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      in Motorsport

      F1 may see races in Africa, insists new CEO Stefano Domenicali as sport looks to broaden horizons

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      FORMULA ONE could see new races in Africa according to new CEO Stefano Domenicali.
      The Italian revealed that the sport’s owners, Liberty Media, have been approached by interested parties looking to put on races in northern and South Africa.

      New chief Stefano Domenicali has confirmed F1 plans to expand the sportCredit: PA:Press Association

      World champ Lewis Hamilton has been given a month by Mercedes to agree a new deal, as F1 explores options for making the sport even more globalCredit: PA:Press Association

      Domenicali also revealed that F1 are still in negotiations over a race in Miami, with more races in the USA.
      He said: “There is a discussion in place with Miami, that is true.
      “I can tell you that our strategy for the future is to have more presence in the US with more than one GP.

      “Austin has been very important in the last years of our calendar and it will be for the future and we are discussing the renewal of the agreement with them.

      “Miami is a place we are looking at and there is big interest from both parties to be there and let’s work together to see if we can confirm that.
      “There are other areas that I can tell you have shown interest that is in northern Africa and South Africa.
      “This is something that’s very important I think in terms of having new places or old places with heritage back in Formula One.
      “We don’t have to forget that we had also lost some European races that now are showing the interest to be considered again.”

      F1 will again press ahead with their record-breaking 23-race calendar despite the pandemic.
      While the situation remains flexible and the Australian and Chinese GPs have been bumped from their original dates, Domenicali says he is confident that F1 will get their season completed.
      ‘RIGHT BALANCE’
      But he also admitted that with more interest in new races, there needs to be a limit.
      He added: “What is going to happen in the future is we need to decide what is the right balance in terms of the number of races.
      “What are the areas that we need to strategically invest – for teams, for the interests of broadcasters, for the interests of media, for sponsors’ interests – and decide what will be the right way to go.

      “We know that 23 races is at the top end of the scale of what we are doing today.
      “If we are doing a good product you may say that if the value is high you may reach the same kind of business without being too numerous in terms of races.
      “If you are able to make the right choices, I think that will be the way to go. It may not be in the shortest time but that is the target.”

      Flavio Briatore’s £18m yacht bought for bargain £6.6m by Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone More

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      in Soccer

      Ruben Dias is Vincent Kompany replacement Man City desperately needed, claims club legend Richard Dunne

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      RUBEN DIAS is the defensive leader Manchester City have craved to fill Vincent Kompany’s boots.
      And the Portuguese centre-back can help them finally smash the Anfield hoodoo which has haunted the club for the last four decades.

      Ruben Dias is the centre-half Manchester City have been crying out forCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That is the view of former Etihad captain Richard Dunne, who has been hugely impressed by the winning mentality Dias has brought to the club.
      The former Republic of Ireland international, 41, was in the line-up when City last triumphed at Liverpool, a 2-1 win under Kevin Keegan in May 2003.
      And he feels they have a great chance to put the record straight on Sunday, with £64.5million rock Dias at the heart of their defence.
      The former Benfica man, 23, has helped CIty keep 13 clean sheets out of the 19 Premier League games he has played.

      In other competitions there have been a further five shut-outs from seven starts.
      In fact, City have conceded only four goals in their last 20 games — and much of that has been down to Dias.

      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

      Vincent Kompany was never really replaced at City – until nowCredit: PA:Press Association

      Dunne said: “I feel like City have been crying out for a leader since Vincent Kompany left.
      “Even towards the end of his time at the club, when he didn’t play as often, you’d say it was a bit of a weak spot for City.

      “But Dias coming in has changed all that.
      “He’s the talker in that defence, the one who gets them organised, even though he’s younger than Aymeric Laporte and John Stones.”
      When City shipped five goals at home to Leicester in just their second game of the season, there were fears boss Pep Guardiola’s men were in decline.
      But Dias joined the following day and made it clear right from the start what he was all about.

      Richard Dunne has been hugely impressed with DiasCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      Dunne said: “I remember watching his first interview and he said he was a winner — and you can see that he is.
      “He’s made a huge impact on the team since he came in.
      “He seems to take great pleasure in clean sheets, he really celebrates them at the full-time whistle.
      “City’s defenders like to play out from the back but with Dias his first thought is to clear the ball. With him, they are not making errors any more.
      “Dias has also had a huge impact on John Stones, although he’s the type of player who can make anyone that plays alongside him look better.
      “They just look really strong defensively and they’ll be full of confidence for Sunday now.
      “I don’t think Dias and Virgil van Dijk are similar in terms of styles of play, but in terms of the impact they’ve made you could certainly compare them.”

      City know they will be in for a big test against the Reds, despite the indifferent recent form of the defending champions.
      But surely there will never be a better time to lay their Anfield hoodoo to rest, with no fans on the Kop and Jurgen Klopp’s men failing to score in their last three home matches.
      Amazingly, the victory Dunne enjoyed there in 2003 was the only one the club has managed in almost 40 years.
      The one before that was way back on Boxing Day 1981, when Asa Hartford, Kevin Reeves and Kevin Bond scored in a 3-1 win.
      Dunne said: “It’s mad that it’s been 18 years since City last won at Anfield considering everything they’ve achieved in the meantime.
      “I remember the game well, two goals from Nicolas Anelka, one of them late on, and Peter Schmeichel making a lot of saves.
      “City have given themselves a bit of breathing space with this winning run they’ve been on but you’ve got to say it’s a must-win game for Liverpool now.
      “This would be the perfect time for City to set the record straight and get that win.”

      Man City complete £64m Ruben Dias transfer More

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      in Soccer

      Harry Maguire says Man Utd winning Premier League title would silence rival fan taunts – but insists he enjoys the hate

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      HARRY MAGUIRE reckons lifting the Premier League for Manchester United will silence the haters.
      The second-placed Red Devils are chasing their first title since clinching their 20th league crown in 2013.

      Harry Maguire is dreaming of winning the Prem title and silencing United’s rivals

      Maguire helped United destroy Southampton 9-0 on TuesdayCredit: AFP

      Maguire knows United are either loved or hated across the country   following the glory years under Sir Alex Ferguson and says lifting his first trophy as captain will be all the sweeter.
      When asked by ex-United defender David May if he enjoys the fact everyone hates the club, Maguire said: “I enjoy it. I don’t mind it at all.
      “When I lift my first trophy at this club it will put a bigger smile on my face knowing there’s a lot of people not wanting us to do that.
      “We are the most talked about club in the world. A lot of people don’t want us to do well.

      “A lot of people want us to fail and that’s the world that we live in. I’m pretty used to it now.”
      United will go level on points with leaders Man City – who also have a game in hand – for 24 hours at least if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men beat Everton at home on Saturday night.
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      But Maguire, who cost £80million from Leicester in the summer of 2019, is demanding more from his team-mates to deliver silverware at Old Trafford.

      Maguire, 27,  told the Utd Podcast: “I’ve felt from the moment I walked into this club we have improved a lot.
      “Performance-wise is so important because you can get lucky in one, two, three games when your performances aren’t good and you scrape wins. But you are never going to last over a season.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      “You have to make sure performances look after themselves and give yourself an opportunity to go and win games over a period.
      “Keep improving but for sure, at this club we have got to win trophies.
      “We have to start competing in the league to win the title and then we have to start lifting trophies and winning the biggest competitions in the world and being involved in them. “

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s 9-0 win over Southamton More

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      in Soccer

      Harry Maguire reveals he was fined by Man Utd team-mate Nemanja Matic for using phone – despite being on fines committee

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      HARRY MAGUIRE has revealed how he was hit in the pocket by Manchester United’s own disciplinarian – Nemanja Matic.
      The Red Devils captain is joined by the experienced Serbian midfielder on the players’ fines committee at Old Trafford.

