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    Major broadcasting change to FA Cup with decision made between BBC and ITV after TNT Sports bought rights

    THE BBC have retained the rights for live FA Cup matches until 2029, according to reports.But TNT Sports will replace ITV in showing fixtures from the 2025-26 season.A new four-year deal for the FA Cup TV rights has been struckCredit: GettyGary Lineker is the current host of the live BBC FA Cup coverageCredit: GettyTNT paid a whopping £264million last month to secure a four-year deal with The FA to become the main broadcaster of the famous cup competition.That left the BBC and ITV to battle it out for the secondary spot.And according to the Daily Mail, it is the Beeb who have come out on top.The new rights package will see the BBC show two FA Cup matches from each round up to the quarter-finals.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey will then get one of the two semi-finals and the final. In a further boost for fans, any FA Cup ties from the third round that do not kick off during the Saturday afternoon blackout will be televised live.Part of The FA’s recent contract with TNT stated that a certain number of matches per round needed to be available on free-to-air TV. And although they could have live-streamed on YouTube or used their Freeview channel Quest, they were open to striking a partnership with a major public broadcaster. Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt is also reported that the BBC will continue to keep its Match of the Day highlights programme for the FA Cup. TNT will also show the Community Shield and FA Youth Cup final as part of the new deal. Fans can’t believe what Alan Shearer said about Man Utd live on BBC commentary during FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest The tournament – on terrestrial TV only from 2021 to 2025 – will return to a subscription channel following previous spells on BT Sport, Sky Sports, Setanta and ESPN. The BBC have the rights to two of the four FA Cup quarter-finals this month.Chelsea vs Leicester and Manchester City vs Newcastle will both be on the Beeb, with the ITV having Wolves’ clash with Coventry and the standout tie – Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United.The new FA Cup contract for the BBC comes after the broadcaster sealed a deal to show live Super League rugby league action on Saturday evenings. More

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    Eric Dier ‘does a Steve McClaren’ in live TNT Sports interview with fans baffled by Bayern Munich star’s accent

    FANS have been left baffled by Eric Dier’s accent during a live TV interview.The Bayern Munich star addressed the media following the 3-0 Champions League win over Lazio on Tuesday.Eric Dier appeared to change his accent for a live interviewCredit: TNT sportsDier is playing with Harry Kane at Bayern MunichCredit: GettyDier, 30, was all smiles in the interview with TNT Sports after the result saw his side overcome the 1-0 deficit from the first leg.The club have now confirmed their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals along with Paris Saint-Germain.However, as Dier hailed the team’s resolute defence and Harry Kane’s prolific form, fans were confused by his accent.They took to social media as they were convinced that the English ace was putting on a German accent.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt was compared to the infamous interview of manager Steve McClaren when he put on a Dutch accent while FC Twente boss.One fan posted: “Can confirm @ericdier is not only surviving, but THRIVING out in Germany!”A second wrote: “Why is he still trying a German accent 😂😂.”A third commented: “Dier and his fake German accent.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA fourth said: “Someone tell Eric to drop that dead German accent.”A fifth asked: “Has Eric Dier got a new voice, trying to sound German?”Eric Dier’s emotional goodbye to Tottenham fans after agreeing Bayern Munich switch’Another added: “Why does he still use that accent.”It is not the first time that Dier has ‘done a Steve McClaren’ since joining Bayern.The defender’s accent appeared to be different after he made his debut for the club back in January.Dier spent ten years at Tottenham after joining from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in 2014.The defender was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire but moved to Portugal in 2001 and joined Sporting’s academy in 2003.In 2010, Dier’s parents moved back to England but he stayed in Portugal to pursue his footballing career. More

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    Why is there no 12.30pm kick off in the Premier League this weekend?

