Former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and former England goalkeeper react to Wolverhampton Wanderer’s sacking of Vitor Periera on Match of the Day.
A BBC radio presenter who was sacked for his inappropriate radio segments says he thought he was acting within the guidelines.
Jack Murley, from Bodmin, was employed byBBCRadio Cornwall, inTruro, from 2019 until he was taken off air by the broadcaster in 2023.
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Jack Murley was taken off air by the broadcaster in 2023
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The presenter’s dismissal came after a ‘heated conversation’ with his bossCredit: Getty
His dismissal came after a “heated conversation” with his boss over his social media use.
The presenter was taken off air despite believing he was “acting within the BBC’s social media guidelines”, a tribunal heard.
Since 2022 Mr Murley had offered his views on social media about the BBC’s Local Value For All project, questions were also raised about one of his radiofeatures.
Mr Murley’s Loosest Goose segment, a satirical show that included innuendo, was described at the disciplinary hearing as being “deeply inappropriate” and “well beyond innuendo.”
One of the beebs senior news editors told the tribunal it had been a “clear and straightforward decision” to consider the case as “gross misconduct.”
At the hearing in Exeter Mr Murley explained he would have been willing to make changes or even “undertake training” to keep his job.
He said if concerns were raised with him he would have acted to address them.
The former presenter is now seeking a whopping £48,000 in compensation.
The corporation said they removed the presenter from the airwaves because of the “heated conversation” he had with his manager.
According to Mr Murley the row stemmed from his social media use, which the firm took issue with.
Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he’s quitting BBC next week
A senior news editor at BBC Wales was the hearing manager for the disciplinary proceedings brought against Mr Murley.
The senior news editor said social media posts were viewed in the same light as a broadcast.
Speaking at the tribunal he would go on to say Mr Murley: “Should have had the knowledge and experience to be compliant with the guidelines.”
Mr Murley’s disciplinary hearing went to appeal and the hearing manager director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, upheld the decision.
Smyth said the corporation has to “be sure that our presenters are trustworthy.”
Mr Murley is said to have claimed he had several examples of managers endorsing his innuendo in his Loosest Goose radio feature.
He questioned how he was supposed to know that the show breached guidelines given that his seniors endorsed it.
The former presenter explained at the hearing: “I thought I was in the right.”
He added: “I think there was a way back, I wanted to stay at the BBC, I loved the BBC.”
The tribunal continues.
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The Peer is compiling a report on how laws affecting free speech should be changed or abandoned.
The dossier should be published before the end of the year and could be adopted as party policy after that, he added.
He said changes “would make it unlawful for companies to discipline, fire, penalise employees for things they’ve said online unless, first of all, they’re less than a year old.
“So there’s a one-year statute of limitations on what the offence archaeologists can dig into to try and find reasons to cancel you.
“In addition, the employer would have to show that the comment in question has caused tangible harm to the company.
Lord Young of Acton was made a peer by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch in December.
He previously founded a network of free schools, and has been a newspaper columnist for more than 20 years.
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Baron Young says the proposed legislation should be changed so workers don’t face punishment over old online posts or risk being ‘cancelled’Credit: Getty
ED MILIBAND is a “walking, talking cost-of-living crisis”, according to shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho.
The senior MP — who will tomorrow unveil Tory plans for cheaper utilities — vowed to get her Labour arch-rival SACKED as gas and electricity costs rose again this week on his watch.
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Shadow Energy Secretary Claire CoutinhoCredit: Darren Fletcher
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Kemi Badenoch meets supporters as she arrives in Manchester for the Conservative party conferenceCredit: Getty
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Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net ZeroCredit: Getty
Experts have warned that Red Ed, who promised to cut energybills by up to £300 a year before the 2024 General Election, will only drive prices higher with his Net Zero obsession.
Already, £1billion has been spent this year switching off wind turbines when it got too blowy for the network to cope.
Other sources, such as gas-fired plants, then had to be paid to be used as a replacement. The shutdown has pushed household bills up by £15 a year.
