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FANS RETURN TO THE WEMBLEY STADIUM FACE CRITICISM FOR LACK OF CONSULTATION

The Carabao Cup final, the second FA Cup semi-final and the FA Cup final will serve as Wembley pilot events for the government’s ‘Covid status certification’ scheme.

The plan is to enable the safe return of mass gatherings and indoor events as lockdown restrictions ease in England, with officials preparing a series of trial events over the coming months as they look to find a way for fans to return to sporting venues.

The FA Cup semi-final between Leicester and Southampton at the national stadium on April 18 will see football fans return for the first time since December, with 4,000 fans able to attend.

Manchester City face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final seven days later with 8,000 fans watching and the month-long scheme will conclude with the FA Cup final on May 15, when 21,000 fans will be attending.

The Football Supporters Association has welcomed the scheme but has criticised the authorities for failing to consult with fans, particularly over the Carabao Cup final.

The FSA said: “Fans across the country will welcome the partial return of supporters to stadiums, and we all hope the test events go well.

“However, our affiliated groups at Manchester City and Spurs represent fans who will make up that crowd – and neither they nor the FSA feel ‘consulted’.

“We have been informed what is happening but have had no input into the plans at this stage.

“Fans should be involved in the planning around these big Wembley games, we are the crowd after all, and we can make a positive contribution.”

The World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield – running from April 17 to May 3 – is the first sporting event to be included in the trial and will have 1,000 spectators per day, while there will also be three mass participation runs at Hatfield House on April 24 and 25, with 3,000 runners and a further 3,000 spectators.

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham hopes the test events can lead to there being full stadiums at this summer’s European Championship.

He said: “We are delighted to be hosting three test events at Wembley and are confident we can offer a safe environment.

“This is an important first step towards getting fans back, with the end goal of full stadia – hopefully by the end of the Men’s Euros. We would like to thank all authorities for their support throughout this process.”

English Football League chairman Rick Parry added: “The Carabao Cup is a prized asset of the EFL, a great competition for clubs to win and always a fantastic occasion so we are absolutely delighted to see supporters back for the showpiece final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, in what will hopefully be another important milestone along the way to a full return of fans.”

Sporting test events

17 April-3 May: Snooker World Championships, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield – Up to 1,000 people a day (indoor seated)

18 April: FA Cup semi-final (Leicester v Southampton), Wembley – 4,000 (outdoor seated)

24-25 April: Three 10k runs, Hatfield Park – 3,000 people and up to 3,000 spectators at each event (outdoor, mass participation run)

25 April: Carabao Cup final (Manchester City v Tottenham), Wembley – 8,000 people (outdoor, seated)

15 May – FA Cup Final (TBD), Wembley – 21,000 people (outdoor, seated)

In developing the scheme, officials will take into account three factors – whether an individual has received the vaccine, has recently tested negative for the virus, or has “natural immunity” having tested positive in the previous six months. The NHS is said to be currently working on ways of providing people with the means to demonstrate their Covid status through “digital and non-digital routes”.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “We are doing everything we can to enable the reopening of our country so people can return to the events, travel and other things they love as safely as possible, and these reviews will play an important role in allowing this to happen.”

Spurs are playing their first domestic final since 2015 when they take on City in the Carabao Cup final and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust is unhappy there was no consultation prior the decision being made.

“We know Spurs fans will have many questions about the announcement,” a statement read. “And we would like to provide answers. But we can’t. Because none of the decision makers have consulted with or even spoken to supporter groups at either competing club, or to the national fan organisation, ahead of today’s statement.

“This not only displays a complete disregard for the fans, it risks undermining the confidence needed in how the event is being conducted.”

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NEYMAR SEES RED AS LILLE LEAPFROG PSG IN LIGUE 1

Lille leapfrogged Paris Saint-Germain to grab the lead in Ligue 1 on Saturday after Jonathan David found the back of the net in a 1-0 win over the French champions, who had Neymar sent off in the last minute.

Canada striker David scored in the first half to put the northerners on 66 points with seven games remaining, three ahead of PSG who were lacklustre throughout the showdown.

Neymar was sent off when he picked up a second yellow card for shoving Tiago Djalo, who reacted with a foul-mouthed rant and was also shown a red card.

Monaco moved up to third on 62 points with a 4-0 thrashing of promoted Metz.

Olympique Lyonnais, fourth on 60 points, take on fifth-placed RC Lens later on Saturday.

PSG have won seven of the last eight Ligue 1 titles, only finishing second behind Monaco in 2017, while Lille are looking to claim their first since 2011.

