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      Lionel Messi can finally win Champions League for Man City if he seals transfer from Barcelona, says Vincent Kompany

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      VINCENT KOMPANY has urged Lionel Messi to join Manchester City and lead the club to Champions League glory.
      Pep Guardiola’s men are leading the chase for the Argentine superstar after he stunned Barcelona with his shock transfer request.

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      Lionel Messi could be reunited with former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and rev up Man City’s Champions League chancesCredit: EPA

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      Former Man City skipper Vincent Kompany desperately hopes Argentina superstar Lionel Messi joins his former clubCredit: AFP
      And City legend Kompany, 34, declared: “It’d be incredible for the club to have a player like him — he could help them take the next step by winning the Champions League.
      “I know Guardiola’s way of thinking, so I can well imagine  the two of them will still have a rapport.”
      Former City skipper Kompany — now Anderlecht coach — won 12 major trophies during his 11 years at the Etihad, including four Premier League titles.
      Messi, 33, previously played under Guardiola when he was Barca boss.

      And  Kompany added: “If Messi has decided  to leave Barcelona then I can only respect his decision.
      “Let’s be clear — as a City fan, I hope Messi joins them.

      He has been linked with more clubs than any other player, but even if he comes to a Premier League rival it will be good for football.
      Mikel Arteta

      “I can imagine Pep and Messi still have one another’s phone numbers. So they can give one another a call.”
      Arsenal boss and former City assistant Mikel Arteta is also excited at the prospect of Messi coming to English football.

      Messi wants out of the Nou Camp following the Spanish giants’ 8-2 Champions League thrashing by Bayern Munich and his talks with new manager Ronald Koeman, who is said to have told him his privileged status at the club is over.
      Arteta has been closely monitoring developments at Barcelona since Messi’s transfer request.
      The Spaniard said: “If Messi comes to England we’re all going to enjoy it.
      “I have been a Barcelona fan since I was a young boy and it’s sad to see the best player in football history leaving that club.

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      Wayne Rooney, seen facing Lionel Messi in the 2009 Champions League final, rates the 33-year-old as in a class of his ownCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      “He has been linked with more clubs than any other player in the world, but even if he comes to one of our Premier League rivals it will be good for football.
      “If you want to have the most competitive league in the world you need to have the best players. And in my opinion Messi is the greatest of all time.”
      Messi actually rejected the chance to join Arsenal back in 2003 when he was asked to accompany Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona’s La Masia academy.
      And Arteta added: “I remember the times I played against Cristiano Ronaldo when he was at Manchester United and it was great for all of us because he helped to raise the level of every individual and every team.”
      Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has also urged Messi to come to the Premier League to win a seventh Ballon d’Or.
      Ex-United and England striker Rooney claims Messi pips his former Old Trafford team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as the best ever.

      Rooney claims Messi should join either Manchester City or United.
      He told talkSPORT: “I know he’s getting older but Messi is a player who no one has seen before.
      “Messi has everything – he can create goals, score goals, dictate the game and is the best player of all time.
      “He’s one of the only players I’ve sat there and watched and been in awe.
      “Him and Cristiano Ronaldo have set a standard which I don’t think we will ever see again but, for me, Messi is just different level.
      “The United States shouldn’t be in his mind because he’s too good.

      “He could come to the Premier League and be a Player of the Year. One million per cent.
      “If he surrounds himself with Bruno Fernandes or Kevin De Bruyne he could win a seventh Ballon d’Or, which would be incredible.”
      SunSport exclusively revealed City are prepared to move for Messi, but need to be sure he’s 100 per cent committed to making the move after getting burnt in the past.

      Inside Lionel Messi’s amazing Barcelona lifestyle with a modern £5.5m mansion, £26m hotel and stunning car collection More

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      Dillian Whyte is not first boxer to be sucker-punched… now he must not let Povetkin loss KO title dream

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      YOU didn’t have to be a mind reader to know by the look on Dillian Whyte’s face that he was wondering: ‘What the hell hit me.’
      Whyte, knocked out cold by Alexander Povetkin’s perfect left uppercut that exploded on his chin like a  sniper’s bullet, didn’t see it coming.

