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    Chelsea files: Enzo Maresca and Cole Palmer’s bonus woes and fans’ Conference League final travel chaos

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    ENZO MARESCA will not get a bonus if he wins Chelsea the Conference League tonight.The Blues boss is looking to cap Champions League qualification by lifting a European trophy in Poland – but it will not earn him any extra cash.Enzo Maresca will not get a bonus if Chelsea win the Conference LeagueCredit: GettyWhen Maresca agreed to take over at Stamford Bridge last summer, the bonuses included in his five-year deal showed the real ambitions at Chelsea.The Italian will only be rewarded personally for success in the Premier League and Champions League during his time in west London.While everyone at Chelsea will have wanted to win the Conference League this season – having started as clear favourites – a top five finish was far more important for the club’s long-term future.And Maresca has argued that he is ahead of schedule in delivering it, stating the owners wanted to qualify for Europe’s top competition within two years of his arrival from Leicester.Player bonuses, however, are negotiated on a season-by-season basis and the Blues squad are in for a reward if they triumph over Real Betis in Wroclaw.The size of the bonus for each player will depend on how many appearances have been made throughout the competition.So if Cole Palmer – who was not even in the squad for the group stage – starts against Betis he will still earn less than some of those fringe players who did all the hard work early on.Chelsea would become the first ever club to win all three of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League should they get past Manuel Pellegrini’s men.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPLAYING FOR KEEPSCHELSEA are confident they will not have to fight off West Ham for goalkeeping chief Ben Roberts this summer.Former Blues boss Graham Potter is making his mark in East London and has decided to move goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero on.Potter has already hired close pal Kyle Macaulay from his role at Stamford Bridge and appointed him as head of recruitment at the London Stadium.Roberts followed Potter from Brighton to Chelsea as one of his coaching staff but has since been given a role as global head of goalkeeping across both of BlueCo’s clubs.While West Ham are in the market for a new coach, there is no concern at Chelsea over losing Roberts this summer.Chelsea’s goalkeeping chief Ben RobertsCredit: Chelsea AN GUARD TODD BOEHLY has personally stamped on the fingers of any team trying to swoop for Andrey Santos in the summer transfer market, with PSG, Arsenal and Crystal Palace all reportedly keen. The Chelsea midfielder, who spent this season on loan at BlueCo-owned RC Strasbourg, helped the French side secure Conference League football for next year with 10 goals and 3 assists in Ligue 1. The Stamford Bridge outfit picked up Santos for just £18m two years ago. Still, with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez all looking to be starters for Enzo Maresca next season, the Brazilian has been linked with a big-money move away. Having watched him closely this season, and in person, that would be a big mistake.London rivals Arsenal and Champions League finalists PSG were two teams circling the midfielder, but Todd Boehly seems to have warned them away as he spoke at the Qatar Economic Forum last week. He said “We are laser-focused on the Club World Cup. We have some players that are joining us, [like] Andrey Santos. We are really excited about him and what he can add to the squad.”A personal name-dropping of the midfielder speaks volumes of the value he presents to the Blues, and he should expect to be a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans beyond the summer tournament.Andrey Santos is due to return to Chelsea next seasonCredit: GettyWHEN THERE’S A WILLLAMINE YAMAL has set the footballing world alight this season. A left-footed, right-wing Barcelona prodigy who just happened to be bathed by Lionel Messi in a kind of ‘footballing baptism’ and has already helped carry his side to a league title at the age of 17 – it’s easy to see why he’s viewed by many as the heir to Messi’s throne. Part of what made football so incredibly good for the past 20 years, was that we had an individual rivalry in Ronaldo vs Messi that provided constant debate and discussion as for who was the best in the world.Many thought that kind of rivalry that might be revived with Erling Haaland vs Kylian Mbappe, but it may actually be Lamine Yamal vs a Chelsea starlet waiting to explode – Estevao Willian. Both seem to have been crafted by the footballing gods in the mould of Lionel Messi, but idolise and bring all the flair and skill which Neymar did in his time at Barcelona. Estevao was signed for £28million by Chelsea last summer, with the move set to be finalised this summer ahead of a transition into the Blues’ first team next campaign. The wonderkid has played predominantly on the right in Brazil, but can also play through the middle and on the left – the kind of versatility Enzo Maresca will adore. Coincidentally nicknamed ‘Messinho’, he has broken all sorts of records set by Neymar in Brazil, and is more than ready to step up and take some pressure off of the shoulders of Cole Palmer. Be patient Chelsea fans, your Lamine Yamal awaits…Estevao Willian is a superstar in the makingCredit: AlamyMARESCA’S YOUNG GUNSAFTER Chelsea’s lineup vs Nottingham Forest was announced, it was official… The class of 24/25 became the youngest team in Premier League history. The average age of Enzo Maresca’s starting eleven’s over the course of the season was 24 years and 36 days – beating the previous record of Leeds United by 136 days.Inexperience has been richly discussed among Blues’ fans since Todd Boehly and his BlueCo consortium took control of the club, with the general consensus being that the team needs some sort of leadership outside of 27-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo, who has been nicknamed the ‘Uncle’ of the dressing room. It remains to be seen if BlueCo’s risky strategy of buying almost exclusively young talents will pay dividends in terms of trophies and on-pitch success, or if the Blues will splash some cash on an experienced defender and forward in a bid to bring a Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge – but if they don’t it may be a long wait until they see it. Chelsea’s class of 24/25 became the youngest team in Premier League historyCredit: GettyFIGHT OR FLIGHTMORE THAN 100 fans were set to board the 07:40am flight from Luton to Poznan this morning in the hope of arriving in Poland and exploring Wroclaw before Chelsea play the Conference League Final tomorrow. However, the WizzAir flight has left fans stranded in Luton with the flight has been delayed until 4pm UK time.A six-hour delay means that passengers will now arrive in Poznan around 7pm, before still needing to travel to Wroclaw where the final takes place – another 113 miles away. For fans who would’ve arrived at Luton airport around 5am, they now face a nightmare day of travel which could be as long as 17 hours. Not to mention fans will also face expenses such as missed trains, taxis, buses, late check-in fees, and paying ridiculous prices for airport meals with such a lengthy delay.It comes on the back of our story that hotels in Wroclaw have been finding crafty ways to suddenly and inexplicably increase their room rates for Chelsea fans who booked months ago in anticipation of their team reaching the final.Blues fans face travel chaos ahead of the Conference League finalCredit: GettyCUP FOR IT ENZO MARESCA will finally discover this weekend who he faces in the opening game of the new and expanded Club World Cup this summer.Club America play off against Los Angeles for the right to face Chelsea on June 16 in the first Group D fixture.The two teams have a chance to join the cream of Europe and South America after Club Leon were banned over multi-club ownership rules. They are stablemates with CF Pachuca and teams in the same groups cannot compete in the same tournament.The game takes place this Saturday – the same day as the Champions League Final – but Blues supporters can watch both with the CWC play off not starting until 7.30pm and that’s in California which is 3.30AM the following morning in London.Enzo Maresca discovers who he faces in the opening game of the Club World CupCredit: Getty More

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      Jubilant Tottenham fans forced to miss Europa League trophy parade as they endure mad journey back to the UK

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      JUBILANT Spurs fans are set to MISS OUT on Friday’s Europa League trophy parade – because they will still be getting home from Bilbao.An estimated 30,000 Tottenham supporters travelled by land, sea and air to Spain for Wednesday’s historic win over Manchester United.An estimated 30,000 Tottenham fans travelled to Bilbao for the Europa League finalCredit: Shutterstock EditorialBut many supporters are set to miss Friday’s trophy paradeCredit: Shutterstock EditorialSpurs fans Zak (right) and Tyler (left) slept in a van overnight after being unable to find accommodationThe pals jetted in to Madrid from Florida just for the matchMany took a long drive through the Continent, while others juggled numerous flights – and some even braved a 32-hour ferry ride from Portsmouth.And while the journey out was a true test of loyalty, the way home is not much better.Flights to Bilbao were generally extortionate, with desperate fans forking out over £1,000 in some cases.Those keen to get back on Thursday – the day after the game – had to pay close to that again.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA flight to Stansted on Thursday afternoon set two pals back £740 each, while direct flights in the morning to Gatwick were close to £900.The high costs, coupled with the fact that Bilbao has relatively few international flights, meant many fans had to divert to various locations to get home.One Tottenham season ticket holder is jetting out of Bilbao to Tenerife, where he will spend 20 hours before arriving late home to Birmingham on Friday night.Father and son Neil and Leo, from Hampshire, booked a return ferry trip from Portsmouth in August and won’t even leave the Basque city until Saturday.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThey will be happy to be home for Sunday’s home game against Brighton, when supporters can revel once more in Spurs’ first trophy in 17 years.Others, including Ben from Essex, didn’t even give their journey home a second thought before setting off.Tottenham fans PARTY through the night in Bilbao after Europa League triumph He joked: “I’ve decided to relocate to Spain. I’m not sure if immigration will be happy but I have no return journey booked.”His friend Paul was taking no such chances and was determined to get back for Friday morning.He said: “I’ve decided to get the bus from Bilbao to Madrid, which is about five hours.”Then catch the flight home to London, via Rome. I’m going to Italy for an hour.”Then I’ll be at Heathrow at about 11 o’clock Thursday night, and hopefully be back in time for the victory parade.”Two friends who will definitely miss the parade are Zak and Tyler, who jetted in from Florida just for the match.They had a few troubles getting to Bilbao – and did not even think about the celebrations in London afterwards.Zak, who has a British Spurs-supporting dad and an American mum, said: “We couldn’t find any accommodation in Bilbao, or any transportation into there – no flights, no trains, no buses.”So our only option was to fly to Madrid, rent a car and then drive to Bilbao, but then we couldn’t find any hotels, so we decided to rent a van.”We slept in the van in Bilbao last night, just drove it back now down to Madrid.”Read More on The SunThe pair are now heading to Budapest for some “calmer time”.Zak added: “I would have liked to go to the parade, yeah. I just didn’t think that far ahead.”Spurs fan Ben, from Essex, revealed he didn’t have a return journey bookedCredit: The SunHis mate Paul was getting a five-hour bus to Madrid before flying to Heathrow via RomeCredit: The SunTottenham ratings: Bissouma dominates Europa League final as occasion gets to UdogieBRENNAN JOHNSON was Tottenham’s hero as they finally ended their 17-year trophy drought in the Europa League final.Despite being without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski for the clash in Bilbao, Spurs came up with a massive win against Manchester United.Johnson scored the goal as he helped bundle in from a corner in a tussle with Luke Shaw to send fans into dreamland.But Spurs also owe a huge thanks to Yves Bissouma who was totally dominant in midfield.At the other end, Destiny Udogie struggled to get up to the pace of the match as he was up against Manchester United’s Amad Diallo.Spurs had just three shots, only 27 per cent of the ball, and completed a mere 115 passes over 90 minutes.But it didn’t matter, as United never really looked like finding a leveller to take it to extra time.SunSport’s Henry Tomlinson gave his ratings for the Tottenham players… More

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      Man Utd, Spurs and ARSENAL fans take epic 32-hour ‘bucket list’ ferry trip to Bilbao for Europa League final

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      MANCHESTER United, Spurs and ARSENAL fans are heading to Bilbao on a 32-hour ferry trip ahead of Wednesday night’s Europa League final.Hundreds of supporters joined holidaymakers for the epic boat ride which left Portsmouth at 10pm on Sunday and doesn’t arrive until 8am Tuesday morning.Sun man Dave Courtnadge enjoys a pint on the ferryCredit: The SunThe journey from Portsmouth to Bilbao takes 32 hoursCredit: The SunFans soak in the sun on the top deckCredit: The SunWith flights to Spain rocketing to over £1,000 after United and Spurs sealed their places in the final, many took advantage of the cheaper, but much longer, ferry option, which costs around £260 with a cabin.And some were even looking forward to their time at sea more than watching the game itself.Lifelong United follower Dave, from Derby, is one of many who haven’t even got a match ticket, but called the journey a “bucket list trip”.He added: “The way our lot have been playing I’m more excited about the boat anyway. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I didn’t buy a cabin originally but then I didn’t fancy sitting in a seat for two days.”Others have been planning the trip for months, including father and son Tottenham fans Neil and Leo, who booked their ferry tickets and hotel in Bilbao in AUGUST.Leo, 17, said “I just had a feeling we’ll do it”, and is now confidently predicting Spurs will win 4-2 in the final – after going 2-1 down.The mood on board so far has been brilliant, with fans of both clubs mixing in the bar until 2am this morning, even though last orders were called at midnight.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFour United fans who had driven to Portsmouth from Somerset were still going strong despite starting their pre-match build-up on Saturday morning and having barely been to sleep since.One did have a black eye to show for his troubles though after falling over along the way.How Europa League final will be decided – four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battlesAmong the United and Spurs fans was even one Arsenal supporter who was making the journey purely in the hope of seeing his North London rivals lose.He said: “I’m very much enjoying being among United fans and having a night out in Bilbao. “On a scale of one to ten, I’d say my hatred for Spurs is about 80.”Spurs fan Paul will just be happy to make it to Spain after having a nightmare trying to get on the boat.The IT worker and Tottenham TikToker, who booked his ferry tickets with pal Ben midway through the first leg of the semi-final win over Bodo/Glimt, was nearly denied entry on to the boat due to an “expired” passport.Inside the cabin which has no windowsRooms were squeezed in togetherThere was plenty of dining spaceFans got down for breakfast in a build to fuel upFresh crepes were even on offerBut SunSport had stew and rice for lunchLife on board leaves me wobblyBy Dave CourtnadgeI HAD no idea what to expect after booking a 32-hour ferry trip from Portsmouth to Bilbao to see Manchester United hopefully beat Spurs in Wednesday’s Europa League final.I’d also read reviews of the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry ride, calling it “one of the most serene ways to travel to the Continent”.I’d heard the BBC podcast on Man Utd and West Ham fans having a full-blown riot on a boat trip to Holland in the 1980s.The reality of my trip so far, thankfully, is nothing like either of those.The atmosphere has been absolutely brilliant, with fans of both clubs mixing in the pub long before the 10pm departure, and in the ferry bar long after last orders at midnight.There’s even an Arsenal out her hoping to see Spurs lose too.I enjoyed a few in the beer garden of the Ship and Castle near the ferry port on the sunny Sunday before we took off.I’d be talking to some fans about the mad boat trip ahead and plans for Bilbao for 10 minutes before we’d establish who one another supported.There’s still good banter about both sides’ abysmal seasons, but with a lot of the chat being about who is actually worse, not better.Plenty of Murphy’s and some classic cabaret just added to the holiday mood once we were on board.We ramped up the booze cruise vibes at about 1am by venturing out on to the top deck (I was pretty amazed they left the doors unlocked considering the clientele on board)But after convincing one particularly drunk shipmate that he’d be in serious trouble if he jumped in the sea, I thought it safer to head back inside.After another nightcap I returned to my four-man cabin which thankfully I have all to myself.Because my cabin is in the middle of the boat it’s pitch black. That, coupled with not being disturbed half-way through the night by my two young kids, meant I slept like a baby.As for sea-sickness, there’s not so much a gentle rocking of the waves but rather a weird constant jolty sensation like you get when you start a car that has left me a bit wobbly.I’m sure it’s nothng to do with all that Murphy’s anyway.I’ve at least managed to hold down my breakfast, which I ate surrounded by the normal holidaymakers, not football fans, who make up about half of the passengers on board.Not surprisingly, most of the supporters were still in bed at that point, but I’m sure I’ll catch them in the bar later for the quiz and more cabaret.Chants of “Keano, Keano…” from down the corridor suggests some are now starting to rise.As for me, it’s time to check out that top deck again…He revealed last night: “I still feel like I’m having a positive day even though it’s been pretty challenging.”Our train from London to Portsmouth ended up not being from London to Portsmouth, but London to Eastleigh. “So we found another train that took us from London to Petersfield, which meant we then ended up having to get a taxi.”The taxi driver didn’t know where we needed to go to for the ferry. He got lost, he wanted cash only and we didn’t have cash, so we had to sort all that palaver out.”Eventually we got that sorted and then we thought it was an eight o’clock leave and it’s not, it’s ten o’clock, so two hours extra in the pub.”And now I’ve just found my passport might not have let me on the ferry after all that, even though I’ve spent an absolute fortune on ferry tickets, accommodation, flights around Europe to get home and tickets for the game of course.Read More on The Sun”I have found out I can get on but that’s on the basis that I’ve booked a flight to say that I am actually coming back to the UK.”But otherwise, I’m going to have to get a new passport.”There was even some live entertainmentCredit: The SunUnited fans get into the swing of itCredit: The SunFans were mixing wellThe booze was flowingFans were discussing the big gameMan Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash More

