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      in Soccer

      Former Premier League star Che Adams scores sublime goal from halfway line ‘you have to see to believe’

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      FORMER Premier League star Che Adams scored an incredible goal from the halfway line last night.The Scotland international, 28, quit Southampton for Torino in the summer.Che Adams took aim from the centre circleCredit: X @SerieA_ENHis shot fizzed over the Empoli goalkeeperCredit: X @SerieA_ENAdams, 28, celebrates his wonder-strikeCredit: GettyAdams scored three goals in his first six games for the Serie A club, but was dropped to the bench for last night’s trip to Empoli having not netted since September.Just six minutes after coming on, the forward ended his goal drought in spectacular fashion.With the score level at 0-0, Adams collected the ball on the halfway line.Following one touch to set himself, the 33-cap international let fly.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis shot brilliantly fizzed over Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez and into the net.Adams’ goal turned out to be the winner, with the home side reduced to ten men late on when former AC Milan and Juventus star Mattia De Sciglio was sent off.The magnificent strike went on to go viral on social media.One fan wrote: “Beautiful goal Beckham style.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile a second gushed: “Stunning goal!”Another added: “That was a wild goal, really shows his skill and vision.”Che Adams withdrawing despite not being injured is a turning point in Steve Clarke’s Scotland reignOne commented: “You have to see it to believe it!”Torino’s win saw them rise up to 11th in the Serie A table.They will be back in action next Saturday, when they host Bologna.Adams lets rip six minutes after coming onCredit: GettyThe Scotland star wheels away in celebrationCredit: Getty More

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      Spurs fans beware – if they turn on Daniel Levy, it will be Ange Postecoglou who will be sacked, not the chairman

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      WHEN Ange Postecoglou first came to Tottenham he was like a breath of fresh air.But lately his injury-hit side have stunk the place out in certain games – leaving some fans to wonder if his radical ideas have gone stale already.Tottenham have been inconsistent this season under Ange PostecoglouCredit: GettyBut fans shouldn’t turn on Tottenham chairman Daniel LevyCredit: AlamyTurning on Levy could lead to Postecoglou leaving TottenhamCredit: RexIt is the Aussie’s challenge right now to prove that is not the case amid a punishing fixture list and the worst injury crisis he says he has ever experienced in 26 years of management.His walking wounded are on a dismal run of one win in their last eight games.Albeit that victory, the 4-0 trouncing of Manchester City at the Etihad last month, was one of their best ever in the Premier League.That historic triumph proved just what is possible under the 59-year-old when everything clicks.Read More on FootballBut, as many supporters have pointed out, it counts for little when it is preceded by a 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich and followed up 12 days later by a limp loss at Bournemouth.The pressure is ramping up and arguably starting to show, with Postecoglou uncharacteristically calling out one of his players in public this week.He hammered Timo Werner’s display in Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Rangers as “unacceptable”.Werner had been awful against the Scottish giants and was subbed at half-time for Dejan Kulusevski, who went on to rescue a precious point at Ibrox.