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    Prince William stuns TNT pundits with football knowledge as Villa-loving future King is branded ‘man of the people’

    CLUTCHING his TNT Sports mic, Prince William casually dissected the tactics his beloved Aston Villa might employ against Paris Saint-Germain.“I think we all saw the Liverpool game and PSG’s intensity,” he told wide-eyed pundits Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist in a live six-minute TV masterclass.Prince William speaking at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Wednesday nightCredit: TNT SPORTSWills talking tactics with pundits Rio Ferdinand, left, and Ally McCoist before Villa’s match with Paris Saint-GermainCredit: TNT SPORTS“They gave a lot of pressure, they pressed very high. And so I think for Unai tonight, and the team, it’s about managing that press.”For the uninitiated, the future King was warning that Villa’s manager Unai Emery needed a game plan to cope with PSG’s ploy of defending high up the pitch.Seasoned internationals Ferdinand and McCoist nodded in agreement.This was the house of Windsor as we’ve rarely seen it.READ MORE ON PRINCE WILLIAMA monarchy shedding its stuffy image for something more modern is a PR triumph.But make no mistake, Will’s deep love and knowledge of the ­people’s game is absolutely genuine.Shortly before Wednesday’s Champions League tie kicked off, William added: “Unai likes it when teams come on to them and play quite a high press but obviously there’s a limit. Can we get around the press? Can we beat it? So I’m thinking long ball a bit.”The punditry was fast turning into a public relations triumph as social media buzzed with approval.Most read in FootballRelaxed in a casual jacket, William then began analysing PSG’s new approach of targeting youngsters rather than big-name players.He said: “I think not having Mbappe there, I think the PSG guys have talked about that quite a bit in the media, around not having the superstars maybe makes it a bit more of a gel.Prince William on fatherhood & football | Royal Exclusive Special“Vitinha in the midfield, I’ve been really impressed by, bearing in mind he was at Wolves two, three years ago and he could hardly get a game, and now look at him.”For a man once known more for polo than the Premier League, it was impressive stuff.Ex-England and Manchester United star Ferdinand told him: “Do not go for a punditry job, please, because I could be out of the game.”Fans watching at home were equally impressed.‘Passion we all share’One said: “Better analysis than most pundits.” Another supporter added: “He knows his stuff, defo.”Others remarked on William’s accent which has lost the regal ­formality of his elders.Times Radio presenter Andrew Neil said: “Charles and Anne speak in the same mannered, old-fashioned, upper-class way as their parents. William is much more normal.”The Prince was also seen in the tunnel, greeting the Villa players with encouraging hugs after they had warmed up on the pitch.It’s difficult to imagine Prince Philip or King George VI greeting Tyrone Mings with the welcome “big man!” and an endearing embrace.William also hugged Marcus Rashford and was heard saying, “Marcus, nice to see you, I missed you earlier.”Welcoming Marcus Rashford, top, while wishing Aston Villa players luck before they took to the pitchCredit: ESPNOnline gossip among fans questions if William may have influenced the player joining Villa from Manchester United.To top it off William, 42, was later seen in the stands with son George, 11, celebrating wildly when Villa went 1-0 up (they later lost 3-1).Last month the Prince told Shaun Custis — The Sun’s Head of Sport — that he lurks on Villa fan internet forums under a random name.And in January the Prince enjoyed a cider with eight diehard Villa fans in a Birmingham Wetherspoon pub.Looking a little at odds in jacket and tie, he nonetheless impressed his fellow Villans.Student Daniel Jones, 18, from Burntwood, Staffs, said the Prince was a “lovely guy, proper down-to-earth” who “loves Villa and the passion we all share”.Unlike that other Villa fan, ex-PM David Cameron, the Prince won’t be muddling the team up with those other claret and blues, West Ham.While William undoubtedly enjoys relieving the stresses of life cheering on the Villa, the telly punditry and the immersion in the game is also a slick PR move.Wills celebrating Villa’s shock lead with Prince George in standsCredit: GettyPrince William looking down alongside Prince George during the game, which Will’s team lost 3-1Credit: SplashThe Prince’s aides will have thought carefully before sending him out live on air with Ferdinand and McCoist.Royals usually favour sport which involves a four-legged nag.Although the late Queen presented the World Cup to Bobby Moore at Wembley in her white gloves — and attended a clutch of FA Cup finals — horse racing was her great love.Prince Philip liked carriage racing, Princess Anne eventing and Prince Harry polo.William’s promotion of football compares with his brother’s love of the equestrian sport which isn’t generally known for having players brought up on council estates.This is what Prince Harry said on the Netflix website about his recent five-part documentary called Polo: “This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour.”Better analysis than most pundits.Football fanThe show was mauled by critics and questions were asked about ­viewing figures.Meanwhile, William’s away days with the Villa are dragging the ­monarchy into the modern world.It presents a youthful and less formal side to the Prince of Wales away from charity visits and royal tours.Appearances at Premier and Champions League games flash around the globe at a time when the Commonwealth is being stress-tested.When William accedes to the throne he will be head of state of — at least currently — 15 nations including Canada, Australia and Jamaica.A 2022 tour of the Caribbean by William and Kate has gone down in history as a misjudged howler.The poor optics included pictures of the royals shaking hands with Jamaican children through wire fences and a military parade in which the pair stood dressed in white in an open-top Land Rover.Local campaigners saw it as a throwback to colonialism.Seeing the future monarch and his son as down-to-earth footie fans won’t harm his global image.Zooming on e-scooterAnd don’t bet against William turning up at the USA World Cup in 2026, a land where image is everything and the rival Sussex brand vies for attention.The Prince will know American opinion pours into Britain via social media and the value of being well-regarded on the other side of the Atlantic.Villa have a Wembley FA Cup semi-final this month and could reach the Champions League semis.Broadcasters will be clamouring for Wills to take the mic to offer his words of footballing wisdom.The Villa punditry — and other recent nods to informality — provide clues to what a King William V monarchy will look like.On a trip last month to Estonia, William posed for dozens of pictures with well-wishers.Living in Adelaide Cottage without a live-in nanny, he was spotted zooming around nearby Windsor castle last year on an e-scooter.The Prince likes to arrange his formal day around the school run, and trips abroad as King are likely to be shorter and punchier.Formality and, perhaps, some of the pomp and pageantry will be out.There was no public investiture when he became Prince of Wales.William will now have to delicately balance the mystique of the monarchy and its age-old rituals with shifting its image into the 21st Century.Read More on The SunHis performance in Paris this week will have endeared him to many.As a footie pundit might say, the boy done good.Wills’ nerdy footballSUN readers were already well aware of how good Prince William’s football knowledge is after my interview with him last month.But, as if it needed confirmation, TNT pundits Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist tested him out ahead of the clash between PSG and William’s team, Aston Villa, in the Champions League on Wednesday.Wills didn’t hesitate as he assessed the importance of Villa managing PSG’s high press and analysed the improvement in the French team since the departure of superstar Kylian Mbappe.His nod to Vitinha, PSG’s Portuguese midfielder, and his development since his days at Wolves was proper nerdy football.But when it came to predictions, the Prince let his heart rule his head, going for a 2-1 Villa win.Ally, however, proved he is still king of the pundits as he correctly went for 3-1 to PSG. 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    Man Utd fans hit by chaos in Lyon with supporters missing kick-off after being forced to take buses miles from stadium

