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      in Soccer

      Liverpool drop worrying transfer hint over three key players as 2025 calendar is released

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      LIVERPOOL have dropped a big hint over the futures of Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.The trio are all out of contract in the summer and have been linked with moves away from Anfield.Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold could both be set to leave in the summerCredit: GettyVirgil van Dijk is also out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: ReutersRight-back Alexander-Arnold, 26, is being closely monitored by European champions Real Madrid.Forward Salah, 32, has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia for more than a year, with Paris Saint-Germain also in the frame.And centre-back Van Dijk, 33, was linked with a switch to Barcelona back in January.All three will be able to sign pre-contract agreements elsewhere from January if they wish to leave.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNow Reds fans’ fears over losing all three have been exacerbated following the release of the club’s 2025 calendar.Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk are on the months of February, March and April.This could be construed as Liverpool preparing for their summer departures by putting them at the start of the year.Earlier this month, SunSport revealed contract talks with Alexander-Arnold are stalling as the club are not willing to offer him higher wages than Salah and Van Dijk.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollowing Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Manchester United back in September, Salah hinted at his imminent exit by saying he wanted to “enjoy the last year” at Anfield.But Van Dijk has offered more optimism surrounding his future after revealing last month that he is speaking to the “right people” about a new deal.Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister ‘being sued for compensation by ex’ two years after he ‘dumped her for her friend’ He said: “I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don’t know, we will see what happens in the future.”What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see.”Despite uncertainty surrounding the futures of key players, Liverpool have not been impacted on the pitch under new manager Arne Slot.The Reds sit top of the Premier League table, five points clear of Manchester City having won nine of their opening 11 matches.They also sit first in the Champions League and are the only team to boast a 100 per cent record after four games. More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua told to target alternative fight with Brit rival after rematch with Daniel Dubois collapsed

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been told to focus on another British rematch as he looks to walk away from talks to fight Daniel Dubois again.AJ was dropped FOUR times inside five rounds before his brutal knockout loss to Dubois in September at Wembley. Anthony Joshua is ruled out of rematching Daniel DuboisCredit: ReutersAnd a return bout was on the cards for February in Saudi Arabia – until Joshua’s team suggested injury could force him out. Dubois now look set to take on a new challenger in Riyadh while AJ is plotting a summer return. And former world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew named Dillian Whyte as an alternate rival to fight next. He told talkSPORT: “It’s a difficult one because I’d assume he’d have wanted the rematch. READ MORE IN BOXING”It’s an event any time he steps in the boxing ring, if AJ just says he is coming back against Charlie Chaplin it sells out Wembley.”The fact is he’s a huge global name and the main faces of boxing never mind just the heavyweight division.”So it never really matters who he fights, people just want to see him in the ring again.”There’s so many names, but who wouldn’t want to see him face Dillian Whyte again?Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The first fight they had was fantastic, and there really is so many other fights too.”Joshua, 35, knocked out Whyte, 36, in 2015 almost ten years after losing their amateur bout. Daniel Dubois calls out Jake PaulAnd they were due to rematch in August 2023 until Whyte returned an “adverse finding” in pre-fight drug tests.Whyte was later cleared to fight again after a contaminated supplement was determined to have caused the finding.The heavyweight returned with victory over Christian Hammer, 36, in March and faces Ebenezer Tetteh, 36, on Sunday, December 15.Joshua meanwhile is awaiting the result of Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21. Fury, 36, lost his WBC title and undefeated record in May against Usyk, 37, who became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champ. But Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF version to proceed with the rematch as Dubois was elevated from the interim belt. AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn warned they could wait to fight Fury next year. READ MORE SUN STORIESSo Dubois is in talks for a new opponent with Joseph Parker, 32, and Zhilei Zhang, 41, among those linked.And Jake Paul has emerged as an unlikely contender after sharing a message from the heavyweight champ.Joshua beat Dillian Whyte in 2015Credit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      Denmark coach walks out of awkward press conference after just 20 SECONDS

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      DENMARK’S head coach walked out of his awkward post-match press conference after just 20 seconds.Manager Brian Riemer oversaw a 0-0 draw with Serbia in the Nations League in Leskovac, Serbia.Brian Riemer was involved in an awkward post-match press conferenceHe walked out after just 20 secondsCredit: Sky SportsAnd after the game he was treated to a big surprise in his press conference, which lasted a matter of seconds.That is because not a single question was asked by the reporters who had gathered at the end of the match.Riemer, 46, had a surprised look on his face and left smiling without saying a single word.Fans were equally as bemused with one reacting: “Awkward! 😂”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “That’s a Guinness world record.”A third wrote: “Goalless draw, question-less conference. Consistency!”And another commented: “That was quick! 😅”Denmark secured a Nations League quarter-final spot while Serbia were knocked out, but the media chose not to question Riemer about the achievement.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFormer Brentford assistant boss Riemer was appointed Denmark manager last month following Kasper Hjulmand’s resignation after the Euros.He has managed just two games, losing to Spain before the goalless draw with Serbia.Uefa Nations League clash SUSPENDED after fight breaks out and one of teams walks off pitch in protest More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Man City women’s star probed for ‘conning fuming parents out of £45k in coaching sessions that NEVER happened’

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      AN international women’s footballer is being investigated for allegedly conning parents out of thousands of pounds for coaching sessions that never took place.Welsh star Natasha Harding, who played for Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa, is accused of taking hundreds of pounds for one-to-one training with youngsters – but never carrying out the classes.Natasha Harding in action for Manchester City in 2015Credit: GettyHarding was capped 103 times by WalesCredit: GettyAngry parents claim Harding, capped 103 times by Wales in a star-studded career, owes them £45,000 in refunds.Harding has apologised for the cancelled sessions but said it was “unavoidable” and “beyond my control”.She said she is “devastated” over the situation and has agreed to pay refunds.There are 27 “victims” including whole teams of young girls, who are said to have handed over as much as £1,200 each without getting anything in return.Read More SportIndividual sessions for kids aged between eight and 15 cost £30 an hour, but many parents were buying multiple classes and some included whole squads of hopefuls.Now the South Wales football community, where Harding began her career, fear the ex-striker has deliberately taken their money and has no intention of giving it back or holding any of the coaching sessions.A WhatsApp group was created by outraged parents, after they realised more and more alleged victims were owed hundreds of pounds by Harding.A source, whose 12-year-old daughter was due to train with the ex-pro, told The Sun: “She promises a lot to the kids, my friend’s daughter is autistic and she kept asking when she was going to see Natasha.Most read in Football“She spent £900, she would add on dietician and gym plans but never actually got anything.“She has repaid small amounts now that she knows we are putting up a fight to get our money back.“But the parents who are owed more than £1,000 have got nothing back.”After retiring from professional football last year Harding, 35, started offering out days where children could participate in private sessions.According to sources, the sessions grew in popularity and Harding started block booking for up to £360.OUT OF POCKETA lot of the children who booked onto the sessions play for academies in Gwent, South East Wales, or The South Girls’ Development Centre.Their parents are fearful that speaking out could affect their children’s future football careers.The anonymous source added: “She is putting fear into us because she is perceived to control the football world, she’s got contacts everywhere.“My daughter ended up having zero sessions, I couldn’t get her to commit to a date and it took me weeks to chase her for a refund.“People are realising she has purposefully taken money with no intention of giving it back.”The promised sessions were supposed to start in June 2023 and when they began to be cancelled many gave Harding “the benefit of the doubt”.But now parents are exchanging up to 90 messages a day on a specially set-up WhatsApp group as the missed thirty-pound sessions have begun piling up.Reported excuses include Harding telling parents she had two car crashes in three weeks, alongside two car breakdowns and one car “blow out”.Harding, Welsh Footballer of the Year in 2016, has been reported to Action Fraud, and the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre.It is understood parents have also reported her to Gwent Police and Gloucestershire Police.STAR’S APOLOGYHarding, 35, who lives in Stroud, Glos, has apologised and blames circumstances beyond her control for the missed coaching sessions.She told The Sun: “I offer my apologies to those affected whose sessions I could not complete. “This was unavoidable, and it was never the intention not to fulfil the sessions.”Because of circumstances beyond my control, which was always made clear to parents, I had to cancel some sessions after initiating and completing others.”Harding, now a TV commentator on the women’s game, added: “I’ve been trying to expand my small academy and was unfortunately let down by additional coaches, my car being written off and the second car breaking down.“When without a car I caught a two-hour train to sessions to avoid cancellations, lugging my equipment with me and needing taxis.”However, this was not sustainable.”The academy’s purpose is to provide detailed technical coaching to young boys and girls and provide them with opportunities I never had, with the cost below alternative coaches to give equal opportunity without barriers, prejudices, or preferences.”I’m devastated that I haven’t been able to finish the session blocks, and I’ve always been upfront about the problems I’ve faced that are beyond my control.”We agreed on refunds for those sessions and I have paid them.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The majority of parents have been incredibly understanding and I have received a huge amount of positive references and I continue to work hard, delivering local sessions.”A spokeswoman for Action Fraud confirmed a complaint had been made about Harding. More

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      Raheem Sterling opens up on ‘difficult’ upbringing as troubled kid before becoming Premier League star

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      RAHEEM STERLING has opened up on the “great support network” that saw him overcome a troubled childhood to become a Premier League star.The Arsenal winger, 29, has a foundation in his name that funds knife banks and university places for boys as well as hosting mentoring sessions.Arsenal’s Raheem Sterling has enjoyed an incredible Prem career so farCredit: GettySterling had a troubled upbringing before joining QPR and then Liverpool’s academyCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThat foundation is supporting a campaign launched today by Multibank – a nationwide network of donation hubs designed to help those with cost-of-living struggles.Several weeks ago, Sterling spent three hours with seven young men from Brent’s youth offending service in King’s Cross to act as a mentor, giving advice and telling his own story.Sterling was born in Kingston, Jamaica before moving to London with his mother age five after his father was tragically murdered three years earlier.A difficult upbringing – including being displaced by social housing and regular school suspensions – was turned around from the age of nine when he came across Clive Ellington, a volunteer mentor to young boys who introduced Sterling to his first football club: Alpha and Omega FC in Kingsbury, Brent.read more footballCharity Multibank said one million children arrive at school with dirty uniforms as many families now see detergent as a luxury item. And some 19 per cent of parents polled by The Hygiene Bank said their kids have missed school in the past year because of shame over unwashed clothes, creating a classroom divide.Children are also isolated and made fun of with nasty comments due to poor hygiene, teachers say.On meeting Ellington, Sterling – who also has 82 caps for England – explained: “It was a real difficult period for me in my schooling because it was a time I was getting expelled from school.Most read in Football“I was moving schools, moving around a lot. [Ellington] was a massive help for me to kind of see a different perspective.“I always struggled because of circumstances at home that I couldn’t quite understand myself.“Those actions and things started to play a pattern in my school with my focus, with my behaviour and how I was within the school environment.“[Ellington] made me see different opportunities. I wasn’t too much into football before that. I wasn’t playing, just at school and stuff at home, but he brought me into it at grassroot level.“I was starting to smile again and having a place that I could express myself was a real weight off my shoulder.“Looking back now, it’s easier to see, but as a child you’re probably not understanding what’s going on, but at the same time, taking in what’s going on.“So, you can’t quite understand how to interpret that in your speech and how to communicate that with people.”At 11-years-old, Sterling was picked up by academy systems at Queens Park Rangers and then Liverpool, going on to star for the Reds as a 17-year-old.After seven years at Manchester City between 2015 and 2022 – winning four Prem titles – he joined Chelsea for around £50m before joining the Gunners on loan this summer.Sterling continued: “I give a lot of credit to [Ellington]. It is something that is vital for individuals to have a great support network around them.“Year after year, the progress in my behaviour and in my concentration and just maturing as a young man.”Meanwhile, England rugby star Maro Itoje, who is also backing the campaign, said: “It’s our duty as a society to look out for those who are coming behind us.”Entertainment platforms Sky, Prime Video, TNT Sports and TalkSport have also joined forces to support the campaign.Tottenham are one of the first Prem clubs to also align with the Multibank scheme, focusing on affording basic hygiene products, with a donation bank available at their game against Fulham on December 1.England star Itoje is also backing the campaignDonna-Maria Cullen, executive director at Spurs, said the football club has made donations to its local foodbanks ahead of Christmas in support of the most vulnerable within the community.She said: “We are certain that our football family will unite to ensure young people in our area are able to build their confidence from an early stage in life by having access to basic hygiene products.”Andy Carpenter, head of the Harlequins Foundation, said: “Given our dedication to working with young people living in the poorest areas to address the deprivation-related challenges they face, it was a no-brainer to be a part of this campaign to support those most in need in our heartlands.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMultibank said: “With two in three staff expecting the level of hygiene poverty to increase in their school, we endeavour to get soap, shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, in the hands of those most in need.”The Multibank’s 2024 Christmas campaign is designed to raise awareness and respond to rising issues of hygiene poverty. For more information visit: https://themultibank.co.uk/ More

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      in Soccer

      Real Madrid being sued for millions over VIP Bernabeu SkyBar that costs fans £2,500 a game

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      REAL MADRID are reportedly being sued for more than £13million over the flagship VIP hospitality suite at the Bernabeu.The LaLiga giants are renovating their iconic stadium and re-opened it in 2023 with the bulk of the facelift done.Real Madrid are close to completing their Bernabeu renovationCredit: GettyThe SkyBar was tipped to be the crown jewel in the revampCredit: room 1804 DesignThe luxury suite aims to be the pinnacle hospitality suiteCredit: room 1804 DesignFans can expect to pay up to £2,500 per match for one of the 200 spacesCredit: room 1804 DesignAnd the construction work saw the addition of the crown jewel of the revamped arena, their epic exclusive ‘superbox’. The SkyBar is a stunning 700-metres-squared space designed by Room 1804 to be the ultimate luxury football stadium experience hotspot in the world. With a capacity of 200, the lucky Madrid fans able to get access can expect a restaurant, a massive bar, LED ceiling and walls, wonderful views of the pitch, two outside terraces overlooking the city of Madrid – and can even stay late to make the most of the nightclub in the SkyBar.It does not come cheap, though, with tickets understood to cost up to £2,500 for a single match.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat could see Real Madrid rake in as much as £500,000 per home game.With approximately 30 home fixtures in a season and the possibility to stage up to 20 concerts per year and rent out the space on non-matchdays, the beautiful SkyBar was estimated to help generate roughly £25m annually. However, things have not gone to plan.The Bernabeu’s rights to host concerts was suspended until spring 2025 in order to adapt the stadium to ensure it complies with anti-noise regulations following protests from neighbours. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMore worryingly, though, there is still no sign of the SkyBar being open.Real Madrid were due to open its doors to the prestigious gold, premium and diamond zones for fans six months ago.Staggering final cost of new Bernabeu revealed after Real Madrid move into state-of-the-art 85,000-capacity stadiumBut now well into the 2024-25 season, it remains empty and seemingly unable to welcome guests.And that has reportedly sparked a legal challenge from the company awarded the rights to operate the SkyBar.According to El Confidencial, Anastasia Gourmet have slapped the 15-time European kings with a lawsuit worth £13.8m for being unable to use the space.Of that whopping sum, approximately £6m is said to correspond to suppliers, Mundo Deportivo add. The reports claim Anastasia Gourmet have been blocked from accessing their new premises – prompting the huge loss of expected earnings. SunSport has contacted Real Madrid for comment. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe vast majority of the Bernabeu’s transformation work is complete – including a new retractable pitch and a new retractable roof, an impressive exterior facade plus a 360-degree video scoreboard.Costs have sky-rocketed to approximately £1.5billion but it is understood the final stages of the refurbishment will be done in January 2025.A massive bar takes pride of place in the centre of the SkyBarCredit: room 1804 DesignThe space even has a nightclub built inCredit: room 1804 DesignThe prestigious venue has four main area set across three levelsCredit: room 1804 DesignLED screens make up the ceiling and wallsCredit: room 1804 DesignThe Bernabeu has undergone a dramatic facelift in recent yearsCredit: GettyThe updated stadium now has a retractable roof and retractable pitchCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal ready to ‘rescue’ Real Madrid’s ‘next Martin Odegaard’ who could help solve two problem positions

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      ARSENAL are plotting a January swoop for Real Madrid star Arda Guler, according to reports in Spain.The Gunners are seeking reinforcements for Mikel Arteta’s squad.Arda Guler has struggled for starts at Real MadridCredit: GettyAnd they see similarities with their club captain Martin Odegaard.The Norwegian, 25, had arrived at the Bernabeu as a highly-rated teen, but found game time hard to come by during the first half of the 2020-21 season.In January 2021 the Gunners moved to sign him on loan, before making the deal permanent in the summer.Odegaard has gone on to be a huge success at the Emirates and is now viewed as one of Arteta’s most important players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to Spanish outlet Sport, Gunners chiefs believe that something similar could happen with Guler.The Turkish wonderkid, 19, arrived in Madrid from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023.Amid several injuries and stiff competition, he has struggled for minutes under Carlo Ancelotti.They claim that he has become unhappy with the situation, having made just three LaLiga starts so far this term.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMartin Odegaard struggled for game time at Real MadridCredit: GettyGunners chiefs are claimed to have “made contact” with Guler’s entourage as they plot a potential move.But they are set to face fierce competition, with other teams having reportedly done the same.Excited fans say ‘whoever gets Arda Guler is so lucky’ as they realise Turkish wonderkid’s ‘bargain’ release clauseGuler has made 24 appearances in total for Real Madrid, scoring six goals.Last season he was scuppered by knee and muscle injuries, being limited to just 10 LaLiga outings.The teenager has already become a key man for his country.He starred at Euro 2024, scoring against Georgia and laying on assists vs Austria and the Netherlands. More

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      Big-hearted former Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger sells signed shirt to help save endangered pygmy hippos

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      FORMER Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is set to sell a signed match-worn Real Madrid shirt to help save endangered pygmy hippos.The German, 31, is already the honorary sponsor of Berlin Zoo’s pygmy hippo, Toni.Antonio Rudiger has teamed up with Berlin Zoo to protect pygmy hipposCredit: NewsflashRudiger is auctioning off the Real Madrid shirt he wore in the win over Osasuna earlier this monthCredit: Berlin Zoo/NF/newsXBut now the centre-back has partnered with the zoo for an auction which will take place on the online platform Catawiki.Among the items on sale are hippo Toni’s first mini football and a life-sized sculpture of the zoo’s Indian rhinoceros, Betty.But perhaps the most eye-catching collectable on offer has been donated by Real Madrid star Rudiger.The two-time Champions League winner has signed the shirt he wore during Los Blancos’ 4-0 win over Osasuna earlier this month.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAll proceeds will go to the Pygmy Hippo Research Project in Sierra Leone’s Gola Rainforest National Park – which attempts to protect pygmy hippos in their natural habitat.As reported by Newsflash, Rudiger said: “The habitat of pygmy hippos in West Africa is under severe threat, and it would be truly heartbreaking if these unique animals were to disappear forever.”Little Toni and I are proud to be ambassadors, working together to protect this endangered species and its habitat.”The auction supporting the conservation project in Sierra Leone is a great opportunity to actively contribute and help ensure the survival of pygmy hippos and many other species.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”That’s why I hope as many people as possible will join this initiative.”It is the latest in a long line of Rudiger’s charitable endeavours.The ex-Chelsea man, whose parents were born in Sierra Leone, flew back to the West African country in 2022 to unveil The Antonio Rudiger Foundation.Also in 2022, the German donated the money he earned from playing in the World Cup to pay for 11 childrens’ life-changing surgeries.Rudiger spent five years at Chelsea where he played 203 games, winning the FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.He joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2022 and has already won a LaLiga title, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, Club World Cup and two Uefa Super Cups. More