van Jaarsveld and Jones revive Kent

ScorecardMartin van Jaarsveld and Geraint Jones rescued Kent with a gritty unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 128 in 36 overs after Somerset had threatened to take complete control in the County Championship Division One game at Canterbury.Van Jaarsveld (70 not out) and Jones (47 not out) joined forces when former Kent seamer Ben Phillips reduced the hosts to 47 for 3, still 333 runs adrift of Somerset’s total, shortly before lunch. Neither ever looked totally secure and both were dropped as they steered Kent to a more prosperous 175 for 3 at the close – rain wiping out the last 33 overs.Replying to Somerset’s all-out total of 380, Kent were soon in trouble, Phillips posing consistent problems by swinging the ball on a full length. He broke through in the sixth over when Craig Kieswetter flung himself away to his right to catch a fast-travelling edge from Joe Denly. A nick from Sam Northeast, when he had made only 2, landed just in front of Kieswetter before Northeast hooked Alfonso Thomas for six in an over which cost 15 runs.Phillips won leg-before verdicts against Rob Key and Northeast in successive overs as his excellent opening spell of eight overs yielded figures of 3 for 14. van Jaarsveld and Jones, who added 176 for the fourth wicket against Essex last week, survived until lunch – which was quickly followed by a 15-minute break for rain.They were never fully settled as van Jaarsveld survived a confident leg-before shout against Thomas and Jones was similarly spared when he tried to sweep slow left-armer Murali Kartik. An early tea was taken because of bad light, but van Jaarsveld and Jones found the batting conditions easier until van Jaarsveld, on 39, survived a tough chance away to Kartik’s right at second slip.The century stand and van Jaarsveld’s 115-ball fifty arrived in the same over from Charl Willoughby. Jones was given a life on 47 when Zander de Bruyn could only parry a chance at short extra cover but van Jaarsveld emerged from a sticky patch to on-drive Willoughby for two crisp fours.Somerset were still optimistic of picking up a full quota of batting points at the start of the day, but they had added only three singles to their overnight total of 363 for 7 when Kieswetter edged a full-length outswinger from Azhar Mahmood to Jones behind the stumps.Thomas thumped Mahmood over extra cover but was then smartly caught by Van Jaarsveld away to his right at second slip off Amjad Khan. Willoughby hooked the first ball he faced for four, but in trying a repeat holed out next ball to Malinga Bandara on the square-leg boundary.

Hjelde was Leeds’ shining light v Everton

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United missed a fantastic opportunity to push themselves clear of a relegation scrap against Everton on Saturday afternoon, with Frank Lampard’s side running out 3-0 winners against the Whites – a result which leaves the Elland Road faithful just six points above the drop zone.

However, while both the result and overall performance will be a difficult one for Leeds fans to stomach, there were nevertheless a couple of bright sparks for Bielsa on Saturday afternoon. Rodrigo looked very lively behind Dan James in the Whites’ attack, with the Spaniard twice smashing the woodwork with spectacular long-range efforts. Another plus was the surprise appearance of 18-year-old Leo Hjelde, who replaced the injured Stuart Dallas after just nine minutes.

Won 75% duels

Indeed, over the course of his 81 minutes on the pitch, the Norway under-21 international was imperious in defence for the Whites, making two clearances, three interceptions and four tackles and blocking two shots – one of which was a goal-saving stop from Richarlison, who had the Leeds goal at his mercy.

Furthermore, the £270k-rated defender – who John Hughes, his former manager at Ross County, dubbed an “athlete” – also won six of his eight duels (a success rate of 75%), enjoyed 73 touches of the ball and attempted two crosses and eight long balls.

These returns saw the summer signing earn an impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.0, ranking him as Bielsa’s joint-second best performer in the match – a commendable feat considering the final scoreline and the 18-year-old’s inexperience at this level.

The injury sustained by Dallas will certainly be a huge cause for concern for all involved with the club, but should Hjelde be able to maintain this level of form going forwards, it would massively ease the blow of losing the Northern Ireland international. The teenager was undoubtedly Leeds’ brightest spark on what was an otherwise gloomy afternoon for the Whites.

