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      in Soccer

      ‘Big Six’ chief execs forced to resign from ALL Premier League roles after failed ESL breakaway

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      THE chief executives of the six rebel European Super League clubs have all resigned their roles with the Premier League.Bosses of the remaining 14 clubs had insisted they no longer trusted those who had tried to set up the breakaway competition.
      Chelsea chief Bruce Buck won’t be involved in some Premier League meetings going forwardCredit: PA
      They demanded the top dogs at Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham be removed from positions on advisory groups and committees.
      And SunSport can reveal all six — Vinai Venkatesham, Ed Woodward, Bruce Buck, Billy Hogan, Ferran Soriano and Rebecca Caplehorn — have now given in to Premier League demands and quit.
      There had been some within the league who wanted heads to roll at the top table, by banning them from the full board.
      That was never going to be imposed in reality, but the absence of any of the top sides in all working groups and committees sees a major shift in power at headquarters.
      League bosses are still going through exactly what happened with the emergence of the ESL to see if any of the clubs involved actually broke any regulations.
      However, all six insist they are legally protected from any charges being imposed and will fight any disciplinary action through the courts.
      SunSport has revealed that at any one time there were between 300 and 400 staff — including bankers, lawyers and communications experts — working in various countries to try and get the European Super League over the line.
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      Vinai Venkatesham, left, will have less Premier League work to doCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Some of the clubs involved had been working on this for months.
      As for the clubs’ media officers, they only found out a couple of days beforehand — and most thought the ESL was a terrible idea.
      Although not all of them.
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been vocal in his desire to continue with contractual obligations for the league to go ahead.
      Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has made his thoughts on Perez no secret and recently said in a damning interview: “Perez is the president of a Super League that didn’t exist, and at the moment he’s the president of nothing.”
      Ceferin also slammed Perez and other names behind the Super League as ‘snakes.’
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin Uefa hail Boris Johnson for helping save European football More

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      in Boxing

      Chris Eubank Jr inspired by dad’s tears in Michael Watson reunion as he bids to join British boxing’s new golden age

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR watched his father’s tears touch the nation and knew he had to be part of British boxing’s new golden age.Two-weight icon Chris Sr was reunited with Michael Watson on TV when he was interviewed by Piers Morgan in February, where they remembered the 1991 fight that left Watson with life-changing  injuries.
      Chris Eubank Sr’s tears made his son realise he should return to the ring to make a bigger mark in boxing
      Michael Watson suffered life-changing injuries in this 1991 fight with Chris Eubank SrCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Chris Eubank Jr is determined to show he can be a special talentCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      That thrilling-yet-tragic clash is twinned with Nigel Benn’s brutal 1995 win over Gerald McClellan that also left the American fighting a string of disabilities.
      And when 31-year-old Eubank Jr saw his dad weep — for just the second time in his life — he felt the swell of support for the 1990s icon and knew his Saturday return to a British ring, after two years away, was perfectly timed.
      The 29-2 ace told SunSport: “I watched that show and I had only ever seen my father cry once in my whole life.
      “He didn’t know I saw him but it was when I was a kid, sitting at the stop of the stairs at the family home and his mother had just died.
      “That show was just the second time I had seen him cry and it was hard to watch. But it is real, the sport is a tough game and bad things happen.
      “That was a golden era for British boxing and we are in another one again now hopefully, with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury close to happening, and I hope to give fans some big fights soon.”
      Even before his welcome home party, Eubank Jr is being chased for big domestic rows with former British champ Liam Williams and recently-crowned new Lonsdale king Felix Cash.
      And the Brighton-based middleweight has a new weapon in his arsenal with pound-for-pound legend Roy Jones Jr his new trainer.

