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UEFA AND PREMIER LEAGUE THREATEN TO BAN BREAKAWAY CLUBS FROM ALL COMPETITIONS

European soccer’s governing body UEFA has warned clubs linked to a breakaway Super League that they face being banned from domestic and international competitions if they set up a rival to the Champions League.

In a joint statement with English, Spanish and Italian leagues and federations, UEFA said it will consider “all measures”, including the courts and bans from domestic leagues, in opposition to plans for a breakaway competition.

UEFA said it had learnt that clubs from those countries “may be planning to announce their creation of a closed, so-called Super League.”

“If this were to happen, we wish to reiterate that we… (and) also FIFA and all our member associations — will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project, a project that is founded on the self-interest of a few clubs at a time when society needs solidarity more than ever,” UEFA said.

“We will consider all measures available to us, at all levels, both judicial and sporting in order to prevent this happening. Football is based on open competitions and sporting merit; it cannot be any other way,” the statement added.

In January, FIFA said that a breakaway league would not be recognised and that “any club or player involved in such a competition would as a consequence not be allowed to participate in any competition organised by FIFA or their respective confederation” — meaning players would be banned from the World Cup.

Sunday’s UEFA statement said: “The clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams.

“We thank those clubs in other countries, especially the French and German clubs, who have refused to sign up to this. We call on all lovers of football, supporters and politicians, to join us in fighting against such a project if it were to be announced. This persistent self-interest of a few has been going on for too long. Enough is enough.”

In a separate statement on Sunday, the Premier League said it “condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit” following reports that six of its clubs were supporting a European Super League.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City have signed up to the breakaway plan, according to reports.

“The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid,” the league said in a statement.

The developments occurred on the eve of a new-look 36-team Champions League being discussed by UEFA on Monday.

“Fans of any club in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team may climb to the top and play against the best,” the statement continued.

“We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream.”

The statement added: “The Premier League is proud to run a competitive and compelling football competition that has made it the most widely watched league in the world.

“Our success has enabled us to make an unrivalled financial contribution to the domestic football pyramid.

“A European Super League will undermine the appeal of the whole game, and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future prospects of the Premier League and its member clubs, and all those in football who rely on our funding and solidarity to prosper.

“We will work with fans, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA, as well as other stakeholders, at home and abroad, to defend the integrity and future prospects of English football in the best interests of the game.”

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RUTHLESS RANGERS SENDS RIVALS CELTIC OUT OF SCOTTISH CUP

Ruthless Rangers piled more misery on Celtic with a 2-0 Scottish Cup fourth-round win at Ibrox.

The Light Blues wrested the Premiership title back from their Old Firm rivals for the first time in a decade this season and ensured the cup would also be leaving Parkhead for the first time in five years.

Midfielder Steven Davis gave the home side the lead in the 10th minute with an improvised finish before Parkhead full-back Jonjoe Kenny put through his own goal in the 33rd minute under pressure from Gers attacker Ryan Kent.

Interim Celtic boss John Kennedy’s side missed a series of chances including a 79th-minute penalty which Gers keeper Allan McGregor, in another terrific performance, saved from Hoops striker Odsonne Edouard.

Steven Gerrard’s men, now unbeaten in the last five Glasgow derbies, host St Johnstone in the quarter-finals looking to march on to a league and cup double, while Celtic have to regroup this summer.

The tie had been pushed back to Sunday due to Saturday’s funeral of Britain’s Prince Philip and there was a period of silence before the game started.

Rangers skipper James Tavernier, out for two months with a knee injury, could only find a place on the bench as Kemar Roofe made way for midfielder Scott Arfield.

Celtic winger James Forrest, who picked up a back and hamstring niggle last week against Falkirk, was out altogether, replaced by Ryan Christie while left-back Diego Laxalt came in for benched Greg Taylor.

Celtic probably edged the opening minutes before Rangers took the lead.

Kent started the attack by leaving Parkhead skipper Scott Brown in his wake in the middle of the park before Celtic defender Stephen Welsh brought him down.