In other news: “Disinterested” Leeds dud with just 27 touches cost Bielsa dearly v Everton

Villa fans react to Ornstein transfer claim

Reliable reporter David Ornstein believes that Aston Villa may look at signing a central midfielder on deadline day.

The Athletic reporter was speaking live on Sky Sports and had many Villa fans talking on social media.

The Villans have been after a new midfielder this month following Marvelous Nakamba’s serious injury towards the end of 2021. However, so far they have had no luck, with offers for Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur being rejected by Brighton and Juventus respectively.

Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara is thought to be another player on the midfield shortlist, but there have been no significant updates on Villa and the Frenchman for over a week.

According to Ornstein [via @AVFCFaithful], who was speaking on Sky Sports News’ transfer deadline day coverage, Villa may have another nibble at a central midfielder in the final hours of the January window.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with many excited at the possibility of a late arrival to Steven Gerrard’s squad.

“YES DAVID I LOVE YOU”

Credit: @charliepowellm1

“He’s tier 111111 please please please”

Credit: @JRamsAV

“ORNSTEINNNNN”

Credit: @_AVFCOlly

“ORNSTEINNNNNNN”

Credit: @ViIlaI_

“DAVID YOU BEAUTIFUL MAN”

Credit: @DG_Villa1

“What a tease”

Credit: @JohnCha00458074

In other news: ‘No way’ – Lots of Villa fans flock to journalist’s deadline day hint

Celtic deal James Forrest injury blow

Celtic have the chance to add some more points to their tally for the season and take a step closer to the Premiership title this afternoon. 

Their latest league outing sees them take on St Johnstone at Parkhead after securing a 2-1 victory in the Old Firm derby last weekend. 

However, it seems as though Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou will have to do without one of his main attacking options today.

What’s the news?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday (via 67 Hail Hail), the 56-year-old revealed that James Forrest is the only player not available to him for selection this afternoon. 

Having missed Celtic’s two previous league games as a result of a knock he picked up during the club’s Scottish Cup win against Dundee United last month, it will be a huge blow for Postecoglou to still have the winger sidelined. 

A product of the Parkhead club’s youth academy, Forrest has made 440 senior appearances in a Celtic shirt across all competitions. In that time, the 30-year-old has scored 97 goals and provided 97 assists, showing how significant figure a he has been across such a long period. 

Postecoglou will be fuming

Even though the Hoops are in a good position in the league following on from their victory over Rangers last week, Postecoglou will still surely be furious that Forrest hasn’t yet managed to recover from this latest injury, despite playing it down at the time.

An even bigger worry for the winger, the manager and the Celtic fans is that he has a reputation for picking up injuries and missing a lot of games over the years.

With Postecoglou saying that the Scotland international should be a week away from making a recovery, the Celtic manager will undoubtedly be hoping that this will indeed be the case and that he can have Forrest fit and available to see out the remainder of the season and hopefully drive his team to the title.

For the time being, it seems as though the Hoops boss will have to rely on the likes of Jota, Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada to provide an adequate attacking force for the team while Forrest is out.

Having scored a combined total of 20 league goals between them, at least it’s safe to say that the trio have what it takes to be a suitable threat for the Bhoys in the 30-year-old’s continued absence.

In other news: Ange must unleash “phenomenal” £5.85m-rated Celtic ace, he could fire them to glory

Leeds struck gold with Pascal Struijk

Centre-back. Left-back. Midfield.

Pascal Struijk can do it all at Leeds United.

The towering 6 foot 3 colossus has been nothing short of a sensation for the Yorkshire outfit, and he’s only going to get better.

He cost the Whites absolutely nothing when their director of football Victor Orta poached him from Ajax in 2018 and at just 22, he hasn’t looked out of place in the Premier League whatsoever.

Struijk has always delivered whenever called upon in whatever position manager Marcelo Bielsa needs him to play, though he appears to be a central defender by trade.