In an interview with the Sun on Sunday, Ms Coutinho fumed: “Ed Miliband is a disaster.
“Every decision (he) has made in government is going to send people’s bills up.
“He promised people £300 off their bills, and so far they’re already £200 up. People are rightly furious.
“I don’t know what he’s on. He is a walking, talking cost-of-living crisis.
“I’m going to make it my mission in this parliament to get him sacked.”
She continues: “I think he can’t add up because if you look at what he’s doing, gas at the moment is about £55 a megawatt-hour.
“He said he’s willing to pay up to £117 for offshore wind this year, and then he talks about cutting people’s bills. You don’t need a calculator to see that is just total madness.”
The top Tory also slated Energy Secretary Mr Miliband for “signing up to 20-year contracts” for offshore wind, adding: “We’re going to be saddled with these incredibly high prices for decades.”
Ms Coutinho is the face of the Conservative Party’s scepticism over a move to Net Zero.
At their annual conference in Manchester tomorrow, she will outline proposals to cut bills by scrapping green levies.
She said: “The most important thing the country needs — and we’re unashamed about this — is lower energy bills.
“Our priority for energy policy going forward will be simple: Make electricity cheaper.
“It will be good for growth, it’s good for cost-of-living — something we know lots of families are still struggling with — and, most importantly, it will be good for the whole of the UK to have much cheaper energy bills.”
Levies funding environmental and social projects add around £140 to annual electricity bills and £50 to gas bills, says innovation agency Nesta.
It comes as the UK energy price cap rose again this week by two per cent, meaning the average household paying for gas and electricity by direct debit will see costs increase from £1,720 to £1,755 per year.
Ms Coutinho’s stance marks a much harder line on eco-policies as the Tories try to stave off Nigel Farage’s party.
Reform UK promised to scrap the Net Zero target and told wind and solar developers they will end green energy subsidies if they win power.
It has prompted Mr Miliband to liken the Tories to a “Reform tribute act”.
But Ms Coutinho said: “That’s absolute rubbish, If you look at Reform, they’ve got the economics of Jeremy Corbyn.”
She claimed there was a huge black hole in Reform’s spending plans, adding: “That simply isn’t going to work for a country where you’ve got interest rates high, inflation is high. We need to be bringing those things down. So we need to live within our means.”
Tories have pledged to scrap the restrictive Climate Change Act 2008 brought in by the last Labour government, and the target of Net Zero emissions by 2050 enshrined by Tory PM Theresa May in 2019.
Ms Coutinho said: “We’ve got new leadership now and both Kemi and I strongly feel that the biggest problem that this country faces is that we’ve got the highest industrial electricity prices in the world and the second highest domestic prices. Now that’s just not going to work for Britain.”
Tories would also abolish quango the Climate Change Committee, which advises the Government on Net Zero.
Ms Coutinho said: “For too long, energy policy has been in the hands of people who are unelected and unaccountable — and that’s just not right.”
Ms Coutinho added: “We’re a small dense island and it can be very disruptive. So it shouldn’t be done to communities without their say so.”
The shadow cabinet member admitted people are frustrated the Tories have taken their time to come up with policies after their disastrous loss at last year’s General Election.
But she insisted: “At conference, you’ll see a lot more from us. This is the moment where we’ll start telling people all the results of our work, and be able to explain what our plan is.
“The difference between us and Labour and Reform is our plans are real, they’re fully funded, they can be delivered tomorrow.”
She promised the Tories will bring forward plans the public can trust, adding: “People have really lost faith in government to be able to do the things that they want it to do. So we need to rebuild that trust.”
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Claire Coutinho speaks exclusively to the Sun on SundayCredit: Darren Fletcher
Postecoglou’s other two games saw him draw against Burnley and Real Betis.
However, he maintains he is not thinking about an exit and is hopeful of getting a result against Newcastle.
Ange Postecoglou jokingly makes dig at Marinakis as new boss opens up on Nottingham Forest trophy hopes
Postecoglou said on Friday: “I get it. It’s a valid assumption in modern football there’s always a manager under pressure, that’s part and parcel of what we do.