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      Wrexham stars celebrate in iconic Vegas casino and ‘hijack’ luggage cart after Hollywood owners splash £500k on party

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      WREXHAM stars hijacked a luggage cart and drove it through an iconic Las Vegas casino during their wild promotion bash.Hollywood star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney splashed £500,000 on celebrations after the Red Dragons booked their spot in next season’s Championship.Wrexham stars hijacked a luggage cart and drove it through a Las Vegas casino during their wild promotion bashCredit: BackgridDan Scarr enjoyed riding the cart through the hotelCredit: BackgridIt was Scarr’s first trip to Vegas with the teamCredit: BackgridWrexham players took group snaps in the lobby with a picture of their promotion celebrations in the middleCredit: BackgridOllie Palmer and Scarr led the team through the Bellagio hotel in VegasCredit: BackgridThe once down and out Welsh outfit pulled off the previously unthinkable with their third consecutive promotion.They finished second on 92 points behind League One’s runaway leaders Birmingham City on 111. And Phil Parkinson’s side returned to Sin City by private jet on Thursday for their third promotion party in a row.The players hit a pool party first before being spotted at the luxury Bellagio hotel and casino enjoying downtime.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOllie Palmer, who has been to all three Vegas bashes, was seen looking worse for wear as the team walked through the hotel lobby.And at one point, centre-back Dan Scarr cheekily stole a luggage cart and drove it through a corridor as stunned guests looked on.It was Scarr’s first trip to Vegas with the team after signing from Plymouth Argyle last summer.After drinking for most of the day, the players then took group snaps with a group of women while laying across the floor of the lobby.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMidfielder George Dobson, 27, was later caught changing his T-shirt with a bottle of beer at his feet.Onlookers also said the players got stuck in a lift for more than an hour on Friday.How Wrexham was transformed from crime-ridden hellhole to Welsh Hollywood as locals say ‘next stop’s the Premier League’ George Dobson was caught changing his shirt with a bottle of beer at his feetCredit: BackgridThe players had to wait for firefighters to get them out of the elevator as they sobered up.Owners Reynolds and McElhenney have met up and partied with the team in Vegas for the last two years.But the American actors are yet to be seen with the crew this week.Last year the owners put on a “monster” all expenses paid trip that saw the players stay at a fancy hotel overlooking the strip.The squad chilled out poolside with bikini-clad girls, dined at the exclusive Hakkasan restaurant and partied for FOUR days straight.Wrexham’s third straight promotion was a feat that had never been achieved in the top five tiers of English football. A record-extending fourth consecutive move up would see them play in the top-flight for the first time in their 160-year existence.Hollywood star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney splashed £500,000 on celebrationsMax Cleworth, Luke McNicholas and Ryan Longman carried through pictures of Wrexham’s automatic promotion winCredit: BackgridFormer Burnley star Jay Rodriguez enjoyed his first trip to Vegas with WrexhamCredit: Backgrid More

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      in Boxing

      Josh Warrington still holds out for US debut in Las Vegas… so travelling Leeds fans can enjoy ‘one hell of a party’

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      JOSH WARRINGTON is still holding out for his dream US boxing debut – so he can reward his Leeds faithful with the trip of a lifetime. The two-time featherweight world champion has long had one of the most loyal base of supporters among British boxing.Josh Warrington is still holding out for his dream US boxing debutCredit: GettyAnd that will continue on Saturday in Sheffield when Warrington embarks on a comeback – starting against Asad Asif Khan. Warrington has fought at his beloved Elland Road and the Headingley rugby stadium. But he has never been able to give his Leeds army a Stateside away day – with Sin City still on his bucket list.Warrington, 34, told SportsBoom: “For me, selfishly, I’d choose Madison Square Garden in New York because of all the history associated with it.READ MORE IN BOXING“For the people who come to watch me, who have backed me all the way right from the beginning, I’d choose Las Vegas because I know they’d have one hell of a party over there.“I’ve always made it clear that I’ve wanted to go over there and hopefully it’s something that can still happen.”Warrington last fought on the road over a decade ago – beating Edwin Tellez in 2015. And he recalled: “That trip to Berlin spawned so many stories that people still talk about today. They make me wish I’d been there with them.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWarrington’s last win came in March 2022 – when he beat Kiko Martinez for the IBF title. But he lost in right away against Luis Alberto Lopez before two losses against Leigh Wood and Anthony Cacace. His third on the spin – against Cacace at Wembley – saw Warrington lay down his gloves – signalling the end of his career. But he changed his mind and returns for one more crack to fight Khan on Dalton Smith’s undercard. Warrington laid down his gloves in his last fight but is now making a comebackCredit: Getty More

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      ‘She squeezed my breasts and I took off almost all my clothes’ – Wag Diletta Leotta reveals airport security trauma

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      DILETTA LEOTTA has lifted the lid on a traumatic travel experience she described as “incredible torture”.The TV presenter has claimed she was left feeling “embarrassed” after an invasive security check at a German airport.Diletta Leotta has revealed her ‘traumatic’ travel experience in a German airportCredit: Instagram @dilettaleottaThe Dazn Serie A presenter revealed how a policewoman overdid it during a security checkCredit: GettyLeotta was returning from watching husband Loris Karis star for SchalkeCredit: AFPLeotta, the wife of former Liverpool star Loris Karius, explained she was returning to Italy after watching her partner play for Bundesliga 2 side Schalke.As reported by Bild, she told Radio 105: “I had to go back to Italy, and as I was going through the metal detector, a policewoman came and wanted to check me.”At one point, I took off almost all my clothes. I was wearing almost nothing under my arms and told her, ‘Look, I have nothing under my arms’. “But she insisted on tickling me under my arms, which was incredible torture. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”She also told me to take off my shoes and tickled me under my feet. “It was traumatic because my brother held me like that (with his arms raised) and tickled me under the armpits. “He was really strong. He tickled me all over my body and I used to wet my pants.”Leotta, 33, had been juggling her career working as a presenter on Dazn for Serie A games with travelling to see Karius.Most read in FootballKarius, 31, joined Schalke in January and has played in each of their last four games, with Leotta regularly in attendance, including the German’s debut when he was mobbed by team-mates.However, she admitted her job would make it difficult to attend matches all the time.Ex-Premier League star Loris Karius marries sports presenter Wag Diletta Leotta in star-studded Sicily wedding She told RND: “I was in Gelsenkirchen for the match against Preussen Munster two weeks ago and saw a packed stadium with over 60,000 people, just like the following week in Berlin. “It was a surprise to experience this fascinating second division with an incredible fan base. “Of course, I’m attending a Serie A match almost every week, which will make it difficult to come more often – but whenever I have time, I’ll be happy to come back.”The couple met in late 2022 and have enjoyed a whirlwind romance since, welcoming a daughter named Aria in August 2023. More

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      Former Premier League striker Demba Ba lined up for shock job at top-flight club

