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UEFA chiefs want to block clubs from playing domestic games abroad.

But they are powerless to prevent La Liga and Serie A chiefs heading out of Europe this season.

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In a measure that could stymy any long-term Prem plans to play matches out of the UK, Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin confirmed his deep personal opposition to the concept.

That is despite giving the green light for Barcelona to play Girona in Miami in December and Milan to face Como in Perth in February.

Uefa explained its ruling executive committee had “reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis” the requests from Spain and Italy, citing a lack of rules to prevent the games being switched.

But Euro chiefs pledged to work with Fifa to “uphold the integrity of domestic competitions and the close bond between clubs, their supporters and local communities”. 

Ceferin said: “League matches should be played on home soil.

“While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent. 

“Our commitment is clear – to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.”

Prem chief Richard Masters has emphasised his total opposition to the prospect of English games being played overseas.

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However, that policy could change if 14 of the 20 top flight clubs voted to explore the option.

Fan group Football Supporters Europe said: “We regret the decision to allow the requests but all 55 national associations have committed not to make further requests for domestic matches abroad without first consulting UEFA. 

“The onus is now on FIFA to plug this regulatory gap. We welcome UEFA’s commitment to work with FIFA to ensure that future rules uphold the integrity of domestic competitions.”

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ATLETICO MADRID boss Diego Simeone has escaped with a one-match ban for his Anfield Champions League red card.

Argentine Simeone was dismissed in the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk‘s stoppage time winner for Liverpool, when he became embroiled in a row with home fans.

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A huge skirmish boiled over when a member of the Atletico staff was accused of spitting and squirting water at Liverpool fans.

But after studying the referee’s and match delegate’s report and video images, Simeone was handed a single game ban for “unsporting conduct”.

It means the former midfielder has been banished from the dressing room and touchline for tonight’s home game with Eintracht Frankfurt.

No action has been taken against the member of the coaching staff, with Uefa seemingly keen to put the matter to bed, although Liverpool were fined £3,500 for fans throwing objects onto the pitch during the game.

Simeone walked out of his post-match press conference in response to a question over whether the insults he had received had been either racist or referred to the 1982 Falklands War.

Before that, the Argentine claimed he had been subjected to “insults for the whole game”.

He said: “Firstly I regret the part I played.

“It’s clear we are in a position where we do not have the right to react and it is not good when we react.

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“My reaction isn’t justifiable but do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes?

“I saw the third goal go in and I turned, the insults continued, and well, I’m a person.”

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IT will come as no surprise to their stylish famous fans, but Chelsea supporters are the best dressed in the Premier League.

The club’s followers are most likely to wear a smart suit for a night out, a survey has revealed.

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Celebrity fans including Gordon Ramsay, Jeremy Clarkson, David Baddiel, Madness singer Suggs and actor Phil Daniels are always well turned out for a trip to the club’s Stamford Bridge home — and regular fans have followed suit.

But it’s not really a surprise, as back in the Seventies Chelsea’s players, including Alan Hudson and Peter Osgood, were known as the kings of the King’s Road for their fashionable sense of style.

And the club’s 21st-century fans have maintained the tradition, according to research by betting site freebet.com, with 16 per cent getting suited and booted for a big night.

While fans of Newcastle, Burnley and Wolves were in the relegation zone with just one per cent being bothered to look smart.

The table shows there’s a clear North/South divide when it comes to off-the-pitch style.

The top seven spots are filled by teams from London and the south, with Man City and Leeds sharing eighth place with Brentford and West Ham with five per cent.

Spokesman Tim Agnew said: “Our research shows Chelsea fans are the best dressed fans in the Premier League.

“They already had a reputation for wearing Gucci and Prada and our research confirms Chelsea fans like to look sharp.”

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LIVERPOOL could follow Chelsea by exploiting a Uefa loophole to add Federico Chiesa to their Champions League squad.

The Italian forward was snubbed from Arne Slot’s initial European group, with many fans describing the decision as “criminal.”

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Chiesa, 27, is a 51-time Italy international and highly popular among Anfield supporters.

But now, the winger could be set to feature in the Champions League after all.

Fellow Italian Giovanni Leoni made his debut in Tuesday’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton.

The defender joined Liverpool for £26million from Parma this summer.