Referee Bobby Madden played on with Joe Aribo driving into the box and when his drive struck Hoops defender Kris Ajer and looped into the air, Davis’ acrobatic strike from six yards beat keeper Scott Bain.

Celtic furiously fought back with efforts from striker Edouard, Christie and Callum McGregor and as the visitors kept up the pressure Welsh, from five yards out, somehow redirected a cross from David Turnbull away from goal before Ajer’s drive was blocked by Gers defender Filip Helander on the line.

Aribo beat Laxalt on the right flank before firing the ball to the near post where Kenny, on loan from Everton, turned it past Bain in an attempt at preventing Kent applying the finishing touch.

Celtic, with Taylor on for Laxalt, started the second half at top speed and McGregor was quickly involved, tipping a Turnbull drive past the post for a corner which was defended.

In the 57th minute Celtic had the chance to reduce the deficit when McGregor parried a drive from Mohamed Elyounoussi into the path of Edouard but the striker’s effort from six yards sailed over the bar.

Moments later, after Gers full-back Nathan Patterson passed straight to Edouard, the Frenchman set up in Elyounoussi but McGregor was out quickly to smother the shot with Edouard’s effort from the loose ball cleared to safety.

At the other end, Bain beat away a 20-yard drive from Kent and then blocked Alfredo Morelos’ shot from the rebound.

Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths replaced Christie in the 72nd minute and when he was pushed inside the box by Aribo, referee Madden pointed to the spot.

Edouard stepped forward but his shot was saved by McGregor who dived to his right with the Rangers defence clearing the loose ball to safety, the incident summing up the day.

Minutes later, a fantastic challenge by Taylor prevented Aribo tapping in from a yard out but it will be Celtic who will be rueing a series of missed opportunities as they survey a trophy-less season.

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NERES STOPPAGE TIME GOAL GIVE AJAX DUTCH CUP VICTORY

Substitute David Neres scored two minutes into injury time to hand Ajax a thrilling 2-1 victory over Vitesse as they claimed a record-extending 20th Dutch Cup title on Sunday.

Neres steered the ball into the back of the net from Sebastien Haller’s headed assist to help Ajax retain the title they won in 2019. The competition was not completed last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ryan Gravenberch put Ajax ahead in the first half but Vitesse, whose only cup final win came in 2017, equalised seven minutes later as Lois Openda scored from close-range.

Vitesse lost centre-back Jacob Rasmussen to a straight red card four minutes from the end and his absence was felt as Ajax piled on the pressure in the closing stages and were rewarded with Neres’ winner.

The win kept Ajax on track to complete a league and cup double as they lead second-placed PSV Eindhoven by 11 points on top of the Dutch Eredivisie.

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IHEANACHO SCORES AS LEICESTER HOLD OFF SOUTHAMPTON TO REACH FA CUP FINAL

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the game’s only goal as Leicester City saw out a narrow victory over Southampton at Wembley on Sunday night to book a spot against Chelsea in the FA Cup final

Leicester, who have never won the FA Cup, had the better of the chances in the first half and might have gone ahead near the half-hour mark when Jamie Vardy got in behind the Saints defence, but his chipped shot sailed just wide of the far post.

Iheanacho put the Foxes in front early in the second half when he collected the rebound from his own shot from Jamie Vardy’s cut-back and slotted his second attempt past Fraser Forster to give Brendan Rodger’s side the lead.

Leicester will play Chelsea, who beat Manchester City 1-0 in the other semi on Saturday, in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 15

A limited number of fans are expected to be allowed into Wembley for the final after a crowd of around 4,000, mainly local residents, were attended the semifinal as part of a test event for the return of crowds as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

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NEW CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FORMAT SET TO BE APPROVED ON MONDAY

Uefa’s plan for a revamped 36-team Champions League will be discussed on Monday, with its executive committee expected to agree the controversial proposal.

The new format, which is set to start in 2024 and run until at least 2033, moved a step nearer on Friday following meetings between the European Club Association board and Uefa’s club competitions committee.