“I don’t think that way. I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham three or four months before I did.
“It didn’t stop me winning something. It doesn’t enter my head. If I start worrying about what’s going to happen next week, I’m not performing the role I’ve been given.
“It’s not helpful to anyone. The things I control are the environment training, the way we play. I am strong in my belief we are not too far away.”
Amanda Barrie used to fear that her sexuality would cost her her role on Coronation Street and is certain she would have been sacked if bosses found out
Amanda Barrie hid her sexuality during her soap fame (Image: ITV)
Amanda Barrie used to fear that her sexuality would cost her her role on Coronation Street. The actress, who will celebrate her 90th birthday this weekend, is best-remembered by fans of the world’s longest-running TV soap as Alma Halliwell, and initially appeared in 1981 for a brief stint before appearing regularly from 1988 until 2001.
Over the years, viewers watched the supermarket worker marry fellow legend Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs), and will also recall her partnership with Gail Platt (Helen Worth) when they ran the café for a number of years and her long friendship with Gail’s mother Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls). In 2001, she left the programme for good when her character succumbed to cancer, and in 2003, Amanda came out as bisexual.
But the TV star, who married former Mirror journalist and crime novelist Hilary Bonner in 2014, is now certain that had she come clean about her sexuality any sooner, she would have been dismissed from the programme, although she appreciates now that she has no evidence to back up this claim.
The Bad Girls actress appeared on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain with Kate Garraway and Ed Balls (Image: ITV)
During an appearance on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain, she told hosts Kate Garraway and Ed Balls: “Somebody shopped me to the press. I should’ve known better but I never kept my life from anybody, all my friends know everything.
“I think people thought it was catching, you were pushed away and whispered about in corners. They would not, and I swear to God, I’ve said this but I can’t back it up, I know that I would’ve been sacked from Coronation Street.
“They would’ve got rid. You couldn’t have said ‘It would’ve been that person who did it or that…’ it would’ve been ‘Oh we don’t want anything to do with that, darling.'”
Once Amanda, who has just released her memoir I’m Still Here, had come out, she actually got a pleasant surprise with the reaction she received, having anticipated the worst.
Amanda starred on Coronation Street as Alma Halliwell, where she famously married Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs)(Image: Granada Television)
She explained: “I expected to be stoned in the street, I got a lot of hugs. What was I in such a state about? Because it was just ‘Oh, I see, oh…'” before adding: “You automatically revert to the way you’d always behave, lurking about with your head down editing your life is what you do. You change they, he, she, all that editing…”
She said: “It wouldn’t have been the bosses who caused a problem so much as some of the other cast,” she reveals. ”My close friends like Helen Worth all knew the truth. But you heard other people say certain things….Not naming names.
“Now there are so many LGBTQI characters on the show I often joke they should rename it Canal Street! [after Manchester’s gay bar district]. What happened after I left? It’s not contagious, you know!”
Internal tensions at the club were believed to centre around disagreements over their transfer business.
Previously, Nuno had criticised the club’s activity in the summer transfer window, saying they had wasted a good chance.
Edu was appointed as Forest’s global head of football earlier in the summer and has taken firm control over the club’s recruitment operation.
“I always had a very good relationship with the owner – last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well,” Nuno said.
“Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”
In total, Forest have made 13 signings for about £196m based on reported initial fees.
As for the outgoings, Anthony Elanga, Danilo and Wayne Hennessey were all among the players whose Forest careers ended this window.
In May last season, Marinakis appeared to confront Nuno on the pitch following a 2-2 draw against Leicester at the City Ground.
Forest later said the incident was because of the owner’s frustration that striker Taiwo Awoniyi had continued to play following an 88th-minute injury, which subsequently required what was described as “urgent” surgery.
The club said there was “no confrontation” and it was “fake news” to suggest otherwise.
However, those missed points against an already-relegated side were part of a run that saw Forest – who had been in contention for Champions League qualification – only pick up eight points from their last eight matches of the 2024-25 campaign.
ERIK TEN HAG was sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just two matches due to FIVE major problems.
The former Manchester United was dumped by his new German side after failing to win either of his opening Bundesliga games.
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Bayer Leverkusen dumped Erik ten Hag due to five major issuesCredit: Getty
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The Dutchman failed miserably in the wake of title winner Xabi AlonsoCredit: AFP
Ten Hag’s exit came as a shock, with some fans feeling the Dutchman was unfairly treated while following in Xabi Alonso’s footsteps.
Leverkusen bid farewell to numerous title-winning stars including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Piero Hincapie, with all three now in the Premier League.
However, Leverkusen bosses were eager to pull the plug after long-standing employees branded him the WORST coach in their club’s history.
BIZARRE APPROACH
Bild now claims there were five key reasons to sack Ten Hag as quickly as possible – with the Dutchman leaving with a DAILY earning of £86,000 thanks to his £5.2million salary and severance package.
First off, it’s claimed that Ten Hag failed to get along with any of his players OR staff – including the ones who arrived with him in July.
He refused to give a “rousing” speech before the first match against Hoffenheim, with the game ending in a 2-1 defeat.
And many of his staff and players were left questioning his bizarre decision to almost downplay the occasion.
Secondly, the Dutchman was accused of “interfering” with Leverkusen’s transfer plans, including only proposing players from his own agency.
Ten Hag is represented by SEG Football, who represent Rasmus Hojlund and also allegedly batted for Andre Onana and Antony when they joined Man United for huge fees.
Man Utd flop Antony breaks down in tears at Real Betis unveiling
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Ten Hag public vetoed Granit Xhaka’s exit, but he joined Sunderland just days laterCredit: PA
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The Germans signed Lucas Vazquez without consulting Ten HagCredit: Getty
Meanwhile, he publicly vetoed Granit Xhaka’s move to Sunderland, despite an internal agreement for the Swiss ace to move on.
And Leverkusen chiefs went directly against Ten Hag when they granted Xhaka his exit just days later.
Elsewhere, the late arrival of Lucas Vazquez from Real Madrid was made without Ten Hag knowing until AFTER the ace’s contract was signed – highlighting his lack of relationship with club transfer guru Simon Rolfes and ultimately indicating Leverkusen’s decision to move forward without him.
TRAINING PAIN
The third reason for Ten Hag’s exit was his insistence on players doing PUSH UPS during training, ranking it as important as working with the ball.
Stars were used to lots of tactical and technical work under predecessor Alonso, now at Real Madrid.
And Ten Hag’s “unusually long” training sessions, packed with dull physical work, left many unmotivated.
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New signings like Jarrell Quansah failed to get goingCredit: Getty
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There were no tactics on the pitchCredit: AFP
NO CONNECTION
Fourthly, chiefs were left concerned by the “cold” atmosphere around the club, with Ten Hag’s lack of leadership resulting in a major disconnect at the training ground AND the stadium.
Staff ranging from coaches to nutritionists and physios quickly became disillusioned.
And the recent memories of Alonso’s title-winning reign only further compounded the misery.
TACTICAL DISASTERCLASS
Finally, the proof was in the pudding itself.
Leverkusen lost their first match to Hoffenheim, and then threw away a two-goal lead to draw with 10-men Werder Bremen.
Players were said to be baffled by the lack of ideas and general game plan – and it showed.
Individuals were expected to take decisive actions, but none seemed to work in a consistent tactical manner across the field.
And the only thing Leverkusen chiefs have been left to ponder is whether they should have sacked Ten Hag earlier.
Reports claim former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is now being considered as his replacement.
While there is also interest in former Bundesliga managers Marco Rose and Edin Terzic, with a decision set to be made over the international break.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United manager only joined the Turkish football giants in June 2024.
Published On 29 Aug 202529 Aug 2025
Fenerbahce have sacked Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, two days after elimination from the Champions League playoffs by Benfica, the Turkish club said in a statement.
