cream?’“He just drove me mad. But then on the pitch, when you’re that honest and open with each other, on the pitch, you know each other so well, right and it helps so much. “I’d love to see the players create that friendship, that chemistry between each other. Looking at this team squad, They’re young but I can see a little bit that they have that.Mikel insists the current Chelsea team need a similar dressing roomKalou and Mikel had some hilarious exchanges“I need to see a bit more. It’s so important to create that atmosphere.”Where Mikel won, lost and partied alongside superstars like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, modern day Chelsea is about building reputations through ambitious young players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and soon-to-arrive Liam Delap.Mikel said: “We enjoyed good times together. We went out to central London every time we won a trophy. We celebrated quite heavily because we were successful and were given a licence to go out and enjoy ourselves.“That brought that chemistry together because every year, every other year, we had something to celebrate. We were always winning something. So we were always having a massive party come the end of the season. That brought us together.“They have to win trophies in order to be able to bring that chemistry in the squad.”New Chelsea have started the process by qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Conference League. But the post-match party was tame by previous standards, mainly because a lot of the players are now on international duty before travelling to next week’s Club World Cup.I’d finish having a shower and I go to my locker trying to get my cream, it’s not there. Salomon Kalou’s nicked it.John Obi MikelThe month-long tournament in the US Club World Cup railroads through the traditional summer. Mikel said: “It’s silverware to be won and we want to go out and compete to win it. “We have to talk about the prize money as well.  Almost £100million. That puts you in a great advantage in terms of in the summer, transfer window, bringing in players, strengthening your squad. There’s a lot there for these players to think about.“I know we players talk about having a rest, which we should. But we actually don’t rest when we go on holidays.“We fly back to our different continents where we’re from, countries where we’re from.“And then we go back after a week or a few days, playing locally with the local teams where we grew up from, kicking the ball about, playing five-a-side, ten-a-side games.“You don’t want to rest for two, three weeks without doing anything. When you come back for pre-season, it takes you even longer to get in shape.“During the summer, you’re looking at yourself thinking, I need to get back into it. You start running, you start playing football and make sure you come back, so that it doesn’t take you a long time to get back into shape. We all did that. I get it, I understand. Read More on The Sun“The Club World Cup, for the teams involved, it’s a great opportunity, a great way for those teams to keep their players fit, keep them ticking over, knowing that when the season starts, they are almost half there.”John Obi Mikel was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Watch all 63 games live on DAZN for free.  More

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      in Boxing

      Eddie Hall takes Tommy Fury for a spin in his TANK as boxer and strongman link up for new project

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      EDDIE HALL and Tommy Fury linked up for a drive in a tank as part of a new project.The two fighters took part in filming together and afterwards posed for a photo.Eddie Hall and Tommy Fury linked up for a collabCredit: Instagram / @tommyfuryThe pair went for a spin in Hall’s tankCredit: Facebook / Eddie Hall – The BeastThey had a sparring session tooCredit: Facebook / Eddie Hall – The BeastHall likes to show off his tankCredit: Instagram / @tommyfuryThey both raised their fists, smiling in front of Hall’s tank.The pair also took part in a sparring session, with the former strongman appearing to get the upper hand on Fury.Hall pinned Fury to the wall in the session and shared a snap of himself doing so on Facebook, which he captioned: “I don’t think Tommy Fury wants to film with me again 😂”The strongman turned MMA fighter later shared a photo of himself posing in front of a tank he owns, biceps on show.READ MORE IN BOXINGHall wrote: “Yes we drove the tank 😂”Fans loved the collab, particularly the sparring session they held.One reacted saying: “Be careful Eddie or you’ll have his brother on you 😂”Another added: “The more he aged the more childish he has become. Keep on.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHall, 37, recently triumphed in his MMA debut, defeating Mariusz Pudzianowski.Hall pummeled Pudzianowski into oblivion with a vicious barrage of hammer fists after tossing him to the ground as he fended off a takedown attempt.Shock moment ex-World’s Strongest Man & MMA fighter Eddie Hall chases driver screaming ‘I’ll rip your f***ing head off’Now he is plotting his next fight, and joked his dream opponent would be Conor McGregor.He said: “Maybe Mariusz will do the rematch with two-minute rounds.”I’ve got no aspirations to be number one in KSW. That’s just not for me. I want to come and have fun.”I want to fight my heroes. I want to fight the freaks of the world.” More