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans were left in a “ridiculous situation” ahead of their Europa League clash with Lyon.Supporters were hit with travel chaos ahead of the quarter-final first leg at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.Manchester United’s away end at Lyon had a lot of empty seats just minutes before kick-offCredit: PAUnited fans have hit out at a logistics “shambles” ahead of their Europa League clash with LyonCredit: AlamyFOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM LYON VS MAN UTDUnited were hoping to salvage their season with some European silverware after a dismal campaign.But fans had another mare as they tried to reach the stadium on Thursday.Disgruntled Red Devils on tour took to social media to hit out at a “shambolic” transport situation in the city. READ MORE ON MAN UTDLocal authorities in France put in place a number of restrictions on away fans for the tie.Every United fan was told to collect a wristband from the Eurexpo Conference Centre between 5pm and kick-off.Without a band, they would not be allowed entry to the stadium.The location to pick up the band is over 10km from the ground.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAnd to top it off, Metro issues across the city saw fans piling onto buses, with roads grinding to a halt.United fans were told they would only be allowed to take designated ‘Shuttle 1 Stadium’ buses from Eurexpo. Man Utd’s secret weapon in Treble-winning season revealed as star who played ‘bigger role than people give credit for’Only supporters who use those buses were granted access to the away end, per The Mail.One fan raged on X: “#MUFC fans facing a ridiculous situation in Lyon. Stadium already miles out of town & they’re being forced to another location by authorities to collect a wristband, before being sent on a bus to the ground.”Another wrote: “Club have sent this SMS to ticket holders for Lyon (a). Can’t say I’m up for a long bus ride in traffic to Eurexpo to pick up a wristband and then another long bus ride to stadium. It’s a shambles and entirely down to local authorities in Lyon.”While a third added: “For the record this is a disgrace from Lyon. The wristband nonsense bad enough but half the transport just isn’t moving anywhere. There’s no excuse for this, no trouble at all. Deserve to have the same done to them next week.”And PA’s chief football writer Simon Peach posted a snap of a sparsely populated away end just minutes before kick-off.It took until seventeen minutes into the match for commentators to confirm the end was full.United put out a statement prior to Thursday and assured fans the club had “fought hard” against the measures.The club even claimed Lyon had originally aimed for two wristband collection points in the city centre. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordIt read: “We appreciate and apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause to some of your plans.”Please be assured that the club has fought hard to reduce the impact on travelling fans, which originally involved two collection points situated across the city centre.Read More on The Sun”The below protocol has been forced upon us by local authorities and follows similar protocol in place for Frankfurt and Bucharest supporters at previous Europa League fixtures this season. “We must, however, relay the strong advice of the host country security and police forces and ask that you comply with their request.” More

