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      in Soccer

      Barcelona reignite Lionel Messi war with Man City increasingly confident Argentina superstar still wants free transfer

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      MANCHESTER CITY are back in pole position for Lionel Messi after Barcelona reopened their rift with the superstar.
      The Spanish giants’ interim president Carles Tusquets claims they should have flogged the unhappy forward in the summer.

      Lionel Messi still wants to leave Barcelona after trying to force an exit last summerCredit: Reuters

      Barca’s stand-in chief has now admitted the club should have sold MessiCredit: Reuters

      And that could open the door for City to make another move for Messi, 33, in next month’s transfer window.
      SunSport understands Messi’s position has not changed since August when he tried to force his way out of the Nou Camp.
      None of the prospective candidates to take over as president in January’s elections have done anything to help smooth the path to him signing a new deal.
      And Tusquets has effectively heaped some of the blame on Messi for the club’s dire financial situation which forced them to agree to defer wages of the squad this season to save as much as £155million next month.

      Messi’s staggering £54MILLION-a-year wages are a huge pressure on Barca’s accounts and Tusquets says the club should have sold him at the start of the season when they had the chance.

      He said: “From an economic point of view, I would have sold Messi in the summer.
      “It would have been desirable for the money we would have received, and for what we would have saved.
      On the wage deferral, Tusquets added : “The agreement we currently have allows us to finish the season without cash flow problems. This season is saved.”

      Messi’s deal runs out at the end of June and Barca now face having to decide whether to sell him for a reduced fee in January to at least get something for him.
      It would also save them £27m in wages, a figure which would help go a long way to easing the pressures on their balance sheets.
      The Spanish giants announce losses of £88m in their annual accounts in October, and with the Coronavirus pandemic continuing to bite hard they are faced with having to sell players to reduce overheads.

      City have hardly hidden their admiration of Messi, who has been a long-standing target for the club.
      And with Pep Guardiola committing himself to another two years in charge at the Etihad it is thought that would be a major boost to their chances of tempting him to the Premier League.
      Juventus and Inter have also shown an interest, but realistically it is only City and PSG who could provide the sporting and financial ambition to be able to get a deal done.

      Neymar sensationally admits he wants to he wants a reunion with Lionel Messi next year More

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      in Soccer

      Sky Sports’ Chris Kamara tells The Sun he fears the chop after pals Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson were axed

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      FAVOURITE footie pundit Chris Kamara is one of our most unlikely pop stars.
      After his Here’s To Christmas album was a surprise Top Ten hit last year, the 62-year-old is back with a follow-up.

      And he has even won over his Sky Sports pals, including Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling and ex-colleagues Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson, who love to take the mick.

      Chris Kamara fears the chop after pundit pals Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson were axed
      In an exclusive chat, Chris says: “I told them that I was doing a Christmas album. I always remember, I was at a bar with Charlie, Thomo and Jeff and I played them Let It Snow.
      “And Charlie’s voice initially was about to go into a giggle, and then he started to listen to it and he went, ‘Flipping hell, it’s good’.”
      The success of the former player and manager — known to the football world as Kammy — has even led to suggestions he should follow 65-year-old pal Jeff’s lead and treat himself to a bit of Botox showbiz magic.

      Matt Le Tissier, 52, was given the boot in August
      But Anne, his wife of 38 years, is having none of it.
      Chris says: “My wife would kill me. She would absolutely go crazy if I even suggested it on my craggy old face. I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of that divot in the top of my head’ and she said, ‘Don’t you dare even think about that sort of stuff’. She loves me as I am.”
      Despite not following in Jeff’s footsteps, Kammy likes to pay tribute to him in one of his songs. He jokes: “Jeff’s a massive supporter of the album. He actually gets a mention on it. When we sing the Christmas song where it goes, ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’, I sing, ‘Jeff’s nuts roasting on an open fire’.”
      The former Brentford, Swindon and Leeds midfielder is known for his sense of humour and banter-filled punditry.

      ‘This is serious, serious music’
      But he and his songwriter pal Richard Scott, who has worked with Robbie Williams, agreed the music should be taken seriously as a singer.