      Harry Maguire and Nemanja Matic are on the Man Utd fines committeeCredit: Rex Features

      And fines chief Matic, 32, decided Maguire was guilty of using his phone in a no go area at the club’s Carrington HQ which led to a pay-out, something the centre-back still disputes.
      Maguire told the official Utd Podcast: “I’ve been fined once which is still debatable. It’s crazy but I let Nemanja do it. I took the hit and put the money in the pot.
      “When you meet in the gym before training for pre-activation you are not allowed your phone. We did pre-activation, I didn’t have my phone. 
      “But then you go outside to put your boots on and you aren’t allowed to go on your phone in that period. I had my phone and carried it out with me.

      “I wasn’t on my phone because straight after training I was going to put my trainers back on and go up for a massage instead of coming all the way back. 
      “I could have gone straight to a massage and Nemanja fined me for that. He’s strict with everyone so I’m happy. I can set the standard.”
      Maguire and Matic keep it simple when it comes to the fining system for their team-mates.
      And by now, you would think United players would be used to getting penalties!

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      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
      The England defender, 27, added: “We have lates for training, meetings and travel. They are the three big ones.
      “We mainly have one set fine but double on match day. I just like to keep it simple. If you have too many fines it ends up too messy.
      “We have a good fining list this year. I don’t know who is top of it. They have been good. Everyone has been on time, everyone comes early.”
       “That’s the aim and aspirations of joining this club.”

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s 9-0 win over Southamton More

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      in Soccer

      Anthony Martial incident in Man Utd win shows simulation is creeping back into football despite VAR

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      I FEAR simulation is creeping back into the game – even with VAR in operation.
      Both referee Mike Dean and VAR official Graham Scott were deceived by Anthony Martial at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

      Anthony Martial’s controversial penalty shows simulation is creeping back despite VARCredit: AFP

      Manchester United forward Martial was already going to ground before there was minimal contact from Southampton’s Jan Bednarek.
      And that is the difference between Bednarek’s challenge and the one Arsenal’s David Luiz made from behind on Willian Jose to get sent off at Wolves.
      United should not have been awarded a penalty, never mind a red card for Bednarek. 
      It was a clear and obvious error from Dean.

      Even Martial admitted to Bednarek it wasn’t a foul so I fully expected Dean to view the monitor and overturn his original decision as it was a difficult one to call in real time.
      Martial’s act of simulation is the type of incident where you want VAR to be involved but Scott failed to help Dean out. 
      I believe Southampton will have a case to appeal the decision.
      Now match officials must be fully aware of forwards trying to initiate contact inside the penalty box.

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      That’s because simulation is a disease in the game that still needs eradicating.
      On another point, TV broadcasters get the chance to hear what the VAR is saying to the referee. 
      The time has come for all to hear the conversations between the two like we do in rugby union and cricket.

      Man Utd’s Anthony Martial admitted penalty was NOT a foul, claims Jan Bednarek after controversial red card More

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      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho tells Thomas Tuchel being Chelsea boss isn’t hard despite being sacked twice by Blues

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      JOSE MOURINHO believes that managing Chelsea is not a difficult job  — despite being sacked by them twice.
      The Special One welcomes his former club and their new boss Thomas Tuchel to Tottenham for a London derby on Thursday.

      Jose Mourinho has claimed managing Chelsea is not hardCredit: EPA

      Thomas Tuchel is expected to emulate his PSG success at Stamford BridgeCredit: PA:Press Association

      It will be Tuchel’s first away match since he replaced the axed Frank Lampard last month.
      Mourinho won two successive Premier League titles in his first spell at Chelsea after coming to England in 2004.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
      He then won another in 2014-15 on his return to Stamford Bridge for a second stint.

