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      Ballon d’Or fave Jude Bellingham will take on Utd reject Jadon Sancho in Champions League final – who will take glory?

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      TWO of England’s most expensive football stars go head to head in tomorrow night’s Champions League final.One is considered to be the best footballer in the world and the other a trouble-maker on the pitch.We take a look at Jude Bellingham, now he’s become one of England’s most expensive starsCredit: GettyAnd we compare him to Jadon Sancho, who he’s set to go up against tomorrow night – and who has a much more complicated reputationCredit: GettyJude Bellingham, 20, more than justified the £88million transfer fee Real Madrid paid for him by scoring 23 goals this season and earning player of the year awards.But that was not the case for Jadon Sancho, who was banished to Manchester United’s youth set- up last autumn despite the club shelling out a whopping £73million for his services.But Jadon, who has been accused of being stroppy and not training properly, now has the opportunity for one of the greatest comeback stories in football history.The 24-year-old winger will step out at Wembley for underdogs Borussia Dortmund, where he is currently on loan and uncertain about where he will be next season.READ MORE BEAUTIFUL GAMEJust three years ago both talents were on the subs’ bench for England in the Euro 2020 final. But manager Gareth Southgate hasn’t selected Jadon for his squad in this summer’s Euros while Bellingham is certain to start in the tournament’s games.Here we look at how the two attackers took such different paths.JUDE BELLINGHAM – THE GOLDEN BOYON the face of it, this son of a policeman from Stourbridge in the West Midlands could not be more different to his big-match rival Jadon Sancho.Most read in FootballJude Bellingham’s Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti described him as “serious, professional and mature”.Jude Bellingham is the favourite to win the coveted Ballon d’Or prize, and has been named the top footballer in Spain this seasonCredit: GettyEven his private life seems to be perfect, as he’s reportedly together with Dutch model Laura Celia ValkCredit: InstagramHe is the favourite to win this year’s coveted Ballon d’Or prize for the best player in Europe, and has already been named the top footballer in Spain this season.Jude Bellingham explains why Real Madrid move was ‘no brainer’ despite holding transfer talks with European giants In his first campaign at Real, who have been crowned champions of Europe a record 14 times, he won the country’s league title and netted  23 times.That’s an incredible total for a 20-year-old midfielder.Even his private life seems to be perfect. Jude is reportedly dating 25-year-old Dutch model Laura Celia Valk, who has become a regular part of his Madrid lifestyle.The stunning blonde boasts nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram and has posed for a string of brands, including PrettyLittleThing and Lipsy. Their relationship follows his split from Instagram model Asantewa Chitty last year.It’s very special for me to play this game, but we have to try to put the emotions to one sideJude BellinghamBellingham owns a £156,000 black BMW SUV and lives in a luxurious gated estate in the upmarket La Finca area of Spain’s capital.The handsome star has been courted by the biggest brands, modelling for swanky fashion label Gucci and becoming a brand ambassador for Adidas’s Predator football boots.Undoubtedly, though, his focus remains on the beautiful game.Bellingham does not court attention, isn’t seen falling out of nightclubs and isn’t one to talk about his private life.Keeping his feet planted firmly on the lush green turf are his parents.Mum Denise, 55, moved with him to Madrid, sometimes acting as his chauffeur and also making his bed.Ex-cop dad Mark, 47, is his agent and has been helping manage his son’s career since he was a youth star at Birmingham.Bellingham displayed a mature approach when talking about tonight’s final, admitting: “It’s very special for me to play this game, but we have to try to put the emotions to one side.” Jude’s parents Denise and Mark are supporting him through this phase of his careerDad Mark has helped him manage his career since he was a youth star for BirminghamBut in a couple of ways, Jude and Jadon have some things in common.They both signed for Borussia Dortmund as teenagers rather than risk ending up on the bench of a moneybags Premier League side.Bellingham, who made his league debut for Birmingham City aged just 16 in 2019, was courted by Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool among others.Instead, the next year, just like Sancho, he joined the top German team.He has