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Former England star Karen Carney has been appointed by the government to lead a review to grow women's football – capitalising on the Lionesses' European Championship success.There will be a focus on how to expand the fan base and participation from the grassroots to elite level, while providing better facilities, prize money and financial sustainability, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has turned to 144-cap Carney whose 14-year England career coincided with the women's game moving into the professional era with FA salaries and players no longer being part-time with their clubs.Carney said: "Over the last few years, the game has grown significantly and at a rapid pace."Of course, this is an exciting time, but there is an urgent need to ensure there are processes and structures in place that protect the interest of the game and the people working in it.
"I have always said that the sport needs to be built on solid foundations to give it long-lasting success in a sustainable way."Ahead of the Women's Super League season starting next weekend, the Lionesses are in Austria, preparing to play for the first time since beating Germany at Wembley at the end of July to become European champions for the first time.A draw away against Austria on Saturday will be enough to seal qualification for the 2023 World Cup - the next trophy target for the Lionesses after back-to-back semi-final appearances in FIFA showpieces.Carney said: "For me, this is a defining period for the sport and this review will be at the heart of that. "We must capitalise on these powerful moments and can look back on 2022 as a year where we made great strides forward in the growth of the game." Image: England won Euro 2022 at Wembley in July But the choice of venue by the Austrians for the visit of Sarina Wiegman's England highlights the ongoing struggle for status by female footballers, with the Wiener Neustadt Stadium holding fewer than 3,000 fans.Carney is well-placed to analyse the business of the game and how to grow commercial and sponsorship revenue.Since retiring after England's run to the Women's World Cup semi-finals in 2019, Carney has studied for an MBA in business administration on top of qualifications in sports science and psychology.The title-winning Arsenal and Chelsea great will form her report based on meetings with industry experts and evidence gathered by the DCMS and FA with the aim to deliver the document early next year.The government review will assess prize money disparities as well as the "adequacy, quality, accessibility and prevalence" of facilities, the DCMS said.Read more:The state of the game - from pitches and access to pathwaysThe Euro 2022-winning squad wrote to Tory leadership hopefuls Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, asking them to ensure schoolgirls have access to a minimum of two hours a week of sport classes - highlighting how only 63% of girls can play football in schools.Ms Dorries said: "The Lionesses' spectacular performance shows how far we have come at the top of the women's game. While it is right that we celebrate and reflect on that success, we need an equal emphasis on improving participation, employment opportunities, commercial investment and visibility in the media."We want to make sure everyone can enjoy the benefits of team sport and there is a robust infrastructure to sustain women's and girls' football for the future. A thorough review of the game will help ensure it is here for the long term." | Football |
Soccer Football - Serie A - Monza v Juventus - Stadio Brianteo, Monza, Italy - September 18, 2022 Juventus' Angel Di Maria reacts after he was shown a red card by referee Fabio Maresca as Danilo and Fabio Miretti look on REUTERS/Alberto LingriaRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSept 18 (Reuters) - Monza took a surprising but deserved 1-0 home win over Juventus on Sunday, their first Serie A victory of the season, as the visitors struggled after being reduced to 10 men.Juve key player Angel Di Maria's return from injury was cut short when he was sent off five minutes before the break after elbowing Armando Izzo in the chest."We need to do better, certainly. The red card affected the game; Angel was a bit harassed by Izzo, a player who is known for using these tactics, and he fell for it. I didn’t see the replay but was told it was the right decision to send him off," Juve's assistant manager Marco Landucci told DAZN.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comJuventus had half-chances in the first half but were struggling to create momentum, while Monza were effective in breaking down the play in midfield.Dusan Vlahovic had several attempts on goal but none of them were difficult for Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio to stop.Newly-promoted Monza smelled blood in the second half and pressured the opposition defence to make mistakes, while Juve tried to look for counter-attacking chances.Substitute Christian Gytkjaer became the hero when he slid in the winner from Patrick Ciurria's cross in the 74th minute.Moise Kean came close to equalising for Juventus in the 81st minute when his header was on target, but Di Gregorio was alert and held it firmly in his grip.Manager Massimiliano Allegri was not allowed on the bench for Juve's first Serie A loss of the season, after being sent off last Sunday in the 2-2 home draw against Salernitana for protesting about a disallowed VAR goal."Obviously, nobody is happy right now, but in order to emerge from this situation we can only work hard and do better," Landucci said."We started well and then stopped playing, so the only method is to work and everyone raises their game to work in the same direction."Juve fielded a depleted team as Arkadiusz Milik and Juan Cuadrado were suspended for the game, while Federico Chiesa, Kaio Jorge, Paul Pogba, Manuel Locatelli and Alex Sandro were all injured.Monza next travel to Sampdoria on Oct. 2, after the international break, while Juventus host Bologna on the same day.Juventus remain eighth in the standings but are now six points behind leaders Udinese after seven matches, while Monza moved up to 18th place with four points.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk
Editing by Christian Radnedge and Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favor of a former high school football coach who lost his job for praying at the 50-yard line after games, saying the coach’s prayers were a private matter protected by the First Amendment.In 2015, Joseph Kennedy, an assistant coach at a public high school in Bremerton, Wash., was placed on administrative leave by the school district.Kennedy, whose players often joined him at midfield, argued that he should be allowed to express his faith in public.During oral arguments, Kennedy’s lawyers argued that the ritual is protected under the free speech and free exercise clauses in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.The school district said it suspended him to avoid violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution by appearing to endorse a particular faith.But Kennedy said he never asked or pressured anyone else to pray with him. The school district argued that Kennedy’s players looked up to their coach and felt coerced into following him.In a 6-3 ruling, the court’s conservative majority sided with the coach.Former Bremerton High School assistant football coach Joe Kennedy takes a knee in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on April 25. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)"Both the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment protect expressions like Mr. Kennedy’s," Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the majority opinion. "Nor does a proper understanding of the Amendment’s Establishment Clause require the government to single out private religious speech for special disfavor. The Constitution and the best of our traditions counsel mutual respect and tolerance, not censorship and suppression, for religious and nonreligious views alike."The court’s three liberal justices — Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan — dissented.“This decision does a disservice to schools and the young citizens they serve, as well as to our Nation’s longstanding commitment to the separation of church and state,” Sotomayor wrote in their dissent. “This Court consistently has recognized that school officials leading prayer is constitutionally impermissible. Official-led prayer strikes at the core of our constitutional protections for the religious liberty of students and their parents.”Kennedy, who now lives in Florida, has said he would consider returning to Washington to regain his job as a part-time football coach.“This is just so awesome,” Kennedy said in a statement in response to the court’s ruling. “All I’ve ever wanted was to be back in the field with my guys. I am incredibly grateful to the Supreme Court, my fantastic legal team, and everyone who has supported us. I thank God for answering our prayers.” | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Leeds United - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - August 13, 2022 Leeds United's Pascal Struijk in action before Leeds United's Rodrigo scores their second goal REUTERS/Peter Nicholls ERegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSOUTHAMPTON, England, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Southampton duo Kyle Walker-Peters and Joe Aribo cancelled out a double from Leeds United's Rodrigo as the home side roared back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Saturday.Leeds looked set for the three points before Walker-Peters and Aribo turned the game on its head with two fine strikes to ease the pressure on manager Ralph Hasenhuettl following Saints' heavy loss at Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend.Leeds dominated the ball in the early exchanges but it was Southampton who looked the more threatening, with Stuart Armstrong and debutant Armel Bella-Kotchap coming close.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comThe visitors were dealt a blow in the 28th minute when striker Patrick Bamford, who missed a chunk of last season due to injury, made way for Daniel James and the Welshman almost had a dream introduction as he forced Gavin Bazunu into a fine save.Leeds made Southampton pay for a sloppy start to the second half when Rodrigo turned in Jack Harrison's cross from the left in the 46th minute with a clever finish before adding another on the hour with a header from close range.Aribo pulled one back in the 72nd minute when he finished off a slick team move before Walker-Peters completed the comeback with a low powerful shot past Illan Meslier.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Dhruv Munjal in New Delhi; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Published August 14, 2022 7:09AM Updated 12:17PM article DENVER, CO - AUGUST 13: Jamar Johnson #41 of the Denver Broncos rushes against the Dallas Cowboys during a preseason game at Empower Field At Mile High on August 13, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) DENVER (AP) - The new Denver Broncos quarterback who wowed the crowd at Empower Field wasn't Russell Wilson but jourrneyman Josh Johnson. Johnson, who's 36 years old and playing for his 14th NFL team, threw a pair of first-half touchdown passes and the Broncos beat the penalty-prone Dallas Cowboys 17-7 on a starless and rainy Saturday night. "I'm just enjoying the ride, honestly," Johnson said. "... I like to say for us backups, the preseason is the season." Johnson was signed in the offseason to compete with Brett Rypien for the job backing up Wilson, who sat this one out along with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. Rypien was 8 of 18 for 113 yards, including a 42-yard strike to Jalen Virgil from his own 1. Both Johnson and Rypien drew praise from new Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett, who won his NFL head coaching debut, albeit in a preseason game that won’t really count. Cooper Rush got the start for Dallas and was 12 of 20 for 84 yards and an interception. Ben DiNucci (9 of 16 for 112 yards) finally got the Cowboys on the board with a 12-yard TD toss to Simi Fehoko with just under five minutes remaining, capping a 16-play, 95-yard drive. MORE: Dallas Cowboys Coverage on FOX 4 The Cowboys committed a whopping 17 penalties for 129 yards 48 hours after Denver's front-line defense got the better of Dallas' first-string offense in a chippy joint practice that featured a half-dozen skirmishes. "The penalties clearly were way too much," Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. "We'll look at those ... as far as the ones that were combative versus discipline. That's clearly the biggest negative, but I'm actually excited to watch the tape. I want to see these young linemen, our run blocking unit. I think they stepped up and did some good things." Minus Ezekiel Elliott and most of the other starters, the Cowboys ran for 141 yards on 28 carries, a 5-yard average. After yielding 17 second-quarter points, the Cowboys turned away Denver with a goal line stand on the Broncos' first drive after halftime when cornerback Kyron Brown broke up Rypien's pass to Darrius Shepherd on fourth-and-goal from the 3. Only a handful of regulars started for each team, including Broncos inside linebacker Jonas Griffith, who injured his left elbow on the game's second snap and didn't return. Hackett had no update after the game. Brandon McManus sent the Broncos into halftime with a 17-0 lead by nailing a 52-yarder at the end of the first half. The game also marked the introduction of the Broncos' new Walton-Penner ownership group, which purchased the team from the Pat Bowlen Trust for a record $4.65 billion, and new team president Damani Leech. Even though Wilson didn't play, the crowd was relatively large for a preseason game — 64,541. FLAG FOOTBALL Here was the stat line for Dallas at the start of the fourth quarter: Rushing yards — 106 Passing yards — 118 Penalty yards — 119 TRAINERS ROOM Cowboys: TE Ian Bunting (neck) sat out. He was injured in practice Thursday. Broncos: CB Michael Ojemudia was evaluated for a concussion late in the first quarter. COSTLY FLAG McManus was wide right on a 57-yard attempt as the first half expired, but Dallas cornerback Kelvin Johnson was offside, setting up an untimed play, and McManus nailed it from 52 yards out. Dallas K Lirim Hajrullahu was wide right on a 56-yard try early in the fourth quarter. GROUNDED GAME The Broncos didn't play running backs Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon, and their backups were held to just 39 yards and a 1.8-yard average. "Yes, it's always great to win, but in the end we've got a lot of work to do," Hackett said. "That run game was not good enough. ... We're not going to be able to consistently win without getting that run game going." BROWNING BRILLIANT Baron Browning moved from inside linebacker to outside linebacker this offseason and had a solid camp. On Saturday night, he had a sack, a pass breakup, three tackles and a quarterback hit. "He was around the quarterback quite a bit," gloated Hackett. UP NEXT Cowboys: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night. Broncos: Visit the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. | Football |
England are through to the semi-finals of the women's Euros after an emphatic comeback against Spain to win 2-1.The Lionesses fell behind in the second half after a low strike from Esther Gonzalez, but struck back with a goal from Ella Toone to take the match into extra time.
Georgia Stanway scored the winner with a venomous 20-yard strike into the far corner that caused the home crowd to erupt in celebration.But as extra time drew on La Roja kept pressing and a dangerous corner with minutes left in the game almost sent the game to penalties. Image: Ella Toone after equalising late in the second half Image: Stanway strikes to score The win secured England's spot in the final four of the European Championships. They will face either Sweden or Belgium in the semi-finals. It will be the fourth semi-final at a major tournament in a row that England's women have reached. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Joy of Lioness fans Spain frustrated the Lionesses for much of the opening 90 minutes. They had the better of the possession and shots, as well as using other time-stalling techniques to stop England from reaching their full potential in an ill-tempered encounter in Brighton. More from UK BBC to pay 'substantial' damages to former nanny of William and Harry over Martin Bashir's Charles affair claims Man, 23, missing after going swimming in the River Mersey 200 bottles of alcohol confiscated to stop revellers using beauty spot 'like Ibiza nightclub' La Roja took the lead shortly after the break as substitute Athenea del Castillo expertly beat Rachel Daly on the right, before cutting the ball back for Gonzalez.The Spain striker then made no mistake in firing past Mary Earps.It was the first goal England had conceded at Euro 2022 and as the game drew on it looked like it could be the one to send them out of the tournament. Image: Celebrations after Stanway's goal But with six minutes to go in normal time Toone popped up to slot home Alessia Russo's nod down, sending the game into extra time.England, revitalised by their equaliser and roared on by the almost 29,000-strong crowd at the Amex Stadium, sealed their victory through a storming strike by Stanway.Keira Walsh fed her former Manchester City team-mate before the midfielder unleashed an unstoppable effort from 20 yards, seeing England through in fine fashion.Does this mean football is finally coming home? England went into the tournament as one of the favourites and are now through to the final four. | Football |
The teamsPreambleThe wait is nearly over. In six days’ time, England kick off the 2022 UEFA European Women’s Football Championship against Austria at Old Trafford. Does Sarina Wiegman know what her starting line-up that evening will be? “We’re close but it’s hard,” she says. “And even though we’re close, you still have the opportunities to change it a little bit, because the level is so high and it’s so close. We have many options.” So that’s either a yes, a maybe, or a no, and you can’t blame the England coach for declining to reveal her hand. But maybe we’ll get one or two clues this afternoon. Here’s Suzanne Wrack on the choices to be made. The biggest questions are around who will start at No 10, with Fran Kirby, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone in contention, which of Demi Stokes and Rachel Daly will play at left-back and who will start at centre-forward or is back-up to Ellen White should she not be ready after a week out [with Covid]. Asked whether Arsenal’s Beth Mead could be deployed as a No 9, after England’s top scorer under Wiegman drifted in from the wing to great effect against the Netherlands last Friday, Wiegman replied with a smile: “That’s a very good question.”England are in a good place at the moment. They’ve won their last five games – against Germany, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands – to the cumulative tune of 26-2. Given that the Dutch, the reigning European champions, were swatted aside 5-1 in Leeds last week, and that Wiegman doesn’t think Switzerland “will have the level of the Netherlands”, England will look upon today’s match as an opportunity to fill their boots ahead of the big event. Then again, the Swiss have Ramona Bachmann in their ranks, and when the star turn of the 2018 Women’s FA Cup final is on her game, anything is possible. Kick off is at 5pm in Zurich. It’s on! | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Deebo Samuel has become, quite literally, a jack of all trades for the San Francisco 49ers. He caught, rushed for, and threw a touchdown in the same game in Week 18.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Samuel had been used in the backfield in San Fran before, notching 22 carries in his first two seasons (22 games). But in 2021, he had 59 rushing attempts, and made good use of them, running for 365 yards and eight touchdowns (he scored 14 all year, not including his passing TD).Rumors circulated, however, that Samuel was upset with his backfield usage, and that played a role into his contract disputes and trade rumors.But after inking a three-year deal worth over $70 million on Sunday, he dismissed that notion after speaking with reporters on Tuesday. Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts with teammates Kyle Juszczyk #44 and George Kittle #85 after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)DEEBO SAMUEL, 49ERS AGREE TO THREE-YEAR EXTENSION: REPORTS"That's false," Samuel said, via Bleacher Report. "There's a lot of things that came out that I want to speak on, but at the end of the day, I wasn't allowed to. I mean, you can turn on the tape, go back to the Cowboys game. It kind of shows what kind of player I am. And also, I mean, you can go turn on the Pro Bowl tape and like, what I said about being a wide back, I don’t mind doing whatever it takes for this team to win."Samuel led the team in both receiving and rushing touchdowns last year, marking himself as one of — if not, the most — dynamic players in the NFL.Samuel is now the definition of the new fad "wide back," and he made it know he's okay with it.Samuel even scoffed at the rumors back in April."To real to entertain half the stuff y’all be saying but it do be funny though," Samuel ttweeted at the time, "everybody want they voice to be heard about a situation they know nothing about and just be saying whatever the next person say. Have a blessed day." Jan 9, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPIf the 49ers want to get back to the NFC Championship, they will need Samuel to be the successful wide back he was last year — which probably won't be an issue. | Football |
Earlier this year, at the famed La Romareda stadium in Zaragoza, Spain, EA Sports organised two football matches, one for male pro players and one for females. During these competitive 90-minute fixtures, all participants, including subs and officials, wore advanced Xsens motion capture suits that recorded their every movement, shot, tackle and celebration. Involving more than 70 people it was, according to gameplay producer Sam Rivera, the largest number of players ever motion-captured in a single session.Every year, the developers of Fifa tell us that their key aim is authenticity. This year, Fifa 23 – the final product of EA Sports and Fifa’s 30-year partnership – is about making key moments more intelligible, detailed and dramatic, zooming in ever closer to the action at pitch level. That grand Zaragoza mo-cap session provided 10m frames of animation – twice as much match capture as Fifa 22 – allowing for more than 6,000 authentic player animations, a wealth of which are female-specific.Fifa 23 - Vini Jr v Lores. Photograph: Electronic ArtsThat data has also been fed through Hypermotion 2, EA Sports’ machine learning engine, which uses the mo-cap data to create new, highly authentic animations on the fly, seamlessly filling in the gaps between mo-cap moments. This should mean smoother, more controllable movement on the ball. “Dribbling is getting more responsive,” says Rivera. “The personality of the players really shines through. We got the feedback in Fifa 22 that dribbling felt slidey; players were skating sometimes when turning. With the new system, they’re a lot more grounded, turning feels good, and the steps in between every single dribble touch are created by the algorithm. This means every step matches the path, creating better visuals.”The designers are also enhancing dribbling’s defensive counter-action: jockeying. The machine learning system has been trained to detect which player is between the advancing player and the goal, and then governs their movements. They’ll usually approach the attacker from an angle rather than face-to-face, letting them tackle effectively. “They even put their hands behind their backs when they’re inside the box,” enthuses Rivera.Players will accelerate differently, too: controlled, lengthy or explosive. This means a player such as Erling Haaland or Vinícius Júnior will burst away at speed, but will then slow more quickly, while someone with lengthy acceleration such as Virgil van Dijk won’t be quite as quick off the mark, but will gain speed. The idea is to break up the predictability of one-on-ones: it’ll no longer be quite as clear who’ll get to a loose ball first, or who will outrun an opponent down the wing.Another new feature is the power shot: when players hit both bumpers while pressing the shoot button, the game brings up power and positioning options for a controlled, pinpoint strike. “It’s a risk v reward system,” says gameplay design director, Kantcho Doskov. “You can try it at any time, but if there’s a defender nearby, they’re going to tackle you. You really have to carve out that space, and even when you do, you have to aim precisely. Aiming at the top corner of the goal takes a bit of skill! When I try power shots, most of the time I don’t score, but it’s fun to test the keeper. And sometimes, just because the shot is so powerful, he’s forced to parry the goal back to my striker, who taps it in.”Elsewhere, EA is telling us to expect redesigned set-pieces, with aiming on the right analogue stick, aided by a preview projection line – and defenders can now lie behind the wall to block low shots. And impact physics have been improved, so a player’s foot might be knocked sideways by a ball travelling at velocity, affecting their touch. The virtual grass now has individual blades, and the surface degrades as the match goes on: sliding tackles and knee-slide celebrations will tear up the turf, leaving scars that remain for the whole game. “At the moment, it’s purely visual,” says senior art director, Fab Muoio.” But we’ve had discussions about whether or not it will impact play and that’s something we’ll think about in the future.”Fifa 23 - Signal Iduna Park. Photograph: Electronic ArtsMuoio talks a lot about drawing inspiration from modern TV broadcast aesthetics. “Just look at the real-world use of drone cameras,” he says. ”I saw some footage from the Etihad of a drone shot going all the way through the concourse and the stadium. It looks amazing, like CG.“We also reworked our out-of-play cameras to make them look a lot nicer when you have a corner kick, throw-in or goal kick: we’ve adjusted the depth of field and the composition, just to have the player pop a little bit more from the background. It looks more in line with what you see in modern broadcast football, with that heavy depth of field.”An early beta demo shows all of these new details in action. Playing as Manchester City, you see the fast, insightful runs of Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne and the amazing shot-stopping capabilities of Emerson Palmieri. Attempting a power shot with Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio gives you a real sense of his strength and accuracy. There’s also a beautiful moment of animation fluidity when Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus turns and volleys in a crowded box, arching the ball into the top left corner. A couple of hours of play show up more diversity of movement and interaction between players, and although the pace is similar to Fifa 22, it feels like there are a few more milliseconds available to line up ambitious passes.EA Sports has some big changes coming to Career mode, including interactive match highlights, which let you play the key moments from important matches instead of the whole game, making for a snappier, more dramatic narrative. There are announcements to come about the ever-popular but also hugely controversial Ultimate Team mode. EA has stated that it will not be abandoning the “loot box”-style random player packs that underpin the mode, even though several countries have either banned or are considering bans on them. Whatever EA does to improve this part of the game, including making it easier to progress without purchasing packs, the ethical quandary of the loot box will cast a long shadow over the entire game.Work is progressing, too, on EA Sports’ post-Fifa future, which will arrive in 2024 as the awkwardly-titled EA Sports FC. It’s clear that Fifa itself is going to struggle to commission a new football sim that will get anywhere close to EA’s game in quality and detail. The development team views Fifa 23 as a good indication of where things are heading. “You can see by the amount of content this year: we want more, we want to continue going big,” says Rivera. “We’re excited about 2024 and what’s coming. There are a lot of opportunities. Responsiveness, visuals, authenticity – are what will take us there.”He’ll only give up one specific detail: the use of machine learning animation, currently confined to very specific areas of the game, is likely to expand as EA moves into the next era of its simulation. There is a dedicated AI coding team at EA’s Vancouver studio that have been working on this tech for several years, and if this year’s implementations go down well, we might soon see the end of scripted animations. “I can’t talk about the details of where it’s going because these are huge future features, but the potential that we’re seeing is crazy,” says Rivera. “We can see how machine learning can take over animation in the future.”It still feels kind of surreal that this is the end for Fifa as we know it. A game that began on the Mega Drive with its blocky, stylised sprites and electronically simulated crowd noises, now features lifelike motion captures taken from genuine matches, and an intelligent animation system that mimics the behaviours of real-life players. Fifa has been loved and loathed; it has seen off one great rival – the Pro Evolution Soccer series – and will soon compete against whatever licensed products Fifa can pitch against it. In embracing the women’s game, it’s doing the right thing at the right moment, while at the same time, its insistence on retaining the loot box lottery of Ultimate Team will ensure that controversy as well as fandom will follow it into the future. But that, after all, is football. | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - August 13, 2022 Newcastle United's Dan Burn in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Tariq Lamptey REUTERS/Toby Melville Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBRIGHTON, England, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Brighton & Hove Albion were thwarted by two goal-line clearances as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle United in their Premier League clash at a sun-drenched Amex Stadium on Saturday.With temperatures soaring to more than 30 degrees Celsius on England's south coast, the game got off to a flying start as Brighton pinned back the visitors for the first 10 minutes before Newcastle started to hit back with lightning-quick counter attacks.Solli March looked to have given Brighton the lead in the 33rd minute but fullback Kieran Trippier was on hand to clear the ball off the line, with replays showing that most of the ball was over the line.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comGoalkeeper Nick Pope made a brilliant save early in the second half, clawing away Adam Lallana's header after Brighton's attacking midfielder was left unmarked in the box.Tempers boiled over in the 57th minute though, as Joelinton and Solli March got involved in a shoving match down by the corner flag, with both players getting shown the yellow card.The water break shortly afterwards - introduced this weekend due to scorching temperatures - was well-earned following a goalmouth scramble that saw Brighton go close, only for Newcastle to zip up the other end on the counter in a move stopped by a last-ditch tackle on Miguel Almiron.Newcastle continued to threaten on the break and from set pieces, but it was Brighton who went closest to breaking the deadlock, forcing a number of saves from Pope and a goal-line clearance from Fabian Schaer as the game finished scoreless.After winning their opening league fixtures last weekend, the draw leaves both sides on four points.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Clare Fallon and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
