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    Leicester City ‘face starting Championship season with TWELVE-point deduction after alleged £17m in PSR breaches’

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    LEICESTER CITY are facing a huge points deduction for next season if found guilty of breaching PSR rules. The Foxes were relegated back to the Championship following a dismal Premier League campaign.Relegated Leicester are facing a hefty points deduction for next seasonCredit: GettyAnd they could begin the 2024/25 season in the second tier playing catch-up. The Premier League issued charges last week alleging a PSR breach of over £17million across a three-year period.According to the iPaper, Leicester could be hit with a MINIMUM 12-POINT penalty if found guilty. EFL guidelines state that 12 points should be docked for a PSR breach.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLDeductions are then applied on a sliding scale if the breach is less than £15m. The Prem are reportedly set to argue Leicester be docked more points after failing to submit their accounts on time last December. A spokesperson said earlier this month: “Following an Arbitration Tribunal’s decision concerning jurisdiction, Leicester City FC has now been referred to an independent Commission for alleged breaches.””The EFL Championship Profit and Sustainability Rules (P&S Rules) for Season 2023/24.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”The club’s obligation to provide its Annual Accounts to the Premier League by 31 December 2024.”And the club’s obligation to provide full, complete and prompt assistance to the Premier League in response to the League’s inquiries.”Emotional Leicester fans say ‘delete this’ as club share pics of Jamie Vardy packing his things into a cardboard boxBoth the Premier League and Leicester declined to comment to the outlet. Leicester have announced 11 players are leaving the King Power this summer. Danny Ward, Daniel Iversen and club legend Jamie Vardy are all among those released following the expiry of their respective contracts.Vardy, 38, has been linked with a shock free transfer to Newcastle.The former England striker spent 13 years at Leicester, scoring 200 goals in 500 games. Vardy scored nine Prem goals and provided four assists this season.Since announcing his departure from the club, he has also been linked with Crystal Palace, Wolves and Wrexham. More

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      Abandoned UK stadium that hosted FA Cup 110 years ago to undergo £130million regeneration after it was left to rot

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      THE CRYSTAL PALACE National Sports Centre – the site of 21 FA Cup finals – is undergoing a £130million refurb and could host top-class athletics by the end of the decade.The iconic sports venue in South London, which includes an abandoned Olympic-standard swimming pool, has fallen into a state of disrepair over the past decade.The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is set to undergo a major refurbCredit: FAULKNER DOWNESA whopping £130million will be sunk into the venue, which has become agedCredit: FAULKNER DOWNESThe revamp could lead to the venue hosting top athletics by the end of the decadeCredit: FAULKNER DOWNESThe area had been left to rot, with PIGEON POO all over the indoor track, leaks in the roof and floodlights that were closed off on safety grounds.There had also been sightings of foxes and rats darting in-between the rusty old stands.Yet since the summer of 2023, work has begun to restore the arena back to its former glories, starting with long-overdue track repairs.And now “new concept images” have been released by the Mayor of London that show the potential transformation of the outdoor athletics arena and the swimming facilities inside the Grade-II listed building – with a completion date of 2028.READ MORE SPORTS NEWSThe hope is that future Diamond League meetings could be held there in front of a capacity crowd of 35,000.London Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged millions to improve the sporting facilities at the Sports Centre that opened in 1964 and is just two miles from Selhurst Park, home of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.And building firm Morgan Sindall Construction have been appointed to deliver the Centre’s improved design and build.A pre-construction period has started, which includes detailed applications for planning and listed building consent, with major works planned to commence in the second half of 2026.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMayor of London Sadiq Khan has pledged millions of pounds to revamp the venueCredit: PAThe redevelopment will include a complete rebuild of the structure of the swimming and diving pools and “improved sporting facilities”.The location holds a special place in British sporting history – with 20 men’s FA Cup finals, excluding replays, held on the same site between 1895 and 1914.How Crystal Palace outsmarted Man City in FA Cup finalIt was also the historic venue for the first Women’s FA Cup final in 1971, which was won by Southampton Ladies.It also hosted some of the greatest international athletics events in the UK – Usain Bolt ran a 200 metres race in front of 15,000 people at the London Grand Prix just weeks before the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.And Steve Ovett, Seb Coe and Steve Cram are among the other track-and-field icons who have raced there.Khan said: “Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is an historic and much-loved sporting and community facility where many UK sporting stars have started their careers and trained but which needs major investment and refurbishment.“I’m committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come.“With short-term improvements already delivered and Morgan Sindall Construction now appointed to deliver the design and build of the centre.”We look forward to working closely with partners and the local community to create an outstanding sporting venue as we work together to build a better, healthy London for all.” More