also been known to speak his mind rather than simply towing the party line.Bellingham was fined by the German Football Association in 2021 after criticising a referee in a big match between Dortmund and rivals Bayern Munich. He said: “You give a referee, that has match-fixed before, the biggest game in Germany. What do you expect?”Earlier this year, there were allegations that Bellingham had called ex-Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood a “rapist” during a game in the Spanish league.Greenwood’s side Getafe reportedly asked that the apparent dig — which referred to a charge against the striker which prosecutors later dropped — be placed in the referee’s official match report.Following a LaLiga probe into the alleged slur, the accusations were dismissed amid reports it could not be proven what Bellingham had said.JADON SANCHO – COMEBACK KIDIT was something of an understatement when Jadon Sancho said this week it is “crazy” that he will be playing in tomorrow night’s Champions League final.The South Londoner went from one of the game’s most sought-after footballers to exiled from his own squad last September.It’s been pretty tumultuous for Sancho recently, as he was exiled from his own squad not that long agoCredit: GettyStrict Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag said that he hadn’t been picked for the side that lost 3-1 to Arsenal due to his ‘performances in training’Credit: GettyBut it might not be completely fair to just say that he’s ‘lazy’Credit: GettyIt came after strict Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said publicly that Sancho had not been picked for the side that lost 3-1 to Arsenal due to his “performances in training”.The forward was banished from the first team and made to train alone at the youth academy.He wasn’t even allowed into the canteen and had to eat his meals from a lunchbox.Earlier this year, he left Old ­Trafford on loan to return to former club Borussia Dortmund.The player had hit back at ten Hag’s “performance” accusation on social media, insisting that it was “completely untrue” and claiming he was being made a “scapegoat” by the struggling club.His gaffer demanded an apology but Sancho refused, preferring to spend four months in exile instead.This week, one of Man Utd’s coaching staff, Benni McCarthy, said Sancho, 24, had told him, “I ain’t apologising, because if I do I’m apologising for being lazy, always being late and not giving my best”.Which he didn’t think was true. Off the pitch, Sancho was filmed partying with Nigerian model and dancer Cocainna, 26. And it wasn’t the first time he had been accused of taking his eye off the ball.Sancho has been filmed partying with Nigerian model Cocainna off the pitchCredit: InstagramDuring his first spell at Dortmund, Sancho didn’t show up on time for a training session ahead of a key game, and was also suspended by the club for coming home late from international duty.As a 17-year-old youth player at Manchester City, he refused to return to training, reportedly in a bid to force a move away from the club.Benni thinks that Sancho didn’t give in to ten Hag’s demand because, “from the streets, no one wants to apologise”.The controversial player grew up on a housing estate in Kennington, raised by his hard-working parents.And he emphasised his attitude to the game ahead of tonight’s big match, revealing: “I grew up with cage football and it’s always been with me.“Every time I go on the pitch, I always try and do the skills I do in the cage.”Calling him lazy may be unfair as, when Jadon was still at school, he travelled from South London to ­Watford most days to train with their youth team. He then left home at 14 to be closer to the Hertfordshire club and, a year later, he joined Manchester City.I grew up with cage football and it’s always been with meJadon SanchoThe ambitious youngster wasn’t happy with a £30,000-a-week pay cheque just to play in City’s reserves.He’d been named player of the tournament at the under-17s Euros for England and decided to switch to Dortmund in the hope of getting first team game time.His stunning performances in Germany saw him picked for England, and he came off the bench as a sub in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.But his failure to convert a penalty, with Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka also missing, cost the national team the match.Even though he fell out with Man Utd, he has remained good pals with many England stars, including Jude Bellingham — who he described as a “friend.”READ MORE SUN STORIESWhatever tonight’s result, the fact that Sancho is on the biggest stage in club football is a huge turnaround.As he said: “It’s kind of crazy . . .  me being in the Champions League final, especially where I came from. I’m just happy.” More