“We have parted ways with Jose Mourinho, who served as head coach of our professional A team since the 2024-2025 season. We thank him for his efforts for our team and wish him success in his future career,” Friday’s statement said.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Roma coach, who arrived at the Istanbul club in June 2024, led Istanbul’s Yellow Canaries to second place in the league last season behind Galatasaray, failing to end their title drought.
The 62-year-old has had several setbacks during his time in Istanbul. In April, he grabbed the face of Okan Buruk, the coach at fierce local rivals Galatasaray, after a 2-1 defeat in the Turkish Cup quarterfinals, tweaking his nose.
He was fined for comments made after another explosive derby match against Galatasaray in which he also repeated criticism of Turkish referees, accusing the fourth referee of bias. His remarks were judged as “contrary to sporting ethics”.
AN EASYJET cabin manager has lost an appeal after being sacked for calling female co-workers “lovely ladies”.
Ross Barr was fired for gross misconduct after crew members and passengers logged multiple complaints about his inappropriate behaviour.
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An easyJet cabin manager has lost an appeal after being sacked for a string of complaints
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Ross Barr dubbed his comments ‘banter’
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Customers reported how he used the tannoy as platform to perform his own comedy routinesCredit: Media Scotland
He had worked for the airline for eight years, and defended his actions as “flirty banter”.
Mr Barr also claimed he was discriminated against or his sexual orientation, alleging it would have been accepted if “a gay colleague” have made the same remarks.
The former cabin manager appealed the decision to let him go at an employment tribunal, but lost.
Mr Barr began working at easyJet in 2014 and became a cabin manager in 2017.
He was hauled into a disciplinary hearing in 2022 and issued a final warning after a sexual harassment complaint.
More allegations of a similar nature were recorded against him in both 2023 and last year.
Customers also claimed he would refer to his team as “lovely ladies” over the PA system.
Passengers further reported he used the tannoy as an opportunity to perform his own comedy routines rather that conduct proper safety briefings.
Mr Barr had confessed to telling a stewardess “oh I have just brushed past your boobs” as he moved past her.
He was also overheard telling another cabin crew member on a separate flight: “I’m not doing anything.. I’m just staring at your ass.”
The comment was made in front of flyers, including young children, according to witnesses.
In another complaint, one woman said: “The entire shift pretty much he was talking about sex or making jokes about it.
“He explained that he had been suspended before due to a speak up speak out that someone previously put in against him because ‘all I said was that her tits would get bigger if she got pregnant, and guess what they did’.
“She also said that he had referred to her and another crew member as his ‘much more attractive colleague’.”
A different complaint was logged after he told a staff member “having a problem trying to stuff it in? Bet you’ve never had that problem”, while she was packing a bag.
Mr Barr argued he did not mean to make anyone uncomfortable and dubbed his comments “banter”.
He was sacked in September 2024 after the hearing but appealed the decision.
The former easyJet worker argued his case had been tainted by previous hearings.
But employment Judge Muriel Robison ruled: “As the cabin manager you are in a position of trust and I feel there has been a breakdown in trust in relation to these situations, you should conduct yourself in a manner that ensures your crew feel safe onboard the aircraft.
“This is not the first time you have been in this situation with regard to your conduct and comments made to female crew members.
“You raised that you were treated differently compared to others under similar circumstances due to your protected characteristics.
“My investigation did not uncover any evidence to substantiate this claim.
“It’s my belief the process followed was consistent and fair, and you were not treated any differently to your colleagues.
“On 19 March, 2024, you successfully completed training that included a thorough focus on diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace.
“Despite this, your continued behaviour demonstrated a failure to uphold the values and principles outlined in this training.”
Passenger Shayanne Wright made a sexual harassment complaint against the male host and said the incident left her feeling “violated.”
A British Airways spokesperson confirmed the allegations were being investigated and said the airline “have been in contact with our customer directly to resolve the matter”.
Wright said the airline did not apologise to her, however offered a $250 gift card, later increased to $1000.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST boss Nuno Espirito Santo and West Ham’s Graham Potter are joint-favourites to be the first Premier League managerial casualties of the 2025/26 season.