The so-called ‘Swiss model’ will see teams compete in one 36-team league – instead of the current system where 32 sides are split into eight pools of four – and guarantee each club 10 matches on a seeded basis.

The new format, which guarantees clubs four more games than in the current group phase, takes the Champions League from 125 to 225 matches and would create a huge headache for domestic schedulers.

EFL chairman Rick Parry says it would be a “major threat” to the Carabao Cup and the Football Association also wrote to Uefa to express its concerns.

Fans groups, including those from Manchester United and Arsenal, said in an open letter to ECA chairman and Juventus boss Andrea Agnelli, the plan to restructure the Champions League “present a serious threat to the entire game”.

The letter, signed by 17 fans’ groups from 14 teams whose clubs are in the ECA, including Ajax, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, said it was a “blatant power grab” and would “wreck domestic calendars”.

The new format would see the league’s top eight qualify automatically for the last-16 knockout stage, with the teams finishing ninth and 24th playing off for the remaining eight places.

Extra games would see the Champions League encroach into January – a month usually kept free for domestic club football – while the allocation of two of the extra four places to sides based on previous European performance has also proved controversial.

A team could still qualify for the Champions League based on ‘historic co-efficient’ as long as they did enough domestically to finish in a Europa League or Europa Conference League position.

Discussions over the commercial control of the competition are set to continue in the coming weeks.

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MASON GREENWOOD NETS BRACE AS MANCHESTER UNITED BEAT BURNLEY 3-1

Mason Greenwood’s second-half double and a stoppage-time goal from Edinson Cavani helped Manchester United close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to eight points after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Burnley.

It looked set to be a frustrating outing for the Red Devils as Greenwood’s 48th-minute opener was almost instantly cancelled out by James Tarkowski for Burnley, who had not lost on their previous four visits to Old Trafford.

But Greenwood’s deflected strike in the 84th minute put his side ahead again before substitute Cavani added gloss to the scoreline as United kept their remote hopes of reeling in their crosstown rivals alive.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were far from fluent – and had some luck in the opening seconds as Chris Wood saw his header ruled out for a marginal offside call – but this was their fifth successive league victory.

Marcus Rashford, doubtful beforehand because of a foot complaint he has been managing for the last few weeks, was influential for United but he was withdrawn before Greenwood and then Cavani made sure of a win for the hosts.

A third successive defeat was cruel on 17th-placed Burnley, who find themselves six points above the drop zone after Fulham’s draw at Arsenal earlier on Sunday.

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HARRY KANE SCORES BRACE, LIMPS OFF INJURED IN EVERTON DRAW

Harry Kane showcased exactly why Tottenham are so desperate to keep him as he scored twice in a 2-2 draw at Everton, but an apparent ankle knock sustained in stoppage time will give Spurs serious cause for concern.

Tottenham insist their star man is not for sale at any price despite constant speculation surrounding his future, and it is easy to see why after he scored two clinical goals at Goodison Park.

He opened the scoring in the 27th minute after a defensive error and then, following a Gylfi Sigurdsson double either side of half-time put Everton in front, the England captain earned a point 20 minutes from time.

In doing so he moved two goals in front of Mohamed Salah at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts, taking his tally to 21 for the season before limping off injured late on.

As he has done so often, he again carried Spurs on what was an overall disappointing showing and their top-four hopes suffered a possible terminal blow, sitting five points behind West Ham having played a game more, as the pressure increases on a forlorn Jose Mourinho.

Everton are a point behind, so this result does not help them much and they will rue squandering the lead and then missing key chances in the second half.

It appeared February’s nine-goal FA Cup thriller had used up all the fun for this fixture as it was a drab opening 25 minutes, where Richarlison’s shot which Hugo Lloris comfortably saved was the only moment that passed as entertainment.

But the game burst into life with two goals in four minutes.

Spurs took the lead with their first foray into Everton’s box as Kane was clinical. Mason Holgate missed Tanguy Ndombele’s cross and Kane controlled and fired into the bottom corner.