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      Joy for fans as German organisers scrap plans for booze ban at England’s Euro 2024 opener

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      FANS can down pints at England’s Euro 2024 opener after German organisers scrapped plans for a booze ban.And the 4.8 per cent Bitburger lager sold at games and fan zones will be cheaper at £4 than similar pints back home.German organisers have binned a planned booze ban for the EurosCredit: ReutersHarry Kane in a promotional video for club Bayern MunichCredit: GettyThe news will cheer thousands of Three Lions supporters packing their bags for the tournament which kicks off in two weeks.It comes after 2022’s Qatar World Cup where authorities pulled the plug on £14-a-pint beer sales with a day to go.Fan Royston Wilson, 56, from Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, said: “This will really get the party started. Harry Kane and the lads have a great chance to win and we’ll be able to cheer them on with a pint of decent German beer — fantastic!”England fans will also be used to shelling out up to £7-a-pint in pubs and restaurants thanks to inflation but will pay around £4 at the Euros.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Fans are allowed to drink in their seats at most German league games but rules will be tightened in line with English matches at the Euros.Just two beers at a time can be bought at stadium bars and will need to be consumed before supporters take their seats to watch the action.Restrictions on alcohol sales in glasses and bottles will be in place in parts of Gelsenkirchen city centre around match days as police throw a ring of steel around sensitive sites.Calls for a ban followed fears of clashes with pro-Putin “ultras” when England start their campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.Most read in FootballChief Police Director Peter Both confirmed no alcohol bans had been put in place at Euros stadia and none were planned.He said: “In contrast to the league match, we have agreed that alcoholic drinks purchased in the stadium may not be taken into the stadium.Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand pick their England starting 11 for opening game of Euros“This means that they cannot, as is usually the case, buy two carriers of beer and then take them to their seats.“They are only allowed to consume alcoholic drinks at the stands.” More

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      We had 5 hours of hell as Siena had life-saving op…but she’s fixed now. She’s our heart warrior, says Jack Wilshere