      Eubank Jr added: “Despite all the money he made in his career, he is a simple guy, he likes to relax with his animals, he is not high-maintenance and it will be fun to live together.”
      Eubank Jr has enjoyed three high-profile British rivalry bouts and hopes he has earned the respect of even his doubters.
      The 2014 loss to Billy Joe Saunders sparked a hatred that still simmers today, while George Groves was too powerful for his former sparring partner in 2018.
      But Olympic golden boy James DeGale was retired by Eubank Jr in his last home fight in February 2019.
      He said: “I feel like a very different man to the guy who last boxed in the UK against James DeGale.
      “Boxing is a young man’s game but as you get older and wiser but you have to change certain things, like your training or your fighting style. There are  differences in the way I am now to how I was back then.
      “I hope British fight fans are glad to see me back, I feel I have served my time and taken big fights they wanted to see.
      “I don’t think I have ever under-performed or bottled a fight, I have always put everything on the line which not all fighters do these days.
      “Even in the fights I have lost, I feel I have given it my all.
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      “I feel like I have represented the sport well and hopefully the people who didn’t back me at the start of my career have been won over by some of my performances.
      “I am sure there are still some people who don’t like me and don’t rate me, but that is just a part of boxing.
      “You are never going to be able to convince everyone and I am not looking to please everybody.
      “Love me or hate me I go into that ring every time and put on a show.”
      Felix Cash targets big-money Chris Eubank Jr fight and is confident he can get better of old sparring partner More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea line up £90m Romelu Lukaku return as Blues accept defeat in Erling Haaland transfer pursuit

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      CHELSEA will step up plans to re-sign Romelu Lukaku in a £90million-plus deal.Inter Milan’s star is seen as the most achievable of boss Thomas Tuchel’s targets.
      Thomas Tuchel wants Romelu Lukaku to lead the line for Chelsea next season after the Blues accept defeat in the chase for Erling HaalandCredit: Getty
      Lukaku is on a list that includes Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, but the young Norwegian star looks out of reach with Manchester City in pursuit.
      So the Blues are turning to a player with proven Premier League experience, firstly with them seven years ago, followed by spells at West Brom, on loan, Everton and Manchester United.
      Chelsea believe they need a strong centre-forward to lead the team next season.
      And frustration with current striker Timo Werner is also growing after Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League semi-final first-leg draw at Real Madrid.
      The German, 25, missed a golden chance to score, just like he did at West Ham three days earlier.
      And the £48m forward is failing to convince Tuchel he is the man to spearhead Chelsea’s attack for the next few years.
      At 27, Lukaku is at his peak.
      He has scored 27 goals for Inter this term and is considered mentally strong enough to handle leading the line for a club like Chelsea next season.
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      Tammy Abraham, 23, failed to persuade Tuchel he is what Chelsea needs, despite being top scorer with 12 goals this season.
      He is being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer with West Ham favourites to sign him.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Mino Raiola ‘wants to make Erling Haaland first £1m-a-week player as Man Utd step up transfer interest in Dortmund star’ More

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      in Soccer

      Manchester United keeper Sergio Romero looks like he could have signed for rivals City in his sky blue Hummer

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      MANCHESTER United back-up keeper Sergio Romero looks like he could have signed for rivals City in his sky blue Hummer.But with the white stripe, it’s more likely to be the colours of his homeland Argentina.
      Manchester United’s Sergio Romero has a Hummer in City’s coloursCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Romero, 34, was in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
      He was seen smiling and grinning to passers by as he drove the bulky beast on Monday afternoon.
      Sergio Romero has all but confirmed his Old Trafford exit by putting his luxury mansion up for sale.
      The sprawling Cheshire pad is up for an eye-watering £3.5million or can be rented for £22,000-a-month.
      The high-spec pad has six bedrooms all with en-suites.
      The Red Devils’ back-up keeper on the pitchCredit: The Sun
      The Argentinian ace could have picked the colours of his homelandCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Romero, 34, was spotted out and about in Wilmslow, CheshireCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The footballer was seen grinning to passers by on Monday afternoonCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

      There is a triple garage for any luxury motors the undoubtedly wealthy new occupants may have.
      It boasts 10,000 sq feet and five reception rooms which provide plenty of space to host guests. And it even has a games room complete with table tennis table.
      The house sits at the end of a secure gated drive in an area popular with footballers from both Man Utd and their bitter rivals City.
      Man Utd outcast Sergio Romero returns home to Argentina having not played for Solskjaer in seven months More

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      in Soccer

      Nuno Espirito Santo offered to Tottenham as super-agent pushes Wolves boss as Jose Mourinho replacement

