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      Fans must act now and make a stand against greedy owners who want to tear up 130 years of English football history

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      UNDER the cover of the pandemic, they made their move.The owners of England’s ‘Big Six’ clubs — three American sports moguls, two oil barons and the Bahamas-based billionaire who holds the keys to Tottenham — have made the cowardly move of signing up for a breakaway European Super League.
      Man Utd executive vice-chairman and director Edward Woodward is among bigwigs seemingly backing a betrayal of football as we know itCredit: Getty
      Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and Liverpool owner John Henry will have big questions to answer from their shocked fans over the new leagueCredit: Getty
      Man Utd’s American owners, the Glazers, want to ditch domestic English football
      And they did so while the match-going supporters of those six clubs — most with proud traditions of unity and protest — are locked out of their stadiums.
      True supporters of those clubs will appreciate the importance of the English footballing pyramid as well as those who follow less wealthy clubs — and they will be appalled by these proposals.
      The green-and-gold anti-Glazer protestors at United, the Spirit of Shankly at Anfield, the Chelsea Pitch Owners who united to save Stamford Bridge from property developers years before Roman Abramovich had ever heard of their club.
      Now these, along with supporters of Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham, must make their voices heard. Loud and clear.
      It might not make a whole lot of difference because the owners of these clubs care only for their global fanbases rather than those who have turned up to support their teams for generations — but they must resist.
      This was always the endgame for the Glazers at Manchester United, John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group and Stan Kroenke of Arsenal — all owners of American sports clubs and their franchise model.
      Guaranteed top dollar without the need for sporting excellence is the American sporting dream.
      This was the endgame of every pre-season tour to the States or the Far East, the endgame for all those boasts about ‘global social-media reach’ and ‘official noodles partners’.
      Arsenal backer Stan Kroenke and his like always had the endgame of developing a global base rather than building on the traditions of the gameCredit: EPA
      Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is another of the money-men who could take the game away from its competitive instinctsCredit: PA
      Those ‘Unity Is Strength’ banners at Anfield can be tossed away.
      They were a joke ever since the Liverpool and United-led attempt to carve up Premier League power in the hands of the few materialised in those Project Big Picture proposals earlier this season.
      Abramovich, the Abu Dhabi paymasters of City and Joe Lewis of Spurs were never going to stand by and watch the other three break away without them.
      Suspicion of foreign ownership of English football clubs was rarely based on xenophobia but on fears of eventualities such as this, which would tear up more than 130 years of English league football history and traditions.
      There should be embarrassment at City, Arsenal and Tottenham — three clubs without a single European Cup between them — that they are even part of such a scheme.
      City were playing Macclesfield in the league less than a quarter of a century ago. Spurs this week marked 60 years since they were last champions of England.
      Arsenal are mid-table and facing the prospect of no European football whatsoever next term.
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      HOW THE SUPER LEAGUE WOULD WORK
      THE European Super League will be made up of fifteen ‘founder members’ – starting with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, United, City and Spurs from England, with Atletico and Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
      Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and PSG are likely to complete the list founders, who cannot be relegated.
      Five extra teams will be invited to compete each year with a provisional kick-off from the start of the 2022-23 season.
      Teams will be split into two groups of ten and play nine opponents home and away in a midweek league, with the top four from each group qualifying for end of season play-offs.
      United and Liverpool will bag up to £310m up front. The other four Prem teams would each get £200m.
      Total £4.6billion pot, initially backed by JP Morgan will mean a minimum £130m each year even if one of the ‘founders’ loses EVERY game.
      Overall winners could earn up to £212m extra if they win every game.

      These clubs are scared witless by the likes of Leicester and West Ham threatening to break up the Big Six cartel.
      The Premier League, with its relatively equitable distribution of TV cash, is far too fair and open for their liking.
      hether they are genuinely ready to go through with a breakaway — or whether it ultimately proves to be just another power squabble between Uefa and many of Europe’s richest clubs — the resistance of English football supporters must start here.
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      Fans finally return to football as select 4,000 spectators watch FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in test event More

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      From Roy Keane to Paul Scholes — these footballers are the spitting image of paintings

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      WHAT a match! Comedian Olaf Falafel has paired football figures with lookalike paintings — and we thought it was too good an idea to pass up on.
      Roy Keane is the spitting image of Gentleman in a Fur by Paolo Veronese
      The winning doubles — including player-turned-pundit Roy Keane — would be at home in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
      But can you tell a Manet from a Mane or a Caravaggio from a Baggio?
      Thomas Tuchel’s lookalike is Elena Povolozky by Amedeo Modigliani
      Roy Hodgson looks just like J.M. Vogelsang by Ferdinand Oldewelt
      Marouane Fellaini appears to be channeling Pablo Picasso’s Face of Woman
      Pep Guardiola has the exact same pose as Head of Man by Hermann Struck
      Paul Scholes is paired up with Paul Gauguin’s Beautiful Angel
      Kenny Dalglish looks just like Gardener John Wells, by an unknown artist
      Mick McCarthy is a clear double for Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait

      Micah Richards winds up BOTH Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp over their previous row in hilarious behind-the-scenes clip More

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      in Boxing

      Demetrius Andrade crushes Liam Williams’ WBO middleweight title dreams in unanimous decision

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      WELSH WARRIOR Liam Williams had his middleweight world title dream dashed by brilliant American southpaw champion Demetrius Andrade.The Clydach 28-year-old flew to Florida for a longshot at dethroning the 33-year-old undefeated leftie.
      Demetrius Andrade was too strong for the brave Liam WilliamsCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

      But he came face-to-face with a masterful fighter who almost stopped him in the opener, floored him in the second and then slipped and grabbed his way to a points win.
      Team USA’s 2008 Beijing Olympian walked to the ring in a baseball cap emblazoned with ‘WAR’ in honour of recently deceased middleweight legend and fellow southpaw Marvin Hagler and put on a showing the icon would be proud of.
      The judges called it: 116-111, 118-109 and 118-109.
      Williams said:  “Demetrius is a very good fighter, better than I thought, more slippery than he appears on TV.
      “I could not get my punches or combinations off, I felt I hurt him a couple of times but he was always gone before I could capitalise on it.
      “I know I am tough and can take a good shot, I knew I had taken his best shot in the second and I got up so I had nothing to fear.
      “I don’t feel I need to take a step back, I believe now I am world level.
      “I know I gave him a bit of stick in the build-up but he is quality and probably only Canelo in the division is a better champion than him.”
      Liam Williams showed plenty of fight but could not match the champCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

      It was a violent start and Williams was hurt instantly when Andrade unloaded a huge left hook off the ropes.
      The Brit was buzzed but went on the front foot instead of covering up and trying to survive.
      Andrade‘s lead southpaw uppercut was vicious and Williams was nursing a heavily swollen cheek from the second minute.
      A straight one-two smashed into his nose as well, as the usually cautious American went hell for leather.
      In his camouflage shorts, Andrade was hard to find in the second and he brutalised Williams again with a meaty left backhand and an uppercut that scythed through his guard.
      Williams was warned for roughhouse tactics with thirty seconds of the round remaining, he switched off for a nanosecond and was punished with a massive one-two that decked him for a count.
      The third looked like being a breather for Andrade but he landed again with a minute left in the session and Williams was held up by the ropes.
      But the Brit bravely bashed and bullied his way back into the bout with a strong finish to the stanza.
      Liam Williams climbed off the canvas in the second round of a physical boutCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
      The Welshman’s American opponent showed off his slick ringcraftCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
      Brave effort by @Liamwilliamsko tonight. Hurt early but came back and showed he belongs at world level hurting Andrade In the 9th. Bad Ref frustrating and allowed way too much holding!— Joe Calzaghe (@RealJoeCalzaghe) April 17, 2021

      The fourth was a huge improvement for Williams, with a couple of shots landing flush and Boo Boo’s legs looking heavy under the constant pressure.
      Sheffield trainer Dominic Ingle kept telling his charge that Andrade was going to wilt in the back half of the fight but Williams was worried his footwork was not up to the task.
      If Andrade took a rest in the fourth, he clocked back in the fifth with a series of those trademark uppercuts that Williams at least knew to expect but could not avoid.
      Thin-skinned Williams was cut by the end of the round and had blood dripping down into his right eye.
      Andrade complained of an eye poke in the sixth and he continued to hold and smother and Williams’ freakish pace.
      But a thunderous lead uppercut sliced through his guard again and rocked his shaven head back toward the Florida heavens.
      Right at the end of the seventh Williams was whacked again and had to cling on for the bell to save him after Andrade slipped up a gear.
      Williams dared to drop his hands in the eighth and dare his opponent to hit him but he waited until Williams had his guard up to land another uppercut.
      Andrade appeared to be hurt in the ninth by a right hand but Williams did not seem to have the energy to finish him and shipped a bodyshot for his trouble.