Mourinho’s men let another advantage slip thanks to a quickfire response from the hosts.

Sergio Reguilon clattered into the back of James Rodriguez, with Michael Oliver immediately pointing to the spot even though replays suggested Rodriguez kicked the floor and contact was minimal.

Sigurdsson made no mistake from the spot, sending Lloris the wrong way.

Everton gained momentum from their leveller and should have gone in front before half-time.

A brilliant move saw Richarlison play in Rodriguez, but the Colombian’s snapshot was brilliantly saved by Lloris, who also kept out a Richarlison header before the break.

It did not take much for Spurs to improve after half-time and they fashioned good chances in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.

First, Son Heung-min ghosted into the area and shot straight at Jordan Pickford when Kane was begging for a pull-back and, after more great work by Kane to open up play, Ndombele’s effort was deflected over the crossbar.

From the resulting corner, Toby Alderweireld came closest to regaining Spurs’ lead, but his header hit the near post.

But it was Everton who moved in front just after the hour mark with a fine goal.

They again cut Spurs open, working the ball out to Seamus Coleman, who pulled back to Sigurdsson to fire home a brilliant first-time finish into the far corner.

However, they were masters of their own downfall as they allowed Spurs to hit back just six minutes later.

Michael Keane and Holgate collided with each other when trying to clear a cross and the ball fell to the one man they did not want it to and Kane made them pay, lashing home in style from 10 yards out.

Kane almost scored a hat-trick minutes later but his header from Lucas Moura’s cross clipped the outside of the post.

It was Everton who were left with their heads in their hands at the end as they squandered a great chance to win it when Lloris denied Josh King and then Richarlison blazed over an open goal from the rebound.

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CHRIS SMALLING AND FAMILY ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

Roma defender Chris Smalling and his family have been held up at gunpoint inside their home in the Italian capital, according to local media reports.

Smalling, who joined the Italian side permanently from Manchester United last summer, and his family were subjected to the ordeal in the early hours of Friday morning.

Italian media reports that the family were sleeping when armed and hooded men broke into their home and forced the footballer to open a safe. The robbers took Rolex watches, jewellery and other valuables.

Smalling and Roma have not commented but former Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford tweeted his support.

Rashford wrote: “Thinking about you [Chris Smalling] and your lovely family. So sorry to wake up to the news this morning. Can’t imagine how you’re feeling but I hope you’re ok.”

Roma coach Paulo Fonseca’s house was broken into last November when he and his family were out. Watches and other valuables were taken.

Lazio forward Joaquin Correa’s house in Rome was also burgled a few days earlier.

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PAUL POGBA CRITICISES FORMER MANAGER JOSE MOURINHO IN CANDID INTERVIEW

Paul Pogba has attacked Jose Mourinho’s man-management style, accusing him of “going against players” and making them feel like “they don’t exist any more”.

Mourinho made Pogba the world’s most expensive player following his 2016 appointment as Manchester United manager.

Pogba was instrumental as United claimed a League Cup and Europa League double in 2017, but the pair had an uneasy relationship before Mourinho was sacked in December 2018 and succeeded by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Mourinho’s relationship with some of his players had deteriorated following that first campaign and there were reports of a training ground spat with Pogba after the France midfielder player was stripped of the United vice-captaincy in September 2018.

“What I have now with Ole is different because he wouldn’t go against the players,” Pogba said in a Sky Sports interview.

“It’s not like you put them on the side and they don’t exist any more. I think that’s the difference between Mourinho and Ole.

“Once I had a great relationship with Mourinho. Everybody sees that and the next day you don’t know what happened.

“That’s the strange thing I had with Mourinho. And I can not explain to you because, even me, I don’t know.”

Pogba’s comments came after United piled the pressure on Mourinho with a 3-1 win at Tottenham last Sunday.

Solskjaer and Mourinho clashed in a heated exchange of words after the United boss was was unhappy when Son Heung-min went down in the build-up to Edinson Cavani’s controversial disallowed opener.

