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      Forgotten Chelsea flop lashes out and throws boots away after being subbed in World Cup qualifier

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      CHELSEA flop Hakim Ziyech threw his boots on the floor in a huge tantrum after being substituted. The attacking midfielder was in action for Morocco in a 2-1 World Cup qualification win over Zambia. Hakim Ziyech raged after being subbed off during Morocco’s clash against ZambiaThe Chelsea ace trudged off the pitch and threw his boots on the floorHe has been slammed by fansZiyech opened the scoring from the spot after six minutes but was subbed off an hour later.And the 31-year-old reacted furiously to being replaced by Soufiane Rahimi.Ziyech threw his arms into the air in anger and trudged off the pitch.Team-mates like former Wolves star Romain Saiss went in for a hug but were brushed aside.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLZiyech then made another frustrated gesture towards manager Walid Regragui before slumping into his seat in the dugout.But his strop did not stop there as he took off his boots and slammed them on the floor.Fans hit out at his antics, with one saying: “Ziyech is such a manchild.”Another added: “Spoilt kid.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSZiyech is still on the books of Chelsea after a season-long loan at Galatasaray.The Turkish giants reportedly have the option to make the deal permanent.Ziyech has played 107 times for Chelsea and scored 14 goals since his reported £34million move from Ajax in 2020.He previously retired from international duty with Morocco after falling out with previous boss Vahid Halilhodzic, who claimed the star faked injury to miss a game.But Ziyech reversed his decision following the appointment of Regragui and helped fire them to the World Cup semi-final in 2022.Hakim Ziyech has been on loan at GalatasarayCredit: Getty More

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      Cesar Lusi Menotti dies aged 85: Ex-Barcelona & Argentina manager who led his country to World Cup win in 1978 has died

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      LEGENDARY former Argentina and Barcelona manager Cesar Luis Menotti has died aged 85.The iconic gaffer, who led his country to their first ever World Cup win in 1978, had been in hospital for a month with severe anemia.Cesar Luis Menotti blended tactics, philosophy and politics to lead Argentina to the World Cup in 1978Credit: PA:Empics SportFormer Argentina football team coach Cesar Luis Menotti in 2019Credit: AFPMenotti, who would smoke throughout matches, chats to Argentina captain Daniel Passarella in 1980Credit: GettyThe former world champion coach speaking with Argentina legend Lionel Messi (right) in 2019Credit: GettyThe Rosario-born tactician guided Argentina to a 3-1 victory over the Netherlands, as extra-time goals from tournament top scorer Mario Kempes and team-mate Daniel Bertoni sealed the win 46 years ago.The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed his death today in a statement.It read: “The Argentine Football Association regrets to report with great sadness the death of Cesar Luis Menotti, current Director of National Teams and former World Champion coach of Argentina.”Last month, Menotti was admitted to hospital with severe anemia and underwent surgery for phlebitis. Read More in FootballMenotti was the mastermind behind Argentina’s first ever global triumph as they got their hands on the the most iconic trophy in football.As the manager of La Albiceleste, he took a team that had limped out of the 1974 World Cup in Germany and turned them into world beaters.Tributes have since poured in for the World Cup winning coach.President of the AFA, Chiqui Tapia, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Dear Flaco, it is an immense pain to have to say goodbye to you. You left us a lot during your time in the national team and in football.Most read in Football”Without a doubt, your passage to immortality will be with the best memories of all of us who love the round. “I send a warm hug on behalf of myself and all of Argentine Football to all of Cesar’s family at this moment. See you always dear friend!”Argentina’s current president, Javier Milei, also said: “RIP. Deep pain for the departure of the leader of a group that has given one of the greatest joys to the country. “Although I adhere to another school, it would be foolish to deny the contribution of César Luis Menotti. Goodbye Flaco.”There was also a tribute to Menotti during Sunday’s League Cup final in Argentina by Velez Sarsfield and Estudiantes. A minute’s silence was held at half-time, with all invovled paying their respects.A tall, slender figure on the sidelines Menotti would famously smoke throughout matches.The talented manager also enjoyed spells as the coach of Barcelona, Boca Juniors, Independiente, River Plate and Atletico Madrid to name but a few.Menotti took charge of the Mexican national team in the early 1990s, rebuilding the side after their disqualification from the 1990 World CupA striker in his playing days, Menotti played in Argentina with Rosario Central, Racing Club, Boca Juniors. He later joined the New York Generals before playing for Santos and Juventus in Brazil.Argentina have won the prestigious World Cup trophy twice since Menotti managed them to success in 1978.They triumphed again in 1986 in Mexico with the iconic Diego Maradona playing a starring role in the tournament.In 2022, footballing legend Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to lift the most prestigious trophy of all for a third time.READ MORE SUN STORIESLa Albiceleste defeated France in one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.Argentina has also been runner-up three times: in 1930, 1990 and 2014.Menotti, in charge of a match at the Nou Camp while at Barcelona in 1984 More