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      Barcelona face starting Champions League 2025/26 with POINTS DEDUCTION with Chelsea and Villa also set to be punished

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      BARCELONA are facing the threat of Uefa sanctions after breaching financial rules for a second year running, reports claim.It comes after the Spanish giants lost an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a £420,000 fine imposed by Uefa for wrongly reporting profits in October. Barcelona are facing severe sanctions from Uefa after breaching financial rulesCredit: APA CAS ruling in October said a second breach would lead to ‘harsher’ finesCredit: GettyThe CAS ruling at the time warned the club would face “harsher” punishments if they failed to comply with rules again.And according to The Times, they have been found wanting again under Uefa rules, and the La Liga champions are now due to be hit with severe sanctions.These could include a reduced limit on the number of players they can register for next season’s Champions League or even a points deduction in the league phase. English sides Chelsea and Aston Villa are also understood to have breached Uefa rules.However, because they are first-time offenders, they will be slapped with financial penalties only.Both have been in talks with the Uefa’s Club Financial Control Board (CFCB) over a financial settlement.The governing body of European football are due to confirm the sanctions imposed on each team later this month.Barcelona have tried a number of unorthodox ways to help them climb free of financial ruin. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIn 2022, they sold 10 per cent of their broadcasting revenue over the next 25 years for £225million (€267million).They wanted to claim this as “other operating income” on the books, which would have counted towards their FFP calculations.Barcelona win LaLiga at Espanyol as fierce rivals turn sprinklers on to dampen celebration before Hansi Flick intervenesHowever, Uefa insisted it must come under “profits on disposal of intangible assets” which do not count towards FFP.Barcelona then sold another 15 per cent of their broadcast rights for £337m (€400m).But the CAS ruling means it cannot be classed as operating income, which is said to have been the ultimate cause of their latest breach.Barca made the Champions League semi-finals this year, losing to beaten finalists Inter Milan.Chelsea’s breach comes down to Uefa not counting the club’s world record £220m sale of the women’s team to a sister company on their books.This is in contrast to Premier League financial rules which do allow it.Uefa financial rules state clubs can make a maximum loss of £170m (€200million) over three years.Read More on The SunClubs also cannot spend more than 80 per cent of their UEFA-allowed revenue. But this will reduce further to 70 per cent next season. More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd miss out on their Coutinho moment as Bruno Fernandes snubs Al-Hilal – so where does he fit into their plans?

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      OH, to be a fly on the wall of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s office when news broke that Bruno Fernandes had snubbed a mega £100million bid from Saudi Arabia.Manchester United’s part-owner could not have believed his luck when Al-Hilal offered to take captain Fernandes, who turns 31 in September, off their hands and give the Red Devils a much-needed cash injection.Bruno Fernandes snubbed a mega £100million bid from Saudi ArabiaMan Utd missed their chance of a major sale like Liverpool with Philippe CoutinhoRatcliffe, who claimed the “bloated” club was set to go “bust at Christmas”, has led a ruthless cost-cutting drive at Old Trafford — culling 450 staff including the much-loved receptionists and also withdrew free canteen food for workers at the ground.So to have the potential of receiving a nine-figure sum for a player whose legs are only going to get wearier was almost too good to be true.And it turned out to be . . . but only because Fernandes rejected Al-Hilal’s advances.Even the offer of tax-free £700,000-a-week wages was not enough to lure the Portuguese star to the Middle East.Read More on Man Utd Yet Fernandes’ admirable resistance has thrown United’s chaotic transfer plans up in the air once again.It is back to the drawing board for Ratcliffe and manager Ruben Amorim, who are under pressure to juggle the books with Profit and Sustainability Rules after their failure to qualify for Europe.Despite Fernandes turning down the Saudi riches, the midfielder could still be a target for European clubs this summer — although the offers are unlikely to be even half the astonishing transfer fee on offer from Al-Hilal.And even if he stays, Red Devils fans will now be debating where  Fernandes fits into Amorim’s rebuild next season? Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordAmorim is wedded to his 3-4-3 formation and his early transfer activity seems to match up.Wolves’ Matheus Cunha has signed in a £62.5m deal and Bryan Mbeumo is now a £50m target from Brentford, with the duo  expected to play in the attacking positions behind the lone striker.Bruno Fernandes enjoys dinner with Al-Hilal ‘secret agent’ Joao Cancelo as he faces Man Utd exit decisionAmad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho, linked with Chelsea and Napoli, are other options for the wide forward roles.That quartet is likely to see Fernandes move further back to one of the two central midfield berths which he fulfilled in the Europa League final loss to Tottenham.Amorim has other options in the centre of the park, including Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount.Casemiro is on big wages, Amorim knows Ugarte well from their time together at Sporting Lisbon and the United boss lavished praise on Mount following his return to fitness towards the end of the season.While homegrown talent Mainoo, 20, is an intriguing prospect.Star signings Liverpool made after Philippe Coutinho saleLIVERPOOL sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for an eye-watering £142million back in 2018.Here how the Reds rejuvenated their team into title winners after that massive windfall:1. VIRGIL VAN DIJK – £75m2. FABINHO – £40m3. ALISSON – £56mSo where will Fernandes play on a regular basis? In last season’s disastrous campaign, Amorim relied heavily on  talismanic Fernandes to dig his woeful 15th-placed Prem side out of the mire, netting 19 times in all competitions.Fernandes’ quality and consistency led to the eye-watering bid from Saudi and the  £100m fee will play on Ratcliffe’s mind in their ‘Mission 21’ operation to  knock Liverpool “off their perch” once again.The Reds went through a similar scenario over seven years ago when they sold star man Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for a staggering £142m.The transfer fee gave Jurgen Klopp the chance to rebuild as the German used that money to bring in Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, and his new spine delivered the Champions League and Premier League titles.If Fernandes remains at United then club legend Gary Neville believes Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho must all leave.Even if he stays, Red Devils fans will now be debating where Fernandes fits into Amorim’s rebuild next season?Garnacho clashed with Amorim after the Bilbao loss to Tottenham, while the other three have all been out on loan this season.Neville said: “If players are taking on and questioning the manager in public through social media, the manager has to win.“If the manager doesn’t win, the manager has to leave and I don’t think that’s going to happen this time. That’s happened far too many times before. I think Garnacho will leave purely because of that, I think they’ve had enough.“Marcus has to leave for him and the club. I think that ship has sailed and he needs to find himself another club.“It  sounds to me like Villa aren’t going to keep him. I would say for Marcus’ and United’s sake that it feels like that path has come to an end.“I feel a little bit similarly with Jadon as I do with Marcus. I’d be a bit concerned that Chelsea haven’t made the noises that they’re going to keep him.  United have to make sure they part ways with him.Read More on The Sun“Antony has gone to Spain and having seen a couple of players that I played with not do it Old Trafford but do it in Spain . . . I think he’s suited down to the ground and it’s been proven.”Ratcliffe may have canned hundreds of local staff but he will soon discover it’s much harder to get rid of superstar players who are tied down to huge contracts. More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Don’t believe everything that’s written’ – Florian Wirtz hits out at Liverpool transfer rumours in 14-word statement

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      FLORIAN WIRTZ has hit out at reports claiming he wants to snatch a Liverpool star’s shirt number to join the club.The German ace is on the brink of joining the Reds if they can strike a deal with Bayer Leverkusen.Florian Wirtz has hit out at Liverpool transfer rumours in 14-word statementCredit: Instagram @flowirtzIt comes after reports suggested he wanted to take the No10 shirt off of Alexis Mac AllisterCredit: GettyBayer have already rejected an offer worth £109million as they hold out for £126m (€150 million) – which would smash the British transfer record. A report from Sky Sport Germany claimed the 22-year-old wanted to be given Alexis Mac Allister’s No10 shirt if he joins the Anfield outfit – having already agreed personal terms.However, Wirtz has directly addressed that claim on social media.Taking to his Instagram story, he wrote: “Who says I want the 10 [emoji].READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I respect players.”Don’t believe everything that’s written,” followed by a clown emoji.World Cup winner Mac Allister is the current owner of the shirt, having taken it when he joined Liverpool from Brighton in 2023.Wirtz wears the No10 for his club but wears the No17 for the German national team.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKPrevious owners of the No10 shirt at Liverpool include Sadio Mane, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, John Barnes and Billy Liddell, among others. Arne Slot’s promise that Wirtz would be the playmaker of Liverpool’s team was reportedly a decisive factor in convincing him to join them over Bayern Munich or Manchester City.Frimpong jets into UK with Leverkusen star to complete £30m Liverpool moveCity pulled out of the race early after realising the cost of the overall package to land the German could set them back £252m.SunSport have looked at how he could fit in at Liverpool next season, partnering Mohamed Salah and Co.Wirtz will become the biggest English transfer of all time if Liverpool stump up the money Bayer are demanding to sell him.Liverpool have already announced the signing of Jeremie Frimpong from the club in a £29.5m deal. More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea files: Why Blues snubbed Luis Enrique and how Conference League karaoke party was too boring for club icon

