19/5: Countdown To Wembley …
Sun: MAN U boss Sir Alex Ferguson blasted the FA over “extortionate” prices at the new Wembley.
Fergie was furious to learn fans will have to pay £10 for a programme and £5 for a burger at today’s final. He said: “It’s ridiculous, extortionate. You can only kill the game that way.”
The Football Supporters’ Federation has called for a boycott by fans, but the FA says prices are lower than other London venues. The Sun is running a Cut The Cost Of Footie campaign.
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MANCHESTER United’s washer woman has been sacked on the eve of the FA Cup final — for “stealing” a team shirt.
Sharon Livesey, 51, who has washed the kit of stars like David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes for 22 years, was caught with the shirt by club security.
But she insists she was given permission to take it home — and it was for a young Downs Syndrome fan of United.
The launderette supervisor’s £8,500-a-year job always earned her free final tickets.
But today Sharon will watch her heroes take on Chelsea at her home. Team boss Sir Alex Ferguson wrote to her after the sacking, saying “the place will not be the same.”
The gran of four was fired after being searched by a security guard at the club’s Carrington training HQ. She claims she took a plain shirt — with no number or name on it — after bosses agreed.
Sharon, of Salford, said last night: “I didn’t do anything wrong. Over the years I have been offered thousands of pounds by people wanting Cantona or Beckham shirts.”
The mum of three added: “I was once offered £12,000 for a Beckham shirt — and someone said they would give me a blank cheque. I could have made a fortune, but I’ve never been tempted.
“I was proud of my job and I love United. The players have always been brilliant to me — but I never had the chance to say goodbye to them.”
She added: “I’m totally gutted. If I’d wanted to take a shirt to sell, I would have taken Rooney’s or Ronaldo’s — not just a plain one.”
A United spokesman said: “This is an internal disciplinary matter which has been dealt with.”