The Women’s Super League attendance record is set to be smashed on Saturday with more than 51,000 tickets sold for Arsenal’s derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.The record of 38,262 was set in the reverse fixture in 2019 when the league experienced a boost from England having reached a World Cup semi-final the preceding summer.This summer the Arsenal centre-back and England captain Leah Williamson implored fans who had followed the team’s triumphant Euros journey to come to WSL matches. “We’ve brought everybody together,” she shouted into the camera. “We’ve got people at games. We want them to come to the Women’s Super League – the legacy of this team will be the start of the journey.”The message was heard loud and clear at Arsenal. “We’ve followed Leah’s lead,” says the chief commercial officer, Juliet Slot, who was at Wembley as Williamson lifted the trophy and her clubmate Beth Mead won the golden ball and golden boot. “We thought: ‘Right, come on, we too, as a club, have to tell people we want them to come.’”Arsenal are one of four WSL clubs playing in their club’s main stadium this weekend, meaning the combined attendance for a round of matches is also poised to be smashed. Liverpool play Everton at Anfield, Brighton take on Reading at the Amex and Leicester face Aston Villa at the King Power where they host all their games.Arsenal were one of the last WSL sides to host a league fixture in their main stadium but have committed to playing six games there this season and have given season-ticket holders for the men’s team the chance to bolt those on. Slot says the decision to move the matches was taken before she started last December and that it reflects a women’s football strategy at Arsenal to invest in players, facilities and marketing.“Part of the reason that I was brought into Arsenal is that I’m used to selling tickets,” she says. “Premier League football clubs don’t traditionally have to really work very hard to sell tickets. I have come in from racing, where you have to work very hard for every single ticket, even at Royal Ascot. So, one of the things I have said is that we need a different mindset and mentality and capability to sell tickets to a new audience.“We’ve invested in those other areas and the final piece of the jigsaw was me coming in and going: ‘This is how we can commercialise it.’ Because ultimately, we want it to be sustainable. We want our women’s teams to be making a profit and to be filling stadiums.”How, though, have the club reached more than 50,000 ticket sales, climbing tantalisingly close to the 1921 record for a domestic women’s game of 53,000 with tickets still on sale and walk-ups available?Last season at the 60,260-capacity Emirates, 8,705 fans watched Arsenal’s curtain-raiser against Chelsea, 13,438 came to the Champions League tie against Barcelona and 5,018 attended the Champions League quarter-final against Wolfsburg. The north London derby was also due to take place there on 26 March but was postponed after a Covid outbreak at Tottenham. Arsenal had been on course for a crowd of more than 15,000.Much of the increased momentum can be attributed to the Euros win, but being ready for that momentum really allowed Arsenal to capitalise. “We thought the England team would do well, and it was great that they won, but we’d already put in place a plan,” Slot says. “We do our budgeting in January-February of each year. So we had planned that this game would be at the Emirates, that we would put a certain amount of marketing spend behind it and that I would put a team together.”Last season Slot had one person working full-time and one part-time on the Tottenham game at the Emirates. Now, a women’s steering group covers every area and pulls in the communications and operations teams. “You mustn’t just say: ‘If you build it, they will come,’” Slot says. “You’ve got to keep telling people about the opportunity. The key message this week is that tickets are available even on walk-up, which you would never assume for a men’s game. So it’s about educating the audience.”Arsenal fans show their support for the Women’s team. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PAOnly about 100 tickets have been given away through the club’s community programme. “You find that lots of people take the tickets and then don’t turn up,” Slot says. “So, I’m very aware that you need to put a value on the experience.”Clubs are learning from one another and sharing successes. Connecting with Barcelona after back-to-back record crowds at the Camp Nou is “on the agenda” for Slot. She acknowledges there is “a lot of work to do” and says: “We’re talking and working with all the other clubs that are really focusing on women’s football and trying to sustainably grow the game together.” | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Tom Brady reflected on Rob Gronkowski’s career as the tight end announced for the second time he will be retiring from the NFL.Brady posted a tribute to his longtime teammate on his Instagram account. Together, Brady and Gronkowski won four Super Bowl titles, and the quarterback threw the tight end 84 touchdown passes in the playoffs — the most for any duo in postseason history.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Tom Brady #12 and Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talk before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 28, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)"Teammate, friend, brother, just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of @gronk. Nobody has ever embodied the idea of ‘leaving it all out on the field’ like Rob has throughout his entire career. Every single snap, I knew that no matter how many people you put in front of him, he was going to get to his spot," Brady wrote on Instagram."Even more important is the person he was off the field. Focused when he had to be, and FUN the rest of the time. Having Gronk in your locker room was every NFL players dream. I’m proud of all that we’ve accomplished together, and even more excited for all you have ahead of you."Congrats Gronk, you deserve it."ROB GRONKOWSKI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM THE NFL Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots reacts with Tom Brady #12 after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)Gronkowski was a second-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2010. In his second season, he led the NFL with 17 touchdown catches and his emergence started to change the way NFL teams utilize tight ends.He would play in 115 games for the Patriots, catching 521 passes for 7,861 yards and scoring 79 touchdowns. He would call it quits after the 2018 season, citing injury concerns.However, once Tom Brady ditched the Patriots for the Buccaneers before the 2020 season, it was enough for Gronkowski to come out of retirement to play in Tampa Bay.He would help the Buccaneers get to the Super Bowl during that year and would score two touchdowns in the game to give Tampa Bay their second title in franchise historyLast season, Gronkowski only played in 12 games due to an injury, and Tampa Bay didn’t make it to the Super Bowl after winning a division title. In this Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87), left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrate together after the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHe finishes his career with 92 touchdowns and 621 catches for 9,286 yards. His touchdown catches are third-most all-time among tight ends, and his receiving yards is fifth-most all-time among tight ends. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Football |
The Arizona Cardinals missed a potential game-tying field goal at the end of regulation Sunday, and the Philadelphia Eagles remained unbeaten with a 20-17 victory.Kyler Murray and the Cardinals were driving down the field with a chance to either tie the game or win it late in the fourth quarter. With 22 seconds left, Murray spiked the ball to allow Matt Ammendola to try a game-tying field goal to force overtime. But the kick went wide right, and the Eagles rejoiced knowing they remain the lone undefeated team in the NFL. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles signals a first down after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ star quarterback, had two QB sneaks at the Cardinals’ goal line to score two rushing touchdowns. He also threw for 239 yards on 26-for-36 passing.Murray finished the game with 250 yards on 28-for-42 passing with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 42 yards on four attempts. Philly’s first drive of the day culminated in a short touchdown from Hurts, as the Eagles went 11 plays and 64 yards to take a quick lead. Though they couldn’t capitalize on Murray’s interception in the first quarter, Hurts’ next drive ended in another touchdown for a 14-0 lead. EAGLES' JALEN HURTS LECTURES MEDIA OVER LACK OF CARDINALS QUESTIONS: ‘LET’S NOT SET THE PRECEDENT FOR THAT'But the Cardinals didn’t give up. Murray found Marquise Brown for a 25-yard touchdown in the second quarter to get on the board. A field goal by Ammendola narrowed the gap to 14-10 at halftime. Matt Ammendola (15) of the Arizona Cardinals misses a potential game-tying field goal during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)A fourth quarter score, a rush by Eno Benjamin, tied the game at 17. But Hurts orchestrated a 17-play drive right after that, ending in an Eagles’ field goal that proved to be the game-winner. After a big week last week, Eagles running back Miles Sanders ran for 58 yards on 15 carries. Hurts led the way rushing for Philadelphia with 61 yards. SUPER BOWL CHAMP LEGARRETTE BLOUNT THROWS PUNCHES AT YOUTH FOOTBALL GAME, POLICE SAYDallas Goedert, the versatile tight end for Philly, led the charge in the air with 95 yards on eight catches, while DeVonta Smith had 87 yards on 10 receptions. The Eagles are 5-0 for the first time since 2004. They reached the Super Bowl that season, led by quarterback Donovan McNabb, though they lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Philadelphia has a tough task next week, facing the Dallas Cowboys, who won their fourth straight game led by quarterback Cooper Rush. Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles drops back to pass against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Cardinals will look to bounce back against the Seahawks next week. Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - August 14, 2022 Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi in action with West Ham United's Lukasz Fabianski REUTERS/Craig BroughRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comNOTTINGHAM, England, Aug 14 (Reuters) - A first-half goal from Taiwo Awoniyi was enough to earn Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday, their first victory of the new Premier League season as the City Ground played host to top-flight soccer for the first time since 1999.On his home debut, Awoniyi scored Forest's first Premier League goal in 23 years in first half stoppage time by bundling home Jesse Lingard's miscued shot from Harry Toffolo's cross moments after West Ham had a goal disallowed by VAR.Said Benrahma had slotted past on-loan Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson following a West Ham counter but the goal was chalked off after Michail Antonio was adjudged to have fouled Orel Mangala in the build-up.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comForest also had a goal disallowed after a VAR check when Brennan Johnson was ruled offside in the 54th minute, while Henderson saved a penalty from West Ham captain Declan Rice around 10 minutes later to preserve the hosts' slender lead.Tomas Soucek's shot was blocked by the slightly extended arm of Forest defender Scott McKenna, resulting in a penalty for the visitors after a VAR replay. Rice's effort, dragged low to his left, was saved superbly by Henderson.In the closing stages, Forest full back Neco Williams cleared Kurt Zouma's header off the line as Steve Cooper's side saw out seven minutes of stoppage time to pick up their first points of the campaign.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad
Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Soccer Football - LaLiga - RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - Visit Mallorca Stadium, Palma, Mallorca, Spain - October 1, 2022 RCD Mallorca's Antonio Raillo in action with FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski REUTERS/Vincent WestOct 1 (Reuters) - In-form Robert Lewandowski scored again to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at Mallorca in LaLiga on Saturday.The hosts were the better side, creating several good opportunities but goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen was flawless, making brilliant saves to deny Jaume Costa, Antonio Sanchez and Kang-In Lee.Barcelona, however, made the most of what was their only clear scoring opportunity that they had thanks to the genius of Lewandowski.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comThe Polish striker secured Barca's points in the 20th minute when he sped into the area, made a brilliant cut inside to clear a defender and slotted the ball to the goalkeeper's left.Lewandowski, who joined Barca from Bayern Munich in July, became the first player to score in six consecutive LaLiga weeks since Ruud van Nistelrooy with Real Madrid in the 2006-07 season.It was the Pole's ninth goal of the season, and eighth in the league. No player has scored eight goals in his first seven LaLiga games since Christian Vieri with Atletico Madrid in 1997.Barcelona’s victory lifted them to the top of the table on 19 points, one ahead of Real Madrid who have a game in hand and host Osasuna on Sunday aiming to restore their lead.Mallorca are 10th in the standings on eight points after seven games."It's a pity playing such a complete game like we did against one of the best teams in the world and not being able to go out with at least a point," Mallorca left back Jaume Costa told Movistar Plus.Barca manager Xavi Hernandez had a major headache in selecting his matchday squad after several key players reported back from international duty nursing injuries.Xavi gave teenager Ansu Fati his second start of the season and his first in the league. The 19-year-old, fighting his way back from four surgeries to repair an injury to his left knee suffered in late 2020, started the move that led to Barca's goal, stealing the ball on the left and passing to Lewandowski.But it was Ter Stegen who was responsible for Barca coming away with a win.He made a magnificent stop with his right knee in the 35th minute, denying a close range first-touch strike from Jaume Costa.Mallorca kept pressing after the break and the German keeper was once again there to stop an equaliser, deflecting an Antonio Sanchez shot from inside the box. He showed up again just before the final whistle to deny Kang-In Lee and secure the three points."It's hard to go back from the international break, we struggled but it's good that we came out with the win," Ter Stegen told Movistar Plus."It doesn't matter the score or how we got it, the win is what is important."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Fernando Kallas
Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Steven Gilmore returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter and Khalan Labron ran for 163 yards as Marshall shocked No. 8 Notre Dame 26-21 Saturday, making Marcus Freeman the first Fighting Irish coach to lose his first three games.Gilmore, the brother of Stephon Gilmore of the Indianapolis Colts, picked off a pass by Tyler Buchner with 4:35 left, raced to the end zone and then jumped into the stands where Marshall fans were already celebrating the victory.Marshall (2-0), the first Sun Belt Conference team to play at Notre Dame Stadium, beat a team ranked in the top 10 for just the second time in school history. The Thundering Herd beat No. 6 Kansas State 27-20 in 2003.Freeman, the 36-yeard-old first-time head coach who was promoted after Brian Kelly left for LSU, had lost a bowl game to Oklahoma State and at Ohio State last week. This one will go down much differently to hopeful Notre Dame fans.The Irish had a streak of 42 straight wins against unranked opponents snapped.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Steven Gilmore #3 of the Marshall Thundering Herd celebrates an interception that he returned for a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 10, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)The Herd took a 19-15 lead with 5:16 remaining when Henry Colombi completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Devin Miller. The score was set up by a 42-yard run by Laborn, who broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and juked Irish safety Brandon Joseph before breaking free.Any hope for a comeback by the Irish (0-2) ended when Owen Porter intercepted a pass by backup Irish quarterback Drew Pyne with three minutes remaining. Pyne threw a TD pass with 14 second left to cut the lead to five points.Colombi was 16-of-21 passing for 145 yards and the Thundering Herd rushed for 221 yards on 49 carries.The Irish, who struggled offensively a week earlier in a 21-10 loss to Ohio State with a play-it-safe, ball-control game plan, opened the playbook against the Herd but still struggled to get much going.Buchner was 18-of-32 passing for 201 yards with two interceptions. Buchner also led the Irish in rushing with 44 yards on 13 carries, Michael Mayer had eight catches for 103 yards. Marshall defensive back Micah Abraham celebrates a sacks against Notre Dame during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 2 PREVIEW: TEXAS WELCOMES NO. 1 ALABAMA TO AUSTIN, TOP 25 SEC BATTLE IN GAINESVILLEThe Irish grabbed a 15-12 lead early in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run up by Buchner. He then kept it and ran wide right for the 2-point conversion. But the Irish couldn’t mount much of an offense after that.Two plays with a little over eight minutes left in the third quarter epitomized Notre Dame’s struggles. On third-and-2 from the Notre Dame 47, the Irish couldn’t get the first down on two carries by Audric Estime, coming up 6 inches short as the line couldn’t get much push.That led to a drive by the Thundering Herd, highlighted by a backward pass by Colombi to Talik Keaton along the left sideline for a 30-yard gain but the drive stalled after Cam Fancher took over at quarterback for Colombi. Marshall drove to the 4-yard line before settling for a 20-yard field goal to go ahead 12-7.THE TAKEAWAYMarshall: Second-year coach Charles Huff, a former Alabama and Penn State assistant, assembled a roster heavy on Power Five transfers such as Labron from Florida State for the school's first season in the Sun Belt. It paid off with one of the biggest victories in school history.Notre Dame: The Irish offense showed it still has a lot of work to do, and the honeymoon period for Freeman is probably over.POLL IMPLICATIONSThe respect the Irish gained by playing Ohio State won't be enough to overcome this poor showing. Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish walks off the field after losing to the Marshall Thundering Herd 26-21 at Notre Dame Stadium on September 10, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPNEXT UPMarshall: The Thundering Herd play at Bowling Green on Saturday, their first meeting since 2010.Notre Dame: The Irish will wear green jerseys when they host Cal on Saturday. It will be the first time the Irish have worn green since 2018. The Irish were 4-0 wearing green during the Brian Kelly era — and will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak in them this time. | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Mitchell Schwartz announced his retirement from football Thursday.Schwartz, who started his career with the Cleveland Browns before joining the Kansas City Chiefs, made his announcement on Twitter."It’s been almost two years since I injured my back. I had surgery last February and have been doing rehab ever since. I’m currently feeling as good as I have since then, but it’s clear my body won’t ever be the same." Schwartz wrote. "Winning the Super Bowl was the pinnacle of my career. My 7,894 consecutive snaps streak and 4 All-Pro nominations are my proudest individual accomplishments, far exceeding my own expectations.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Mitchell Schwartz, center, of the Kansas City Chiefs prepares to block Von Miller of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter of their NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 15, 2019. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)"My last thank you is to Kansas City, and all the Chiefs fans. Being a Chief is so much more than putting on a red jersey. It has been a privilege to represent you on and off the field."Schwartz played college football at the University of California and started all 51 of the team's games from 2008-2011. He was named second-team All-Pac-10 as a junior and All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Academic as a senior. The standout tackle was drafted in the second round by the Browns in 2012 and signed with Kansas City as a free agent after the 2015 season. TOM BRADY REVEALS HE HAS NOT TALKED TO TRUMP IN ‘A LOT OF YEARS’ The Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes congratulates Mitchell Schwartz after a first-quarter touchdown in the AFC Championship game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 19, 2020. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)Schwartz was a four-time All-Pro selection and won the 2019 Super Bowl with the Chiefs. He had a remarkable ironman streak of 7,894 consecutive snaps played. Schwartz never missed a game until he was injured during the 2020 season. He started 134 regular season games in his career, along with seven playoff games. During that postseason run, Schwartz did not surrender a sack and only allowed one pressure on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs talks on the sidelines with fellow players Daniel Kilgore, left, and Mitchell Schwartz during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M and T Bank Stadium n Baltimore on Sept. 28, 2020. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)The 33-year-old said he and his wife, Brooke, will be staying in Kansas City long-term because of the bond he formed with the city. "I am forever a Chief and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be," he said. Fox News' Ryan Canfield contributed to this report. This article was written by Fox News staff. | Football |