But his first appearance ended badly after he was stretchered off with a serious injury.

And due to a new Uefa rule only brought in weeks ago, Liverpool are now allowed to replace Leoni in their continental squad.

It has opened the door for Chiesa to take his place, despite the stars playing in different positions.

Chelsea have already taken advantage of it, with Facundo Buonanotte replacing Dario Essugo.

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While in the Europa League, Nottingham Forest subbed out injured Ola Aina for Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Uefa stunned clubs with a surprise announcement this month, revealing it had agreed an “amendment” to registry regulations.

The governing body announced clubs will be allowed the “temporary” replacement of one outfield player “with a long-term injury or illness.”

Uefa added: “The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure.”

It remains to be seen whether Slot decides to recall Chiesa though.

Young centre-back Rhys Williams was also left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

And he could get the nod if Slot feels his squad is light on defenders.

THE Hillsborough Law will leave a legacy for future generations, one of the campaigners at the heart of the battle for justice said after meeting the Prime Minister in Downing Street.

The new Public Office (Accountability) Bill is intended to make sure the authorities will face criminal sanctions if they attempt to cover up the facts behind disasters such as the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy or the Grenfell Tower fire.

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously pledged to bring in the law by the 36th anniversary of the tragedy, which was on April 15, but Downing Street then said more time was needed to redraft it.

At a meeting with some of the families of those killed at Hillsborough, Sir Keir acknowledged it had been a battle, with “frank” discussions continuing as his deadline passed.

Margaret Aspinall, whose son James, 18, died at Hillsborough, said she is hopeful the new law “will mean no one will ever have to suffer like we did”.

Speaking alongside Sir Keir in No 10, she said: “I thought this is a day that was not going to happen.”

“This is not just about a legacy for the 97,” she said, in reference to the number of Liverpool fans who died in the tragedy.

“This is a legacy for the people of this country and I think that is the most important thing.”

Some campaigners raised fears the Bill’s contents had been diluted and would not include a legal duty of candour.

But the Government has confirmed a new professional and legal duty of candour will be part of the Bill, meaning public officials must act with honesty and integrity at all times and could face criminal sanctions if they breach it.

The Hillsborough disaster led to the deaths of 97 football fans during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the football ground in Sheffield.

The Government said the new legislation will “end the culture of cover-ups” and learn lessons from wider disasters including the Grenfell Tower fire and the Post Office Horizon and infected blood scandals.

Sir Keir said the new legislation can change “the balance of power in Britain” to ensure the state “can never hide from the people it is supposed to serve”.

He added: “Make no mistake, this a law for the 97, but it is also a law for the subpostmasters who suffered because of the Horizon scandal, the victims of infected blood, and those who died in the terrible Grenfell Tower fire. This is change only this Government can deliver.”

Sue Roberts, whose brother Graham was unlawfully killed at Hillsborough, described the Bill’s introduction as “a huge step in the right direction” but said the families will be “watching closely to ensure this Bill is passed in its entirety and enacted in full”.

She added: “The Government must resist any pressure from those who don’t believe the public deserves to know the truth about when the state fails.”

Among what the Government has described as the “seismic changes” as part of the Bill are the biggest expansion of legal aid in a decade for bereaved families, with non-means tested help and support for inquests.

There will also be a new offence for misleading the public, which the Government said will mean criminal sanctions for the most serious breaches.

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THE return of the long throw has had an impact on how much football Prem fans have seen this season.

Brentford’s stoppage time leveller against Chelsea after the Blues could not cope with a ball hurled into their box came in the week that Thomas Tuchel signposted his willingness to go direct with England.

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And the statistics show that the Bees are not the exponents of old-fashioned Pulis-ball.

In the 40 Prem games so far this season, there have been 130 long throws, at an average of 3.3 per match.

That compares to last season’s average, over the 380 games, of 1.5 per match – a doubling of the frequency.

And senior figures believe the return of the long throw has been a factor in a significant shortage of actual playing time.

Figures provided by Stats Perform show that across the 40 top flight games the ball has only been in play for an average of 54 minutes and 21 seconds, down 133 seconds from last season’s average.

The analysis by Prem insiders suggests that one major reason is that the extra number of long throws has seen more teams sending their centre-backs up into the opposition box.