      Former Liverpool hero Phil Thompson, 66, was also axed from the pundit panelCredit: Sky Sports
      Kammy said: “Before we put the first album out, everyone was thinking, ‘Oh, what’s it going to be like? Is it gonna be a mess? Just a bit of a jokey-type album’.
      “But Richard didn’t want to be involved in even me having a little play with Frosty The Snowman.
      “He went, ‘No, no, no, no, no, this music is serious. You can do it with a smile on your face, but you don’t joke. I don’t want to be part of an album that is a bit of a joke. This is serious, serious music’.
      “So I followed his path and so far, so good.”
      That album reached No8 in the charts and paved the way for a tour that was due to take place in November and December but was cancelled due to coronavirus.

      Chris with wife Anne who won’t let him get BotoxCredit: Alpha Press
      The new songs he recorded for those 21 gigs have now been put together into his new album titled  . . . And A Happy New Year.
      It includes a cover version of Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, featuring the band’s singer Roy Wood, 74.
      Kammy says: “I’m quite critical of people who do covers of iconic songs.
      “I said to Richard, ‘As it was a swing version and you know Roy Wood, would you play it to him once we put the vocals on it. And if he likes it, then let’s go for it’.
      “So Richard said, ‘Yeah, deal’.
      “He played Roy the song, he loved it and he said, ‘You’ve got my consent. Not only that, I’ll introduce Kammy at the top with those iconic lines, ‘OK, you lot take it away’, but he says, ‘OK Kammy, take it away’.
      “It’s just surreal. It really is. It’s like, flipping hell, pinch me, it is really happening.”
      The ten-track album, out today, includes two brand new songs, Mr Claus and Happy New Year, written for Kammy by Richard and Kelvin Andrews.
      Chris says: “I’m just so lucky. The arrangement of the music, I think it’s been done to suit my voice as well.

      After his Here’s To Christmas album was a surprise Top Ten hit last year, Kammy is back with a follow-upCredit: Rex Features
      “Richard knows my tone, knows what it’s about, knows the song that we should sing. And there’s nothing where I’ve got a screech a big, massive high note that takes me out of my comfort zone.”
      Unfortunately for Kammy, he will not be able to see some of his Sky Sports pals’ reactions the second time around as Sky rejigged its line-up in the summer — a move Chris admits shocked him.
      Stalwarts Phil Thompson, 66, Matt Le Tissier, 52, and Charlie Nicholas, 58, were given the boot in August as part of cost-cutting measures and to bring in a more diverse line-up.
      Former Bradford City and Stoke manager Kammy said: “I was absolutely devastated.
      “You just think, ‘Crikey’. Being honest, when I started working at Sky I could never see the end of Rodney Marsh, George Best, God bless his soul, Frank McLintock, Alan Moore, Clive Allen.

      Chris is worried that both himself and Jeff Stelling are not expendable and could also get the bootCredit: BackGrid
      “They had such good banter and you thought they were going to be there for ever. Then Sky made the change to bring in Charlie, Thomo, Le Tiss, so that acceptance that it had to be them this time around took me by surprise.
      “But I’d seen it before. I’m just fortunate I wasn’t on the end of it as well. The boys accepted it. We were hoping to all go out together this Christmas. But that’s not going to happen now because of Covid. We’ll get it sorted next year.
      “They’re great people, they’ve been fantastic to work with all the time. We certainly had a lot of banter together and a lot of camaraderie.”
      In their place came Sue Smith, 41, Clinton Morrison, 41, and Glen Johnson, 36.
      The silver lining for Kammy, who experienced racism during his 21-year playing career, is that he believes more diversity is definitely a good thing.
      He says: “To be honest, it has been overdue, but the problem that people have got with it is because it’s happening so quickly.
      ‘I’ve turned down Strictly and the jungle’
      “So that’s why people are not happy with it. It’s taken this long for it to happen and now it’s flooded in.

      Chris is following last year’s hit with a new record
      “Initially it’s a bedding down process. Eventually it will settle down and become an acceptance and Sky will find their level and the companies will find their level. People will find that level and they’ll go back to not normal, not like it went before, but normal as it is, as it should be going forward from now.”
      Kammy has been with Sky Sports for 22 years now, which he compares to Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s tenures at Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

      Me and Jeff, we’re not expendable, so we feel our time will come

      But he admits he and Jeff could be the next to get their marching orders.
      He says: “I could have went in the last one. Me and Jeff, we’re not expendable, so we feel our time will come. We are getting old as well.
      “These are young bloods coming through.
      “And there are people who think we were great a few years ago but probably think we’ve done our time now and let’s bring in the youngsters. But if it all ended tomorrow at Sky, I can honestly say that they have been fantastic to me.
      “To be with a company for 22 years, you don’t get a manager’s job 22 years unless you’re Sir Alex or Arsene Wenger.”