      Now at Spurs, he knows exactly what lies in store for new-boy Tuchel.
      He said: “I don’t think it’s very difficult to coach at Chelsea because I was champion there three times, Carlo Ancelotti was champion, Antonio Conte was champion.
      “Who else? It cannot be very, very difficult because we win titles there.
      “I believe Chelsea always has great players and great squads and good coaches are happy to work with these clubs and with players that give you a very good opportunity to be successful and to win titles.

      “Of course a coach needs time and needs stability and it is a very good thing to feel stability.
      “I’m not saying stability helps you sleep, I’m saying that stability gives you a different way of thinking and you are not just thinking about today, you are also thinking about tomorrow, you are also thinking about the future.
      “That’s the way it is. It is Mr Abramovich’s club and you have to understand that it’s up to him to make his decisions. In my case, I was there in two different periods and I was champion in two different periods.
      “I’m very happy to have been there before and to have that opportunity.”

      I don’t think it’s very difficult to coach at Chelsea because I was champion there three times, Carlo Ancelotti was champion, Antonio Conte was champion
      Jose Mourinho

      Mourinho conceded the Premier League landscape is different to when he first rocked up at the Bridge 16½ years ago.
      But he hinted Tuchel may find the competitiveness of the English top tier tough — having been managing all- conquering Paris Saint-Germain in France since 2018.
      Mourinho, 58, said: “When I arrived the first time, the big challenge was Chelsea plus two other big teams — Arsenal, the champions without defeat, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
      “Chelsea were trying to transform a club with incredible potential economically into a Premier League winner.
      “But after that there was a significant space between the potential of these three clubs and the others.
      “But it wasn’t a big difference for me because in Portugal it was quite similar in that aspect.
      “The quality was not comparable but I was coming from Portugal in a situation where three big clubs are fighting and then a big gap to the rest. The Premier League was that.

      Mourinho won three Premier League titles in two spells with the BluesCredit: Reuters
      “At the time it was a very British Premier League in terms of the style of players and teams but you could focus the fight on three clubs and then there was a gap to the others.
      “At this moment that gap of three is still there but now there’s Manchester City and Liverpool but after that there’s no gaps.
      “The differences are much, much smaller.
      “Teams that are fighting for relegation are teams with quality, teams that can beat you.
      “But I think overall the competitiveness of the Premier League is not stopping. It’s incredible.”
      Tottenham will again be without the injured Harry Kane, Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli — but Serge Aurier returns after being axed for Sunday’s shock 1-0  loss at Brighton.

      On-loan Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale made only his second Prem start at the Amex but Mourinho admitted he cannot afford to give the Wales superstar a run of games to allow him to play his way back to his best.
      He said: “I cannot do it. In high-level football it is very difficult to do it, especially in a competition like the Premier League, where the level is so high that it’s very, very difficult to do it.
      “But I just want to say that in my opinion it was the team that didn’t have a good performance at Brighton, not Gareth individually.”

      Tottenham boss Mourinho says he feels sorry for his former player Frank Lampard after Chelsea sacking More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel reveals he’s out to take ‘world-class’ Jose Mourinho’s scalp in Tottenham showdown

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      THOMAS TUCHEL will make one giant leap for ‘manager-kind’ when he faces Jose Mourinho for the first time tonight.
      Chelsea’s new German coach has come a long way from his days at Mainz 05 to compete against one of the world’s best across a dugout at Tottenham.

      Thomas Tuchel had plenty of generous words for his counterpart MourinhoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Tuchel said: “When I started my career he was so far away, like the Moon from the Earth. He could not be a role model at all.
      “He is one of the best managers in the world. He creates a squad in Tottenham that is always very competitive, very strong. That will be the challenge.
      “Jose is a winner and I want to implement the same in my teams.
      “It’s very clear what he stands for. He builds competitive teams, he builds strong teams. He has built a Tottenham squad with characters like Sissoko and Hojbjerg who support the defence, super-competitive, disciplined hard-working guys.