A similar amount of positioning, by both attacking and defending sides, at corner kicks, has also been noticed, with many sides now having specialist set-piece coaching teams.

And with goalkeepers unable to hold onto the ball for more than eight seconds under the new Laws, also taking longer at goal kicks when the ball goes out of play, fans are getting less value for their ticket prices.

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One expert explained: “What we’re seeing makes it clear that the amount of long throws in particular is making a difference.

“It will be interesting to see if it continues for the rest of the season or is just a passing fad.”

CLUB football is back for the Premier League this weekend after the international break.

After the last round of fixtures, a chaotic transfer deadline day followed as clubs splashed out £375million on new talent to take the overall spending for the window to over £3BILLION.

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And with that wave of new arrivals, including emergency loans, the conclusions of blockbuster sagas and shrewd deals, there will be several new faces for fans to watch.

SunSport has taken a look at stars who could make their debuts this weekend, including two club-record signings.

Kicking off the team in goal is new Manchester City star Gianluigi Donnarumma, who arrived on deadline day from Paris Saint-Germain for £26million.

New £18m Manchester United star Senne Lammens could have been selected just as easily, but they can let their goalkeeping do the talking during the Manchester Derby on Sunday.

Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie – signed on loan from Bayer Leverkusen with a £45m option to buy – put in a great display for Ecuador against Argentina and will partner £13m Bournemouth signing Veljko Milosavljevic and West Ham loanee Igor Julio in defence.

There are three more loanees to consider going forward: Tottenham’s Randal Kolo Muani, Nottingham Forest‘s Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aston Villa‘s Jadon Sancho, who all arrived in the twilight hours of the summer window.

Harvey Elliott followed Sancho to the struggling Villans from Liverpool on an initial loan with a £35m obligation to buy next summer.

The front three is where the majority of the star power and cost come into play.

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Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m sale from Man Utd to Chelsea, was not a deadline day switch but was only announced after the Blues’ most recent game at Stamford Bridge – meaning he will be in line for his debut this weekend.

Newcastle star Nick Woltemade is the club’s record signing at £69m.

The 23-year-old German looked impressive during the Under-21 Euros this summer, while he scored 17 for Stuttgart last season.

But he – alongside fellow new Toon ace Yoane Wissa – will have big boots to fill following Alexander Isak‘s record-breaking £130m departure to Liverpool.

Isak’s saga dragged on all summer and was on and off and then on and off again, before possibly the move of the summer was finally put to bed on deadline day.

Elsewhere, there are the likes of Kevin, Fulham‘s own £35m record-breaking arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk, Jaydee Canvot at Crystal Palace and Brian Brobbey at Sunderland who could also make first appearances for their new clubs at the weekend.

FORMER Prem stars who lost tens of millions in failed investments are demanding justice.

TV pundit Danny Murphy, 48, said he was a victim of “financial abuse” — turning to booze, drugs and gambling after losing about £5million.

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He was among up to 200 players who invested with Kingsbridge Asset Management in the 1990s and 2000s.

It attracted up to £417million before failed ventures led to loss of homes and bankruptcy.

Investors were deemed to be “victims of crime” in a police investigation but are still being chased for millions in tax.

Murphy is one of 11 stars, including ex-Arsenal ace Michael Thomas, calling for more protection from tax charges.

David McKee and Kevin McMenamin, who ran Kingsbridge, denied wrongdoing on BBC’s Panorama last night.

Murphy said he feels “shame” over his involvement.

“It’s the shame, embarrassment and guilt of getting yourself in a position that you think you’re better than,” he said.

“I’ve lost four – maybe five – million, roughly.

“The financial abuse I’ve suffered has caused me monumental problems in my life.”

He added: “The financial abuse in football and the dark side of football, is something that has gone under the radar for too long.”

OLIVER GLASNER has won his battle with Steve Parish over captain Marc Guehi.

The most successful manager in Crystal Palace history slammed his foot down and demanded that he did not lose his skipper this late in the window.

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Glasner made it abundantly clear in public that he wanted Guehi to stay following the win over Aston Villa.

Within the club some feared he could even walk if the defender was sold.

Off the back of the FA Cup win in May and the victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield, this is the prime time for Glasner to throw his weight around.

Not that Palace did not try to land a fee for Guehi, who could now leave for nothing in a year’s time.

