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      EFL clubs didn’t declare a PENNY in January transfer fees as coronavirus crisis hits home

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      EFL CLUBS have not declared a PENNY in January transfer fees.
      The astonishing lack of spending is the clearest sign yet of a collapse in the market due to coronavirus.

      Derby signed Teden Mengi on loan from Manchester United in one of the most high-profile temporary deals in the EFLCredit: Rex Features

      ⚽ Read our DEADLINE DAY BLOG for the very latest transfer news
      Across Europe, as expected, deals were down markedly from this time last year, when Premier League clubs alone spent £230million.
      This year top-flight deals were worth less than £100m, with similar declines across Europe.
      But the change was even more graphic in the EFL.

      The vast majority of signings were loans, with a number of free transfers and “undisclosed” deals.
      Championship clubs spent £60m in January 2019 and £37m a year later but did not declare a single fee this time round.
      Analysts at Football Index predicted the market across the Big Five leagues would be down 61 per cent, with Premier League clubs recording a transfer deficit of less than £50m.
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      That comes despite Prem teams splashing £1.3billion on players in the summer, despite the Covid crisis.
      Elsewhere the National League wants a Government rethink to stop clubs folding. The league’s three divisions will vote this week on abandoning the season.
      It comes after clubs were told £11m in Government money will be in loans and not grants, as expected.
      Dagenham and Redbridge’s Steve Thompson said: “I fear maybe a third of clubs in the National League will not be able to keep going if this money is not another grant.”

      Fifa President Gianni Infantino says health is the number one priority and they will monitor the situation with regards to international games More

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      Gareth Bale’s hopes of permanent Tottenham transfer dented as Welshman fails to provide spark in Harry Kane’s absence

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      GARETH BALE’S hopes of a permanent Tottenham deal took another major hit.
      The Wales forward, who started in place of the injured Harry Kane, was off the pace and taken off just after the hour mark in the loss at Brighton.

      Gareth Bale’s hopes of a permanent Spurs deal have taken another blowCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

      Bale lasted just one hour before being taken off in the 1-0 defeat to BrightonCredit: Reuters

      Bale has made just two Premier League starts since his season-long loan from Real Madrid.
      And time is running out for the 31-year-old to convince boss Mourinho to extend his Spurs stay.
      Mourinho said: “I would say that we tried to start with the team who tried to give Son the same dynamic that we are used to give him. But there is no replacement for Harry. 
      “We tried with Bale coming into these positions to try to connect with Son and we were not successful. 

      “I’m not speaking about Bale, I’m speaking about us.”
      After Spurs’ 3-1 defeat by Liverpool, Mourinho’s nightmare week continued as Brighton claimed their first Premier League home scalp.
      Tottenham’s top-four ambitions took a massive dent as they were beaten by Leandro Trossard’s 17-minute strike.
      Mourinho, whose side lie sixth in the table, added: “We didn’t start well. They could have scored immediately when they hit the post.

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      “In the first half I felt the team was probably too sad with the goal conceded and the situation.
      “There was a lack of energy. In the last 25-30 minutes they gave everything but  with limitations.
      “We couldn’t score but at the same time gave them the chance to counter-attack.
      “The boys showed great spirit in the second half and the boys showed they are suffering and they tried to fight against that sadness.
      “They tried, so I have nothing negative to say about them. I leave the game with a good feeling about my boys because they tried hard in the  second half.”
      The future of Tottenham defender Serge Aurier – who left the ground at half-time during the defeat by Liverpool, is in doubt after the Ivorian was not included in the matchday squad.

      But Brighton recorded their first league win at the Amex since beating Arsenal SEVEN MONTHS ago making them the last team in the top division to notch a home league win this season.
      The Seagulls are seven points from the relegation zone and scorer Trossard said: “This is a great result, it’s a sweet one.
      “We have waited a long time but we deserved this, we were the better team.
      “It’s a confidence booster — it has been a long time coming.”
      Brighton boss Graham Potter added: “Fantastic — there is no other word for it.
      “From the start we were brave, aggressive, had personality on the pitch, and scored a nice goal.”