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      World title hopeful Dillian Whyte can bounce back after this shock but thunderous knockout by Alexander PovetkinCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd

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      At least for now, Dillian Whyte’s dream of trying to dethrone Tyson Fury is off the agendaCredit: AFP – Getty
      The punch was so  powerful it lifted his 18st frame off his feet and dumped him on his back in such a deep sleep, it’s a wonder he wasn’t snoring.
      Last weekend in Brentwood, Whyte’s dream of challenging Tyson Fury, for his WBC world heavyweight title, was left in tatters.
      Dillian appeared on his way to a comfortable win against the Russian, 40, when he became a victim of that boxing rarity — a devastating single KO blow.
      It brought memories of other dramatic occasions I’ve seen when one shot  out of nowhere turns  certain victory into defeat.

      Purists admire silky skills but for most there’s no more spine-tingling sight than someone  flattened  unexpectedly.
      And perhaps most memorable of all was when 45-year-old George Foreman challenged unbeaten Michael Moorer — 19 years younger — for his WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles in  Las Vegas 26 years ago.

      Moorer must have seen all the lights of Vegas flashing before he landed senseless on the canvas and Foreman celebrated becoming the oldest-ever world heavyweight champ.

      Old man Foreman was having his head jabbed off while Moorer gave him a systematic beating.
      Three judges had Moorer far ahead as they came out for the tenth and it looked  doubtful Foreman would make the final bell.

      Little did we know Big George was seconds from history.
      Moorer lost his focus and Foreman, seeing the opening, let fly with a right-hand bomb straight as an arrow that crashed against the champ’s jaw.
      Moorer must have seen all the lights of Vegas flashing before he landed senseless on the canvas and  Foreman celebrated becoming the oldest-ever  world heavyweight champ.
      Fourteen years before  I watched in disbelief as the WBA heavyweight crown changed hands in Knoxville, Tennessee.
      John Tate’s first defence in front of his hometown fans saw him way ahead on points against the unheralded Mike Weaver.

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      George Foreman was 45 and being outclassed when he KO’d Michael Moorer, 26 Credit: AFP
      A tired and dispirited Weaver had never been 15 rounds.
      With 55 seconds left of the final round he threw a desperate right cross.
      It caught Tate right on the button and he crashed face down on the canvas,  out to the world, while Weaver celebrated.
      The most heartbreaking Brit defeat I saw was when Herol Graham threw away the vacant WBC middleweight title against Julian Jackson in Spain 30 years ago.
      Graham had brilliantly outclassed Jackson and  at the end of the third  Julian looked  beaten.
      Everyone thought it was going to be stopped but his trainer persuaded the ref to give Jackson three more minutes.
      All Herol had to do was jab and move but he tried to stop Jackson and the inevitable happened.
      He left himself wide open and Jackson landed  a howitzer of a right on Graham’s chin and he was out like a light.

      HARRY SPEAKS
      Tearful Maguire’s kidnap fears as Greek cops ‘cuffed him & hit leg with baton’

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      COVID CHAOS
      England rocked as FIVE stars test positive for Covid-19 before Nations League

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      Harry Maguire seen at hotel after Mykonos brawl amid claims cops beat him up

      CATALAN KING
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      HEADS UP
      Joshua warns ‘good family man’ Fury he wants to ‘break his head’ within six rounds

      Herol is arguably the best British fighter never to win a world title.
      Whyte isn’t the first and won’t be the last to be sucker-punched.
      He may take consolation in the words of George S Patton, the US World  War II general who said “Success is measured by how high you bounced when you hit bottom”.

      Eddie Hearn says Dillian Whyte will rematch against Alexander Povetkin by the end of the year More

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      in Soccer

      Eight Chelsea stars including Mount, Abraham, Pulisic and Tomori in quarantine after Covid-19 outbreak at club

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      EIGHT Chelsea players are in quarantine amid a coronavirus outbreak at the club.
      SunSport told you England stars Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham plus Fikayo Tomori and Christian Pulisic are in isolation under Government guidelines.

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      Four Chelsea stars are in quarantine after a holiday on the Greek island of MykonosCredit: Instagram @tammyabraham1

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      Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori are all in quarantineCredit: AFP or licensors
      Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Emerson and Michy Batshuayi have also been placed in quarantine and are missing pre-season.
      Mount and Pulisic, both 21, and 22-year-olds Abraham and Tomori went on holiday to the Greek island of Mykonos before pre-season training began last weekend.
      Abraham, Pulisic and Tomori even posed for pictures together as they relaxed in the sunshine.
      None of them reported for duty at the Blues’ Surrey training ground yet in order to minimise the risk of any potential infection.

      Chelsea would not comment on whether the players involved have tested positive or negative for coronavirus but it is known there are a number of cases at the club.
      The club are now adhering to official protocols and guidelines to maintain the bio-secure bubble around the first-team squad.
      The new season starts for Chelsea in less than three weeks’ time so it is a big blow for boss Frank Lampard.
      Abraham and 21-year-old Mount’s quarantine also throws up issues for England boss Gareth Southgate who has named both players in his 24-man Uefa Nations League squad.

      Two of their un-named Three Lions team-mates have already tested positive for coronavirus after holidaying on the Greek islands.
      Mykonos is part of Greece which does not require a mandatory period in quarantine upon return to the UK.
      But if anyone has been in contact with someone who is positive while there, they must stay home for seven days.

      Chelsea confirm £50m Ben Chilwell transfer from Leicester City as he becomes Frank Lampard’s third addition to squad More

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      in Soccer

      Man City ready to go all-out for Lionel Messi transfer but fear Barcelona superstar will embarrass them again

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      MANCHESTER CITY will go all out to sign Lionel Messi  — as long as he  is committed to joining them.
      City have been burned twice before in their pursuit of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner and do not want to be embarrassed again.

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      Man City will try to sign Lionel Messi as long as he is committed to joining themCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Last night, top Argentine newspaper La Nacion claimed Messi told pals: “I’m going to talk to Pep so he can arrange my move to City.
      “The soccer there is spectacular and it adapts to what I want.”
      The Etihad club were asked about signing the Barcelona star, 33, ten days before he handed in his transfer request.
      An intermediary working for the Messi camp was instructed to gauge interest in the player.

      City officials were contacted and talks took place, which have put them in pole position to secure the Argentina captain.
      However, Messi’s people have also talked to Paris Saint-Germain, where his close friend Neymar plays.
      Reports in Argentina claim Messi’s transfer request was sparked by new boss Ronald Koeman, who told the Nou Camp talisman “your privileges in the squad are over”.

      It is also alleged Koeman, who replaced Quique Setien, told Messi: “You have to do everything for the team.

      “I’m going to be inflexible, you have to think about the team.”
      That frank exchange, as well as the embarrassing 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich this month, has convinced Messi now is the time to leave the Spanish giants.
      No deal has yet been agreed with City, mainly because Messi’s legal team are trying to enforce the release clause in his contract, which would have allowed him to quit for free before June 10.
      Messi believes that clause can still be triggered because the coronavirus pandemic delayed the end to the Spanish season.

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      Pep Guardiola wants to be reunited with Messi at the EtihadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But  Barca insist they will attempt to enforce the £630million buy-out clause, which runs out next summer.
      The legal dispute could lead to all-out war.
      Messi’s camp are believed to have taken advice from a former member of the Court of Arbirtation in Sport.
      And the likelihood is that the Nou Camp club will instead lower the  asking price to £150m.
      It would cost around £70m a year for Messi’s  contract and image rights.