    THE 2023/24 Premier League season is reaching the business end – and it’s heating up at both ends of the table.Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are in an epic three-horse race for the title this campaign.There will be no 12.30pm kick off in the Premier League this weekendCredit: ALAMYPep Guardiola’s Treble winners make the short trip to bitter rivals Manchester United this weekend, while Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders travel to Nottingham Forest.Arsenal will be looking to continue their superb form as they go to Bramall Lane to face the Premier League’s bottom side Sheffield United on Monday Night Football.At the bottom end of the table, Luton Town host high-flying Aston Villa while Burnley seek a much-needed win against Bournemouth.But why are no games selected for the Saturday lunchtime slot?READ MORE IN PREMIER LEAGUEWhy is there no 12.30pm kick off in the Premier League this weekend?TNT Sports are the holders of the Saturday 12.30pm slot in the current deal with the Premier League.The broadcasting giants have the opportunity to screen 52 live matches divided into the lunchtime slot and midweek evening fixtures.And TNT has opted NOT to use up any of their games on this weekend’s matches, meaning there will be no 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday.It’s the second weekend on the bounce that Premier League fans have not had a lunchtime fixture and the third occasion of the season.Most read in FootballThe next 12.30pm kick off on TNT Sports will be Manchester United’s clash with Everton on March 9.FULL Premier League fixture list this weekendHere are all the fixtures for Gameweek 27:Saturday March 2
    Brentford v Chelsea – 3pm
    Everton v West Ham – 3pm
    Fulham v Brighton – 3pm
    Newcastle v Wolves – 3pm
    Nottingham Forest v Liverpool – 3pm
    Tottenham v Crystal Palace – 3pm
    Luton Town v Aston Villa – 5.30pm
    Sunday March 3
    Burnley v AFC Bournemouth – 1pm
    Man City v Man Utd – 3.30pm
    Monday March 4
    Sheffield Utd v Arsenal – 8pm More

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    I’m a former Premier League star and TNT Sports pundit – I’m doing ‘really well’ in lucrative side hustle after football

    STEVE SIDWELL has switched football kits for kitting out office spaces in a lucrative side hustle.The 41-year-old played for the likes of Chelsea, Aston Villa, Fulham and Brighton.Steve Sidwell has invested in a commercial fit out businessCredit: Action Images – ReutersHe balances his time with his work as a pundit and a podcasterCredit: That Peter Crouch PodcastHe hung up his boots in 2018 and has since become a pundit for TNT Sports.Sidwell is also a regular on That Peter Crouch Podcast where he revealed that he has invested in a friend’s commercial fit out venture called Box3 Projects.The business constructs and designs office spaces ready to be rented out or sold.He is registered as a director at the company.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSidwell explained: “It’s doing really well.”Me and my best friend, we do commercial office fit outs in town.”He worked for two of the biggest companies in Europe probably, and he’s gone alone now and he asked me to get on board.”We can do anything you want. Most read in FootballHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL”If you find an empty space that you want offices in or partitions in – we can do stripping out – whatever you need.”Crouch and co-host Chris Stark were left in stitches as they demanded he wink down the camera and sell his business idea.’Lock in and listen out’ – Peter Crouch speechless after finding out about Premier League stars’ Babestation phone callThe trio were later left giggling over Sidwell’s Babestation prank on former Reading team-mate Glen Little.Box3 Projects isn’t Sids’ first business move after previously launching a kid’s clothing company with his wife. More

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    TNT Sports take cheeky dig at hit BBC show ahead of Arsenal’s crunch Premier League ‘battle’ vs Newcastle

    TNT Sports took a cheeky dig at the BBC during their coverage of Arsenal vs Newcastle.The kick-off was moved from TNT’s usual 12:30pm slot to a primetime 8pm Saturday showing to maximise the number of TV viewers.
    The Arsenal vs Newcastle game has been moved to a primetime TV slotCredit: AP
    The presenters took a cheeky dig at GladiatorsCredit: BBC
    Welcoming viewers to the game, lead commentator Darren Fletcher said: “Forget Gladiators, the battle is here.”
    The comment was in reference to Gladiators on BBC One, which is showing at the same time and has recently been relaunched.
    The much-loved 1990s show has been revamped with Bradley Walsh presenting alongside his son, Barney.
    Former Premier League ref Mark Clattenburg also oversees the action as the referee on the show.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    Clattenburg recently dipped his toe back into the refereeing game after taking a job at Nottingham Forest.
    The former whistler will be a ‘referee’s analyst’ for the club, the first of its kind.
    The football feeling does not end on the hit TV show, with Guy Mowbray providing the commentator.
    Mowbray is well known for his commentating on Match of the Day, week to week.
    Most read in Football
    The show was recently hit by “fix” claims after a former gladiator claimed there were certain events that contestants would find “impossible” to win against burly gladiators.
    Arsenal entered the game against Newcastle looking to close the gap at the top of the table.
    Gladiators in chaos as referee forced to stop game after epic wardrobe malfunction and contestant is left injured
    The title-chasers will be just two points off Liverpool if they can beat Newcastle tonight.
    Manchester City took a major step in their hunt to reel in Liverpool earlier as they triumphed over Bournemouth 1-0. More

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    ‘The man’s lost his marbles’ Laura Woods left shocked by Ally McCoist’s mistake during interview on TNT Sports

    ALLY MCCOIST left Laura Woods stunned by calling Wilfried Zaha “world class” during a TNT Sports feature.The “world class” debate has been raging on in recent weeks, since Rio Ferdinand claimed that Phil Foden can be considered as such but Bukayo Saka cannot.
    Laura Woods was chatting with Ally McCoist for a TNT Sports featureCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt
    Woods laughed at McCoist’s responseCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt
    The Scot, 61, didn’t mind poking fun at himselfCredit: https://twitter.com/footballontnt
    Continuing the discourse, popular presenter Woods asked McCoist which Premier League players can be called “world class”.
    The affable Scot, 61, replied: “You look at guys like Zaha, world class.”
    Baffled by his answer, Woods said: “Zaha?!”
    Laughing, McCoist clarified: “I meant (Mo) Salah!”
    READ MORE IN SPORT
    Struggling to contain her own laughter, Woods said: “Wilfried Zaha? That’s an interesting one to go straight to!”
    McCoist then embraced his error, continuing: “It might be controversial but I’m going to start with Wilfried Zaha!
    “He’s been a personal favourite of mine for a long time and I’m just going to continue in the controversial theme and I’m going with him.
    “When did Wilfried Zaha become Mo Salah? Anyway, do you want to do that question again?
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    “Actually we should just leave it in and cause an absolute riot, shouldn’t we!
    “The man’s lost his marbles! Get him off air immediately, get him in a home for old folk and we can send him flowers and go and visit him every Sunday afternoon – we can take him out for a walk on a Sunday!”
    Laura Woods praised for bold outfit as TNT Sports host goes for all-leather look and fans say ‘looking like Catwoman’
    A cackling Woods responded: “I quite like it – I love that!”
    Zaha, 31, left the Premier League last summer when his Crystal Palace contract expired.
    He subsequently joined Galatasaray, and played against former club Manchester United in the Champions League earlier this term.
    The winger has fallen out of favour of late, starting his side’s last four league matches on the bench.
    He has managed 10 goals in all competitions this season, including one at Old Trafford.
    Zaha has played 305 times in the Premier League, scoring 68 times and laying on 43 assists.
    Salah, meanwhile, is having another sensational season – grabbing 19 goals and 10 assists.
    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is sweating on the Egyptian’s fitness ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup final.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    Woods, 36, was left in “real fear” after enduring two years of torment from stalker Harneet Kaur.
    Kaur, 25, was sentenced to 14 months in prison, having sent vile messages to Laura including sick threats to kill her dog.
    Woods, 36, presented TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage in mid-weekCredit: Alamy More

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    Laura Woods seen for first time since stalking hell revealed as she works on Arsenal’s Champions League coverage