And that is where his long-term future is likely to settle.

“He’s going to become a supreme centre-back,” once claimed LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross. “He’s [Bielsa] worked with so many players in world football, and for him to say the things he’s saying about Pascal, it’s very, very exciting. Defenders don’t always get a very exciting press. It’s all about Raphinha, it’s all about Joe Gelhardt. But Pascal is the future. 

“And the longer he stays under the radar, the better, because he’s got the lot, to be honest.”

In terms of this season alone, he’s amongst their most resolute defensive options, averaging the second-highest number of tackles per game (2.3) and third-highest number of interceptions per match (1.4), too, as per WhoScored.

The Dutchman is also very capable with the ball at his feet, having averaged a passing accuracy of 84.3%, which is only bettered by fellow centre-back, Liam Cooper (85.7%) – of those that have started ten or more league games.

It’s no wonder Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Urquhart dubbed him a “beast.”

Those returns suggest he’s more than capable at reading a game and then acting upon it, whilst his ball-playing ability makes him one of Bielsa’s most reliable options to start playing out from the back – and that be why he sometimes slots into the defensive midfield role as he’s clearly able to dictate play.

Meanwhile, ex-Leeds star Dominic Matteo also believes “he’s got it all” and that he “looks comfortable in possession.”

Struijk is going to be an integral part of Leeds’ success for the remainder of the season, especially with the aforementioned skipper still absent through injury.

What makes it all the more impressive is the fact that he cost Leeds absolutely nothing. He’s now worth around €20m (£18m), according to CIES Football Observatory. A fee that is only going to rise alongside his impressive performances.

This has been something of a dream deal for the Yorkshire giants. He could stay for a long time and continue to make a huge impact or he could sold on for mega profit. It’s a win-win.

United hit the jackpot with Struijk, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Huge boost for Bielsa: Journalist drops behind-scenes Leeds update out of Thorp Arch…

Newcastle United: Matt Targett available vs WHU

Newcastle United are set to have left-back Matt Targett available for their game away at West Ham United on Saturday afternoon after the Englishman missed the Magpies’ victory over Aston Villa last week.

What’s the latest?

Having been ineligible to face his parent side last weekend, Targett is set to be available for selection once again as Eddie Howe’s side look to extend their excellent form to four consecutive wins in the top-flight.

The left-back swapped Villa Park for St.James’ Park late in the January transfer window after Villa boss Steven Gerrard secured the signing of left-back Lucas Digne from Everton.

This week, the 26-year-old told TalkSport about his departure, having been voted the club’s Player’s Player of the Season last term.

“It was a difficult decision (to leave),” said Targett. “Last season, especially, I was the only left-back.

“I knew the club wanted to sign a left-back. But I was quite surprised when they signed someone like Lucas Digne. Obviously, he was out there, at the time. The club had to do what they had to do.

“It was quite hard to take to sign someone of that calibre. But if that’s where the club wants to go, then I completely respect that.

“At the same time, I am 26. I don’t want to be sitting on the bench. I want to look back on my career and I have played as many Premier League games as I can possible, so that’s one of the main reasons.”

Howe will be buzzing

With his side 17th, there is still plenty of work to be done for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle outfit. Although they’re out of the relegation zone, just four points separate the Magpies from 18th place Norwich City, although the Tyneside club have a game in hand.

Rock bottom Burnley, however, have two games in hand on the Geordies whilst being seven points behind them; the job at hand is far from over.

Therefore, the Englishman will be desperate to have as many players available as possible and to have Targett back, particularly with right-back Kieran Trippier set to miss weeks of action, will be a major relief.

AND in other news, ASM 2.0: NUFC must land deal for “beyond talented” flyer, he “impressed” Kylian Mbappe…

Túlio Maravilha e Romário alertam sobre comemorações provocativas

MatériaMais Notícias

Comemorações polêmicas voltaram a ser destaque dentro dos campos e na mídia nas últimas semanas. Após o episódio do “chororô” de Vinícius Junior na semifinal da Taça Guanabara contra o Botafogo, Bahia e Vitória protagonizaram um clássico sangrento no último domingo. Depois de marcar um dos gols da partida, o atacante Vinícius comemorou fazendo o “créu” em frente a torcida do Vitória, no Barradão, ato que deu início a uma briga generalizada entre jogadores das duas equipes. O clássico, que começou com a promessa de paz, chegou ao fim 11 minutos antes do tempo regulamentar e com sete jogadores expulsos.

Apesar do momento de rivalidade à flor da pele, não é difícil recordar comemorações que empolgavam a torcida nas arquibancadas, como Bebeto com o tradicional “embala neném”, criado para homenagear o filho Mattheus, e Pelé, com o soco no ar, que jamais ofendeu ou machucou um rival. Também cabe destaque às histórias mais “recentes”, casos da comemoração de Túlio Maravilha comendo grama ao marcar um gol pelo Glorioso, na final do Brasileirão de 1995, contra o Santos, e Romário pedindo silêncio aos torcedores que criticavam seu desempenho quando balançava as redes pelo Vasco.

Em entrevista ao LANCE!, Túlio Maravilha e Romário, ídolos do futebol pela irreverência em campo e também pelos gestos festivos no ato do gol, mandam um recado para os atletas que buscam se firmar no esporte: a comemoração é válida desde que o respeito seja mantido entre as equipes.

– Qualquer um pode comemorar seu gol desde que não provoque a torcida a ponto de gerar briga e confusão. O jogador que marca, deve comemorar e o futebol brasileiro é assim, é catimbado. As pessoas gostam de zoar e isso deve ser levado na esportiva, mas é vista de outra forma dependendo da rivalidade dos times que estão em campo. A forma de se comemorar vai pela emoção do momento. Gestos obscenos geram revolta em campo e na torcida mesmo, então devem ser evitados principalmente porque geram punição seguindo a regra da CBF – disse o Baixinho.

Destaque no Botafogo e autor do gol que deu o título do Campeonato Brasileiro de 1995 à equipe, Túlio Maravilha afirma que o caminho para evitar confusões é abusar da criatividade na hora de festejar.

– Estou triste e indignado porque qualquer comemoração que o jogador faz hoje, o torcedor e às vezes até os próprios atletas adversários levam para o outro lado. Tem uma frase típica da minha carreira que diz: “O perdedor justifica e o ganhador comemora”. Então, quando se ganha ou faz um gol, tem que comemorar e extravasar mesmo. Claro que isso deve ser feito com respeito, sem gestos obscenos para a torcida ou membros do clube. O futebol já está chato e sem graça e o torcedor quer ver gols. As comemorações dependem de cada jogador. No meu caso, eu fazia gols e dava nome a eles, homenageava papai, mamãe, coelhinho da Páscoa, dia de feriado… Tem que usar a criatividade. Hoje, com a internet, tem várias maneiras de você se inspirar para comemorar um gol.

O ex-atacante também destaca que a rivalidade em campo deve ser saudável e não sinônimo de violência, alegando que provocações precisam ser vistas apenas como combustível para não faltar dedicação dos times em campo.

– O pessoal está muito rígido e essa rivalidade acaba passando para os torcedores. É aquela frase também “apelou? Não brinca”. Tem que saber ganhar e perder. E na hora que perde, você tem que aturar a zoação e chacotas, usando isso como combustível, porque no próximo confronto será a hora de dar o troco, aí a coisa volta a ficar legal e engraçada como nos bons tempos – finalizou o ex-atacante.

Cabe ressaltar que, de acordo com a Regra 12 da CBF, a punição acontece caso o atleta suba equipamentos de proteção ou lugares onde estão espectadores e em comemorações vistas como “provocativas, debochadas ou inflamatórias”. Também está prevista advertência para quem cobrir o rosto com máscara ou artigo semelhante, e para o jogador que tirar a camisa ou cobrir o rosto com ela.

RELEMBRE COMEMORAÇÕES DE GOLS QUE DERAM O QUE FALAR

Grama sem talher
Após marcar o Gol do Título Brasileiro de 1995, Túlio Maravilha comemorou comendo grama. O jogo realizado no estádio do Pacaembu marcou a Final contra a equipe do Santos e terminou com o empate em 1 a 1. O Botafogo já havia vencido o primeiro duelo no Rio de Janeiro por 2 a 1 e, mais tarde, Túlio acabaria como principal artilheiro do campeonato daquele ano com 23 Gols.

Segure o tchan!
Em 1996, durante uma partida contra o Fluminense, Romário, que defendia o Flamengo, não poupou provocações aos torcedores rivais. Polêmico, o jogador iniciou suas comemorações com o dedo do meio e terminou com um gesto bem parecido com o famoso “créu”. Entretanto, o Baixinho afirmou em entrevista após a partida, que a comemoração foi apenas a coreografia da música “Segure o Tchan”, do grupo É o Tchan! Curiosamente, Edmundo, que havia feito o gesto anteriormente, foi punido com 40 dias de suspensão.

O atacante Vinícius, do Bahia, repetiu a “dança” de Romário diante da torcida do Vitória no último domingo. Inconformado, o goleiro Fernando Miguel foi tirar satisfação e a partir daí, a briga começou. O clássico, que começou com a promessa de paz, chegou ao fim 11 minutos antes do tempo regulamentar e com sete jogadores expulsos. Nesta segunda-feira, a FBF (Federação Baiana de Futebol) decretou a vitória do Bahia pelo placar de 3 a 0. Na súmula da partida, o árbitro Jaílson Macedo de Freitas declarou que foi preciso encerrar a partida aos 35 minutos porque o Vitória ficou com menos de seis jogadores em campo após a confusão.

La Celebración de ‘La Cucaracha’
Em um jogo contra o Alavés, pela temporada 2005/06 do Campeonato Espanhol, Ronaldo marcou um dos gols da vitória do Real Madrid e, na comemoração se juntou a Robinho e Roberto Carlos e os três imitaram uma barata. A comemoração chamou tanto a atenção que virou capa do jornal Marca, que deu o nome de “La Celebración de ‘La Cucaracha'” ao episódio. Quem não ficou feliz foi o presidente do Alavés, Dimitry Piterman, que disparou: “Se eles fossem jogadores do Alavés, teriam as suas cabeças exterminadas. Eles agiram como palhaços de circo”.

Chororô
Pela semifinal da Taça Guanabara 2018, Flamengo e Botafogo protagonizaram uma partida que deu o que falar. Após marcar um dos gols da vitória do Rubro Negro por 3 a 1, o atacante Vinícius Júnior comemorou o feito com uma provocação aos torcedores alvinegros: o “chororô”. O gesto foi indigesto para a diretoria e os amantes do clube de General Severiano, que acabou vetando a disputa da final da competição no Estádio Nilton Santos.

O gesto de Vinícius Júnior foi criado pelo atacante Souza. Na ocasião, o Flamengo vencia o Botafogo na final da Taça Guanabara e Vini (Souza) aproveitou a rivalidade para provocar os alvinegros, relembrando a coletiva de imprensa em que jogadores, o técnico Cuca e o presidente da época, Bebeto de Freitas, apareceram com os olhos marejados. O gesto ainda foi repetido no mesmo ano por Leonardo Moura e Obina e relembrado por Hernane Brocador e André Santos em 2013.

Valsa de Eduardo Sasha
​Na conquista do hexacampeonato gaúcho de 2016 pelo Internacional, o atacante Eduardo Sasha aproveitou a festa colorada para provocar o Grêmio, vice-campeão, dançando valsa com a bandeirinha de escanteio, em alusão aos 15 do Tricolor sem um título de expressão.

Olha a bomba!
​Na final do Campeonato Mineiro de 2013, o atacante Ronaldinho Gaúcho fingiu jogar uma granada na torcida do Cruzeiro após marcar o único gol do Galo na partida. Apesar de a Raposa ter vencido a partida por 2 a 1, o Atlético-MG ficou com a taça, por ter marcado 3 a 0 no jogo de ida.

Samba no escudo do rival
​Nas quartas de final do Campeonato Brasileiro de 2002, o Santos eliminou o São Paulo ao vencer a partida de volta por 2 a 1, depois de garantir o placar de 3 a 1 no jogo de ida, e o meia Diego, autor de um dos gols da vitória do Peixe comemorou o feito dançando em cima do escudo do Tricolor, no Morumbi.

Dança da bundinha
​Famoso pela habilidade em campo, mas também por polêmicas, Edmundo ficou marcado pela reboladinha que deu antes de sair com a bola pela lateral na frente do zagueiro Gonçalves do Botafogo, quando o Vasco vencia o Alvinegro por 1 a 0 no primeiro jogo da final do Campeonato Carioca de 1997.

Ronc! Ronc!
​Na final do Campeonato Paulista de 1993, o atacante Viola, que defendia o Corinthians, marcou o da vitória do Timão, por 1 a 0, sobre o Palmeiras e imitou um porco em sua comemoração. Esta não foi a única vez que o jogador utilizaria o mascote do rival para provocá-lo. Em 1998, com a camisa do Santos, Viola imitou um leão, mascote do Sport, ao marcar um dos gols da vitória por 3 a 0 que garantiu a classificação do Peixe.

Máscaras
​Destaque do Palmeiras no fim da década de 1990, Paulo Nunes revolucionou o formato de comemorações da época. Veloz em campo e polêmico, o atacante usou máscara de Tiazinha e véu de Feiticeira para homenagear duas dançarias famosas no período. Outro caso que também chama a atenção no histórico do jogador foi quando o Verdão venceu a Copa Libertadores e garantiu vaga no Mundial de Interclubes, realizado no Japão, e Paulo Nunes vestiu-se de gueixa. Mas nenhuma dessas máscaras ficou tão famosa quanto a do porquinho, que o atleta usou no Paulistão de 1999, quando marcou um gol contra o Corinthians.

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Wolves’ Raul Jimenez linked with Bayern

Wolves striker Raul Jimenez is reportedly a target of German giants Bayern Munich this summer – if the Bundesliga club are to part ways with Robert Lewandowski.

What’s the latest?

According to El Futbolero, Bayern have started identifying potential striker targets in case the Poland international were to depart Bavaria this summer, with Jimenez on that list.

The Mexican forward has been a sensation at Molineux since arriving from Benfica – initially on loan – in 2018 ahead of the Black Country club’s first season back in the Premier League.

Having sustained a career-threatening skull fracture last season, the 30-year-old has remarkably managed to return to action for Bruno Lage’s men this term, although has endured a goal-shy campaign for his standards.

Wolves must keep Jimenez

Despite scoring six goals in the Premier League this term, the 30-year-old is undoubtedly Wolves’ best striker – with 19-year-old Fabio Silva still struggling to adapt to the English top flight.

However, the Mexican’s quality in front of goal has undoubtedly dipped since suffering his serious injury, having scored a whopping 27 goals in 55 appearances during the 2019/20 season, with 17 of those coming in the Premier League.

Although, this season has seen the entire Wolves squad be rather timid in front of goal under Lage, with the Portuguese manager’s side scoring just 33 goals in 32 matches – with only Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Watford and Norwich City having scored fewer.

That makes Jimenez’s six goals worth 18% of his side’s strikes, with no other Wolves player scoring more in the league this season.

Moreover, there are no guarantees that the striker would be a regular in Julian Nagelsmann’s Bayern side, with the German club certainly looking for a goalscorer that could come close to replacing the 341 goals scored and 69 assists registered in 370 appearances by Lewandowski.

The Mexican is brilliant, but his record comes nowhere near that of the Poland international.

Therefore, if the 30-year-old were to depart for Munich it would certainly aggrieve Wolves supporters seeing him struggle for game time, given how fond of the striker they have become over the last four years.

It would also mean that the West Midlands club would have to invest in a high-quality striker this summer, although, that may already be in the plans for the upcoming transfer window.

Jimenez has been a cult hero at Molineux and a departure would certainly infuriate the Old Gold faithful, with Lage agreeing to the centre-forward’s sale potentially being an unforgivable decision for many involved with the club.

AND in other news: Lage could unearth Wolves’ next £100m talent as Fosun plot offer for 19-year-old “missile”

Legalise sports betting in India, says Delhi court

Betting in cricket and other sports should be legalised in India, a Delhi court has said

Cricinfo staff01-Sep-2010

Betting on cricket is illegal in India•Graham Chadwick/Getty Images

Betting in cricket and other sports should be legalised in India, a Delhi court has said, pointing out that the police have failed to curb illegal betting in the country. Legalising betting, the court said, would help the government keep track of the transfer of funds and even use the revenue generated for public welfare.”It does not need divine eyes to see that ‘satta’ in cricket and other games is reaching an alarming situation. The extent of money that it generated is diverted to clandestine and sinister objectives like drug trafficking and terrorist activities,” said additional sessions judge Dharmesh Sharma, of a Delhi trial court. “It is high time that our legislature seriously considers legalising the entire system of betting online or otherwise so that enough revenues can be generated to fund various infrastructural requirements for the common man and thus check the lucrative business in organised crime.”The judge cited a media report that claimed more than Rs. 20,000 crores (approximately US$4.27 billion) were pumped in by illegal betting syndicates during the IPL last year.”A little surfing on the internet would reveal that in Delhi alone there would be operating as many as 2,000-3,000 bookies at any given point of time when cricket matches or even other matches are played all over the world. This could not be done under the very nose of police without their knowledge,” the judge said.The court was also critical of the police for its laxity in trying to keep a check on the illegal business. “The half-hearted and lackadaisical approach of the police in nabbing the perpetrators of this organised crime on business leaves an irresistible impression that police is not only ill-equipped to deal with such cases but probably they have higher stake in continuance of the same under their patronage.”The court made its remarks while allowing an appeal by two people held guilty by a lower court for betting under the Delhi Police Gambling Act. It said there was not enough evidence to convict the two, who were prosecuted for organising betting on the 2007 World Cup match between Australia and South Africa.

Leeds: Paul Hirst drops Phillips news

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips could the subject of a transfer offer from Manchester United following the appointment of Erik ten Hag as manager. 

That’s according to Paul Hirst and Pol Ballus for The Times.

The lowdown

Phillips has come through the academy at Leeds United and established himself as a key figure, reaching 228 appearances for the club at the age of 26 and bagging 14 goals.

His £38,000-per-week contract – hardly impressive wages given his impact as a now England superstar – is due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Transfermarkt rate Phillips as the most valuable player at Elland Road with an estimated value of £45million, £4.5million more than winger Raphinha.

It could be the most lucrative sale in Leeds’ history, eclipsing Rio Ferdinand’s £41.4million move to Old Trafford in 2002.

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The latest

Hirst tweeted on Friday morning that Man. United had granted Ten Hag a ‘£120m budget to save’ the ‘broken’ Red Devils.

In the attached story for The Times, published late on Thursday evening, he and Ballus write that Phillips is ‘viewed as a possible alternative’ to West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

Man. United have apparently been ‘put off’ by The Hammers’ £150million demands, with Phillips a cheaper plan B.

The verdict

It would certainly hurt to lose Phillips, who has been dubbed ‘phenomenal’ and ‘extraordinary’ by former England boss Fabio Capello and was named men’s player of the year for his country in 2021.

Leeds could reinvest the funds, but the problem is that he’s not the only star attracting interest.

Transfer insider Dean Jones says that ‘big clubs’ are also eyeing Raphinha ahead of the summer transfer window.

Losing both in one summer could be destabilising for the club ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in Yorkshire, so don’t be surprised to see them dig in and resist offers for at least one of the players.

In other news, this Leeds man’s loan spell is now a disaster. 

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