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      CHELSEA’S triumphant squad enjoyed a night of team bonding after their Conference League win over Real Betis last week.But even karaoke until 4AM is tame by comparison to what club hero John Obi Mikel and his old team-mates used to get up to after winning one of their many cups or titles.Chelsea celebrated the Conference League with karaokeChelsea hero John Obi Mikel looked back at legendary celebrations after the Conference League triumphMikel, 38, was part of a formidable Blues squad that won the Champions League, Premier League, three FA Cups and the Europa League.He told SunSport: “We enjoyed good times together. We went out to central London every time we won a trophy. We celebrated quite heavily because we were successful and were given a licence to go out and enjoy ourselves.“That brought that chemistry together because every year, every other year, we had something to celebrate. We were always winning something. So we were always having a massive party come the end of the season. That brought us together.“They have to win trophies in order to be able to bring that chemistry in the squad.”Most of Enzo Maresca’s squad were up and out of the team hotel in Poland to report for international duty before reuniting at the Club World Cup in the US later this month.A singalong is not Mikel’s idea of fun to toast victory.He said: “Well, listen, it is the kind of party they wanted to have. But I know back in our days, it wouldn’t have been that. It would have gone full on.”New Chelsea are becoming a stronger team but they still have a lot to learn off the pitch it seems.DEL OF A BUYLIAM DELAP is the perfect striker signing for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side and here’s why…When the Blues signed Cole Palmer in what now looks like a cut price deal, not many knew the talent that they had on their hands – but anyone who had watched Manchester City’s EDS sides knew, one of whom of course was Maresca.Chelsea have a history of spending big on star names to fill the number 9 spot, of which the majority have failed to do so.From Alvaro Morata to Gonzalo Higuain to Timo Werner, no one has been able to fill the boots of Diego Costa since he left.Nicolas Jackson has – all things considered – been pretty good so far, but many fans have concerns over his finishing ability and dominance in the box.Liam Delap is set to sign for the BluesDelap is a signing that addresses that issue, a physical penalty box presence with an incredible ball striking ability and a lethal burst of pace – which means at LAST the likes of Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke will have a target to aim those curling crosses at in the middle.However, it’s likely his understanding of Chelsea and Maresca’s style that really secured the deal for a star who was a hot commodity in the transfer market.Having played under his new gaffer at City, he also starred alongside Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer in the EDS, his understanding with the latter potentially being what will make him such a potent threat next season, but also improve Palmer too.It wasn’t always a Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, or Harry Kane and Son Heung-min partnership, where both would rack up huge direct goal contribution numbers, but one where Delap’s movement and inter play would allow Palmer to be even more dangerous and get into the box with more ease.We’ve seen in games at times this season where because Palmer has been almost a lone threat, he can be doubled up on and nullified, but with Delap in the side that becomes much more difficult.When you add the incoming Estevao Willian to that mix, as well as the ever improving Madueke and Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea can be a real threat next season.OL’ TIMERIT’S OFFICIAL, Chelsea will play LAFC in their first Club World Cup fixture on June 16th.The Blues will be re-united with Champions League and Europa League hero Olivier Giroud, as well as facing off against familiar foe Hugo Lloris.The MLS side secured their spot in the competition with a 2-1 win over Club America in extra time, with Giroud grabbing the game-winning assist.They join Chelsea’s group alongside Flamengo, who will be in action against Enzo Maresca’s men on June 20th, and El Tunis who they will play on June 24.Chelsea fans wonder ‘What if?’LUIS ENRIQUE’S Paris Saint-Germain Champions League win has left many Chelsea fans wondering, “What if?”When Graham Potter was sacked as the Blues’ head coach in April 2023, the now PSG boss was flown into London for talks with the head honchos at Stamford Bridge, only to be DENIED the job.Julian Nagelsmann was the favourite to get it at the time, but it ended up being Mauricio Pochettino who was bought in instead.Chelsea reportedly had doubts over Enrique who “made several demands” during talks, before deciding to go with the former Tottenham manager in his place.Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique almost joined ChelseaFast forward two years, and Enrique is a Champions League winner (again), using a model that admittedly is not too dissimilar to what the the Blues are trying to build – an incredibly young but talented team who can compete with the best.In fact the two teams have shared many transfer targets over the years, including Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratshkelia.Enrique himself is now being lauded for his style of play and giving his young talent freedom on the pitch to express themselves, while Maresca is often criticised for the opposite.The Blues may well get to test themselves against the newly-crowned European champions at the Club World Cup, as if the most likely scenario takes place they will play PSG in the quarter-finals.It remains to be seen if Chelsea can build on their strong end to the season and become Champions of Europe for a third time in coming seasons.BLUE RINSESECTIONS of the Chelsea fan base have been left unhappy after the club announced further price increases for tickets ahead of next season.A report published by the Chelsea Supporters Trust has outlined the key details of the plan by those in charge at Stamford Bridge.The cost of tickets for members will increase by 4 per cent, while the total cost of tickets for season ticket holders will increase by 7 per cent.The senior concession age is also being raised from 65 to 66, while the discount for those eligible for those tickets is being reduced from 50 per cent to 25 per cent.A new tiered membership is being introduced, including a “premier membership” which can be purchased for priority access to tickets.In good news for supporters, a youth concession for those aged 20-22 is being introduced with a 25 per cent discount at least.Fans online reacted, and weren’t happy at all, with one fan claiming, “Premium membership LOL like I’m not ripped off enough as it is.” While another fumed: “A perfect lesson on how to undo the feel good factor after Wednesday. Wondered for a while if this ownership felt any loyalty to true fans. Here is the final proof they don’t.”JOE COLE delighted Chelsea fans drinking in Wroclaw ahead of their Conference League triumph.The night before the game, the Chelsea icon joined jubilant Blues fans along with his fellow TNT Sport pundits.Another ex-Chelsea man, Steve Sidwell, and West Ham’s Michail Antonio joined Cole in the bar opposite their hotel.But it was only Cole the Chelsea fans were interested in as they chanted his name over and over again.JT was back at a Chelsea European final – and again not on the pitch!The club’s legendary former skipper famously joined the celebrations in full kit after being suspended for the 2012 Champions League final and sitting in the stands.Last week, it was noted that JT was at the Wroclaw Stadium to see the team beat Real Betis 4-1 – only this time it was Joe Terry, a reporter for UEFA.com covering the game for Europe’s governing body.Surely that’s more than a coincidence? More