      Former Sky Sports pundits Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas Credit: Sky
      Kammy, who also co-presents ITV series Ninja Warrior UK, adds that he is so thankful for the loyalty Sky has shown him over the years that he has turned down annual offers to star in Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!.
      He says: “Football’s my life. The reason why I haven’t gone into the jungle or anything like that is because I couldn’t physically say to Sky, ‘Can you give me six weeks off from my job?’.
      “I’d hate to be in the jungle. I couldn’t do like Harry Redknapp a couple of years ago in Australia, and be away from it. But I suppose Harry’s not really tied to a company like I am.
      “I’m a loyal person. Sky have been loyal to me, so I should be to them. They gave me my chance 22 years ago.
      “I had football people who I knew at the time were doubting my credentials to be on the TV, and I understood that.
      “I understood that I didn’t have a glittering playing career.

      Kammy, who also co-presents ITV series Ninja Warrior UK, adds that he is so thankful for the loyalty Sky has shown him over the yearsCredit: Rex Features

      “So I understood how they felt. Certain players who got caps for their country or played to a higher level, I could see the envy in their faces and stuff like that.
      “Why should I be doing a job like that?
      “If social media had been around, then maybe I wouldn’t have survived.”

      Good Morning Britain in hysterics as Chris Kamara admits to not wearing any trousers during interview with Ben Shephard
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      in Boxing

      Daniel Dubois should watch greats like Muhammad Ali and Ken Buchanan to see why he is being dubbed a ‘quitter’

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      DANIEL DUBOIS must be distraught that his boxing brothers added insult to his eye injury by branding him a quitter. When Dubois dropped down on one knee, allowing the ref to count him out, he not only lost his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles to Joe Joyce, but the respect of many fellow pros. Carl […] More

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      in Boxing

      Joshua vs Pulev: AJ says small Wembley crowd is a positive and reminds him of amateur days before he sold out stadiums

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA is happy going Bak-u to the future and boxing in front of 1000 hushed fans instead of 90,000 beer-soaked revellers.
      AJ landed gold at the home 2012 Olympics – following low-profile tournaments in Baku, Azerbaijan and Hungary – which catapulted him into sold-out arena and stadium shows around the world.

      Triple-belt world champ Anthony Joshua will make a drastic step down from huge to humble when it comes to crowd size at Wembley on December 12Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Anthony Joshua fought in front of limited audiences as an amateur, such as in Baku nine years against Azerbaijan’s Magomedrasul Medzhidov Credit: Reuters

      Covid-19 floored an April homecoming defence against Kubrat Pulev and an £8million gate but the new Wembley Arena bout on December 12 will now let a few lucky fans in.
      And the 31-year-old reckons the drastic change in scenery and atmosphere might be a nice switch from the rowdy festival feel he has generated all over the country.
      “The last time I would have fought in front of a small crowd, I think it was Hungary in 2012. It was quite decent, you know. It is not bad. The pressure is off, you can get in your rhythm.

      “And I think I need that sometimes – I am under a lot of pressure. I am physically good but mentally you have to stay strong.

      “This year has been good to unload a lot of pressure and fighting in front of 1000 fans is not so bad. You have to take it as a positive and control what you can control.
      “A thousand fans are allowed in and I can’t add to it or take from it.
      “I am going to take it as a positive and say I am going to go in there and perform with no pressure and showcase the styles I have merged together, which is sticking and moving and aggression and knockout power.
      “When else would anyone get to watch a heavyweight world title fight with just 1000 people in the room?”

      Laughing over the Zoom call, he added: “It will be intimate and you won’t have to worry about your missus getting a pint of beer chucked over her head or 15 guys nearby getting into a fight.”

      Britain’s world heavyweight king Anthony Joshua says he will turn having just a small crowd to his advantage, taking the pressure offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Joshua also revealed he will accept a massive pay cut to get a showdown with Tyson Fury in the UK in 2021.
      Both AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Fury’s matchmaker Frank Warren have admitted the best financial offers will come from the Middle East, America and China.
      AJ, 31, reclaimed his titles from Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia last year, after the controversial nation stumped up around a £100m site fee and Fury has wrestled there with WWE.
      The financial terms on a two-fight deal to battle the Gypsy King was agreed by the Watford hero back in March and he insists he will take another hit in the wallet to reward UK fans.
      “Yeah, why not?” he said. “Now I’m fighting Kubrat Pulev for a massive pay cut.