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      Messi does not want to play for new boss Ronald KoemanCredit: EPA
      He also wants a three-year deal, which would mean City would have to cough up £210m, even if there was no fee involved.
      Barca signed forward Francisco Trincao, 20, from Braga for £27.75m yesterday.
      But sporting director Ramon Planes still believes Messi could stay.
      He said: “Our idea is to build a team around the most important player in the world.
      “We’re not contemplating any kind of departure because what we want is for Messi to stay.

      “We only have enormous respect for Leo. Barca and Leo are like a marriage, both have given so much to each other and brought so much joy to fans.
      “We are putting every effort into ensuring the relationship will continue.
      “We are working internally to convince Leo.”

      Ally McCoist hopes that Messi will come to the Premier League More

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      Chelsea stars Mount, Abraham, Pulisic and Tomori in quarantine after Mykonos holiday amid Covid-19 outbreak at club

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      ENGLAND stars Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham plus two of their  club-mates are in quarantine amid a Covid-19 outbreak at Chelsea.
      Defender Fikayo Tomori, 22, and winger Christian Pulisic, 21, are also in isolation under Government guidelines.

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      Four Chelsea stars are in quarantine after a holiday on the Greek island of MykonosCredit: Instagram @tammyabraham1

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      Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori are all in quarantineCredit: AFP or licensors
      All four went on holiday to the Greek island of Mykonos before pre-season training began last weekend.
      Abraham, 22, Pulisic and Tomori even posed for pictures together as they relaxed in the sunshine.
      None of them reported for duty at the Blues’ Surrey training ground yet in order to minimise the risk of any potential infection.
      Chelsea would not comment on whether the players involved have tested positive or negative for coronavirus but it is known there are a number of cases at the club.

      The club are now adhering to official protocols and guidelines to maintain the bio-secure bubble around the first-team squad.
      The new season starts for Chelsea in less than three weeks’ time so it is a big blow for boss Frank Lampard.
      Abraham and 21-year-old Mount’s quarantine also throws up issues for England boss Gareth Southgate who has named both players in his 24-man Uefa Nations League squad.
      Two of their un-named Three Lions team-mates have already tested positive for coronavirus after holidaying on the Greek islands.

      Mykonos is part of Greece which does not require a mandatory period in quarantine upon return to the UK.
      But if anyone has been in contact with someone who is positive while there, they must stay home for seven days.

      Chelsea confirm £50m Ben Chilwell transfer from Leicester City as he becomes Frank Lampard’s third addition to squad More

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      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho learning Korean as Spurs boss hopes to communicate with Son Heung-min in his native language

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      JOSE MOURINHO says he is now learning an incredible SEVENTH language — Korean.
      The Tottenham boss is already fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, Catalan, English, French and Italian.

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      Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has revealed he’s learning KoreanCredit: Reuters
      And he is attempting to speak the same  tongue as his South Korean striker Son Heung-min.
      Mourinho, 57, revealed his linguistic  challenges when speaking at the launch of the club’s new Amazon Prime fly-on-the-ball documentary series.
      He said: “Communication is very important when I am with the group, I have to go to the native language, which everybody  understands.
      “It’s respectful to the culture of the club to speak the language of the  individuals in it. In the series it was a Portuguese group of coaching staff, although we now also have an English coach in Ledley King.

      “And with the players,  I jump into their language — that is why I am learning Korean.”
      Mourinho replaced axed  Mauricio Pochettino last November. And the Special One admits his dream is now to achieve something special at the North Londoners.
      The former Chelsea chief said: “Since I first arrived in England in 2004 my perception of Tottenham was always the same — a big club, a big fanbase and lots of good players.
      “In my second spell in England we have seen the evolution of the club to have the best stadium in the world, the best facilities.