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe guy is a Champions League winner, a German international of considerable experience: Postecoglou was not wrong in his evaluation of Werner’s contribution.Yet it still felt significant to hear the Spurs chief go after one of his charges in a press conference.Ange Postecoglou calls Tottenham flop’s performance ‘unacceptable’ in brutal blast after hauling him off at half-timeParticularly, as just 24 hours earlier, he had said it was something he never does when explaining why Cristian Romero was wrong to air his grievances with Daniel Levy and the Spurs’ hierarchy to the media.Postecoglou refuted the suggestion that he had criticised Werner in Friday’s press conference back at Spurs, branding it simply “an assessment of his performance”.One man’s blast is another’s constructive feedback, perhaps.But to those who have followed Postecoglou’s journey at Spurs from week to week, ears certainly pricked up when he went off on one about his shotshy loanee.Postecoglou followed up his defence of his Werner rant with words that succinctly summed up Spurs’, and specifically his, situation: “We’re in a fight here.”Kulusevski had similar battle-themed rhetoric in a flash interview after Rangers, commenting: “Football is war. You have to be prepared 100 per cent. If not, you’ll be eaten alive.”Injury crisisPostecoglou so far has not come close to being the 12th manager to be chewed up by Spurs under Levy’s reign.The word after Sunday’s 4-3 home defeat to Chelsea – where Spurs chucked away a 2-0 lead – was that Postecoglou retained the support of the club, who understood that a crippling injury list was playing its part.Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert, Mikey Moore and Richarlison are all currently out injured.While midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is four games into a seven-match ban for racist comments about team-mate Son Heung-min.Postecoglou certainly has the backing of the players, as Romero made plain last week, amid the Argentine’s dig aimed towards the board.Supporters seem to be a bit more split, with some unconvinced Postecoglou’s approach will deliver the “glorious” success he has promised.Daniel Levy backingSome even shouted abuse at him from the stands of Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium at full-time a week ago after a drab 1-0 loss on the South Coast.While others believe the ex-Celtic boss needs proper backing – beyond just signing teenagers for the future, which was largely the club’s transfer policy in the summer, barring the £65million capture of Dominic Solanke and the re-loaning of Werner.Chairman Levy’s resolve over Postecoglou – whom he claimed had “brought our Tottenham back” thanks to his exciting style in September last year – will be tested if the next few games go pear-shaped.Southampton, the scene of Antonio Conte’s infamous press-conference diatribe where he torched the players, the owners and the club, is up next on Sunday.Most clubs lick their lips ahead of playing Russell Martin’s basement-boys, who have just five points this season and are eight shy of safety.But on their day they still play good football, as Liverpool discovered recently until Mohamed Salah did what he does.Possible saving graceAnd with out-of-form Spurs regularly giving up chances at the best of times under Postecoglou’s attack-minded system, three points for the North Londoners feels far from guaranteed.That is followed by an absolutely massive Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United on Thursday.The cups could be Postecoglou’s saving grace this term and allow him to make good on his unnecessary, ante-upping declaration in September that “I always win things in my second year” in a job.But go out to Amorim’s side, and alarm bells will well and truly be ringing by the time top-of-the-table Liverpool come to N17 the following Sunday.Every game for Postecoglou this season has felt crucial because of how wildly inconsistent they have been. But it really feels like crunch time now.The key may well prove to be how much heat comes Levy’s way via the supporters.Protests against ENIC, the club’s majority owners, have happened before and another one is said to be being planned for the Liverpool game on December 22.READ MORE SUN STORIESHistorically Spurs managers have not fared well when the man who appointed them has been in the firing line.If results do not improve, then expect that to ramp up, and for Postecoglou to be in peril. More