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      Premier League star leaves Syria camp hours before World Cup qualifier and first match after row over his ‘demands’

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      MAHMOUD DAHOUD left Syria’s international camp just hours before a World Cup qualifier.It came following an alleged row over “demands”, with the midfielder only confirming a swap of international allegiance from Germany to Syria earlier this month.Mahmoud Dahoud left Syria’s camp before his debut over a row over ‘demands’Credit: RexDahoud is on loan to Bundesliga side Stuttgart from Brighton.The 28-year-old played twice for Germany’s senior team and even won the Under-21 European Championships with them before he was allowed to switch nation.However, things didn’t go as planned ahead what would have been his Syria international debut as Dahoud ended up leaving the team camp ahead of a match against Myanmar.A statement from the Syrian FA said: “This morning, Mahmoud Dahoud left our national team camp at Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, due to our inability to meet his demands conveyed to us by his agent, which will affect the national team.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFortunately for the team they were able to get by, beating Myanmar 7-0.It means Dahoud will have to wait to make his debut, possibly until June 6 when the Nosour Qasioun (Eagles of Qasioun) take on North Korea.After leaving camp Dahoud also released a statement on the matter.He said in a social media post: “As an experienced football professional… every player should be able to perform at his best to honour his country, his flag and his national team.Most read in Football”To do this, every player should be put in the best possible conditions, especially on the pitch. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Top level football works with specific principles which need to be known, respected and fulfilled.”When you don’t feel these principles and conditions are matched and the promises made are not fulfilled, you need to step back. Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024″If you’re not allowed to be a solution, at least you don’t have to be part of the problem.”Dahoud only played 14 games for the Seagulls before he returned on loan to Germany.Fifa rules for player international team switches say a player cannot switch nations if they have played more than three games for the nation they want to switch from.These appearances need to have also come before the age of 21 for the switch to be allowed. SunSport looked at seven England stars who remain eligible to switch to another nation, including Kobbie Mainoo and Anthony Gordon.Dahoud released a statement on the matter to his social media pagesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/modahoud8/?hl=en More

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      Captain resigns and retires after ‘humiliating’ World Cup qualifier and tells wife ‘I really cannot accept it’

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      CHINA’S national team captain has retired from international duty after his country’s “humiliating” draw with Singapore.Zhang Linpeng threw in the towel after China could only muster a 2-2 stalemate in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier.China captain Zhang Linpeng has retired from national team dutyCredit: AlamyThe 34-year-old defender currently plays for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port, having previously spent 11 years with rivals Guangzhou Evergrande.Zhang had featured 105 times for China ever since his debut in 2009, with World Cup winner and ex-boss Marcelo Lippi previously labelling him the nation’s “best footballer.”But his extraordinary international career is now at an end.China were expected to easily triumph over Singapore on Thursday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere are 70 places between the pair in Fifa’s world rankings, with China currently 88th.And things appeared to be going smoothly for the world’s third-biggest country as they raced into a two-goal lead.But Singapore pulled a goal back in the second half before levelling things in the 81st minute.And during the post-match press conference, Zhang announced that not only was he stepping down as China’s captain due to the “humiliating” result, he was also retiring from international duty for good.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe said: “I thought about it for a long while, I think it’s time to end my national team career.“We could not even beat the Singapore team. I think it’s unacceptable and I find it humiliating.”Oscar shows off his best moves for Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League Meanwhile, Chinese state media reported that Zhang’s wife posted a message he sent her to social media.It read: “I really feel like I cannot do any better than this anymore.“Every day I am really putting in 100 per cent to 200 per cent effort, but this result, I really cannot accept it, so let’s just end it here.”China will now look to avenge their draw when they play Singapore in Tianjin next week.China national team results in 2024The games that led to Zhang’s shock retirement…

      China 1 Hong Kong 2
      China 0 Tajikistan 0
      Lebanon 0 China 0
      Qatar 1 China 0
      Singapore 2 China 2 More

