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NFL

WR Jones deletes Falcons pics from Instagram

Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones has yet to join the team for offseason workouts, according to multiple sources, and the deletion of Falcons photos from his Instagram page fueled speculation regarding unrest between Jones and the team.

Jones was not with his teammates when the Falcons officially began offseason workouts last week but was expected back this week. However, he wasn’t present when the players returned to the field Monday.

The team said the deletion of the Falcons photos had to do with Jones wanting a “fresh start” on social media and nothing more.

One source told ESPN it was to set an example for Alabama players. Jones, a star receiver at Alabama from 2008-10, had spent the day with Crimson Tide players.

There have been whispers about a possible contract situation regarding Jones, but nothing has gone public from Jones’ camp or from the team.

The five-time Pro Bowler signed a five-year, $71.25 million extension ($47 million guaranteed) in August 2015 and still has three years and $34.43 million left on the deal. His average from the deal — $14.25 million — falls below the averages for Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown ($17 million per year), Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans ($16.5 million), Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins ($16.2 million), Kansas City’s Sammy Watkins ($16 million) and Cincinnati’s A.J. Green ($15 million).

The Falcons have prioritized signing quarterback Matt Ryan to an extension this offseason, with Ryan having one year and $19.25 million left on his deal. General manager Thomas Dimitroff also talked about nose tackle Grady Jarrett, left tackle Jake Matthews and free safety Ricardo Allen possibly being extended. The immediate focus is preparing for Thursday’s NFL draft.

The Falcons have said it is important to have Jones healthy this offseason to put in the practice time with Ryan. Jones is working out with former NFL receiver Terrell Owens.

Jones’ absence from the team will become more of a concern if he’s not around for mandatory minicamp, June 12-14.

Soccer

Barcelona tops Chelsea to win UEFA Youth League

Barcelona is the UEFA Youth League champion after besting Chelsea 3-0 on Monday in Nyon, Switzerland, to lift the continental title for a second time in the tournament’s five-year history.

That draws Barca level with the Blues, with Red Bull Salzburg the surprise winner of last year’s contest.

It was an electric performance from a Barcelona side that dominated proceedings courtesy of a dazzling attack.

Abel Ruiz was the engineer responsible for Barcelona’s opener. The 18-year-old attacker deftly turned Dujon Sterling with a bit of trickery on the left flank before a give-and-go with Ricard Puig sprung Ruiz into space, allowing him to fire a pass across the face of goal that Marques easily headed beyond a helpless Jamie Cumming.

Barcelona bossed the opening stanza and Marques’ goal was a deserved product of a clinical half from Gerard Lopez’s charges. Puig was particularly threatening, with the midfielder – who has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi and Xavi – probing Chelsea’s midfield and backline with slaloming runs and pinpoint passing.

Marques all but put the match out of reach five minutes after the interval when Chelsea skipper Josh Grant’s pass back to defensive partner Marc Guehi was pounced on by the Barcelona forward. A replay showed there was contact between Guehi and Marques, though it was the latter who recovered the ball, slotting it to Cumming’s right and into the back of the net.

With a two-goal advantage, Barcelona slowed the pace and controlled possession, ensuring Chelsea saw very little of the ball over the final quarter of an hour. Barcelona made it 3-0 in the second minute of added time when Ruiz bagged one from short range.