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2022 - England Training - The Lensbury, Teddington, Britain - July 30, 2022 England's Leah Williamson during training REUTERS/Lisi NiesnerRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comJuly 30 (Reuters) - The women's European Championship final between England and Germany is a "fairytale fixture" given the history between the teams, England captain Leah Williamson said on Saturday.Hosts England and eight-times champions Germany will play at a sold-out Wembley stadium on Sunday, meeting for the second time in the Euro final after the Germans won 6-2 in 2009.The men's teams also met at Wembley in the 1966 World Cup final, which England won after scoring a goal that was deemed to have crossed the line but is still disputed by many Germans.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"I think it's a good narrative for you guys," Williamson told reporters."It's a fairytale fixture with the history behind it."You would never expect to get to a final without playing the best team in the tournament and the journey that both of us have been on, you've got the two teams that have had the best tournaments."'NEW START'Around 90,000 fans are expected to attend Sunday's final, which would mark a new all-time attendance record for a Euro final tournament match.The current attendance record for a Euros game – men's or women's – was set at the 1964 men's final between Spain and the Soviet Union, which was played in front of 79,115 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.Last year's men's Euro final between England and Italy at Wembley was attended by a reduced-capacity of 67,000 spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic."I think this has felt unachievable for a very long time for people that have come before me," Williamson added."That's a nice reflection moment tomorrow that there will be so many people filling the stadium with an interest in women's football, that have the opportunity to watch it because it has been made available. Not so long ago that was not the case."Regardless of the result, Williamson hoped that the growing interest from fans would start a fresh beginning for the women's game."What we have seen in the tournament already is that this has not been just a change for women's football, but society in general, how we are being looked upon," she said."Tomorrow is not the end of the journey, but the start of one... when we look back on this tournament as a whole, we have really started something."'PHYSICAL GAME'The Lionesses are looking to win the tournament for the first time, having reached the final twice, in 2009 and 1984.Asked if they can go all the way and make up for the men's team's Euro final defeat by Italy in 2021, coach Sarina Wiegman said: "I don't think we should compare men and women, it's just one England."I don't think there is any difference."Wiegman is fully aware of the magnitude of the rivalry between England and Germany, but added that despite the pressure, there was a sense of calm within her squad.The Dutchwoman expects a "physical" game from the Germans."I think at some point it might be a little physical. Germany can play very direct, physical and straightforward. That's what we expect," Wiegman added."We did see some things that we might want to exploit but we'll see that tomorrow."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group D - Tottenham Hotspur v Eintracht Frankfurt - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 12, 2022 Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their third goal with Harry Kane, Emerson Royal, Ryan Sessegnon and Richarlison REUTERS/Dylan MartinezOct 15 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte said he had doubts that fielding three strikers in Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Richarlison could disrupt the Premier League club's balance but was happy to be proven wrong by the trio's selflessness.Kane, Son and Richarlison have scored a combined 16 goals across all competitions this season for Spurs, who are third in the league on 20 points after nine matches, four points off leaders Arsenal.Conte, who has picked the three forwards in six of Spurs' last eight games, said their contributions in front of goal were valuable but also highlighted their willingness to help out defensively.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"I think when we play with three strikers, you have to know that your type of game is more direct. Not with a lot of possession because you have three strikers, only two midfielders," Conte told reporters ahead of Spurs' league game at home to Everton."Honestly, at the start, I had some doubts about the balance to put three strikers like Richy, Harry and Sonny, because you know very well you have to attack, but at the same time it's important to have a good balance if you want to be competitive."When it happened, I had always a great answer ... because we are talking about three strikers, but three strikers who work a lot for the team. They give us a lot of potential offensively, but at the same time, defensively, we have a good balance."Spurs have won all their four home games this season and will be hoping to maintain their record when they host Everton, who are 12th on 10 points.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2022 - Final - England v Germany - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 31, 2022 England manager Sarina Wiegman celebrates winning the Women's Euro 2022 final after the match REUTERS/Molly DarlingtonRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - England have changed society with their win in the Women's European Championship, coach Sarina Wiegman said after leading the Lionesses to their first ever major title on Sunday, which sparked scenes of jubilation up and down the country.Wiegman's side beat eight-time champions Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley Stadium in front of a record crowd (87,912) in a tournament that smashed records from one week to the next and garnered huge media coverage in Europe.The entire attendance record for a Women's Euros was beaten halfway through the tournament in England and the host nation were ever-present on the front pages of newspapers as they reached their third major final, finally getting over the line.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"I think we really made a change. I think this tournament has done so much for the game but also for society and women in society in England but I also think in Europe and across the world and I hope that will make a (bigger) change too," Wiegman told a news conference shortly after it had been interrupted by the team coming in, dancing and singing around her."It's really, really nice to see what we saw today when we came into the stadium how enthusiastic everyone was and how the fans have stood behind us."Wiegman led her native Netherlands to the previous Euros title in 2017 and took over England in September last year, transforming the side into a winning machine, as they have not lost yet under the Dutchwoman.They came into the tournament as heavy favourites but among a crowded field and were put to the test by serial winners Germany, who came back from a goal down in a physically demanding final to take it to extra time.However, it was one of Wiegman's astute substitutions, an ever present of England's run to the final, Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly, who popped up with the winning goal.PARTY FIRSTThe coach conceded that expectations were tremendously high for England.They had not tasted success in either men's or women's football since the 1966 men's World Cup final, an extra-time win over West Germany ata time when women's football was banned in England.But she would not be drawn on whether they could now push on to challenge for the World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand next year, insisting now was the time to let their hair down."So, now we won the Euros now the expectations will go through the roof again! First, we’ve got to party. We are really proud of ourselves of how we accomplished it. We have all seen the development of this game has gone so fast that many countries could win this tournament," she said."It's not easy to win this tournament. And that’s going to be the same at the World Cup next year... But now it’s time to party and then we will have some time off and then we’re going to prepare for the World Cup qualification and then the World Cup and hopefully we’ll do well."Wiegman suffered tragedy in the build-up to the Euros with the death of her sister in June. She was seen kissing her arm after the final whistle and said it was in tribute to her sibling."I’m kissing this little armband (bracelet), it was my sister’s and she passed away during the build-up to the tournament," Wiegman said. "I think she was here she was in the crossbar. She would have been here, she would have been really proud of me and I am proud of her too."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Christian Radnedge
Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
The kicker competition is officially a go.One week after agreeing to terms, former CFL All-Star kicker Lirim Hajrullahu joined the Cowboys on Friday. He arrived in Dallas a day earlier to complete the signing process. Linebacker Christian Sam also was signed to the 90-man roster.The Cowboys had an empty roster, so only one corresponding move was required.They placed linebacker Devante Bond, who suffered a right knee injury on May 25 during organized team activities, on injured reserve.Harullahu, 32, will compete in training camp and the preseason with Jonathan Garibay, an undrafted rookie from Texas Tech.The New England Patriots drafted Sam during the sixth round in 2018. After missing his rookie year to injury, he spent much of 2019 on the practice squad for the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. He played in the USFL last year for the Tampa Bay Bandits and New Orleans Breakers.Sam is an Allen High alumnus, so he’ll have to adjust to playing North Texas home-game football at humble AT&T Stadium.+++Related:Biggest question marks for Cowboys’ special teams linked by common threadFind more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here. | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Manchester United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - October 2, 2022 Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates with the match ball after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine MANCHESTER, England, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored hat-tricks to fire champions Manchester City to a rampant 6-3 thrashing of local rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.City put United to the sword in a ruthless display of attacking football in the first half at the Etihad Stadium, as the visitors, who had won their last four leagues games, were blown away by the champions.Foden got the scoring underway inside eight minutes, sweeping home Bernardo Silva's low cross, before Haaland headed his first in the 34th minute to put City in command.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comHaaland has made a mockery of settling into life in the Premier League and the Norwegian struck again in the 34th minute on the stretch before Foden added the fourth three minutes later.Big-money signing Antony curled a stunning strike into the net early in the second half to give United faint hope of a remarkable comeback, before Haaland fired home his 17th goal of an incredible season to notch up his third hat-trick in eight Premier League games.Foden completed his first Premier League treble to finish off the perfect afternoon for irresistible City, before United substitute Anthony Martial added a late consolation double to make the scoreline more respectable.Pep Guardiola's side moved to within a point of Arsenal at the top of the standings and a bruised United stayed sixth.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Peter Hall, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Published October 6, 2022 10:38AM 4 to Watch: The top North Texas high school football games for Week 7 Welcome to 4 to Watch, where each week we preview four of the top high school football games in DFW. Welcome to 4 to Watch, where each week we preview four of the top high school football games in DFW. Keller (5-0) vs. Southlake Carroll (5-0) A matchup of two undefeated teams in 6A District 4. Keller has seen huge improvement from last fall's 6-5 finish. The Dragons have lost 5 games total over the last four seasons. A win for the Indians would be one of the biggest in school history. Denton Ryan (4-1) vs. Burleson Centennial (5-0) We go to 5A Division 1, with Denton Ryan at Burleson Centennial. The Centennial Spartans are undefeated and have won their last three games by a combined score of 177 to 10, and somehow they are not ranked! If they can pull off a win over #3 Denton Ryan, they'll be ranked. Ryan has one loss, by one point. This is a huge game in the District 3 title race. The winner picks up a huge head-to-head tiebreaker, with Aledo lurking at 4-2. Saginaw Boswell (5-0) vs. North Crowley (5-0) Game 3 is another matchup of undefeated 6A teams: Saginaw Boswell at #24 North Crowley. It has been a breakout year for both programs. North Crowley has won this matchup two years in a row. Both teams have scored over 40 points in each of their last two wins. Whoever can reign in the other team's offense will likely stay undefeated. Mesquite Horn (4-2) vs. Mesquite (3-3) Game 4 is a very tight race in 6A District 10, a matchup between Mesquite Horn and Mesquite. Horn's only two losses came by a combined 7 points, but a loss is a loss and last week's defeat to Rockwall, by 3 points, puts a lot of pressure on the Jaguars in the district race. On the flipside, the Skeeters are 3-3 in the district, currently fourth in the standings. This game is crucial towards keeping hopes of a playoff berth alive. | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! South Carolina Gamecocks and the South Carolina State Bulldogs will play on Thursday night instead of Saturday due to Hurricane Ian. South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner said the approaching storm looked like it would impact the area by the weekend, making the move essential to keeping fans, officials and teams safe. The Gamecocks are seeking back-to-back wins in a season for the first time since coach Shane Beamer's first two games in his debut season a year ago. FCS opponent South Carolina State is looking for its first-ever win over an FBS program.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) scrambles away from Charlotte defensive lineman Amir Siddiq (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (Artie Walker Jr.)WHAT’S AT STAKE?South Carolina hopes to win back-to-back games in the same season for the first time since coach Shane Beamer's first two games leading the program in 2021. A win for South Carolina State would be a tremendous upset and the Bulldogs first win over an FCS team.WHY DID THE GAME MOVE?The game is being played Thursday instead of Saturday due to Hurricane Ian. South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner said the approaching storm looked like it would impact the area by the weekend, making the move essential to keeping fans, officials and teams safe.KEY MATCHUPSouth Carolina RB MarShawn Lloyd vs. South Carolina State's defense. Lloyd ran for a career-high 169 yards and three touchdowns last week in the 56-20 win over Charlotte. Look for the Gamecocks to stick to the ground to gain some confidence before jumping back into the Southeastern Conference at No. 7 Kentucky on Oct. 8. The Bulldogs are last in the MEAC, giving up 257 yards rushing a game this season.ARKANSAS' CAM LITTLE MISSES GAME-WINNING FIELD GOAL, KICK ATTEMPT HITS VERY TOP OF UPRIGHT South Carolina running back MarShawn Lloyd (1) looks for running room against Charlotte defensive back Valerian Agbaw (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 in Columbia, S.C. (Artie Walker Jr.)PLAYERS TO WATCHSouth Carolina State: LB B.J. Davis leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and is tied for sixth in the FCS with 33 tackles. He was named MEAC linebacker of the week after notching 17 tackles, including 12 solo stops, in the Bulldogs' loss to North Carolina A&T last week. South Carolina coach Shane Beamer questions a penalty call during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (Artie Walker Jr.)South Carolina: QB Spencer Rattler found his footing against Charlotte, throwing for 187 yards on 17-of-23 passing. Look for the Gamecocks to turn him loose more often this week with the Bulldogs allowing 217 yards and two TD passes a game this season.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFACTS & FIGURESSouth Carolina has lost three games to FCS opponents in its history, the last coming to The Citadel, 23-20, in 2015 after Steve Spurrier resigned midseason. ... South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough was a former Gamecocks assistant under Brad Scott and Lou Holtz before taking over the Bulldogs in 2002. ... Pough is the school's all-time leader in victories with a 144. ... South Carolina scored on their first eight possessions in the win over Charlotte, the most points produced in Shane Beamer's two seasons as coach. ... South Carolina State will receive $500,000 for coming to Williams-Brice Stadium. ... It could be a soggy Saturday as the game is likely to be impacted by Hurricane Ian's rainfall, forecast to move inland through the Southeast and reach the Palmetto State by the weekend. | Football |
Bend it like (Harper) Beckham! David looks every inch the doting dad as he shares a sweet clip of his daughter showing off her football skills while cheering on the Lionesses Published: 05:08 EDT, 1 August 2022 | Updated: 05:37 EDT, 1 August 2022 David Beckham looked every inch the doting dad on Sunday as he shared a sweet clip of his daughter Harper showing off her football skills before cheering on England’s Lionesses.The team were the pride of the nation yesterday after Chloe Kelly fired them into the history books after beating Germany at the Euros 2022 final 2-1.And before the match, the former Manchester United winger, 47, posted a clip of his 11-year-old daughter scoring a goal on Instagram, before sending a good luck message to the team. Duo: David Beckham looked every inch the doting dad on Sunday as he shared a sweet clip of his daughter Harper showing off her football skills before cheering on England’s LionessesA proud David commentated over the video: ‘Harper Beckham steps up to take the last minute free kick for the Lionesses,’As she effortlessly tapped the ball into the net while wearing a pair of bright yellow football boots, David cried: ‘She shoots! She scores!’ ‘Let’s go girls and bring that cup home!’ Harper then shouted at the camera.David went on to share a message for the Lionesses, telling them: ‘Hey girls, so I just want to say good luck for the final. Thank you for inspiring my daughter and thank you for inspiring the whole country. Bring that cup home!’ Sweet: The former Manchester United winger, 47, posted a clip of his 11-year-old daughter scoring a goal on Instagram, before sending a good luck message to the team As she effortlessly tapped the ball into the net while wearing a pair of bright yellow football boots, David cried: ‘She shoots! She scores!’ Beaming: ‘Let’s go girls and bring that cup home!’ Harper then shouted at the cameraYesterday's final was a tense 90 minutes with flying tackles and yellow cards peppering a highly-energetic match, watched by a record 87,192 in the stadium.The Queen led the praise, telling them in a statement 'You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations'.The result sent the Lionesses into raptures, with the victorious women storming into Sarina Wiegman's post-match press conference singing the Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds anthem Three Lions.The celebrations continued in the Wembley changing room as the players were seen dancing and laughing - enjoying their historic achievement. Congratulations! The team were the pride of the nation yesterday after Chloe Kelly fired them into the history books after beating Germany at the Euros 2022 final 2-1 From left: Ellie Roebuck, Rachel Daly and Beth Mead of England celebrate in the changing room with the Women's EURO 2022 TrophyIn a video message released before the semi-final, Beckham thanked them for inspiring his daughter Harper.'Hey, Lionesses, it's David here. I just wanted to send you a message, firstly to say congratulations on an incredible tournament so far, it's been so uplifting, it's been so exciting, and it's been so inspiring.''And for me personally, you know I have a daughter, so for her to be inspired by you girls and your performances has been incredible.'He continued: 'But it's not just the girls that are getting inspired, the boys are getting inspired as well by this and we all know that when big tournaments come around our country and our fans get behind us like no other. It really has uplifted the whole country.' Happy: Beckham was among the big names to wish England's Lionesses well ahead of their semi-final Advertisement | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Miami Hurricanes football has a new head coach calling the shots, and things are changing in Coral Gables. First-year head coach Mario Cristobal is nixing Miami’s famous ‘turnover chain,’ saying that the celebration is "not part of our culture," according to Action Network. Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal speaks to the media during the ACC Football Kickoff on July 21, 2022, at The Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. ((Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)The "turnover chain" has been placed around the neck of the Hurricanes player responsible for creating a takeaway since 2017 under head coach Mark Richt. The tradition continued under coach Manny Diaz who was fired in December after three years as head coach of the storied program.FLORIDA'S ANTHONY RICHARDSON EXPLAINS DROPPING ‘AR-15’ NICKNAME: ‘IT WAS PRETTY MUCH A BUSINESS DECISON’"It is not a shot or a form of disrespect to anybody or anyone," Cristobal told reporters at ACC Kickoff Football media days, according to The Athletic. "Certainly, history is history. And whether it's positive, whether it's inconsequential, whatever it may be, it's still history and a part of your program. We're just moving in a direction that right now doesn't involve (the chain)," Cristobal told reporters at the ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday.GAVIN NEWSOM DEMANDS EXPLANATION FROM UCLA ON BIG TEN MOVE"Put it this way, we've been working so hard and paying attention to so many other things that are, in my opinion, much more important to winning football games and having success that it really hasn't been a subject or a topic." Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau, #15, celebrates with the UM Turnover Chain after causing Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback David Moore, #2, to fumble and recovered the ball during the college football game between the Central Michigan Chippewas and the University of Miami Hurricanes on September 21, 2019 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Cristobal takes over an ACC program that has not won a bowl game since the 2016 season and that has won 10 games just twice since 2003. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe move away from the "turnover chain" comes mere weeks after the NCAA proposed that props no longer be allowed in celebrations outside the dugout in college baseball. Marcus Clarke, #28 of the Miami Hurricanes, celebrates with the turnover chain after recovering a fumble against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)The 2022 college baseball season saw celebrations all over the country, including at Virginia Tech where a sledgehammer was used after a home run and at Tennessee where players had a fur coat placed around their shoulders after going deep. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPCristobal enters his first year at Miami after four seasons at the University of Oregon, where he led the Ducks to two double-digit winning seasons. Joe Morgan is a Sports Reporter for Fox News. | Football |
New Jersey H.S. Football Player Sophomore Dies ... After Traumatic Head Injury During Game 9/22/2022 11:00 AM PT Xavier McClain -- a sophomore high school football player in New Jersey who suffered a traumatic head injury during a recent football game -- has died, the school tells TMZ Sports. "The Linden Public School district is deeply saddened by the tragic death of a Linden High School sophomore student," the school said in a statement. "The district extends its heartfelt condolences and will continue to offer prayers and support to the family during this difficult time." The district says they've made counseling available to any students and staff who want to talk to a professional. McClain was "critically injured" during a varsity football game on September 9th ... when Linden was taking on Woodbridge H.S. in Woodbridge. According to witnesses who were at the game, Xavier, in the second half, was returning a kickoff when the injury occurred. An ambulance was quickly brought onto the field, and play was temporarily halted. FYI, kickoffs are one of the most dangerous plays in football. In fact, there's been a push by some to eliminate the play from the sport. Derek Armstead, the mayor of Linden, asked the community for prayers for Xavier's parents, Lisa and Norman, as they grieve the tragic loss of their son. "At this time, the best way to help them and Xavier is for every one of you to pray," Armstead wrote in a social media post. "If you can, stop what you are doing for a minute right now and join me in a moment of silence and prayers." Armstead -- who's known Xavier and his parents for years -- said the news "hurts," adding, "I trust that God knows better." "HE needed an angel and decided to call Xavier home to be with HIM," Armstead wrote. "I asked that you continue to keep the family in your prayers." R.I.P. | Football |
Eva Simpson is thrilled with England's success in this summer's tournament, but says something needs to be done to harness the moment and inspire young girls around the countryBend It Like Beckham plot seems even more outdated after our winTwenty years ago, a quintessentially British comedy burst on to the big screen. The plot revolved around a heroine who was forced to hide a deep dark secret from her parents. The secret she was keeping from them didn’t involve her sexuality, nor was she hiding an unexpected pregnancy. What was so shameful she couldn't tell her mum and dad? Simply that she’d joined a football team and was sneaking off to secretly play in matches. With the England’s Women’s team reaching the finals of the Euros on Sunday, the storyline of Bend It Like Beckham sounds – as good as the film was at the time – like something from the dark ages. Yes, there is still some way to go before the women’s game gets parity with the men’s in terms of what women players can earn and how many people watch when it’s not an international fixture. But the performance of the Lionesses on Tuesday has done an immeasurable job in closing the gap. Lucy Bronze of England celebrates scoring (
Image:
Getty Images) Watching women play football isn’t new in our house. When he was much younger, my son played Fifa on his games console and would regularly pick all-female squads. When I asked him why he said because they’re better and it’s more fun. And while that introduction may have been virtual, both of my boys have thoroughly enjoyed this summer’s tournament. But what I want to see more of is its influence on our young girls. It’s great that the idea of budding players sneaking off to play behind their parents’ back is nowadays laughable. But something must be done to harness this moment and to really support more young women playing the game. Of course, not every girl who plays will become a conquering Lioness. But how brilliant would it be if football, undoubtedly the most popular sport in the country if not the world, inspired girls as well as women across the country to take up the sport? A survey by Nuffield Health this week found that half of British women have not done vigorous exercise in the past 12 months, compared to 34% of men. Many said they lack motivation – I know I certainly have – while 55% said lack of time was also a barrier. That’s no surprise, especially as women with kids do the lion’s share of the work at home. On Sunday I’ll be keeping everything crossed that England go all the way and in the debrief afterwards the question of how the seeming lack of racial diversity will need to be addressed. But I sincerely hope it’s the start of a new love affair with women and girls and sport. We’ll all be the better for it. Read More Read More | Football |