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      Fifa announce brand new competition is set to start in days – but fans have probably never heard of it

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      FIFA have announced a brand-new international competition that is set to start in just days.The Fifa Series will see international teams from different federations take each other on during the next international break.Andorra will be one of the teams involved in the Fifa SeriesCredit: GettyWhat makes the matches different is that the teams would not usually face each other as they would be unlikely to qualify for a major tournament or face each other in qualifiers. The friendlies will also take part in one host nation with Fifa hoping that it will “allow more international football interaction, making a concrete contribution to global football development”.The event will be piloted later this month with 20 teams being placed into five different groups of four.Two groups will play in Saudi Arabia, while one will be each of Algeria, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThree teams from Uefa will be involved as Andorra takes on Algeria, Bolivia and South Africa.Whereas Azerbaijan will host Bulgaria, Mongolia and Tanzania.Fans will be keen to see how the international minnows match up against each other.It will also be interesting to see sides like Andorra play with more chances of picking up a win. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFifa president Gianni Infantino said: “The Fifa Series is a really positive step forward for national-team football at global level.”Our member associations have been telling us for a long time now of their desire to test themselves against their counterparts from all around the world.Fifa World Cup 2026 final stadium revealed as raging fans say it was ‘the worst possible option’”And now they can do so within the current Men’s International Match Calendar.”More meaningful matches will enable far more valuable footballing interaction for players, teams and fans, and will make a concrete contribution to the development of the game.”The first matches for the tournament kick off on March 21.In the opening round, fans will be able to see the likes of South Africa vs Andorra, Guinea vs Vanuatu and Cape Verde vs Guyana.Full line-up for Fifa SeriesHere is a look at the first set of groups for Fifa Series
      Fifa Series: Algeria

      Algeria (CAF)
      Andorra (UEFA)
      Bolivia (CONMEBOL)
      South Africa (CAF)

      Fifa Series: Azerbaijan

      Azerbaijan (UEFA)
      Bulgaria (UEFA)
      Mongolia (AFC)
      Tanzania (CAF)

      Fifa Series: Saudi Arabia A

      Cabo Verde (CAF)
      Cambodia (AFC)
      Equatorial Guinea (CAF)
      Guyana (Concacaf)

      Fifa Series: Saudi Arabia B 

      Bermuda (Concacaf)
      Brunei Darussalam (AFC)
      Guinea (CAF)
      Vanuatu (OFC)

      Fifa Series: Sri Lanka

      Bhutan (AFC)
      Central African Republic (CAF)
      Papua New Guinea (OFC)
      Sri Lanka (AFC) More

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      England face possible 2026 World Cup nightmare scenario after Nations League debacle comes back to haunt Three Lions

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      ENGLAND’S Nations League debacle in 2022 could prove a major hurdle on the road to the next World Cup.The expansion to 48 teams for the finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada means 16 European places will be available, up from 13 in Qatar.
      England could be in for a tough World Cup qualifying campaignCredit: Getty
      But England’s relegation to League B of the Nations League after a campaign which saw them winless in six matches — including a 4-0 loss to Hungary at Molineux — will have repercussions.
      Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions will discover their opponents when the Nations League draw takes place next month.
      Uefa, though, has already determined that World Cup group rankings will be on the basis of Nations League performances only.
      This means the 12 top seeds will come from League A.
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      So England, who will be in one of the five-team qualifying groups if they win their League B division, cannot be seeded even if they win every match.
      With only the group winners certain of a finals place, potential opponents include Italy, France, Spain, Holland, Portugal or Belgium.
      Finishing second would pitch England into a sudden death play-off series in March 2026, with 16 teams competing for four slots.
      Maybe that will persuade the England players to take the Nations League more seriously when it kicks off in September.
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      BECKS’ APPEAL
      DAVID BECKHAM has snaffled Andy Murray’s long-term manager — in what seems a further signal the three-time Grand Slam champion might be ready to wind down his career.
      Matt Gentry, who worked with Murray since 2008, is joining Authentic Brands Group to cover Beckham’s commercial business.
      Murray, 36, remains on the books of sports management giant IMG.
      RAINEING CHAMPS
      THE drawn-out 13-month process that finally led to Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking control at Manchester United does not appear to have shaken the confidence in the Old Trafford dealmakers.
      US-based Raine Group conducted the sale process on behalf of the Glazer family after taking the same role when Russian Roman Abramovich was forced to relinquish control of Chelsea in 2022.
      Despite considerable criticism from bidders and United fans, Raine have now been appointed by Monaco owner, Russian billionaire oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, to “work on a total or partial sale project” for the Ligue 1 club he has run since 2011.
      Another big slice of a football deal heading to Raine chief Joe Ravitch, then.
      OLYMPIC DREAM
      THE success of the men’s and women’s hockey teams at the final Olympic qualifying tournaments mean a guaranteed 350-plus Team GB athletes have places in Paris.
      Team GB are predicted by international experts to be in line for a third-place finish in the medals table. And with a likely overall tally slightly above the 64 they won in Tokyo — although potentially fewer golds. More