      “We have to keep the sport alive, Matchroom are taking pay cuts this year, we have to keep the sport alive.
      “We are all doing our part at the minute, It’s all experience. We are doing it now so I wouldn’t mind doing it again.
      “It’s not harming me, and it’s for a bigger cause as well, it’s a massive cause and a big fight but the main objective is how do we get Fury in the ring.”

      Bob Arum says that Tyson Fury will fight Deontay Wilder next year if Anthony Joshua loses to Kubrat Pulev More

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is ‘biggest thing to happen to Cork since Roy Keane’, says his first ever manager

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      CAOIMHIN KELLEHER was the 30-goal-a-season striker tipped to become the next big thing in Irish football.
      Instead, Jurgen Klopp may have the next Manuel Neuer on his hands after the rookie goalkeeper became an instant Champions League sensation.

      Kelleher was terrific on his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 win over AjaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 22-year-old made his debut in the 1-0 Anfield win over Ajax, coming in as a replacement for injured Liverpool No 1 Alisson.
      And his first manager Eddie Harrington has insisted: “He’s the biggest thing to happen to Cork since Roy Keane.”
      Harrington coached Kelleher for nine years as a striker at Ringmahon Rangers in the Irish city — he left for the Kop outfit aged 16.
      Two years before his departure he was still his team’s star centre- forward and seemingly going places.

      But Ringmahon’s Under-14 keeper quit and Kelleher’s dad Ray suggested his son could fill in.
      They took a chance and a rise to stardom had begun — yet his success is no surprise to Harrington.
      He said: “Almost from the first moment, we all realised Caoimhin was a complete natural in goal.
      “When his dad suggested he go in goal I was against it, he’d get us 20, 30 goals a season no problem.

      Roy Keane was born in Cork and became a world star at Man UtdCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Klopp embraces Kelleher following his clean sheetCredit: PA:Press Association
      “So I was loathe to give him a try and actually, in his first game, we lost 1–0 and he got chipped.
      “But after that he just got better and better — and now look at him.”
      Kelleher, who made just four domestic cup appearances last season, has now graced club football’s biggest stage.
      It is hard to believe he conceded SEVEN for Liverpool U23s against Manchester City only on Saturday.
      But that does not matter a bit to Harrington, who added: “We always stay in touch. I am expecting a text from him any time now.
      “Everybody at Ringmahon is so proud of what he’s achieved — once he settled in goal we always believed he was destined for great things.”
      Ringmahon coach Rob O’Leary admits he was gobsmacked when Harrington stuck his star frontman between the sticks.
      He said: “Up front he was pure class and we all thought he’d make it as a pro.

      When his dad suggested he go in goal I was against it, he’d get us 20, 30 goals a season
      Eddie Harrington

      “So when he went in goal I was saying, ‘What in the name of God is he going in goal for?’
      “But I remember I went to see one of his games and, Jesus Christ, he was even better in goal than he was outfield.”
      Now ambitious Kelleher has set German superstar Neuer as his benchmark.
      And after his stunning display against Ajax on Tuesday, Kelleher said: “I’m over the moon. I’m working hard every day in training, preparing myself.
      “I’m always thinking if a chance does come, I’ll have to be ready for it.
      “That’s why I work every day and, thankfully, all that work did pay off.
      “I like Manuel Neuer, the way he plays football.
      “He is good with his feet, the same as me because I was outfield. I like coming off my line. I think you have to now. It’s become a part of the goalkeeper’s game.”
      Indeed, boss Klopp revealed he was happy to take a gamble on Kelleher as opposed to veteran No 2 Adrian, 33, against Ajax: “We needed his natural football playing ability.
      “And because he’s a really good shot-stopper as well, we made that decision. They are all calm in the moment when they get the information but there’s a difference to be that on the pitch.”
      Kelleher’s demeanour was that of a hardened pro. No surprise, again, to Harrington who said: “He’s still got a baby face, calm and innocent.

      “But there’s steel inside even if he may come across as being quiet.”
      Kelleher is not the only sportsman in his family. Brother Fiacre plays centre-half for National League side Wrexham and another sibling, Tim, is a scratch golfer, while third brother Olan was atop hurling junior.
      Yet it was the striker–turned-keeper who was truly destined for stardom.
      He spent time at Blackburn and Aston Villa and, long before he forged his way into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side, he might even have followed Keane from Cork to Old Trafford.
      Not only were Manchester United interested, but also Arsenal.
      Harrington added: “Once Liverpool came in that was it — decision made for him. And one day he’ll be No 1 at Anfield — I’m sure of it.”

      Referee Anderson Daronco works out pumping iron for bigger muscles More

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      in Soccer

      London-born PSV starlet Noni Madueke reveals coach Ruud van Nistelrooy is taking his game to the next level

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      RUUD VAN NISTELROOY was one of the most lethal finishers this country has ever seen.
      Now he is developing English goalscoring talent.

      Noni Madueke followed in fellow Londoner Jadon Sancho’s footsteps and left England for the continent as a teenagerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ruud van Nistelrooy is back at his former club PSV Eindhoven coaching the Under-19sCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The former Manchester United striker works as PSV Eindhoven’s Under-19s coach and has been teaching teenager Noni Madueke his secret to scoring goals.
      Inspired by Jadon Sancho at Dortmund, London-born Madueke ditched Tottenham for Holland in 2018 and it is paying off.
      The 18-year-old was renowned for eye-catching goals at Spurs but learning from Van Nistelrooy has honed his finishing. The gamble seems to have paid off.
      Madueke told SunSport: “Ruud helped me a lot last year, taking my game to the next level and now I am just trying to get better every day.

      “I have always scored nice goals but I know I needed to score easier ones — being in the right place at the right time — striker-type finishes.
      “Ruud has been teaching me how to get into those positions more and, being a Manchester United fan, I know he is the master of that.”
      It is already making a difference as whizkid Madueke has four league goals and three assists from only three starts in ten Eredivisie appearances.
      He also spearheaded a Europa League comeback with a goal and an assist in PSV’s 3-2 win against PAOK last week and is in line to feature at Granada tonight.

      Born in Barnet, north London, Madueke got picked up by Spurs age 12 and within three years was U16s captain and featuring for the U18s.
      But with Sancho beginning to flourish at Dortmund, Madueke saw another route into first team football which appealed to him.
      He turned down an extension at Spurs plus United offer and packed his bags, aged just 16.
      He added: “Jadon left to go to Dortmund and started making waves, literally within a year after joining as a 17-year-old.
      “It was an inspiration, I started to think — there are other routes I can take.
      “Not just the ready-made common route going from U18s, then to the U23s, then maybe a loan, then getting into the first team at Premier League clubs.
      “I thought to myself, ‘I do not have to take that route’ and obviously it has played out well for me.
      “Tottenham produce players but there are a lot of players who are very talented who get lost in that pathway.

      “PSV and Ajax are known to give youngsters a chance and are top European clubs. It just made sense for me.”
      As well as working with Van Nistelrooy, PSV summer signing and 2014 World Cup-winning goalscorer Mario Gotze has also been having an impact on him.
      Madueke added: “Mario is a top player and top players rub off on other good players. He has been great with me since signing.
      “Him being around, training with us and playing with us is definitely going to improve me.”
      Madueke has starred regularly for England’s youth teams, notably netting four in only six games for the U18s But he is also eligible for Nigeria through his parents.
      Nigeria have proved successful in prizing talent away from the Three Lions in the past with Joe Aribo and Alex Iwobi opting to play for the African nation.
      And Madueke is open to swapping, he said: “I am only 18 so I have got to be open to everything. If I had a closed mindset I would not be where I am now so for sure I am open to both.
      “We just have to see in the future what is best.”

      Van Nistelrooy was a clinical finisher and is passing on his bags of wisdom to the next generationCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Madueke is also learning off World Cup-winning goalscorer Mario Gotze at PSVCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Borussia Dortmund legend Mario Gotze joins PSV on free transfer as World Cup winner signs two-year contract More

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal form feels like ‘stab in the chest’, admits boss Arteta ahead of showdown with table-topping Tottenham

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      MIKEL ARTETA says that Arsenal’s miserable form this season has been like “a stab to the chest”.
      The Premier League’s youngest boss is under growing pressure to stop the Emirates rot after his team slipped to 14th place in the table.