From January he will be able to reach a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, with Real Madrid and Barcelona interested.

Liverpool agreed a £35million deal with the Eagles for the England man and the 25-year-old even completed his medical in London.

The Premier League champions had submitted a deal sheet to give them more time to get the move over the line, but within the hour the deal was dead.

Palace had attempted to sign replacements, including Brighton’s Igor Julio. The defender’s deal was progressing before West Ham swooped and signed the Brazilian.

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The two clubs were in talks at the beginning of August and even then remained apart over the fee.

Guehi spoke to media after scoring against Aston Villa in a 3-0 win on Sunday.

Asked how he has dealt with the speculation, he said: “I can’t say I like the limelight too much.

“A lot of cameras in my face all the time and constantly talking about me. I’m glad I’ve got a good club, good teammates around me.

“When you focus on what’s important, the football, it makes it a lot easier. Glad my family could be there to help me, and the staff, and everyone at Palace, so, yeah it’s good.”

It is a positive end to the summer for Glasner, but there are now huge questions over his relationship with chairman Parish.

Parish has often spoken of how the fiery Austrian has driven the club to new levels, but the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has not hidden his feelings all summer.

After a slow transfer window a year ago was followed by a desperate start to the season, there were promises things would be different this time around.

But it has taken the Eagles until the final week to act on big signings, once Eberechi Eze had moved to Arsenal.

Glasner hit out at their “passive” summer and suggested he would not entertain talks over a new deal if the window was not to his liking.

Like Guehi, he is out of contract at the end of the season.

Palace did complete a deadline day deal for teenage defender Jaydee Canvot, while Odsonne Edouard joined Lens in a permanent deal.

They also submitted a deal sheet to sign Manor Solomon on loan from Tottenham.

Bilal El Khannouss, a Palace target this summer, joined Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City.

ALEXNDER ISAK has broken his silence following his blockbuster move to Liverpool.

The Sweden international completed a deadline-day move to the Reds from Newcastle United to become the most expensive player in Premier League history.

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Liverpool have shelled out a Premier League record £130MILLION to sign the 25-year-old.

Former Real Sociedad ace Isak went on strike in order to force through his move to Anfield and has yet to play this season.

And he’s champing at the bit to get started for the Reds following his successful self-imposed exile.

When asked what drew him to Anfield, he told the Kop club’s official website: “It’s a mixture of what the club is building.

“But what they’re building on top of what the club already is.

“The history of the club,” Isak told Liverpoolfc.com, when asked why Anfield is the place for him.

“Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies.

“That’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me and I feel like this is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well.

“I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I’m super-happy that I’ve been given this chance and I’m very motivated to do something well with it.”

Kop chief Arne Slot has handed Isak the historic No.9 shirt, which has previously been worn by club legends Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres.

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NEWCASTLE finally named their price for wantaway striker Alexander Isak.

And they are willing to sell him on deadline day even if they don’t land another replacement.

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Newcastle have been determined throughout the summer to keep hold of the star forward.

They rejected a £110million plus add-ons opening offer from the Reds all the way back at the beginning of August.

That prompted Isak to go on strike, tell bosses he will never play for Newcastle again and miss every match so far this season – as well as launching a scathing social media statement.

He blasted: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time.

“To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.

“That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”

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Toon chiefs’ stance was that the Swedish international, 25, is not for sale – although a £150m figure would reportedly have been enough to convince the Saudi owners to part with him.

The club hit back: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak.

“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his team-mates.”

However, there has been a sudden change of heart with less than 24 hours to go until the transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday.

That comes after Public Investment Fund members and club co-owner Jamie Reuben visited the player at his home earlier this week.

It is now understood Newcastle would accept £130m for Isak.

And that could tempt Liverpool to go back in with an improved offer on deadline day.

If they don’t, the Magpies still hold hope of getting Isak to agree to a new contract with a release clause kicking in next summer.

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Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline

• JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge

• FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted

• MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk

• APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”

• MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
• Last match in Newcastle shirt

• JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up

• JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
• Left out of Celtic friendly
• Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
• Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury

• AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
• Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
• Isak stops training and goes on strike
• Moves out of his apartment
• Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
• Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club

However, a further boost for the champions – who have also signed Toon target Hugo Ekitike this summer – is that The Telegraph claim Newcastle are set to accept a £130m bid even if they are unable to sign another striker.

