Mane paints hometown red by donating 300 Liverpool shirts

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has despatched 300 club jerseys to supporters in his home village of Bambali in Senegal ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Real Madrid. Mane’s family still lives in the village of 2,000 inhabitants, which is expected to come to a standstill as their favourite son looks to help the Premier League club claim a sixth European Cup in Kiev’s Olympic Stadium.

The 26-year-old has ensured the village can cheer his team in style as they look to beat 12-times champions Real. “There are 2,000 in the village. I bought 300 Liverpool jerseys to send to the people in the village, so the fans can wear to watch the final,” Mane told the British media.

“Nobody in the village will work this day (Saturday). I will be going back in the summer after the World Cup and hopefully I will be showing everyone a medal.”

FANS STRANDED

Around 1,000 Liverpool fans have been left stranded and risk missing the Champions League final in Kiev after a travel firm cancelled three flights to the Ukraine capital. Worldchoice Sports announced on its Facebook page that it had been unable to secure enough landing slots for the aircraft, issuing a “huge apology” to ticket holders. The devastating news comes as anger grows over spiralling accommodation and travel costs for those travelling for Saturday’s match.

“With deep regret, we have had to cancel three flights to Kiev,” the statement said. “Due to so many flights going into Kiev, Kiev Boryspil has unable to allocate times for aircraft.

LONDON:

ISTANBUL TO HOST

Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium will host the 2020 Champions League final, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin confirmed in Kiev on Thursday.

The 76,000-capacity ground played host to Liverpool’s famous comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League on penalties against AC Milan in 2005.

The 2020 Europa League final will be played in Gdansk, Poland.

LONDON: KIEV: