Norwich City's Cameron Jerome and Martin Olsson celebrate with the trophy after gaining promotion to the Barclays Premier League —Action Images via Reuters LONDON — Norwich secured an immediate return to the Premier League and a promotion windfall of approximately $235 million by beating Middlesbrough 2-0 in the second-tier playoff final Monday.
Norwich seized control of world football's most lucrative club match thanks to goals by Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond by the 15th minute at Wembley Stadium.
Middlesbrough, managed by former Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka, had beaten Norwich in both of their meetings in the League Championship's regular season.
Norwich joins already promoted Watford and Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The playoff final is the world's richest football game due to the money clubs earn from the Premier League's huge domestic and global broadcasting deals, as well as prize money and potential income from future relegation payments.
United pulls out of youth tournament
Manchester United has triggered a furious backlash in Northern Ireland after it withdrew from a prestigious youth tournament.
United has been regular at the Milk Cup event over the past 25 years, but the club has confirmed it will not take part this year.
"After a thorough assessment of the pre-season training needs of the first team and a detailed assessment of the medical impact of that plan on the reserves, Manchester United has decided not to enter a team in the Dale Farm Milk Cup," a United statement read.
Organizers of the tournament, which takes place across Northern Ireland in July, said they were shocked by the announcement as they claim they were told recently that United would be sending a team.
The international youth tournament regularly attracts youth teams from the biggest clubs across the world.
Previous United players to have taken part in the tournament include Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. — Agencies