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      FORMER Arsenal and England star Jack Wilshere suffered “five hours of hell” as his five-year-old daughter Siena had life-saving cardiac surgery.And he said he had been “100 per cent” sure she would die during the operation to fix a hole in her heart in February.Retired football star Jack Wilshere suffered ‘five hours of hell’ as his five-year-old daughter Siena had life-saving cardiac surgery, pictured with wife Andriani, leftCredit: Eleven Miles.Siena had a rare kind of heart issue which required swift actionCredit: Eleven Miles.Jack, 32, also recalled how he and his wife Andriani spent 45 minutes crying as they were gripped by the fear of losing her.Only a month earlier, doctors had told the father-of-four that Siena — his second-youngest child — had the heart condition.While it can be fatal, it often does not need surgery — but Siena had a rare kind which required swift action.Arsenal ace Jack, who played 34 times for his country, told The Sun how he lost almost a stone due to stress during the month between her diagnosis and the surgery.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEven worse was the moment when Siena, now six, was given an anaesthetic just before the op began.He said: “When I took Siena down to the surgery I had to drag my wife out of the anaesthetic room and we went to a room upstairs and we were just crying, both of us, for about 45 minutes.Heart murmur“It was five hours from hell, waiting for the phone to ring. It was a blur.”Jack and Andriani have now become ambassadors for the British Heart ­Foundation, and he praises the charity’s work in helping to keep poorly children like their daughter alive.Most read in FootballHe also hopes to alert other parents to the signs of heart problems.In Siena’s case the early symptoms for a congenital heart defect, which means it was present from birth, were not ­obvious.Four Arsenal stars confronted Arsene Wenger after huge stars sold to bitter rivals, reveals Jack Wilshere Jack said: “She was probably a bit more out of breath than her friends when she was on a trampoline, and chest infections hung around for longer.”Medics thought it may be due to asthma, because Andriani had ­it as a child.But it took two years for the real cause to be discovered, during a family holiday in Cyprus, where many of Andriani’s relatives live.Jack said: “My kids got ill — nothing serious — ear infections. The doctor listened to her heart and said, ‘I don’t want to worry you, but I can hear a bit of a murmur in her heart’, and said, ‘You should get it checked when you get back to the UK’.“That doctor saved my daughter’s life.”A cardiologist carried out a series of tests on Siena, and days later, rang Jack, who coaches Arsenal’s under-18s, just as he was about to go away with his squad.He recalled: “At the time I found out I was with my assistant.“I was at the training ground and I virtually broke down in his arms when I told him. All my staff were brilliant.”The hole in Siena’s heart was so serious that surgery was arranged for just a month later.Tests had revealed the gap in the muscle wall between the lower ­chambers of her heart meant it had to work much harder, which is why she was so out of breath.A tearful Andriani, 33, said: “I remember just falling to the floor and crying, I just couldn’t believe the news. It was shocking.”Siena after the life-saving February operationCredit: BBC SportOnly 40 per cent of people born with a heart defect need heart surgery.Often the issues are spotted while the child is in the womb.But the worst cases carry the chance of sudden death, and it is necessary to carry out the operations while patients are still young.Siena had a rare condition in which, Jack said, her veins had rerouted because they were leaking into her lungs.The wait for the day when she would be “fixed” was almost impossible for the doting dad to bear.And there was also the fear of his daughter undergoing a precarious operation.He said: “I remember the date she got diagnosed — the 27th of January — and she eventually had the surgery on the 27th of February, and that whole month I lost six kilos.Bag of nerves“I can’t even remember it, it was so stressful, because obviously there were risks involved in the surgery.”There was a one per cent chance she wouldn’t wake up.”His wife was equally anxious.Andriani said: “The night before, we were a bag of nerves. I remember having this feeling in the pit of my stomach.”A team of medics had to close the defect in Siena’s heart, which could have caused sudden death.She had surgery on Monday and we were back home on Friday. She was laughing, she’s really bubbly, she loves lifeJack WilshireAfter crying with his wife, Jack went for a coffee with his parents and took a walk around the block.Thankfully, they got the message that Siena had pulled through.Andriani recalled: “When we went down to the intensive care unit, it was all such a blur.“I heard Siena cry and it was then that I knew she was going to be OK.”Jack is in awe of the way his brave daughter had dealt with the terrible ordeal.He said: “I have been through surgery. I had a lot of injuries as a player, and it took me ages to recover.“She had the surgery on the Monday and we were back at home on the Friday and she was laughing.“She’s really bubbly, she loves life. It’s great to have her fixed.”And he added: “We call her our heart warrior. The bravery and strength she’s shown has been incredible.”Three months on, it seems that Siena is making a good recovery.Jack said: “The surgery has made all the difference and she has so much energy now.”Up against itThe breathlessness and coughing fits have relented.The couple are far from alone, because every day 13 babies in Britain are diagnosed with congenital heart disease.It was the British Heart Foundation which helped Jack and Andriani to understand what they were up against.Andriani said: “We didn’t know anything about congenital heart conditions and never thought our daughter would ever require open- heart surgery.“Turning to the BHF made us feel less alone and gave us the answers and support we needed.”The charity has been funding research into heart conditions for more than 60 years and put £99million into the field during 2022-2023.Wilshere and partner Andriani have become ambassadors for the British Heart FoundationCredit: BBC SportProud dad Jack says: ‘We call her our heart warrior’Credit: Eleven Miles.Jack said: “We’re supporting the British Heart Foundation because without life-saving research keeping children’s hearts beating, we might not have Siena here with us today.”It is not the first time the star has faced a health crisis with one of his children.His eldest son, Archie, 12, from his relationship with Lauren Neal, often had to be rushed to hospital in the middle of the night, suffering from seizures.Under controlJack, who also has daughter ­Delilah, ten, with Lauren and a four-year-old son, Jack Junior with Andriani, said in 2019: “My wife and I would sit up most nights because most of the seizures were happening at night.”Fortunately, doctors got the ­condition under control.Now Jack’s aim as a British Heart Foundation ambassador is to raise awareness of the charity’s important work and to encourage people to have any problems or concerns properly assessed.Many adults don’t even know they have a hole in the heart.Jack said: “There are people ­suffering cardiac arrests who have gone undiagnosed.”And he added: “You know your child better than anyone. If you think something isn’t quite right, don’t take no for an answer.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It is the most common defect you can be born with.”
      To donate £5 please text FIVE to 70507 and help British Heart Foundation fund more life-saving research.
      Jack played 34 times for EnglandCredit: Getty More

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      Forget Beckham, here’s proof that Gareth Southgate has always been the ultimate fashion icon