      Spurs dealt massive title race blow as Brighton take the win with 1 goal to nil More

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      Man Utd condemn ‘vile and unacceptable’ Marcus Rashford abuse and call for ‘more to be done’ to find those responsible

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      MANCHESTER UNITED pledged their support for Marcus Rashford — labelling the racist abuse he has received as ‘vile and unacceptable’.
      Rashford, along with team-mates Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe, have all been abused online within the last week. 

      Man Utd have pledged support for Marcus Rashford after he received racist abuseCredit: EPA

      Rashford took to Twitter to reveal his abuse following Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal, tweeting: “Humanity and social media at its worst.” 
      Greater Manchester Police are currently investigating.  
      United yesterday released a statement reading: “Manchester United has re-emphasised the message that racial abuse is vile and unacceptable.
      “More needs to be done to identify the perpetrators, as footballers continue to be on the receiving end via social media.”

      Director of communications Charlie Brooks added: “When it comes to the abuse the players are suffering at the moment, it’s not just an issue for our club or for football in general, it’s society’s problem.
      “Football becomes a lightning rod for it and these people won’t win.
      “The players won’t let it affect them but nobody should have to put up with the level of abuse that players across the board are getting at the moment. 
      ‘The reality is if they are not able to be identified on social media, it’s very hard to trace them.

      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      “The onus has to be on the social media companies to do something about that. We need to see verifiable, identifiable accounts.”
      The latest incidents have heaped scrutiny on social media platforms, while the Government are planning new laws on online abuse.
      And incoming Premier League head of equality, diversity and inclusion Iffy Onuora believes arrests will be a deterrent. 
      The ex-Gillingham and Huddersfield striker said: “Social media companies have been far too slow to take down harmful material.”
      Martial and Tuanzebe received death threats and racial abuse following Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Sheffield United.

      Skipper Harry Maguire then tweeted: “United against racism. We will not tolerate it.”
      While ex-Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand added: “These ignorant idiots need to be exposed so everyone can see them for what they are.”
      West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers was also a recent victim, with a 49-year-old man arrested on suspicion of racial abuse.
      Onuora added: “That’s the way it’s got to go. For too long people have thought there are no consequences to this. That’s the culture that’s got to change.
      “I’ll be more confident when people understand the repercussions. If lives are turned upside down, if that’s what it’s got to be, I will feel more reassured.
      “When that comes together with social media companies taking stronger action, I’ll be a lot happier.”

      Solskjaer slams ‘disgusting’ racist abuse of Man Utd duo Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial on social media More

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      England risk being kicked out of the World Cup under barmy Labour border plans

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      ENGLAND risk being kicked out of the World Cup under barmy Labour border plans.
      Sir Keir Starmer wants arrivals from every country to spend ten days in hotel quarantine.

      😷 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      England risk being kicked out of the World Cup under barmy Labour border plans that would see arrivals from every country to spend ten days in hotel quarantineCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Under the proposals Gareth Southgate’s team would have to forfeit qualification games in Poland, San Marino and AlbaniaCredit: PA:Press Association

      There are no exemptions for elite sports stars coming from nations where quarantining in hotels is requiredCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      There would be no exemptions for Three Lions aces.
      Currently, the measures will apply to 33 countries and there are no exemptions for elite sports stars coming from nations where quarantining in hotels is required.
      But if the proposals were expanded under Labour’s plans, England’s World Cup qualification games in Poland, San Marino and Albania would have to be forfeited.

      Gareth Southgate’s team would be handed a 3-0 loss in each game, severely denting their chances of qualifying for Qatar 2022.
      If the games did go ahead, they’d risk the Premier League’s wrath as stars would be held for ten days in hotels on their return.
      The move would also throw the Euros, the Premier League, the Champions League, rugby’s Six Nations and the new Formula 1 season into chaos.
      MPs will vote on Labour’s proposal which lists one exemption to the blanket ban — for hauliers.

      Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: ‘By quarantining all arrivals, we can help protect vaccines against new strains’Credit: PA:Press Association
      Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “By quarantining all arrivals, we can help protect vaccines against new strains.”
      But the Premier League has worked hard to make teams Covid secure, with players often travelling in bubbles.
      A Tory Party spokesman said: “Labour’s plan to put 20,000 people a day in hotels is implausible.”
      An insider said: “All sports have the strictest covid protocols but if these measures were introduced British teams in Europe have a real headache over how to compete.
      “That in turn would have financial implication, as well as issues over future qualification.”
      The source added the measures would impact the “already truncated” season which needs to finished before the delayed Euros this summer – which would also be affected by the measures, as Wembley stadium hosts all three England group games, the semi-finals and final.
      Motor racing would also be affected, with the Formula 1 season set to start in weeks in Bahrain.
      Races in “red listed” Brazil and Abu Dhabi are taking place at the end of the year, when organisers hope restrictions have been lifted.

      The England Football team could miss out on next year’s World Cup due to Labour’s proposalsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      A Formula 1 spokesman said: “Last year we proved we could compete safely with over 80,000 tests and 0.1 per cent positives.
      “We employ over 40,000 both directly and indirectly through supply chains and have over 25,000 highly skilled engineers.
      “We cannot operate if we cannot travel and the elite sport exemption is quite simply keeping our sport and others going and saving jobs.”
      A Whitehall source said: “So long as we remain confident on public health grounds, we’d support players travelling to compete.
      “A blanket ban would effectively stop us playing in international competitions and be devastating for sports’ finances.
      “At various points Labour have tried to disrupt sport continuing through covid, whereas the government has done everything it can to keep it going safely”.

      Qatar are due to host the tournament in 2022

      A Labour spokesman said: “Labour’s proposals outlined do include scope for exemptions, we have asked the Government to provide all of the basis or the decisions around exemptions. 
      “Every effort should be made to allow elite international sport to continue, through quarantine exemption, although the key priority has to be against importing a strain of the virus that is resistant to the vaccine.”
      The Premier League declined to comment.

      Mourinho slams managers who tell stars to skip internationals
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      Man Utd and Liverpool accused of plotting to DESTROY football with Fifa and Real Madrid amid European Super League plans

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      LIVERPOOL and Manchester United have been accused of plotting with Fifa and Real Madrid to ‘DESTROY’ football.
      LaLiga chief Javier Tebas says the ‘greedy’ Premier League giants have spent months scheming over an ‘obscene’ £4.6billion European Super League.

      Joel Glazer has been working with Fifa, Liverpool and Real Madrid to ‘destroy’ football, claims Javier TebasCredit: AFP – Getty

      Liverpool owner John W Henry is part of the group conspiring to form the European Super LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Spaniard insists United’s US owner Joel Glazer and Liverpool’s John W Henry have been working with Fifa president Gianni Infantino plus Madrid supremo Florentino Perez on plans that will ‘ruin’ the game.
      Tebas stormed: “This would be a disaster for football, it would destroy the ecosystem and balance of the game in Europe.
      “This whole underground project started with Infantino and Perez — but the Glazers and Liverpool were active too and held meetings.
      “They have all tried to keep it secret, before the stories emerged in October and since.”

      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
      SunSport first revealed plans for a breakaway Euro Super League and how the Big Six have been offered up to £310m in ‘founder-member’ money.
      That’s on top of a minimum of £130m per season to be part of a closed shop of 20 teams.
      Tebas says plans could be officially launched next month — with the other 14 Premier League clubs at the risk of losing £3bn between them.

      He told SunSport: “Is it just about greed? You can define that how you like — but that’s the idea.
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      “This Super League project is going to ruin the Champions League. That’s what they’re looking for.
      “The Champions League disappears — and the money it generates, they want to divide this up between themselves.”
      Man Utd legend Gary Neville branded the plans ‘obscene’, adding: “Football is going to eat itself.
      “We are in the middle of a pandemic — with the game on its knees.”
      Liverpool, United, Fifa and Real Madrid declined to respond to Tebas’ allegations.
      But in November, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward insisted he would work through the European Club Association on ‘the strengthening of existing Uefa club competitions.’
      At the time, Woodward said: “The dialogue focuses on them continuing to be predominantly mid-week games, having little or no impact on the Premier League.”

      In November, Woodward said he’d work through the European Club Association on ‘the strengthening of existing Uefa club competitions’Credit: PA:Press Association

      Man City beat Sheffield United as Pep Guardiola earns historic 500th win as a manager More

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      West Brom close in on Christian Benteke transfer as Crystal Palace give Sam Allardyce’s pursuit the OK

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      WEST BROM boss Sam Allardyce has got the green light from Crystal Palace to close a deal for Christian Benteke.
      Allardyce is keen on the big Belgian striker despite landing Mbaye Diagne from Galatasaray on loan and is looking into a short-term move with Palace.

      Benteke has scored 26 goals in 130 appearances for PalaceCredit: Pinnacle Photo Agency

      Benteke, 30, is on around £120,000 a week at Selhurst Park, so even paying HALF his wages is expensive for the Baggies.
      Benteke has been told his chances of game-time are limited with the Eagles and any new contract would see him earn much less from next season.
      So Albion looks a better prospect for Benteke as it puts him in the shop window for the summer.
      Agents are also touting him round Italy and Turkey.

      Palace would save over £1million in wages which helps them as they prepare for huge changes at the end of the season. 
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      Vydra joined Burnley from Derby County in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      BURNLEY’S back-up hitman Matej Vydra is wanted by promotion hopefuls Watford and Bournemouth.
      The Czech Republic striker is struggling for a game under Sean Dyche but the Championship Hornets and Cherries have made approaches.

      Vydra, 28, fired Watford to promotion in 2015 and they are keen to bring him back on loan with a view to a full-time deal if they go up.
      Bournemouth want a similar transfer as they look for more goals to make a quick return to the top level.
      In their case they would have to move Josh King first.
      Burnley would sell Vydra for the right price and have turned down various swap suggestions from both parties as they plan to sign their own targets.
      However, Vydra as a buy and on good wages is a big gamble for Watford and Bournemouth who will have major cutbacks if they stay down.
      The Hornets plan to bounce back at the first attempt, while Bournemouth will lose some big earners in the summer when deals expire.
      So bringing in another one would wreck their budget if they fail.

      West Brom draws with Fulham meaning relegation-threatened sides share points More

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      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel reveals Marina Granovskaia left him in no doubt about how to keep his job

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      NEW manager Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia has left him under no illusions about how to keep his job.
      Frank Lampard is just the latest victim of the hire-and-fire policy that Granovskaia conducts for owner Roman Abramovich.

      Tuchel will be looking to lead Chelsea back to the top four in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Title-winning bosses like Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte have all received the same treatment and Tuchel said: “She told me very clearly that if you sign for Chelsea, you need to win trophies, definitely compete for trophies.
      “We can just admit it — on this level nobody steps into any competition to be second. Nobody.
      “There were even managers who won titles and got sacked. One is sitting right now in front of you. It happened to me around Christmas.
      “It’s like this in the end. What everyone is looking for is a nice guy, a hard guy, a trophy-winning guy . . . I don’t know . . . a good looking guy, a funny guy. That does not exist.

      “At some point I hope I am the guy who can be the characteristics for an era and for a certain period in this club.”
      But Chelsea do not really do eras and it is telling that Tuchel has been given only an 18-month contract.
      He admitted: “I want to be very honest with you. At first, it was a concern, a little bit like, ‘Oh, why 18 months?’.
      “And after one minute, I thought, ‘What does it change? If they are not happy with me, they will sack me anyway’.