      Emirates boss Mikel Arteta says it’s agonising to see Arsenal’s results and performances so dire, with leaders Spurs next up in the PremCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

      And he admits that recent results have come as a shock to the system ahead of Sunday’s crunch North London derby away to top-of-the=table Spurs.
      “When you lose three games in a row at home like we have done it’s like having a stab in your chest,” Arteta admitted.
      “It’s not acceptable and we have to change it and not look for any excuses because I hate to do that.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      “I am really worried with the results and with the margins that we are losing games by.
      “Sometimes it’s down to a lack of confidence in certain moments but we also need to concede that we’ve probably not hit our standards or scored the goals we need to win matches more consistently.”
      But Arteta, 39, warns impatient fans that there will be no quick fix the mounting problems following the team’s worst ever start to a Premier League season.
      Almost a year after taking over from Unai Emery, he says: “I expected us to be a bit higher up the table than we are, but this is our reality and we have to face up to that challenge.

      “Even when we were winning trophies earlier in the year, we were still a long, long way from what I wanted.
      “But now we’re losing and obviously we are even further away and I’m sorry but it’s going to take time.
      “With the love that I have for this club, the dream is to build a project, but it is not something you can achieve in one month or three months.

      It’s unfair that striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has ‘80% of the responsibility’ for scoring Arsenal’s goals, manager Mikel Arteta saysCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “We have spent a lot of energy and made some massive decisions. A lot of changes had to be made to overhaul the club while trying to remain competitive and all the while going through the pandemic.
      “It’s painful for everyone to lose games but the mood within the club remains very strong.
      “It’s easy when things are going well and everybody wants to be on the TV and on the back pages celebrating.
      “But unfortunately at the moment we’re not that good and we’ll see who responds to this difficult period and who doesn’t.”
      Arsenal have scored just ten Premier League goals all season and top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not netted from open play since the first game of the season.
      But Arteta insists: “To put almost 80 per cent of the scoring responsibility on one man is not fair.

      “The way the goals have been shared at this club has been quite limited and that’s an issue that has been happening for years.
      “We haven’t had any goals from midfield and that’s something that has to be addressed but it’s very difficult to change the qualities and characteristics of the players.
      “But if you lose those margins you start to lose points and you become further from the top. It’s not rocket science.”
      With qualification for the next stage of the Europa League already assured, Arteta is likely to rest his senior players tonight ahead of Sunday’s crucial game.
      Yet he is hoping that the return of 2,000 fans for tonight’s home game against Rapid Vienna will prove a turning point for the team.

      He said: “I’ve really missed the supporters. The good moments we have had over the past nine months would have been even more special if they were there with us.
      “They would have generated a connection with the team and we haven’t had an opportunity to do that.
      “So I can see only positives having them back in the stadium and I expect them to be very supportive because no team has stability and wins trophies when the fans go against them.”

      Jose Mourinho says that Harry Kane an injury doubt for Tottenham clash against Arsenal More

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      in Soccer

      Football fans will be back in stadiums by the end of the season — even without Covid-19 vaccine

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      FOOTBALL fans will pack out football stadiums by the end of the season even if the vaccine programme hasn’t been fully rolled out.
      Government insiders are confident of giving the all clear to packed terraces once the most vulnerable and elderly have been vaccinated against coronavirus.

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

      Football fans will be back in stadiums by the end of the season even without a Covid vaccineCredit: Getty – Contributor
      A Whitehall source told The Sun that fans will be allowed back after the initial vaccination phase, as long as hospital admissions and deaths fall.
      That could mean fans back in for the last few months of the season – with fans staggered back into grounds before then.
      The insider said: “It would hope to have a few more fans back in stadiums in the new year, so that people see fans back in the stands and that it is safe.

      “But when the figures show hospitalisations and deaths are down, fans will be back in pretty quick, even if not everyone has been vaccinated.” It comes as Lords – the home of Cricket – wrote to members last week telling them they expect July Test matches to be full houses.
      The Sun understands the Premier League is ready to hold pilot events with around 10,000 fans attending, to test technology, equipment and social distancing measures.
      But Ministers are so far holding off from increasing the current limits of 4,000 fans in Tier 1 and 2,000 in Tier 2 areas.
      West Ham’s clash against Manchester United on Saturday at the London Stadium will be the first to hold fans since the start of the pandemic.

      Last week, the Premier League said it welcomed the return of fans but was hopeful of getting more supporters on to terraces as soon as possible.
      In a statement they said: “Fans have been greatly missed at Premier League matches and therefore we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding the return of supporters for the first time since March, albeit at small numbers.
      “Our ambition remains to work with the Government to increase attendance to more substantial levels.”

      Football fans give their opinions on supporting their teams from the terraces again as they speak to Sun Sport outside the Emirates stadium
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