That’s according to bookmaker talkSPORT BET, who’ve updated their betting markets after more twists and turns in the Premier League sack race.
Here, SunSport takes a closer look at the leading contenders – and who’s most likely to get the boot first.
Nuno Espirito Santo – 11/8
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo remains firmly in the frame to be the first Premier League manager axed this season, amid ongoing uncertainty at the City Ground.
The 51-year-old lit the fuse last week by admitting his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis has “changed” – and that they’re “not as close” as they once were.
Tensions are understood to stem from the club’s summer transfer dealings, now overseen by Edu, with Nuno reportedly frustrated at being sidelined from key recruitment decisions.
Forest have splashed more than £150million on seven new signings – including Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye, Arnaud Kalimuendo and James McAtee – but Nuno still wants more, including a new goalkeeper and two full-backs.
Despite the growing pressure, Nuno has insisted he won’t walk away – but notably refused to guarantee he’ll still be in charge by the end of the transfer window on September 1.
He had been as short as 1/2 to be the first top-flight boss shown the door, but has drifted to 11/8 following a crisis emerging at West Ham.
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Owner Evangelos Marinakis confronting Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch back in MayCredit: GETTY
Graham Potter – 11/8
West Ham’s Graham Potter is now level with Nuno at 11/8, having shortened from 3/1 earlier in the week after a horror run of results.
His miserable week hit a new low on Tuesday when the Hammers were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Wolves, conceding twice in the final eight minutes in a 3-2 defeat – with Jorgen Strand Larsen bagging a brace.
The full-time whistle saw tempers boil over, with captain Jarrod Bowen confronting a furious supporter during heated post-match scenes.
That came on the back of a 5-1 thrashing by Chelsea at the London Stadium and an opening-day defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland.
Potter’s numbers make grim reading – just five wins in 22 matches since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January, with 12 defeats and a return of 0.95 points per game – the worst record of any manager in West Ham’s history.
The Hammers must now pick themselves up ahead of a weekend trip to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, before clashes against Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Everton and Arsenal.
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Jarrod Bowen is pulled away after clashing with West Ham supportersCredit: GETTY
What happened last season?
A total of eight Premier League managers were shown the door last season, with Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag the first to go in October.
Steve Cooper’s short-lived stint at Leicester came to a sudden end in November, before Wolves and Southampton parted ways with Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin on the same December afternoon.
Julen Lopetegui and Sean Dyche followed in January, their departures announced less than 24 hours apart. In April, Ivan Juric became the second Southampton manager to be sacked during the 2024–25 campaign.
Despite ending Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought, Ange Postecoglou was the final manager to leave his post, dismissed in June after overseeing the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish – 17th.
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Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
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About the author
James Anderson
James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing.
Eddie Howe explains why Newcastle are in a lose-lose situation with Isak
EDDIE HOWE says Newcastle are in a lose-lose situation regarding Alexander Isak – but admitted there’s “two sides to every story” amid the star’s ongoing strike.
The wantaway Swede, 25, finally went public on his desire to leave this week with his bombshell “broken promises” statement.
Newcastle hit back at the those claims from the striker, who still refuses to play as he tries to force a move to Liverpool, and denied any promises had been made that he could go.
Liverpool, who head to St. James’ Park on Monday, are preparing a new £130m British record bid that Toon insist will be turned down.
And Howe faces the prospect of eventually losing a world-class star or keeping a player who doesn’t want to be there.
He said: “The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle and we will do that in every situation.
“It is a lose-lose situation to a degree for us because I don’t think we can come out of this winning in any situation. That is why I have said all summer it is a difficult situation for the club to manage.
“We love Alex in the sense in what has done for this football club since he has been here, what he has contributed, what he has given, how professional he’s been and this has just been an unfortunate few months that looks like it is coming to an end. And it will come to an end pretty quickly and then we can focus on the football again.”
Howe says Isak’s relationship with the Toon Army can still be repaired as he refused to stick the boot into the forward – who has become public enemy No1 with fans.
He said: “I believe it can. I believe the supporters will always react off how a player plays and gives the team.
“This has been an unfortunate situation but there are always two sides to every story.
“There’s always more than even I will know, because there are conversations and things that have taken place far away from me and my knowledge of it.
“I’ve been focusing on the team and pre-season, so I’ve become totally detached from the situation to a degree so I think my job now is to support Alex, care for him at this moment in time and see where we are in a week’s time.”
Howe, who hopes to bolster his forward line by bringing in Yoane Wissa, revealed he hasn’t spoken to the £150m-rated hotshot this week.
He claims the whole fall-out is nothing personal and continued to stress how much he wants Isak to return and fire the club to more glory after last season’s Carabao Cup success.
He said: “When I see him we speak as normal. There are no issues between us.
“It’s difficult on both sides. It’s far from ideal for both parties, that’s Alex and us. But when we see each other we’re fine.
“He’s training later on detached from the group. We will, I’m sure, catch up at some stage and hopefully speak soon.
“He’s contracted to us. He’s our player. My wish is he would be playing on Monday night but he won’t be, which is regrettable. But 100 per cent I want to see him back in a Newcastle shirt.
“There’s no doubt how the players will feel. They will feel the same way I do.
“Alex is an outstanding player and a very, very good person, a good character, a good lad. He wants to succeed in his career.
“This has been a really difficult situation for him and for the players to see us without him.
“The players have handled it really well. If Alex decided to come back and play for us the players would welcome him back.”
Howe, who claimed he “didn’t know” if Isak had been fined for refusing to face Aston Villa, also says he has no idea if the situation can be resolved before the September 1 transfer deadline.
But he says the club are still determined to keep the rebel but warned Isak would only pull on a Black and White shirt again if he was “totally committed”.
Howe added: “I’m not a fortune-teller, unfortunately. I’d love to be, but I’ve got no way of knowing what will happen in the next few days in terms of trying to get some finality on the situation, so I’m in the same boat as everybody else, really.
“The club has had a very strong stance regarding Alex’s situation all summer. Obviously there has been a lot of conversations between the club and his representatives that I’ve not been a part of, but for me, nothing has changed throughout the summer.
“If Alex is to play for Newcastle again, he has to be totally committed. I don’t think it works any other way. But that question is for another day. When any player puts on the shirt and steps onto the pitch, he has to give his all for the team.”
The BBC announced earlier this week that presenter John Torode would not have his MasterChef contract renewed following an upheld complaint over alleged racist language
23:45, 17 Jul 2025Updated 23:46, 17 Jul 2025
It was announced recently that John Torode won’t have his contract for MasterChef renewed(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Production company Banijay said on Tuesday that an investigation into his co-star Gregg Wallace‘s behaviour by firm Lewis Silkin had “substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against” John, 59. John however said in a statement: “I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.”
It’s now been suggested that John, who had co-hosted the cooking show since 2005, used the N-word on two occasions, including at an gathering after work some years ago. John is said to vehemently deny ever using the racial slur though.
The Sun reports that he repeated lyrics, containing the N-word, from Kanye West‘s song Gold Digger at an after-work gathering six or seven years ago. He’s then said to have used the word again whilst speaking to a member of the MasterChef production team.
John allegedly used the word a second time when speaking to a member of the colleague, described as a “pal” who reportedly didn’t take offence. According to the outlet, the person who raised the complaint on that occasion is said to have been understood to have overheard the conversation. His friend reportedly thought John used the slur as an “example” and “apologised afterwards”.
The Sun adds that it’s been told that John vehemently denies ever using the N-word, whether that be in song lyrics or otherwise. A source said that he’s “utterly devastated” and “just wants to clear his name” amid the scandal.
It was announced this week that John Torode (right), pictured with his wife Lisa Faulkner (left), won’t have his MasterChef contract renewed(Image: Getty Images)
A source told the outlet that “one of the allegations” is that he used the N-word while repeating Gold Digger during a gathering with some colleagues when filming had concluded. They said: “John is adamant he would never have used the N-word and only knows the radio version of the song which says, ‘Now I ain’t sayin’ she a gold digger, but she ain’t messin’ with no broke, broke’.”
The source, who said that he only knows the clean version of the song, claimed that the complainant “didn’t say anything” at the time and that John found out that the issue had been raised a few weeks ago. They added that he doesn’t “recall it” and said: “He insists he would never have repeated the N-word in those lyrics because he only knows the radio edit of that song.”
Addressing the apparent second allegation, a source told the Sun that he did not recall using the N-word, saying that he is “adamant” that he would “never” use that word in a conversation. They claim that someone who “overheard it” complained, not the person he’s alleged to have said it to, whom he’s said to have been “close” to whilst working together.
The source said: “Even the person who John was supposedly having the overheard conversation with said he had mentioned the word in reference and apologised straight away.” They added that he John “cannot recall” the alleged conversation and “would never” use the racial slur in question.
They said that he “knows it is unacceptable”. The source further suggested to the outlet that during a meeting over the complaint John was in “disbelief” because the presenter “insisted” that he would “never” had used the N-word.
A source also said that John “abhors” that kind of language and doesn’t recall “reciting a racist slur in a lyric” or “directing one” to a colleague at work that he “considered a friend”. They said that he is “devastated” by the situation.
It comes following a complaint against John over alleged racist language that was upheld amid an investigation into the behaviour of his co-star Gregg Wallace(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Earlier this week, the BBC said: “John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. This allegation, which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace, was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation.
“He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”
Shortly after, John posted in a statement: “Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.
“I’d hoped that I’d have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that. Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future.
“Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.
“I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards. My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving & sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. Thank you for the many years of MasterChef.”
As previously reported, production company Banijay said: “The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”
Prior to the news of his departure, John had confirmed that he was the subject of an upheld complaint. He said: “For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.
“The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.
“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that I’ve always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I’m shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”
Former MasterChef judge John Torode reportedly learned of his fate via the BBC News website after the corporation and Bandijay released a statement
23:13, 15 Jul 2025Updated 23:25, 15 Jul 2025
John Torode ‘found out about MasterChef axe on BBC News’ as star claims he wasn’t told
John Torode reportedly learned of the end of his MasterChef career through the BBC News website. The TV chef recently claimed he was never contacted by the BBC or MasterChef’s production company about their decision not to renew his contract on the cooking programme he’s been part of for 20 years.
Last night, Torode confirmed he was the person alleged to have used racist language amid an investigation into his former co-star Gregg Wallace’s behaviour. Torode claimed he had no memory of making the comment and denies it ever happened, but the BBC and Banijay both released statements on the situation as they confirmed he was axed from the programme.
He reportedly found out via the BBC News website(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
Banijay said that they took “this matter incredibly seriously” as they detailed the “highly offensive racist language”. The 59-year-old soon took to his Instagram page to claim they never reached out to him about his contract.
In a statement shared on social media, he claimed: “Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been “sacked” from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.
“The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.
Torode was axed from his role on MasterChef(Image: BBC)
“I’d hoped that I’d have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that.”
And now, a source claim Torode was “blindsided” by the news and learned of his fate through the BBC News website.
“John’s agent received a call 11 minutes before the statements went out and hadn’t had a chance to call him,” an insider claimed to The Sun. “He read about it on the BBC News website.”
The Mirror have reached out to his reps for comment.
Speaking of their decision to axe Torode, the BBC said on Tuesday: “John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. This allegation, which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace, was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation.
“He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.
“The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”
BBC director-general Tim Davie had earlier condemned the “serious racist term” the Australian-born presenter was alleged to have used, after it was announced his contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.
Torode began presenting the BBC cooking contest alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005.
On Monday night, Torode confirmed Torode was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into Wallace’s behaviour while filming the programme over 19 years.
In 2022, Torode was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to food and charity.
He became a familiar face to TV audiences in 1996 as the resident chef on ITV’s This Morning, before joining MasterChef alongside Wallace when it was known as MasterChef Goes Large.