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      JORGE MENDES wants to get Nuno Espirito Santo to Tottenham.SunSport understands that Mendes – Wolves boss Nuno’s agent – has made contact with Spurs over a potential switch in the summer after Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
      Jorge Mendes wants to get Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo in at Spurs this summerCredit: Getty
      Super-agent Mendes also wants ex-Benfica boss Bruno Lage to replace Nuno at WolvesCredit: Reuters
      And super-agent Mendes is also believed to be working on bringing another of his Portuguese clients, Bruno Lage, to the UK to replace Nuno at Wolves.
      Nuno signed a contract extension at Molineux until 2023 back in September – and has been happy at the club since arriving in 2017.
      But there is a sense that this may be the right time to move on to a bigger side with the chance of consistent European football after Wolves’ dip in form this season.
      SunSport reported back in January that Mendes was looking for a new Premier League club for his client having seen Nuno’s reputation soar after guiding Wolves back to the top flight.
      And the Portuguese coach was close to replacing Mikel Arteta earlier this campaign before Arsenal’s mini-resurgence over Christmas.
      Nuno is also open to a return to La Liga – where he managed Valencia in 2014-15 – providing there is the chance to compete in Europe.
      Potential Wolves replacement Lage has been out of work since being sacked by Benfica last summer.
      The 44-year-old previously worked in England as assistant to Carlos Carvahal at Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday.
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      Tottenham sacked Mourinho last week, but their search for a new boss as taken a hit after top target Julian Nagelsmann was snatched up by Bayern Munich.
      Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has ruled himself out of the running, while former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been linked.
      Nuno insisted before Wolves’ 4-0 drubbing against Burnley that he is committed to the club and intent on seeing out his current contract.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Harry Kane ODDS-ON to ditch Tottenham this summer with Man City, Man Utd & PSG leading £150m transfer battle More

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      in Soccer

      Aubameyang available for Arsenal’s semi-final crunch with Villarreal but skipper not fully fit after Malaria

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      ARSENAL star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available for the Europa League semi on Thursday night — even though he is still not fully fit after malaria.Aubameyang has not played for the Gunners since the start of the month, having picked up the illness on international duty with Gabon.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could return for Arsenal against Villarreal on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      Aubameyang has not played since the international break after contracting malariaCredit: Instagram @Auba
      The 31-year-old has returned to training but is still trying to build up his overall health levels.
      But with Alexandre Lacazette injured and boss Mikel Arteta left with youngsters as other attacking options, Aubameyang will have no hesitation answering the call if needed against Villarreal.
      His return would be a major boost to Arteta ahead of the first leg.
      There is a hope the Arsenal captain’s fitness level will be enough to see him through because he played against Liverpool and Slavia Prague before being diagnosed with malaria.
      Meanwhile, Stan Kroenke has REFUSED to sell Arsenal – despite fan protests and Spotify founder Daniel Ek plotting a £2.5BILLION bid.
      The American billionaire, 73, released a statement which will come as a crushing blow to Gunners fans.
      Kroenke has had sole ownership of Arsenal since buying out rival shareholder Alisher Usmanov three years ago.
      And from his US base in Denver, Colorado, he is virtually immune to the growing hostility of Gunners fans back in London.
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      The statement read: “In recent days we have noted media speculation regarding a potential takeover bid for Arsenal Football Club. We remain 100 per cent committed to Arsenal and are not selling any stake in the club.
      “We have not received any offer and we will not entertain any offer.
      “Our ambition for Arsenal remains to compete to win the biggest trophies in the game and our focus remains on improving our competitiveness on the pitch to achieve this.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Arsenal chief Stan Kroenke releases statement ruling out sale despite Daniel Ek plotting £2.5bn offer and fan protests More

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      in Soccer

      Jacob Murphy set for Newcastle contract talks as Burnley and Watford eye £6million summer transfer swoop

