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      Spain and Portugal set to DUMP Ukraine from World Cup 2030 bid and announce completely new country

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      SPAIN and Portugal are set to up the ante on their 2030 World Cup bid – by DUMPING Ukraine and enlisting Morocco.The Iberian-led bid is the official European standard-bearer ahead of the vote due from Fifa’s 211 member associations next year.
      Football representatives of Spain, Portugal and Ukraine had put together a World Cup bidCredit: AFP
      But just five months after announcing Ukraine would be added to the bid and house two groups if it was successful, the war-hit nation is on the verge of being replaced by the North African state.
      Morocco bid unsuccessfully to host the 2010 and 2026 tournaments and had mooted a standalone campaign or heading a three-nation option involving neighbours Tunisia and Algeria for 2030.
      But the success of the Morocco team on the pitch in their run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar saw further discussions about being recruited to the Iberian bid.
      That is now part of active discussions with the Spanish and Portuguese FAs, alarmed at being linked with the corruption, fraud and money laundering allegations aimed at Ukrainian FA chief Andriy Pavelko.
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      While Pavelko has vehemently denied all the claims against him there is growing pressure on Ukraine to announce it is no longer able to join the Iberian campaign, leaving the door open for Morocco to walk through.
      While the Iberian bid will have the total support of Uefa and its President Aleksander Ceferin it is facing an uphill battle to secure the 106 votes needed in the likely second stage of voting.
      England and the other Home Nations plus Ireland represent five certain votes for Spain and Portugal, with other major European countries likely to fall into line.
      But the four nation South American bid by Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile, officially launched last month, is the sentimental pick.
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      Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario, which hosted the inaugural final in 1930, would also fulfil the same role 100 years later.
      And Fifa President Gianni Infantino is more likely to put his unofficial weight behind the front-runner, the three nation bid led by Saudi Arabia.
      The Saudis have planted their flag already in both Africa and Europe, with games promised in co-hosts Egypt and Greece.
      Including Greece is an attempt to break open the 55-nation Uefa bloc vote.
      Russia, still a Fifa member and with the same vote as any other nation, is likely to use its influence to back the Saudi-led cause, far easier with Greece part of the bid.
      Including Morocco would be a way for the Spain-Portugal team to try to attract African support which would otherwise be likely to be mandated to go with the Saudi bid because of Egypt’s involvement. More

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      I’m a Newcastle United cult hero who starred at the World Cup… but then I became a greengrocer

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      A NEWCASTLE United cult hero who starred at the World Cup went on from scoring an iconic goal against Manchester United to become a greengrocer.Philippe Albert, 55, was a goal-scoring centre-back for Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle side before finishing his Prem career with Keegan at Fulham.
      Philippe Albert celebrating his iconic goal against Manchester UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Toon legend Philippe worked as a greengrocer after retiringCredit: Twitter
      His October 1996 long-range dink past Peter Schmeichel in a 5-0 home victory over United remains many Toon fans’ most cherished memory of the Entertainers era.
      He joined Newcastle on the back of an outstanding performance for Belgium at the 1994 World Cup, where he scored crucial goals against Germany and the Netherlands.
      But after hanging up his boots in 2000, Philippe gave it all up for a completely new career as a greengrocer back home in Belgium.
      He told the Guardian: “I would prepare the produce for customers.
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      “I did for 11 years and I didn’t touch the money I earned as a footballer.
      “Up early, finishing late, that’s what I wanted: a normal life. I’m very proud of it.
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      “Otherwise when you stop football, you do nothing. You have no life.”
      Philippe worked as a greengrocer until 2012, when he became a full-time pundit for Belgian TV.
      He told FourFourTwo: “For 11 years, before moving into television, I wanted to experience the real world.
      “I enjoyed life, going about my business each day just like everybody else.
      “And I love eating spinach, to stay strong, and apples.”
      It comes after former striker for Newcastle’s most hated rivals told how he gave up football to run a B&B in York.
      Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini, 55, embarked on the unlikely second chapter after giving up football at the age of 35.
      Former England midfielder Lee Bowyer also revealed that he now spends his days fishing carp on a secluded lake.
      And Iain Dowie, 58, who played 400 games for clubs including Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Southampton, gave up football to become a mortgage advisor at a Lancashire law firm.
      Philippe now works as a pundit for Belgian TVCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Controversial World Cup referee who angered Lionel Messi to officiate crunch Cristiano Ronaldo clash in Saudi title race