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      IF there is one thing footie boss Gareth Southgate does well besides managing the England team, it is being a dapper gaffer.He caused waistcoat sales to soar as he led the Three Lions to the World Cup semis in Russia in 2018, then sported a sharp suit and tie for Euro 2020 when England made the final at Wembley.Gareth Southgate is a real fashion iconCredit: PABut the unlikely style icon has since opted for more relaxed polo shirts and cardies, “to put players at ease”.Gareth, 53, told GQ mag: “When you’re working with young lads, you don’t want to be too stiff in what you’re doing or wearing.”Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale takes a look at Gareth’s gear over the years as player then manager . . . 1995Clean-shaven 25-year-old Gareth holds a Union Flag in full Nineties clobberCredit: GettyCELEBRATING in his playing days with a Union Jack flag after his first England call-up in 1995, the then clean-shaven 25-year-old Gareth is in full Nineties clobber.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Aston Villa star was on trend for the time with a Calvin Klein jumper tucked into jeans, worn with a belt.With the average age of today’s England squad about the age he was here, the lads would be curious to check out the cut of his jib.1996In 1996 Southgate rocked this white sweatshirt by Japanese sportswear brand MizunoCredit: GettyTO be fair, there’s no points for fashion flair at the training ground – and Gareth looks more on the ball with his footie than his appearance.Back in the day, the Villa hotshot might just have got away with that white sweatshirt by Japanese sportswear brand Mizuno.Most read in FootballBut he teamed it with three-quarter-length tracksuit bottoms with natty side zips.Maybe best we don’t get too good a look at them here.Inside Gareth Southgate’s love life including secret Tesco car park meetings2006New Middlesbrough manager Gareth is bossing things in his roomy suitCredit: PA:Press AssociationSTARTING his managerial career at Middlesborough, after seeing out his playing career there, Gareth is working hard to look the part.But whatever his skills as an aspiring leader of men, at age 35 he is not bossing things sartorially.He is hardly playing a blinder with the roomy suit, stripey tie and checked blue shirt, although the whistle and flute do sort of match his hair.Time to raise his game.2014While managing the England U-21s Southgate wore an all-blue get-up with brown beltCredit: Getty Images – GettyNOW managing the England Under-21s, and into his forties, our man has a sharper, short haircut and is finally getting somewhere style-wise.The all-blue get-up, with brown belt, is nothing too offensive yet not the most trendy.He was clearly expecting a spot of rain, but the duffle coat on his arm does stray into “dad on a day out with the kids” territory.2018Southgate changed up his style for the 2018 World Cup and boosted sales of waistcoatsCredit: AFP or licensorsGRACING the big stage at the World Cup with a newly suave vibe, this is a total transformation.Our boys suffered semi-final heartbreak in a defeat to Croatia but it took nothing away from the gaffer’s suit.His Marks & Spencer three-piece catapulted him into the hall of football fashion fame.Waistcoat sales and online memes went wild, as brands copied the look.Some hailed it as the male corset, framing a fella’s body.2021A sharp Gareth at the last EurosCredit: GettyTHREE years on from that wondrous waistcoat and Gareth still looks sharp.But he’s done away with the three-piece suit, to keep it simple and not draw too much attention to himself – maybe a lesson learned?The navy suit and pocket square are jazzed up by a polka-dot tie, which was dubbed lucky by some until we lost in the delayed Euros final to Italy.Quite the sophisticate on the side-line is our Gareth.2022 The England coach debuted a knitted polo back in 2022 for the World CupCredit: GettyWHILE Southgate has said this year he is all about thin knits, it seems he has already been wearing the look for two years.Debuting a knitted polo back in 2022 for the World Cup, the £39.50 Merino wool blend zip neck was once again an instant hit with fans.And it seems the 2018 waistcoats may never see the light of day again after he told BBC Radio 4 that he hasn’t worn one sinc2024Gareth wore this posh cream cardy for GQ magTHIS year as England boss Gareth might be trying to fly under the radar with his outfits, but it seems to be having the opposite effect.READ MORE SUN STORIESPosing for GQ mag in a posh cream cashmere cardy, the 53-year-old looks more dapper than ever.Showing cardigans don’t just have to be for the older generation, let’s see if his new laid-back attitude for a younger England squad stands us in good stead for the Euros next month. More