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      Mourinho is learning Korean so he can communicate with Son Heung-MinCredit: Reuters
      “I also feel the club have very good players, with a dream to win something.
      “Some of them have won things at other clubs, Hugo Lloris got the biggest one  when France won the World Cup. It’s a dream to do something special with the club.
      “They almost did it in the Champions League final last year — but they didn’t. So now it’s the challenge to make something special.”
      But Mourinho will have to do it on a tight budget, as the club still have a £1billion stadium and £175million Bank of England bridging loan to pay off.

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      Mourinho hopes experienced winners like Hugo Lloris can lead Spurs to gloryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He said: “People don’t understand the dimension of our job, we are just the face of a structure. Of course, we need to manage not just players — but also the structure you have.
      “In modern football,   in terms of the organisation, it’s huge. You are the face of it.
      “But without top players, without structure, there are no top managers. We are the face of the project.”
      Tottenham finished sixth in the Prem  last term but keeper and captain Lloris — who became a world champion in  2018 — is backing Mourinho to turn the club around.

      The stopper said: “He has brought his energy and his knowledge, not only himself but his staff, too. There were a lot of problems to fix and when managers arrive in the middle of the season, it’s a big task.
      “He’s experienced, the second time in his career this has happened and he has taken over a club mid-season.
      “With the huge clubs he worked for, he’s a big help for the players and club to see the future in a bright way. We are ambitious and now we need to show we can start the season as zero points and go maximum to achieve things.”

      Harry Kane enjoys himself on holiday playing American football on golf course More

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      Harry Maguire set to remain as Man Utd captain as club await defender’s appeal against Mykonos brawl verdict

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      HARRY MAGUIRE will keep the Manchester United captaincy after his suspended prison sentence was set aside on appeal.
      Maguire, 27, was convicted of repeated bodily harm, violence against public officials and attempted bribery by a Greek court.

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      Harry Maguire will keep the Man Utd captaincy after his prison sentence was set aside on appeal
      But United insisted last night that Maguire’s appeal against this week’s verdict means that his sentence is now on hold for three years.
      The player was stunned by the outcome of his case, when he was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and ten days for his part in a fight with police on the holiday island of Mykonos last week.
      But yesterday’s appeal means the conviction is nullified until a full retrial is held in a more senior court.
      ⚠️Click here for the latest news on Harry Maguire

      A United statement said: “An appeal against this week’s verdict has been lodged by Harry’s legal team which means he has no criminal record and is once again presumed innocent until proven guilty.
      “Accordingly, he is not subject to any international restrictions.”
      United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to stand by his captain, who claimed that last Thursday’s fracas was the result of two strangers trying to inject his sister, Daisy, with a date-rape drug.
      The problem for United is that it is likely to be more than a year before the retrial takes place which means Maguire could have the criminal charges hanging over his head for the entire season.

      Maguire, older brother Joe and family friend Christoper Sharman all continue to maintain their innocence despite this week’s verdict.

      But their lack of contrition has not gone unnoticed in Mykonos, where prosecuting lawyer Dr Ioannis Paradissis has called for the defender to make a public apology.
      Dr Paradissis, who represented two of the six police officers involved in the case, said: “There is still time for the defendants to say they are sorry and then I believe the outcome might be different because under Greek law you can withdraw some of the accusations.
      “My clients have told me that they are still waiting for an apology and this is what I find quite shocking and unsportsmanlike because fair play means that when I’ve done something wrong, I apologise.
      “Obviously the claims about the sister being injected is irrelevant concerning the assault committed against the police officers.
      “In any case, what is strange about this case is that the sister was interviewed by the police and said nothing about that.
      “This is a new line of defence that we have only heard recently.”
      But Maguire’s younger brother Laurence, who plays for Chesterfield, took to social media to declare: “Absolutely no chance Harry will be apologising.
      “Daisy and no-one in the group was even interviewed by the police.”

