Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has defended goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey after he was alleged to have made a Nazi salute. The Palace stopper was pictured with his right arm in the air in a photo posted on Instagram by team-mate Max Meyer. “I believe him totally. I have no reason to disbelieve it,” Hodgson said. “Wayne has explained it …

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Mauricio Pochettino has compared Christian Eriksen to his beloved dog, Sansa. Eriksen’s future at Tottenham remain in doubt, with the player’s contract expiring at the end of next season. Tottenham have been unable to convince him to extend that deal as yet, although the issue is not thought to be money-related. Some have suggested that …

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Pep Guardiola has ruled out the prospect of Manchester City taking a mid-season break. While City have played 12 games since the start of December, other Premier League clubs with less hectic schedules have been able to use their extra time to go on warm-weather breaks abroad. Guardiola says that “would be a dream”, but …

Read more “Pep: Man City too busy fighting for trophies to go to Dubai”

Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has criticised Bayern Munich for publicly stating their wish to recruit Callum Hudson-Odoi. Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic on Wednesday said the 18-year-old has the qualities his side want amid reports of repeated bids for the winger. Sarri said: “I think that it’s not professional, because they are talking about …

Read more “Sarri accuses Bayern of disrespect; wants two new signings”

Leicester have recalled Harvey Barnes from his loan spell at West Brom. The 21-year-old weighed in with nine goals and six assists for the Championship side this season but the Foxes confirmed on Friday he had been brought back. Barnes will be available for the match against Southampton on Saturday, subject to Premier League approval. …

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Ainsley Maitland-Niles believes he can be the answer to Arsenal’s search for a new winger. The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Denis Suarez of Barcelona and Dalian Yifang’s Yannick Carrasco, but head coach Unai Emery has admitted the club have no money to make permanent signings and will instead be shopping in …

Read more “Emery’s favourite Arsenal youth outlines his four-year plan”

Derby have claimed a man escorted from the perimeter of their training ground by police on Thursday after “acting suspiciously” was an employee of promotion rivals Leeds. The Rams travel to Sky Bet Championship leaders Leeds on Friday night, with the two clubs separated by eight points in the table. Derbyshire Police attended County’s training …

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Cristiano Ronaldo is being asked by police in the US to provide a DNA sample in an ongoing investigation of a woman’s allegation that he raped her in his Las Vegas hotel penthouse in 2009, the football star’s lawyer has said. Peter S. Christiansen downplayed the development, denied the rape allegation and provided no additional details. He …

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Raheem Sterling has “boosted” the “confidence” of a young footballer who was racially abused. Sterling, who continues to be a victim of some utterly abhorrent reporting, wrote to the teenager after receiving a letter from his grandmother. She explained how Ethan Ross, 13, had been ‘through a tough time with racial abuse’. Sterling replied by …

Read more “Teenager ‘overwhelmed’ by Sterling’s inspirational letter”