The Toon spent a club-record £69m on giant forward Nick Woltemade.

But their chances of bringing in another – namely Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen or Brentford’s wantaway Yoane Wissa – appear to be fizzling out.

SunSport also revealed Roma and Ukraine striker Artem Dovbyk could be the subject of a £30m bid on the final day of the transfer window.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted after Saturday’s goalless draw at Leeds that he still “does not know” what will happen with Isak.

Howe said: “I don’t know. I’m not party to any talks going on.”

When pressed on whether Isak would be allowed to play for the club again if a move did not materialise, the manager added: “Yes, from my side I’ve said it all along. While he’s still contracted to us that has to be the way.”

In Isak’s absence, Newcastle have started the season with two 0-0 draws either side of the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.

Their Champions League campaign begins when they host Barcelona on September 18 before facing the likes of Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen and PSG in the league phase.

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MICHAEL SALISBURY has been REMOVED as the VAR official for Liverpool vs Arsenal just hours before kick off.

Salisbury, 40, was on VAR duty for Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Fulham yesterday, during which he controversially sent the referee over to the monitor to disallow Josh King’s opener.

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NICK WOLTEMADE has become Newcastle’s new record signing – as Alexander Isak’s dream move to Liverpool edges closer.

The Magpies have forked out £69m to Stuttgart for the giant 6ft 6in German international, 23, to end their summer-long pursuit of a new frontman.

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Now they will ramp up efforts to bring in either Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen or Brentford’s wantaway Yoane Wissa before Monday’s deadline day as on-strike Isak sweats on his future.

Woltemade, Eddie Howe’s fifth recruit this summer and who will wear the No27 shirt, said: “I’m really happy to be at this amazing club. From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me.

“It’s a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family.

“I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.

“I know the stadium from watching games on television – it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I’m really excited to play and start scoring goals here.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe added: “We’re delighted to get Nick’s signing over the line so quickly. He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options.

“He’s strong in a lot of areas – he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe’s top leagues – but he’s also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here.

“Nick is a great character too and we’re really pleased to welcome him to the group.”

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Woltemade, who has penned a contract until 2031, is not believed to have been registered in time to face Leeds today but could make his debut against Wolves in a fortnight.

The two-time capped German international was top scorer at this summer’s U21 Euros with six goals but suffered defeat in the final to England – who had new team-mate Tino Livramento in their line-up.

He makes the big-money move to the North East after just one season with Stuttgart, having joined them from Werder Bremen on a free transfer just 12 months ago.

He scored 17 goals in all competitions last term, including a crucial goal in the DFB-Pokal final – which Stuttgart went on to win.

Woltemade could watch Toon in action at Elland Road today before linking up with the Germany squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, we revealed Liverpool are expected to make a record bid for Isak in the coming days after club chiefs sanctioned a £130m bid for the 25-year-old.

Newcastle have already rejected one offer worth £110m and are refusing to sell unless they get a replacement 

Isak, who is refusing to play for Newcastle and training alone, reiterated his desire to leave this week to Toon’s Saudi chiefs.

Now he will be praying that Howe can get Wissa or Strand Larsen over the line to finally secure his departure.

THE best teams in Europe are set to go head-to-head once again as the Champions League returns for another thrilling season.

PSG are the current kings of the continent after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final last term.

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The French giants are among the favourites for the trophy once again, as are Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Six Premier League teams have earned the right to mix it with the big boys in the Champions League this season.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea and Europa League winners Tottenham will all be in the draw for the league phase.

The Gunners went the furthest of the English sides competing in Europe’s elite club competition last term.

Mikel Arteta‘s men reached the semi-finals, losing 3-1 on aggregate to eventual winners PSG.

English sides will be looking to stop the rot after failing to make an appearance in the Champions League final in back-to-back seasons.

First up is the league phase, and SunSport brings you the all-important details ahead of the draw.

When is the Champions League draw?

• The draw for the league phase of the 2025/26 Champions League will take place on Thursday, August 28.
• The show will begin at 5pm BST.
• Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum will stage the draw.

How to watch the Champions League draw FREE

• The Champions League draw will be broadcast live on Uefa.com.
• TNT Sports 1 will also air the draw on regular TV.
• The broadcaster will also provide a FREE live stream via the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
• Alternatively, you can discover all the confirmed ties by following SunSport’s live blog of the draw.