      Chelsea confirm £50m Ben Chilwell transfer from Leicester City as he becomes Frank Lampard’s third addition to squad More

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      Brighton to face Chelsea in front of 2,500 fans as supporters return to football stadiums for first time in six months

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      PAUL BARBER hopes Brighton’s friendly in front of 2500 fans on Saturday will be the first step to full capacity crowds returning to English football.
      Albion will become the first club to host supporters in the Covid era when they entertain Chelsea on Saturday as part of a government pilot scheme.

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      Brighton chief Paul Barber is optimistic over the pilot schemeCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Brighton will admit 2,500 fans to Saturday’s friendly with ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      A range of measures will be in place to maximise safety including socially-distanced seating, random temperature checks and the enforcement of face coverings in concourse areas.
      Though singing will NOT be banned as the Seagulls attempt to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
      Brighton chief exec Barber deferred to the government over a possible return to date for full crowds.
      But he hoped Saturday’s match would go some way to speeding up that process given the huge financial impact of games being played behind closed doors.

      The former FA supremo said: “It’s a big opportunity for us to help demonstrate to the government, general public and fans in particular that we can stage an event safely.
      “It’s an important first step to restoring confidence and to giving people something to look forward to on their weekends.
      “It is a small event and it is a pilot so the whole point of it is to test various plans, assumptions and operational procedures. 
      “Then we can see if they work, how they work and if they don’t work, why they didn’t work and to enable us to make better plans for future events which might be larger.

      We see this as a first tentative step to not just help ourselves or clubs in the Premier League but clubs right the way through the football pyramid
      Paul Barber

      “We’ve got to show that it is possible to stay safe and maintain social distance at this point within the guidelines.
      “From an economic point of view, we need to move through the gears fairly quickly in order to ensure the viability of clubs up and down the country.
      “We see this as a first tentative step to not just help ourselves or clubs in the Premier League but clubs right the way through the football pyramid.”
      The financial need to get full crowds back is laid bare by Barber’s revelation that every game played behind closed doors has cost Albion in excess of “seven figures”.
      The Seagulls have significantly scaled up their cleaning operations around the Amex for the game and sanitising stations will be available across the stadium, including on entry to all turnstiles.
      Supporters are discouraged from bringing bags to reduce need or time for searches and will be subject to a temperature check on entry. 
      Only the named owner of the ticket will be permitted – transfer of tickets is strictly forbidden – with photo ID needing to be shown on entry. All payments will be cashless around the ground.
      Face covering must be worn at the stadium, unless fans are in their seat or while eating and drinking. 
      Supporters, who will be placed in the East Stand, opposite the players’ bench, and part of the South Stand, must socially distance and ensure they only sit in the seat allocated to them.
      Every fan will sit individually, regardless of whether they come as a group, with at least three empty seats between them per row.
      Barber is “very confident” of his club’s safety measures.
      But when asked if fans would be banned from singing, which had been mooted as a possibility for returning crowds to prevent the spread of the virus, he replied: “No. 
      “We’re asking people to be respectful of each other. We’ve all been through a really tough four or five months and we’ve all had to adapt our way of life in many different aspects.
      “We want to make sure that people understand that when they get inside the football stadium, that can’t go out the window, it’s got to be maintained.
      “Football fans are good, decent, respectful people who the vast majority will do as they are asked every single time. I have every confidence that the 2500 people here on Saturday will comply with the guidelines.
      “They will want it to go well not just for the club but for fellow football fans who, just as they are, are anxious to get back and watch their teams again.”

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      The two sides last met at the Amex in front of a packed crowd in JanuaryCredit: Reuters

      As part of the pilot programme, fans will also be allowed at a women’s friendly in Lewes, near Brighton, on Sunday, West Ham and Arsenal’s WSL game and non-league finals day.
      The Harlequins-Bath Premiership rugby clash at Twickenham Stoop on September 5 will also allow spectators, while some Bob Willis Trophy and T20 Black cricket matches have been included.
      Last month the government cancelled a previous pilot scheme after a spike in Covid cases.

      Chelsea confirm £50m Ben Chilwell transfer from Leicester City as he becomes Frank Lampard’s third addition to squad More