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      New Netflix doc follows Messi, Ronaldo and Bale during Qatar World Cup – with bitter toxic feud laid bare

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      THEY are the men who held the hopes of nations in their hands.From Thiago Silva to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to England’s Harry Kane and Wales hero Gareth Bale, it is the dream of every country’s captain to win football’s World Cup.
      Netflix docuseries Captains Of The World takes a look at the pressure put on the men tasked with leading their teams to victory – like Argentina’s Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      Most have their hopes crushed – but the winners take their place in history.
      Now new Netflix docuseries, Captains Of The World, takes a closer look at the pressure put on the handful of men tasked with leading their teams to victory.
      The six-part show follows captains and coaches during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
      We look at how some of football’s most famous names fought for their country’s pride in a bid to lift the famous gold trophy.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP
      LIONEL MESSI
      Argentina
      RANKED one of the world’s greatest players, Lionel Messi dreamed of emulating his hero Diego Maradona.
      He missed his idol, after Maradona died in November 2020 of a heart attack.
      He said: “It’s really weird not having him here, not seeing him in the stands, not seeing people going crazy when he shows up.
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      “He made everyone feel something ­special. This is my last chance to achieve my greatest dream, but this is a World Cup and it’s really tough.”
      Argentina went through to the semis after an explosive win in a penalty shootout against the Netherlands.
      The match was marked by tempers boiling over in an ongoing feud between Messi and Dutch head coach Louis van Gaal.
      The pair shared bad blood over van Gaal’s treatment of Messi’s mentor and Argentine footballing icon Juan Roman Riquelme when the Dutchman managed Barcelona.
      Messi was left fuming after van Gaal “disrespected” his team by claiming the play-maker didn’t contribute to the game when the other side had the ball.
      After scoring Argentina’s second goal, Messi channelled Riquelme’s mocking victory celebration before calling Netherlands goal scorer Wout Weghorst an idiot in a bad-tempered post-match outburst in the tunnel.
      Messi said: “It was a really tough game. We were facing a great team. We have a very good group of players. They know how to fight when the going gets tough.
      “They (the Netherlands) talked a lot before the game and I didn’t like it.
      “The player in the number 19 shirt (Weghorst) kept provoking us. Bumping into us, and saying things from the start.
      “I don’t think that behaviour belongs in football.
      “I was really angry before the match because a coach like van Gaal . . .  I felt he had disrespected the Argentinian team.”
      Messi fulfilled his World Cup mission after leading Argentina to victory over France in a spectacular final.
      He scored twice in the 3-3 match before scoring again from the spot as Argentina won on penalties.
      He said: “It’s very hard to explain how you feel at that moment. All that energy.”
      Asked if he had any advice for his young­er self, he said: “Enjoy football, keep doing what you do, because that’s what matters the most and the rest will come.”
      GARETH BALE
      Wales
      BALE led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 and told how much-loved former manager Gary Speed, who took his own life in 2011, aged 42, still inspires the nation.
      On reaching Qatar he said: “The proudest thing you can do as an athlete is to represent your country.
      Gareth Bale led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958Credit: Netflix
      “To be playing for Wales and taking them to the World Cup, for it to become a reality is surreal.
      “Whenever I meet up with Wales it feels like home.
      “I know everyone sees that I’m quiet, but I like to joke around and get people going. It’s about us as a team, trying to do as best we can.”
      He said the team still talk about Gary Speed, adding: “We still speak about him. Everyone involved will tell you how grateful the whole nation is.
      “If he hadn’t come in at that moment, we might not be where we are now, we might not have had that foundation built for us to really kick on and achieve what we’ve achieved.”
      HARRY KANE
      England
      TOP scorer Kane went up against his Spurs team-mate Hugo Lloris in the quarter-final.
      Kane missed a penalty which saw England crash out when they lost 2-1 to France.
      Harry Kane explains that it’s always important to control your emotions during a tournamentCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But the England talisman never lost hope until the last moment.
      He said: “We’re level-headed, we know what we need to do to go far in this tournament. It’s important you control your emotions.
      “We’re not just here to reach the quarter-final and we have to believe if we want to go all the way.”
      On penalties he said: “I like to have the ball in my hands, stay calm.
      “I always kind of know where I’m going to put the penalty, focus on that.”
      Lloris says of Kane’s miss: “That’s football.”
      England boss Gareth Southgate said: “England always think they should be winning. History would tell us that’s not really the case.”
      CRISTIANO RONALDO
      Portugal
      RONALDO hoped his fifth World Cup finals would see him get his hands on the trophy at last.
      He got off to a rocky start after it was rumoured he threatened to quit after being benched for two games.
      Ronaldo says that he’s felt the same pressure as everCredit: Netflix
      Although he made appearances as a substitute, it didn’t prevent Portugal from being beaten by Morocco in one of the big shocks.
      He said: “Everyone wants to win but there can only be one winner.
      “If you asked me if I finished my career today, would I be happy? Yes of course! But a World Cup win could be fun.”
      Of his shredded dreams after a quarter-final exit, he said: “Some people like me, some people don’t, but I’m proud of everything I’ve done. It wouldn’t be fair for me to ask for more.
      “I don’t chase records, records chase me. Pressure? Every player feels pressure. There’s been pressure ever since I left Madeira aged 11.”
      THIAGO SILVA
      Brazil
      AN emotional Silva told how he was left “hurt” after pre-tournament favourites Brazil were knocked out by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
      But he said he had already won the biggest battle of his life after winning a fight for survival against tuberculosis aged 21 in 2005.
      Silva tells of being ‘hurt’ after Brazil’s loss to Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
      The Chelsea defender said: “People say Thiago is weak for having emotions. I wouldn’t have got where I am today by being mentally weak.
      “I had to be strong in one of the biggest battles of my life. I left Brazil when I was young . . . I trained and trained with a painful chest.
      “The doctor held the X-ray up and you could see there was a huge hole in my lung.
      “If we had waited any longer for diagnosis there would be no cure.
      Read more on The Sun
      “Going through tuberculosis left me with scars that will never heal.
      “When people say I’ve won a lot of ­trophies, the biggest achievement of my life was overcoming that.” More