How does the Champions League league phase draw work?

Like last year, the league phase has 36 teams from across Europe competing, with each side handed eight games.

The 36 clubs are split into four pots based on their Uefa coefficient, with the opponents generated by automated software.

Starting with Pot 1, one physical ball will be drawn before the automated software randomly draws two opponents from each pot, one home and one away.

Teams cannot face more than two opponents from the same country and are not permitted to face other sides from the same association as theirs.

The top eight teams in the final table will automatically go through to the last 16.

They will then be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides who were placed ninth to 24th in the table.

Champions League draw pots

Pot 1: PSG, Real Madrid, Man City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona

Pot 2: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt, Club Brugge

WHEN Rio Ngumoha curled in his historic goal for Liverpool, fans of Chelsea AND Manchester United should have felt a kick in the guts.

Because although the teenage winger left the Blues’ Academy to join the Reds last year, London-born Ngumoha was a childhood United fan who spent time with the Red Devils before opting for Anfield.

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The wonderkid’s sensational winner against Newcastle made him the youngest scorer in Liverpool’s history and the fourth youngest in the Premier League era.

At 16 years and 361 days, Ngumoha was just one day older than Wayne Rooney when he announced himself to the world with an amazing strike against Arsenal in October 2022.

And it left Chelsea supporters in particular wondering how the club let one of English football’s greatest young talents get away.

Stamford Bridge legend John Terry is among those devastated that the club lost Ngumoha to their rivals.

Terry told SunSport: “He is a very ambitious boy that wanted to play first-team football and believed that was his pathway into Liverpool’s first team.

“I’m still in contact with him, but just a fantastic player. 

“There’s going to be many more over the years that as an academy you lose, but there’s always one that you think, a bit gutted we missed out on that one.”

Terry has been back at Chelsea for a couple of years as a mentor to players at the club’s Academy and knew Ngumoha was something special.

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Terry said: “We had a really good under-14 team and he was a big part of that.

“Just seeing him taking it and driving the defenders, being a defender myself, [I was] thinking I wouldn’t have liked that at all.

“You don’t see too many players that are exciting like him anymore. 

“He was a very confident player, taking the ball on the back foot, lots of personality, very confident in himself.

“Since the likes of [Eden] Hazard and Joe Cole and those types of players that are very confident and get the fans off their seat as well…I think football’s become a little bit stale and a little bit kind of tactical over the last four or five years. 

“It’s refreshing to see players like him in the team and I’m sure the Liverpool players are speaking very well of him.

“He will be a top, top player, I’m sure of that.”

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From the moment Ngumoha came on against Newcastle, he showed the same confidence that had seen him grab the headlines in pre-season.

Terry was speaking after the winger had crowned a brilliant run with a fabulous finish in a friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield, following an earlier strike against Yokohama Mariners during the Reds’ Far East tour. 

Terry said: “He’s still only 16, which is incredible, but the confidence to kind of shrug people off, well-known established players in the Premier League, and go on and kind of chop inside and then put it in the bottom corner is a very good thing to do.

“But he showed that ability in the academy and unfortunately we’ve lost him.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on the boy, and I wish him well because he’s a great player.

“He’s also a great little kid as well, someone who wants to learn and wants to get better.”

Chelsea fans will be as gutted as Terry about losing Ngumoha, but United supporters should also wonder what might have been.

Because in one of his few interviews, he revealed that he was a United fan.

In a viral TikTok video promoting Adidas’ F50 boots, in which he was made to choose between David Beckham and Jude Bellingham, Ngumoha admitted: “I’m a Man United fan, I didn’t really watch Beckham, but I have to go with David Beckham”

In June last year Ngumoha spent time with United, who pushed for his signature, but admitted defeat to their rivals who were further ahead in the race to sign the talented youngster. 

Mystery surrounds the details of Ngumoha’s move from London to Anfield.

Often when the hottest young talents change club, the saga is played out in public in a bitter row. 

In response to losing one of their most talented teenagers, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy reportedly DENIED accreditation requests from Liverpool and Manchester United scouts who would be looking to poach their top players – though those in charge denied having done so.