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    Raphinha slammed over ‘shameless’ act in Barcelona’s win against Dortmund

    RAPHINHA has been slammed on social media after a “shameless” act in the Champions League.The Brazilian netted Barcelona’s opening goal in the Catalans’ 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.Raphinha prods home from right on the goal lineRaphinha has 12 goals in 11 Champions League games this termCredit: GettyRaphinha’s actions denied Pau Cubarsi his first ever Champions League goalCredit: GettyRobert Lewandowski haunted his former side once again with a brace, before teenage sensation Lamine Yamal completed the rout on 77 minutes. But Raphinha, the former Leeds United winger, was the big talking point as he was slated for perceived selfishness during Barca’s win.The anger comes after he bundled home to break the deadlock in the 25th minute at the Estadi OIympic Lluis Companys, Barca’s temporary home while the Nou Camp gets renovated.The Brazilian earned bucketload of backlash online for “stealing” a goal from Pau Cubarsi, the teenage centre-back who’s never scored in the Champions League.Read more FootballCurbasi, the 18-year-old Spanish defender, turned an Inigo Martinez knockdown from Fermin Lopez’s free kick goalbound, with the ball trickling towards the far corner.However, Raphinha, ghosting in unmarked at the back post, made sure that the ball went in by getting the last touch just before it crossed the line.The incident sparkled a frenzy on social media, with one fan taking to X to comment: “Raphinha having no shame in stealing what would’ve been an 18 year old’s first ever Champions League goal”, while another tweeted: “That was shameless from Raphinha”.Raphinha’s 12th goal in Europe this season really upset one fan, who tweeted: “That’s the sort of stupidity that shouldn’t be rewarded”.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSOthers expressed their dismay at Raphinha’s selfishness, saying: “Goal robbed” and “I would be so mad if I was Curbasi…”.Another claimed that Raphinha had “snatched Cubarsi’s goal to boost his Ballon D’Or chances”, but perhaps the most brutal comment was that Raphinha is “a crook” and there was “no way you try stat pad when it was already going in ffs… this Ballon D’or s*** got guys acting outta character.”The result leaves Hansi Flick’s side with one foot in the last four of Europe’s premier competition, and Barca will face the winners of Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, assuming they avoid a sensational comeback in Dortmund next week.Barca are having a strong season, going under the radar of many in Flick’s first term in the hotseat, and the German has them top of LaLiga by four points, en route to taking back the league title that they lost to Real Madrid in the last campaign.Robert Lewandowski was the thorn in his former club’s side, scoring twiceLamine Yamal was also among the goalscorers More

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    Fans beg Cole Palmer ‘never change’ as footage of Chelsea star asking waiter bizarre question emerges

