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      in Soccer

      Wembley set to land two or three Euro 2020 matches as Dublin and Bilbao miss out

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      WEMBLEY is expected to be awarded two or three extra Euro 2020 matches when Uefa chiefs make their final decisions on the event this morning.On Monday Uefa put off their last call on what to do about the tournament’s games scheduled for Dublin and Bilbao as they took on the Super League rebels.
      Wembley is set to welcome some more Euro 2020 games in the summerCredit: PA
      But Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has set today’s emergency meeting of the ruling executive committee as his final deadline.
      Both Dublin and Bilbao were unable to meet the guarantee that fans will be allowed into stadiums to watch games.
      It is anticipated two of the matches due to be played at the Aviva will be moved to Wembley.
      But with the FA’s firm stance in backing Uefa against the Super League wannabes having been gratefully received in Nyon, Gareth Southgate’s England could also play their last-16 game at Wembley — if they can win their group.
      At least one of the Dublin matches — Sweden’s game with Slovakia on June 18 — is likely to be moved to St Petersburg in Russia.
      The Bilbao games will all stay in Spain but be switched to Seville.
      It has been confirmed that Rome will stage all its matches, including the tournament opener on June 11.
      But doubts remain over Munich, with Uefa hoping to get agreement from German authorities before the final decision is made.
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      England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations
      England are already scheduled to play their three group games against Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic at the national stadium.
      It will be the first set of major tournament games the Three Lions have played at Wembley since Euro 96.
      Southgate’s men are currently joint favourites for Euro 2020 along with world champions France.
      Belgium, Germany, Spain and Portugal shortly follow the two front-runners in what promises to be a hotly contested competition.
      Gabby Agbonlahor doesn’t believe Trent Alexander-Arnold will make the England squad for the Euros More

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham MUST invest in transfers as Carabao Cup win not enough to keep Harry Kane, claims Woodgate

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      JONATHAN WOODGATE fears a Carabao Cup triumph will not be enough to keep Harry Kane happy at Tottenham.Former England defender Woodgate scored an extra-time winner in the 2008 League Cup final to land Spurs their last piece of silverware.
      Woodgate scored the winning goal against Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup finalCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Spurs lifted the trophy in 2008 but had no idea they would have to wait so long for anotherCredit: AFP
      He is hopeful his old side can repeat that feat to end their trophy drought against Manchester City on Sunday.
      But the Bournemouth boss feels it will take more than a Wembley winners’ medal to convince 31-goal Kane that staying put is right for his career.
      Woody, 41, said: “They’ll need more investment for Harry Kane to stay, I’m sure of that.
      “He’s been unbelievable again this season and scored so many goals. He’s evolved as a player by making so many assists. He’s an incredible talent.
      “I’d say Spurs need to invest to try to keep Harry Kane at the club.”
      Just like this weekend, Spurs were the underdogs at Wembley 13 years ago as Avram Grant’s Chelsea were miles above them in the Premier League.
      Didier Drogba opened the scoring with a free-kick but Spurs levelled through Dimitar Berbatov’s penalty.
      Woodgate sealed it four minutes into extra-time, rising to meet Jermaine Jenas’ free-kick, only for Petr Cech’s punch to rebound off his head and in.
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      Tottenham’s record with and without Kane
      Kane watched his Spurs teammates from the stands against Southampton on Wednesday nightCredit: Reuters
      He said: “It was down to Michael Dawson’s misfortune. He got a hamstring strain and I am sure he would have started the final having played all the way through. I was thrust into it.
      “I don’t remember a great deal about the goal! I was getting cramp.
      “I didn’t think Drogba was great at marking from set-plays and he was marking me.
      “So I thought if JJ put it in the right area, I’d go and attack it. I know Petr Cech punched it on to my head and it went in.
      “It’s an out-of-body sensation. You dream of scoring in a cup final in the playground as a kid.”
      Ex-Real Madrid ace Woodgate had only joined Spurs from Middlesbrough the month before.
      Kane has 34 goal involvements in the Premier League so far this season, more than any other playerCredit: AP
      Juande Ramos was boss at the time but the Spaniard did not last much longer and was replaced by Harry Redknapp after a horror start the next season.
      Woodgate added: “I got on quite well with Juande because I could speak Spanish. His English wasn’t great so it was difficult. He had Gus Poyet translating.
      “It’s my only trophy so it’s got to be one of my best moments as a player. Every time I see a Spurs fan, they still tell me about it.
      “My son’s got the medal and Man of the Match trophy in his bedroom.
      “It’s part of the club’s history now, winning that last trophy for them. I’m sure, sooner or later, they’re going to win a trophy.”
      Spurs’ build-up for Sunday has been a disaster, with the European Super League farce and Jose Mourinho’s axe.
      But Woody is adamant they cannot be written off, given the talent at the disposal of interim boss Ryan Mason.
      The former Newcastle man added: “Tottenham have some exceptional players, the likes of Kane, Son Heung-min, Gareth Bale, Dele Alli when he plays.
      “You’ve got to be confident. There’s no point going into the final thinking you can’t win.
      “For me, they stand a chance. You can never write a team of Spurs’ calibre off.”­
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Gareth Bale scores for Tottenham as they beat Southampton and give Ryan Mason first win More

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      European Super League scheme ‘tainted’ football’s image in middle of pandemic, blasts Ward-Prowse

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      JAMES WARD-PROWSE feels football’s image has been tarnished by the European Super League saga.The England star was against the breakaway bid and disappointed to see money being the main motivation for the greedy Big-Six owners orchestrating it.
      Ward-Prowse did not hold back in slamming the Big Six for their European Super League planCredit: Getty
      Particularly in the midst of a pandemic when many football fans have been struggling financially.
      Southampton skipper JWP, 26, told SunSport: “It’s tainted the image of football.
      “The love that you should have for it as a kid, when you never think about anything else apart from playing with a smile and enjoying what you’re doing.
      “It’s disappointing, considering the times we’re living in, that these proposals were made and that money is at the forefront of the minds of some people.

      “There’s a bigger picture than that. It comes back round to our responsibility that we have as players to ensure that we’re doing it for the right reasons, and we want to inspire young players.
      “We know that a lot of young people are looking up to us and want to be like us. We have to be seen to be doing it in the right way.”
      In stark contrast to the events of this week, Ward-Prowse will participate in a special initiative on Wednesday that serves as a reminder of how football can be a force for good.
      He, along with team-mates Theo Walcott, Che Adams and Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, will take part as Southampton host a live-streamed PE lesson to more than 300 schools across the country.
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      The virtual lesson, as part of the Virgin Media Football Academy, allows kids to interact with Saints coaches and players as it is beamed into their classroom.
      It comes after worrying statistics revealed that since the start of the pandemic, 57 per cent of young people say they are exercising less than previously.
      Ward-Prowse, a product of Southampton’s famed academy, added: “It’s great to be giving these kids an opportunity to get active again.
      “As a kid growing up through the academy it was all about the enjoyment and to play football with a smile. You never thought about the money you could earn.

      MORE ON SUPER LEAGUE OUTRAGE

      “The responsibility is there for us to ensure that it is about that enjoyment factor for the young generation. As players, we’ve got a very important role to play.”
      Meanwhile, JWP maintains Saints’ season is certainly not over.
      The free-kick specialist added: “Personally, there’s still a lot to play for.
      “I want to do everything I can to be in the Euros squad. And as a team it’s important we finish the season strong.”
      The Virgin Media Football Academy is a series of lesson plans, training videos and a special live-streamed lesson on April 28 with Southampton FC to get schoolchildren active.
      For more info, visit https://www.virginmedia.com/virgin-tv-edit/sport/virgin-media-football-academy.html.
      Arteta claims Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has apologised to him and players over European Super League farce More

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      Arsenal ‘one of best clubs in world’ insists Arteta in defence of tenth-placed Gunners’ brief inclusion in ESL

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      MIKEL ARTETA has defended Arsenal’s brief inclusion in the European Super League and declared: “We are one of the best clubs in the world.”The Gunners boss acknowledged that his team will have to face the consequences of being at the heart of this week’s upheavals.
      Mikel Arteta has defender Arsenal’s inclusion in the European Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      A few eyebrows were raised when the Gunners were one of 12 teams picked for the competitionCredit: Getty
      Arteta insists Arsenal remain one of the best clubs in world footballCredit: Getty
      And he confessed that the proposed breakaway had been badly handled, after getting a personal apology from American owner Stan Kroenke.
      But the Spaniard bristled at suggestions that Arsenal were lucky to be invited to join the Euro rebels after dropping out of the Champions League and loitering mid-table in the Premier League.
      It is now 17 years since Arsenal last won the title, yet Arteta, 39, insisted: “We are one of the best clubs in the world because of our history, which you cannot deny.
      “That history is attached to results and to a certain way of doing things and representing our values in the right manner.
      “The amount of love and support that we have around the world is not a coincidence.
      “It has been earned over years and years, thanks to a lot of people who have been involved in the history of this club.
      “Right now we are in ninth position in the Premier League but we are also in the  semi-final of a European competition, so you can look at it from a different perspective.
      “But we are always trying our best and we could not be any prouder to represent this club and we totally understand the excellence that we have to  pursue.”
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      The Gunners are currently sitting mid-table in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      Arsenal have become regulars in the Europa League instead of Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Arteta admits Arsenal will have to face the consequences of joining the ESLCredit: Getty

      Yet Arteta’s defence of Arsenal’s values came at the end of a week in which they were forced by public outrage  to abandon their secret  breakaway plans.
      And more fan protests are expected to take place before tonight’s home game against Arteta’s former club Everton.
      He added: “Some damage has been done, that’s for sure and this has put us on the back foot again after all the territory we have made in the last months.
      “There are always terrible consequences when you make  a decision that is not done  in the right way and we are going to have to accept any that are there.

      “I found out about the Super League just before the news was leaked and then everything was completely out of control before a big tsunami came out and basically killed it.
      “But I would like everyone to understand that the players weren’t involved in it and I don’t think it’s fair for them to pay the price for this.
      “I spoke with the owners and they apologised for disturbing the team and asked me to pass that message to the players.
      “My role at the club is very clear. I get involved in some things and there are some people  we trust and rely on, who are much better than me at doing other things.

      “The people who work at  this club are very intelligent and professional, so I’m sure they had the right reasons to start something.
      “But it clearly didn’t work, or it wasn’t the right time, or it wasn’t done in the right way.
      “And it says a lot about the people who are involved in those decisions that they stepped back straight away.
      “And the way this has been handled internally has been really good.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Arteta claims Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has apologised to him and players over European Super League farce More

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      in Boxing

      Daniel Dubois ‘just like a young Frank Bruno’ says legendary trainer Jimmy Tibbs ahead of comeback

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      JIMMY TIBBS, the grandfather of British boxing trainers, is having a dose of deja vu as he prepares Daniel Dubois for his comeback fight on June 5.Tibbs, 74 years young, trained Frank Bruno for the first six years of his career and he’s finding it uncanny there are so many similarities between Dubiois and the former world heavyweight champ.
      Dubois hopes to return to winning ways in June against Bogdan DinuCredit: Reuters
      Bruno is one of Britain’s all-time great heavyweightsCredit: PA
      When Dangerous Dan unfairly ditched his previous trainer Martin Bowers after losing his unbeaten record against Joe Joyce six months ago, he decided he would be better off teaming-up with Mark Tibbs.
      As Mark is in Las Vegas training Billy Joe Saunders for his world super-middleweight unification clash with Canelo Alvarez, in Texas on May 8, Dubois has had the good fortune to have Tibbs Snr looking after him.
      Jimmy has a CV second to none.
      Apart from Bruno, among those who have benefitted from his experience and expertise are Nigel Benn, Lloyd Honeyghan, Charlie Magri, Michael Watson, Barry McGuigan and Saunders.
      Jimmy told me: “From the moment Dan started working with me, it was as if my life had been transported 40 years back in time.
      “It was like the young Bruno had walked back into the gym again. And I suddenly realised he and Dan are so much alike.”
      Dubois, 23, returns to action against Romanian Bogdan Dinu for the vacant WBA interim title.
      He will also be able to prove to everyone he has fully recovered psychologically from the severe fractured eye-socket injury he received losing to Joyce.
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      Dubois was accused of quitting against Joyce back in NovemberCredit: Getty
      And that he still has the desire and the fighting heart to go with it following the criticism he was subjected to from fellow pros for taking the knee and allowing himself to be counted out.
      Dinu is not going to be a walk in the park for Dubois.
      He may not be among the heavyweight elite but he has lost just two of his 22 fights — stopped by Jarrell Miller and Kubrat Pulev, two top-ten contenders.
      And 16 of his victories have been knockouts.
      Jake Paul entered elite company
      Jimmy added: “Coming back off a defeat is difficult — more so for someone like Dan, who will be under scrutiny. We should find out what he’s made of against Dinu.”
      Promoter Frank Warren certainly hasn’t lost faith in his prodigy.
      He said: “His enthusiasm to reach the top hasn’t diminished.
      “He will only learn and benefit from the experience of taking a first loss and rebuilding from it.”
      Losing an unbeaten record can sometimes be a blessing in disguise.
      It can lift the burden of expectation from a fighter’s shoulders, which in turn releases anxiety.
      Dubois vs Joyce – Round by round More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd chief Ed Woodward quit after being kept in dark about club’s European Super League plans

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      ED WOODWARD quit as Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman on MONDAY because he was kept in the dark over the final plans for the new controversial Super League.The Red Devils announced on Tuesday that Woodward will step down from his role at Old Trafford at the end of the year.
      Ed Woodward quit his Man Utd role after being kept in the dark over the European Super LeagueCredit: EPA
      But SunSport understands Woodward resigned because he could not support the Glazers’ plans to become one of the 12 founding clubs of the breakaway league.
      Confirmation of Woodward’s departure came before United reversed their decision on the Super League late on Tuesday night following a fierce backlash from fans, leagues and governing bodies.
      No mention of the new league – announced late on Sunday night – was made by United when the club confirmed Woodward’s exit.
      Their statement said: “Manchester United has today announced that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will step down from his role at the end of 2021.
      “Woodward joined United in 2005 and became executive vice-chairman in 2012.”
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      But Woodward had made his mind up on Monday morning that he could not be associated with the Super League and took swift action.
      The Prem’s ‘Big Six’ were set to join the new league plot before it all unravelled in the space of 48 hours.
      Woodward joined United following the Glazers’ takeover in 2005 and replaced chief executive David Gill in 2013.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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      in Soccer

      British Super League planned secretly with Rangers and Celtic joining Premier League giants Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal

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      CELTIC and Rangers are wanted to join an all-BRITISH League as part of the fall-out from the failed Euro Super League breakaway plot.While the Big Six led the humiliating retreat from the Super League debacle, they are still convinced that reform of the Prem is essential.
      Rangers fans could soon be cheering on their side in a new British Premier LeagueCredit: AFP
      Celtic are also wanted to join the revamp as part of the fall-out of the failed Euro breakawayCredit: Getty
      The potential British Premier League is expected to get the green light from Fifa and Uefa
      Top of the list of plans being actively discussed is an offer to the two Glasgow giants to come and play south of Hadrian’s Wall.
      And unlike the Super League shambles which was condemned globally, it’s likely an enlarged Premier League including the Old Firm would be BACKED by Fifa, Uefa and the UK Government.
      Celtic and Rangers would jump at the chance to take a slice of the Prem cake, while their inclusion would also see a spike in interest from fans across the world, sponsors and broadcasters.
      Even the pair’s SPL rivals are thought likely to be willing to wave goodbye to the two dominant forces north of the border, because it would give them a realistic chance of winning the title and the chance to qualify for the revamped Champions League.
      One club source said: “Whether or not the Super League was going to happen, we all feel that the Premier League has to be changed and improved.

      “It is time we opened it up to Rangers and Celtic. That would make sense for everyone.”
      Reform of the Prem has been a huge discussion point since October’s publication of the Project Big Picture plans drafted by Liverpool and Manchester United.
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters was forced to agree to a “strategic review” of the competition’s future, conceding “the status quo is not an option”, which was conducted by US-owned Boston Consulting and is due to report back in June.
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      What the British Super League will mean for football

      But while the Big Six were battered by the ESL backlash, they believe the wind is in their sails over the need for change.
      In addition to the Rangers and Celtic plan, one other idea is an end of season top four play-off, similar to that in rugby union and rugby league.
      But they are also still pushing, firmly, for a reduction to the 18 team league that was envisaged at the outset of the Prem when it was formed three decades ago.
      Another club chief added: “We have never wavered from the belief that 18 clubs is the only sensible way forward.
      “It is also what Uefa, Fifa and the European Club Association have long called for.”
      That may be a proposal too far for the 14 members of the ‘left behind club’ who ganged up to help win the Super League battle with the Big Six.

