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      in Soccer

      Football great Eric Cantona enjoys a lolly in the sun on a break from filming Euro 2020 advert

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      FOOTBALL great Eric Cantona enjoys a lolly in the sun on a break from filming a Euro 2020 ad.The former France international, 54, was in Manchester where he was a hero at United.
      Footie legend Eric Cantona enjoys a lolly in the sun on a break from filming a Euro 2020 adCredit: BackGrid
      Cantona got his lips around a Fruit Pastilles lollipop as the mercury rocketed to 19 degrees in the north.
      The Frenchman looked as dapper as ever, as he wore a light grey three piece suit and black tie, and stayed cool thanks to his sweet treat in the sun.
      Cantona had previously starred in a number of Nike adverts including the infamous football cage advert for the 2002 World Cup, with stars such as Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Thierry Henry.
      The Frenchman looked as dapper as ever, as he wore a light grey three piece suit and black tieCredit: Splash
      Manchester United ace Harry Maguire was also spotted with Eric CantonaCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

      He has recently spoken out against The Super League and pleased United fans when he turned up to open the fan’s favourite boozer The Peveril of The Peak earlier this week.
      Also spotted alongside the World Cup winner Baresi, and Manchester United legend Cantona was England’s Jack Grealish.
      The Aston Villa man was spotted sat down at a barbers’ with a worker ensuring not a hair was out of place.
      Aston Villa and England star Jack Grealish was spotted sat down at a barbers’Credit: Splash
      Manchester United legend CantonaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Man Utd hero Eric Cantona, 53, rolls back the years as he scores amazing volley after effortlessly performing keepy-ups More

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      Jordan Pickford’s lavish Maldives wedding plans fall victim to Covid AGAIN

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      ENGLAND goalie Jordan Pickford’s lavish wedding to Megan Davison in the Maldives has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic yet again.They should have been getting hitched in front of family and friends a year ago. But the first lockdown put paid to it.
      Jordan Pickford has had to delay his lavish wedding to Megan DavisonCredit: Instagram @megan_davison_
      Everton star Jordan, 27, and childhood sweetheart Megan, 24, have tried to re-arrange a scaled-down bash over the past year but without joy.
      They had hoped to get away following the summer’s postponed Euros — but have given up on this year because of uncertainty over travel rules.
      The couple, who have a son, Arlo, two, are now planning a bash in 2022.
      In March last year, they did officially tie the knot at an informal register office ceremony — at which £100,000-a-week Jordan wore ripped jeans and a baseball cap.
      The 27-year-old Toffees’ stopper and Megan arrived arm in arm five minutes late with son Arlo, two, and only five guests.
      Just 25 minutes later, they emerged as newlyweds, sharing a kiss while pals took snaps on phones in Crewe, Cheshire.
      Megan is Jordan’s childhood sweetheartCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The pair officially tied the knot at an informal register office ceremony in March 2020Credit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
      Then in May last year Megan, 24, announced on Instagram: “We’re getting married in the morning.
      “Well we should have been! It’s all gone a bit Pete Tong, so here’s a throwback of us on our legal registry office day since there are bigger things going on in the world right now.
      “You are worth the wait my love @jpickford1”.
      And the loved-up couple now face the prospect of waiting another year to get married in front of loved ones at the end of next season.
      Like Coleen and Wayne Rooney, Megan and Jordan have been together since they were teenagers when they met at St Robert of Newminster RC secondary school in Washington, Tyne and Wear.
      After leaving school Megan enrolled on a three-year course at the University of Sunderland.
      The loved-up couple now face the prospect of waiting another year to get married in front of friends and familyCredit: Refer to Caption

      Pickford played for Preston North End during her first year, but the pair made their long-distance relationship work with glamorous trips to Dubai and romantic weekends back home in Sunderland.
      When Megan graduated and Jordan was bought for £30million by Everton in summer 2017, the pair took their next step and moved in together in Cheshire.
      The pair bought a 5-bed mansion, where they are surrounded by glitzy bars, designer stores and luxury beauty salons.
      Jordan Pickford weds childhood sweetheart Megan Davison in ripped jeans and baseball cap More

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      in Soccer

      If only Carabao Cup final had an underdog to cheer on rather than having to watch Man City or Spurs parade a trophy