Lille, who were without Yusuf Yazici after the Turkey midfielder tested positive for COVID-19, defended thoroughly throughout and were the sharper side at the Parc des Princes to bag a deserved three points after two consecutive defeats in competitive matches.

PSG, who travel to Bayern Munich for their Champions League quarter-finals first leg on Wednesday, have now lost their last three home games in Ligue 1.

Neymar, in his first Ligue 1 start in over two months, found Kylian Mbappe early on with a defence-splitting pass, only for the French striker to see his low crossed shot parried away by Mike Maignan.

Lille went ahead on 20 minutes as David fired under the roof of the net from Jonathan Ikone’s cross after controlling the ball with a soft touch.

PSG struggled to create chances despite enjoying most of the possession and Lille threatened several times with lighting-quick counter attacks.

Neymar forced Maignan to a good save with a powerful half volley from just outside the box on the hour and he came close again in the 70th with a diving header that went just wide.

The Brazilian will, however, miss PSG’s next league game against Racing Strasbourg following his sending-off.

Earlier Monaco were on a class of their own against Metz, with penalties from Cesc Fabregas and Wissam Ben Yedder, who scored a double, and a goal by Kevin Volland, all after the break.

Coach Niko Kovac refused to get carried away, though.

“There are still 21 points at stake and we first need to secure fourth place,” he told a news conference.

“But we’re good. We have a good momentum.”

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SERIA A: LUKAKU PUTS INTER MILAN EIGHT POINTS CLEAR WITH WIN OVER BOLOGNA, JUVENTUS, AC MILAN HELD

Romelu Lukaku fired Inter Milan eight points clear at the top of Serie A on Saturday with the only goal in a 1-0 win at Bologna as title rivals Juventus and AC Milan were both held.

“Winning is a big step forward for us,” said coach Antonio Conte after second-placed Milan’s challenge faltered in a 1-1 draw with 10-man Sampdoria while champions Juventus were held 2-2 at city rivals Torino.

Conte’s side stretched their winning run to nine league games as they chase a first ‘Scudetto’ since 2010, having finished runners-up last season.

“Last year we nearly got there. The closer we get to the finish line, every victory becomes more important,” added the former Juventus and Chelsea manager.

Lukaku got his head to an Alessandro Bastoni cross after half an hour and bundled the ball over the line for his 20th league goal this season after Bologna’s young goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia had pushed out the initial strike.

Lautaro Martinez missed a chance for a second five minutes after the break when he rattled the post.

Inter next play Sassuolo on Wednesday, a match postponed from before the international break because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Milan club.

In Turin, Cristiano Ronaldo struck in the 79th minute but couldn’t stop Juve dropping further points in their bid for a 10th consecutive league title.

Andrea Pirlo’s side slip to fourth, 12 points behind Inter, and four points back from Milan, with a game in hand.

“We complicate these games all by ourselves,” lamented Pirlo with his team’s Champions League qualification also in the balance.

“We must push on, keep giving our all and try to secure our minimum target, which is qualifying for the Champions League,” said captain Giorgio Chiellini.

“We have another important match on Wednesday and it’s one we need to win,” he added of their midweek postponed fixture against European rivals Napoli.

Federico Chiesa had given Juventus the advantage in the 13th minute, but an Antonio Sanabria brace looked set to give the relegation-threatened hosts their first derby win in six years.

The Paraguayan nodded in the leveller in the 27th minute after Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny had pushed out a long-range Rolando Mandragora effort.

Sanabria struck a second time just after the break when he intercepted a misplaced Dejan Kulusevksi back pass.

Ronaldo missed two chances before the Serie A top scorer finally got his 24th league goal this campaign following a VAR review when he nodded home Chiellini’s cross from close range.

The Paraguayan nodded in the leveller in the 27th minute after Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny had pushed out a long-range Rolando Mandragora effort.

Sanabria struck a second time just after the break when he intercepted a misplaced Dejan Kulusevksi back pass.

Ronaldo missed two chances before the Serie A top scorer finally got his 24th league goal this campaign following a VAR review when he nodded home Chiellini’s cross from close range.

Milan’s miserable recent form at the San Siro continued in their draw with Sampdoria.

A terrible Theo Hernandez pass across midfield in the 57th minute allowed Sampdoria veteran Fabio Quagliarella to pounce and send a long-range lob over Gianluigi Donnarumma to claim his 10th goal of the season.

Claudio Ranieri’s mid-table side went a man down just after their goal with Adrien Silva sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Substitute Jens Petter Hauge curled in the leveller three minutes from the end, with Franck Kessie denied a late winner after hitting the woodwork.

“There are no excuses,” said coach Stefano Pioli, whose team’s push for a first league title in a decade has been hampered by just two wins from eight home games in the league in 2021.

“Inter have the Scudetto (league title) in their hands. It’s theirs to lose.”

Atalanta are two points behind Milan in third after a 3-2 win over against Udinese which came thanks to a first-half Luis Muriel brace and Duvan Zapata adding a third after the hour mark in Bergamo.

Napoli claimed their fourth consecutive win, but not without a battle from bottom side Crotone who lost a dramatic contest 4-3.

Three goals in 33 minutes from Lorenzo Insigne, Victor Osimhen and Dries Mertens looked to have sealed victory early for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

However Crotone fought back to 3-3 largely thanks to a double from Nigerian Simy the 25th and 48th minutes.

But Giovanni Di Lorenzo made sure the home side did take the win with his 72nd-minute strike.

Roma stretched their winless run to a three matches with a 2-2 stalemate at Sassuolo.

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KELECHI IHEANACHO SIGNS NEW LEICESTER CONTRACT UNTIL 2024

Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a new deal running to 2024, the club have announced.

The 24-year-old Nigeria international, who joined from Manchester City in 2017, has been in sparkling recent form for the Foxes, scoring nine times in his last nine appearances in all competitions.

That included netting five goals in three Premier League matches in March, and he was named the division’s player of the month.

Iheanacho told Leicester’s official website: “I can’t express how I’m feeling. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m overwhelmed! It’s a great moment and I’m happy that Leicester City gave me a new contract.

“It’s been a great time here. It’s not been easy, but there’s a lot of people here that are good people, great people to work with. They are nice people and they make me feel comfortable and welcome since I came in.

“It’s been really great being here. It’s like a family. I’m happy being here and hopefully I can stay here many more years.”

Iheanacho’s tally this season of 12 is among a total of 32 goals he has registered for Leicester in 117 games in all competitions.

He previously scored 12 goals in 46 league appearances for Manchester City, who Leicester face at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said of Iheanacho ahead of the fixture: “I think you see a young player playing at the top of his game.

“When he was at Manchester City he was a young developing player who hadn’t played much. He came here for a big fee (reported to be £25million) and then of course coming into a team with one of the league’s best strikers (Jamie Vardy) has needed some adapting from him.

“I can only speak for the two years I’ve been here but his work, his ambition to become a better player was always there.

“He’s a wonderful character within the squad, constantly smiling, and whatever role he’s been asked to play he’s played it very well.

“The combination between him and Jamie is very good and at 24 there’s a lot of improvement in him.”

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LEEDS DEDICATE WIN OVER SHEFFIELD UNITED TO OUSTSTANDING PETER LORIMER

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was delighted his side delivered a Yorkshire derby win on the day the club remembered their record goalscorer Peter Lorimer.

Bielsa’s side climbed back into the Premier League’s top 10 after Jack Harrison’s opener and Phil Jagielka’s own goal secured them a 2-1 win against Sheffield United, who had equalised through Ben Osborn.

Lorimer, who scored a record 238 goals for Leeds in 705 appearances, died last month aged 74 following a long-term illness and the club paid tribute via a minute’s applause before kick-off.

Leeds fans Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were killed in Turkey before a UEFA Cup tie against Galatasaray in April 2000, were also remembered.

“Victories always generate happiness and optimism,” Bielsa said. “When we lose someone it always generates sadness and memories.

“It’s very difficult for happiness or victory to compensate for the loss of someone, (but) it’s better to have one to say goodbye to such an extraordinary player.”

Leeds passed the 40-point mark by registering their 13th win in their first season back in the top flight.

But despite dominating for long periods, Leeds missed plenty of chances and were pushed all the way by their rock-bottom rivals.

“We won only by one goal,” Bielsa said. “When the opponent sees there’s only a one-goal difference they insist on arriving at the opponent’s goal.

“We had a sufficient amount of chances to have scored more goals. Many dangerous situations that didn’t end in shots that would have increased the options we would have had to score more goals.

“It’s very difficult in the Premier League to imagine a comfortable victory, at least for us.”

Blades caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom made his first return to Elland Road since being sacked as Leeds manager after just four months in the role in 2018.

Heckingbottom, who was replaced by Bielsa, has now lost all three games in charge of the Blades after stepping in for Chris Wilder, while defeat to Leeds was their 24th in the Premier League this season.

“It’s been a tough year for everyone but we can either sit back and moan about that or start looking forward. And we want to look forward and start preparing for next season, whatever that brings,” Heckingbottom said.

“That is the focus. There were moments today that were very good but we didn’t capitalise on enough opportunities.

“When we did lose the ball and where we lost it was frustrating for us because it meant we missed opportunities to build pressure, but it also gave Leeds their best opportunities, which were on the counter.

“Those little moments where we were cheap in possession was the difference today.”

Heckingbottom confirmed both George Baldock and Jayden Bogle were being monitored after both were forced off due to head injuries.

“They are with the doctors getting assessed,” Heckingbottom added.

“George was a concussion substitution. He went through the test and appeared fine but reported some blurred vision so we brought him off.

“And Jayden took a bang and did not feel great so no risk, just brought him off.”

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REAL MADRID KEEP PRESSURE ON AT THE TOP FOUR WITH 2-0 WIN OVER EIBAR

Real Madrid kept their LaLiga title challenge on track with a 2-0 home win over Eibar.

Goals in each half from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema saw Real go above Barcelona into second, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

Lowly Eibar had the first opportunity when Pape Diop’s shot from outside the box was saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Moments later Benzema’s effort was kept out by Eibar goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

Real, without injured defender Sergio Ramos, soon began to dominate and Benzema put a header wide from an Isco corner.

Asensio was inches away from giving them the lead when his free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The Spain forward also had a goal disallowed for offside, but he made the breakthrough four minutes before half-time, taking Casemiro’s pass and slotting past Dmitrovic from the 18-yard line.

Asensio was denied by Dmitrovic and Benzema planted a header over before Real doubled their lead in the 73rd minute.

Vinicius Junior was the provider with the cross for Benzema to head home his ninth goal in his last seven appearances.

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DIOGO JOTA SCORES BRACE AS LIVERPOOL OUTCLASS ARSENAL TO BOOST TOP FOUR HOPES

Substitute Diogo Jota scored twice as Liverpool showed they remain one of the best sides in the Premier League by completely outclassing Arsenal to win 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Manchester City’s win at Leicester earlier in the day meant Liverpool’s hopes of retaining their title are now mathematically over after a season of mixed performances, poor results and terrible injury problems.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side were at their scintillating best, dominating an Arsenal side missing a number of their own key players to secure victory courtesy of a brace from Jota either side of a Mohamed Salah strike.

This was Mikel Arteta’s 50th Premier League fixture in charge of Arsenal and before the game he called for the Gunners to take the game to Liverpool, having won the corresponding fixture last year with a mixture of guile, guts and luck.

But Liverpool were on top from the get-go as the visitors showed their class – specifically in midfield where Thiago and Fabinho were at their best.

Arsenal sorely missed their injured quartet of David Luiz, Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe – who would have all been likely starters on what would prove to be a galling night for the FA Cup holders.

James Milner came into the Liverpool side and dragged an early shot wide, as did Fabinho.

Sadio Mane then saw a header saved before fit-again Roberto Firmino shot just off target, with the home side unable to keep hold of the ball for any meaningful length of time.

Milner should have scored when picked out free on the edge of the penalty area but sent his effort wide, while Arsenal’s evening was summed up when Kieran Tierney limped off injured just before the break.

The second half would begin in a similar vein with Liverpool again the dominant force. Arteta reacted by introducing Mohamed Elneny in place of the ineffectual Dani Ceballos.

But it would be Liverpool’s first alteration which would prove inspired as Jota replaced Andrew Robertson just after the hour and broke the deadlock with his first chance.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – who had been in the news since failing to make the cut for Gareth Southgate’s England squad – delivered a pinpoint cross that was headed home by Jota as the Reds finally made their dominance pay.

The lead would be doubled soon after, Salah coolly slotting home through the legs of Bernd Leno after proving too strong for Gabriel Magalhaes.

Salah almost had a second as he latched on to a defence-splitting pass from Thiago, with Leno this time staying big and blocking the strike.

Jota turned home the third after Gabriel had gifted Liverpool possession with an errant pass from inside his own box.

A simple win for Klopp’s men saw them move to within two points of the top four, while Arsenal’s dwindling hopes of securing European qualification through their league position suffered yet another blow.

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JAGIELKA OWN GOAL HANDS LEICESTER YORK SHIRE DERBY VICTORY

Phil Jagielka’s second-half own goal helped Leeds United to a Yorkshire derby victory over Sheffield United at Elland Road.

Leeds made a fast start and forced Aaron Ramsdale into early saves from Kalvin Phillips and Stuart Dallas.

The Sheff Utd goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Jack Harrison’s tap-in on 12 minutes from Raphinha’s cross.

But Ramsdale saved impressively again from Harrison on the half-hour and it allowed the sides to go in level at the break after Ben Osborn equalised, following up Oli McBurnie’s blocked shot.

Leeds went back in front on 49 minutes when Harrison’s cross was diverted into his own net by Jagielka.

Ramsdale was on hand once more to deny Patrick Bamford while Oliver Burke went close to a second equaliser.

But Leeds closed out their win to rise to 10th with 42 points. Sheff Utd remain bottom on 14 points.

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GABRIEL JESUS ON TARGET AS LEADERS MANCHESTER CITY EASE PAST LEICESTER WITH 2-0 VICTORY

Birthday boy Gabriel Jesus continued in-form Manchester City’s march to the Premier League title after a classy victory at Leicester.

The striker, who turned 24 on Saturday, wrapped up a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s men made it 15 straight away wins in all competitions.

Benjamin Mendy’s second-half opener sent them on their way and City are 17 points clear at the top with seven games left after a 26th win in their last 27 games.

Fernandinho had a goal ruled out while Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick hit the crossbar.

Jamie Vardy also had a goal disallowed for offside but the third-placed Foxes missed the chance to climb above Manchester United into second after being outclassed.

They thumped City 5-2 at the Etihad in September but there was to be no repeat this time.

The leaders dominated the ball early and thought they had a breakthrough after five minutes.

Fernandinho cracked a first-time half volley into the bottom corner from 30 yards only for it to be disallowed because Sergio Aguero was offside and in Kasper Schmeichel’s eyeline.

The visitors pinned the Foxes in their own half and, while Leicester still looked to pass their way out of any trouble, they never had the ball long enough to make a dent going forward.

Aguero volleyed over after Timothy Castagne’s clearance was charged down but the Foxes had kept any City chances to a minimum.

De Bruyne, though, came close to an opener after 23 minutes. The midfielder was fortunate to earn a free-kick after minimal contact from Wilfred Ndidi and stepped up to smash the bar from 25 yards.

The warning signs were there but Leicester’s concentration levels in the face of City pressure were excellent.

A goal would have capped a first-half masterclass from Guardiola’s side but Schmeichel denied Riyad Mahrez with his legs four minutes before the break and De Bruyne curled wide seconds later.

Jesus also fired over but City escaped in first-half stoppage time.

Ndidi beat De Bruyne to the ball and Ayoze Perez fed Vardy to round Ederson and score, although his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

It at least gave the Foxes encouragement and they began the second half with more intent, Youri Tielemans shooting at Ederson before Ruben Dias blocked Vardy’s drive.

But City got the opener their display deserved after 58 minutes from an unlikely source.

Schmeichel parried Mahrez’s effort and City regained control of the ball to cross for Jesus, who could not get a shot away. It fell for Mendy and he cut inside Marc Albrighton to curl in just his second Premier League goal from 10 yards.

Leicester had no response and Jesus grabbed a second with 16 minutes left.

De Bruyne’s sumptuous throughball sent the striker clear and he passed to Raheem Sterling, who held the ball up and squared for Jesus to stab in his fifth goal in six top-flight games against the Foxes.

Former Leicester winger Mahrez should have made it 3-0 soon after but curled wide, while James Maddison shot at Ederson as the Foxes chased a late consolation.

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CALLUM ROBINSON SUBJECTED TO RACIAL ABUSE AFTER CHELSEA WIN

Republic of Ireland striker Callum Robinson has been subjected to racial abuse online following his starring role in West Brom’s victory at Chelsea on Saturday.

West Brom have confirmed the matter has been reported to police.

Robinson posted a screenshot of the offensive messages he received on Instagram after the Baggies’ Premier League success at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old had scored twice as relegation-threatened West Brom pulled off a stunning 5-2 win over the fourth-placed Londoners.

A statement from the club read: “West Bromwich Albion have contacted West Midlands Police to report racist social media posts directed at Callum Robinson following Saturday’s 5-2 win over Chelsea.

“The despicable Instagram posts were sent in reply to the Republic of Ireland international after he scored twice in a memorable team performance at Stamford Bridge.

“The club is appalled by the messages and will offer Callum the help and support he may require in response to the incident.

“Albion will continue to confront all forms of discrimination and will assist the authorities with their inquiries, seeking the toughest available legal punishment.

“It is deeply disturbing that scoring two goals in a football match can provoke a reaction of this kind. There is No Room For Racism. Anywhere. Challenge it, report it, change it.”

Robinson is the latest in a long line of footballers to be abused on social media, including Marcus Rashford, Reece James and Baggies team-mate Romaine Sawyers.