    LAURA Woods has been seen for the first time since her two-year stalking hell was revealed.The presenter, 36, was said to have been left in “real fear” after an obsessed stalker sent her vile messages and threatened to kidnap her dog.
    Laura Woods pictured on set today
    Woods suffered a two-year stalking hellCredit: Getty
    Harneet Kaur has been jailed for stalking the TNT Sports presenter
    Laura has been spotted on set ahead of TNT Sports’ coverage of Portugal’s FC Porto hosting Arsenal in the Champions League this evening.
    Photos shared on social media showed the presenter sat alongside Scottish football legend and commentator Ally McCoist.
    It comes after she endured two years of torment as Harneet Kaur, 25, targeted her online and sent unwanted packages to her home.
    Female Liverpool FC fan Kaur became infatuated with Laura back in 2021 and began visiting the street she lived on, a court heard.
    Read More Sport
    The sick campaign involved terrifying threats to kill Laura’s dog and vile messages where she referred to the pundit as a prostitute.
    Bibles, sexual health tests and food orders were also arranged to be delivered to Laura’s London pad.
    Kaur used Just Eat to arrange for Krispy Kreme doughnuts to be delivered to the address.
    Judge Talog Davies said Ms Woods was initially “pleasantly surprised and thought it was a mistake or somebody being nice”, so posted a picture on her Twitter account saying they had “made her evening”.
    Most read in Football
    But Antonie Muller, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court “Woods did not realise this was to be the start of a campaign against her”.
    Laura Woods straddles Adam Collard on romantic ski holiday after suffering ‘near-death experiences’
    Kaur sent a Starbucks order and chocolate lollipop with the message: “From your secret admirer and I’m not crazy”.
    The contact then started turning “darker” when Woods, who presents for TNT Sport, was bombarded with messages.
    One said she was a “former prostitute who slept herself into a job”.
    Kaur was arrested in April 2022 and re-arrested in August later the same year.
    Her phone and iPad were seized both times, but that “didn’t stop her”.
    In October, she posted a picture of Woods commentating at Anfield with the caption: “Wtf is that coke head doing at Anfield.”
    Kaur also sent messages saying Ms Woods was a ‘Tory’ and wasn’t welcome in Liverpool ahead of a match she was due to attend.
    Kaur, who has autism, was previously banned from Liverpool’s ground for ticket touting.
    While Kaur’s barrister claimed her offending was down to autistic traits of “obsession and compulsion”, judge Talog Davies rubbished the arguments.
    Sentencing her to 14 months in prison, he said Kaur would have known the impact she was having on Woods.
    Woods suffers from anxiety and has been forced to increase security at home and while at work.
    Prosecutors said Kaur’s actions had left Ms Woods with a “real fear” that the defendant would get close to her while she was working.
    They fought to have Kaur banned from every football stadium in the country, reports MailOnline.
    But the judge said it was too harsh a punishment and instead handed her a jail sentence and a restraining order.
    Kaur has been banned from contacting Woods and 14 other people, and cannot go within 500m of her home.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    Balbir Singh, mitigating, said: “This defendant has never met Laura Woods, she has never spoken to her, she has never approached her – this is why this case is very different to many others that come before the courts.”
    Kaur, from Walsall, West Mids, pleaded guilty to stalking. More

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    Why Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Luton isn’t on TV due to bizarre blackout rule

    LIVERPOOL face Luton in their rearranged Premier League clash on Wednesday night.But the tie is NOT being shown live on TV due to a bizarre rule.
    Luton make the trip to Liverpool on Wednesday nightCredit: The Times
    The Reds were originally set to host the Hatters at Anfield this coming Saturday, February 24.
    But due to Jurgen Klopp’s side booking their place in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, the Premier League match needed to be rescheduled.
    And the clash was brought forward three days to Wednesday night, with a 7.30pm kick-off under the lights on Merseyside.
    However, fans will not be able to watch the action live on UK TV.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    That is because the match was not originally selected by broadcasters Sky Sports or TNT Sports.
    And that meant it was due to be played at 3pm on Saturday – during the nationwide TV football blackout.
    Therefore, the match cannot subsequently be picked up by Sky or TNT because the companies have a limited number of matches as part of their deals with the Premier League.
    So the fixture remains untelevised – just like Manchester City vs Brentford 24 hours earlier, which was moved due to the Treble winners’ involvement in the Club World Cup over Christmas.
    Most read in Football
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    Liverpool vs Luton will be available on talkSPORT radio.
    On the same night, Arsenal’s trip to FC Porto and Napoli vs Barcelona in the Champions League are both on TNT Sports.
    Liverpool ace Curtis Jones aims sly dig at Arsenal for ‘stealing their stuff’ after wild celebrations following huge win
    Sky Sports, meanwhile, have live coverage of Bradford City vs Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy semi-final.
    Liverpool go into the game with Luton off the back of their thumping 4-1 win at Brentford and sitting top of the table.
    Mo Salah returned with a goal and an assist in West London.
    But Klopp is sweating on the fitness of Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota who all went off injured just eight days before the Carabao Cup final.
    Luton remain in the thick of the relegation scrap but were unfortunate to lose 2-1 to Manchester United on Sunday, undone by a couple of errors and Casemiro escaping a red card. More