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      Luton ace Ross Barkley sprays sun cream on girlfriend’s back as they soak up rays on Barbados beach

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      LOOKS like it’s a love-heat relationship for footie star Ross Barkley as he puts sun cream on his girlfriend’s back.The Premier League star, 30, played the doting boyfriend – carefully applying the cream on the stunning blonde’s back as she soaked up the rays in a tiny monochrome bikini.Ross was snapped carefully applying sun cream on girlfriend Katherine PilkingtonCredit: BackGridFootballer Ross Barkley flaunted his shredded abs as he took to the beach in sunny BarbadosCredit: BackGridRoss stopped to adjust his blue swim shorts – showing off his rugged physique in the process – as the loved-up couple took a stroll along the golden sands.Accounts executive Katherine, who counts Love Island’s Ellie Brown as one of her best friends, looked smitten during the romantic trip to the Caribbean island.The well-earned break comes as Aston Villa are reportedly in advanced talks to make Ross their first summer signing.Earlier this month, The Sun revealed the club has a ‘strong interest’ in signing the midfielder, who has also interested Manchester United, for a nominal fee of around £2 millionREAD MORE FOOTBALL NEWSUnai Emery has been impressed by the 33-times-capped England international’s outstanding form this season on his return to the Premier League.SunSport understands Villa’s President of Football Operations Monchi has a ‘strong interest,’ in signing Barkley, who has also interested Manchester United, for a nominal fee of around £2million.Although Barkley could not prevent the Hatters from dropping back into the Championship, he has excelled since joining them on a free from Ligue 1 side Nice last summer. The former Everton and Chelsea star scored five goals and assisted with four more in 32 appearances for Rob Edwards’ side.Most read in FootballVilla need to trade wisely this summer as they struggle to comply with tough Profit and Sustainability Rules.And the addition of Barkley would be one of the shrewdest bargain-priced moves they could pull-off as they look to strengthen the depth of their squad for next season’s Champions’ League campaign.Roy Keane unimpressed by Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley’s tunnel antics in FA CupEmery admitted the club will need to “be intelligent,” in their transfer dealings this summer, after they ran up a loss of £119million in their last accounts – a Uefa record for the season.And with further losses forecast for last season the need to balance the books has never been more important.Landing Barkley would be seen as a coup for Emery who was impressed by the midfielder’s stunning form last term.Stunner Katherine looked smitten during the romantic trip to the Caribbean islandCredit: BackGridBarkley impressed last season at Luton Town and is linked to Aston VillaCredit: Getty More

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      Sven-Goran Eriksson makes triumphant return to ex-club Lazio amid cancer battle

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      EX-FOOTIE manager Sven-Goran Eriksson makes a triumphant return to former club Lazio — under the eye of their eagle mascot.The Swede, 76, who left Italy to become the England boss in 2001, has terminal cancer.Sven-Goran Eriksson made a triumphant return to former club Lazio — under the eye of their eagle mascotCredit: RexThe ex-manager is touring his former clubs following a cancer announcement in JanuaryCredit: RexHe was cheered by fans at the Rome club, where he won the title, and said: “It’s the memory of a lifetime.”Last month Sven was close to tears as he was honoured by IFK Goteborg on his return to the club he once managed.The 76-year-old was continuing his football tour after revealing the heartbreaking news of his terminal pancreatic cancer in January.Eriksson returned to Sweden to visit Goteborg, the club which he managed to Uefa Cup glory back in 1982.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe retired tactician was given a heroes welcome at the Gamla Ullevi stadium over 40 years after he helped etch the club’s name in European history.Eriksson, who won the trophy with players who still had jobs alongside their footballing duties, was paraded out on to the pitch before the club’s 1-1 draw with Norrkoping on Saturday.The crowd burst into a chorus of chanting towards their former manager when he was brought out on the turf before a touching tifo of a young Eriksson was displayed in one of the stands.A banner was also erected that read: “We don’t know when it will end, but we know when it began” while flags were waved in Eriksson’s direction.Most read in FootballThe former England manager looked close to tears as he soaked in the love that was show for him by the club he managed from 1979 to 1982.Eriksson also visited former side Benfica earlier this year, who he took charge of immediately after winning the Uefa Cup with Goteborg.England legends send heartbreaking messages to Sven Goran Eriksson as former Three Lions boss battles terminal cancerWhile he was also given the opportunity to make his dream of managing Liverpool come true when he took charge of a Reds legends team for their charity match at Anfield in March. More