    FANS gave Cole Palmer a big tip after his unusual question in a restaurant.Supporters advised the Chelsea hero to “never change” after footage emerged of his encounter with a waiter.Cole Palmer was straight in there with a surprise queryThe waiter enjoyed a question he might never have faced beforeEngland ace Palmer was having a relaxing night outPalmer, was casually dressed in a dark hoodie but having a classy night out with a female friend.As they discussed their meal, she made the all-important query: “Do you like it?”The England midfielder replied: “It’s quite nice this” – before turning to the waiter with a question he might never have been asked before.Palmer enquired: “Did you make this?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBeing such an all-round talent himself, the 11-cap ace perhaps thought the waiter was blessed with similar gifts.But the besuited server could only grin widely and reply: “I wish!”Fans, however, toasted Palmer for his question”The bloke is really special!” said one.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Never change Cole,” pleaded another.But a third observer couldn’t decide if Palmer’s expression was quite as innocent as it looked.Chelsea vs Tottenham descends into chaos as Romero sparks mass melee after shoving Colwill to groundHe posted: “Can’t tell if he’s joking or serious.”Not content with asking about the source of the food, Palmer followed up by enquiring about the sauce to go with it.The ex-Manchester City starlet checked: “Can I have some ketchup, please.”And for some fans this was the real issue.One wrote: “Oh dear; ketchup.”It could have been worse. he could have asked for salad dressing. Then he might have been Cole-slaughtered! More

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    Glam footballer Madelene Wright cheekily sticks out tongue in busty snap as she shows fans inside new home

    MADELENE WRIGHT took social media by storm once more with another cheeky snap.This time Madelene proudly showed her fans around her new pad on Instagram.Madelene Wright took social media by storm once moreMadelene took a cheeky selfie for her followersMadelene showed her fans around her new padThe footballer accompanied her story with two selfies, one of which showed her cheekily sticking her tongue out.Madelene also posted the following caption: “Just got the keys to my adult life.”Her 323,000 followers were left in awe as they stormed the comments’ section.One fan posted: “Proud of you.”Read More on FootballAnother commented: “Truly beautiful.”A third wrote: Looking fabulous.”This fan said: “Amazing smile.”And another gushed: “Stunning.”Most read in FootballMadelene is known for sharing a series of glam pics across her social media channels.The footballer has played for the likes of Charlton, Leyton Orient and Chesham.Glam footballer Madelene Wright shows off her new glasses with smouldering video before sharing cheeky bum pic And she has been juggling her football career with her social media as well as OnlyFans activities.Inside Madelene’s glamorous life as footballer and OnlyFans star…Madelene lives a glamourous lifestyleShe often wows her fans with raunchy picturesCredit: InstagramMadelene has over 300k followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightShe has attracted a large audienceCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wrightThe football also has an OnlyFans accountCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wrightShe claimed to have made over £500,000 from the platformCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightThe footballer has played for Leyton OrientCredit: Instagram/@madelene_wrightShe has continued her OnlyFansCredit: twitter @MaddieMadeleneShe often dresses in revealing outfitsCredit: InstagramMadelene used to play for CharltonCredit: Instagram @Madelene_Wright More

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    Shocked US tourist planning gentle Thames sight-seeing trip ends up on boat full of 150 boozed up UK football fans

    A TOURIST planning a gentle sight-seeing trip on the River Thames boarded a party boat full of boozy football fans by mistake. American Evan Johnston got on the vessel with 150 Southend United supporters heading to a match. US tourist Evan Johnston, in check shirt, thought he was on a Thames sightseeing trip, but he’d accidentally joined 150 football fans heading to a match – who took him alongCredit: Andy WardEvan had got on a City Cruises craft – but did not realise it had been chartered by Southend United fans heading for a match against fellow National League side SuttonCredit: GettyAmerican student Evan with fans of the Shrimpers on board the cruise boatCredit: Andy WardThe student, 21, thought they were all going to see London’s landmarks. But the Shrimpers fans welcomed Evan — taking him to his first ever match, buying all his drinks and chanting: “Evan is a Shrimper, la la la la.” Essex side Southend were playing Sutton in South London in a National League clash on Saturday. The fans hired a party boat from Tower Millennium Pier to Blackfriars Pier to catch a train to the ground. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEvan, from Arizona, said: “I had some suspicions when I was in line behind all of the fans. “I figured if they checked tickets they’d turn me off. But they didn’t.” He said he was “rooting for them” after Southend’s 1-1 draw, leaving them a point outside the promotion play-offs with five games left. The club will make Evan guest of honour at this Saturday’s home fixture against Solihull Moors. Most read in FootballFan Andy Ward told The Sun: “The next day I messaged Evan. He’d gone on the sightseeing tour he’d planned, and said our boat was a lot better — and his tour was a little quieter.” The club said: “Full credit to our brilliant supporters.” Crisis club Southend SAVED from extinction after consortium completes takeoverThe friendly fans made Evan welcome and bought him pints as they made their way to the matchCredit: Andy WardEvan with Shrimpers fan, and new pal, Andy WardCredit: Chris PhillipsUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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    Josh Warrington reveals how fans who called him a w***** spurred boxer to retirement U-turn

    JOSH WARRINGTON will keep fighting for the fans — even those who think he is a w****r.The 34-year-old Leeds legend laid down his gloves after a third consecutive defeat — this time against Anthony Cacace at Wembley Stadium — in September.Josh Warrington will keep fighting for the fans — even those who think he is a w****rCredit: GettyFollowing previous losses to Luis Alberto Lopez and Leigh Wood, the two-time featherweight world champ felt he had reached the end of the Elland Road.But, after a couple of strong gym sessions — and a scan of his X-rated social messages — the latest comeback starts on April 19 against Asad Khan.The Yorkshire hero said: “Something was missing in that last performance.“I told my dad, in my corner, that ten per cent or so just wasn’t there.READ MORE IN BOXING“When I laid down my gloves, I meant it.“I went back in the gym to help a mate and things started to click again.“Then I checked social media, expecting the worst, but I had nothing but support and backing.“Some people even wrote, ‘I have always thought you are a w****r but don’t retire yet, you’ve got loads left to give’.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I don’t need to retire on a win or a world title.“I need to retire after a performance I can be proud of, one that my fans deserve, after so many years of backing me”I need to retire on my terms. And I will — w* or not.”Josh Warrington’s top-flight boxing career ends after suffering his third fight on the spin More

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    Footballer rushed to hospital after being shot as he got into firefight with bungling robbers who killed man at bar

    A FORMER Colombian top-fight footballer has been rushed to hospital after being shot by bungling robbers who killed another man in an attack on a bar.Elkin Blanco was identified in CCTV footage of the horror incident as the man who resisted the armed robbery by picking up a gun and getting into a firefight with one of the assailants as his accomplice wrestled with the victim who lost his life.Elkin Blanco has been rushed to hospital after being shot in a firefightCredit: GettyElkin had two spells at Colombian First Division side MillionariosCredit: GettyCCTV footage showed an armed gunman firing shots at the sceneCredit: https://x.com/BLUAntioquiaFootage showed the two people chasing after the assailantsCredit: https://x.com/BLUAntioquiaThe footage showed the 35-year-old, who had two spells at Colombian First Division side Millionarios, risking his life by chasing the robber away after the gunmen announced the hold-up while they were still wearing their motorbike helmets to disguise their identity.Federico Gutierrez, mayor of Medellin where the incident occurred last night, thanked fans for their support in an Instagram message and confirmed Elkin, who is currently without a club, was out of danger.The midfielder, a youth player with Brazilian side Gremio before he returned to his homeland, is said to have been shot four times during the attack although none of his injuries have been described as life-threatening.The man who died after reaching hospital has been named as Duván Alejandro Mosquera Vargas, 25.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA spokesman for local police said: “The man who died lunged at one of the assailants who shot him with a firearm.“The injured 35-year-old, Elkin Blanco, reached with a weapon, generating an exchange of gunfire with the other criminal.”Mayor Mr Gutierrez, promising arrests would be made and justice done, said on X: “Yesterday evening, an unfortunate incident occurred. “Two criminals entered a commercial establishment in the Rosales area of Medellin, with the intention of robbing it.Most read in Football“They murdered a person identified as Duvan Alejandro Mosquera and injured the former footballer Elkin Blanco who is out of danger.“The instruction to our police officers is clear, catch these criminals.“We already have the images with their faces and we have also identified the motorbike on which they were travelling. “We also know in which sector of the city these cowards were hiding.  The police have been operating in the area since last night. These bandits will fall.”I regret the death of Duvan. Solidarity with his family and friends We will get justice.”Elkin has been identified locally as the owner of the unnamed nightspot that was targeted.Customers could be seen seeking refuge under terrace tables as the gunfight occurred.Fans took to social media today to wish the ex-Millionarios star, who also played for Colombian sides Atletico Nacional and America de Cali, to wish him a speedy recovery.One said: “God bless you. Thanks God you weren’t seriously injured.”Elkin said in his first comments about the incident late this afternoon, on his Instagram profile where he has 100,000 followers and describes himself as a ‘partner of God’: “Thanks to all of you for your messages.“I am okay health-wise and thanks to God I am now back at home and recovering.”Read More on The SunDescribing the man shot dead as a “great friend” he referenced by his nickname Alejo which is a short form of Alejandro, he added: “I’m very sad about the departure of a great friend. “I will always remember you Alejo.” More