      Andrade definitely tired in the final few rounds, against Williams’ relentlessness it would be almost impossible not to.
      But he grabbed the penultimate round with a pinpoint combination that the judges would have loved.
      And the pair, who had swapped spiteful insults over the months of build-up, hugged at the final bell after both giving it their all. More

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      in Soccer

      Leeds enter Nicolas Tagliafico transfer race with Chelsea and Man City also chasing £17.5m left-back

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      LEEDS have joined the chase for Ajax left back Nicolas Tagliafico.The Dutch side are resigned to losing the Argentina international this summer and sources in Holland suggest he could cost as little as £17.5million.
      Nicolas Tagliafico is being targeted by LeedsCredit: Getty
      Tagliafico, 28, has two years left on his current contract but is believed to have an agreement with Ajax that he can leave.
      The defender was linked with a move last summer, with Chelsea and Manchester City mentioned as possible destinations.
      Tottenham were also linked with the ace when compatriot Mauricio Pochettino was in charge in 2019.
      Uncertainty caused by the pandemic hampered plans in 2020 but Leeds are among the clubs ready to move for Tagliafico after the season ends.
      The left-back position is an area where boss Marcelo Bielsa wants to strengthen.
      Ezgjan Alioski, in theory a winger, has done a decent job on that flank of the defence this season.
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      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

      But Bielsa wants a specialist and Tagliafico, with his hard-running style and technical ability, would fit well into Leeds’ system.
      The player himself responded favourably to reports last week from Italy that Inter Milan were interested in him.
      Former Inter and Argentina star Javier Zanetti was his childhood hero but the Italian club’s financial issues will restrict their power in the transfer market.
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      Nicolas Tagliafico scores stunning goal in Ajax training More

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      Brendan Rodgers is ‘fantastic’ beams Jonny Evans as he compares Leicester boss to Man Utd legend Fergie

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      JONNY EVANS has hailed Brendan Rodgers for his “fantastic” Sir Alex Ferguson-style leadership in Leicester’s Covidiot crisis.Foxes’ boss axed James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Hamza Choudhury for last weekend’s Premier League top-four clash with West Ham after they broke Covid-19 protocols by attending a house party.
      Brendan Rodgers has been praised for dealing with Leicester’s CovidiotsCredit: Reuters
      Jonny Evans compared the ‘decisive’ style with Sir Alex Ferguson’sCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
      Evans, 33, who came through the ranks under Fergie at Manchester United, said: “The way the manager dealt with it was fantastic.
      “He’s very decisive and he let all the other players know where he stood, he was very open with his dialogue, his communication. As players, you can only have respect for that.
      “The matter is dealt with now and it has been dealt with in the right way.”
      Rodgers, who will bring the shamed trio back into the squad for the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, says the saga was the lowest point of his two-year Leicester reign.
      The defeat by West Ham tightened up the race for Champions League places and if the Foxes were to lose this evening, fears would grow that their excellent season would end in frustration like last year.
      But Rodgers said: “We could be sitting eighth or ninth, and have no semi-final, the spotlight maybe not on us. We’re happy to have the spotlight.
      “There’s always going to be a narrative around us but no extra pressure.”
      Rodgers claims there was more tension around the last FA Cup semi-final he prepared for, when he was in charge of Liverpool against Aston Villa in 2015.
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      Rodgers recalled his semi-final heartache during Steven Gerrard’s last year at LiverpoolCredit: EPA

      Captain Steven Gerrard was going to leave the Reds at the end of the season. And Rodgers said: “There was a lot of pressure.
      “The whole feeling going into the game at that time was that if we arrived in the final, the final coincided with Steven’s birthday and it was going to be his last game.
      “There was a lot of emotional stuff around it. But you’ve got to win, and we didn’t. They won because they were the better team.
      “If we can perform well we have a good chance of getting through.”
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      Che Adams aiming to KO Leicester’s FA Cup dream with Southampton after FIVE rejections from boyhood club