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      Lionel Messi breaks silence on Brazil vs Argentina chaos as World Cup winner says ‘a tragedy could have happened’

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      LIONEL MESSI has spoken out about the chaos at the Brazil vs Argentina World Cup qualifier as a “tragedy could have happened”.Before the match started mayhem broke out at the Maracana between fans and the police.
      Lionel Messi has spoken out after the chaos at the Brazil vs Argentina clashCredit: AP
      A violent clash between police and fans in the stands sparked a mass brawl before Argentina’s rivals Brazil were defeated 1-0.
      After the incident, police resorted to using batons to hold back the fans leaving some injured and a few covered in blood.
      Instead of celebrating the win Messi has shared his thoughts about the violence that took place in Rio de Janeiro.
      He said: “We saw how police were hitting the people, it already happened in the Libertadores final.
      READ MORE ARGENTINA NEWS
      “They were more focused on that than on the game.”
      Earlier this year a similar incident occurred when Brazilian side Fluminense won against Boca Juniors at the Maracana.
      Messi added: “We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened.
      “We are a family. We decided to play to make the situation more calm.”
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      The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner then took to Instagram and said: “This team continues to make history.
      “Great victory in the Maracana although it will be marked by the repression of the Argentinians once again in Brazil.
      “This can’t be tolerated it’s insane and it needs to end now!!’
      Meanwhile, some of the Argentina squad took matters into their own hands at the game to bite back at the police.
      Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez launched himself towards the stand as he attempted to grab a baton out of a police officer’s hand before being brought down by his teammates.
      Messi guided his team back into the dressing room to wait for the situation to calm down.
      And Argentina vowed they would only return to the pitch when things quietened with their arch-rivals Brazil.
      After 22 minutes the 2022 World Cup winners returned and the game finally began.
      Messi’s Argentina are soaring through their South American World Cup qualifying group as they sit top of the table with 15 points while Brazil are sixth with seven points.
      Argentina’s player took to the crowd in an attempt to calm down the mayhemCredit: Getty More