In Ngumoha’s case there is radio silence, with no confirmation of what compensation Liverpool have had to pay Chelsea to snatch the player who joined the Blues Academy when he was eight.

Compare and contrast what happened when the Reds poached two other youngsters from London clubs.

Fulham were furious when Liverpool moved for Harvey Elliott in 2019 when he was 16.

It was not until February 2021 that the Reds were ordered to pay £1.5m, plus up to £2.8m in performance-related add-ons – a record fee at the time for a player of that age.

Further back, Liverpool caused controversy with their signing of Raheem Sterling.

The QPR youngster was only 15 when the Reds made their move in 2010, joining for an initial fee of £450,000 which would rise to up to £2m.

Ngumoha’s brilliance was no secret to anyone involved in youth development in English football.

He played a key role in Chelsea’s under-16 team being crowned national champions.

Ngumoha’s amazing individual goal for the Blues against Wolves in the Premier League Cup final for Under-17 sides in April 2024 was perhaps the first time a wider public saw his talent up close.

Ngumoha joined Liverpool officially in September last year, a few days after turning 16.

That is the age at which young players can sign two-year scholarship terms at clubs which combine more intensive training with ongoing academic execution.

Only Chelsea know what they offered him to sign scholar’s terms.

Transfer commentator Fabrizio Romano reported that the Reds broke their usual pay structure for young players to sign Ngumoha.

Others, including Terry, say that Ngumoha was impressed by the pathway for young players at Anfield after Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah were fast-tracked into the first team.

But the reality is that clubs poach each other’s top young talent all the time and Chelsea do it as much, if not more, than anyone else.

Tyler Dibling, like Ngumoha, was 16 when he left Southampton for the Blues in 2022, only to return to the Saints later the same year.

Dibling has just joined Everton in a deal worth up to £40m and is regarded by some as a potential superstar. 

But Terry is not the only one to believe that in Ngumoha, Chelsea lost a generational talent.

And the young man himself has big dreams.

“I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day.

“I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game.

“The love for football started when I was four or five, I was watching my brother, and I wanted to be like him.

“I was going to academies from a young age, and it was a big thing when so many clubs wanted to sign me.

“I have learned you have to be resilient and believe in yourself, you can have a few bad games, but you have to have that belief that you are the best.”

What Ngumoha did on Monday night at St James’ Park was the first step to fulfilling those dreams. 

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TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW

BUKAYO SAKA and Martin Odegaard’s are doubts for Liverpool after hobbling off against Leeds.

Both players were struck down with injuries either side of half-time.

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Captain Odegaard fell awkwardly under a challenge and appeared to hurt his shoulder.

He initially continued but was hauled off after a few minutes and replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

Arsenal were 1-0 ahead at the time and did not take long to add another, Saka firing past the keeper shortly after Odegaard went off.

But the Gunners talisman also picked up an injury, lasting just eight minutes into the second half.

Saka appeared to suffer a hamstring injury and he received treatment before hobbling off.

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JAVIER MASCHERANO reverted to managing Inter Miami from his PHONE in the stands after being sent off against Tigres.

The former Liverpool midfielder was incensed after stoppage time in the first half of the Leagues Cup quarter-finals went over five minutes long.

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Anfield great Luis Suarez had opened the scoring in Fort Lauderdale from the penalty spot after 23 minutes but only after a lengthy VAR check.

Referee Mario Escobar added the time on before the break – leaving Miami boss Mascherano fuming.

As a result, he was given his marching orders and forced to watch the second half from the stands.

But cameras revealed the ex-Barcelona man talking tactics to his assistant Lucas Rodriguez Pagano on his mobile phone.

The 41-year-old – who retired in 2020 before moving into management with Argentina’s youth sides two years later – also barked orders from his seat.

Mascherano was breaking the rules by doing so – with his ejection meant to prohibit any contact with his team.

Angel Correa levelled the scoring in the cup on the 67th minute.

But once again Suarez – who joined former Barca team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to Miami last year – came to the rescue.

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The Uruguayan forward – who spent three seasons at Liverpool before joining Barca in 2014 – converted from the spot again.

Messi – out of the cup tie due to injury – celebrated from his pitchside box with his son and Suarez’s boy Benjamin.

Miami progress to the last four of the tournament and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference of the MLS.

Mascherano’s other assistant Javier Morales – holding the post-match press conference – was probed on the red card.

Morales said: “The referee added four minutes and we ended up playing six minutes. So we argued about the time.

“We’re human, we start to talk and the referee said Javier got a red card and that’s it. We didn’t have much information.

“We complained about the time, he said four minutes and next they’re playing six.”

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EX-England footie ace Andy Carroll has revealed he is back with girlfriend Lou Teasdale after a stormy split — and vowed to cut down on booze to save their relationship.

Opening up about his feelings for stylist Lou in an exclusive interview with the Sun on Sunday, Andy said: “I love Lou and I love her family. We row like any couple.”

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The pair have been dating since his split last summer from ex-wife and former Towie star Billi Mucklow, 37. They are currently divorcing.

The 36-year-old former Premier League star said: “Things have been difficult for me and I’m going through a divorce.

“Some of our rows have been about alcohol, as Lou has been teetotal for 14 years and I have a beer or wine at dinner and a drink after the game, but it’s not a problem in my life.

“I’m a professional footballer and that’s not the case. I play sport every single day so my level of fitness is really good. I play football every day so I’m fit.”

The Sun revealed on Wednesday the couple had split, with Andy unfollowing celebrity make-up artist Lou, 41, on social media.

But now he has told The Sun on Sunday that after a misunderstanding in Spain, he and Lou have patched things up.

Former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy, who now plays for non-league Dagenham & Redbridge FC, said: “We’re better off together and we’re trying to work through our difficulties.”

In June, we reported Carroll was twice quizzed by police over bust-ups with Lou during a break on Greek party island Mykonos.

He was questioned about rows with her at a packed beachside restaurant and then at their hotel.

He was taken to the police station after the second incident.

Speaking about the restaurant incident now, Andy — pictured with Lou, above, as he signed for his new club last month — insisted: “There was no alcohol involved. We argued about me having three coffees in the morning. She was worried I was addicted to coffee and it went from there.”

A joint statement from them at the time said: “Whilst having a private dinner in a restaurant on a quiet holiday in Mykonos, we had a heated discussion of the sort that most couples have had on occasion.

“It quickly became apparent to the police that there was no reason for them to be there.”

It added: “As far as we are concerned, the situation has been blown out of all proportion by an interested member of the public.

“No one was arrested and no one was charged with anything.

“We are very happy, in love and looking forward to our future together and we are disappointed that a private disagreement has become a public matter.”

I don’t want to be with Lou anymore… she gives me ultimatums about everything

What Andy told us last week

Andy returned to England last month, having left French fourth-tier side Bordeaux to play for Dagenham & Redbridge and to be close to his children, who live in Essex.

He said: “I just want to focus on my kids. They’re more important than anything. I’m loving life back in England.

“Obviously when I was working in France, I was there alone, and I was out with the lads a lot. Now I’m back home with the kids and it’s just a different way of life.”

Last September, the Sun on Sunday reported Andy and Billi, who have three children, were divorcing after two years of marriage.

The couple started dating in 2013, soon after he joined West Ham.
And he popped the question during a romantic holiday in Rome in 2014.

That year Billi said: “He is one of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met.”

Gateshead-born Carroll, who has two children from a previous relationship, has often been in the news over his romps, brawls and court cases.

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He said meeting Billi turned his life around.

Carroll’s boyhood dreams came true when he began his professional football career with Newcastle United in 2006.

The big centre-forward was soon a hit with Toon fans, following in the footsteps of another local idol Alan Shearer.

In 2009-10, Carroll scored 17 goals in 39 games, and 11 in nine games the following season.

In 2011, he earned a £35million transfer to Liverpool, a then record fee for a British player.

At his peak he was picked for England in nine games between 2010-2012, including scoring against Sweden at Euro 2012.

I love Lou and I love her family, we row like any couple

What he told us this week

He was sold by Liverpool to West Ham but struggled with a series of injuries.

His career saw him moving on to a succession of clubs including back to Newcastle, later to Reading and then West Brom.

Carroll’s career, although full of ups and downs, has brought him enormous sums of money.

In May 2019, he was listed as the 14th wealthiest sports person aged 30 or under in The Sunday Times Rich List.

His fortune at the time was said to have increased to £19million.