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2022 - England Training - The Lensbury, Teddington, Britain - July 30, 2022 England manager Sarina Wiegman with the players during training REUTERS/Lisi NiesnerRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, July 30 (Reuters) - England's Lionesses have the chance to change soccer in the country forever when they take on Germany in the Women's Euro 2022 final at a sold-out Wembley Stadium on Sunday.That is according to former England player Karen Carney, who scored a goal the last time they reached the Euro final, suffering a 6-2 defeat by Germany in 2009.Since that chastening loss in a half-empty Helsinki Olympic Stadium against a Germany side years ahead in their evolution, the women's game in England has changed beyond all recognition.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBack then most of the home-based England were still part-timers, often needing to take time off their day job to train and most could walk through a crowded shopping centre unnoticed.Media coverage was almost non-existent.Not any more.Sarina Wiegman's ultra-professional squad are fast becoming household names with the country gripped by the skill and intensity of their football and their positive vibes both on and off the field.This week's 4-0 semi-final victory over Sweden was watched by a peak BBC TV audience 9.3 million viewers and that will most definitely be smashed on Sunday as the Lionesses try and become the first England team to win a major trophy for 56 years."In the 13 years since that final the game in England has changed beyond belief," Carney, who has forged a career as a regular pundit on the men's game, said in The Guardian."The players are no longer required to arrange training sessions in the park or go to the gym in their own time -- they are professional. Back then only a handful of players who had gone to America were full-time, including me."Now all the players are professional and the Women's Super League, which has helped change the landscape, is one of the best competitions in the world."All of England's top clubs have now jumped on the bandwagon and whereas female players were once forced to look for opportunities abroad, they can now earn big money at home.Lucy Bronze already has sponsorship deals with Nike and Visa and for the likes of top scorer Beth Mead, who plays for Arsenal, and Manchester United's Alessia Russo, brands will be falling over themselves to sign them up.England's players are reportedly in line for bonuses of around 55,000 pounds ($66,913) if they win the title but it is impossible to put a value on the impact it would have on the women's game in a country where its potential is still untapped."In terms of records being smashed, from attendances in the grounds to the amount of eyeballs on the games to the participation at grassroots, everything is going up," said Gabby Logan, who has anchored BBC's coverage."If you're looking at it as a graph, it's only going upwards and it feels like, as they say in business speak, it could be a hockey stick moment."There is an argument to say that even if England fail to beat record eight-time European champions Germany in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley, the Lionesses have already lit the blue touchpaper for the sport to move to another level.Victory, however, would spark wild celebrations around the country."These are the occasions that create memories and the final is definitely more special being an England v Germany," Carney said. "I am not sure anything will be able to prepare the players for this."($1 = 0.8220 pounds)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Martyn Herman
Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
FILE - Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. After Texas A&M added yet another blue-chipper to the highest-rated recruiting class in college football Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 coach Jimbo Fisher went off about rumors that booster-funded NIL deals were fueling the Aggies' success.(AP Photo/Thomas Graning, File)(Thomas Graning / AP)SAN ANTONIO — Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher is a proponent of expanding the College Football Playoff. He’s looking for more than just doubling it from four to eight teams.“I think it’s got to be at least 12, but I wouldn’t be against 16,” he said Sunday while speaking at the 90th Texas High School Coaches Association Convention and Coaching School.He pointed to the excitement that it would create at the end of the season and how it could create a more level playing field.“At the end of the year, when you’ve got four [going to the playoff], there are two or three other teams legit — maybe four in a great year — [that also have a chance to get in],” Fisher said. “But if you’ve got 16 [playoff teams], there are going to be 30, 35 teams that would legitimately have a chance to get into that playoff. If you set up TV ratings based on 30 some teams [being in the hunt], that is going to help TV and revenue.“It will help recruiting, knowing that other programs can get in the playoff. I think you’ll disperse the talent level.”An expanded playoff would have helped Texas A&M two years ago.Texas A&M was left out of the playoff in the 2020 season after winning its final seven games of the regular season following a loss to eventual national champion Alabama in Week 2. Fisher said that team, which finished 9-1 after beating North Carolina in the Orange Bowl, was the second-best team in the country.Fisher was also asked his thoughts about superconferences being formed, with Texas and Oklahoma set to leave the Big 12 for the SEC in 2025 and UCLA and USC headed from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten in 2024.“I don’t know if they are a good thing, but they are here to stay,” Fisher said. “Whether it’s good or bad, only time will tell.”Fisher said scheduling will become even more important as conferences continue to realign.“The old way, when you don’t have megaconferences, everybody plays each other, so you knew who the real conference champion was. In the future, sometimes the conference champion could be determined by, I avoided [playing] these four teams this year.“I think that’s where the expanded playoff has to occur in the near future. It allows the right amount of teams to get in the playoff.”+++Related:OU, Texas to the SEC a matter of when — Sarkisian, Venables going with isn’t so certain Related:NIL in Texas high school sports? UIL exec. unsure if there is much of an ‘appetite’ for itFind more Texas A&M coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Greg Riddle, SportsDayHS writer and editor. I have worked at The Dallas Morning News since 2000. I cover high school sports as a reporter and help coordinate our coverage. I graduated from TCU, where I ran track and cross country. I previously worked at the Weatherford Democrat, Marshall News Messenger, Amarillo Globe-News and Arlington Morning [email protected] /greg.riddle.94 @DMNGregRiddle The TickerGet the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox.By signing up you agree to our privacy policyMost Popular on DallasNews.com123456 | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Southampton - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - October 8, 2022 Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring their fourth goal as Southampton's Gavin Bazunu reacts Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff MANCHESTER, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Manchester City continued their imperious home form to ease to a 4-0 win over Southampton and move top of the Premier League as Chelsea and Newcastle United also enjoyed comfortable victories to show their top-four ambitions.City, who had trounced Manchester United 6-3 last week, barely had to break stride against Southampton, with Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez netting before Erling Haaland struck the fourth goal to stretch his scoring streak to 10 straight matches in all competitions.City have won all five of their Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 24 goals in the process.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comThe victory took champions City top of the table with 23 points after nine matches and cranked up the pressure on early title rivals Arsenal, who host Liverpool on Sunday with the chance to reclaim the lead.Chelsea continued to show signs of improvement under coach Graham Potter as they strolled to a 3-0 win at home to Wolves, who are without a manager after sacking Bruno Lage last week.Former Chelsea forward Diego Costa made his first start for the visitors but Potter's side were dominant and secured a third consecutive win in all competitions thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja, moving up to fourth in the table on 16 points.Newcastle climbed up to fifth with an emphatic 5-1 home victory over Brentford, one year and one day after the completion of their Saudi Arabia-backed takeover.Bruno Guimaraes, a 40-million-pound arrival from Olympique Lyonnais and one of the club's biggest signings since the takeover, scored in each half on a memorable afternoon for the club, who were languishing in the relegation zone when the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired the club from previous owner Mike Ashley for a reported 300 million pounds ($333 million).Bournemouth came from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1, scoring two goals in the space of five second-half minutes to and inflict a fifth consecutive away defeat on Brendan Rodgers' side.Patson Daka gave Leicester the lead in the 10th minute but Philip Billing and Ryan Christie scored in the second half to continue Bournemouth's superb record under interim manager Gary O'Neil, who has won two games and drawn three since succeeding Scott Parker.The result put renewed pressure on Leicester coach Rodgers, whose side are 19th in the table with only four points.($1 = 0.9022 pounds)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Richard Martin
Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
CNN — Fifteen of Spain’s best women footballers have sent a letter asking not to be called up for the national team, saying the training methods of their head coach are harming their emotional states and health. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said in a statement Thursday that it received 15 emails from 15 players asking not to be selected and referred to the players having an issue with the national team coach Jorge Vilda and his staff. The federation said it was “an unprecedented situation in the history of football, both male and female, in Spain and worldwide.” Players said in their letters that the “current situation” had significantly affected their “emotional state and health,” according to the federation. Spanish football star Alexia Putellas disputed RFEF’s characterization that the footballers were resigning, in her own statement on social media Friday. “In no case did we resign from the Spanish national team, like the RFEF claims in their official statement. Like we said in our private email, we’ve maintained, continue to maintain and will continue to maintain an unquestionable commitment to the Spanish national team,” the 2021 Ballon d’Or winner. “That is why we request in our letter to the RFEF not to be called up to the national team until it remedies the situations that affect our mental and personal wellbeing, our performance, and in consequence, the results of the of the national team that could lead to undesirable injuries. These are the reasons why we’ve made this decision.” The players had been unhappy with the management of injuries, the atmosphere in the locker room, Vilda’s team selection and his training sessions, Reuters reported, citing sources close to the situation. Two-time World Cup winner and US Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe posted an Instagram story on Thursday night supporting the players, saying, “You got a 16th [player] standing with you in [US flag emoji] This many players together like this is so powerful. We should all listen.” RFEF appears to be standing by the coach. The federation said it will not “allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, since making those decisions does not fall within their powers.” “The federation will not admit any type of pressure from any player when adopting sports measures. These types of maneuvers are far from exemplary and outside the values of football and sport and are harmful,” it added. RFEF said that the players would not be allowed to return to the national team unless they “accept their mistake and ask for forgiveness.” In her statement, Putellas disagreed with the RFEF’s assertion that the players were calling for changes in the national team coaching staff. “We’ve never asked for the dismissal of a coach as has been reported,” the two-time Best FIFA Women’s Player award winner wrote. “We understand that our job is not in any case to decide that position, but we can express, constructively and with honesty, what we believe can better the performance of the team,” she said. The revolt is a high risk move for the players. The federation said that refusing to honor a call-up for a national team was classified as a “very serious infraction and can carry sanctions of two and five years of disqualification.” | Football |
Fans of the team will be able to purchase food, drinks and tickets with bitcoin at Oxford City’s stadium and CoinCorner will become a multi-year sponsor.Fans of the team will be able to purchase food, drinks and tickets with bitcoin at Oxford City’s stadium and CoinCorner will become a multi-year sponsor.HomeBusinessEnglish Oxford City Football Club will begin accepting bitcoin as payment at its RAW Charging Stadium.CoinCorner partnered with the football club in a multi-year agreement.CoinCorner will also be the back of shirt sponsor and will enable Oxford to support its Lightning-enabled Bolt Card.The Oxford City Football Club, a UK-based national league in the sixth-tier, has partnered with CoinCorner to begin accepting bitcoin as payment, in a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine. Fans of the team will be able to spend bitcoin on tickets, as well as food and beverages, and will have support for CoinConer’s recently launched Bolt Card – a Lightning Network-enabled NFC card. "It's exciting to see the club become the first adopters of bitcoin payments in the National League,” said CoinCorner CEO, Danny Scott. “We believe this move will set a trend across Non-League and Football League divisions as digital currency establishes itself as the new normal for sports fans and event goers across the UK.”Additionally, to celebrate the newly formed partnership, CoinCorner is offering a limited run of Oxford City FC branded Bolt Cards which are available in the club’s shop. Furthermore, CoinCorner will also be the club’s back-of-shirt sponsor. Finally, CoinCorner will serve as match day sponsor for Oxford’s Vanarama National League South game against Eastbourne Borough at the RAW Charging Stadium, on Saturday August 6th."Embracing the latest technologies and innovations to ensure Oxford City FC can continue to operate as a self-sustaining club is a key part of our long-term objectives,” said Justin Merritt, director of football at Oxford City FC. “Embracing the latest technologies and innovations to ensure Oxford City FC can continue to operate as a self-sustaining club is a key part of our long-term objectives.” A Bitcoin logo will be featured on home and away jerseys and the partnership is a multi-year agreement. | Football |
A Championship football match was delayed after it was claimed the goals were two different sizes, sparking calls for an investigation. Cardiff City coaching staff suggested one of the goals was two inches higher than the permitted 8ft ahead of their away clash with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.
The game kicked off seven minutes late as Cardiff caretaker manager, Mark Hudson, tried to raise the issue - but agreed the match should go ahead after being told it would take up to two hours to investigate.Cardiff went on to win the match 3-1, with their third goal hitting the underside of the apparent taller crossbar before going in.Hudson said: "A couple of the lads thought there was an issue with the size of the goals.
"One of the goals was too high by a couple of inches."We flagged it straight away, and then they had to recalibrate it because of Hawk-Eye (the operator of the Premier League's goal line technology system), I think."We were initially told we'd have to wait a couple of hours for it to sink another couple of inches, but no one wanted that."We decided to continue with it, and it was the same for both sides. "I did ask if we could attack that end in both halves but they weren't having that." Image: Pic: Sky Sports Wigan boss Leam Richardson said it was another example of "the way things are going" for his team, who have yet to win at home."One of the goals was two inches too high, and their third goal goes in off the bar… so you do the maths," Richardson said."It just sums up the day for us, doesn't it."According to The Sun newspaper, the goals are dismantled by Wigan ground staff at the end of each game before being re-erected ahead of the next match.Cardiff won despite goal scorer Callum Robinson being forced to leave the pitch due to an injury ahead of half time.Richardson said he was "disappointed" with the result but acknowledged the rival side were "more clinical"."Fair play to Cardiff, and congratulations to them for the win," he said. | Football |
The Lionesses have set their sights on winning the World Cup next August after securing England’s first major trophy since 1966.With the silver confetti barely settled on the Euro 2022 triumph, Chloe Kelly, whose goal earned England a historic 2-1 win over Germany, said: “One is not enough – we want more.”Shortly after she had pranced across the stage at a packed Trafalgar Square to Sweet Caroline she said: “Looking at this medal makes you so much hungrier for more.“The World Cup is around the corner. I want to win trophies. As a young girl you grow up seeing people win trophies and we’re here doing that.”Lucy Bronze has won every honour available to her at club level but said she “would’ve traded all those trophies previously for a night like Sunday”. She echoed Kelly’s desire to go one better.“Anybody that knows me knows I’m like that,” the full-back said. “The Euros is fantastic, especially in my home country, but there is a little star missing from our crest at the minute on the England shirt. That’s definitely a mission of ours.”The United States are the team to beat, having won back-to-back World Cups in 2015 and 2019 to add to their 1991 and 1999 victories. Was the Euros win a sign England are coming for their crown? “Hah,” said Bronze with a grin. “They’re the holders of the World Cup and they’re the ones that knocked us out in 2019.“We know there are plenty of teams outside of Europe who want to compete for that World Cup as well as the teams in Europe who were in this tournament. I guess it’s up for grabs and we’re in a good place at the minute.”England’s captain, Leah Williamson, said she was flattered by comparisons to the 1966 captain, Bobby Moore. “He’s a legend isn’t he,” she said with a large exhale of breath. “I didn’t know that we were the same age at the point we had done this. He’s got the World Cup. He’s one up on me, right?”Sarina Wiegman, England’s manager, lifts the trophy again on Monday. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/The FA/Getty ImagesThe Football Association’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, said the Euros title had come “earlier than we could have ever hoped”, 11 months into Sarina Wiegman’s tenure.“She is incredible,” he said. “She was our No 1 target when we were going out to look for a manager and she was just brilliant all through that process. Not in our wildest dreams did we imagine this success so soon. We thought that this tournament might be too early. We weren’t sure we’d win this one – we were hoping we would win one in the future.”Wiegman started in September but the FA would “love her to be with us for a long time”. Its director of women’s football, Sue Campbell, said she would “have a conversation” with Wiegman, who received a hero’s welcome from fans in Trafalgar Square and is in line for a six-figure bonus, when the manager returns from a campervan holiday with her family.“You have to remember she only came in in September,” Lady Campbell said. “Everybody said to me: ‘Do you think she can win the Euros?’ and I said: ‘It’s a very short time span that.’“My goodness, she’s moulded them together. Not just the players, the team around her. There’s a togetherness. You have to be in it to feel it. There’s no people sitting on the edge, there’s nobody outside the bubble. They’re all in this together and she’s uncompromising on that front.”There is a statue of Wiegman on the Dutch football federation’s campus after her home Euros win with the Netherlands in 2017. Where will the statue go here? “Good question. Probably St George’s Park,” said Campbell. | Football |
The UK foreign secretary, James Cleverly, has been criticised for telling gay football fans they should show respect to Qatar, which criminalises their sexuality, when attending the World Cup in the emirate. Cleverly said Qatar was willing to make compromises to allow people it would normally persecute to attend the tournament and in return he argued that fans should ‘respect the culture of your host nation’. Cleverly said the Qatari authorities were ‘very, very keen to make sure that fans who are going there to enjoy the football do so and stay safe’ UK minister criticised over call for gay World Cup fans to show respect in Qatar | Football |
Max Duggan almost single-handedly carried TCU to wins in its first four games. Against Kansas, another threat emerged for the Horned Frogs, and that should concern defensive coordinators across the Big 12.Duggan passed for three touchdowns in the second half, including the game-winning 24-yarder to Quentin Johnston with 1:36 left to cap a wild second half, and No. 17 TCU beat 19th-ranked Kansas, 38-31, on Saturday.The Horned Frogs (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) are off to their best start since 2017 after winning the matchup of surprise unbeatens.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) runs the ball during the first half against Kansas on Oct. 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Duggan found Johnston 14 times for 206 yards, the most by a TCU receiver since 2016. Johnston entered Saturday with 12 catches for 114 yards and no touchdowns over four games."We had a plan from the end of the last game until now and that was to play fast," Johnston said. "As receivers, we’ve got to get the ball and get as many yards up the field. I wouldn’t say that was the best of our ability, but we did enough to win.""It’s all a mindset. If you love football, you’re going to go get it every single day," he continued.Duggan knew his big receiver had the tools. It was just a matter of figuring out how to use them."With the ball in his hands, you can see how talented he is," the quarterback said. "Seeing him burst out again was fun to watch. I just have to keep doing a good job of getting him the ball."MICHIGAN COACH TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER REPORTEDLY SUFFERING SEIZURE DURING GAMETCU is not where anyone expected them to be nearly halfway through the season. The Horned Frogs were picked seventh in the Big 12 preseason polls. But inside the locker room, no one is surprised."When we got through fall camp, we knew we had some talented players," TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. "We felt if we could figure things out, we’re going to have a pretty good football team that can string some wins together."But we’ve got a lot of stuff we have to clean up on defense, and we’ve got a lot of stuff to clean up on offense. We left a lot of plays out there." Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is sacked by TCU linebacker Jamoi Hodge (6) during the first half on Oct. 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Duggan finished 23-of-33 for 308 yards."It was huge to [win] a game like that on the road against a ranked opponent," Duggan said. "We struggled in parts. Getting a win like that builds our confidence."Duggan outdueled Kansas backup quarterback Jason Bean in a wild second half. Jalon Daniels, who led the Jayhawks to five straight wins for their best start since 2009, suffered an apparent injury to his right (throwing) shoulder late in the first half.Bean, who started the first 10 games last season, was 16-of-24 for 262 yards, and he became the first Kansas quarterback to throw for four touchdowns in a half since Todd Reesing in 2008."I don’t think it did much," Dykes said of the switch to Bean. "They did what they did. Jason came in and played really well. I felt like we had guys contained, and we got outrun. Any time your backup quarterback can come in and play at the level he played at, you’ve got a good football team."MISSISSIPPI STATE HEAD COACH MIKE LEACH ON COFFEE: ‘THE EXPERIENCE IS TERRIBLE’Kansas coach Lance Leipold liked his team's resiliency."I’m proud of the way we battled, being down, losing Jalon," he said. "I think we left opportunities out there. I’d like to commend (Bean), the way he’s handled it to be ready. If he is asked to be the starter next week, I’m very confident he’ll have a very good week of preparation and take advantage of his opportunity to be a starter."Leipold said he would know more about Daniels' status after further testing on his shoulder Monday. The coach didn't rule out Daniels for the next game.The Jayhawks (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) got their first points on Jacob Borcila’s 40-yard field goal one play after Daniels injured his shoulder. TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) catches a pass against Kansas in the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)Bean threw touchdown passes of 12 yards to Tanaka Scott and eight yards to Luke Grimm to put the Jayhawks up 17-10 in the third quarter. Duggan found Derius Davis on a 51-yard touchdown pass to tie it, and after Jamoi Hodge picked off Bean, TCU regained the lead on a 3-yard run by Duggan.Bean’s 38-yard TD pass to Quentin Skinner tied it, but Duggan’s 25-yarder to Taye Barber put the Horned Frogs up again. Bean then hit Skinner with a 29-yard TD pass to tie it 31-all with 4:21 left in the game.THE TAKEAWAYTCU: Duggan is playing some of the best football of his career. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry and nearly 10 yards per pass attempt. He’s got a great grasp of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s offense.Kansas: The 5-0 start was not a fluke. Even with Daniels injured near the end of the first half, the Jayhawks were able to move the ball on the ground and through the air.POLL IMPLICATIONSTCU is in for a promotion. It could be a close call whether the Jayhawks stay in the Top 25 after entering the rankings for the first time since 2009 last week.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPUP NEXTKansas: Visits Oklahoma on Saturday.TCU: Hosts No. 7 Oklahoma State on Saturday. | Football |
Gisele Bündchen Threatened to Divorce Tom Several Times Before ... All Over Football 10/6/2022 10:42 AM PT Gisele Bündchen left Tom Brady recently, declaring their marriage was over, but TMZ has learned this was NOT the first time. Sources connected to Gisele tell TMZ ... Gisele has separated from Tom and threatened to divorce him several times over a period of years ... and it was all over football. MAY 2017 CBS Our sources say the sticking point for years has been that Gisele wanted Tom to get out of the game ... and although she's publicly talked about her fear he would develop CTE, she's been very upset with his NFL schedule ... which takes him around the country for 6 months out of the year. We're told she simply hates it. We're told Gisele although Gisele has threatened divorce in the past -- each time over football -- but they were able to work things out. This time, however, we're told it's different. Both have hired high-profile, family law attorneys in South Florida ... and her lawyer has repped a number of celebs in high-profile divorces. Our sources say the lawyers are already working on terms, including a property settlement. We're told it's "as amicable as it can be." Tom and Gisele are on speaking terms, but there's still tension., | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Arsenal - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - September 4, 2022 Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their third goal with Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane REUTERS/Craig Brough Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSummaryCompaniesAntony scores debut goal for UnitedRashford double after Saka equaliserUnited's fourth win in a rowArsenal still top after first loss of seasonMANCHESTER, England, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Marcus Rashford struck twice as Manchester United made it four wins in a row and ended Arsenal's perfect start to the Premier League season with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.A high-tempo, top quality game was decided by two Rashford goals on the break after Bukayo Saka had cancelled out United debutant Antony's opener.Arsenal remained top of the table on 15 points thanks to their opening five wins and while they will be disappointed to have ended that run, this was far from the kind of meek loss against Big Six opponents they have produced in the recent past.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comUnited look to have found their belief again after starting the campaign with dreadful defeats by Brighton and Brentford and Dutch coach Erik ten Hag's approach is bringing results.Antony was handed a place on the right flank with Rashford central and Jadon Sancho on the left but Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench alongside Brazilian Casemiro.United dominated the opening exchanges, camping in Arsenal's half and there was an early chance for Christian Eriksen but the Dane's volley flashed wide.Arsenal looked slick on the ball, though, and Gabriel Martinelli looked to have given them a 12th-minute lead after finishing off a swift break.But referee Paul Tierney was sent to the monitor and disallowed the goal after ruling that Eriksen had been fouled by Martin Odegaard before the counter-attack was launched.Martinelli forced two saves from United keeper David De Gea as the visitors began to dominate but it was the home side who drew first blood, 10 minutes before the interval.Brazilian Antony, signed from Ajax last week, was found on the right by Rashford and coolly drifted a left-foot shot into the far bottom corner.OUTSTANDING ODEGAARDArsenal deservedly drew level, on the hour, when the outstanding Odegaard threaded a ball towards Gabriel Jesus in the box and after a challenge by Raphael Varane the ball fell to Saka who slotted home.United might have panicked or faded away last season but six minutes later they restored their lead when Bruno Fernandes found Rashford with a superb through ball and the England striker confidently beat the advancing Aaron Ramsdale.It was another swift counter that led to United's third with the excellentEriksen breaking clear and slipping the ball across to Rashford for a simple finish.A four-game winning run, including victories over Liverpool and Arsenal, has totally changed the mood at Old Trafford and Ten Hag was rightly pleased with his players' resilience."The spirit from this team, they can deal with setbacks so we did, it is really great and shows your mentality - we have really improved on that," he said."We are happy and satisfied with the win, also the performance against a really good team - they played really well," he said.United climbed to fifth in the standings, three points behind Arsenal.Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was concerned his side had not made the most of a good performance."I am very disappointed that we haven’t won the game. The game was there for the taking. We haven’t won it because we lacked some discipline in some moments and we weren’t ruthless enough in front of goal," he said."I told the players at halftime that the game is there for the taking and if we play with more courage we win the game. It was 1-1 and then it should have been 2-1 (for us). It is a big lesson if you want to win here you have to do everything so right," he said.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Simon Evans, Editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Socceroos captain Mat Ryan is bracing himself for the toughest task in football – trying to stop the goalscoring machine that is Erling Haaland.FC Copenhagen’s Australian goalkeeper, who never found Manchester City the easiest opposition, will have his work cut out in the Danish side’s Champions League tie at the Etihad Stadium against the 22-year-old Norwegian.Fresh from his latest hat-trick in the weekend’s 6-3 derby defeat of Manchester United, Haaland is expected to be on the pitch against on Thursday morning AEDT as he seeks to add to the 17 goals already scored for City in 11 appearances.And after his third treble in successive home matches, Ryan will provide the last line of defence for the Danish Superliga champions.Ryan moved to Denmark this season after a brief spell in Spain but knows all about the perils of facing City, against whom he conceded 21 goals in seven Premier League matches when at Brighton.Haaland during training in preparation for Manchester City’s Group G match against FC Copenhagen. Photograph: Matt McNulty/Manchester City/Manchester City FC/Getty ImagesThe 30-year-old World Cup-bound keeper has settled in well at his new club and enjoyed a clean sheet at the weekend in a win over Aarhus but is now facing a player who City manager Pep Guardiola says “at his age, no one can compete with him.“The numbers speak for themselves,” Guardiola saud. “And inside, in the locker room, and on the pitch, we see things that are not in the stats that make us feel happy to have him here.”Haaland averages a goal every 54 minutes for City, with 42 shots and three assists, two of which came alongside his hat-trick in Sunday’s derby win.Against Copenhagen he will seek to add to his 26 Champions League goals from 21 matches.Haaland is just the start of Jacob Neestrup’s worries after the Copenhagen manager lost his captain Zeca for the season to a serious knee injury.“Haaland is obviously one of the best strikers in the world at the moment – if not the best – and we will do what we can to limit his possibilities,” said Neestrup.“But there are also 10 other players we will need to be aware of. People talk about their big names but I am more impressed by them collectively.” | Football |
Soccer Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Liverpool arrival in Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand - July 10, 2022 Liverpool fans react as the Liverpool team arrive in Bangkok REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBANGKOK, July 10 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Thai soccer fans cheered on Liverpool Football Club as the squad flew in to the country on Sunday, a day after their rivals Manchester United landed ahead of a friendly match. read more One ecstatic fan got his jersey signed by a number of the players."This signed by Firmino, this one by Luis Diaz, this one by Thiago Alcantara and this one by Diogo Jota. I'm so excited that I got all these signatures," said Chukkrit Watcharasaksilp, 53, showing off his jersey.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"I will frame this shirt and hang it on my wall in the house forever," he said.The two Premier League soccer clubs will face off in a friendly on Tuesday, where KPOP star Jackson Wang of boyband GOT7 is also scheduled to perform."We respect United a lot, but when we meet them we want to beat them," Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp told a news conference."We see it as an important test because it is against United - and we don't play friendlies," Klopp said.Tickets to the game have sold for as much as 25,000 baht ($700), with sponsors still giving away tickets at the weekend.Another fan, 19-year-old Thammanoon Sanjangreed said seeing the players up close was the best thing."I saw Virgil Van Dijk, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Adrian up close because he was getting into the van in front of me... (it's) better than spending money on tickets because I can get up close," he said.It will be the first such match between overseas clubs hosted in Thailand since the pandemic began and is part of the teams' pre-season tours before the Premier League season begins next month.Liverpool will be heading to Singapore after the match, and United to Melbourne in Australia.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comWriting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
They should get her on the pitch! England Lioness hero Chloe Kelly who scored last-gasp winner in Euro final enjoys guest-of-honour trip to watch her beloved Queen's Park RangersChloe Kelly arrived at Loftus Road today to watch the Queens Park Rangers game against MiddlesbroughThe England Lioness scored the winning extra-time goal against Germany in the Euros final at WembleyKelly was first scouted by Queens Park Rangers at a schools football tournament The club thanked Kelly because 'after 56 years of hurt, football came home' Published: 11:01 EDT, 6 August 2022 | Updated: 11:41 EDT, 6 August 2022 England Lioness Chloe Kelly who scored the winning goal in the Euros final enjoyed a guest-of-honour trip to watch Queen's Park Rangers today.The England star was initially scouted by Queen's Park Rangers at a schools tournament before going to play for Arsenal.The footballer appeared to be returning to her roots after scoring in extra time against Germany at Wembley to clinch the historic victory - earning England its first piece of footballing silverware since 1966.Kelly arrived at Loftus Road to watch QPR play host to Middlesbrough and to present the match ball just before kick-off. Lioness Chloe Kelly is pictured arriving at Loftus Road for the Queen's Park Rangers game to present the match ball before kick-off Fans were eager to pose with the match-winner who is a lifelong supporter of the football team Kelly's iconic celebration after her extra-time goal in the Euros final was inspired by QPR legend Bobby Zamora who celebrated by taking his shirt off in 2014 after his Derby victoryQueens Park Rangers said: 'England's Euro 2022 match-winner is a lifelong R's fan and will be the club's special guest as we mark her incredible achievement with the Lionesses.'As she conducted her post-match interview in front of the watching millions, Kelly made sure she had her QPR flag with her.'After 56 years of hurt, football came home - and now we can't wait to bring Kelly home!'The footballer can be seen arriving to the game and posing with fans before the match.She also received a Euros 22 Champions shirt signed by the Queens Park Rangers team.The Manchester City star made history when she took her shirt off and ran around the pitch in celebration of her Euros goal, which ended Germany's eight-win streak. The Lioness received a Euros 22 Champions shirt signed by QPR players at the stadium before the game Kelly was first scouted by QPR (pictured: Kelly playing for QPR as a young girl) at a schools tournamentAs a lifelong Queens Park Rangers fan she said her celebration was inspired by Bobby Zamora, a former player for the club, who scored the last-minute winner against Derby in 2014 to earn QPR a promotion to the Premier League.The QPR legend Zamora congratulated the Lioness calling her a 'national hero' and said he was 'touched' to have her speak his name on 'such an amazing moment'.Kelly replied: 'As a QPR fan, you dream of moments like this.'To be at Wembley that day was special and now to experience it myself was amazing.' Kelly has also thanked her older brothers for allowing her to play football with them from the age of seven in the cages. Chloe received the shirt from Stefan Johansen who is a central midfielder and captain for QPR The footballer conducted a Q&A at half-time during the QPR v Middlesbrough match todayKelly wasn't the only Lioness who returned to her roots this week after the historic England win.Jill Scott, one of England's most capped players, went back to her day job at the Coffee shop she owns in Manchester.Scott was also pictured posing with fans and even let people take photos wearing her Euros victory medal. Advertisement | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Kirby Smart guided the Georgia Bulldogs to their first college football national championship since 1980, and he is entering the 2022 season with a bit of a fatter wallet.The university announced Thursday it agreed to a lucrative contract extension with the 46-year-old head coach through the 2031 season. Smart will earn up to $10.25 million with his annual base salary and his supplemental compensation and with increases will earn up to $12.25 million in 2031.The total boils down to $112.5 million over the next 10 seasons, according to ESPN.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach Kirby Smart during the G-Day intrasquad spring game on April 16, 2022 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)"Coach Smart's impact on the University of Georgia extends far past his significant accolades as our head football coach," Georgia athletic director J. Reid Parker said. "He and his wife are Bulldogs through and through, and it is evident that Athens and UGA mean as much to him as he means to us. I am excited for our football program's continued success under his direction. The future of Georgia Football remains bright with Coach Smart as its steadfast leader."University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead said he looked "forward to seeing his continued success" with the team.Smart becomes the highest-paid coach at a public university. Georgia Bulldogs' head coach Kirby Smart speaks during NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)KIRBY SMART MAKES IT CLEAR: GEORGIA WILL BE THE TEAM DOING THE HUNTING THIS YEAR"Mary Beth, my family & I are excited and grateful for the extension of my agreement with The University of Georgia. This is home for us, our roots run deep here. My commitment to this University and our Football program is unwavering," he said in a release. "I'm thankful to President Jere Morehead and Josh Brooks for their continued support of Georgia Football. It's an honor being the head football coach at the University of Georgia, and while I'm certainly proud of what we've been able to accomplish, I'm confident the best is yet to come!"Smart's record is 66-15 since taking over the reins at Georgia. Smart was a Nick Saban disciple before getting to Georgia. He was a defensive backs coach for Saban at LSU, served as a safeties coach for Saban when they were with the Miami Dolphins and was a defensive coordinator at Alabama. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks during NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPSmart’s Bulldogs beat Alabama in the national title game in January. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Football |
Published September 10, 2022 12:13PM article HIGHLAND PARK, Texas - Highland Park High School retired the number of alum Matthew Stafford Friday night. The Super Bowl winning quarterback was humbled. "I just want to say this is an unbelievable night for myself, my family, hopefully for all the guys that I played with," Stafford said. It was a packed stadium for the ceremony to retire the Highland Park Scots #7 jersey. In 2005, he led the team to a state championship and a 15-0 record. During his 13th season in the NFL, he won his first Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams earlier this year. Stafford said he's busy during football season and he hasn't been able to get back to Highland Park to watch the Scots, but the Rams played Buffalo Thursday night, so an off day Friday meant a special night for him and his family. "Even driving up here tonight to come do this, watching everybody kind of walk to the game, the guys out there warming up before the game, just brought back a lot of memories and it was fun for my family to see that too," Stafford said. "My wife, my four girls, oh this is where daddy played football when he was a kid and all that, so it’s a lot of fun." 4 to Watch: Highland Park to retire Matthew Stafford's number Each week, FOX 4 Sports reporter Jeff Kolb previews four of the week's biggest high school games. This week, one of those games is the Lake Highlands vs. Highland Park game. Former Highland Park star quarterback turned Super Bowl champion, Matthew Stafford, will have his high school jersey retired during halftime. RELATED: North Texas High School Football 2022 Week 3 Highlights Stafford has tied Drew Brees by reaching 50,000 passing yards the fastest, doing it in 183 games. Only 11 other QBs have reached that milestone. The Scots ended up beating Lake Highlands 52-14. | Football |
UNICEF, a global humanitarian relief organisation, has organised a football competition among schools of children with disability as part of the festivities marking World Children’s Day. The competition was hosted at the Akropong School for the Blind in the Eastern Region, on the theme: “Unified Football for Inclusion Tournament, Celebrating World Children’s Day 2022.” Participating students were from the Sekondi Takoradi School for the Deaf, Wa Methodist School for the Blind, Wa School for the Deaf, Koforidua School for the Deaf, Demonstration School for the Deaf, Mampong Akuapem and the Akropong School for the Deaf. Ms Anne-Claire Dufay, the UNICEF Representative in Ghana, highlighted the importance of creating the opportunity and an inclusive, safe, and protected society for every child, irrespective of his or her ability to thrive. She said society must have equitable access to learning and social services, with stigma and prejudice replaced with care, support, and encouragement, adding; “Then we will be closer to realising the aim of equity for every child.” Ms Dufay said sports tournaments were fantastic opportunities to foster friendships while improving mental and physical health and well-being. “At UNICEF, we believe all children and young people should have a fair and equitable chance… every girl and boy should be able to enjoy their rights, no matter their abilities.” She said UNICEF and the United Nations Country Team in Ghana were committed to assisting the Government and stakeholders in rolling out programmes that promoted inclusion across many sectors. She expressed gratitude to the Norwegian Government for its assistance to the football event. Ms Francisca Atuluk, the Deputy Director at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), said children with physical impairments were the world’s most vulnerable, especially in terms of ensuring their holistic development through the provision of appropriate infrastructure, services, support, and care at home and in the community. The Government was working hard to ensure inclusivity and non-discrimination in all its athletic events and other programmes. Considering that, she said the Ministry had established 10 Youth Resource Centres, which were in various states of construction across the then 10 regions, meant to foster inclusion for all people; able or disabled. “In addition, the Ministry is engaging with experts to identify how to make the existing sporting facilities disability-friendly,” she said. This is in line with the International Olympic Committee declaration that everyone had the right to participate in sports without discrimination and in a manner that respected their safety, health, and dignity. Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), exhorted pupils to be visionary regardless of their circumstances since disability was all about capacity. He asked everyone to work together to create an inclusive platform for each child to achieve his or her goals. Mr Okraku gave 15 footballs to schools competing in the Unified Football for Inclusion event. Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now. | Football |
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have looked off through the first six games of the 2022 season and the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers underscored their struggles.Brady had a late touchdown pass, was sacked twice and was only 25-for-40 passing. He also berated his offensive linemen in an exchange that was caught on the FOX broadcast of the game.On Monday, Brady posted a photo on Instagram showing linemen Robert Hainsey and Luke Goedeke. The photo came with a message.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Oct 16, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) gestures at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)"Football is hard. We’re not playing like we are capable. We’re in it together. We’ll turn it around," he wrote.Fellow linemen Donovan Smith and linebacker Devin White appeared to have Brady and the team’s back with messages in the comments section.Tampa Bay lost 20-18. The team was 4-for-14 on third downs and only 1-for-4 in the red zone. He showed his frustration on the sideline toward the end of the first half, cursing at his offensive line.After the game, Brady told reports the stagnant offense was what sunk the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) laterals to running back Leonard Fournette during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Don Wright))"I think it’s just execution. We have to play a lot better. It really doesn’t matter if you run it, if you throw it, you throw it outside, you throw it inside, run it inside, run it outside, it’s an execution game," Brady explained. "You either make the play or you don’t. There’s too many plays we’re not making."BUCS' TODD BOWLES SAYS NO 'SPECIAL TREATMENT' FOR TOM BRADY AFTER MISSING WALKTHROUGH FOR ROBERT KRAFT WEDDINGBrady said the team did not make enough plays to "earn" the victory."We didn’t earn it. We didn’t earn the win so. It’s a game of earning it," he said. "It’s a game of playing well, performing well and we’re just not doing a good job of it. I don’t think we’ve done it for six weeks. I think we’re all playing less than what we’re capable of. We’ve all got to look at ourselves in the mirror and figured out why."Tampa Bay ran 68 plays, seven more than the Steelers, and had the ball only two seconds longer than Pittsburgh."I think losing comes down to, obviously, scoring less points than the other team. You evaluate why you scored less points than the other team," Brady said. "It doesn’t matter if it’s the Steelers or the Chiefs. You can look at this and say why didn’t we score more points? Well we didn’t do well in the red area, first of all. We didn’t do good, we were 2nd-and-goal at the 1 and we didn’t do a good job there. We had other red-area opportunities and we didn’t do a good job there. We had opportunities on 3rd-and-short to extend drives, we didn’t do well there. Oct 16, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) signals a penalty against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)"It doesn’t matter who you’re playing if you’re not making the plays then it doesn’t matter if it’s the Steelers, the Chiefs, the Packers or the Saints it’s either you make the plays or you don’t, it’s a production business."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Buccaneers will look to break out of their slump against the Carolina Panthers next week. Tampa Bay has dropped three of their last four. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News Digital. | Football |
October 08, 2022 02:14 PM The Washington Commanders have welcomed back rookie player Brian Robinson Jr. to the football field just over a month after he was shot. The Commanders have activated Robinson for their game on Sunday against the Tennessee Tigers. The rookie returned to practice earlier this week after he had suffered two gunshot wounds in his lower body during an attempted robbery in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, the team announced Saturday. "He had a good week," head coach Ron Rivera said Friday afternoon. "This morning, he was there, and he was in good shape. So, we're pretty fired up." NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS SIGN PIZZA SHOP EMPLOYEE TO PRACTICE SQUAD Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., works out during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Robinson was going through agility drills only 18 days after his attack and undergoing successful surgery. While he described the moments after he sustained the injury as "probably one of the lowest points in my life," he also used the time during his recovery to learn more about himself. "I'm definitely ambitious, and I'm going to fight for anything I believe in," Robinson said. "If I believe that I can return back to the field and do what I need to do to the level that I want to do it, then that's the steps I'm taking to put myself in that position." The rookie's training in the past week made it clear that he was ready to return to the game, and on Wednesday, he achieved a similar level of expertise in the game that he had displayed in training camp. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Robinson resumes playing just ahead of Sunday's game, the fifth game for the team this season. The Commanders have not had the strongest start this season, winning only their first game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and losing the following three games, according to the team's schedule. | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The first shake-up of the college football season has arrived. The Associated Press released its Top 25 poll after Week 1 of the college football season and there’s been some movement. Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies at Bryant Denny Stadium Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)Alabama remains No. 1 in the nation, receiving 44 first-place votes after shutting out Utah State 55-0. Reigning Heisman winner Bryce Young threw for five touchdowns and ran for another as the Crimson Tide held Utah State to just 136 yards of offense. LSU TRANSFER SAFETY FACING FOUR-GAME ACADEMIC SUSPENSION: REPORTGeorgia jumped Ohio State to claim the No. 2 spot after handily beating Oregon 49-3. Quarterback Stetson Bennett picked up right where he left off last season, throwing for 368 yards on 25-of-31 passing, while Georgia gained 571 yards of offense on the day. "I think when you watch what they did today if you're watching from home, you're saying, ‘Man, I'd love to come play in that offense,'" coach Kirby Smart said after the win over Oregon. TEXAS QUARTERBACK QUINN EWERS STUNNED BY BAD NEWS AFTER WINNING SEASON OPENEROhio State dropped a spot after a close win over Notre Dame, and Michigan jumped four spots to No. 4 following a dominant win over Colorado State. Redshirt junior Cade McNamara got the start for Michigan, completing 9 of 18 pass attempts for 136 yards and a touchdown. McNamara will sit in Week 2 as sophomore J.J. McCarthy gets the start against Hawaii. Michigan Wolverines players take the field before a game against the Colorado State Rams at Michigan Stadium Sept. 3, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)"I think I said the same thing to you guys — I would prefer to have a starting quarterback going into each one and very transparent with that," head coach Jim Harbaugh said, according to ESPN. "Also said if things are exactly the same as they were coming out of camp, they're pretty close to dead even, then we were going to have to — as coaches — find a way to maximize both of their talents for the best use of the team. That remains a very viable option."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMClemson rounds out the top five after beating Georgia Tech Monday night. Texas A&M remains at No. 6 with Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Baylor and USC rounding out the top-10. The Trojans moved up four spots after a 66-14 win over Rice. It’s the first time USC has been in the top 10 since the end of the 2017 season. Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett runs out of the tunnel before a game against the Oregon Ducks Sept. 3, 2022, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Florida made the biggest leap up the rankings, going from unranked to the No. 12 team in the country after beating Utah at The Swamp. The Utes dropped six spots to No. 13. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPTennessee makes its first appearance in the Top 25 under head coach Josh Heupel at No. 24 after beating Ball State 59-10 in Week 1. The Vols will get a true test in Week 2, taking on No. 17 Pittsburgh on the road. The SEC leads all conferences with eight teams in the Top 25. The Associated Press contributed to this report Joe Morgan is a Sports Reporter for Fox News. | Football |