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Al Nassr’s crunch Saudi League title match against Al Ittihad will be refereed by Mateu Lahoz, who managed to anger Lionel Messi at the World Cup.Card-happy Lahoz has been officiating LaLiga matches since 2008.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Al Nassr in their crunch Saudi League clash with Al IttihadCredit: Getty
      Mateu Lahoz will referee the Saudi title clash but isn’t popular among top stars like Lionel MessiCredit: Reuters
      And he has hit the headlines more recently for angering Messi and the Argentina camp at the World Cup.
      Lahoz brandished a record-breaking 18 yellow cards during Argentina’s quarter-final clash with the Netherlands.
      Messi said in the aftermath: “I don’t want to speak about referees because after they will sanction you. But people saw what happened.”
      The Argentine captain, who went on to lift the golden trophy, added: “I think FIFA must take care of this, it cannot put a referee like that for a match of such magnitude, of such importance.
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      “The referee cannot fail to be up to the task.”
      After returning from the winter tournament, Lahoz caused a stir again when he brought out 15 yellow cards, TWO reds and even awarded a late penalty to visitors Espanyol as they stole a 1-1 draw at city rivals Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
      Lahoz will now referee a crunch game in Saudi between Al Nassr – where Ronaldo is now playing his trade – and title rivals Al Ittihad, according to AS.
      There are just two points between league leaders Al Nassr and second-place Al Ittihad going into Thursday’s clash.
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       The 48-year-old will be a familiar face to Ronaldo.
      Lahoz would have taken charge of many Real Madrid games when the Portuguese star was at the club between 2009 and 2018.
      Ronaldo has eight goals in six Al Nassr appearances. More

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      I am the world’s sexiest lineswoman… I want to officiate at the World Cup and won’t let my OnlyFans career stop me

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      DEBORA PEIXTOIS is determined not to let her OnlyFans account hold back her dream of becoming a lineswoman.The model influencer has started her training to become a football official but is aware she will have to break some prejudice.
      Debora Peixotois a Brazlian OnlyFans modelCredit: Victória Salermo CO – PRESS OFFICE
      She does not want her adult content career to stop her from achieving her dreamCredit: Victória Salermo CO – PRESS OFFICE
      She wants to become a lineswomanCredit: Victória Salermo CO – PRESS OFFICE
      She has already enrolled in the refereeing school of the Football Federation of Minas Gerais, in Brazil, where she will soon start training
      Debora believes that because football is a male-dominated sport she will have to deal with preconceptions.
      She said: “The first point is that I am a woman, because it is a predominantly male sport, when we women try to enter, it generates distrust.
      “And secondly, I produce content for OnlyFans and people think that just because I’m there, I can’t understand several subjects or enjoy doing other things”.
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      Becoming a soccer linesman has always been a dream for Debora, passionate about the sport, she has already done crazy things for the team she supported.
      Debora revealed: “When I was more connected to a team, I even made several trips to see it play.
      “I slept on a bus and had an entire room in my house dedicated to it, nowadays I don’t even watch the games anymore and I need to be completely impartial.”
      But her biggest dream is to become a full time referee and officiate at the World Cup.
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      She added: “My biggest dream is to referee the main classics in the country, and who knows, maybe one day I can play in a World Cup, that would be perfect.
      “I received a lot of support from my family and fans.
      “If they hadn’t encouraged me, I don’t think I would have started this new stage of my life.”
      Her dream is to officiate at a World CupCredit: Victória Salermo CO – PRESS OFFICE
      She also has a big following on social mediaCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Debora has over 70,000 followers on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM
      As she is considered the ‘world’s sexiest lineswoman’Credit: INSTAGRAM More

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      ‘Happy he’s injured’ – France World Cup winner TEARS into Neymar after PSG superstar is ruled out for rest of season

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      A FRENCH World Cup winner tore into Neymar and declared: “I’m happy he’s injured.”The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 31, was stretchered off in tears during 4-3 win over Lille on February 19.
      Neymar was stretchered off with an ankle injury in February and needs surgeryCredit: Getty
      And it was confirmed the Brazilian will miss the rest of the season because he needs surgery in Qatar to repair ankle ligaments.
      That ruled him out of playing around his sister Rafaella’s birthday on March 11 for the ninth time in ten seasons.
      The news comes as a big blow to PSG in their hopes of overturning the deficit in their Champions League second leg against Bayern Munich.
      But Christophe Dugarry incredibly celebrated the world’s most expensive player’s latest woes – and thinks his long-term absence is good news for the Ligue 1 leaders.
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      The World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 winner – who looks unrecognisable these days – blasted in a scathing assessment: “I’m happy for PSG that Neymar is injured.
      “I think this is an incredible opportunity, an amazing stroke of luck for Christophe Galtier.
      “The team is much more balanced with five defenders, three midfielders and Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi up front.
      “I can’t bear to see him anymore, I can’t stand him anymore.
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      “I find him insufferable in his dribbling and with that attitude.
      “I don’t want to see him on the field anymore, I’m tired.”
      Neymar’s injury has seen Messi and Mbappe partner up front together in a new-look 3-5-2 formation.
      However, Dugarry worries for PSG should either man be ruled out for any period of time due to a severe lack of depth in the squad’s attack.
      The 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike, on loan from Reims, is the only other senior forward at manager Galtier’s disposal.
      Ex-Barcelona and Birmingham man Dugarry added to RMC Sport: “Hugo Ekitike has shown that he is still not at the desired level and the other attackers are also mediocre.”
      Christophe Dugarry slammed Neymar and reckons PSG are better without himCredit: AFP More

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      England could face World Cup chaos thanks to Championship play-offs with a host of Under-20 stars facing fixture clash

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      ENGLAND’S Under-20 World Cup bid could be wrecked by the Lions cubs playing in promotion play-offs.Ian Foster’s squad heads to Indonesia for the tournament kicking off on May 20 — although some of the players will be needed by their clubs.
      Striker Joe Gelhardt, on loan at Sunderland from Leeds, is one of the starlets who could be involved in the play-offs for a Prem placeCredit: Rex
      Callum Doyle is boosting Coventry’s bid for a Championship play-off spotCredit: Getty
      Sunderland loanee Joe Gelhardt, Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison and Middlesbrough’s Aston Villa loanee Aaron Ramsey look sure to be picked.
      But all three are looking likely to be involved in the end-of-season Championship shootout for a Prem place.
      Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott could have a dilemma if his team makes a late charge.
      Coventry duo Callum Doyle and Brooke Norton-Cuffy may face a club-v-country clash.
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      The tournament will be Indonesia’s first ever senior Fifa event.
      England won the cup – held every two years – in 2017.
      Ukraine won the last tournament two years later.
      Covid then put paid to the 2021 event.
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      Of the Lion cubs’ celebrated squad from six years ago, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has proved the most successful.
      The Everton striker, 25, has won 11 senior caps amid links to major Prem rivals.
      Others include fellow full intentionals in AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters and Bournemouth forward Doninic Solanke.
      Meanwhile, Atalanta goal machine Ademola Lookman graduated to England U-21s but switched allegiance to Nigeria last year. More

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      ‘It is beautiful’ – Smug Tottenham ace Cristian Romero opens up on celebrating in Mbappe’s face as he makes NO apologies

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      CRISTIAN ROMERO claims it was “beautiful” to celebrate in Kylian Mbappe’s face during Argentina’s World Cup final triumph over France.The Tottenham centre-back even appeared to blame his antics on the hat-trick scorer “saying very bad things” to Enzo Fernandez.
      Cuti Romero: “The photo is beautiful. We are always the bad guys in the movie, but Mbappé was saying very bad things to Enzo. Leo just scored the goal and it came from inside me to do that.” @gastonedul 🗣️🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/vfLNiVcE4V— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 3, 2023

      Defender Cristian Romero had a right old tussle with France striker Kylian Mbappe before Argentina won the World Cup final on penaltiesCredit: Alamy
      Romero clenched his fists and roared at Mbappe from point-blank range after Lionel Messi had put Argentina 3-2 up in extra time.
      Mbappe’s spot-kick then took the Qatar showpiece to a shootout that Argentina won 4-2 – helped by keeper Emi Martinez controversially leaping around.
      And questioned about his reaction in the December 2022 final, Romero revealed he is delighted the incident has been immortalised in picture form.
      He told TyC Sports: “The photo is beautiful.
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      “We are always the bad guys in the movie, but Mbappe was saying very bad things to Enzo.
      “Leo just scored the goal and it came from inside me to do that.”
      Romero also claimed that, although winning the World Cup has taken the pressure off his career, he can’t revel in it too much as it makes his Spurs team-mates “angry”.
      He said: “Surely for the next few years I’ll be more calm, without this pressure in the national team for having achieved everything.
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      “Being world champion is the most important thing to happen to me as a player, but recently, I have relaxed a little. 
      “I leave it a bit aside otherwise my Tottenham team mates get a bit angry.”
      Romero’s Argentina colleagues Lisandro Martinez and Fernandez returned from Qatar to help inspire Manchester United to third in the Premier League.
      But while the Red Devils are still in the hunt for the Quadruple, Romero’s Spurs only have Champions League glory left as a realistic target. More

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      Ivana Knoll reveals she’s the victim of shocking robbery and has ‘nothing to wear’

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      IVANA KNOLL has revealed she was robbed after arriving in Paris and has been left with little to wear after her dresses were stolen. The model, who shot to stardom at last year’s World Cup, is trying to remain upbeat after one of her suitcases was pinched.
      Ivana Knoll explained to fans that one of her suitcases had been takenCredit: @knolldoll
      The model was left with only one case of clothes and complained of having little to wear during the nightCredit: @knolldoll
      Not long after coming to London, Ivana has jetted off to another one of Europe’s most illustrious cities.
      But she told fans on Instagram that, once again, she had fallen victim to theft in the French capital.
      The influencer snapped a picture of her sole remaining suitcase and let her followers know what happened to the other one.
      Ivana wrote: “Just arrived and they already stole my smaller suitcase. Always very welcome by thieves in Paris.”
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      She then recorded a video of herself to give worried fans some more detail.
      The Croatian said: “Hello from Paris. Just to let you know, I am fine.
      “They just robbed me as usual in Paris. When I arrived last time they took my bag and wallet and now they took my suitcase.
      “They took all my dresses. I don’t know what I will wear tonight.
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      “But let them be.”
      The 30-year-old then winks at the camera and sticks her tongue out as she tried to remain in good spirits.
      Ivana has spent much of the year globe-trotting since returning from cheering on Croatia in Qatar.
      In recent days she has been seen partying with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and she enjoyed her New Year hanging out with Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx.
      Ivana recently visited LondonCredit: Splash
      She shot to fame in Qatar where she became known as the ‘World Cup’s hottest fan’Credit: Getty More