      “But it’s also my character to believe more in the chances than in the risks. For me personally, there’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of.”
      But what about the notorious Stamford Bridge power games, the kind of competing agendas that Tuchel complained about just before he was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain on Christmas Eve?
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      Tuchel watched his Chelsea side draw 0-0 with Wolves in midweekCredit: AFP or Licensors
      The German has a reputation for not being good at managing upwards, yet will he have to be more of a politician at Chelsea?
      Tuchel said: “I hope not, because I am as far away from being a politician as being a maths teacher — because I was horrible at maths at school.
      “I’m a football coach and I have absolutely the feeling, 100 per cent, that they signed me as a football coach, in a football club.”
      We will see how long that lasts.
      Politically speaking, it would be wise for Tuchel the football coach to find a way to get a tune out of Kai Havertz, the struggling summer arrival who, in a £70million deal, is the second-most expensive signing of the lavish Abramovich reign.
      Tuchel said: “His potential is almost endless and it is the challenge for him — and I think he made a very, very brave choice.

      Tuchel managed the likes of Neymar to the Champions League final last season where they were beaten by Bayern MunichCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “I am a huge fan of Bayer Leverkusen. But you come from Leverkusen to Chelsea, the culture cannot be any more different.
      “You come from a club where it is maybe OK to be second best or third best, where you compete to reach the top four. Then you go to a club where they talk about trophies.
      “And if a club talks about winning trophies and titles so openly, there is a certain atmosphere. So it means that Kai steps not only to a different country, not only to a different club, not only to different team-mates — which in itself is all complicated and has different challenges.
      “But, no, he also steps into a different culture. In a dramatic way.
      “And I love it because he is out far, far from his comfort zone.”
      And Tuchel has a plan for Havertz, 21. The Blues head coach said: “What I feel and hear from him is that he is a very intelligent guy, very friendly guy, very open guy, with a lot of potential — and we will push him.
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      “And he seems to be like the guy who needs to be pushed. We will not stop doing it.
      “I think for him this league is perfect because he cannot rest.
      “He has so much potential that he needs to be challenged physically also, that it is not enough that he can rely on his endless talent.
      “You know in the end, for me the question is — and you see it in me — does he have this?”
      At this point, Tuchel snarled and made an aggressive gesture with his hands, before adding: “Can he show his teeth when it gets tough?”
      If Havertz cannot do that — and if Chelsea do not improve — then Tuchel will soon become the latest manager to be chewed up and spat out by Abramovich and Granovskaia.

      Lampard only received a measly £2million Chelsea pay-off as Abramovich’s compensation bill for sacked bosses hits £112m More

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      Prem clubs still have no idea if they will lose foreign stars to coronavirus isolation after World Cup qualifiers

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      WORRIED Premier League clubs are still in the dark over whether they will lose some foreign stars to ten days of quarantine.
      Fifa have yet to rule on whether England’s top flight can stop their South American and Portuguese players from taking part in March’s scheduled World Cup qualifiers.

      Liverpool could be without Brazilian stars Fabinho and Roberto FirminoCredit: AP:Associated Press

      While Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani could be missing for UnitedCredit: Getty – Pool

      New UK Covid-19 travel regulations mean anyone returning from ‘red list’ countries, including Portugal and those in South America, must spend ten days in isolation at an airport hotel.
      World football chiefs are set to hold talks with South American and Portuguese officials before deciding on whether to relax the rule on clubs’ releasing players.
      This was allowed last year following the start of the pandemic.
      Up to the end of 2020, Fifa amended their regulations to allow clubs to stop stars joining their countries for international games if “there is a mandatory period of quarantine or self-isolation of at least five days upon arrival in the location of the club”.

      But the world’s governing body is also worried about protecting the integrity of their showpiece competition, fearing it will be unfair on any nation which is denied their top players. Portugal play Luxembourg on the evening of March 30.
      The ten South American countries involved in qualifying also all play on that Tuesday, so some teams would not get their stars back until April 1.
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      That means the likes of Liverpool’s Brazil trio Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Fabinho, Manchester City’s Brazilians Ederson and Gabriel Jesus, plus Portuguese Bernardo Silva and his Manchester United countryman Bruno Fernandes, United’s Uruguayan Edinson Cavani and Brazilian Alex Telles, would all be forced to quarantine in hotel rooms.

      That would see any Premier League sides left in Europe without players for the first leg of their Champions League and Europa League ties.

      Man Utd boss Solskjaer says Edinson Cavani is an inspiration for Mason Greenwood More