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      We’ve been to every FA Cup round – and now we’ve bagged Wembley final tickets thanks to The Sun

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      A FOOTIE-mad family have been to every round of this year’s FA Cup — and will be at today’s final thanks to The Sun. Phil Hart, 46, and sons Fin, ten, and Will, 13 — all Colchester United season ticket holders — began a journey topping 2,000 miles by watching lowly local team Cornard United beat Fakenham. Phil Hart and sons Fin, 10, and Will, 13, set off on a 2,000-mile FA Cup adventure from the first round to the final at Wembley – with a little help from The SunCredit: Paul EdwardsFin and Will pictured at the start of their cup run – with a tin-foil trophy – as Cornard United beat Fakenham Town 3-0Credit: FacebookThe 3rd round saw the family watching Stockport County beat Brackley Town 3-1Credit: FacebookVowing to support whichever team won, they took in Stowmarket, Bishop’s Stortford, Braintree, Brackley and Stockport. In the Third Round, Stockport lost to Crystal Palace, and the family saw them then beat Doncaster, Millwall, Fulham and Aston Villa to set up the Wembley showdown with Manchester City. After The Sun contacted the FA, teacher Phil secured three tickets for the big game. Phil said: “I’ve watched my boys fall in love with football all over again.” READ MORE FA CUP FINAL NEWSPhil, from Great Horkesley, near Colchester, said: “As Colchester United season ticket holders I knew my sons and I are unlikely to see our team win the FA Cup. “So this year we decided to create our own road to Wembley with just one rule – we had to pick a team at random and follow the winner, wherever that may be and whenever the game was – all the way to the final. “It was pure grassroots — dodgy refs, questionable chips, but brilliant football. We were hooked. At the semi-final, to see Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 3-0 – still with the tin-foil trophy in handCredit: Phil Hart“We stood on terraces in the rain at Braintree, Googled where Brackley was, and queued for pies in Stockport. Most read in Football“We cheered for unknown heroes and mourned for clubs we’d only met that day. The passion was real, raw and more fun than anything on TV. Fin said: “It’s been really fun visiting new stadiums and getting to meet some famous players.” Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyFAMILY’S ROAD TO WEMBLEYHere’s how Phil Hart, 46, and sons Fin, ten, and Will, 13 made their way to Wembley,Colchester to… 3 Aug Cornard 3 v 0 Fakenham 26 miles 1hr drive 17 Aug Stowmarket 1 v 5 Cornard 60 miles 1hr 30 mins drive 31 Aug Bishop’s Stortford 5 v 0 Cornard 75 miles 2hrs drive 14 Sept FA Cup 2nd qualifying round Hemel Hempstead 0 v 1 Bishop’s Stortford 150 miles 3hrs 28 Sept 3rd qualifying round Bishop’s Stortford 3 v 2 Hereford 75 miles 2hrs drive 12 Oct 4th qualifying round Braintree 1 v 0 Bishop’s Stortford 35 miles 1hr 2 Nov 1st round Brackley 0 v 0 Braintree (Brackley won 5-4 on pens) 240 miles 5hr 30 Nov 2nd round Stockport 3 v 1 Brackley 460 miles 8 hrs 12 Jan 3rd round Crystal Palace 1 v 0 Stockport 150 miles 4hrs 10 Feb 4th round Doncaster Rovers 0 v 2 Palace 344 miles 6hrs 45 1 March 5th round Palace 3 v 1 Millwall 140 miles 4hrs 29 March Quarter final Fulham 0 v 3 Palace 145 miles 4 hrs 26 April Semi-final Palace 3 v 0 Aston Villa 145 miles 3.5hrs 17 May Final Palace v Manchester City 145 miles 3.5hrs Total miles round trip 2,190 Total travel time 45 hrs 15 mins  More