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      PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero Demba Ba has been lined up for a sporting director’s job at a top-flight club in France.Stade Rennais are considering replacing their current director, Frederic Massara, with ex-Newcastle and Chelsea striker Ba. Demba Ba has been lined up for a sporting director’s job at a top-flight club in FranceCurrent Rennais sporting director Frederic Massara (left) is set to leave the club after one yearBa has kept busy since he hung up his boots in 2021. In 2023, he became a minority owner and director of football at Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque. The club have been enjoying an impressive season, outperforming their sparse means. The fourth placed side are challenging for promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd the club have reached the Coupe de France semi-final, where they will face holders Paris Saint-Germain.And now it seems Ba’s work has been noticed by Ligue 1 side Rennais.It has been a disappointing stint in the north of France for former AC Milan director Massara, who only joined the club in early July. Massara has borne the brunt of a failed summer transfer window, which saw the club spend more than £66million on unproven players.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe signed a lot of young players, many of whom have since been moved on, such as Jota, Albert Gronbaek, and Glen Kamara. Gronbaek was shipped out to Prem strugglers Southampton in January.Chelsea transfer target gets instantly booked for pointless skill as all out brawl is sparked in derby clash And former Arsenal youth star Kamara was loaned to Saudi side Al Shabab after six months at the club.While Jota is currently starring for Celtic.Rennais sit 12th in Ligue 1, with nine wins from 26 games.Despite interest in Ba, RC Strasbourg Alsace’s Loic Desire remains the firm favourite to take over from Massara, according to L’Equipe. Ba spent one season with Chelsea in 2013-2014 and is remembered for his cool finish after Steven Gerrard’s infamous ‘slip’ at Anfield.The French-Senegalese star capitalised on Gerrard’s mistake to dent Liverpool’s title hopes in dramatic fashion.Ba spent one season with Chelsea in 2013-2014Ba’s first stint in the Prem was with West Ham, joining in January 2011 with the Hammers struggling against relegation.He scored seven goals in 12 league appearances for the club, including braces away at West Brom and Wigan, but he could not prevent them from the drop.READ MORE SUN STORIESDue to a clause in his contract, he was allowed to leave on a free at the end of the season.Newcastle ended up signing him on a free transfer in 2011, and he quickly made a name for himself as a deadly finisher. More

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      in Motorsport

      F1 hit by travel chaos with teams left without CARS days before Chinese Grand Prix as FIA release statement

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      FORMULA ONE teams have been hit by travel chaos days before the Chinese Grand Prix after technical issues in Melbourne.Several teams including McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Williams have been hit by the problem, leaving them without their cars for the second race of the season, according to F1 insider Kym Illman.Teams have been hit by travel chaos before the Chinese Grand PrixCredit: SplashTeams affected include Williams, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Aston MartinCredit: AFPWith the quick turnaround between the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix, teams would have expected car parts to arrive on Monday evening or Tuesday morning after being shipped out on Sunday.However, technical issues have delayed the arrival of some car parts.Illman reports the teams were told their parts would arrive at 10am on Wednesday morning, but have now been told they will not receive them until 4 or 5pm.This means that teams have seen around 30 hours of their preparation time to get the cars ready for the first session of the weekend wiped out.READ MORE IN F1The freight transport issues have also hit the sport’s tyre supplier, Pirelli.The FIA released a statement ahead of the weekend – which will see the season’s first Sprint Race – providing a one-time-only concession on the curfew of the fitting schedule of cars.It said: “Due to the logistical challenges for the official tyre supplier resulting from delays in freight arrival, specially the requirement to revise the fitting schedule for Wednesday, the following concessions will be made.”On the Wednesday, and for this event only, the curfew period will be reduced by a period of five and a half (5.5) hours for a maximum of six (6) operational personnel for the sole purpose of tyre preparations post tyre fitting from the tyre supplier.”Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSIllman reports that members of the crew have been waiting around in hotels away from the track, effectively with the days off, as they wait for the parts to arrive.Delays in car parts arriving are not uncommon in F1 but, with a tight schedule to fit into, time is of the essence if the issue is not to impact heavily on the likes of Lando Norris or Max Verstappen.Behind the scenes in Australia GP paddock including F1 star Lewis Hamilton’s new Ferrari baseLewis Hamilton’s Ferrari team were not mentioned in the report but could have still seen parts delayed. Hamilton was set for a meeting with his engineer this week to better understand each other after the Brit had an X-rated blast down his radio following a Ferrari strategy blunder.Free Practice 1 for the race weekend will commence at 3:30am UK time on Friday.Sprint qualifying will then start at 7:30am.Saturday will see the Sprint Race start at 3am before qualifying for the feature race begins at 7am.The lights then go out for Sunday’s feature race at 7am.Norris took the chequered flag in Melbourne with Verstappen second and George Russell third as six cars crashed out of a chaotic wet race. More

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      Stuart Pearce reveals medics ‘shoved a tube down his throat’ as he relives horror health scare on trans-Atlantic jet

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      STUART Pearce has opened up about his health battle after falling ill during a transatlantic flight.The former England ace turned pundit described having chest pains on his way back from Las Vegas before doctors had to “stick a tube” down his throat and dramatically “reboot” his heart.Stuart Pearce on talkSPORT this afternoonPearce is in good spirits after he suffered a medical emergency on a plane at 30,000ftCredit: The SunThe Three Lions legend was taken to hospital after the plane made an emergency landing in CanadaCredit: PA:Press AssociationFans had been rooting for the hardman defender, nicknamed Psycho, since we told how he became ill during a Virgin Atlantic flight to Heathrow.The father-of-two, 62, appeared on talkSPORT today as he continues his recovery, having been discharged after spending five days in hospital.Speaking to Jim White and Simon Jordan at midday, he said: “I feel brilliant in myself and have done since probably mid last week, to be quite honest with you. “I’m in really good hands. The people in the hospital have been magnificent.”READ MORE ON THIS STORYHe said his insurers are looking at how to get him home to the UK, explaining he needs a “medical chaperone”.”Over the next day or so, hopefully,” he added.During the flight, Pearce was hooked up to a monitor as he began sweating profusely and struggling with acute pain on Flight VS156.First aiders treated Pearce, whose partner watched helplessly as the drama unfolded.Most read in FootballThe decision was made to divert the flight to St John’s on Newfoundland where the star was helped off the plane.Describing the health scare itself, Pearce told talkSPORT: “On the flight I had chest pains, so the crew on Virgin were brilliant and looked after me fantastically.”England great Stuart Pearce suffers health scare on trans-Atlantic flight forcing jet to make emergency landing in CanadaHe continued: “My heart rate was racing, my resting heart rate was anything above 155 bpm so that was ridiculous, really.”My heart wasn’t pumping enough blood around the system and had some swelling…”At the end of the week, on Friday, they said we’ll stick a tube down your throat, if there’s no swelling around your heart we’ll stop your heart and reboot again and that’s exactly what they did.”My heart went back to a normal rate and I left the next day.”He’s been able to watch some football as he recovers, saying: “I’ve been fortunate enough to watch a few games – the Forest game against Man City was very humbling.”Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support.”The former full-back, who played for Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Man City, received 24/7 care but has been out of hospital now for several days.’IN GREAT SPIRITS’During Saturday’s Premier League game between Forest and City, supporters stood for a round of applause in the third minute. Pearce wore the number ‘3’.Sam Matterface, a talkSPORT colleague, told listeners: “I spoke to him yesterday and he was in great spirits.”He isn’t 100 per cent — that is definitely the case.”But he’s in the right place in the hospital. They’re dealing with it.“He’s a little bit disappointed about not being here today. He actually said to me, ‘I’ve got so much I’ve had to cancel. Great games and Mumford and Sons are playing next Wednesday night and I can’t go!'”Pearce, who won 78 England caps, had been flying home after watching Warrington Wolves play Wigan Warriors in Vegas in the first rugby league Super league match in the US.A source previously said: “Stuart’s pains appeared to be getting worse as the flight continued.“He was constantly shifting position in his seat to try and find some comfort.“It was very clear the situation was serious.“The crew and other passengers trained in first aid were marvellous.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He received the best available care in the circumstances and was so grateful to everyone involved, and for the plane diverting to Canada.”The remaining 225 passengers were later flown to Heathrow, arriving at 6.15pm on Monday — six hours later than scheduled.Pearce has opened up about his health scareCredit: GettyUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More