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      in Soccer

      Premier League’s football bailout won’t go ahead until transfer window shuts

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      THE Premier League’s football bailout is on ice until after the domestic transfer window shuts.
      Government sources are confident a deal will be done between the top-flight clubs and the 72 English Football League teams to stop dozens going bust due to Covid.

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      Prem clubs spent £1billon on transfers this summer, with Arsenal paying £45million for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas ParteyCredit: PA:Press Association

      But it will have to wait until after October 16, with the Premier League refusing to agree terms on the £200million arrangement until they know their final budget.
      A source said: “Until we pass the transfer window, it’s difficult to make the judgment. You can’t do a deal until then.”
      Prem clubs spent £1billon on transfers this summer, with Arsenal paying £45million for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey.
      Chancellor Rishi Sunak, a Southampton fan, told The Sun earlier this week that he was “confident” the Premier League will agree a deal with the EFL.

      “You don’t have to tell me – I know how important football is to the local community.
      “It’s the same way that we stepped in to preserve our cultural institutions earlier in this crisis, whether it’s that local theatre in a community is important.

      “And as a Conservative, those things matter to me. I care about the coherence and vitality of our communities and local sports clubs are an enormous part of that.
      “It was an enormous part of my life growing up, and I know what it does for a place when your football team does well or staves off relegation, which was more of a case when I was growing up.

      “That’s vital and we can’t lose that. So rest assured it is something that we are very committed to.”

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      in Boxing

      Mike Tyson’s matchmaker Mickey Duff and others like him are vital for young up-and-coming boxers

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      TO succeed at the abnormal art of matchmaking — whether it’s arranging fights or marriages — requires creativity ingenuity, inspiration and judgement.
      Frank Warren, in his 40 years as a top promoter, never feared innovation and he has just appointed three men to share responsibility of choosing the opponents for his 80 boxers.

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      Mickey Duff (right) is seen as one of Britain’s best-ever matchmakersCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Steve Furness, Errol Johnson and Neil Bowers may be unknown to fans but they have the most important and thankless task in boxing.
      The decisions matchmakers come to are vital. Their main objective is to carefully nurture a youngster’s talent by providing competitive opposition without endangering them.
      It isn’t as easy as it sounds. The stress factor is high as a false move can lead to a kid getting a beating, which can ruin a career in a night.
      Warren admitted: “There’s no doubt matchmaking is by far the worst job in boxing.

      “But I have full confidence the men we have selected will guide the careers of guys like Daniel Dubois, with care and intelligence.”
      So what makes a matchmaker?
      The great Teddy Brenner, who made the matches at Madison Square Garden for 14 years, had a simple philosophy.
      Would it be a good action fight? Does the winner go into something important and would I pay to see it?

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      Duff was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999Credit: Action Images – Reuters

      Bobby Goodman, who took over from Brenner, said: “The most satisfying thing being a matchmaker is to take a kid out of the  amateurs and develop him to being a champion and part of history.”
      Bruce Trampler is still one of the best in the business and has been working with Bob Arum for more than 40 years.
      He said: “How is it normal to persuade two people to punch each other in the head in front of an audience.”
      Carl Moretti, another veteran, said: “At times it’s easier to get a bill through Congress than make a fight.”
      Mickey Duff is seen as the greatest of Britain’s matchmakers.
      He was the mastermind behind 19 of our world champs — ensuring Frank Bruno, John Conteh, John H Stracey, Lloyd Honeyghan and Barry McGuigan did not suffer too much en route to glory.
      It wasn’t generally known that Duff was so good Madison Square Garden made him a lucrative offer to match for them but he did not want to live in New York.
      His friend Jim Jacobs, who managed Mike Tyson got Mickey to select a teen Tyson’s early opponents.

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      Duff selected a number of opponents for Mike Tyson in the early stages of his career

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      But Duff was far from infallible. When up-and-coming Terry Downes had his third pro fight, Mickey brought in an unknown Nigerian to  give him a decent workout.
      That unknown Nigerian happened to be Dick Tiger, who went on to become world middleweight and light-heavyweight champion.
      Downes hit the canvas three times and was stopped in the sixth round.
      Terry, who also went on to win the world middleweight crown, when asked who he would like to fight next memorably remarked: “That bleeding matchmaker.”
      Successful matchmakers are gold dust and few who have hit the heights like Brenner and Duff.
      Mickey, who died six years ago, didn’t rate many of his rivals. He would sneer: “Most of them couldn’t manage the cheeks of their a****.”

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal chiefs told Kieran Tierney will not get special treatment by Scottish health chief in coronavirus row

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      FURIOUS Arsenal chiefs have been warned Kieran Tierney will NOT get special treatment after being ordered to self-isolate for 14 days.
      The Gunners left-back, 23, must quarantine in Scotland in the wake of international team-mate Stuart Armstrong testing positive for coronavirus.

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      Kieran Tierney is having to self-isolate after being caught in a Scottish national team Covid-19 caseCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Jason Leitch, who serves as National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government, is refusing to step in for the Arsenal manCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow

      Emirates bosses demanded a Government probe and wanted their £25million full-back whisked back to London in a private car after he tested negative.
      But Scotland health boss Jason Leitch insists the correct protocols have been observed and Tierney MUST serve his 14 days as footballers are not treated any differently to the general public.
      He told Radio Clyde: “I cannot intervene. That’s exactly how the process should work.

      “The health protection team treats footballers the way it treats workers in call centres or you or me.
      “We phone up the positive case, we ask the positive case their history, where they’ve been for two days prior to their symptoms beginning.
      “That’s sometimes very straightforward — but sometimes, particularly in football, more complex.”
      Tierney and Celtic star Ryan Christie were told to quarantine as ‘close contacts’ of Southampton midfielder Armstrong after they all played video games in a hotel room.

      Tierney insists he has followed social-distancing rules.

      But he will also miss Arsenal’s crunch Premier League trip to Manchester City on October 17.
      Furious Arsenal argue Tierney passed three tests in the last week.
      They also say he has been in a secure bubble at the club and previous tests show Tierney possesses antibodies which suggest he has already recovered from Covid-19.

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd hope to find loophole in Covid rules to help Edinson Cavani avoid two-week quarantine

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are trying to clarify whether new boy Edinson Cavani has to quarantine for a full two weeks.
      The 33-year-old Uruguayan faces a battle to be ready to face his old club Paris Saint-Germain – unless he can find a loophole.

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      Manchester United are hoping to try and find a loophole to avoid Edinson Cavani having to self-isolate for 14 daysCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      As things stand he will not be able to link up with his Old Trafford team-mates until Monday week.
      And that would rule Cavani out of United’s next Premier League game – which is at Newcastle on October 17.
      And it would leave him with just one full day of training to prepare for the Champions League clash with his former club in France on October 20.

      Cavani revealed he and his partner have both had Covid-19 – but he has not been part of an elite athlete bubble as he left PSG in June.

      He arrived in the UK on Monday – meaning as things stand his period of self-isolation will continue until next Sunday.
      United are asking questions to establish if there is any way they can get their new boy into Carrington earlier.
      However the rules state that anyone arriving from France must adhere to the rules and serve a 14-day isolation.
      Meanwhile it has emerged the Red Devils were priced out of a move for Cavani when they were first alerted to him in January.

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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces an anxious wait to see when he will have the Uruguayan availableCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The Uruguayan’s camp were asking for something similar to the £325,000-per-week wages he was getting at PSG.
      And there was also a concern of a £15m fee being demanded by the French club to secure the transfer in the New Year – even though he was down to the last few months of his deal.
      The 33-year-old is believed to have been handed around £200,000 per week for his initial 12-month deal at Old Trafford.
      Eyebrows have been raised at those figures yet they are a big drop on the ones that were being discussed nine months ago.
      United felt it was too rich for them back then and moved their attention to Odion Ighalo – after also looking at Bournemouth’s Josh King.

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      in Soccer

      Southgate says shamed stars are turning England into circus with Abraham, Chilwell and Sancho to miss Wales and Belgium

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE accused England’s rule-breaking players of turning the national team into a CIRCUS.
      The angry Three Lions boss also believes the five shamed stars have wasted his time causing extra hassle.

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      Gareth Southgate has slammed England’s rule-breaking players for causing him extra hassleCredit: Rex Features

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      Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho will miss the Wales game after breaking the rule of six

      Ben Chilwell, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham are out of tonight’s friendly with Wales at Wembley for attending a large party on Saturday.
      They may also miss Sunday’s home Nations League clash with Belgium.
      Already axed are Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood who broke lockdown rules in Iceland.
      Southgate said: “We have to recognise that things like this affect the team. They affect the energy. They take time to deal with.

      “And that time would be better spent being able to focus on preparing for training, having coaching conversations with players.
      “So it draws you away from where you really want to be. You want an environment with the players that the pressure on the team is not made higher than it already is by having this circus going around it.”
      England are still checking on the events of the weekend involving the three who attended the bash which was a surprise party for Abraham.
      The gathering was more than the law of six people socialising.

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      England are without FIVE players for the Wales friendlyCredit: Rex Features

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      Chilwell, Sancho and Abraham could also miss the weekend game against BelgiumCredit: Rex Features

      Southgate added: “The players have already accepted that they were in the wrong.
      “They have broken those lockdown guidelines that were there and I have to be very careful about being on my moral high horse about things that happened when we are not in camp with the team.
      “We do have an issue in terms of Covid guidelines and making sure that any player comes in is as low risk as possible in terms of the whole group so we are having to monitor the players.
      “They will have been tested and we have to check for any further symptoms.

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      Southgate believes rule-breakers are turning England into a circusCredit: Rex Features

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      Southgate admits he does not know when Chilwell, Abraham and Sancho will be backCredit: Rex Features
      “They obviously miss the game with Wales and if they are not able to be with us before Friday morning then they would also miss the game with Belgium.
      “We cannot give a definitive answer as to when they will be in because of all the things we are having to track but that is the basic timeline.
      “In terms of a few days off, I’m not sure that’s what any of those players wanted. They are missing the opportunity to play for England.”
      As for tonight’s behind-closed doors friendly, Nick Pope will start in goal for England.
      There could also be debuts for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton.

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      Bukayo Saka is set to make his Three Lions debut alongside Dominic Cavert-LewinCredit: Rex Features

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      England will be looking for a strong showing against WalesCredit: Rex Features

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    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal legend Paul Davis says 50,000 Chelsea fans hurled vile racist abuse at him – and up north was ‘proper bad’

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      ARSENAL hero Paul Davis has lifted the lid on the vile racist abuse that black players were subjected to in the 1980s.
      Davis claims being taunted over the colour of his skin was common place as he made his way in the game — with London grounds like Stamford Bridge and Upton Park a hotbed for bigots.

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      Arsenal hero Paul Davis, pictured with Mo Farah, has opened up on the vile racist abuse he suffered during his playing careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former midfield star Davis admitted in the explosive new book, Arsenal Match of My Life: “Things were very different in the 1980s.
      “It was tough because there were times when I felt different because of the colour of my skin when I was the only black player in the team or the only black person in the room.
      “I had to just deal with it in order to get to where I wanted to in my career.
      “There were certain grounds I used to dread going to, Chelsea and West Ham in particular, and anywhere up north was proper bad — Leeds, Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland, Newcastle.

      “The Midlands were not too bad, maybe because West Brom had Laurie Cunningham, but everywhere else it was pretty strong stuff you were subjected to.
      “One game in particular that stands out is when we played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which was not the best place for a black player.
      “I remember being racially abused by 50,000 Chelsea fans and all I could do was try to ignore it and play my game.
      “What really shocked me was they had a black player named Paul Canoville on their bench. I remember thinking, ‘Wow. If it is bad for me, imagine what it is like for him’.

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      Davis recalled various instances of the disgusting treatment he got at away grounds especially up northCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “It must have affected him because he was just a young player trying to make his way in the game. I followed his career after that but it never really went anywhere.”
      Davis made his Arsenal debut at North London rivals Tottenham as a teenager — but claims it would have been too frightening for his family to attend the game.
      He added: “I was only 17 when I got the tap on the shoulder from manager Terry Neill to tell me I would be starting at White Hart Lane and that my job would be to stifle the great Glenn Hoddle.
      “We did not have mobile phones back then so I could not really call my family to tell them the good news.
      “I did manage to contact my mum and she was delighted for me but she did not drive and lived too far away.
      “It would also have been a bit scary for her in those years going to a match on her own, particularly at Spurs, so it was never an option.”
      Davis says racism was just part and parcel of being a professional player in his era and has praised England ace Raheem Sterling for being brave enough to stand up to his abusers.
      Manchester City forward Sterling was called a ‘f***ing black c**t’ by a Chelsea fan during a televised game in 2018 — before releasing a powerful message on social media condemning racism.

      I look at people like Raheem Sterling and realise players now are stronger and have more power and more voice but there is still only so much they can do
      Paul Davis

      Davis said: “The sad fact is that this kind of behaviour was accepted then and the football authorities did not do enough to stop it.
      “I needed all the mental belief that I had and the ability to rationalise things to work my way through it.
      “Speaking to a lot of other black players, they did the same. You cannot really fight that kind of scenario.
      “It was not a great situation but if you got bitter or angry it would only have taken away from what you were trying to achieve.
      “I look at people like Raheem Sterling and realise players now are stronger and have more power and more voice but there is still only so much they can do.”
      Davis played more than 400 games for Arsenal, winning two league titles, the FA Cup and the 1994 European Cup Winners’ Cup before going on to become an ambassador for Kick it Out and Show Racism the Red Card.
      Trailblazer Davis added: “I was the first black player to play for Arsenal for any prolonged amount of time.
      “I did not realise then but I do now, that the Caribbean community in London were following my progress and wanting me to do well.

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      Players like Raheem Sterling have made a public and powerful stand against racismCredit: Reuters

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      Arsenal Match Of My Life sees Gunners legends look back on their
      “They were frightened of going to games because of the climate in the country but I look at the number of black Arsenal supporters who go now and I believe that is where it started.
      “That community felt they could connect with me and, in later years, David Rocastle and Michael Thomas.
      “Even now people often come up to me and say, ‘We support Arsenal because of you’. That is so gratifying and so rewarding. I feel really proud.”

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      in Soccer

      Dan James can fill void left by Man Utd’s failed Jadon Sancho transfer pursuit, insists Wales boss Ryan Giggs

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      RYAN GIGGS wants Dan James to step up after Manchester United failed to land Jadon Sancho.
      The Wales winger’s Old Trafford career looked to be under threat as the Red Devils chased the England wideman over the summer window.

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      Daniel James was heavily linked with a move away from United this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But United would not meet Borussia Dortmund’s £108million valuation of Sancho, 20, before the deadline.
      Out-of-favour James, 22, was linked with Leeds and Brighton loans but Dragons boss Giggs — preparing for tonight’s Wembley friendly against England — hopes James can seize the moment.
      Giggs said: “Another winger coming in would mean maybe less games. That’s up to DJ to step up when he does get the chance.”

      James was excellent for Wales in last month’s 1-0 Nations League wins over Finland and Bulgaria but has played just 45 minutes for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the Premier League this season.

      Giggs hopes a change of scene can spark James into action, especially with big hitters Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey sidelined as Wales seek a first win over arch-rivals England since 1984.
      Giggs added: “DJ was excellent in both last games. He made the goal in the first and was brilliant for us. He had not played a lot but looked sharp.
      “Dan has friends here. He always enjoys coming away, the training, the atmosphere, playing for the country.
      “If Gareth and Aaron are here or not, he’s still a threat. He has got speed that always keeps the opposition interested.

      “He has that directness as he showed in our last games. If he has not been playing it gives him the opportunity to get minutes.
      “No matter what team goes to Wembley and wins it’s a huge achievement.
      “I have happy memories at both the old and new Wembley. Hopefully there’s another coming.”
      James was left out of United’s squad for Sunday’s 6-1 home defeat by Tottenham through sickness but Wales hope he will be fighting fit to start.
      Giggs said: “He had a bit of a bug. He played against Brighton in midweek, felt something before the game and afterwards it wiped him out.
      “He also had a knock on his foot so we are monitoring that. There are a couple of players in the same boat.
      “We are giving them as much time as we can then deciding on the team.”
      Giggs was in the Old Trafford stands for the Spurs hammering as he felt Bale could make his second debut for Tottenham after a loan move from Real Madrid.

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      Manchester United failed to sign Jadon Sancho during the summer transfer windowCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He said: “I decided to go when Gareth signed and I thought he might have a chance. We had Dan there and Ben Davies and a number of good players on show.
      “I was about to leave when Ben came on. I thought I better stay!”
      Giggs confirmed his squad were tested for Covid-19 on Monday and the results were all negative.
      Ramsey will miss tonight’s friendly after Juventus’ squad were put into a “bubble” when two staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
      But he is expected to return for Nations League away clashes against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday and Bulgaria on Wednesday — despite two staff members testing positive for Covid-19.
      Giggs added: “Aaron has followed the protocol. We have gone along with that. We expect him to be available. Everything is in hand.”

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      Ryan Giggs has backed Daniel James to bounce back at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘£615k engagement ring’ for Georgina Rodriguez is most-expensive sparkler ever for a Wag

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has topped the footballers’ engagement ring league by giving his fiancee the most expensive sparkler of all Wags.
      The Portugal captain, 35, is thought to have splashed around £615,000 on the diamond number for Georgina Rodriguez.

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      Ronaldo splashed out more on an engagement ring than any other footballer

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      Cristiano Ronaldo splashed over £600,000 on Georgina Rodriguez’s engagement ringCredit: Instagram @cristiano

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      Georgina fuelled speculation Cristiano Ronaldo had bought her the £615,000 engagement ring by commenting on this Instagram postCredit: Social media

      According to GamblingDeals, who compiled a list of the most expensive engagement rings in football, England keeper Jordan Pickford was second on £500,000 for wife Megan Davison.
      Ashley Cole’s £275,000 ring for ex-wife Cheryl ranked third.
      But England captain Harry Kane was just tenth with £180,000 for wife Katie Goodland, according to jeweller Roseanna Croft.
      Georgina and Ronaldo have two-year-old daughter Alana together and are raising his other three children – surrogate twins Eva and Mateo, three, and ten-year-old Cristiano Jr.

      The couple first enjoyed on a string of dates towards the end of 2016.
      Ronaldo is thought to have asked the Spanish beauty to marry him in 2018.
      The former Manchester United forward, who donated huge sums of money to help medical supplies during the coronavirus crisis, has always insisted they will wed.
      Telling Piers Morgan of the couple’s “true love” on ITV last year, he added: “She helped me so much. Of course, I’m in love with her.

      “We’ll be [married] one day, for sure. It’s my mum’s dream as well.”
      Georgina has been snapped wearing a ring a number of times and in 2018 gave the biggest hint she was engaged to Ronaldo by commenting on a post of a Cartier sparkler.
      The shop assistant-turned-model posted four heart-eyes emojis in response to a snap of the ring Ronaldo is rumoured to have bought her.

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      She was seen sporting the diamond sparkler at a glamorous party Credit: Instagram @cristiano

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      Georgina showed off another huge sapphire ring on Instagram last month Credit: georginagio/Instagram

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      Ronaldo has always insisted they’ll get hitchedCredit: Instagram

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