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      Man City celebrate winning fourth successive Premier League title with open-top bus victory tour despite rain

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      PREMIER League champs Manchester City refused to let the weather rain on their parade yesterday ­during an open-top bus victory tour.Pep Guardiola and his squad hit the city to ­celebrate their securing four titles in a row with a 3-1 win over West Ham earlier this month.Manchester City’s Erling Haaland leads the celebrationsCredit: ReutersCity boss Pep Guardiola get in on the actionCredit: ReutersA City fan wears a towel on her head to stay dryCredit: PAPals in ponchos hold a mock trophy as they celebrate in the wetCredit: PAIt was slightly bittersweet following their 2-1 FA Cup Final defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United on Saturday. But the loss proved no dampener for the players, including striker Erling Haaland, who sprayed champagne over the massed ranks of adoring fans.The rain left many in the city soggy but it was ­nothing compared with some areas where more than an inch fell in the afternoon.The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning from midday until 8pm for the North and South West, with flooding, power cuts, and travel delays forecast.Read More on FootballHolidaymakers hoping for a late May coastal getaway faced long hold-ups in Devon when the A38 was closed in both directions due to a fatal smash.The M6 southbound was down to one lane following an accident, while a snarled M23 southbound delayed many heading to Gatwick.Travellers taking ferries to France from the Port of Dover faced two-hour queues due to the weight of ­traffic.The rain did stay away from Wembley, where Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman, 86, was among those watching Southampton win the Championship play-off.Most read in FootballMore than 20 million ­leisure journeys were made by car over the weekend — the most since pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to the RAC. Travel chaos is expected to continue today as 3.4million hit the roads once more.England ace Phil Foden has been dubbed “Fodenballs” by his matesMany will face more rain, with ­scattered showers predicted for most areas.But sunny spells will return from Wednesday, with 18C highs.Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman was among those watching Southampton win the Championship play-offDark clouds and rain over Dawlish Warren in DevonCredit: AlamyA festival reveller in plastic mac in LutonCredit: DAVE NELSONUmbrellas keep punters dry on the River Cam in CambridgeCredit: Geoff Robinson Photography More

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      Fury as footie fan spotted wearing Man Utd shirt with ‘Hamas 7’ printed on back

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      A FOOTIE fan wearing a Manchester United shirt with Hamas 7 on the back has sparked fury.A Jewish man saw the top worn in London’s Oxford Circus on Friday — a day before the team won the FA Cup final.A football fan wearing a Manchester United shirt with Hamas 7 on the back has sparked furyCredit: SWNSA witness fears the number might reference terror attacks against Israel on October 7Credit: SWNSThe witness, who wants to remain anonymous, fears the number might reference terror attacks against Israel on October 7 which killed 1,139.He said: “It was un­believable. I followed the man for two minutes and took photos.“I think he was aware but didn’t seem to care.”He doubted Hamas was the fan’s name.READ MORE ON MAN UNITEDIt is illegal to show support for the banned group.Cops are trying to identify the shirt wearer.Man Utd does not allow political slogans on its shirts.Hamas is a prescribed terrorist organisation in the UK, and was responsible for killing 1,139 people and taking 250 Israeli hostages on October 7, 2023.Most read in FootballMembership and expressing support for Hamas is an illegal act in the UK and punishable by up to 14 years in prison.A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “On Friday, 24 May police received a call from a member of the public reporting that a man was walking in Oxford Street, W1 wearing a football shirt with an offensive message on it.’Palestine will never die’ Anti-Israel demos rock cities across US with 100 protesters arrested”Enquiries are under way to try and identify the man.”Cops are trying to identify the shirt wearer, snapped at London’s Oxford CircusCredit: SWNS More