      “Up front normally it’s Son, Harry Kane, Bergwijn, Lamela, they have outstanding quality and speed.
      “I have the biggest respect for him because he is building teams on the highest level to compete and win game after game. That’s what he’s doing at Tottenham.
      “We’re doing it in our style with our beliefs. Everything is allowed.
      There are many ways to succeed. He has had an outstanding career as a world-class coach and we are here to beat him, this is the challenge we are up for.”

      Spurs have lost their last two gamesCredit: AFP

      Mourinho has wasted no time trying to unsettle Tuchel, whose temper led to rifts at previous club Paris Saint-Germain.
      First Mourinho claimed it is easy to run mega-rich PSG because the French title is pretty much handed to them every season.
      Tuchel stopped short of admitting it’s a doddle in France.
      But he did admit: “I absolutely agree. The culture and approach to football is totally different.
      “It was a big challenge for me to adapt in a foreign league to a capital club in Paris, to a new language, to the club culture from Dortmund. And now again, this is a challenge for me and this is absolutely what I wanted to experience.
      “Jose’s right, it is a big difference. It’s not a matter of what is better or what is worse it’s just if it fits and right now this fits perfectly for me. I feel absolutely comfortable.
      “It’s Tottenham v Chelsea and not me against Jose. I’m very happy to compete with a strong team against his side, I’m very happy to arrive with a squad with our quality, our mentality, with the atmosphere that we are in right now.”

      I also will prefer a gin and tonic and not a beer if we win against Tottenham
      Thomas Tuchel

      Tuchel is virtually teetotal but revealed he will toast victory on Thursday night with a tipple and a bowl of pasta.
      He said: “I try to be vegetarian but if I have good pasta with bolognese I forget that. I also will prefer a gin and tonic and not a beer if we win against Tottenham. I am not a beer guy, not a wine guy. My alcohol consumption is close to zero but we can celebrate.”
      Chelsea will make late checks on forward Kai Havertz and defender Kurt Zouma after both ended training early yesterday.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Premier League clubs pay tribute to Captain Tom Moore after coronavirus hero tragically passed away aged 100 More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd and Liverpool face grilling over their role in breakaway European Super League plans

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      BOTH Liverpool and Manchester United face a virtual grilling on Thursday over alleged involvement in plans for a breakaway European Super League.
      LaLiga chief Javier Tebas’ claims that United owner Joel Glazer and Anfield’s John Henry have been colluding with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Fifa boss Gianni Infantino have struck a chord with Prem rivals.

      Spanish top-flight supremo Javier Tebas claimed Man Utd and Liverpool plotted with Fifa President Gianni Infantino over a new league

      Glazer is not expected to attend today’s virtual meeting of the 20 shareholder clubs, leaving United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in the line of fire.
      Woodward has maintained he is working with Uefa to help formulate the future shape of European football.
      The United boss is part of a committee, which has been convened by Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin to design the new model.
      Prem clubs, especially those outside the Big Six who risk being locked out of the breakaway closed-shop elite, accuse the North-West giants of playing both sides.

      Plans for a formal launch of the Super League concept, worth an initial £3.5billion between the 15 “founder clubs”, have been put on hold amid issues over the structure of the proposed competition.
      But the divisive issue, along with big questions for League chief Richard Masters over the pace of a “Strategic Review” into the Prem’s future, will dominate the meeting.
      FRENCH FARCE
      FRENCH football is facing a financial crisis after Ligue 1 chiefs failed to find a big enough bidder for TV rights.
      Ligue 1 attracted bids from Amazon, Discovery and DAZN for live rights to 80 per cent of games after original bid winner Mediapro was stripped of them in December.

      Mediapro had promised £717million a year — but the deal was scrapped as the money did not appear.
      But all new bids were rejected as they failed to meet the bottom line, leaving clubs looking at a financial black hole.
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      Simon Jordan says the Glazers are at fault for the problems at Man Utd More