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      Premier League clubs set for PPV U-turn as country enters second coronavirus lockdown

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are poised to make a pay-per-view U-turn — because of lockdown.
      They have been under pressure to make a decision on what to do with the games not being shown on Sky or BT after the international break.

      Premier League games could be broadcast for free again this monthCredit: AFP and licensors

      The top flight had been veering towards cutting the controversial £14.95-a-game charge to either £9.95 or £7.50.
      But with the country now under lockdown until December 2, Prem bosses are set to suggest the best option would be a short-term return to the Project Restart situation, where all matches were available to fans.
      Leicester were the only side to vote against PPV last month but other clubs have now changed their minds following a fan-led backlash.
      Under league rules, any decision must be agreed by at least 14 clubs.

      But there remain a number of teams, including some of the Big Six, who argue that £14.95 is more than reasonable for a “premium product”.
      A final decision is not expected today, as any agreement must be squared with broadcasters.

      During the end to the 2019-20 season in June and July, matches were shown on Sky, BT, the BBC and Amazon Prime.
      Sky and BT in particular felt that diminished the value of their current deal, which is worth more than £1.7billon per season.

      A similar scenario could see clubs hit with a demand for a further repayment on top of the £340million cost of last term’s Covid-19 chaos.

      Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes More

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      Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden set for England recall after being axed over Iceland hotel shame

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      DANNY INGS will have a knee operation today – opening the door for Mason Greenwood to return to the England squad.
      Boss Gareth Southgate names his squad today for the latest international triple-header, which starts with a home friendly against Ireland next Thursday.

      Mason Greenwood is set for an England recall after Danny Ings’ injuryCredit: Rex Features

      Phil Foden will also return to the squad after he and Greenwood broke lockdown rules in Iceland in SeptemberCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Southampton striker Ings is out for at least a month after picking up the injury against Aston Villa.
      This means Manchester United forward Greenwood, dropped for the last England squad after breaking lockdown rules in Iceland, is set to find a way back into the reckoning.
      Greenwood and Phil Foden were hauled over the coals after inviting two women into the team hotel in Reykjavik in September.
      Furious Southgate axed them both for last month’s matches against Wales, Belgium and Denmark and admitted they had to earn their way back into his thoughts.

      Manchester City midfielder Foden, who has made seven starts for Pep Guardiola at City this season, has always looked certain to be back for the Ireland match.
      This friendly is followed by a Nations League trip to Belgium on November 15 and hosting Iceland three days later.
      Greenwood’s replacement in the last England squad, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, scored in the 3-0 win over Wales and has been in good form for Everton.
      There is no way he will be dropped by Southgate.

      Danny Ings’ injury has opened the door for Greenwood to returnCredit: Andy Hooper/NMC Pool

      But Ings’ absence has freed up a space, even though Southgate plans to name an enlarged squad.
      Southgate’s biggest dilemma is whether to include Reece James.
      The Chelsea full-back will miss the two Nations League games after being sent off for dissent at the end of the 1-0 loss to Denmark.
      That means he will only be available to face Ireland.
      Instead, Southgate could decide to call up Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey or Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
      The latter’s United team-mate Luke Shaw is also in the frame.

      Tariq Lamptey could be set for a call-up with Reece James suspended for the two Nations League gamesCredit: AFP
      As for Ings, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted he was worried.
      He said: “At the moment it looks like he is out for four to six weeks.
      “It could be worse but he’s out and it’s sure not good news for us.
      “The scan was not too bad, it showed a little issue with his meniscus. It could be an older injury or a new one.
      “We started running yesterday, a little bit of jogging on the pitch and the knee was then a little bit swollen afterwards and he had pain.
      “It was definitely a situation where we immediately stopped so that it doesn’t get worse.
      “We decided to go for surgery because it’s the safest way to have a four to six-week break only.”

      Fuming Gareth Southgate ‘barged into Icelandic beauties’ hotel room in frantic search for Foden and Greenwood’ More

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      Mikel Arteta defends Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after Roy Keane accused Arsenal star of lacking ‘respect’ for boss

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      MIKEL ARTETA doesn’t want Roy Keane to take offence on his behalf because he’s quite happy with his players calling him by his name.
      Professional grouch Keane ripped into Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for referring to Arteta as ‘Mikel’ during a post-match interview on Sunday.

      Gunners boss Mikel Arteta enjoys a strong relationship with Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick AubameyangCredit: EPA

      Roy Keane accused Aubameyang of being ‘disrespectful’ Credit: AFP or licensors

      ⚠️ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      The former Manchester United star moaned: “He didn’t show respect when he called him Mikel. He’s not his mate. He’s the manager, the boss, the gaffer. That’s respect.”
      But the laid-back Arsenal boss isn’t losing any sleep over the perceived slight ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Molde.