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      in Soccer

      Jadon Sancho breaks silence on Chelsea rejection as £300,000-a-week flop is sent back to Man Utd

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      JADON SANCHO has broken his silence after Chelsea paid £5million to send him back to Manchester United.The winger spent the season on loan at Stamford Bridge, scoring five goals.Jadon Sancho is set to return to Manchester UnitedCredit: RexBut he could not reach an agreement with Blues over terms of a permanent deal, so has left the club and returned to United.He said following the announcement: “Grateful for the experience.”Big love to everyone at Chelsea who made me feel at home — teammates, staff and the fans.”Wishing the club all the best moving forward. Truly grateful, Thank you Blues 💙🙏🏼”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChelsea will have to pay a £5m fee to cancel their agreement to sign Sancho on a permanent basis.United will now seek a buyer for the winger, who could have joined Chelsea for £25m.He has been made available by the club for a move awayAnd United are in desperate need for funds to reinvest in Ruben Amorim’s overhaul.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSSancho, 25, has attracted interest from former club Borussia Dortmund.While he could also join old united boss Erik ten Hag at fellow Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, even though the pair had a frosty relationship at Old Trafford.Jadon Sancho throws corner flag during Chelsea’s celebration at Tottenham Sancho could also move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al Nassr all keen.But, for now, United are stuck with his £300,000-a-week wages, until he leaves. More

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      in Boxing

      Imane Khelif breaks silence after leaked medical report ‘proves Olympic gender-row boxer is a biological male’