A female football fan has become the first woman in Britain to be banned from all 'regulated' soccer matches after she hurled a flare onto the pitch as she watched her team being thrashed at home.Abbie-Leigh Reay, 23, was arrested after she grabbed the missile and threw it towards the referee in a fit of rage after her team Tranmere Rovers went 3-0 down in a crunch League Two fixture against Forest Green Rovers.As the flare landed on the pitch near referee Lee Swabey and Forest Green goalkeeper Luke McGee, CCTV footage captured Reay as she threw her arms up and started 'dancing' in celebration.Police later stopped the Aldi supermarket worker as she was leaving Tranmere's Prenton Park stadium after the team were beaten 4-0 in the top of the table clash.Despite her arrest, Reay posted winking pictures of her at the match with her girlfriend and family along with a laughing emoji and the caption: 'Before it all went downhill.'One of her comments read: 'Just hope I don't get banned.' Abbie-Leigh Reay, 23, has become the first woman in Britain to be banned from all 'regulated' soccer matches after she hurled a flare onto the pitch as she watched her team being thrashed Reay (pictured left) jokingly posted a photo of herself (left), and her partner Libby Case (pictured middle) on Facebook after the match, with the caption: 'Before it all went down hill'At Sefton magistrates court in Merseyside, Reay, of Bebington near Birkenhead who was convicted of throwing a missile onto a football playing area under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 was issued with a Football Banning Order which prohibits her from attending regulated matches for three years.She was also fined £250 and ordered to pay £654 in costs.The banning order could stop her watching her 14 year old brother from playing in league matches.Sentencing District Judge Paul Healey said Reay would have to check with police first if her sibling was playing in an 'unregulated' match and told her: 'I have based my decision on the findings that you did throw the flare and on the basis that it was a deliberate act to throw it on the pitch.'It took place at a football match which makes it more serious. I have seen the footage, you are at the front of the stand, the stadium is full. There are a lot of people in your immediate vicinity. You throw the flare on to the pitch which puts people on the pitch at risk.'No one is struck but there is a risk and as a result of your actions, police and stewards had to intervene. There was a large crowd which put the police and the stewards in a difficult situation. Libby Case (left), an asthma sufferer, said at a previous hearing that she did not want to inhale the smoke caused by the lit flare which is why her partner Reay (right) threw it onto the pitch'They have to take action. There is a risk of it escalating further. Over many years there have been long-standing issues with disorder at football matches.'Judge Healey added: 'When somebody is convicted of an offence under Football Offences Act, it has to be considered whether it's necessary to make a football banning order.'I have heard the comments from the prosecution, I have seen the footage and I have heard what you have said.'I accept that you pleaded not guilty, that you instinctively threw it on the pitch as a safety measure but that was rejected at trial.'I could not see any sign of a smoke trail before you threw it onto the pitch and then there was your behaviour afterwards.'You have no previous convictions and there is no evidence that you are associated with any other disorder at football matches but I do believe that someone who behaves in this way presents a serious risk to players, stewards and spectators. Reay (pictured) claimed that the flare had been brought by some 'lads' behind her and she threw it onto the pitch in a 'panic' after if fell near her feet and caused a lot of smoke in the area'An order is necessary to avoid any risk whatsoever of this happening again.'The incident on January 29 of this year, occurred just after half time when Forest Green extended their lead and several items could be seen being thrown onto the pitch near McGee at the Kop end of the ground.Eventually, stewards converged on the crowd to try and apprehend the missile thrower but Reay was seen bending down and then throwing the flare onto the pitch. She then threw her arms up as if in celebration when the missile landed near to where the referee was talking to the goalkeeper. She was stopped by police when leaving the grounds and interviewed later at her home.Prosecutor Callum Bryce said: 'It was a flagrant and deliberate act as she appeared to be dancing after throwing the flare and that she had risked causing others significant injury.''She said that someone had thrown the flare and that it had landed at her feet,' Mr Bryce said, adding: 'She said it was going to burn her shoes but there were discrepancies between her evidence and witnesses' evidence.'However good your aim is, you could always end up hitting someone. The flare could hit someone in the eye and cause injury.'Reay (pictured) has been banned from going within 250 yards of Prenton Park football stadiumRepresenting herself, Reay, a lifelong Tranmere Rovers fan and previously a season ticket holder, continued to defend her actions and insisted that she was innocent. She said she knew she was going to get a football banning order but asked if she could still watch her 14-year brother play.'To be honest, I did not celebrate, I was just trying to get it away,' she said. 'I just did what was best for everybody around me. With thousands of people around me, what else could I do? It was smoking on the floor, I picked it up and threw it and then turned around.'But apparently I was celebrating when we were getting beat 4-0. As I said, I did not take it with me.'She added: 'I have heard about the banning orders. I know I am going to get one. My little brother plays football and I wondered if I could go and watch him. He is 14.'The order states Reay cannot go within 250 yards of Prenton Park football stadium from four hours before kick-off and four hours after the final whistle on any match day or visit any town or city where Tranmere Rovers are playing, from the midnight before to the midnight after the match is played.She is also forbidden from going within 250 yards of any other regulated football match in the UK, four hours before kick-off and four hours after the end of the game, or go within one mile of any England match, from five hours before or five hours after the game.According to The Football Spectators (Prescription) Order 2022, regulated soccer matches involve teams from The Football League, The FA Premier League, the FA Women's Super League, The FA's Women's Championship, the Football Conference, the Cymru Premier League, or the Scottish Professional Football League. | Football |
The Cowboys Kickoff Classic has been a part of AT&T Stadium from the beginning.The first football game of any kind featured BYU knocking Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford out of the game and upsetting Oklahoma, 14-13, back in 2009. Alabama played in the Classic three times under Nick Saban, cementing its status as maybe the greatest modern dynasty.For a lot of programs, it was a pilgrimage of sorts, the trek to the state-of-the-art stadiums with the really big videoboards.Now it’s on hold for at least a year, a sign that attracting marquee neutral-site games is increasingly difficult, even for a facility like AT&T Stadium. Last year’s game with Kansas State defeating Stanford, 24-7, drew just 28,668 fans, the lowest total in Classic history and only the second one under 60,000. The 2020 matchup between Alabama and USC fell victim to the pandemic.“The Classic is all about finding the right matchups that’ll make sense in the building – teams that want to play and the right financial deal. And we just weren’t able to do that this year,” said Chad Estis, the executive vice president of business operations for the Cowboys in a phone interview.“I think there’s a variety of circumstances that go into that. We’ll continue to try. I do think the landscape has changed a little bit on neutral-site games that’s made it a little bit more challenging. And we just didn’t find the right game that was a fit for the stadium this year.”One thing that has changed is the amount of money that many schools have put into their own stadiums. Suddenly, playing a top non-conference opponent at the neutral-site is less financially attractive.“Schools have continued to invest in their own facilities, particularly when it comes to premium inventory,” Estis said. “They want those games in their home stadiums.”Athletic directors have talked about the pressure from local merchants, for whom every home game is a cash cow.There’s also having an attractive home schedule for season ticket sales. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte recently acknowledged that losing Texas A&M from the schedule hurt because then the biggest rivalry game (Oklahoma) was always at a neutral-site. Now Texas’ future schedule includes home-and-homes with Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Georgia.Estis pointed to the continuing trend of schools scheduling up to a decade or more in advance, which makes projecting a top matchup difficult.The College Football Playoff has also changed things, he said.Teams that play in a neutral-site game, plus a conference championship and one or two playoff games “end up being a lot for fans to support,” Estis said.One particular problem for the Kickoff Classic has been the inability to showcase regional powers Oklahoma and Texas. Each is already committed to the annual Red River Showdown in Dallas.“That kind of took those two out of the running of coming back to the market a second time,” Estis said.Oklahoma did play in the first Kickoff Classic. Texas has never played in the game, although the Longhorns faced UCLA in 2014 at the stadium.While AT&T Stadium is still an iconic facility, it had a newness factor in 2009 with its futuristic look and billion dollar price tag.Estis said the stadium still remains a major asset and draw. He cited the recent WrestleMania as well as the stadium landing 2026 World Cup games. Kenny Chesney just played there and Garth Brooks is coming.“I think if you look at our event calendar for the next 12 months, it’s honestly as strong as it’s ever been,” Estis said.And there’s still some college football. The Texas A&M-Arkansas series is still at the stadium this season, along with the Big 12 championship game and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby recently offered positive feedback by the conference about the title game and suggested an extension could be coming.“We love that event,” Estis said. “We think it’s a great fit for the building. We think the venue is perfectly positioned for the fans of those schools. Quite honestly, the game is a real proud point for us to be able to host and we hope to continue to do that for a long, long time.”Meanwhile, the Cowboys will continue to look for the right future matchup.“It’s really just a matter of us finding the game,” Estis said.+++Related:NIL era brought what some expected, others feared. What’s next for college athletics?Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Chuck Carlton, College sports writer. Covering college sports for the Morning News for more than a decade plus a whole lot of other stuff in past lives. Much like the Big 12, I've improbably survived two bouts of realignment. [email protected] @ChuckCarltonDMN | Football |
Over 1,300 people who have been subject to football banning orders will be forced to hand their UK passports to police under new measures implemented today.Violent and abusive football fans in England and Wales will be prevented from travelling to the World Cup in Qatar, starting next month.
The Home Office said those who fail to hand over their passport and attempt to travel to the tournament could face six months in prison and an unlimited fine.If any of the 1,308 people with banning orders wish to travel to other countries from 10 November until the end of the tournament they will need to seek permission to hold on to their passports and be subject to checks.Read more:World Cup COVID rules announcedQatar 'conscripting civilians and summoning diplomats from abroad' to bolster World Cup security
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "We are all looking forward to cheering England and Wales on in Qatar and we will not let the behaviour of a minority of lawbreakers tarnish what will be an exciting tournament."Violence, abuse and disorder is not tolerated here, and this criminal behaviour will not be tolerated at the World Cup which is why we are taking this firm approach. More on 2022 World Cup World Cup: Scotland and Ukraine set for emotional clash in playoff England's route to 2022 World Cup final in Qatar World Cup: CEO Nasser al Khater answers Gareth Southgate over 'issues' with Qatar hosting tournament "As with all events of this nature, we are working closely with the host authorities on the safety of British nationals attending and on delivering a successful and enjoyable event."Preventative measures were put in place for previous international tournaments, the Home Office said, with the 2018 World Cup achieving 99% compliance with the requirement for people with football banning orders to surrender their passports. | Football |
Howard Webb will return to English football later this year as the Professional Game Match Officials Board’s first chief refereeing officer.The former referee was confirmed in the newly-created role on Wednesday, with an official start date to be confirmed in due course. “PGMOL is pleased to confirm that Howard Webb will take up the role of Chief Refereeing Officer in the coming months,” PGMOL tweeted.The 51-year-old has been working in the United States and Canada for the past six years, having initially joined North America’s Professional Referee Organization as video review operations manager. Webb went on to become PRO’s general manager in January 2018 – a role he will leave after overseeing the rest of the Major League Soccer season.“I am looking forward to taking up the role of chief refereeing officer for PGMOL once I’ve completed my contract here at the end of this season in MLS,” Webb said. “Great to be going home to a place I obviously know well and worked on the field for many years, and looking forward to being a part of it.“I will be managing the refereeing in the Premier League and the Football League, all the leagues that the PGMOL serves, ultimately looking to improve the standard of officiating [and] working with the team that’s there,” Webb added.“Of course the game doesn’t get any easier. The playing standards get higher and the referees are expected to be better and better year on year wherever you are in the world and for sure in England, where there’s so much scrutiny and attention.“To be working in that kind of pressure environment for us, for people like me, is great and I am looking forward to being part of that. There’s a lot of investment going into refereeing in England through the Elite Referee Development Plan and my role is part of that, so exciting times.The PGMOL managing director, Mike Riley, has described Webb’s return to English football as a “major coup”. Riley has led the organisation for 13 years and is stepping down this season, handing the baton over to Webb and a new chief operating officer.Howard Webb taking charge of the 2010 World Cup last-16 match between Brazil and Chile. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianWebb added that he had “learned so much” during his time working in North America and is looking forward to the new challenge in this “bigger goldfish bowl”.“I’ve not been in England for several years now so I need time to evaluate and see how things are working over there. I know there’s an awful lot of good people over there, doing a lot of good work to improve the officiating standards. There’s a lot of good officials over there as well working in the highest profile league in the world.Webb will also contribute to an “improvement of standards” in the use of video assistant referees, having overseen their rollout in MLS. During his tenure with PRO, he has held regular calls with media to discuss VAR incidents, while weekly videos have been published explaining video review decisions and showing the in-game communication between officials.“I’m a strong advocate for VAR,” Webb added. “I think it’s been a positive introduction to try to eliminate some areas that as an active official, I used to really hate when they happened in my games. Sometimes you didn’t have all the information in the moment to make the best decision and now we’ve got a tool that helps us do that.”Webb worked as a police officer before becoming a full-time referee, and took charge of his first Premier League game in October 2003. He was appointed to Fifa’s international list of officials in 2005 and went on to referee the 2010 Champions League and World Cup finals. After retiring in 2014, he worked as PGMOL’s technical director before taking up a role in Saudi Arabia. | Football |
Medical staff tend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins as he is carted off on a stretcher after an injury during the 2nd quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 29, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)Dylan Buell | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesMiami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained neck and head injuries after being slammed to the ground Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals and was stretchered from the field.The Dolphins said Tagovailoa was conscious, had movement in all his extremities and was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further evaluation. The Dolphins said after their 27-15 loss to the Bengals that Tagovailoa was expected to be released from the hospital and fly home with the team.Tagovailoa was chased down and sacked by 6-foot-3, 340-pound Josh Tupou with about six minutes left in the first half. He was spun around and thrown to the turf. While on the ground, his hands froze in front of his face. He remained down for more than seven minutes before being loaded on a backboard, stabilized and strapped to a stretcher after his facemask was removed.Dolphins players gathered around as Tagovailoa was rolled off the field and the crowd chanted "Tua! Tua!"Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa called for him when he went down."I could tell it wasn't the same guy that I was used to seeing," McDaniel said. "It was a scary moment. He was evaluated for a concussion. He's in the concussion protocol, but he's being discharged."It's an emotional moment. It's not a part of the deal you sign up for. His teammates and myself were very concerned, but he got checked out and it's nothing more serious than a concussion."Teddy Bridgewater, who replaced the injured Tagovailoa, said the Miami sideline went quiet when the starting QB was on the turf."Complete silence," Bridgewater said. "He's one of us. At the end of the day, it's only a football game. In that moment, you saw how we feel about Tua. He's our captain. He's our leader. It was great to see the doctors handling the situation."Bengals coach Zac Taylor had an emotional reaction to Tagovailoa going down, saying: "It's a heavy moment. You hate to see that happen. It's a tough moment for everybody."Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow hoped Tagovailoa makes a quick return."It's always scary when somebody goes out like that," Burrow said. "It's a dangerous game and something like that can happen at any time, but it's always scary when it does. ... Hopefully, he has a speedy recovery. I'm gonna text him after a bit and see how he's doing."Reaction came swiftly from around the NFL. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Broncos QB Russell Wilson promptly tweeted with concern for Tagovailoa's well-being."Praying for you Tua," Wilson wrote.The 24-year-old Tagovailoa was suffering from a sore back and was listed as questionable for most of the week ahead of the game.Tagovailoa briefly left Sunday's 21-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills after appearing to be disoriented by what the team originally said was a head injury after taking a hard hit from Bills linebacker Matt Milano late in the first half. He missed just three snaps and returned after halftime, a decision that prompted a joint review by the NFL and National Football League Players Association of what went into the decision to allow him to return to the game.The team and Tagovailoa said after Sunday's game the quarterback had a back injury that caused his awkward stumble and fall after he was slammed into the turf in the second quarter. The team said Monday that Tagovailoa was not in concussion protocol.He said he "hyper-extended" his back after getting his legs caught under someone on a quarterback sneak.McDaniel said Thursday that he didn't think an injury from last week made him fall the same way this week.After Tagovailoa's injury Thursday, the NFLPA tweeted: "Player health and safety is at the core of the union's mission. Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing."Some criticized the decision to play Tagovailoa so soon after his injuries in Sunday's game.Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted: "That's a serious injury. Tua shouldn't have been out there with Sunday Thursday turn around. Sometimes players need protecting from themselves. Dolphins failed Tua."Before leaving Thursday's game, Tagovailoa was 8 for 14 for 100 yards and an interception. Bridgewater threw a touchdown pass to Chase Edmonds with 15 seconds left in the half.The play of Tagovailoa, who won a national championship at Alabama, has been key for the 3-0 Dolphins. He came into the game second in the NFL with 925 passing yards. | Football |
Tennessee’s upset win over Alabama catapulted the Volunteers to No. 3 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 college football rankings on Sunday.Tennessee defeated Alabama 52-49, thanks to a Chase McGrath 40-yard field goal Saturday night. The Volunteers moved to 6-0 and pushed them over No. 4 Michigan and No. 5 Clemson in the rankings. The Wolverines and Tigers remained undefeated, too, with victories over their opponents.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Tennessee tight end Princeton Fant (88) celebrates with teammates scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)The Volunteers also received 15 first-place votes."I voted Tennessee No. 1, because the Vols’ strength of schedule is far superior to UGA and Ohio State," AP voter Ron Counts of the Idaho Statesman said.Alabama dropped to No. 6.Georgia remained the top team in the nation after a 55-0 shellacking of Vanderbilt. Ohio State had the weekend off. Georgia received 31 first-place votes, and Ohio State got 17.Here’s how the rest of the AP rankings played out. Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton (80) tries to make a catch over Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)TENNESSEE FANS CELEBRATE WIN OVER ALABAMA BY TAKING DOWN GOAL POST--1). Georgia (7-0)2). Ohio State (6-0)3). Tennessee (6-0)4). Michigan (7-0)5). Clemson (7-0)6). Alabama (6-1)7). Ole Miss (7-008). TCU (6-0)9). UCLA (6-0)10). Oregon (5-1)11). Oklahoma State (5-1)12). USC (6-1)13). Wake Forest (5-1)14). Syracuse (6-0)15). Utah (5-2)16). Penn State (5-1)17). Kansas State (5-1)18). Illinois (6-1)19). Kentucky (5-2)20). Texas (5-2)21). Cincinnati (5-1)22). North Carolina (6-1)23). NC State (5-2) Georgia tight end Arik Gilbert (7) scores a touchdown past Vanderbilt linebacker De'Rickey Wright (43) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP24). Mississippi State25). Tulane (6-1) Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News Digital. | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 27, 2022 AFC Bournemouth manager Scott Parker REUTERS/Phil Noble Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comAug 28 (Reuters) - Bournemouth manager Scott Parker said he was left "shell-shocked" after his newly promoted team suffered a record-equalling defeat in the Premier League as Liverpool beat them 9-0 at Anfield on Saturday.Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino scored two goals each and other Liverpool players also chipped in as Bournemouth picked up their third consecutive league defeat this season. read more Bournemouth have now conceded more goals (16) in their first four games of a Premier League season than any other side in the competition's history.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"It goes without saying it is a really humbling experience. I am pretty shell-shocked," said Parker, whose team are back in the top flight following a two-year absence."I am not that surprised given the level here is far greater than we have. I am not making an excuse, some of the goals were our own doing. I feel sorry for the fans. I feel sorry for the players because we are ill-equipped at this level."Parker said Liverpool were "ruthless" and that Bournemouth players were left "searching for oxygen" at times."This is the toughest day, as a player and certainly as a coach. The touchline today was pretty painful and I could sense it was painful for the players as well. They need some help."Bournemouth, who are 16th in the table, next host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league on Wednesday.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Topline
A high school in Washington wrongly punished a football coach after he prayed on the field, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, potentially paving the way for fewer restrictions on how public school employees can express their religion while on the job despite Constitutional restrictions on religion in schools. Former Bremerton High School assistant football coach Joe Kennedy at the Supreme Court on April 25 ... [+] in Washington, DC. Getty Images Key Facts The court sided 6-3 with Joseph Kennedy, a former high school football coach in Washington who was punished after praying on the football field during games, which the school said violated the separation of church and state. Kennedy argued that the school district unlawfully violated his First Amendment rights to free exercise and free speech, which the Supreme Court agreed with. In a ruling that split along ideological lines, the justices ruled that Kennedy was not “acting within the scope of his duties as a coach” because he was praying after the game ended and wasn’t doing any of his job duties, and thus his prayers were First Amendment-protected speech. The school district argued that any religious speech by school officials could be “impermissibly coercive on students”—and student athletes said they felt pressured to join in the prayers—but the justices ruled that requiring school officials to have no religious expression whatsoever “would undermine a long constitutional tradition in which learning how to tolerate diverse expressive activities has always been ‘part of learning how to live in a pluralistic society.’” Though the school argued the prayers violated the Constitution’s Establishment Clause, which has repeatedly been used in court to prohibit prayer in public schools, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the court that Kennedy’s actions “did not come close to crossing any line one might imagine separating protected private expression from impermissible government coercion.” In its ruling, the court also “abandoned” its precedent in Lemon v. Kurtzman, which set a higher standard for when schools can involve religion without violating the Establishment Clause, and the court’s liberal justices argued the majority’s opinion “rejects longstanding concerns surrounding government endorsement of religion.” Crucial Quote
“Respect for religious expressions is indispensable to life in a free and diverse Republic—whether those expressions take place in a sanctuary or on a field,” Gorsuch wrote for the court’s majority. “Here, a government entity sought to punish an individual for engaging in a brief, quiet, personal religious observance doubly protected by the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment. ... The Constitution neither mandates nor tolerates that kind of discrimination.”