      He said: “I was told that Roy had mentioned this and I understand why he is saying that as a player, but I have given the players the choice to call me whatever they feel comfortable with.
      “The French guys call me coach and there are other people at the training ground who call me boss. It’s not an issue for me. I don’t feel disrespected.”
      But Arteta, the youngest manager in the Premier League, admitted that he did worry about having to distance himself from the dressing-room when he was appointed by Arsenal last December.
      It was only four years ago that the 38-year-old Spaniard was still playing alongside the likes of current Arsenal players Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Callum Chambers and Mesut Ozil.

      He explained: “I shared a dressing-room with some of them and it was something that I was a bit concerned about before I joined.
      “But that’s not something that has to come from just me. It’s something both parties have to understand, respect and go about the relationship in the same way.

      Aubameyang fired Arsenal to victory at Old Trafford on SundayCredit: Reuters

      “To be fair to the players, they have made it really easy for me in that sense and I feel so close with them.
      “And the feelings I have them for won’t change whether I am on one side of the dressing-room door or the other, because we are all part of the same thing.
      “But it’s not something that has been difficult to manage.”
      Sunday’s breakthrough 1-0 win at Old Trafford has helped to convince the players that he is moving the club in the right direction.
      And victory against last year’s Norwegian Champions will leave Arsenal as good as though to the Europa League knock-out stages with three group games still remaining.
      The match will give another opportunity to shine for young midfielder Joe Willock, who was Man of the Match against Dundalk last week but didn’t even make the squad for Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford.
      He admitted: “Of course that was frustrating because I want to play and I’m not here to sit on the sidelines.
      “But everyone is fighting for a place and I know there are going to be times when I’m not in the squad so I need to stay level-headed.

      We have so much respect for the manager. What he’s done over the 11 months he’s been here is mind-blowing
      Joe Willock

      “I’m 21-years-old and playing for the team I’ve supported all my life, so I’m just trying to give questions to the boss every time I play, to knock on the door with my performances.
      “We have so much respect for the manager. What he’s done over the 11 months he’s been here is mind-blowing and we can only take our hats off to him.
      “So I’m just trying to work hard and I look at Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Bukayo Saka in the England squad and understand what an amazing achievement that is. 
      “They are very dear friends of mine and we grew up in the academy together, so now I think that if they can do it then I can do it as well. 
      “That’s my aim, to play for my country and shine.”

      Man Utd legend Roy Keane slams Edinson Cavani’s work ethic and questions whether he even warmed up vs Arsenal More

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      Neal Maupay back in contention for Brighton after ‘crossing line’ in ‘bust-up with team-mate’ during West Brom draw

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      GRAHAM POTTER admitted it wasn’t Neal Maupay’s “finest hour” after the Frenchman was reportedly involved in a bust-up with a team-mate.
      The 24-year-old was axed for the Seagulls’ 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday after an alleged dressing room spat after the 1-1 draw with West Brom.

      Neal Maupay was dropped for the clash with SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Graham Potter admitted his striker’s bust-up with a team-mateCredit: PA:Press Association

      Maupay missed two good chances in the first half against the Baggies, in what was a frustrating overall performance which saw tempers flare after the final whistle.
      Potter has confirmed that the forward is back in contention for the Seagulls’ clash with bottom of the table Burnley on Friday evening.
      He said: “Sometimes you have to make decisions that are right for the group.
      “Sometimes mistakes are made and tempers are high, people are frustrated and emotional and you sort of want that really to a certain extent.

      “We’re in professional sport at the highest level, and sometimes the line gets crossed and it’s about then how you react to that.
      “There’s no problem with Neal. It’s something that we’ve dealt with as an incident and we sort of moved forward from it. He’s been training with the group.
      “He accepts that it wasn’t his finest hour, but he’s a young man that’s going to make mistakes, like we all do and have done.
      “He then takes responsibility for them and we move forward as a group and we’re stronger for it.”

      Frenchman Maupay has impressed since moving to Brighton, scoring 14 goals in 45 games for the clubCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Losing the former Brentford ace for a game was a major blow to the Seagulls given that he was the club’s top-scorer last-season.
      He leads the way again this term, having found the net four times, taking his overall tally to 14 goals in 45 appearances since his £16 million switch from the Bees in August last year.
      Potter added: “It would be nice if we could just sit here and everything is rosy and good, but that’s not my job, that’s not what I’m here for.
      “My job is to try to make the right decisions for the team for the club,
      “And for the individuals involved to do them with the best intentions to try to help people improve and help people get better.
      “He wants to get back on the training pitch and perform as best as he can and show his qualities which he has done.”

      Danny Welbeck turns down huge £140,000-a-week deal at Turkish Super Lig club to seal free transfer with Brighton More

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      Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani prepared for Marcelo Bielsa exit in summer after manager turned them into ‘proper club’

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      LEEDS owner Andrea Radrizzani will NOT worry if Marcelo Bielsa leaves next summer.
      The Argentine’s contract is up at the end of the season, with the Elland Road boss only signing for a year at a time.

      Marcelo Bielsa’s contract expires at the end of the season – and Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is prepared if he leavesCredit: PA:Press Association

      But while confident he is not going anywhere, Radrizzani insists Leeds can thrive without Bielsa because of the club’s transformation under him.
      The Italian said: “I hope he can stay with us for a long time. But we like to decide year by year because, obviously, he’s not a young manager, he’s 65 and his family, his wife is often in Argentina.
      “Hopefully, he can stay longer — 60 is the new 40 these days!
      “If not, I think what he’s building is the foundation for a proper club.

      “He has put in the foundations for the future without him.
      “I say that really convinced of his job, because it’s not only what you can see every game but what he has done in terms of changing the facilities, the work ethic — they really reflect what I wanted to do in the club.”
      Bielsa is idolised in Leeds having led them back to the top flight for the first time in 16 years at the second time  of asking.
      Director of football Victor Orta recommended ‘El Loco’ in 2018 after the Yorkshiremen finished 13th in the Championship under Paul Heckingbottom.

      And Radrizzani told beIN SPORTS: “It was a discussion in the car with Victor.
      “It was a difficult season so I wanted to have a leader, a charismatic coach who could change the culture.
      “Victor said ‘I think  Marcelo Bielsa would be amazing, but it’s impossible’ . . . when someone says something is impossible I want it more.
      “So I said ‘Call him now’. And then he didn’t pick up but Victor left him a message.
      “By the time he spoke to him the next day, Marcelo had already watched ten games, already knew the players.
      “Then we flew to Buenos Aires and we spent ten hours in a room learning from him, while he was already clear in his mind what to do and change.”
      On his relationship with Bielsa, Radrizzani, 46, joked the key is not spending too much time together.

      Andrea Radrizzani reckons Leeds can thrive without Bielsa but hopes the tactician remainsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      He said: “It’s good. I think maybe because we don’t meet every day! He is fully immersed, so I need to give him comfort.
      “We’re happy and working very well. I learn a lot from him and at the same time, I try to give him support.”
      Leeds’ flying start was checked by Monday’s 4-1  hammering at Elland Road by Leicester.
      And Radrizzani, who took full ownership from Massimo Cellino in May 2017, told fans  that survival is the name of the game.
      He added: “We need to focus for the next couple of years to stay in the Premier League.
      “We all know this club is massive, this brand is well known everywhere, so if we stay in the league we can aim to stay just next to the top six.
      “Leeds have potential to grow over the next three to five years.”

      Leeds United fans in rowdy celebrations More

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      England World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst pays tribute to lifelong friend Sir Bobby Charlton after dementia diagnosis

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      ENGLAND World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst has paid tribute to lifelong friend Sir Bobby Charlton following his shock dementia diagnosis, as well as late teammate Nobby Stiles.
      The sporting icon opened up after 48 hours of tragedy for the triumphant 1966 squad following Nobby’s passing from prostate cancer and dementia on Friday, aged 78, and Sir Bobby’s brave revelation on Sunday.

      Sir Geoff Hurst, left, pictured with the late England goalkeeper Gordon BanksCredit: Paul Tonge – The Sun

      Sir Bobby Charlton with his wife Lady Norma, who revealed the England icon’s dementia diagnosis Credit: Getty – Contributor

      Speaking for the first time about Sir Bobby’s health battle, Sir Geoff, who works closely with the Alzheimer’s Society, told The Sun: “Dementia is a cause that is very close to my heart having seen it affect my 1966 World Cup-winning teammates.
      “I was deeply saddened by the recent passing of Nobby and the announcement that Sir Bobby, has been diagnosed with the condition. I played with Nobby for England under 17s and under 23s as well as the national team so we go back a long way.
      “I’m also sending my thoughts and best wishes to Sir Bobby and his wife Lady Norma and want to thank them for shining a spotlight on dementia, so that other families don’t feel alone during this difficult time.
      “The England team of 1966 had a special relationship that will always remain special because of what we achieved as a group of people. That was down to our camaraderie and I hope that people across the country will embrace that team spirit and come out in force to unite against dementia.”

      Nobby Stiles passed away after suffering from prostate cancer and dementia on Friday, aged 78Credit: Getty – Contributor
      In a sad twist of fate, Sir Geoff, 78, recalled that one of his final meetings with Nobby, who played every minute of England’s 1966 campaign and was made in MBE in 2000, was at the funeral of their teammate Martin Peters, who died in December 2019 aged 76 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
      He said: “I think the last time we were in touch was sadly at Martin’s funeral where his wife Kay was there and his son, so we spent a fair bit of time with them afterwards having a glass of wine. It’s tough losing these players. I know it’s been very difficult for his family.”
      In July, Sir Geoff, 78, told The Sun of his wish for Sir Bobby’s older brother Jack, who lost a battle with dementia and lymphoma in July, aged 85, to receive a posthumous knighthood.
      He said: “You couldn’t get a better character to be put forward with his warmth, character not to mention the success he achieved on the pitch.

      England captain Bobby Moore holds aloft the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy as he sits on the shoulders of his teammates, from left to right: Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Gordon Banks (behind), Alan Ball, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore, Ray Wilson, George Cohen and Bobby CharltonCredit: Popperfoto – Getty
      “You could argue that all the team should be knighted.”
      A fifth member of the 1966 World Cup squad, Ray Wilson, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s prior to his death in May 2018.
      Kate Lee, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society said: “We send our heartfelt thoughts and best wishes to Sir Bobby Charlton and his family following the announcement that Sir Bobby is living with dementia, which can be such a devastating condition for so many.

      “Their bravery in speaking out helps so much to shine further light on the condition, for which we are hugely thankful.
      “The team of ’66 will never be forgotten – sadly it’s now for another reason as well, but we hope that this can be put to good use in highlighting the help that is out there.”
      Sir Geoff is supporting Alzheimer’s Society’s Christmas appeal, which aims to raise funds for the UK’s 850,000 dementia patients who are suffering from the isolating effects of Covid, in tribute to his teammates. 
      Donate to Alzheimer’s Society’s Christmas Appeal at alzheimers.org.uk. For information and support about dementia you can call Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Connect Support Line or visit their website.

      Sir Geoff Hurst makes surprise call to football superfan with dementia
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      Government and Premier League left EFL for dead but now Rick Parry has chance to show real leadership

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      THE darkest hour is just before the dawn.
      With winter nights, a national lockdown and the future of the oldest league in the world in doubt, the EFL are at crisis point.

      Rick Parry is leading the EFL through a vital period in its historyCredit: Reuters

      This has been created by the Government’s refusal to allow crowds back into stadiums and the unwillingness to provide any state aid to replace the loss of club’s biggest revenue stream — the fans.
      It was then compounded by the Premier League’s reluctance to bail out clubs down the pyramid without big conditions attached.
      We’ve had players refusing pay cuts and the PFA calling salary caps in League One and Two unenforceable and unlawful.
      Meanwhile, broadcasters are ridiculously getting rebates of TV monies, when TV is the only place live football can be seen.

      Despite these incredibly bleak times, the opportunity remains for real leadership.
      Rick Parry the Football League chairman, has the potential to pull the proverbial phoenix from the flame.
      Project Big Picture has actually started a long overdue conversation. When he was in the Premier League, Parry proposed a 20 per cent distribution of money.
      Now, through skill and chance, he’s managed to be offered 25 per cent of revenues being distributed into the EFL, alongside governance on sustainability and salvation.

      Irony pervades that poacher-turned-gamekeeper Parry, who brought in parachute payments for relegated Prem teams, now describes them as “an evil” needing to be eradicated.
      The EFL bailout has taken too long, been badly handled and mismanaged.
      Not securing decent levels of short-term funding is unforgivable.
      The EFL have never valued themselves properly.
      They have allowed the Prem to disappear over the horizon, while dripping down the toxic mix of inflated salaries and over-zealous ambitions to join their ranks.
      Granted it is difficult but the framework of the league is ridiculous and their outlook often warped.

      In 2002 when ITV Digital collapsed and nearly destroyed the EFL, what was the solution suggested for the league’s own incompetence of not getting parent company guarantees for money? March on Parliament!
      In 2008 when the banking system collapsed, rules stated the only banking facilities available to EFL clubs were the High Street ‘big four’ banks. Due to the “banking crisis” they were closed for business.
      I had to convince the then chairman that 72 clubs should focus on changing the rules to allow third-party funders to help.
      The EFL were recently offered £290million for 20 per cent of their media rights by private equity firm TPG.
      That meant the whole thing was valued at £1.5BILLION. The 20 per cent revenue, if put into a floated business, would be worth at least a billion on its own.
      Now Parry has the chance to fix the problem of these leagues being undervalued. On paper, he has the credentials.

      Raising £400m and creating a framework for a better-funded and managed EFL is well within grasp.

      He must be saying we can do that on our own and achieve maximum value for the EFL, without handing that all away to private equity firms.
      Valuations were before new distributions of football money was mooted.
      Now they are three times greater, so raising £400m to bail out short-term problems and creating a framework for a better-funded and managed EFL is well within his grasp.
      So, cometh the hour cometh the man. In Rick we trust?
      Listen to Simon Jordan and Jim White on talkSPORT at 10am Monday to Thursday.

      Ally McCoist can’t believe that Premier League clubs won’t financially help EFL clubs More

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      Harry Maguire not thinking of Mykonos nightmare as he jets abroad for first time since with Man Utd to face Basaksehir

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      HARRY MAGUIRE flew out for his first overseas trip since his mid-summer brush with the law, insisting that unfortunate incident would not play on his mind.
      The Manchester United skipper was initially found guilty of aggravated assault and attempted bribery of a police officer following a nightclub bust-up in August, while he was on holiday in Mykonos.

      Harry Maguire has headed abroad for Man Utd’s Champions League game with Istanbul BasaksehirCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It marks the first time Maguire has left the country since his nightmare holiday in MykonosCredit: INTIME NEWS

      He was handed a 21 months suspended prison sentence, although his conviction was later “nullified” by the Greek courts, meaning he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty as he awaits a date for a full retrial.
      But it cost Maguire a place in the England team that played Iceland away at the beginning of September.
      And after missing the opening Champions League match against Paris St Germain through injury, he had not left the UK since that ill-fated holiday before flying to Istanbul for tonight’s clash with Basaksehir.

      Mykonos is one of the Greek islands closest to Turkey. So Maguire could have been forgiven for letting his thoughts wander back to those unsavoury events

      But he insisted: “My mind is fully focused on football. I had a difficult period in the summer but now I am fully focused.
      “I come into training each day, work as hard as I can and focus on each game as it comes. I can only say that I’m still fully focused in improving and taking this club forward.”
      Maguire was savagely trolled on social media over the incident, but said that had not affected him either.
      The £85million defender replied: “Don’t go on it. Don’t read it.”

      Victory tonight would be United’s third Champions League win in a row after their impressive 2-0 win in Paris was followed by a 5-0 demolition job on a highly-rated Leipzig outfit at Old Trafford.
      Another three points would virtually secure a place in the last 16.
      But United’s Premier League form has been so erratic that another win is far from certain, even though Basaksehir have struggled to find the form that made them Turkish champions last season, and lost 2-0 to both Leipzig and PSG.
      There is also the fact that United have lost on their last two visits to Turkey, and Maguire admitted the search for consistency is their biggest concern.
      He added:  “The reason for the inconsistency is not something we can put our finger on. We don’t look at Champions League and Premier League matches differently.

      “We just go into every game trying to win. That’s our motive, but obviously our Premier League results haven’t been what we wanted overall, but we give those the same amount of preparation.
      “The main thing is working hard, coming into training each day, trying to improve, because obviously we want to be consistent.
      “At the start of last season we were also a bit inconsistent in our performances and the results showed that. And then we found some consistency after the lockdown period and we managed to achieve Champions League football.
      “We have to find it within ourselves and within the group again. And  it’s got to come from working hard and training hard and be willing to listen and improve.
      “But now we are focused on tonight’s game, and hopefully we can put in the sort of performance that we have shown we are capable of so far in this competition.”

      Maguire’s own up and down form has been a sort of mirror image of his club’s struggles, although he feels they have turned a corner defensively.
      He said: “As the captain I focus more on the team than individually, and we started the season defensively not in the best shape. 
      “Against Crystal Palace we were too open and Tottenham we let ourselves go, especially when we went down to ten men. But we can’t concede six in any game. It isn’t good enough. 
      “We have worked hard on that since we came back from the international break. And since then I feel like defensively, we have been really good.
      “We haven’t conceded many chances at all. I think Arsenal only had a couple. Recently we’ve conceded two own goals and a soft penalty really.
      “Defensively, we feel like we’re on the right track. But we also need to get it right with our attacking shape, and the balance of defending and attacking.”

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