      But unlike the doomed Super League, there would be global backing for a British League.
      Fifa President Gianni Infantino gave his blessing for cross-border leagues when asked about proposals for mergers between Holland and Belgium and Mexico and the MLS.
      Infantino said: “If we want teams to play at the highest level around the world we need to have new ideas and we need to see that.
      “I am confident the best decisions will be made in that regard but any mergers must be done with respect to the rules.”
      And while PM Boris Johnson launched into the Super League debate by insisting he would throw every possible obstacle in the way of the changes, the prospect of including Rangers and Celtic in a cross-border UK league would be a potential factor in the fight against the proposed second Scottish independence referendum.
      Ibrox and Parkhead supporters, excited at the prospect of locking horns with England’s big guns, might be tempted to strengthen resistance against the SNP-led breakaway plans.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      All SIX Premier league ‘giants’ pull out of European Super League as Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs finally quit More

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      Peter Crouch would lie about ‘important’ footie work to skip baby duties with wife Abbey Clancy and go boozing

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      PETER Crouch confessed to pulling the wool over wife Abbey Clancy’s eyes to escape baby duties and family time to go boozing – by blaming “important” football work.The former Spurs star said he had even got club secretaries to send fake emails making attendance for evening events compulsory when he was just going out on the town with team mates.
      Peter Crouch would lie about ‘important’ footie work to wife Abbey ClancyCredit: Getty
      And he admitted that now that he is a pundit and podcaster he pretends he has to miss out on time with model Abbey for “vital” work-related watching of football and having fun drinking with pod colleagues Tom Fordyce and Chris Stark.
      Talking about social bashes during his career at clubs including Liverpool, he said: “There’s been a couple of occasions where there’s a bit of a team bonding session or something like that and Ab will say ‘you don’t have to go that, do you?’ And I would be like ‘I do’.
      “There has been one or two occasions where I’ve gone to the secretary and gone ‘can you just fire an email just saying that it’s compulsory and it’s important for the team’. And we would just go and have a night out.”
      Peter, 40, said when his first child Sophia, now ten, was a baby he would avoid dealing with her, telling Abbey he had a game the next day.
      He said: “There was a few cards that I used to play. Like on a Friday, it’s like the magical time to get out of anything because Saturday’s the most important thing.
      Crouch admitted he would fib to Abbey to get out of baby dutiesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The former England star got club secretaries to send fake emails making attendance for evening events compulsoryCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “You train all week to play on a Saturday.
      “Certainly when you’re at home and I remember when my first baby was born, Friday night if she’s crying, I’m like ‘that’s not for me, I’ve got a game tomorrow’.”
      Asked by pal Stark, if when he fancies just watching football, he tries the excuse that he needs to do it just to keep abreast for work, Crouchie admitted: “That card has been played on many an occasion.”
      And he said he even lies that it’s a bit of a chore having to record the podcast.
      Crouch agreed with Stark that he sometimes fibs that he’s not in the mood for it and it’s a “massive pain”.
      He confessed: “Coming in here talking to you boys, let’s be honest, I’m chatting to you about football and telling her it’s work – it’s really not.
      Crouch admitted he pretends he has to miss out on time with model Abbey for ‘vital’ work-related watching of footballCredit: Getty

      “She’s feeling sorry for me, I’ve got it to the stage where I’ve gone ‘got to go down there and do the podcast’, and I’m carrying eight beers in there.”
      Meanwhile Crouch said a top football club put mirrors on the back of the away team’s toilet cubicle doors to try and ensure opponents’ performances went down the pan.
      He wasn’t flushed with pride when he had to watch himself using the facilities before a game.
      The former football star is now a pundit and podcasterCredit: Getty
      Peter Crouch has BT Sport pundits in stitches as he forgets his own Champions League heroics More