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      NEWCASTLE will open talks with Jacob Murphy over a new deal — as Burnley and Watford lead the race to sign him.Murphy, 26, is entering the last year of his contract and Toon chiefs want to tie him down given his impressive recent form.
      Jacob Murphy is set to be offered a new Newcastle dealCredit: PA
      They will look to do so once their Premier League status is confirmed.
      That now appears a formality with Steve Bruce’s side sitting nine points above 18th-placed Fulham with five games remaining.
      However, newly-promoted Watford are still set to test their mattle with a £6million for the winger this summer.
      While Burnley, Southampton and Rangers have all declared an interest too.
      Murphy, a boyhood Magpies fan, has played a key role as Newcastle edge towards safety.
      A £12m signing from Norwich in 2017, he has excelled at wing-back in recent weeks having been on the periphery previously under Bruce.
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      And he weighed in with a crucial equaliser in the come-from-behind victory over the Clarets earlier this month.
      Dwight Gayle has already been offered a new deal beyond this summer.
      But fellow out-of-contract striker Andy Carroll is yet to be handed an extension.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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      in Soccer

      European Super League was no two-bit rush job from 12 greedy owners… 300-400 staff were involved for MONTHS

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      DO not be fooled into thinking that the European Super League was a merry band of 12 selfish football club owners with a few people working for them.The opposite is the case.
      Arsenal fans have protested against the Kroenke family since the European Super League shamblesCredit: Getty
      Man Utd fans flew a plane over their draw with Leeds demanding the Glazer family sold the clubCredit: Reuters
      Because at any one time there were between 300 and 400 staff — including bankers, lawyers and communications experts — working in various countries to try and get this thing over the line.
      It is also completely ludicrous to suggest that this potential game-changer was a sudden thing.
      Some of the clubs involved had been working on this for months.
      As for the clubs’ media officers, they only found out a  couple of days  beforehand — and most thought the ESL was a terrible idea.
      Although not all of them.

      ROLL THE DYCHE
      CRYSTAL PALACE have yet to sort out who will be their boss next season — and it is a situation which looks like dragging over the next few weeks.
      Keeping Roy Hodgson, 73, would be the safest option.
      But if Palace chiefs offer him a new deal, there is no longer a 100 per cent guarantee that the former England boss would continue.
      There is a chance Hodgson could quit management in the summer.
      Burnley boss Sean Dyche has always been in the frame for Palace.
      But it would cost nearly £3million to  get him out of Turf Moor — and that hefty figure would not include the rest of his management team.
      Eddie Howe has gone cool on the Celtic job, knowing that Palace were also interested, but there is a concern whether he would be the right fit.
      Sean Dyche is Crystal Palace’s first choice to take over should Roy Hodgson leaveCredit: AP
      One player who is not going anywhere in the summer will be Wilfried Zaha.
      He is now leaving his current advisors Roc Nation, so Zaha is looking for his fourth set of agents in a year.
      Yet Zaha’s issue is not who represents him.
      He is aged 28 and on a fat contract, so the interest from clubs such as Arsenal ended a long time ago.
      But Palace have a lot of recruiting to do as 11 players will be out of contract.
      Yet despite all this, it has still been a  decent season in South London.
      THERE was a shock result in the Croatian fifth division with second-bottom Omladinac winning 5-0 at title-chasing  Matulji.
      And the story gets really weird.
      The new chairman of Matulji is Ivan Brbac, who replaced 56-year-old Sandi Sneler after he died from Covid-19.
      Yet Brbac, 30, still plays for Omladinac — and he played 75 minutes of the famous win over Matulji.
      Imagine that happening in the National League.
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      Norwich players donated their shirts for Cure LeukaemiaCredit: Alamy
      WOLVES, Watford, Crystal Palace and Harry Kane have all donated signed shirts for an auction in aid of Cure Leukaemia.
      Norwich also told players they had to donate their shirts from Saturday’s game at QPR for the auction — even if they had won the title.
      In the end, Norwich’s title party was put on hold so the players will be able to keep those prized shirts from their special day if, as expected, they win the Championship.

      GARETH SOUTHGATE was hoping each team at Euro 2020 would have squads of 23.
      He has always felt this size is a better test for a manager.
      Equally, the England boss is relaxed with the fact that Uefa are set to allow squads of 26 at the summer tournament.
      Southgate will name his squad in the week beginning May 24.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More