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      in Boxing

      ‘There was a sadness to him’ – Tyson Fury’s trainer reveals boxer’s anguish over Paris’ miscarriage before Usyk fight

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      TYSON FURY walked into his undisputed fight against Oleksandr Usyk a shadow of his usual self after wife Paris’ heartbreaking miscarriage.The Gypsy King, 36, didn’t even have full confirmation that his baby boy had been lost – a harrowing six months into the pregnancy.Tyson Fury is usually cheered on ringside by wife ParisCredit: Jamie McPhilimeyFury, 36, appeared subdued before taking on Oleksandr Usyk in MayCredit: GettyAndy Lee discussed what his pal went through with SunSportBut when Paris couldn’t turn up to the Riyadh bout, he knew deep down that tragedy had struck.Trainer and confidante Andy Lee, who has known Tyson all of his life, has confirmed to SunSport that while it is categorically not an excuse for the split decision loss in May, he saw right up until the first bell that his man was up against much more than just the Ukrainian genius.Lee told SunSport: “I wasn’t aware of it (Paris’ miscarriage). I knew she was expecting a child. She’s always at the fights and I was expecting her to be there, really.”When she wasn’t there I thought maybe she can’t fly or something like that.READ MORE IN BOXING”Tyson never mentioned it. He never mentioned it once but he was very quiet.”Even the day of the fight in the afternoon, the fight takes place so late over there, it must have been about 6 or 7pm, we all went for a walk and he was very quiet.”We had a good chat, me and him, just talking about his career and how far he’d come and what this moment meant to him.”There was a certain quietness to him or maybe a sadness but that was probably playing on his mind.Most read in BoxingUsyk went on to beat Fury via decisionCredit: Reuters”When you watch a fight, you’re just seeing a fight. But the months and weeks leading up to that fight dictate how the fight turns out, how it goes for you.”So being cut, not having a full, proper training camp and maybe having something like that in the back of your mind, it all leads into your performance.”It’ll be a knockout, 110% Sun Sport’s panel preview Usyk v Fury 2 with Tyson Fury trainer Andy LeeLee, 40, then gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what his friend may have been going through on the night.He continued: “For me, what was quite telling, was… when Tyson makes his ring walk I’ll go to the ring first, I won’t go on the ring walk with him.”I’ll go to the ring and make sure I’m in the ring before Tyson gets to the ring, to give him water and just be there, have someone to meet him.”I watched Usyk come into the ring and his crew and all the team and he was settling himself, Usyk, he was quite focused and present.”When Tyson got into the ring I could see somebody who was a little bit agitated and I think all of those little things that were going on in the build-up to the fight maybe were playing on his mind, or maybe just having that bit of anxiety about him.’HE WASN’T REALLY HIMSELF'”I could see, if you watch the fight back, before the fight he wasn’t really himself. Like usually he’s quite within himself.”So just an interesting insight, something I noticed straight away when he got into the ring.”Dad-of-seven Fury went on to lose the bout via split decision, the first defeat of his distinguished career.Only in October did the Gypsy King reveal that Paris had suffered a devastating miscarriage just hours before the fight.I could not be there for her in that moment. And that is tough for meTyson FuryTyson and Paris are parents to Venezuela, 15, Prince John James, 13, Prince Tyson II, eight, Valencia, seven, Prince Adonis Amaziah, five, Athena, three and Prince Rico, oneWhile stressing that he was not looking to make excuses, he explained: “The one that she was having, she lost that on the Friday of the fight, which was pretty s****y.“I am not making excuses but she was six months pregnant, it’s not like a small miscarriage at the beginning, you have to physically give birth to a dead child, on your own, while your husband is in a foreign country.“I could not be there for her in that moment. And that is tough for me.”I have been with the woman for longer than I wasn’t with her, so it is hard that I couldn’t be there with her, in that time.“When she said she couldn’t come over, I knew there was a problem.“She usually comes out on fight week but she said she had high blood pressure.“She said she couldn’t come and I asked her what was up and asked her to tell me but she wouldn’t.“So I knew, I knew, I knew there was a problem. I said to my brother, ‘She’s lost that baby.’“She never told me she had lost the baby, but I knew.”’DO I TELL HIM?Ahead of the Usyk fight, Paris agonised over whether to tell Fury straight away.She told the Mirror last month: “I had to make the ­decision, do I tell him? And I came to the conclusion that whatever was happening with me, I couldn’t change it. But I could change dramatically what was happening in his life.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I made up a lie that I had high blood pressure. It was the only thing I could think of that would stop me from flying without having to give him the terrible news.”Fury is set to meet Usyk again on December 21 in Saudi Arabia.Tyson and Paris Fury pose for a picture with their seven children on holidayCredit: InstagramFury vs Usyk 2: Ring walk time, TV channels and undercard – all you need to know for big rematch More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Premier League footballer becomes Georgia’s president in victory for Putin after weeks of protests against regime

