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      FA Cup prize money SLASHED by HALF with winners set to receive less than £4m… and third-round victors get just £61k

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      THIS season’s FA Cup winners will bank just half what Arsenal received last year – at £3.4million.
      The Gunners scooped a total £6.8m for beating Chelsea at Wembley in May.

      Hefty prizes from their wins in previous rounds added to a £3.6m fee for going all the way.
      But The FA have slashed the prize pot in half for the 2020-21 edition of the tournament.
      No replays or fans, at least for the vast majority of matches, means a very different feel to the world’s oldest cup competition.
      This weekend’s third-round match winners will receive £61,500, down from £135,000.

      The teams crashing out at this stage, be it by a defeat or a coronavirus outbreak, will take home just over £20,000 for their troubles.
      Prize money bumps up to £90,000 for winning in the fourth round, with £180,000 on offer in the fifth.

      Arsenal banked some much-needed cash with their cup win in MayCredit: PA:Press Association
      Quarter-final victors will earn £360,000 and £900,000 will go to each of the semi-final winners.
      Even the sides that lose the semi-finals will take home the not-inconsiderable amount of £450,000.

      The team that goes all the way will pocket £1.8m from the final, meaning a total £3.4m banked throughout the tournament.
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      Chelsea were awarded £1.8m for losing last season’s showpiece, a fee cut by 50 per cent in line with other savings this time around, to £900,000.
      The wholesale reductions mark a hasty retreat from FA bosses in attempting to further incentivise the competition.
      Prize money was doubled in 2018-19 to encourage sides to take the FA Cup more seriously, but has now been cut back down to its original size.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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      FA release statement on why Man Utd star Edinson Cavani was banned for ‘negrito’ post but admit he was NOT racist

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      EDINSON CAVANI was NOT racist when he wrote the ‘negrito’ comment that earned him a three-match ban.
      But FA disciplinary beaks agreed they had no option other than to impose the minimum sanction available to them – and suggested Manchester United should have warned Cavani about unacceptable language.

      Edinson Cavani was punished over an Instagram post made in NovemberCredit: PA:Press Association

      South American football chiefs have rushed to Cavani’s defence after the Uruguay striker was banned last week, demanding the FA rescind his three-match ban and £100,000 fine.
      The charge came after Cavani’s response to an Instagram congratulatory message from a friend, Pablo Fernandez, after his match-winning contribution off the bench at Southampton on November 29.
      While Cavani and Manchester United said they accepted the ban, the Old Trafford outfit insisted they expected the FA to state the striker’s comments carried no racist intent.
      And in the full written reasons for the commission decision, published by Wembley chiefs, it emerged that the FA made clear it was NEVER their case to question Cavani’s intent.

      However, the three-man commission, which included former Aston Villa and Bolton midfielder turned lawyer Gareth Farrelly, did suggest United should have explained the regulations that were brought in by English football in August.
      And United’s decision to initially deny a charge which they later accepted was implicitly criticised.

      We were satisfied that the player wrote his reply in affectionate appreciation of a message from his Uruguayan friend.
      FA Commission

      It was the new guidelines, agreed by all clubs and the PFA, which gave the commission no option once Cavani had admitted the offence.
      In the reasons, the commission said: “On December 3, Manchester United asserted the circumstances were such that disciplinary action was not warranted, and that the Player’s conduct did not amount to a breach of FA Rules.

      “However, upon being charged the Player admitted the allegation and expressed his wish that these proceedings be determined without the necessity of a personal hearing.”
      A Latin American expert witness, called by the FA, confirmed: “Someone familiar with South American culture and language could also have understood that in the context of friends it was not used with the intention to be racist, insulting or offensive.”
      The commission added: “We were satisfied that the Player wrote his reply in affectionate appreciation of a message from his Uruguayan friend.
      “It was not designed or intended to be racist or offensive either to his friend or others reading the content of the Instagram post.

      “It was no part of the case presented by the FA that the Player deliberately acted with racist or offensive intent. That was an approach and understanding with which the Commission agreed.
      “When translated in a foreseeable way, the FA submitted that a follower of English Premier League football would have understandably concluded that the words used were racially offensive.
      “The player submitted that he was simply spontaneously responding affectionately to a good friend by his nickname.
      “At the time the message was posted the Player had no idea that the term used could be construed as offensive in this country.
      ““Negrito” was not used in reference to his friend’s colour, but simply because that was the nickname Mr Fernandez had been known by since childhood.
      “So it was that the Player deleted the post and apologised as soon as he became aware of the potentially offensive connotations of that which he had innocently said.”
      Cavani admitted to what was a strict liability offence, although, the commission added: “The player could not reasonably have known that any such offence would be caused.
      “He had only been in this country for some two months, did not speak English and had not previously lived in an English-speaking country.

      “It would not be proper to infer he had been sufficiently exposed to the language and culture of this country so as to allow him to have understood that words that were affectionate and unoffensive in his native language, were unquestionably offensive in this country.
      “He had also received no media training upon his arrival in England to enable him to be better placed to understand the cultural differences that might give rise to issues with a foreign player posting information on a social media platform.
      “In light of the Player’s high profile in the game, his inability to speak English and the fact that he had approaching 8 million Instagram followers, the Commission were surprised that no such ‘training’ had been specifically put in place for the Player by his club.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      FA tells clubs third-round ties MUST be completed even if they are down to 14 players amid coronavirus hell

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      THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has instructed clubs they must play their FA Cup third-round ties next week – even if they only have 14 Covid-free players available.
      There have been growing concerns within the FA that the competition could be thrown into chaos if a number of fixtures are postponed.

      The FA has told clubs they must fulfil their third-round ties

      Clubs were informed of the decision via email on Friday as a steep rise in coronavirus cases in the UK threatens the completion of the third round.
      To fit into a truncated 2020-21 season, replays have been removed from this season’s edition of the FA Cup.
      As a result, there is little room in the domestic football calendar to play a third-round tie if clubs are unable to put out a team.
      Premier League clubs were informed at the start of the season they would have to play with a minimum of 14 eligible players, including youngsters with any first-team experience.

      However, recent postponements have caused confusion over the criteria needed for matches to be called off.
      The FA’s competitions officer, Chris Darnell, advised clubs FA Cup fixtures will have to be played in order to ‘mitigate the risk of causing disruption to the wider fixture schedule’.
      Any clubs unable to select 14 Covid-19 negative players must report the issue to the FA, at which point an FA sub-committee will determine whether the matter merits a postponement.
      Fulham’s trip to Burnley was postponed on Saturday after more first-team players tested positive for Covid-19.

      The match became the third postponement in the Premier League this week following Fulham’s previous fixture against Tottenham on Wednesday, and Everton versus Manchester City on Monday.
      Fulham’s players and staff were retested following the cancellation of their clash with Spurs but further cases have resulted in the postponement of Sunday’s match at Turf Moor.
      There are further concerns next week’s tests at Football League clubs – the first widespread testing at that level since November – will unearth a number of positive cases.
      Premier League clubs currently test their players and staff twice a week but there has been no regular testing of EFL players, with clubs instead isolating players and staff who report symptoms.
      The FA has offered clubs financial support for more testing to ensure they are able to reach the minimum requirements of the competition.

      Jose Mourinho waits around with his team as match between Tottenham and Fulham is cancelled More

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      FA boss urges Premier League clubs to rethink five-sub rule with teams set to reject plans for THIRD time

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      FA CHIEF Mark Bullingham has urged Prem clubs to stage a rethink on Thursday – and bring back the five substitute rule.
      Prem clubs are expected to reject the Big Six-backed proposal for a THIRD time at their final ‘shareholders’ meeting of the year.

      FA chief Mark Bullingham has backed calls for five subsCredit: PA:Press Association

      That is despite a strong plea from PFA boss Gordon Taylor, who argued it was ‘paramount in the interests of player welfare and health and safety’.
      But after football’s law-making body Ifab agreed to extend the ‘temporary’ use of five substitutes through to the end of 2021 for club sides and July 2022 for international football, Wembley chief executive Bullingham put pressure on the Prem.
      The Professional Game Board, including three Prem clubs and interim League chairman Peter McCormick, unanimously backed allowing five subs in the FA Cup next month and Bullingham said: “I am surprised the Premier League has not brought it in.
      “It’s been signed off by Ifab and we expected all the leading leagues to sign it off because of the congested season and lack of a proper pre-season.”

      Bullingham added: “The reason we want it in the competition is player welfare. 
      “We recognise it’s been a short pre-season, we recognise we’re in a very congested season now and we feel it’s appropriate to have the ability to have five substitutes.
      “In terms of the Premier League, that’s obviously something for the clubs to decide on.
      “Would we prefer it if the Premier League brought in five subs? Yes, we would prefer it.

      Bullingham wants PL clubs to be able to use five subsCredit: Reuters

      “But it’s not our decision. We understand people’s reluctance to bring something in mid-season but our preference would be to see five subs.”
      The FA and Prem will be aligned with the introduction of permanent concussion substitutions, as part of a Fifa trial, from the start of next year.
      Thursday’s meeting will see the Prem adopt a model allowing teams up to two extra substitution for head injuries, with the opposing team also granted matched replacements, after Ifab gave the green light.
      The decision was criticised with neurologist Willie Stewart, who has conducted major research on dementia, dismissing it as ‘putting lipstick on a pig’.
      Luke Griggs of the brain injury charity Headway questioned whether safety might be put more at risk than if teams were allowed temporary changes, allowing players to be assessed.
      He said: “A temporary concussion substitution allows the player to be assessed off the pitch, in a quiet, appropriate treatment room away from the heat of battle and the glare of players, officials, coaches and fans.
      “We know how difficult it can be for club medics to make concussion assessments on or at the side of the pitch, particularly in such a short space of time or when there are language barriers.”
      But Ifab technical head and former leading FA referee David Elleray insisted: “If you have temporary substitutes, the players often want to go back on and that could be more of a risk than taking them out permanently.”

      We think the model where you can have substitutes coming on for the other team is fairer
      Mark Bullingham

      The new Law means each side in FA Cup action could, theoretically, make EIGHT changes if there are two head injuries in a match that goes to extra time.
      But Bullingham insisted: “We think the model where you can have substitutes coming on for the other team is fairer. 
      “We don’t think that the team should gain advantage from someone going off with a suspected concussion. That’s basically where we settled out on that.”

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      Edinson Cavani still facing a minimum three-game ban for ‘negrito’ comment despite Man Utd star making public apology

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      EDINSON CAVANI still faces a three-match ban despite making a public apology for his ‘negrito’ Instagram comment.
      Manchester United’s new Uruguayan strike ace said sorry for his social media post.

      Edinson Cavani has issued an apology after posting a ‘racist’ term on social mediaCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Uruguayan used the term on his Instagram story on Sunday night as the FA launched a probe

      In a statement issued by the club, Cavani said: “The message I posted after the game on Sunday was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game.
      “The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone.
      “I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently. I would like to sincerely apologise for this.”
      Cavani found himself in hot water for the comment which followed his injury-time winner at Southampton on Sunday.

      The Uruguayan answered a a fan who posted a message of ‘asi te quiero matador’ – ‘I love you, matador’ – with the phrase: “Gracias negrito.”
      Under FA regulations, using a discriminatory word, regardless of context, leaves the South American open to a charge.
      United jumped to Cavani’s defence, insisting: “It is clear to us that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind Edinson’s message and he deleted it as soon as he was informed that it could be misconstrued.
      “Edinson has issued an apology for any unintentional offence caused.

      “Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism.”
      But that seems unlikely to avoid the prospect of action, which leaves the striker facing an automatic three-game ban if found guilty.
      New regulations, brought in by the FA in August, distinguish between language used on and off the pitch, including on social media.
      The rules, sent out to all clubs and players – via the PFA – state: “Where an offence is in writing only or via any communication device the absolute minimum match-based sanction in such cases will be three games.”
      Under FA guidelines, disciplinary chiefs have until close of business on Wednesday to decide whether to charge or contact Cavani to ask for his observations.
      The FA would then have until next Monday to actually issue the charge, with a hearing then being scheduled before December 21, with a commission to determine any punishment needed.
      It means, unless there was a charge and immediate guilty plea, that Cavani will be available for the weekend game with West Ham and the Manchester derby against City on December 12.
      He is also likely to be free to play United’s next two Premier League games, at Sheffield United in the first midweek fixture of the season and the clash with Leeds on December 20.
      Any ban would then kick in for the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Everton on December 23, with Cavani getting Christmas off and missing the games against Leicester on Boxing Day and home to Wolves three days later.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      The striker, bottom, sparked incredible scenes with his injury-time winner at St Mary’s to complete a comeback winCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Man Utd star Edinson Cavani facing three-match BAN for ‘racist’ post as striker sparks Instagram race storm More

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      Man Utd ace Cavani sorry for ‘racist’ post after Southampton win and insists it was ‘affectionate greeting to a friend’

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      EDINSON CAVANI has apologised for the ‘racist’ social media post he sent as he celebrated the win over Southampton.
      The Manchester United striker, 33, took to Instagram on Sunday night and replied to a comment with ‘Gracias Negrito!’.

      Edinson Cavani has issued an apology after posting a ‘racist’ term on social mediaCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Uruguayan used the term on his Instagram story on Sunday night as the FA launched a probe

      The FA launched an investigation into the use of the word – the same one which landed his international team-mate Luis Suarez an eight-match ban – with a three-match ban on the cards for the Uruguayan.
      Cavani deleted the post from his story and has now issued an apology – claiming it was an ‘affectionate greeting to a friend’.
      He forward – who scored twice in a 3-2 comeback victory – said in a statement: “The message I posted after the game on Sunday was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game.
      “The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone.

      “I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently. I would like to sincerely apologise for this.”
      Manchester United added: “It is clear to us that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind Edinson’s message and he deleted it as soon as he was informed that it could be misconstrued.
      “Edinson has issued an apology for any unintentional offence caused.
      “Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism.”

      The FA launched a new crackdown on discriminatory conduct in August, following on the bans for social media comments issued to Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Tottenham’s Dele Alli.
      Under the new guidelines, the FA must act where ‘discriminatory’ language has been used.
      The FA rules, sent out to all clubs and players – via the PFA – state: “Where an offence is in writing only or via any communication device the absolute minimum match-based sanction in such cases will be three games.”
      Wembley bosses began their probe last night when they were made aware of the comments and now have until Wednesday evening to decide whether to charge or contact Cavani to ask for his observations.
      The FA would then have until next Monday to actually issue the charge, with a hearing then being scheduled before December 21, with a commission to determine any punishment needed.
      It means, unless there was a charge and immediate guilty plea, that Cavani will be available for this weekend’s game with West Ham and the Manchester derby against City on December 12.
      He is also likely to be free to play United’s next two Premier League games, at Sheffield United in the first midweek fixture of the season and the clash with Leeds on December 20.
      Any ban would then kick in for the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Everton on December 23, with Cavani getting Christmas off and missing the games against Leicester on Boxing Day and at home to Wolves three days later.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      The striker, bottom, sparked incredible scenes with his injury-time winner at St Mary’s to complete a comeback winCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Anton Ferdinand reveals he was made to feel like the guilty party by the FA after John Terry racism row

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      ANTON FERDINAND felt like the guilty man during a meeting with FA officials investigating his race row with John Terry.
      The former QPR defender is finally opening up on his infamous run-in with the Chelsea captain more than nine years ago.

      Anton Ferdinand has opened up on his racism ordeal

      Terry was cleared in court but convicted by the FA of using insulting language referencing skin colour during the stormy London derby in 2011.
      Ferdinand was called upon to provide a statement in the aftermath and remains bitter about his treatment.
      The 35-year-old said: “I just wanted the FA to deal with it. All I wanted to do was play football.
      “The FA got involved and I was happy. They needed a statement from me.

      “I was sitting in a room with two FA delegates and they were probing me. Probing me?
      “They were starting to make me feel like I was in the wrong.
      “All I know is I didn’t feel like the victim in that room.”
      Ferdinand has made a documentary with the BBC, Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism and Me.

      John Terry was found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand by the FACredit: PA:Press Association

      The ex-West Ham and Sunderland defender feels he would have been labelled a ‘stereotypical angry black man’ if he’d spoken up at the time.
      He does admit firing the first insult during the clash by taunting Terry over claims he had bedded Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend.
      Ferdinand revealed: “I said, ‘You sh***ed your team-mate’s missus, you are a c-word’.
      “It was a rumour then and I was trying to rile him up.
      “I’m not proud of what I said to him.
      “On a football pitch, sometimes your emotions are invested and you want to say things that hurt people. It’s a game of egos.”
      Terry was cleared of racist abuse in court but later convicted by the football authorities, banned for four games, fined £220,000 and stripped of the England captaincy.
      Ferdinand said: “Because I’ve never spoken about it, I don’t think I quite understand what I went through and I need to come to terms with that, not just as a footballer but as a person. I had no idea that anything had occurred on the pitch. Everyone was just buzzing that we’d beaten Chelsea.

      He said, ‘You f***ing black c***, you f***ing love it’. I couldn’t believe my eyes
      Anton Ferdinand

      “My mum said, ‘Anton, are you OK?’ I said, ‘Yes, of course’.
      “My wife says, ‘Then you’d better have a look at this and hands me her brother’s phone.
      “This is the first time I’m seeing it. I’m looking at the phone and rage just came over me.
      “You know when they say your blood boils. It just hit me.
      “He said, ‘You f***ing black c***, you f***ing love it’. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
      “I got booed everywhere I went after he lost the England captaincy.
      “The abuse on social media started immediately and never stopped.
      “I’d wake up and expect there to be racial abuse on my phone.

      The pair faced each other again in 2012Credit: PA:Press Association

      Ferdinand last played in Scotland for St MirrenCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      “All that love I had for the game was just ripped out of me. I hated the game, what it stood for.
      “I couldn’t retaliate. I had to be professional. Shut up and deal with it.
      “Where does that go? Where is that release? You can’t deal with it as a human being then.
      “I could stand here be macho and say I wasn’t traumatised. But I was.”
      Terry, who is now assistant head coach at Aston Villa, admitted using the words but was acquitted because of his explanation that they were phrased as a question, rather than as a direct insult.
      The pair have not spoken since.
      Ferdinand wants a meeting so they can both get closure on a momentary exchange which shook sport.
      He added: “I watched John Terry take a knee. Fair play to him because he got a backlash on social media and called a hypocrite.

      Carlton Cole recently claimed that Terry had admitted using the racist languageCredit: PA:Press Association
      “He’s doomed if he does and doomed if he doesn’t. I hope that him showing that comes from a good place.
      “But don’t just take a knee, come and talk about it.”
      Earlier this month, Terry’s former Chelsea team-mate Carlton Cole claimed he had confessed to using the racist language in ‘a moment of madness’.
      But a statement from Terry’s lawyers said:  “John Terry refutes in the strongest possible terms the allegations that are made against him by Carlton Cole.
      “They are false and never happened and Mr Terry has previously been cleared of these allegations in an English court of law.
      “Never before has Carlton Cole mentioned this to Mr Terry or raised any issue of this type with him, the FA or the police.
      “The reason for that is because the words were not said.”

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      Preston’s Darnell Fisher facing three-game ban as FA charge defender for ‘grabbing Callum Paterson’s genitals’

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      PRESTON’S Darnell Fisher is facing a three-game ban after being charged by the FA for ‘grabbing a player’s genitals.’
      Fisher was allegedly caught by match footage grabbing at the genital area of Callum Paterson during Preston’s 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

      This still from the game appears to show Darnell Fisher grabbing Callum Paterson’s privatesCredit: Sky Sports

      And a statement from the FA read: “It is alleged that an incident during the 62nd minute of the fixture, which was not seen by the match officials at the time but caught on camera, constitutes a breach of FA Rule E3.”
      Preston have acknowledged the charge, and must decide whether they will accept it or appeal by 6pm today.
      Video of Fisher’s grope – similar to Vinnie Jones’ infamous “tackle” on Paul Gascoigne – during Preston’s 1-0 Championship triumph went viral.
      Looking to get touch-tight on Paterson on a corner, the 26-year-old seemed to cop a feel of the Scotsman’s private parts on a two occasions.

      Former Cardiff forward Paterson looked incredibly confused as to what happened and looked to see if anyone had witnessed the alleged grope.
      Owls boss Tony Pulis said: “I haven’t seen it but I’m sure, with everybody on social media, he’ll be up in flames if he’s done that.”
      North End goal scorer Tom Barkhuizen joked about the act when asked about what happened.

      He replied: “Darnell is a good ball player.”

      Earlier this year, England prop Joe Marler was banned for 10 weeks after grabbing the genital area of Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones.
      And in August, Super League and St Helens star Tommy Makinson was suspended for five matches for a similar incident involving Castleford’s Liam Watts. More