Chief Critic
“Official-led prayer strikes at the core of our constitutional protections for the religious liberty of students and their parents,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent, joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan. “This decision does a disservice to schools and the young citizens they serve, as well as to our Nation’s longstanding commitment to the separation of church and state.”
Key Background
The Bremerton School District put Kennedy on paid administrative leave in 2015 after it first became aware of his praying from another school’s coach, and declined to renew Kennedy’s contract after he refused the school’s requests to find a more private way to pray. Kennedy has described his practice as saying a “brief, quiet prayer to himself,” but the school alleges the prayer was much more public—taking place on the 50-yard line and with others joining in—and students alleged they felt pressured to take part in order to get on the coach’s “good side.” Gorsuch dismissed those concerns in the court’s opinion as “hearsay,” while the liberal justices argued the majority erred by “ignoring” the fact Kennedy asked others to joined him and caused a “severe disruption to school events.” Lower federal district and appeals courts had both ruled in the school’s favor, and the Supreme Court took up the case this term after previously rejecting it in 2019 at an earlier stage in the litigation.
Tangent
The court’s ruling Monday came after the 6-3 conservative court has repeatedly ruled in favor of greater religious liberty, including a ruling last term that allowed Catholic adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex foster parents and a decision this term allowing a death row inmate to receive prayer from a pastor as he was put to death. The court ruled last week against a school tuition program in Maine that barred public funds from being used on religious schools, ruling the program must apply to non-secular schools and the prohibition on religious schools violated the “free exercise” clause. Further Reading
Supreme Court Signals It Could Side With Football Coach Who Was Punished For Praying (Forbes)
Supreme Court Rules State Funds Can Be Used To Pay For Religious Schools In Maine (Forbes) | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The six-month wait for NFL football ends tonight with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders will square off at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at 8 p.m. ET. Wide receiver Davante Adams (17), head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Derek Carr (4) of the Las Vegas Raiders talk during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center July 24, 2022, in Henderson, Nev. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)While televised football is a sight for sore eyes, Thursday night’s game won't exactly be Chiefs vs. Bills in the AFC Championship. You’ll see many lesser-known players trying to make a roster, while stars play limited snaps, if at all. RAIDERS COACH JOSH MCDANIELS ON USFL: ‘A LOT OF GOOD FOOTBALL PLAYED WHEN YOU WATCH THAT LEAGUE’But there’s still intrigue as the NFL preseason gets underway. Three USFL players will be among those competing Thursday night with quarterback Kyle Sloter suiting up for the Jaguars and cornerback Ike Brown and wide receiver Isaiah Zuber getting their shot with the Raiders. JAGUARS SIGN ALL-USFL QUARTERBACK AS TRAINING CAMP GETS UNDERWAYSloter, who has spent time with the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Raiders, threw for 1,798 yards and nine touchdowns in his one season with the New Orleans Breakers. Head coach Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars during training camp July 27, 2022, at Episcopal High School in Jacksonville, Fla. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)"There's a lot of history in this game," Sloter said, according to Fox Sports. "It's an honor to be able to play in it. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"It's definitely cool to come back," he added, referencing Tom Benson Stadium. "It's always nice to be in familiar territory. Mentally, I've been able to envision myself in some of the positions I'm going to be in, just in my surroundings and knowing what it felt like to be on that turf and in that stadium." Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Kyle Sloter (4) throws a pass during training camp July 28, 2022, at Episcopal School of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Fla. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Sloter should get ample opportunity to show off his skills as Trevor Lawrence, the NFL's No. 1 overall pick from 2021, will not play Thursday night. Sloter thinks his recent playing time will be an advantage as he attempts to make the Jaguars roster. PATRIOTS’ BILL BELICHICK TO YOUNG REPORTER: ‘FANTASY FOOTBALL DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING TO ME’"I'm one of the few people that will be out there that have seen game action as recently as a month and a half ago," Sloter said. "A lot of these guys are playing their first game from a year ago this time, where preseason was the only time that they [play]. Or they're rookies that haven't played at this level before.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"So I'm sure, for a lot of guys, the lights will be a little bit bright and mistakes will be made. For others, some people rise to that." Zuber led the USFL in receiving touchdowns with five, and Brown had 16 tackles and two interceptions during the USFL season. Both Jacksonville and Las Vegas are entering the season with a new head coach. Joe Morgan is a Sports Reporter for Fox News. | Football |
The trial will come in for the 2022-23 season in EnglandA ban on heading by players in matches at under-12 level is to be trialled by the Football Association.It follows research suggesting former footballers are more likely to die from brain disease than other people.The FA has been granted approval from the International Football Association Board to introduce the trial in England from the start of the 2022-23 season.It will be co-ordinated with the county FA network, leagues, clubs and schools throughout the country."Should the trial be a success, the aim is to then remove deliberate heading from all football matches at U12 level and below from the 2023-24 season," an FA statement said.How does a match with no heading work?The Sports Desk: Should football ban heading?Explainer: Heading a football and dementiaFormer West Bromwich Albion striker Jeff Astle and members of the 1966 England World Cup squad, including Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles, have died after suffering from brain functioning diseases believed to be linked closely to heading footballs.Sir Bobby Charlton, who won the World Cup and played for Manchester United, has been diagnosed with dementia.Research into football and head trauma, led by consultant neuropathologist Dr Willie Stewart, has shown professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from dementia than people of the same age range in the general population.Children aged 11 and under are no longer taught to head footballs during training in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, while FA guidelines for coaches also put limits on how much heading older children should do.Last year new guidelines recommended professional footballers in England should be limited to 10 "higher force headers" a week in training."The FA will continue to explore further ideas, in consultation with stakeholders in the game, to reduce heading in youth football without fundamentally changing the fabric of the game," Monday's statement from English football's governing body added.'A watershed moment'Astle's daughter Dawn, the project lead for neurodegenerative diseases in football at the Professional Footballers' Association, welcomed the trial."We want all our children to enjoy their football, but they must be able to play safely," she said."The proposed new trial to extend the heading guidelines already in place for training to matches is a logical and sensible step."Football has a duty of care to continue to mitigate against the risks of heading a ball. This obligation includes youth football but also applies to care of players in the elite professional game."Going into the 2022-23 season, all professional clubs must incorporate the appropriate heading guidelines into their training regimes. Their responsibility extends to their youth, women's and men's teams."Dr Adam White, senior lecturer in sport and coaching sciences at Oxford Brookes University, described the trial as a "watershed moment" for football."This will not only help prevent concussions, it will also help stop CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy)," he said."We need to protect kids' brains from these repetitive head impacts and I strongly urge other sports like rugby to take similar steps to prevent kids from brain trauma. We can act now to protect the future."At the weekend, former Wales rugby union captain Ryan Jones revealed he had has been diagnosed with early onset dementia aged 41 and probable CTE.He has joined a class action being taken against World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union and the Rugby Football Union for allegedly failing to protect players from the risks caused by concussion.Dr Stewart said more needed to be done to help former players affected by repeated blows to the head."It's too late to change the game for them, they have got the damage, we need to think about how we can support them and that is where sport can step in," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Drive programme.Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before - follow your team and sign up for notifications in the BBC Sport app to make sure you never miss a moment | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - August 14, 2022 Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi in action with West Ham United's Lukasz Fabianski REUTERS/Craig BroughRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comNOTTINGHAM, England, Aug 14 (Reuters) - A first-half goal from Taiwo Awoniyi was enough to earn Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday, their first victory of the new Premier League season as the City Ground hosted top-flight soccer for the first time since 1999.Awoniyi scored Forest's first Premier League goal in 23 years in first half stoppage time and it proved to be the difference as both teams had goals disallowed by VAR and West Ham captain Declan Rice had a second-half penalty saved."I'm really happy about it because it took me a long journey to get back to the Premier League and I'm very, very proud of myself," said Awoniyi, who was at Liverpool from 2015-21 but did not make a competitive appearance and was loaned out several times.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"It was a dream for me to score and for the team to win... I believe we will have a great season."Steve Cooper's side had been outclassed by Newcastle United during their 2-0 defeat on the opening day but looked at home in the top flight against West Ham, who were also looking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss to champions Manchester City.Spurred on by a boisterous home crowd, Forest started on the front foot and kept David Moyes' West Ham at bay in a frantic first half before Awoniyi, making his home debut, bundled home Jesse Lingard's miscued shot from Harry Toffolo's cross.Moments earlier, Said Benrahma had slotted past on-loan Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson following a West Ham counter-attack but the goal was chalked off after Michail Antonio was adjudged to have fouled Orel Mangala in the build-up.West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals struck the crossbar seconds after the restart and the rebound fell to Tomas Soucek, whose header was clawed away by Henderson as the visitors made an electric start to the second half.Their momentum was soon halted, however, when Forest forward Brennan Johnson - their top scorer last season with 19 goals in all competitions - beat goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski with a dinked finish in the 54th minute before being ruled offside.On the hour mark, West Ham winger Benrahma hit the woodwork from distance before Soucek's shot was blocked by the slightly extended arm of Forest defender Scott McKenna, resulting in a penalty for the visitors after a VAR replay.Rice stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort, dragged low to his left, was saved superbly by Henderson to preserve the hosts' slender lead.In the closing stages, Forest full back Neco Williams cleared Kurt Zouma's header off the line as Cooper's side saw out seven minutes of stoppage time to pick up their first points of the campaign."This place is a fortress. The fans have been bouncing all game and they deserve this one," Henderson said."I know Dec's favourite side (on penalties) as I've trained with him before... I stuck with what I knew and luckily he put it there."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad
Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
On the morning of 28 May, thousands of Liverpool supporters arrived at fan zones in Paris for that night’s culmination of Europe’s football season: their team’s Champions League final against Real Madrid. The atmosphere was good natured, the anticipation was electric. It ended in chaos and came closer to catastrophe than many realised at the time. Thousands of Liverpool supporters, like Kevin Cowley, were crammed together on a dangerous route to the stadium. Later, as the crush intensified and the match was delayed, they would be blamed for the event nearly turning deadly. For Cowley, a survivor of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, it transported him back to that day, he tells Michael Safi. For David Conn, the echoes from that day in 1989, the worst in Liverpool’s history, were everywhere to be found. When football came together to say “never again” after Hillsborough, it hardly seemed possible that during the biggest night in European football, more than 30 years later, fans could come so close to losing their lives. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Support The Guardian The Guardian is editorially independent. And we want to keep our journalism open and accessible to all. But we increasingly need our readers to fund our work. Support The Guardian | Football |
SummaryCompaniesMore than 320 injured during crowd stampedeIndonesia football association suspends league to investigatePolice say they fired tear gas to control crowdMALANG, Indonesia, Oct 2 (Reuters) - (This Oct. 1 story corrects to remove extraneous word in the first paragraph)A stampede at a soccer stadium in Indonesia has killed 125 people and injured more than 320 after police used tear gas to quell a pitch invasion, authorities said on Sunday, in one of the world's worst stadium disasters.Officers fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse agitated supporters of the losing home side who had invaded the pitch after the final whistle in Malang, East Java, on Saturday night, the region's police chief Nico Afinta told reporters.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars," Nico said, adding that the crush occurred when fans fled for an exit gate.World soccer's governing body FIFA specifies in its safety regulations that no firearms or "crowd control gas" should be carried or used by stewards or police.East Java police did not respond to a request for comment on whether they were aware of the regulations against using gas in stadiums."Many of our friends lost their lives because of the officers who dehumanised us," said Muhammad Rian Dwicahyono, 22, crying as he nursed a broken arm at the local Kanjuruhan hospital. "Many lives have been wasted."The stadium disaster appeared to be the world's worst in decades. Wiyanto Wijoyo, the head of Malang's health agency, put the final death toll at 125, and injuries at 323.Video footage from local news channels showed fans streaming onto the pitch after Arema FC lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya around 10 p.m. (1500 GMT), followed by scuffles, and what appeared to be clouds of tear gas and unconscious fans being carried out of the venue.Many victims at the nearby Kanjuruhan hospital suffered from trauma, shortness of breath and a lack of oxygen due to the large number of people at the scene affected by the gas, said hospital head Bobi Prabowo.Bobi told Metro TV that some victims had sustained brain injuries and that the fatalities included a 5-year-old.President Joko Widodo said authorities must thoroughly evaluate security at matches, adding that he hoped this would be "the last soccer tragedy in the nation".Jokowi, as the president is known, ordered the Football Association of Indonesia, PSSI, to suspend all games in the top league BRI Liga 1 until an investigation had been completed.Inside the stadium at night, a burned chair still lay unattended while slippers and shoes were strewn haphazardly. A damaged police car was also towed outside in a clean-up.At a funeral of two brothers, age 14 and 15, in Malang who had been attending a soccer match for the first time, their relative Endah Wahyuni said: "My family and I didn't think it would turn out like this," adding that they were "quiet and obedient."INVESTIGATION OF GASArema football club supporters lights candles during a vigil outside the Kanjuruhan stadium to pay condolence to the victims, of a stampede following a soccer match between Arema vs Persebaya outside in Malang, East Java province, Indonesia, October 2, 2022. REUTERS/Willy KurniawanFIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement to Reuters that the football world was in "a state of shock following the tragic incidents that have taken place in Indonesia" and the event was "dark day for all involved".FIFA has requested a report on the incident from PSSI, which has sent a team to Malang to investigate, PSSI secretary general Yunus Nusi told reporters.Indonesia's human rights commission also plans to investigate security at the grounds, including the use of tear gas, its commissioner told Reuters.On Sunday mourners gathered outside the gates of the stadium to lay flowers for the victims. Later at night people burned candles in a vigil at a lion statue, the local club's symbol.Hundreds also attended a candle-lit vigil in the capital Jakarta on Sunday night, carrying placards that read "Indonesian soccer in mourning" and "stop police brutality."Amnesty International Indonesia slammed the security measures, saying the "use of excessive force by the state ... to contain or control such crowds cannot be justified at all".The country's chief security minister, Mahfud MD, said in an Instagram post that the stadium had been filled beyond its capacity. Some 42,000 tickets had been issued for a stadium designed to hold 38,000 people, he said.INDONESIAN FOOTBALL SCENEFinancial aid would be given to the injured and the families of victims, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa told reporters.There have been outbreaks of trouble at matches in Indonesia before, with strong rivalries between clubs sometimes leading to violence among supporters.Crowds pack stadiums but the football scene in Indonesia, a country of 275 million people, has been blighted by hooliganism, heavy-handed policing and mismanagement.Zainudin Amali, Indonesia's sports minister, told KompasTV the ministry would re-evaluate safety at football matches, including considering not allowing spectators in stadiums.Periodic stadium disasters have horrified fans around the world. In 1964, 328 people were killed in a crush when Peru hosted Argentine at the Estadio Nacional.In a 1989 British disaster, 96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death when an overcrowded and fenced-in enclosure collapsed at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.Indonesia is scheduled to host the FIFA under-20 World Cup in May and June next year. They are also one of three countries bidding to stage next year's Asian Cup, the continent's equivalent of the Euros, after China pulled out as hosts.The head of the Asian Football Confederation, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, said in a statement he was "deeply shocked and saddened to hear such tragic news coming out of football-loving Indonesia", expressing condolences for the victims, their families and friends.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Yuddy Cahya Budiman and Prasto Wardoyo in Malang, Stefanno Sulaiman, Stanley Widianto, and Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana in Jakarta, and Tommy Lund in Gdansk
Writing by Kate Lamb and Stanley Widianto
Editing by Ed Davies, William Mallard, Kim Coghill, Frances Kerry and Frank Jack DanielOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The San Francisco 49ers threw Jimmy Garoppolo back into the game after losing Trey Lance to an ankle injury against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon.Garoppolo was the backup coming into the game and him playing meant fullback Kyle Juszczyk was the emergency backup should Garoppolo go down with an injury. Juszczyk revealed after the game he joked to Garoppolo that he did not want to play quarterback.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, #10, passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, California, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)"I was definitely aware that I was the backup quarterback for the second half," Juszczyk told NBC Sports Bay Area. "I told Jimmy in the locker room, I said ‘Hey man, don’t make me play quarterback today.’ And he promised he was going to do everything he could to not let that happen."Garoppolo was 13-for-21 with 154 passing yards and a touchdown pass in the win. He will likely be the starter for the foreseeable future as Lance was ruled out for the rest of the season.49ERS DOMINATE SEAHAWKS IN NFC WEST MATCHUP, BUT COMES AT COST OF TREY LANCE'S SEASON Jimmy Garoppolo, #10 of the San Francisco 49ers, celebrates after Kyle Juszczyk, #44, scored a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on Sept. 18, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)"Just like riding a bike," he said of the win. "It felt good to be back out there. Feel terrible for Trey. I’ve been on that side of it. This league is tough. That sucks for him."Juszczyk praised Garoppolo talking to reporters after the game."I thought Jimmy looked great, and it felt like Niners football," the fullback said. "We've been doing this thing for five years. Jimmy’s been around for a long time. I mean, props to him for just being such a professional and being ready to go."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance, #5, is helped onto a cart during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, California, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)Lance was named the starting quarterback early in the offseason but the 49ers failed to find a trade partner for Garoppolo. The NFC champion quarterback agreed to a restructured deal which would make him a free agent next offseason. Now, he gets to increase his own value.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Football |
Luka Modric knew, but then so did everyone else. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon and Real Madrid had just defeated Barcelona in another clásico – Rodrygo had scored, Fede Valverde had scored and Karim Benzema had scored of course – and the Croatian was standing at the side of the pitch, where his teammates were celebrating their return to the top of the table. “We all know what’s going to happen and we all want it to happen and we’re very happy for Karim,” he said. “We hope that tomorrow he will win the Ballon d’Or.”Modric, the winner in 2018, wasn’t there when Benzema boarded a plane at Barajas airport just after 3.30pm the following day, but Benzema was joined by Thibaut Courtois. The club’s president, Florentino Pérez, travelled with them. Luis Figo and Ronaldo Nazário were on board, too. They have three Ballon d’Ors between them. By the time they made the return journey, there was a fourth. Five of the past eight have made the same journey. Benzema is the first Frenchman to win it since Zinedine Zidane 24 years ago and the sixth Real Madrid player.When Pérez went to Benzema’s house at No 33 Rue Youri Gagarin to convince him to come to Spain, he told him that he could become the best player in the world and that Real Madrid was the best place to make that happen. It has taken 14 years, and there may even be an argument that in his case being at Madrid was an obstacle at times, the shadow cast by Cristiano Ronaldo colossal, but now he is.If there have been doubts over the years – and there have been many, many of them, Benzema clearly believing his football has been misunderstood – there were very few this time. Modric knew; the Bernabéu knew, singing him on his way with chants of Karim, Balón de Oro; everyone knew. There can have been few clearer winners.Last season Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 games and provided 15 assists. He was top scorer in La Liga, and top scorer in the Champions League, on 15, two off the record that Ronaldo had set back when Benzema was providing for him. He won both, plus the Spanish Super Cup. He won the Nations League with France, scoring in the final and the goal that begun the comeback against Belgium in the semi-final. Comeback: that’s a word you might have heard a bit, Benzema at the heart of probably the most absurd campaign the European Cup has seen.If he was a Superman, and sometimes he was, his kryptonite was Osasuna’s keeper Sergio Herrera – against whom he missed two penalties in a single game last season and one this. Yet six days after those two misses in just seven minutes against Herrera, he stood on the spot at the Etihad Stadium, with time running out and the pressure on and clipped in a Panenka. It was 4-3 and somehow Madrid had life. A week later, he had another one at the Bernabéu, the clock on 96, and he scored that too, sending Madrid to the final. “We’re going to do something magic,” he said in Manchester, and now they had.Karim Benzema scored hat-tricks against Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in Real Madrid’s journey to another European title. Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty ImagesAgain. Against Paris Saint-Germain Madrid were 2-0 down on aggregate when he scored a hat-trick to take them through. He scored three more at Stamford Bridge, and scored again at the Bernabéu. Then came City. He had scored in every knockout game, having missed the loss in Paris. “Yes, we’re dependent on him; I have no problem saying that,” Carlo Ancelotti said. “I’m happy to be dependent on a player like Karim.” Nor was it just the goals, the coach saying that describing him as a striker “stopped short”.Zidane, who Benzema saw as a kind of big brother, would agree. “People talk about Karim as a pure No 9, a 9 and a half, a 10; for me, he’s a bit of everything,” he said. “I would define him as a total footballer.”Benzema had always felt so too. In fact, he didn’t always see himself as a striker at all; he played, and for others. He played, he liked to say, for those who understand the game. Above all, of course, he played for Ronaldo and while he likes to claim his game hasn’t changed, he admits that it’s different when you have someone alongside you who gets 50 a season. In Ronaldo’s absence, he has taken on that responsibility. It didn’t happen immediately – the first year post Ronaldo was hard – but he has embraced it too, enjoyed it.Stepping into the spotlight, he has been recognised too, the conversation shifting, his legacy ever larger, ever more lasting. The Balon d’Or in his luggage, where everyone knew it would end up, takes him to another level, driven there by numbers even though they are not everything. Benzema has overtaken Alfredo Di Stéfano and Raúl, meaning the only man to have scored more than him at Madrid is the man he provided.Every season he got better: six times he has scored more than 20 league goals in his 13 seasons at Madrid; four of those are the past four, all having passed 30 years of age. Last season was better than any other and, put simply, better than any other player too. It culminated in Paris where he won his fifth European Cup and perhaps the first that was seen as his, ensuring that when he went back on Monday night this award would be too. | Football |
Published September 15, 2022 4:23PM Arlington Football Showdown highlights growth of HBCUs in North Texas The city of Arlington will be the backdrop for a showdown of the Texas Southern University and Southern University football teams. ARLINGTON, Texas - The city of Arlington will be the backdrop for a showdown of the Texas Southern University and Southern University football teams. Alumni of the HBCU's will hold a number of events in and around North Texas. "It's been a lot of excitement. We have a whole committee that has been working," said Correen Robertson the Vice President of the Southern University Tarrant County Alumni Association. "We have sold tickets to some of our alumni from California, Indianapolis, Atlanta, so we have Jaguars that are coming from all over the country to support this game. The Texas-Louisiana matchup further expands the footprint of HBCU's in the DFW Metroplex; a path forged by the decades-running rivalry and State Fair Classic that features Prairieview A&M University and Grambling State University each year in Dallas. READ MORE: New basketball court at Paul Quinn College also serves as a Dallas history lesson Now Arlington gets in on this new HBCU tradition. "Many of us wouldn't be where we are today but for historically Black colleges," said Willie Gary, a Florida attorney who was the keynote speaker of the Arlington Showdown Scholarship Gala. Gary hopes events like the game will bolster positive HBCU highlights, like when rap star Megan Thee Stallion recently graduated from TSU with a degree in Health Administration. "Sometimes we let our heads get too large for our hat sizes, and we forget the bridge that brought us over. Black colleges were there when we had no place to go. You need to know that," he said. Texas Southern University also has plans to permanently locate a satellite student success center at Arlington's Choctaw Stadium. Those involved with the Arlington Football Showdown say for them, it is morethan just a game. "It is all to support our scholarship efforts and send more students back to these universities," said Robertson. Texas Southern University and Southern University kick off Saturday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. at Choctaw Stadium. | Football |
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - September 18, 2022 Real Madrid's David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga celebrate after the match REUTERS/Violeta Santos MouraRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comMADRID, Sept 18 (Reuters) - A clinical Real Madrid extended their perfect start to the LaLiga season when they beat city rivals Atletico 2-1 at the Metropolitano on Sunday.Despite being second best for large periods of the first half, Carlo Ancelotti's side were ruthless in front of goal as strikes from Rodrygo and Federico Valverde put them in a commanding position. Mario Hermoso pulled a goal back for the hosts late on but they were unable to find an equaliser.Victory means Real return to the top of the LaLiga table on 18 points from six games, two ahead of Barcelona in second. Atletico are seventh, eight points behind their neighbours.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"You're always very happy after winning the derby," Ancelotti said."We managed to double our lead and then defend really well. Our gameplan was to be solid at the back and to play direct with the ball between the lines."That's how we scored and we knew once we'd got 2-0 up that defending would be enough to get us over the line."The match, however, was marred by Atletico fans chanting racist abuse at Real's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr outside their Metropolitano Stadium ahead of the derby.Diego Simeone's side started brightly and went close through defender Felipe and Yannick Carrasco but found themselves behind when Rodrygo emphatically finished the visitors' first attempt on target on 18 minutes.It was a goal largely out of nothing, with Aurelien Tchouameni's pass over the top catching the home side's defence cold and allowing the Brazilian to fire home on the half-volley.Antoine Griezmann forced a save from Real keeper Thibaut Courtois as the hosts looked to bounce back, but Madrid doubled their lead with their next effort on goal when Valverde fired in from close range after Vinicius's shot had rebounded off the post.Atletico set up a grandstand finish through substitute Hermoso's header seven minutes from time following a rare mistake from Courtois who misjudged a cross, before the defender was sent off for a second bookable offence in injury time and Real held on to take the points.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Joseph Walker
Editing by Clare Fallon and Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Newcastle United - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - October 16, 2022 Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts before he is shown a yellow card by referee Craig Pawson REUTERS/David Klein SummaryCompaniesManchester United stay fifth after 0-0 home drawNewcastle's Joelinton has best chances of gameFrustrated Ronaldo has two goals disallowedMANCHESTER, England, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Manchester United and an unusually goal-shy Cristiano Ronaldo were unable to find a way past Newcastle United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday in a 0-0 draw that kept both teams in the top six.Showing a passion and solidity sometimes lacking from their hosts, Eddie Howe's Newcastle had the best chance of the game with an extraordinary double header from Joelinton in the first half that came first off the crossbar then off the post.Newcastle's Callum Wilson also had a penalty shout denied.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"We’ve had our moments and chances today. I’m very proud of our players and what they’ve given, especially the defensive performance," Howe told reporters.Feted before the game for reaching 700 club goals in his career, Ronaldo twice had the ball in the back of the net. But he was offside for the first, while the second was disallowed when he cheekily nicked the ball off Newcastle to stroke it home after claiming a free kick had been taken.Ronaldo has only scored twice this season for Manchester United, with some pundits already declaring the 37-year-old to be in the twilight of his brilliant career.The player trudged off the field muttering to himself when he was substituted in the 72nd minute, but United boss Erik Ten Hag defended his decision."We have four games in 10 days. We have to keep the strikers fresh. We have to rotate," he told reporters.He also defended the Ronaldo's recent lack of goals."It will come. Our strikers will score and they will score a lot. I am confident of that. As long as we keep working hard.”SUBDUED STRIKERSThe result left Manchester United fifth on 16 points, with Newcastle sixth on 15 points with one more game played.Antony was again Manchester United's brightest spark, with one close-range shot stopped by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope's shins. Despite seeing plenty of the ball, however, he was unable to wriggle past Newcastle's dogged defence or find the perfect cross for his fellow strikers.Marcus Rashford, on as a substitute for Ronaldo, set up Fred with a late chance but the midfielder pulled his shot just wide. Rashford then missed a header in the final minute as Manchester United pressed for what would have been an undeserved winner.Roared on non-stop by their travelling army, Newcastle had the best of the first half, frequently finding promising positions after sloppy passing by their opponents.But without injured striker Alexander Isak, the visitors failed to apply the finishing touch their efforts deserved."We just lost that little bit of zip (in attack) but I’m very pleased with the team effort," Howe said.In the second half, Newcastle were forced more onto the backfoot, but in truth had little trouble holding out against the hosts.Erik ten Hag's subdued strike force will again come under a harsh spotlight after an unimpressive mid-week Europa League performance when they missed countless chances and left it late for a 1-0 win over Omonia Nicosia.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Toby Davis and Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh committed to the idea of a two-quarterback system for the start of the season, insisting Cade McNamara will start in the first game against Colorado State and J.J. McCarthy taking the initial snaps against Hawaii in the second.Harbaugh invoked the Bible when he explained to reporters the reasoning behind his decision-making at quarterback.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara throws during an NCAA college football intra-squad spring game, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)"It’s a process. It’s a process. I mean, no person – it’s biblical. No person knows what the future holds. It’s a process and will be based on performance," Harbaugh told reporters. "But we’re not gonna withhold any good thing. Both have been tremendous quarterbacks. We think that both are capable of leading our team to a championship. So that’s good. We’re gonna keep cultivating that."People have asked, ‘How’d you come to that decision? Was it based on some kind of NFL model?’ No. It’s really based biblical, Solomon. He was known for being a pretty, pretty wise person."DEION SANDERS LAYS DOWN RULES FOR HIS JACKSON STATE PLAYERS: 'BE THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN' Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, #9, stands with head coach Jim Harbaugh during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)McNamara started every game last season as a junior, leading Michigan to a win over Ohio State for the first time in a decade and to its first Big Ten title since 2004.McCarthy appeared in 11 games last year as a highly touted freshman. He connected on 58% of his passes for 516 yards with five touchdowns. He added two touchdowns on the ground as well.Harbaugh playing both quarterbacks against UConn appeared to be a possibility as well. Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines speaks during the 2022 Big Ten Conference Football Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 26, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Wolverines were among the final four teams in the College Football Playoff last season.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Football |
MoneyWatch October 17, 2022 / 2:28 PM / MoneyWatch College football fans stormed the field of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium and ripped down a goalpost this past weekend after the University of Tennessee beat the University of Alabama. Now the school's athletics department is asking for donations to buy a replacement goal post. A private foundation at UT created a web page where anyone can give, with some 2,100 people having donated so far. As of Monday, the Tennessee Volunteers had raised roughly $83,000 out of a target amount of $150,000."We thought this was a fun way to invite Vol Nation to continue in the celebration," UT athletic director Danny White said in a statement. "We had heard before and during the game that the fans would support a celebration, no matter the cost, so we leaned into that enthusiasm." Goalposts cost between $10,000 and $20,000 each, excluding installation costs. The university also faces additional costs to fix the field. "Following Saturday's on-field celebration, additional repairs are needed beyond just the goalposts like turf," UT athletics spokesman Tom Satkowiak told CBS MoneyWatch. Y'all remember how we tore the goalposts down, hauled em out of Neyland and dumped em in the Tennessee River?Yeah that was awesome.Anywho, turns out that in order to play next week's game, we need goalposts on our field. Could y'all help us out? 🙏 https://t.co/NSMoL3SzPX— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 16, 2022 Tennessee had lost 15 straight times to Alabama and hadn't beat them since 2006. After the game, fans took a goalpost and threw it in the Tennessee River in Knoxville. The school has been fined $100,000 by the Southeastern Conference for allowing fans to run on the field, CBS Sports reported. It's the second offense for UT — students also run onto a basketball court in 2006 after a victory over the University of Florida. A third such penalty would cost UT $250,000, according to SEC rules. Feel bad for anyone who doesn’t like CFB pic.twitter.com/FPwulzVmbk— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 15, 2022 In 2021, the UT athletics department generated $133 million in revenue, with football accounting for $62.4 million, according to financial data the university submitted to the NCAA.This past weekend marked the first time UT had its goalpost torn down since 1998, when the Volunteers upset the University of Florida. After that incident, the Tennessee school bought backup goalposts and will use them now to replace the goalpost torn down last weekend. Money generated from the fundraising campaign will pay for new replacement goalposts, Satkowiak said. Khristopher J. Brooks Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering business, consumer and financial stories that range from economic inequality and housing issues to bankruptcies and the business of sports. Twitter Thanks for reading CBS NEWS. Create your free account or log in for more features. Please enter email address to continue Please enter valid email address to continue | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - August 13, 2022 Fulham's Neeskens Kebano in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Morgan Gibbs-White REUTERS/Chris RadburnRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comWOLVERHAMPTON, England, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham will have to wait for their first Premier League wins of the season after playing out a goalless draw on Saturday as Aleksander Mitrovic's second-half penalty for the visitors was saved by Jose Sa.Fulham were awarded a spot-kick with 10 minutes remaining after Rayan Ait-Nouri had fouled Bobby Decordova-Reid but Wolves goalkeeper Sa stopped Mitrovic's effort to rescue a point for the hosts at Molineux.Wolves, beaten 2-1 by Leeds United on the opening weekend, are without a win in nine Premier League matches. Their last victory came in April against Aston Villa.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comThe hosts made a lively start and caught newly promoted Fulham on the break twice in the first five minutes, when Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan had almost identical chances down the left-hand side after being put through by Daniel Podence.Fulham had goalkeeper Marek Rodak to thank for keeping the scores level before they had their first chance of the game after 20 minutes through Decordova-Reid, whose goalward header was cleared off the line by Wolves captain Ruben Neves.Marco Silva's side arrived at Molineux after an impressive opening-day performance against Liverpool, having held last year's runners-up to a 2-2 draw, but did not play with the same intensity against Wolves and were more reserved in their pressing.A poor mix-up between Rodak and defender Tosin Adarabioyo gifted Neto a golden chance but the winger could not convert. The ball fell to Podence, who struck it across goal in another huge let-off for Fulham.New Wolves signing Goncalo Guedes replaced Hwang just before the hour while Adama Traore came on for Neto after 78 minutes as they looked to push for a winner.However, Hwang's early attempt remained their only shot on target in the match in a disappointing home display for Wolves.Morgan Gibbs-White came closest in the second half but could only turn over a low cross from Ait-Nouri after Hwang was unable to connect at the near post.Fulham striker Mitrovic, who scored twice against Liverpool, was quiet for most of the game and cut an isolated figure up front. His only chance of note before the penalty came in the first half, when he volleyed a shot into the stands.Sa was called upon in the closing stages to deny Decordova-Reid from close range before Gibbs-White and Mitrovic clashed in the closing stages and earned themselves bookings in added time.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad, editing by Ed Osmond and Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
WEATHER ALERTHigh Surf AdvisoryABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News StreamTHE LOOP | Live NYC weather and traffic camsWATCH LIVEWelcome, Your AccountLog OutMOUNT VERNON, New York (WABC) -- Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard cut the ribbon on the long-awaited and newly-improved Memorial Field Wednesday.The new stadium has 3,900 seats and a lighted field where football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey can be played.It also has an eight-lane track, three tennis courts, a skate park and a sound system capable of handling handle major concerts and events.The project, to redevelop a site that was a rundown blight for more than a decade, utilized union contracts and created nearly 400 labor jobs.The field is where a famous Coca-Cola commercial starting Mean Joe Greene was filmed, and where the Jacksons performed in concert.However, the site fell into disrepair, and by 2019, even the crumbling stands had been knocked down -- leaving a huge void for the city's youth.There had been previous renderings under prior administrations that had gone nowhere, and in the meantime, the soil became contaminated by tons of illegally dumped waste.The project began with an environmental cleanup mandated by the state, and construction then commenced on the years-long renovation.Later this month, the new Memorial Field will host the first Mount Vernon Knights football game for the first time since 2007.The county is co-managing Memorial Field until the final touches are complete.ALSO READ | New York City lifting COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private sectorA pharmacist prepares a syringe with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination site at NYC Health + Hospitals Metropolitan, Feb. 18, 2021, in New York.AP Photo/Mary Altaffer----------* More Northern Suburbs news* Send us a news tip* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved. | Football |
Watch: Crowds gather at Wembley for Women's Euro finals In case you missed it, this was the scene in Wembley on Sunday as the Lionesses became the champions of Europe in the Euros 2022 final against Germany.Crowds of more than 80,000 gathered at Wembley Stadium to watch the stunning 2-1 victory - a significant moment in British women's football. Atmosphere at Wembley was 'indescribable' Sally Butler's daughters Connie and Faye, aged 14 and 17, joined her at Trafalgar Square to celebrate with the 7,000-strong crowd today.They travelled from their home in Staffordshire to attend the match at Wembley on Sunday and Ms Butler said that the atmosphere was "indescribable"."Even talking about it now is really spine-tingling. It was a real moment in history," she said.Both Connie and Faye play football and Ms Butler says it is quite possible that they might one day become Lionesses themselves.Connie, who plays football for a local club, said that a boy she was playing against recently told her to "go back to the kitchen" during the match."This is a massive turning point [for women's football]," she said. "It's not perfect, but it's definitely a turning point." Lionesses will inspire 'a generation', says Harry Kane England captain Harry Kane has shared a picture with his two daughters this afternoon as he hails the victory of the Lionesses in the Euro 2022.Kane is pictured holding Vivienne and Ivy - both wearing England football shirts - in the garden following England's win over Germany on Sunday.He writes: "Last night was an amazing night for the Lionesses and for English football as a whole. "But beyond just the night it will inspire a generation and there'll be so many girls who want to be one of those @Lionesses and that’s special. Incredible achievement." Dominoes rebrands one of its stores in honour of Lucy Bronze The Headingley store has temporarily changed its named to "Lucy's" as a tribute to Lioness Lucy Bronze, who once worked at the pizza restaurant.The 30-year-old worked at the Leeds shop as a chef in the early 2010s while at university, according to Leeds Live. Moped delivery drivers at the store were also given bronze helmets and anyone called Lucy with a valid ID was able to claim a free pizza yesterday been 2pm and 4.30pm. Ahead of the final, Ricky Kandola, operations director at SK Group, had said: "Lucy Bronze worked at Domino's so of course she delivers. We have always been proud of Lucy's journey from pizza to pitch."Fingers crossed that Lucy and the team can make a pizza history and bring home the trophy." Downing Street is decked out in red and white Number 10 is flying the England flag this afternoon in celebration of the Lionesses' win over Germany in yesterday's Euro 2022 final.Bunting hangs across the windows of the iconic building, after Downing Street was quizzed over the lack of a Number 10 reception for the victorious team.It insisted Boris Johnson is supportive of women's football even though he wasn't at Wembley to watch the Lionesses' victory last night. Even the trophy got a say earlier In case you missed this earlier, England star Jill Scott took some time out of the celebrations to interview the bucket hat-clad trophy. "How are you feeling?" she asked, pointed a microphone at the statue. Some more photos from that trophy-lifting moment... This is a 'massive moment' for women's football Ryan Grumbridge, 40, and Gemma Grumbridge, 43, travelled from Oldham to London to watch the Euros final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night with their two daughters.Mr Grumbridge, who is a coach for the 250-strong girls' football club Crompton FC, said this is a "massive" moment for women's football."It's good for them to get some recognition - I hope it keeps growing and growing, and we'll carry on getting decent-sized crowds."He said the Lionesses are "fantastic role models" for his daughters Ruby and Amelia, aged 11 and 13."They've got a fantastic bond as well," he added. "They seem like great friends, [Ruby] follows them all on TikTok."Ms Grumbridge added it was "absolutely amazing" to be in London to watch the game at Wembley, with "lots of singing, lots of cheering... incredible". This does look incredibly fun... If you want to channel the Lionesses today, just get your friends to cheer as you lift up an object. Baddiel says Three Lions song should be 'put to bed' It wouldn't be an England game without fans chanting "it's coming home" - but one of the trio behind the football anthem has said he wouldn't mind if the song is given a rest."The women have reset the clock," David Baddiel told BBC radio after the Lionesses' win. The Three Lions song was written in 1996 and has become a stalwart of England matches over decades of gloom.Yesterday's victory erased 56 years of England failing to win a trophy, but Baddiel said "football carries on with its ups and downs". Asked whether it is now time to retire the song, he said: "I'm very happy to think the song would, in a way, be put to bed." He said it was "beautiful" to hear it sung at Wembley yesterday. | Football |
The football pitch has always been a catwalk of sorts. Full kit might not leave much room for individuality but when it comes to hair, the only limit is the imagination (and, possibly, the manager).David Beckham cycled through plenty of statement haircuts during his playing days: from mohawks, buzz cuts and bangs, to curtains, headbands and bleach. French midfielder Paul Pogba’s most daring looks include a leopard print mohawk, blue and white stripes, and a rooster shaved into the side of his head while on international duty with France (in honour of their motif, le coq).Hairstyles send a message. “With a player like Pogba, there’s a flair to how he plays, and that’s reflected in his hair,” says Luke Wanstall, a stylist | Football |
Amazon is close to securing a groundbreaking deal to broadcast Champions League football in the UK for the first time, marking a significant increase in its ambitions to become a major live sport broadcaster.The US internet retailer and streaming giant, which already has a broadcast portfolio spanning Premier League football, tennis and rugby, is understood to be set to split the UK rights with existing holder BT Sport in a new deal with governing body UEFA.BT, which has aired Champions League football since 2015 after beating the then joint holders Sky and ITV with a blockbuster bid, paid £1.2bn at the last auction for exclusive rights until 2024.UEFA is hoping to see an increase of 20% in the value of the new deal, which also includes Europa League and Europa Conference League games, according to Bloomberg. UEFA is also selling the rights to highlights, with ITV tipped to be a contender.For Amazon, the deal is likely to be the biggest it has struck in the UK and cements its position as a major player in live sport broadcasting. In 2018, