"It got blown out of proportion and some of it was ridiculous for what actually happened but that's in the past. "I don't want to go into the details because we know in-house what it was and it wasn't a big deal then. Like I said, I was actually capped after that incident so people who often say [things about the casino incident] are looking for an excuse for me why I'm not in the squad but that's not the case to be hones "We had already spoken about it, put it to bed and I was called up and capped after that. That was never a concern. That was more outside noise from you lot I think. Adama Sanogo Jersey "Anyone who knows me, the type of person I am and how I am as a player, I always try and carry myself with respect, very professional and stuff. I don't feel like I'm misunderstood. "Sitting here today, 25-year-old James Maddison who is a father would probably say to 20-year-old James Maddison: 'Probably not the best idea to do that.'Kevens Clercius Jersey "But that's all part of learning and all part of getting experience. That's probably why I'm thicker-skinned and more experienced to talk to you now because of little things that have happened in the past." Maddison revealed he took inspiration from Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes in attempts to add goals to his game, having racked up 24 Premier League goal involvements in 2022 -- a figure only surpassed by Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne and Son Heung-Min. "In my head, I'm still that little boy who's kicking the ball around in the garden with face paint on," he said. "I don't think there is a player I model myself on now, maybe when I was younger. I appreciate all the good players in the Premier League and try to take stuff from players wherever I can. I'm often watching players in my position. Aaron Turner Jersey "A couple of seasons ago when I thought to myself 'how can I score my goals' and I wasn't in the squad, Bruno Fernandes was playing very well for Man Utd and putting up ridiculous numbers in terms of goals and assists. "So I probably watched him a little bit closer at that time. 'How is he scoring so many goals' and what runs is he making that I'm not?'"

James Maddison has described the fallout from his infamous casino visit in 2019 as "ridiculous" and insisted his England career did not stall as a result of a breakdown in relations with manager Gareth Southgate. Dorian Thompson-robinson Jersey The Leicester City midfielder was pictured by a poker table in a casino on the night England lost to the Czech Republic in October 2019, a match for which Maddison was called-up for only to leave the squad having contracted flu three days before the game. Zach Charbonnet Jersey - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Keegan Jones Jersey Maddison was selected again in November that year, making his debut as a second-half substitute against Montenegro, but did not feature in another England squad for three years until being named in Southgate's 26-man squad for the World Cup finals in Qatar. Asked about how the incident impacted his international prospects, Maddison said: "I thought that might get brought up and I'm actually glad you asked because people forget I was actually capped by Gareth Southgate and called up after the casino incident and it wasn't a big deal at the time for Gareth.

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo said he was close to signing for bitter rivals Manchester City last year but former manager Alex Ferguson asked him not to. Ronaldo said Ferguson persuaded him to re-join United for a second spell at Old Trafford when he moved from Juventus in August, 2021 on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won eight major trophies from 2003-2009. Max Duggan Jersey - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "Well, honestly, it was close... It's something they spoke [about] a lot and [Manchester City manager Pep] Guardiola said two weeks ago, I guess, that they tried hard to have me," Ronaldo told Piers Morgan in an interview for TalkTV, the first part of which was aired on Wednesday. "But as you know, as my history [was] in Manchester United, your heart, your feeling... make the difference. And of course, as well, Sir Alex Ferguson. "I was surprised... But it was a conscious decision. Because the heart speaks, speaking loud in that moment." He added that Ferguson's intervention helped him make up his mind to join United. "I think it was the key. It was the difference in that moment, but I cannot be loyal if I will, I wouldn't say that Manchester City wasn't close," Ronaldo said. Kendre Miller Jersey "I spoke with him [Ferguson]... He said to me that, 'It's impossible for you to come to Manchester City'. "And I say, 'OK, Boss'. So I took the decisions and... it was a good decision." - Ronaldo to miss World Cup warm-up with stomach bug In an excerpt of the interview published on Sunday, Ronaldo said that United had betrayed him and alleged he was being forced out of the club. The Portugal forward also said United did not support him when his daughter was taken to hospital in July, doubting him and showing a lack of empathy when he did not arrive on time for pre-season training. Max Duggan Jersey United said on Monday that they would address Ronaldo's comments that he felt betrayed by the club and was being forced out only after establishing the full facts. Co-chairman Joel Glazer, football director John Murtough, chief executive Richard Arnold and manager Erik ten Hag held a meeting on Monday while United have also sought legal advice about how best to solve the issue. Ten Hag, according to ESPN sources, believes he cannot work with Ronaldo again after the striker said that he "doesn't respect" the Dutchman, and has communicated that view to the Glazers, Arnold and Murtough. Sources have also told ESPN that the majority of the squad do not believe there is a way back for Ronaldo particularly because Ten Hag has taken such a hardline on squad discipline since taking over as a manager in the summer.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been charged by the Football Association (FA) with breaching betting rules more than 200 times, the governing body said on Wednesday. Max Christie Jersey The FA said in a statement that it was alleged the 26-year-old, who was charged with misconduct, breached the rules 232 times between 2017 and 2021. Toney has until Nov. 24 to respond the charges. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Malik Hall Jersey A report in the Daily Mail newspaper this month said Toney had been under investigation for around seven months in relation to the alleged betting activity before he played for Brentford. It added there were no suggestions that he had betted on his own team to lose matches. "Brentford has been informed that Ivan Toney has been charged with breaches of FA Rule E8," Brentford said in a statement. "The club has been in discussion with Ivan and his legal representatives about this matter and those conversations will continue privately. We will make no further comment until the matter has been completed."Tyson Walker Jersey After the newspaper report was published, Toney said he was assisting the FA with its enquiries. He was not named in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup in Qatar which begins on Sunday.