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      JUST a week ago it was Jose versus Quadruple-chasing Pep, in front of a select band of appreciative fans, in an eagerly-awaited showpiece.Yet by Monday night, Gary Neville — leader of the football resistance movement — was calling for the League Cup final between Tottenham and Manchester City tomorrow to be scrapped.
      Man City play Tottenham in the Carabao Cup finalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “Cancel it, who cares about it? They don’t care about English football,” he argued.
      And as a 48-hour civil war raged over the European Super League, plenty of us agreed.
      Now, with the breakaway foiled and the Big Six humiliated, should we care about this Serpent Sunday? This Cara-boa Cup final?
      If only there was an underdog from outside of the Dirty Dozen to cheer for.
      Instead, who really has the stomach to watch City or Spurs parading the trophy around Wembley after a victory which will leave an acrid taste in the mouth either way?
      Even supporters of the two finalists will agree that this occasion is tainted by the willingness of their double-crossing clubs to dump on English football from a great height.
      This final was delayed by two months from its original February date in the hope that fans would be allowed in.
      And there will be 2,000 supporters of each club in an overall attendance of 8,000.
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      City and Spurs chiefs are now wishing it had never been moved — there will be protests outside Wembley and surely dissent from the privileged few inside the national stadium.
      Without the almighty explosion of last Sunday there would have been plenty of intriguing plotlines to go at.
      Will England captain Harry Kane be fit for a tilt at the first major trophy of his career?
      Or will he be as half-paced as he was after ‘recovering’ from another injury to play in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool?
      Can City’s Phil Foden illuminate this showpiece, as he did in a breakthrough performance last season when he was man of the match against Aston Villa?
      That performance gave us concrete proof that he could showcase his silk and sorcery on the biggest occasions.
      Fans protest the proposed ESL outside Stamford BridgeCredit: Alamy
      Or might Guardiola’s City chuck away a second trophy chance in successive weekends after their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea?
      And what an extraordinary, largely-overlooked story is Ryan Mason — a 29-year-old caretaker whose promising playing career was cut short by a life-threatening fractured skull.
      Can he lift Tottenham’s first trophy in 13 years in only his second match as a manager?
      If he does, they might start wondering if Mason will end up as Tottenham’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — an unlikely interim, freshening the air after a Mourinho stink-bomb, riding a wave of optimism and getting the gig for good?
      It is unlikely that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will be so naive, even if Mason lifts a trophy and finishes in the top four.
      But plenty of stranger things have happened, this week alone.
      Tottenham players training for the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
      Poor old Mourinho must be less angry about his sacking, while battle raged on Monday morning, and more annoyed about how overshadowed it all was.
      If that was the end of his extraordinary career in Premier League management, then it surely deserved a decent argument.
      Didn’t he deserve a crack at the cup? Or would winning a piece of silverware make the Portuguese unsackable in the short term?
      Yet all of the talking points from a week ago — can Spurs finally win a trophy? Can City win all four? — sound trivial now.
      This should be a cracking game of football. But, as Neville asked, does anybody really care?
      Thousands of Arsenal fans protest at owner Kroenke outside Emirates More

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      in Soccer

      Sheringham amazed at Mason’s rise through Spurs ranks to dug-out in Carabao Cup final after skull injury ended career

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      TEDDY SHERINGHAM has been left stunned by Ryan Mason’s elevation to Spurs boss.Mason was this week handed the reins on an interim basis until the end of the season following Jose Mourinho’s shock axing — despite being aged just 29.
      Ryan Mason could be lifting silverware in just his second game in charge of SpursCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
      Teddy Sheringham says Mason must get away from Jose Mourinho’s pragmatic approach against Man CityCredit: Rex
      That is only two years older than when England legend Sheringham won his first cap for his country.
      Mason now has the chance to win a trophy in his second game at the helm when Tottenham take on Manchester City in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup final.
      White Hart Lane hero Sheringham, 55, told SunSport: “It’s amazing. I read an article the other day that said a week ago he was hoping to get a ticket for the game.
      “Now he’s manager. It wouldn’t happen in any other walk of life.
      “It’s as if the board sacked Mourinho and said, ‘Right, who is about? Right, you, you! Can you manage? You have a go, come on’.”
      Spurs academy coach Mason won his first game in charge with Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Southampton.
      But Sheringham says leading a team out for a major cup final will be a different scenario.
      The ex-striker experienced management himself with Stevenage and Indian side ATK.
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      And even with 51 England caps to his name, a Treble with Manchester United in the bag and 277 appearances for Spurs, the transition from player to manager was no mean feat.
      Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s ‘cinch Drive-In Final’ event which is showcasing the League Cup final for Spurs fans, the three-time Premier League winner explained: “To get up there and tell everybody this is how it’s going to go, you’re very nervous.
      “Speaking to top players who’ve been there and done it, you’ve got to earn their respect very quickly.
      “To be able to do that in five days before a major cup final is quite daunting.”
      Sheringham says Mason must get away from Mourinho’s pragmatic approach against City and fight fire with fire — just like when Ossie Ardiles took over as Spurs manager in 1993.
      Sheri, who quit playing in 2008, recalled: “Ossie wanted everybody to fly forward.
      “It was like, this sounds entertaining, very kamikaze. Ryan could take a leaf out of that book.”
       Tottenham’s official shirt sleeve partner cinch are hosting a drive-in screening of the Carabao Cup final for Spurs fans tomorrow. For info, visit cinch.co.uk.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Ryan Mason is unsure Tottenham star Harry Kane will be fit for Carabao Cup Final More