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      CHE ADAMS was named after a notorious fighter — and has himself had to battle for Premier League fame after multiple snubs by FA Cup semi-final opponents Leicester.The Southampton striker, who owes his name to Cuba Revolution leader Che Guevara, was born in the East Midlands city and still considers the Foxes as his second team.
      Che Adams is hoping to fire Southampton to an FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      The striker was named after Cuban revolutionary leader Che Guevara
      That is despite being rejected on FIVE occasions by his hometown club after trials, starting at Under-eight level and continuing all the way up to Under-16s.
      None of those knockbacks were as hurtful as his release from Coventry at 14 after seven years.
      But they all played a significant part in the 24-year-old’s story of scrapping his way to the top, in a manner very similar to that of Jamie Vardy.
      Adams, who faces Vardy & Co at Wembley on Sunday evening, said: “They made me want to play football and fall in love with the game.
      “For some kids, it breaks their hearts and they don’t want to play football again. But, for me, that built me into the person I am because of the determination and how hard-working I can be.”
      Adams was given his eye-catching forename as Guevara was in the news at the time of his birth and his mum Frances just “really liked the name”.
      He is regularly sent memes on social media of his face superimposed on the famous Guevara T-shirt by fans and admits he would love to go to Cuba one day.
      Growing up in Leicester estate Thurnby Lodge, Adams followed Emile Heskey’s path by turning out for local side Highfield Rangers, before joining the Sky Blues at seven.
      But after being let go he was forced to turn to non-league, first with Oadby Town and then Ilkeston, while simultaneously studying for a BTec in sports studies.
      I grew up in Leicester, that’s where my family is from. When they won the league, the city was on a different planet with everyone supporting.Che Adams
      The FA Cup may not hold the same sway it once did but Adams certainly appreciated how it gave him a platform to impress when playing against opposition further up the pyramid.
      He still remembers playing in Ilkeston’s 1-0 win over Solihull Moors in September 2014 which helped boost his reputation.
      Soon the scouts were flooding into the Robins’ New Manor Ground to watch him and two months later Nigel Clough’s Sheffield United, then in League One, took the plunge.
      A £2million move to Birmingham followed two years later before he finally made it to the Premier League with Saints two summers ago.
      Reaching the top perhaps makes it easier to continue to have a soft spot for Leicester — rather than resenting them after all the rejections.
      Adams, whose first name is pronounced “Shay”, said: “It was Arsenal I supported as a young boy. Thierry Henry was the person I loved.
      “But I grew up in Leicester, that’s where my family is from and where I was born. When they won the league, the city was on a different planet with everyone supporting.
      “It’s been great for the city and I’m glad they’re doing well.
      “Playing against Leicester gives that extra little feeling against the team where I grew up.”
      Adams not only takes on his boyhood side as a Premier League player but as an international after making his Scotland debut last month.
      Adams is set for an opportunity at Euro 2020 with ScotlandCredit: The Sun
      He qualified through his grandmother and felt it was the right time to switch allegiances, having rejected an approach from Alex McLeish a few years ago.
      While his Southampton team-mates have certainly been enjoying his new-found nationality.
      The Tartan Army new-boy explained: “They have been calling me different names like McChe and McAdams.
      “The kit man even got me a shirt with McAdams on the back and everyone’s asking me if I’ve got a Scottish accent!
      “The first chance came a couple of years ago when I was quite young.
      “I didn’t want to be committed and tied down to something at a young age.
      “But I’m at an age now where I understand football and I’ve been around football for a couple of years now. I know the ins and outs and how everything works.
      “I think it came at the right time and it was an easy decision in the end.
      My mother is half Scottish, she’s got pride in her and she’s happy for me.Che Adams
      “My grandmother is not with us now but I knew her and my grandad well.
      “They are not around anymore, it’s just my mother, she’s half Scottish, she’s got pride in her and she’s happy for me.”
      Adams has the prospect of taking on club team-mates James Ward-Prowse and Danny Ings when Scotland play England at the Euros this summer, should they all be selected.
      It will be a repeat of the famous group match at Euro 96, when Paul Gascoigne’s unforgettable goal helped seal a 2-0 win for Terry Venables’ Three Lions.
      Adams was born two weeks after the tournament finished so was not aware of Gazza’s heroics, but promised to look it up shortly after this Zoom interview.
      Yet for now, the focus is on a Wembley trip which could end with Southampton’s first FA Cup final for 19 years.

      It would also be a chance to save their season after a miserable last few months in the league which has seen them limp to safety after a cracking start to the campaign.
      Adams added: “It’s a great opportunity to put our names out there and put the club out there as well.
      “We have had a rocky spell and the FA Cup has been a shining light to take our mind off the league and give us something else to think about. It’s very exciting.”
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      Jonny Evans admits he took trophies ‘for granted’ and insists winning with Leicester will rival Man Utd triumphs