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      IMANE KHELIF has issued a response after a leaked medical report claimed the gold medal-winning Olympian was a “biological male”.Khelif, 26, won Algeria’s first-ever female gold medal in boxing during the Paris Games in 2024.Imane Khelif won Algeria’s first-ever gold medal in women’s boxing at the Paris OlympicsCredit: ReutersBut the gender row which plagued Khelif then has now resurfaced from a leaked medical reportCredit: APHowever, during Khelif’s run to the final, she was embroiled in a bitter gender row, having been banned from International Boxing Association competition in 2023.The IBA suspended Khelif after tests taken in New Delhi allegedly produced the DNA of a “male”.The IOC – who replaced the Russia-led IBA as the Olympic’s boxing governing body – were warned about the tests and urged to remove Khelif from the competition.But Khelif was allowed to box in Paris because of her female passport status.READ MORE IN BOXINGNow, the alleged sex-test results from the 2023 World Championships have been published for the first time by 3 Wire Sports, and suggest the boxer is biologically male.American journalist Alan Abrahamson has produced the result of a test said to have been carried out on the boxer in India in March 2023 – which triggered the boxer’s disqualification.The document published summarises the findings on Khelif as “abnormal”, stating: “Chromosome analysis reveals male karyotype.”A karyotype refers to an individual’s complete set of chromosomes, which in Khelif’s case has been reported by IBA as being XY, the male pattern.Most read in BoxingKhelif refused to respond directly to the claims in a social media post on Monday, instead focusing on her work as a Unicef ambassador – a role she has held since January 2024.The post featured a photo of Khelif wearing a blue polo bearing the organisation’s logo as she made a heart symbol with her hands to celebrate the “Global Day of Parents”.Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold in women’s welterweight final after huge gender row that has grabbed worldwide attentionShe paid tribute to her own parents in the caption, saying: “Today, I became a champion, but it all started long ago. When my parents believed in me, even when the dream felt too big. “When they supported me, listened to me, and stood by me. Being a parent isn’t easy. There’s no manual. But the love, patience, and trust you give your child can change everything.”On this #GlobalDayOfParents, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every parent who chooses, every single day, to be there for their children.”Together with @unicefalgerie, I’m celebrating these everyday heroes. Because when parents are supported, children can dream and succeed.”The alleged test results disputing Khelif’s gender carry the letterhead of Dr Lal PathLabs in New Delhi, accredited by the American College of Pathologists and certified by the Swiss-based International Organisation for Standardisation.This directly challenges what IOC spokesman Mark Adams said in a tense news conference at the Paris Olympics.He described the results that saw Khelif banned as “ad hoc” and “not legitimate”.IOC president Thomas Bach even claimed that the results are the product of a Russian-led misinformation campaign.It followed after the IBA – headed by Russia’s Umar Kremlev – had been stripped of IOC recognition in a row over ethics and financial management.Khelif has always denied being a biological male and even named JK Rowling and Elon Musk in a cyberbullying lawsuit.And the 26-year-old has vowed to fight on, even eyeing another gold at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.But World Boxing has ruled that Khelif is ineligible to enter future events as a woman without first submitting to the same chromosome testing that has already triggered the boxer’s disqualification at global level.The governing body – provisionally approved to run Olympic boxing in LA – announced that all athletes in its competitions over 18 years old must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test to determine their sex.The test detects chromosomal material through a mouth swab, saliva or blood.Khelif has failed to provide any evidence of having female chromosomes in the nine months since the gender scandal erupted.In February, Khelif spoke out in her defence and wrote: “For two years, I have taken the high road while my name and image have been used, unauthorised, to further personal and political agendas through the spreading and dissemination of baseless lies and misinformation. But silence is no longer an option.“The IBA, an organisation that I am no longer associated with and which is no longer recognised by the IOC, have again made baseless accusations that are false and offensive, using them to further their agenda…“My team is carefully reviewing the situation and will take all necessary legal steps to ensure that my rights and the principles of fair competition are upheld.”An IOC spokesperson told Sun Sport: “The IOC has always made it clear that eligibility criteria are the responsibility of the respective International Federation.Read More on The Sun”The factors that matter to sports performance are unique to each sport, discipline, and/or event.”We await the full details how sex testing will be implemented in a safe, fair and legally enforceable way.” More