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      in Soccer

      Big Six pretended to be working for Prem best interests when they were plotting to destroy it with European Super League

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      JUST in case you think the threat of the European Super League has scotched the privilege of football’s self-chosen few, it hasn’t — not yet.Uefa, aware of the media-entitled Dirty Dozen’s greed for more, more, more, had taken this into account when they re-drew plans for the Champions League.
      Karren Brady writes exclusively for SunSportCredit: PR Handout
      Liverpool owner John Henry issued a grovelling apology after the failed breakawayCredit: Twitter
      Announced the day after the short-lived Super League coup, their plan accepted the right of the dozen to special treatment giving “clubs with the highest club coefficient over the last five years” two places among the 36 in the first round.
      This means simply that should, say, Leicester finish sixth in the Premier League and Spurs tenth, then Spurs having the “coefficient” — a coverall word for a decent record and a big reputation — could go through.
      Leicester, by the way, have as many Premier League titles as Liverpool, and one more than Spurs. Anyone can see this is not fair.
      It is a further connivance at gross favouritism and, indeed, a suggestion from Uefa that there were grounds for the breakaway.
      There aren’t. The way to win a place must be on the field not in a cabal of men in suits. I watched four of the six give apologies to their fans and players for being part of the money cartel and wondered where the apology was to their colleagues in the Premier League, as well as all our managers, players and fans.
      The crime was great. All six clubs pretended to be working for the best interests of the Premier League they were plotting to destroy.
      No wonder Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin called them snakes.
      At last Tuesday’s meeting of the other 14 clubs, I can assure you they were called worse.
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      MORE ON SUPER LEAGUE OUTRAGE

      So many can see that they have breached the chairman’s charter — the rule that says executives and clubs have to act in good faith to one another.
      Trust has been vanquished. In future, how could my board ever ask one of them to represent the best interests of the PL and West Ham on a committee or working group?
      The supporters of all football, of players, managers and the Government killed the plot.
      As did others. Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund all turned it down. Bravo to them. It’s a shame that not one English club did.
      Real Madrid abandoned the project reluctantly. Far from apologising, chairman Florentino Perez was unbowed. “We’re going to continue working,” he said. “The project is on standby.”
      Then he threatened the backtrackers that they had all broken contracts. But Florentino, that’s what they do.

      The nastiest taste must be left by the owners who, having failed to consult or even tell their managers, players, employees or fans in advance of their plans they left them to answer the bitter questions that immediately followed.
      That’s no way to treat the people you should value the most.
      But on the bright side, it gave them plenty of room to comment as they felt. 
      “I don’t like it and hopefully it doesn’t happen,” said Liverpool’s James Milner. All of those who spoke out should take a bow.
      They have helped prevent the destruction of the football pyramid system that has served successfully for many, many years.
      The justifiers mentioned coronavirus as a reason to go ahead when the opposite should be true — surely a pandemic has to be a time to look out for one another.
      ⚽ 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

      Denzel Bentley warns racism fight is not over after suffering online abuse for his George Floyd protests

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      DENZEL BENTLEY was the first Brit boxer to take a knee — but fears we are no closer to winning the racism war.The Battersea middleweight made a statement before beating Mick Hall in July following George Floyd’s murder in America.
      Denzel Bentley was the first British boxer to take a kneeCredit: Twitter @frankwarren_tv
      But the Battersea star fears we are no closer to winning the war on racismCredit: The Sun
      British-Ghanaian Bentley, 26, was hailed by boxing for his gesture, yet suffered abuse on social media.
      And he understands why some black Premier League footballers now refuse to take a knee — because it has failed to spark change.
      Ahead of the undefeated British champion’s clash against Felix Cash, 28, at London’s York Hall, Bentley said: “I didn’t plan to take the knee.
      “But so much was going on around the world at that time, that I felt I had to do something. My family and everyone in my area were proud.
      “I grew up in an area where sometimes it did feel like every young black man who walked or dressed a certain way was getting attention from police, so it probably resonated.
      “But there were still a few people on Twitter, anonymous accounts, that were negative.
      “But I just ignore all of that.
      “These people want to be made famous — even for something as terrible as racism.
      Bentley suffered racist abuse on social media after taking a kneeCredit: The Sun
      Bentley with his brother, Hayden (left)Credit: The Sun

      “So I understand why some footballers have given up on the knee. When you see the abuse they get, it seems things might have got worse, not better.
      “And although the officer in the George Floyd case getting convicted in America is a positive step, I don’t know if that is going to make a positive impact here when social media is still such a problem.”
      Bentley learned his trade on Battersea’s Patmore estate in with brother Hayden.
      They bought gloves from a nearby market and started their own fight league in their tower block stairwell.
      Peacock Gym ace Bentley added: “My brother had the business brain. But he wanted the next get-rich-quick idea while I fell in love with boxing.
      “Even now, from Battersea to the new gym in Epping can be a killer with a bit of traffic.
      “I am sometimes found in the gym shouting, ‘Why didn’t I pick an easier path?’ But I do just love it.”
      Denzel on his home Patmore Estate in Battersea, LondonCredit: The Sun
      Hayden and Denzel took up boxing youngCredit: The Sun
      Bentley is donating 10 per cent of his purse to the St Vincent Volcano Relief EffortCredit: The Sun

      Bentley is donating 10 per cent of his purse on Saturday to the St Vincent Volcano Relief Effort. For more information on the situation and how to donate, visit www.svghighcom.co.uk/site/Charity More

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      Football fans have less sex after their team loses, study reveals

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      FOOTBALL fans get less bedroom action when their team loses, research reveals.Experts found birth rates plunged nine months after a shock defeat.
      Football fans have less luck in the bedroom after a defeat for their teamCredit: Alamy
      They think the unexpected losses can trigger changes in key hormones that result in lower libido.
      Being grumpy over a loss also reduces fans’ chances of getting frisky.
      Poor results for a team saw birth rates locally down by 0.8 per cent nine months later.
      Researchers found the effect was even more dramatic if teams lost a relegation battle or a major European match.
      In those cases, nine months later births were down by as much as 1.3 per cent.
      Scientists analysed 14 years’ worth of data and matched every result in Spain’s La Liga with local birth rates.
      By comparing betting odds with actual scores, they could calculate whether or not the result was an upset.
      Supporters moods can swing after a defeat from grumpiness to lack of energyCredit: Alamy

      But experts found the opposite was not the case, with no increase in birth rates nine months after a major win for a team.
      Writing in the European Journal of Population, lead researcher Fabrizio Bernardi said: “We find that unexpected losses of local teams lead to a small decrease in the number of births nine months thereafter.
      “Negative mood induced by a defeat has a negative effect on fertility because it reduces the probability of intercourse.”
      Man, 28, arrested after ‘throwing sex worker out of 25ft-high window when she failed to ‘please him with her skills’ More

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      England could host an extra Euro 2020 game as Ireland is hit by Covid

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      ENGLAND is set to be invited to host another European Championship fixture because of Ireland’s high Covid rates, The Sun can reveal.Hopes are soaring that the Euros Round of 16 match due to be played in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 29 June will be moved to Wembley.
      🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
      England could host an extra Euro 2020 game as Ireland is hit by CovidCredit: Alamy
      Boris Johnson has offered to host more games thanks to lower Covid rates in the UKCredit: Reuters
      It would mean that if England win their group stage they would play the first knockout round match at the home of football.
      Wembley is already due to host the semis and final of the tournament that was meant to be played across 12 Euro 2021 host cities.

      In March Boris Johnson offered to host more games thanks to lower Covid rates in the UK – and negotiations have been ongoing with UEFA ever since.
      Talks were ongoing last night but ministers are hopeful of a breakthrough as soon as today.
      One source said: “The PM won huge support with UEFA this week in his tough stand on the Super League.”

      Boris Johnson says investigation into football governance will go ahead despite Super League collapse More