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      JONNY EVANS reckons lifting a trophy with Leicester would be up there with anything he achieved at Manchester United.At the age of 21, Evans had already won world, European and English titles with the Red Devils and admits he probably took silverware ‘for granted’.
      Jonny Evans won it all at Manchester United but says he took it for grantedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Leicester centre-back Evans is hoping to bring FA Cup silverware home for the FoxesCredit: Rex
      Ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, the Northern Ireland star, now 33, said: “Winning something with Leicester is definitely a more difficult thing to do.
      “That’s not putting any slight on Manchester United’s achievements. You see now how difficult it has been for them to win the league and to win as many trophies as under Sir Alex Ferguson.
      “The resources and everything they’ve got, they’re a club set up to be a winning machine. But it’s something Leicester are trying to do.
      “Maybe winning something with Leicester would be an achievement up there with one of the best for me, on a personal level.”
      Leicester still have in their dressing room a few survivors from their 2016 Premier League triumph — like Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel and Marc Albrighton.
      Winning something with Leicester is definitely a more difficult thing to do.”Jonny Evans
      But most of Brendan Rodgers’ young side are chasing a first pot.
      Evans said: “Sometimes the boys will remind me here and give me a bit of banter about winning certain trophies.
      “I probably didn’t realise it at the start, the first six months or a year, but I do feel like they look up to me a lot.
      “I’ve tried to take confidence from that and tried to lead by example.
      “Growing up at United you were surrounded by people who had won quadruple the number of trophies you had won, so you kind of always felt insignificant.”

      Former United boss Louis van Gaal sold Belfast-born defender Evans to West Brom in 2015.
      But the defender’s form for the Baggies, and then in his three seasons so far at Leicester, suggests it was a mistake.
      He is playing as well as ever and also has unfinished business with the FA Cup in particular.
      Evans’ last silverware came in 2013, the last of three Prem titles he won at Old Trafford.
      He also lifted two League Cups and picked up a medal for playing a couple of group games as Ferguson’s side won the 2008 Champions League.
      With Southampton now standing in their way, Evans said: “I’ve never reached an FA Cup final. It’s eaten away at me.
      “I’ve played a few Community Shields and League Cup finals at Wembley  but an FA Cup final would be nice.
      I’ve never reached an FA Cup final. It’s eaten away at me.”Jonny Evans
      Evans starred for West Brom after leaving Manchester United before joining LeicesterCredit: PA:Press Association
      “It’s a really historic trophy. To win the FA Cup is something special.
      “I’ve been fortunate to win League Cup finals but the FA Cup would definitely top that.”
      Leicester have been FA Cup runners-up in 1949, 1961, 1963 and 1969 — but never won it.
      Evans said: “Leicester have lost four finals, I remember the 2000 League Cup win under Martin O’Neill and the Premier League win.
      “So it is one for us to correct.
      “I think winning any trophy is a big deal. But I probably took it for granted when I was younger.
      “Having not won one in a few years now, you appreciate how hard they are to achieve and how much you cherish them as years go on. Hopefully we can put that right.”
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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he’s very disappointed after Man Utd loss against Leicester in FA Cup More

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      Leicester covidiots have perfect opportunity to redeem themselves against Southampton, says Foxes legend Frank McLintock

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      FRANK McLINTOCK is backing Leicester’s trio of covidiots to redeem themselves. The day before McLintock made his first Wembley appearance for the Foxes in the 1961 FA Cup final, he whitewashed a cellar because he had another job outside football.
      James Maddison could make an impact after being dropped last weekCredit: Rex
      Frank McLintock believes the covidiots can make amendsCredit: Rex
      But James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Hamza Choudhury were dropped last week by Brendan Rodgers for attending a house party and painting the town red in breach of Covid rules.
      McLintock, 81, said: “The players were out of order and they know it. I’m sure they feel sorry for what happened and will try to make up for it.
      “I was disappointed. But when you’re in your 20s you are still a bit crazy and often do things that aren’t correct.”
      But when McLintock was 21, he was still working occasionally as a painter and decorator. He added: “I’d signed for Leicester on my 17th birthday when I was already two years into an apprenticeship in Glasgow.
      “Me and another guy painted the floodlights at Filbert Street. As the players were running round the track, I would flick the paintbrush so it would come down on to their shirts.
      “I did that job the day before the cup final but I was just used to it.”
      Nothing could gloss over McLintock’s pain as Leicester lost the first of two FA Cup finals in three years.
      An early injury to Len Chalmers scuppered their chances and they lost 2-0 to  Tottenham. Then in the 1963 final a Leicester team that had been in contention to win the league lost 3-1 to a struggling Manchester United side.
      McLintock decided his future lay elsewhere. He said: “I was so desperate to win something.
      “I felt Leicester didn’t have that extra bit of money to get the one or two quality players we needed and could have made the difference in both finals.”
      After McLintock joined Arsenal in 1964, he suffered more Wembley agony when the Gunners lost the League Cup finals of 1968 and 1969.

      But it was fifth time lucky in 1971, when Charlie George’s famous extra-time winner sealed the double and McLintock lifted the FA Cup at last.
      He said: “It happened late for me. You have to seize the moment. You don’t always get the chance again.”
      As certain current Leicester players would do well to remember.
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