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      in Soccer

      Militant rail union bosses try to wreck FA Cup final and Derby by unleashing strike misery on sports fans

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      BITTER rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on one of the biggest sporting days of the year.Aslef’s Mick Whelan — a self-styled pal of the workers — will try to wreck two of their favourite events.
      Rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on footie fans heading to the FA Cup final, which Liverpool won last yearCredit: Getty
      The FA Cup final will be held at Wembley Stadium on June 3Credit: Alamy
      Racegoers and punters must make new travel plans for the Epsom Derby the same dayCredit: PA
      Disruption on June 3 will hit fans going to the FA Cup Final and racegoers heading to Epsom for The Derby.
      The walkout, one of three by Aslef, will inflict transport hell on 80,000 Manchester City and Manchester United followers.
      Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31.
      In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13 — the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool.
      READ MORE ON STRIKE CHAOS
      Aslef general secretary Mick ­Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabilia.
      His side were thrashed 4-0 by City in the Cup’s third round.
      Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash.
      Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “This looks like nothing more than sour grapes on the part of the union after their teams have lost.
      Most read in Football
      “The actions of Aslef will ruin the plans for football fans, families and those wanting to experience Eurovision. I’m giving them nul points.”
      Kevin Parker, of the Manchester City Official Supporters Club, said: “This is the last thing we need.”
      The Manchester United Supporters Trust added: “We need all modes of transport available to cope with the level of demand and the railways are a key part of that.
      “We call on the Government and union to find a way to avert this.”
      The May 12 eve-of-Eurovision action will hit 3,000 Ukrainians invited to the song contest which their war-torn nation cannot host.
      In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13, the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool
      Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31Credit: LNP
      Footie fans will be travelling to six Premier League fixtures on May 13.
      Families planning half-term trips later in May, and cricket fans heading to the England vs Ireland Test match at Lord’s also face chaos.
      Downing Street called the walkouts “incredibly disappointing”.
      A No10 spokesman said: “We believe the offer that’s on the table is fair and reasonable.”
      Tory MP Greg Smith, who sits on the Transport Select Committee, said: “Unbelievable that Aslef want to inflict more misery on the great British public at such an important time in the sporting calendar.
      “They need to understand the damage they are doing and reflect on the high salaries they enjoy.”
      Tory MP Caroline Dinenage said of the song contest final: “This is Ukraine’s Eurovision and British people have put their heart and soul into doing it justice for them.
      “It feels heartless to deprive Ukrainian people the rare opportunity for escapism after everything they have endured.”
      The strikes will heap further pain on pubs and restaurants trying to recover from the pandemic. The sector has lost more than £3billion in sales as a result of the strikes and the high-demand summer ­period will now be impacted.
      Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating that almost a year on from the start of this dispute, there appears to be no resolution in sight.”
      Aslef announced its strikes after a meeting of the executive. Mr Whelan described the new pay offer of eight per cent over two years as “risible”.
      He said: “The proposal was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of ten per cent and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.”
      The union said all non-contractual overtime from May 15 for six days and also on ­Saturday 13 and Thursday June 1 will be withdrawn, which will likely affect services.
      The RMT turned down an offer which included a first-year payment of five per cent but only if no ­further walkouts would take place
      Aslef general secretary Mick ­Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabiliaCredit: Getty
      Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash
      Boss Mick Lynch said: “We have no alternative but to press ahead with more strike action.”
      Transport Secretary Mark Harper called on Aslef to let its members vote on the deal put forward by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
      He said: “It is deeply disappointing that Aslef has decided to call strikes and ban overtime, targeting thousands of people attending the UK’s first Eurovision event in 25 years, including Ukrainians displaced by Putin’s war, and the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.
      “The offer from the RDG included urgent reform to ensure our railways are financially sustainable for the benefit of passengers, workers and the taxpayer as well as delivering a pay rise for members whose salary already averages £60,000.
      “Aslef need to call off strikes and give their members a say on this.”
      Aslef said it had met employers eight times over a year to find a resolution. They claimed they had to hold eight strike days before the Government would even negotiate.
      A union source added: “The teams Mick and Dave support have no bearing on the days action will be taken.”
      They added they have to give 14 days notice to call strikes to try to ensure rosters are filled.
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      The Rail Delivery Group said: “Senselessly targeting Eurovision and the FA Cup final is disappointing for all those planning to attend.
      “We urge Aslef leadership to rejoin us at the negotiating table.” More

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      in Soccer

      Sergio Ramos’ stunning wife Pilar Rubio stuns in plunging floral swimsuit and skirt

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      MODEL and telly presenter Pilar Rubio is a frilling sight as she wows in a floral swimsuit and a matching skirt.The Spaniard, 45, posed for the 2023 Selmark swimwear collection in Madrid.
      Sergio Ramos’ stunning wife Pilar Rubio stuns in plunging floral swimsuit and skirtCredit: Getty
      Pilar revealed last year that the couple have sex every day
      Mum-of-four Pilar is married to Paris Saint-Germains star Sergio Ramos, 36, and revealed last year that the couple have sex every day.
      When asked how often she had romped with her husband-of-three-years in the last month, the stunning brunette replied: “We do it every day, except for the days when I am in Madrid.
      “Today for instance, thanks to you, I can’t.”
      Told by the shocked host of chat show La Resistencia they were like Avengers superheroes having sex so often with four youngsters in the house, she added: “My children are in bed at 9.30pm. Sex is life.”
      READ MORE ON SERGIO RAMOS
      She insisted the fact they had four kids had no impact on their sex life.
      Rubio tried to turn the tables by asking host David Broncano about how often he did it – but was told he had no children so there was no comparison.
      In her tell-all interview, Rubio – who has commuted between Paris and Madrid since Ramos joined PSG in 2021 – also claimed she had just £46,000 in the bank.
      Seeing the admission was causing as much shock as her confession about sex with Sergio Ramos, she added: “I’m talking about the current account which is the one I saw.”
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      in Soccer

      Voice of football revealed as fans vote for greatest commentator – is it your favourite?

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      JOHN Motson has been voted the greatest football commentator of all time in a poll of fans.The late sheepskin-loving soccer encyclopedia beat Brian Moore, David Coleman and Clive Tyldesley to top spot.
      Late sheepskin-loving soccer encyclopedia John Motson has been voted the greatest football commentator of all timeCredit: Getty
      Motty’s line, “The Crazy Gang has beaten the Culture Club”, as Wimbledon beat Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final was named the fifth most iconic.
      But the top piece of commentary was Kenneth Wolstenholme’s “Some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over — it is now” as England won the 1966 World Cup.
      The survey for CopyBet.com found 33 per cent of fans want commentators to have great player knowledge.
      Meanwhile, 26 per cent look for impartiality.
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      24 per cent of fans want an engaging narrative.
      Knowledge was the top asset for a pundit.
      Alan Shearer and Ian Wright were joint favourites.
      A spokesperson for the site said: “We’ve been blessed with some amazing commentators over the years and sadly we’ve lost some of the greats in recent years.
      Most read in Football
      “For many of us, our memories of particular moments are likely entwined with the lines of commentary.
      “It’s hard not to think of that winning goal from Aguero and not hear the words of Martin Tyler or England winning the World Cup and not hear ‘they think it’s all over…’” More

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      in Soccer

      Ryan Reynolds spends thousands on incredible gift for Wrexham fans after promotion win

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      RYAN Reynolds splashed out £40,000 on vintage whisky for Wrexham fans after their promotion win.The Deadpool star, 46, who bought the club two years ago with fellow actor Rob McElheney, got in 40 bottles at £1,000 a pop.
      Ryan Reynolds treated Wrexham fans to some expensive whiskey after their sensational promotion winCredit: Getty
      A source said: “He had invited fans to sample the booze last week and left a load for after the game on Saturday.”
      Reynolds also took the players and staff for dinner on Sunday.
      Hollywood star Paul Rudd was also seen celebrating with fans, while Rob took a turn behind the bar.
      An insider said: “It was a historic moment for the club and Ryan wanted to make sure they did something proper to mark it.”
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Footage from the stands showed Ryan and Rob crying as the final whistle went.
      Ryan said: “One thing that’s running through my head over-and-over again is people said at the beginning: ‘Why Wrexham, why Wrexham?’ this is exactly why Wrexham.
      “What’s happening right now is why.”
      Rob McElhenney and Ryan paid £2 million for Welsh football club in 2020Credit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      Kind-hearted Chelsea ace Raheem Sterling to pay to put 14 poor students through uni

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      ENGLAND star Raheem Sterling is to pay to put 14 poor students through university.The Chelsea winger is offering scholarships to youngsters of black, African and Caribbean heritage to tackle the equality gap.
      Raheem Sterling is to pay to put 14 poor students of black, African and Caribbean heritage through universityCredit: Getty
      It comes after a study said fewer than five per cent of Brits starting degrees at the UK’s top 24 universities were black.
      Over the next three years, Sterling will fund seven students at The University of Manchester and King’s College London, both in the select Russell Group.
      The offer is open to young people in Greater Manchester and London.
      Dad-of-four Sterling, 28, said: “I hope this initiative will be a real game changer.”
      read more on Raheem Sterling
      University of Manchester’s president, Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell, said the cash would help talented black students “realise their potential”.
      President and principal of King’s College London, Prof Shitij Kapur, said the initiative would help “under-represented students . . . become the change-makers of the future”.
      Clive Ellington, Chair of Trustees at the Raheem Sterling Foundation, added: “We believe that access to better education and employment opportunities should be made fair to all young people regardless of financial circumstances and background.
      “The work we do is in pursuit of improving their opportunities, future careers and quality of life and we won’t rest until we succeed in Raheem’s vision of achieving this.
      Most read in Football
      “Partnering with two of the UK’s most outstanding universities, whose strive for change mirrors that of ours, is a real highlight in our journey to date, and we couldn’t be happier to announce our commitment to them and the students over the next three years.’’
      Funding is via the Raheem Sterling Foundation.
      Each university will offer two this year. More

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      in Soccer

      Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney celebrate with fans as Wrexham make return to the football league

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      FANS and players celebrate after Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney led Wrexham back into the Football League.The pair — who paid £2million for the club in 2020 — partied with supporters after winning 3-1 on Saturday.
      Wrexham fans celebrate on the pitch as Wrexham win the National League and promotion to League TwoCredit: Reuters
      Ryan Reynolds grabs Ben Foster’s shirt mid interview in hilarious video after Wrexham’s promotionCredit: YouTube / talkSPORT
      Reynolds even demanded goalie Ben Foster’s match shirt and did not care when told: “It stinks by the way, it absolutely stinks.”
      Ryan, who bought the club with McElhenney for £2m in 2020, said yesterday’s victory had left him “somewhere between giggling and sobbing” as he shared pictures online.
      McElhenney said becoming co-owner of Wrexham had been “the honour of my life.”
      Fan Cali Howet, 11, said: “I can’t believe we won the league – but we all knew it would happen. It’s amazing – I love Ryan and Rob, they’ve done so much for the city.”
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Even the Prince of Wales joined in the celebrations, tweeting: “Congratulations Wrexham AFC.
      “A club with such amazing history, looking forward to a very exciting future back in the Football League. Doing Wales proud.”
      Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds paid £2 million for Wrexham football club in 2020Credit: AFP More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      European-Cup winning ex-Prem and England ace suing FA for damages in £300m brain injury case

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      A FORMER Premier League and England ace is suing the FA for damages in a £300million brain injury case.The European Cup winner is one of 15 players who claim heading the ball caused dementia or other conditions.
      Sources said an ex-Prem and England star who played during the 1990s was added to the brain injury claim in the past two weeksCredit: Getty
      They are part of a wider legal action brought by 379 sportspeople and their families against the governing bodies for football and rugby.
      Sources said the star, who played during the 1990s and won several caps for the Three Lions, was added to the claim in the past two weeks.
      His inclusion is a significant moment in the case because it is likely to shatter the myth that players only from the 1960s and 1970s had been affected as they were heading heavy leather footballs.
      Researchers say modern balls travel at greater speeds, increasing the impact on the skull.
      READ MORE ON THE FA
      So far, 105 rugby league and 260 former rugby union players as well as the 15 ex-footballers have joined the lawsuit, which will be heard in the High Court.
      Another 20 former footballers are in the process of issuing claims.
      They are suing, among others, the International Football Association Board, The FA, the English Football League and the Football Association of Wales.
      Some of the claimants have died and were found to have a type of brain damage known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
      Most read in Football
      Those still alive have dementia, Parkinson’s disease, post-concussion syndrome, epilepsy or motor neurone disease.
      Their lawyer, Richard Boardman, of Rylands Garth, told The Sun: “We allege there’s been a systematic failure by the governing bodies to protect players.”
      Those whose deaths have been linked to heading the ball include West Brom’s Jeff Astle, who died at 56 in 2002. England’s 1966 heroes Ray Wilson, Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton and manager Sir Alf Ramsey all had dementia.
      Nobby’s son, John, who is part of the lawsuit, said: “In the fullness of time this will be seen as the greatest scandal in sport.
      “The players have been completely failed. They are uninformed and unprepared for the dangers.”
      He wants action including longer recovery time following concussion.
      The FA declined to comment. More

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      in Motorsport

      Brad Pitt set to race F1 star Lewis Hamilton in British Grand Prix as he films latest blockbuster

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      HOLLYWOOD superstar Brad Pitt is set to live life in the fast lane by driving in the British Grand Prix.The actor, 59, has got special permission to complete the first parade lap at Silverstone against the likes of F1 ace Lewis Hamilton as he films his latest blockbuster.
      Brad Pitt is to race Lewis Hamilton in the first parade lap at the British Grand Prix as he films for his new movie
      Pitt is playing a veteran F1 driver who comes out of retirement to mentor a younger hotshot in the film, which Hamilton will executive produceCredit: Getty
      The risky move, which places billions of pounds of cars on the line, was pushed by bosses to ensure footage is as realistic as possible in the as-yet-untitled movie.
      Seven-times world champ Lewis, 38, is executive producing.
      A movie insider says: “Watching Brad Pitt leading the field in the British Grand Prix will be an incredible and surreal moment for TV viewers and fans at Silverstone this July.”
      Brad plays a veteran F1 driver who comes out of retirement to mentor a younger hotshot.
      read more on brad pitt
      The film is being made by Dawn Apollo Films, Lewis’s new production company.
      He will help with casting and says: “It’s a cool project . . . [and] spending good time with Brad is pretty epic.”
      The movie is set for release next year.
      Pitt has got special permission to complete the first parade at SilverstoneCredit: Getty
      Movie bosses want to ensure footage in the F1 movie is as realistic as possibleCredit: Splash More