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      A FORMER Premier League footballer has been appointed president of Georgia in a victory for mad Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.Mikheil Kavelashvili, 53, was a striker for Manchester City between 1996 and 1997 who went on to play for several clubs in the Swiss Super League.Mikheil Kavelashvili has become president of GeorgiaKavelashvili poses in front of the FIFA world cup trophy during its world tour, at a ceremony in Tbilisi in 2018Credit: AFPAnti-government demonstrators hold caricatures of the newly elected presidentCredit: AFPHe was elected to parliament back in 2016 and in 2022 co-founded the People’s Power political movement.This was allied with the ruling party dubbed Georgian Dream, which became renowned for its strong far-right and anti-West rhetoric.Kavelashvili easily won the vote as the Georgian Dream party controls the 300-seat electoral college.This replaced direct presidential elections 2017. read more newsIt’s made up of members of Parliament, municipal councils and regional legislatures.Georgian Dream has vowed to continue pushing toward EU accession but also wants to reset ties with Russia.In 2008 Russia fought a brief war with Georgia, which led to Moscow’s recognition of two breakaway regions as independent, and an increase in the Russian military presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.Critics have accused Georgian Dream, established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow.Most read in FootballThese are accusations the ruling party has denied.The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.Anti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament building as parliament members elect a new president in TbilisiCredit: AFPAnti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament buildingCredit: AFPPeople hold a banner saying ‘Hands off my child’ in Georgian,protesting outside of the Georgian parliamentCredit: APThe opposition denounced Saturday’s election as “illegitimate” and said the sitting president, Salome Zurabishvili remains the country’s sole legitimate leader.Pro-Western Zurabishvili – who is in heated disagreements with Georgian Dream – has refused to step down.She is demanding new parliamentary elections, paving the way for a constitutional showdown.On Saturday morning, protesters began gathering outside the parliament building, which was cordoned off by police, ahead of a rally scheduled for the evening.Protests are scheduled to take place at around a dozen locations in Tbilisi.Thousands of pro-EU demonstrators filled the streets of the capital on Friday before gathering outside parliament for the 16th consecutive day.It comes after riot cops fired tear gas and beat up men as they battled raging protesters who gathered across Georgia for numerous nights of violence prior to the election.Brutal clashes erupted outside Georgia’s parliament as thousands of demonstrators protested the government’s decision to delay European Union membership.More than 100 people were arrested as crowds clashed with riot cops armed with tear gas bombs.Dramatic footage captured protesters hurling fireworks at masked officers in riot gear who were firing rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the masses.Flames were seen coming from a window of the parliament building as protestors erected barricades on Tbilisi’s main avenue.READ MORE SUN STORIESMany were chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country’s parliament building.Georgia plunged into crisis when the country’s newly-elected government put a pause on its long-standing bid to join the EU until 2028.Mikhail Kavelashvili (L) fights for the ball at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo 20 May 1999 during Euro 2000 group 2 qualifierCredit: AFPMikheil Kavelashvili reacts after he was elected the country’s new president in the parliament, in Tbilisi, GeorgiaCredit: ReutersAnti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament building as parliament members elect a new president in TbilisiCredit: AFPCrowds gather during a protest near the parliament building over the results of last month’s parliamentary election on December 6Credit: GettyProtesters shot fireworks at violent police in fierce clashesCredit: AFPProtesters clash with Police over the results of last month’s parliamentary electionCredit: GettyA police officer uses a crowd control spray against protesters in early DecemberCredit: ReutersPolice officers escort a demonstrator with a bloody face during the brutal clashesCredit: Reuters More

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      Ryan Reynolds joined by Hollywood legend as he buys round for entire Wrexham pub and makes brilliant speech

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      RYAN REYNOLDS was joined by a fellow Hollywood A-lister as he bought a round for an entire Wrexham pub last night.Reynolds, 48, co-owns League One Wrexham alongside It’s Always Sunny star Rob McElhenney.Ryan Reynolds addressed a crowd of punters at a Wrexham pub last nightCredit: X @wrexhamReynolds, 48, got a round in for fansCredit: X @wrexhamReynolds owns Wrexham alongside Rob McElhenneyCredit: GettyIn town ahead of this afternoon’s clash with Cambridge at the Racecourse Ground, Reynolds pulled up to a local pub to surprise punters.The actor turned up at The Fat Boar in Wrexham and delivered a speech to fans.Speaking into a microphone, he said: “I’m buying a round for everyone in here, which might be bussing in another hundred people as we speak but that’s fine.”And then I’m going to go right now get the f*** out and go to bed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I have four kids and this is a night off where I just get to go to bed when I want to, which I’m very excited about.”And I’m also very excited about tomorrow – I hope you’ll all be watching and, you know, up the town, right.”Reynolds then joked: “If I don’t come and visit each and everyone of you tonight in your homes, I just want to say happy holidays and all my love to your families.”In pictures posted by the pub’s social media accounts, Reynolds could be seen posing with fans for snaps alongside pal Channing Tatum., who dressed casually in a hoodie and hat.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSReynolds was joined in the pub by fellow Hollywood A-lister Channing Tatum, third from left, and actor Brandon Sklenar, third from rightCredit: X @FatBoarWXMThe pair recently starred together in Deadpool & Wolverine alongside Hugh Jackman.Also in the film was Wrexham forward Paul Mullin, who made an appearance as “Welshpool”.Danny Devito celebrates Wrexham’s last-gasp win over Barnsley as he watches from virtual stadium in LAPhil Parkinson’s side have attracted plenty of celebrity interest this season.Their recent match against Barnsley was screened at Cosm in Los Angeles.In attendance was McElhenney’s It’s Always Sunny colleague Danny DeVito, who was seen celebrating Wrexham’s late winner.Co-stars Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton were also in attendance, as well as NFL stars Cameron Dicker and Josh Harris.Newly-promoted Wrexham have enjoyed a strong start to life in the third tier.Parkinson’s men go into this afternoon’s match second in the table, only behind leaders Wycombe on goal difference but having played a game more.Wrexham are a point above Birmingham, partially owned by Tom Brady, although Blues have played two matches fewer.Wrexham are second in the League One tableCredit: GettyDanny DeVito celebrates Wrexham’s winner vs BarnsleyCredit: X More

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      in Soccer

      England forced to find new stadium for World Cup 2026 qualifying clash against Andorra as they are kicked out of Wembley

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      ENGLAND are set to have to find a new venue for their home World Cup qualifier against Andorra.The Three Lions learned their 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents during yesterday’s draw in Zurich.England are set to have to find a new home for their date with AndorraCredit: AFPThomas Tuchel attended yesterday’s draw in ZurichCredit: AFPThomas Tuchel will begin his England reign on March 21 with a Wembley assignment against Albania.England will then host Latvia three days later, before travelling to Andorra in June.They are then scheduled to host Andorra on September 6, although they will likely have to do so away from Wembley.That’s because the national stadium is currently booked to host a series of Coldplay concerts around that night.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe British band have 10 Wembley shows scheduled between August 22 and September 8.These include dates on September 4 and 7, creating a logistical nightmare if England were to play there in between.The Three Lions have played some home matches away from Wembley in recent years.In June they hosted a pre-Euro 2024 friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSColdplay are set to play 10 concerts at Wembley Stadium next summerCredit: GettyWhile in June 2023 they defeated North Macedonia 7-0 at Manchester United’s Old Trafford.Molineux and the Riverside have both also been used since 2021.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett reacts to World Cup 2026 qualifying draw as Thomas Tuchel’s England are placed in group full of controversyThree days after the home match vs Andorra, England will travel to Serbia.The following month they will take on Latvia away from home, before concluding their campaign by hosting Serbia and travelling to Albania in November 2025.Quizzed on yesterday’s draw, Tuchel said: “I have huge respect for Serbia and Albania.”They can always surprise they have a strong history of technical football, of emotional players and groups.’A NEW EXPERIENCE'”They have two very famous ex-players as coaches so we should be very aware of that.”Latvia… England never played them so this is a new experience for all of us.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We are huge favourites and we have to qualify, this is where all the focus goes.”There can’t be any other approach than take it seriously and with respect and make it happen before we can dream the dream.” More

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      Government plans for football will backfire… damaging the Premier League is in NOBODY’S interest

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      NO ONE watching this year’s Premier League could think English football isn’t in rude health.Liverpool are on top, with Chelsea in hot pursuit and Aston Villa flying high in the Champions League. Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton are all pushing for Europe.The Football Governance Bill is currently being debated in ParliamentCredit: AlamyThe Premier League provides support further down the football pyramidCredit: GettyOur second league, the Championship, is thriving like never before.It’s now the sixth richest league in Europe, thanks to the EFL’s £1billion broadcasting deals and the Premier League’s financial support — the most generous of any major league in the world.Incredibly, our second tier is now far wealthier than even the Portuguese or Dutch first leagues.Meanwhile, club insolvencies across the pyramid are at a 30-year low.READ MORE ON FOTBALLBut a lot of our politicians seem to think English football is a fragile house of cards. Other countries would love to have our so-called “problems”.There’s a reason 1.5bn people around the world tune into English football.Because, from top to bottom, our leagues crackle with tension, high stakes and meaning.They are not boring hierarchies where one team dominates in half-full stadiums, but the best competitions on the planet — forged by those willing to take risks, invest millions and back their judgment.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn what was promised to be a “light touch” regulator concentrating on the issues that are very important to clubs and fans — heritage issues, better fan engagement, proper owners and so on — the Government has given the Independent Football Regulator a so-called “Backstop” power.It’s part of the Football Governance Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, although it is making slower than expected progress. Former Premier League star begins new career as rapper with debut album set to be released – Labour’s own backbenchers have suggested over 150 new clauses they believe should be added to their own Government’s Bill.That’s on everything from forcing clubs to socially engineer the make-up of their season ticket holders, to demanding that fans are defined as only those who have season tickets, regardless of if you can actually get a season ticket at your club or not.The Backstop power gives the Regulator the right to forcibly take money from Prem clubs, even if it harms or affects their own competitiveness.Less cash means less to spend on transfer fees or less cash to pay their players.Not all Prem clubs have endless wealth, that’s why there is over £2bn of debt in the Prem.The Prem is no miserly Scrooge. Every Championship club receives around £7million a season, each League One club gets around £1.5m and each League One club gets over £1m.These payments are a helping hand, agreed freely and with goodwill.And since their inception in 2007, they have increased more than tenfold.But the Government believes this generosity, more money shared than any other league on the planet, should make way for state intervention.The result of which could mean that Prem clubs have to take on more debt (which ironically makes them less sustainable) or invest less in their own team so that fellow owners in the other leagues no longer have to take similar risks themselves. This is trickle-down turned upside-down.The Championship is no soup kitchen queue. It hosts incredibly wealthy owners, nine of them billionaires, who plough millions into efforts to reach the promised land.Yet, a Prem side that has climbed the ladder the hard way,  through calculated risk-taking and sustained investment, may be forced to hand over more millions so that Championship owners don’t have to.That’s even if those owners have mismanaged their clubs, made bad decisions and ­deliberately put their clubs at financial risk.It won’t be their owners that have to face the consequences, it will be the Prem owners who have to pick up their tab!The Prem willingly supports the pyramid with £1.6bn over a three-year broadcast cycle.That’s how I believe it should stay: negotiated, reasonable and always voluntary.That’s why I think the Regulator could well consider £1.6bn is far too generous and decide to cut it back.Or wonder why League Two only get eight per cent of the total PL handout, as the Championship keeps 80 per cent.Or they may decide the Prem should not fund every part of the pyramid themselves and the EFL should support the National League, the league directly below them, rather than asking the Prem to do that for them.Or they may just simply decide to impose far more stringent self-help measures that the EFL will have to implement to ensure they manage their own money better.Any good Regulator will surely see that damaging the appeal of the PL, and creating a competition that’s less vibrant, less exciting and much less appealing is in no one’s interests.Because if that happens, the Premier League will go into reverse and there will be far less money for everyone in the football pyramid.Less money for grassroots football. Less money for the PFA. Less money for the Football Foundation. Less money for the women’s game.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd less money for all the many community projects and charities the PL supports to the tune of over £50m a year.As they say, be careful what you wish for…Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Lopetegui reveals extent of Michail Antonio’s injuries as he gives update on West Ham star’s future after car crash

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      JULEN LOPETEGUI is confident Michail Antonio will recover to play for West Ham again.The Hammers striker, 34, suffered a broken leg and various other injuries after a horror crash in his Ferrari FF near Theydon Bois in Epping.Michail Antonio has made 14 Premier League appearances this seasonCredit: PAThe forward, 34, was involved in an awful car crashAntonio was airlifted to a London hospital last Saturday following the crash before being quickly operated on.West Ham team-mates, as well as his manager, have visited the forward in hospital this week.And Lopetegui is confident the club’s all-time top Premier League scorer will recover.He said: “The most important thing is that he’s alive, he’s good.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He broke his femur, but he’s going to recover for sure.”He’s going to need time. It’s about time.”Now it’s about time but the good news is that he has time because when you see the car was terrible, the accident, that’s why we are happy.”Because in the end, despite the fact we are unhappy because we lost one very important player for us, we are happy because he’s going to be ready.Most read in Football”Now he’s strong, he’s recovered himself in the next month for sure and he’s going to be ready to be a player.”The first thing is to be a man and then to be a player.”West Ham stars pay tribute to Antonio with special shirts after pal’s horror crashAntonio is not expected to recover before the end of this season, meaning a contract extension will be needed if he is to play for the club again.The former Nottingham Forest man is out of contract this summer, though West Ham have previously given new deals to injured players in order to support their recovery.Talks are yet to begin over whether Antonio will get an extension.Lopetegui experimented with captain Jarrod Bowen playing through the middle on Monday night.But summer signing Niclas Fullkrug has finally returned from injury to help boost the attacking numbers, grabbing a goal on his return at Leicester last week.’STEP BY STEP’Lopetegui is unsure, however, if the German is ready to start.He said: “Fulla is improving step by step.”He has been out a long time for the injury that he had and now he’s recovered himself and is day by day putting his body better.READ MORE SUN STORIES”That is good news for us that he has come back and he’s going to be ready to help us.”But let’s see when he’s going to be ready or not. Step by step he’s better, he feels better, he feels stronger so we can use him at any moment.”Julen Lopetegui has updated fans on Antonio’s conditionCredit: Reuters More