Mourinho said he was left “very disappointed” by Solskjaer’s claims that he would not feed his son if he had behaved like Son, but Pogba accused the Portuguese of using deflection tactics to take the focus away from Tottenham’s performance.

Pogba said: “I am sure Mourinho said something that made people speak. That’s what he does.

“We got the result that we wanted. Ole knows it and we enjoyed that moment.

“We know Mourinho and what he likes. We don’t need this.

“We just focus on us, we won the game, he lost the game, and he doesn’t want to speak about the game.

“He wants to speak about the dad of someone, that’s what he does. Everybody knows it. It’s very Mourinho.”

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MAN UNITED DISPLACE GRANADA TO SET UP EUROPA LEAGUE SEMIS AGAINST ROMA

Edinson Cavani set Manchester United on course for a comfortable victory against Granada as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side reached the Europa League semi-finals for the second successive season.

Marcus Rashford’s fine goal and a late Bruno Fernandes penalty in Spain last week put the Red Devils in control of the quarter-final tie heading into Thursday’s reverse fixture at an empty Old Trafford.

United extinguished any hope of a remarkable Granada turnaround when veteran Cavani volleyed home in the sixth minute, with Jesus Vallejo’s late own goal wrapping up a 2-0 win on the night, 4-0 on aggregate.

The reward is a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Roma and a reunion with Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan – starters when United won the Europa League in 2017.

That was the Old Trafford giants’ last trophy and they never looked in danger of being denied a fifth semi-final in two seasons after Cavani volleyed home a smart flick on by Paul Pogba.

The France midfielder captained the side in the absence of Harry Maguire – one of three suspended players – and was withdrawn at the end of a first half in which Granada called for him to receive a second booking.

United continued in the ascendancy after the break and ex-Wolves defender Vallejo turned into his own goal under pressure from substitute Juan Mata at the death as Granada’s remarkable first continental campaign came to an end.

Coach Diego Martinez had spoken on the eve of the game about his belief that the Andalusians could seal a historic Old Trafford triumph, but the “perfect game” required was soon beyond them.

Alex Telles, in for the suspended Luke Shaw, sent over a cross from the left that Pogba smartly headed back towards the penalty spot area, where Cavani expertly steered a left-footed volley into the far corner.

The classy sixth-minute strike all but ended Granada’s faint hopes of progress, yet it did not dent their competitive endeavour.

Yangel Herrera, on loan from Manchester City, headed wide as the LaLiga side looked to hit back immediately, before turning their attention to getting Pogba sent off.

The stand-in skipper showed impressive skill and strength to hold off the visitors when driving forwards, only to inadvertently catch German in the face and earn a 17th-minute booking.

Within minutes former Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado joined him in referee Istvan Kovacs’ notebook as he screamed for Pogba to be handed a second yellow card for a challenge on Herrera.

Pogba got away with that clumsy tackle, both in terms of staying on the field and seeing Herrera head the resulting free-kick wide, but still spoke to the referee during a break in play about the initial yellow card decision.

Fernandes flashed a stunning volley just over from a delightful clipped Nemanja Matic pass as half-time approached.

The Portuguese mishit his next attempt well wide and other half-chances came to nothing before the break, with Donny Van De Beek replacing the booked Pogba when the teams returned.

Mason Greenwood headed straight at Rui Silva after Jorge Molina was denied by David De Gea at the other end, with United still on top as Cavani glanced a header wide before Van De Beek struck just off target.

Cavani was withdrawn in the 60th minute with half an eye on Sunday’s clash with Burnley – perhaps adding to a sense of complacency that De Gea snapped his team-mates out of after German was allowed to fire wide.

United’s changes took the sting out of the game as Solskjaer’s side trundled along in second gear, with De Gea stopping Victor Diaz’s stinging effort and a close-range Herrera attempt.

But this was as comfortable as a European quarter-final could be and Vallejo turned Telles’ cross into his own net as Mata challenged in the 90th minute.