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      Female footballer, 18, who was banned by FA for trans comment wants body to apologise after case folded

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      A TEENAGE girl footballer banned for asking a bearded transgender opponent “Are you a man?” wants the FA to apologise after the case folded.Cerys Vaughan, 18, raised safety and fairness concerns during a friendly.Cerys Vaughan, 18, raised safety and fairness concerns during a friendlyCredit: BBC SportAnti-discrimination watchdog Kick It Out complained and Cerys, then 17, was charged with breaching FA rules. Vaughan, of Leigh Genesis FC in Gtr Manchester, was banned for six matches, with four suspended for a year.She appealed against the decision and an FA board ruled the hearing “unfair” and dismissed the case. It came after the FA said transgender players would be barred from June 1 following a Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.Read More on UK NewsCerys said: “I’d like the FA to apologise for the way they treated me. “It was stressful and in the end pointless.“If the new ruling was in place when I asked the original question I’d never have been punished.” The FA said it dropped the case after the complainant withdrew for personal reasons.Most read in SportTrans ruling victory hides a terrifying reality – for years, women have been demonised simply for pointing out biological fact More

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      FA Cup final gets never-before-seen kick-off time after BBC and ITV clash over scheduling

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      THE FA CUP final has been given a brand new kick-off time just two weeks before the showpiece match at Wembley Stadium.Manchester City and Crystal Palace’s season-concluding clash will start at a later time of 4:30pm BST on Saturday May 17.The FA Cup kick-off time has finally been shared with fansCredit: ReutersThe new time was agreed following collaboration with the two clubs, broadcasters, local authorities, police and the Safety Advisory Group.The FA Cup final has traditionally kicked off at 3pm – a time preferred by police.FA insiders confirmed that discussions over the kick-off time were delayed, with broadcasters BBC and ITV at odds.The Beeb wanted the game to start in the traditional 3pm slot – ensuring that even if the match were to go to extra-time or penalties there would be no overlap issues with the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast due to start at 8pm.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMore than 7.5million people in the UK watched Eurovision on the BBC last year, with the corporation desperate to not see the final clash with the competition.ITV were understood to be pushing for a 5.30pm kick-off to maximum viewer numbers and advertising demand.The 2022 final between Chelsea and Liverpool was forced to start at 4:45pm because of a scheduling clash with Eurovision that night too.In each of the Chelsea’s previous trips to Wembley in 2021 and 2020 for the FA Cup final kick-off has been at 5:15pm and 5:30pmMost read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCity booked their place in the final for the third straight year with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last Sunday,Goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol gave Pep Guardiola the chance to end a disappointing season with another trophy.Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyMeanwhile, Crystal Palace are chasing their first ever FA Cup gong after thrashing Aston Villa in the semi-final on Saturday.A wonder striker from Eberechi Eze and a double from Ismaila Sarr secured Palace’s third ever final in the competition.The 2024-25 FA Cup final will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer as well as ITV1 and ITVX.No Premier League matches have been scheduled for the final.There were rows and rows of empty seats for the FA Cup semi-finalsAnd City will be hoping that their fans actually turn up this time, after 5,000 fans snubbed the journey against Forest.Fans of both clubs are already raging over an increase in ticket prices – a first in six years – with fees ranging from £175 for a category 1 ticket to £50 for category 4.That’s a rise of £30 for category 1 tickets compared to the 2024 final.Read More on The SunA spokesperson said: “The FA Cup is our biggest revenue producer, and it allows us to invest more funding into every level of English football.“We will be freezing the prices of almost all tickets to the Emirates FA Cup Final for the next three years.” More

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      FA needs to urgently rethink policy on FA Cup semi-finals after rows and rows of empty Wembley seats

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      CAN you imagine turning up to a Taylor Swift gig and finding rows and rows of empty seats? Exactly, it wouldn’t happen.But last weekend, for a showpiece occasion at Wembley Stadium, there were banks of seating with no one in them.There were rows and rows of empty seats for the FA Cup semi-finalsCredit: ReutersIt was very far from a sell-out and the FA needs to urgently rethink their policy on FA Cup semi-finals.Push finally came to shove as the simple economics of attending matches in the capital hit home last Sunday as Manchester City against Nottingham Forest, two big clubs based many miles from Wembley, clashed for a place in the final.What greeted the millions of armchair viewers across the world, keen to tune in to the oldest football competition of them all? Thousands of unused plastic red seats.First of all, it’s not a good look. TV companies will not be remotely happy with this.Most read in FootballTrying to sell a tournament when there are empty seats galore is difficult if not impossible and it damages the image of the competition.A lot is said about the ‘magic’ of the FA Cup, but the TV coverage from Sunday will prompt many to ask why fans are not turning up.This is not a dig at City at all. They are one of the best-supported clubs but could only shift 27,000 of their 36,230 allocation.This was their 29th Wembley trip since the stadium was refurbished in 2007 so you can understand why a touch of London fatigue has kicked in.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSTicket prices cost between £30 and £150 and then you have the 400-mile round trip.Throw in food and drink, plus the Russian roulette of catching a train and you can see why thousands of die-hard fans said enough is enough.Karren Brady’s daughter Sophia reveals she’s pregnant with her second child – as Apprentic star is set to become a grandmother againAsking two clubs to travel so far from their fanbase is not only expensive, it’s also illogical.Why not use much closer, high-quality venues such as Villa Park or Old Trafford.Wembley should be reserved for the final. You might think that is traditionalist but some traditions are worth preserving.It always had a real aura about it and getting there was a kind of footballing El Dorado.By putting semi-finals there, the FA has diluted their own competition, with the result there were over 17,000 empty seats on Sunday.It’s not as if this was a rare occurrence as the 2023 FA Cup semi-final between City and Sheffield United attracted fewer than 70,000 at Wembley’s 90,000- capacity stadium.In 2019, just over 71,000 attended the semi-final between Brighton and City.I think some common sense as well as common decency is needed.If two clubs from the capital meet each other in an FA Cup semi-final, I can see the logic in hosting it at Wembley.Many Man City fans didn’t seem bothered to travel to the capital for the gameCredit: PABut dragging Northerners hundreds of miles to London, with the enormous costs involved, seems complete lunacy.Football needs to take care of its traditions and none more so than the FA Cup which, since it began in 1871, has seen 44 different clubs lift the famous trophy.It has been won by Blackpool and Burnley, Wimbledon and Wigan and the FA Cup needs to be cherished and respected.Perhaps the most famous FA Cup giant-killing goal of them all was Ronnie Radford’s screamer to help non-league Hereford knock out Newcastle in the 1970s.Read More on The SunRonnie’s reaction has gone down in folklore as he celebrated hands aloft, tummy out, wide-mouthed in disbelief.The reaction of the fans showed what it meant to the good folk of Hereford. Wouldn’t have been the same with rows of empty seats, would it? More

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      FA bosses MUST apologise for treatment of women forced to compete against biological men & punished if they complained

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      FA chiefs finally red-carded trans players from women’s football yesterday.Biological men will be banned from all levels of the women’s game from June 1. FA bosses are facing demands to apologise for the treatment of women and girls forced to compete against biological menTrans goalie Blair Hamilton, circled, joined a women’s teamTrans Radio UK, made up solely of trans women, played against Dulwich Hamlet WomenCredit: AlamyFA bosses are facing demands to apologise for the treatment of women and girls forced to compete against biological men — and punished if they complained.They finally acted following last month’s Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.The decision affects around 20 trans footballers registered at grassroots level.Olympic swimming star Sharron Davies, who has led a ten-year fight to stop biological men taking part in women’s sport, told The Sun she was delighted, and disgusted, by the FA’s “too little, too late” move.READ MORE UK NEWSShe said: “I’ve heard all kinds of heartbreaking stories — women saying they just can’t compete with men who’ve ruined the enjoyment of their sport.’Sense has prevailed’“It’s crazy and I’m pleased to see sense has finally prevailed (in football) but I won’t rest until men are barred from all female sport.”Sharron told of her fury that the FA has yet to apologise to an autistic girl, 17, banned six games for asking a “bearded” opponent: “Are you a man?”She denied being transphobic and said she was concerned for her safety. Sharron added: “The FA owes this girl an apology and all the women forced to compete against men.Most read in Football“The FA have misrepresented the Equality Act, which has not actually changed, and have been sanctioning legalised cheating for years in ­pursuit of a woke agenda.”FA rules reviewed on April 1 had allowed the 20 or so trans players to carry on playing if their testosterone levels were below a set level for at least 12 months.But chiefs sparked confusion by saying they could intervene if concerns were raised about safety and fairness.Trans women are NOT women, Supreme Court rules in win for anti-woke campaigners after battle over female-only spacesFiona McAnena, of campaign group Sex Matters, said of yesterday’s new ruling: “This is welcome but long overdue.“The FA has had ample evidence of the harm to women and girls caused by its nonsensical policy of letting men who identify as women play in women’s teams.“The requirement to lower their testosterone tells you that everyone knew they were not women.“Thankfully, the UK Supreme Court has now confirmed this.“Every other sporting body now needs to re-establish a genuine women’s category, and this shameful period in history will finally be brought to an end.”My experience is playing in the men’s game, ten to 15 years ago it wasn’t a safe place to be transgender or non-conforming in any wayNatalie WashingtonTory MP Sir John Hayes added: “This is a victory for common sense. Sporting competition needs to be fair and farce had replaced fairness.”In a 2022 “world first”, Trans Radio UK, a team of solely trans women, played their first game against Dulwich Hamlet Women.Last September Sutton United women’s team postponed their fixture against Ebbsfleet United after a row over the signing of trans goalie Blair Hamilton.In November 2023 trans player Francesca Needham quit Rossington Main Ladies FC in South Yorkshire and claimed she suffered discrimination after opponents refused to play against her.Olympic swimming star Sharron Davies, who has led a ten-year fight to stop biological men taking part in women’s sportCredit: AlamyLast night Natalie Washington, of Football v Transphobia, told how trans players have said they could give up the game from June 1.Natalie said: “Most don’t feel they can play in the men’s game for reasons of safety and comfort.“My experience is playing in the men’s game, ten to 15, years ago it wasn’t a safe place to be transgender or non-conforming in any way.“That’s probably improved slightly but it’s still not a great place to be.”’Biology matters’The FA said: “We understand this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify.“We are contacting the registered transgender players to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”Asked about an apology to biologically female players, the FA said: “We’ve no further comment.”Read More on The SunDowning Street insisted “biology matters” when it comes to women’s sport and “everyone should be compliant with the law”.Other sports could follow the FA’s lead. The English Cricket Board currently allows for self-identification at all levels. But chiefs could confirm a policy change today.APOLOGY BY POLICEBy Andy RobinsonPOLICE have apologised after investigating a fan who was banned by Newcastle United for expressing gender-critical views.Linzi Smith, 34, was accused of being transphobic by a complainant who claimed trans people would not feel safe sitting near her at St James’ Park.She promotes lesbian, bisexual and women’s rights online.Northumbria Police launched a hate crime probe after being handed a dossier by the club.Linzi was interviewed for two hours under caution in 2023 and eventually faced no further action.The force now says elements of the probe were unacceptable. Linzi said: “I can’t help but feel let down over so many failings.”Newcastle fan Linzi Smith was accused of being transphobicCredit: LInzi Smith More

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      BBC at odds with ITV over FA Cup Final kick-off time with talks ongoing just TWO WEEKS before showpiece occasion

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      MANCHESTER CITY fans have slammed Wembley chiefs for keeping them in the FA Cup Final dark.With only 16 days before City run out against Crystal Palace for English football’s showpiece occasion, there has still been no confirmation of the kick-off time.Crystal Palace chief Oliver Glasner will lock horns with Man City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the FA Cup final on May 17Credit: AlamyThe two broadcasters have differing views on kick-off timeLast night the FA took all information about the game off its official website, with the page designation for Final details reading: “No Fixtures available, please check later.”FA insiders confirmed that discussions over the kick-off time were still ongoing, with broadcasters BBC and ITV at odds.The Beeb want the game to start in the traditional 3pm slot – ensuring that even if the match were to go to extra-time or penalties there will be no overlap issues with the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast due to start at 8pm.ITV are understood to be pushing for a 5.30pm kick-off to maximum viewer numbers and advertising demand.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, the FA has to square all decisions off with Police, local council safety chiefs and the transport authorities.Even so, there is a recognition that the lack of certainty is not the best look.And the lack of confirmation brought an angry response from City supporters, already fuming at ticket prices of up to £285.City sold 5,000 short of their allocation for the semi-final win over Nottingham Forest.Most read in FA CupBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBoss Pep Guardiola noted the amount his side’s supporters have had to fork out for Wembley trips over recent season.City YouTube channel presenter Steven McInerney, pointing to all Final category tickets having gone up by between £5 and £35, said on X: “The prices compared to last year are taking the p***.“It’s in two weeks, people have to organise travel and the kick off time hasn’t even been announced yet.“Shambles of an institution. Fans slapped in the face constantly.” More

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      FA launch brand new tournament with former England stars fronting star-studded line-up

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      THE FA have launched a brand new tournament with several former England stars fronting a star-studded line-up.All eyes will be on Wembley next month when Manchester City and Crystal Palace battle it out for the FA Cup.Jermain Defoe is one of several ex-England stars heading up a new tournamentCredit: AlamyBen Foster will also be involved in the FA’s new five-aside-tournamentCredit: PABut ahead of the crunch final, the FA and tournament sponsors Emirates have launched a brand new five-a-side football tournament.Featuring four teams, the competition will take place at St George’s Park — the base of the FA and England’s football teams.The teams will be made up of non-league stars, influencers and local community heroes.But there are a slew of former aces involved, with each heading up a side.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFifty-seven cap England striker and Tottenham icon Jermain Defoe will front one side.While another will be led by eight-time England goalie Ben Foster.Chelsea title winner Shaun Wright-Phillips will take charge of the third team.While Newcastle hero Shola Ameobi is the fourth name getting involved.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSEach side will represent an Emirates Flight Hub.These include London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle.Roy Keane delivers verdict on Thomas Tuchel after two games with England and claims he’s been handed ‘easy start’Shaun Wright-Phillips will lead one of the sidesCredit: AlamyEx-Newcastle ace Shola Ameobi is also involvedCredit: GettyEach one is also linked with a destination such as Indonesia, Dubai, Thailand and Cambodia.And the tournament’s top scorer and best player could end up being gifted a flight to their team’s corresponding country as a reward.A date for the competition is yet to be confirmed, but it will be streamed live on YouTube. More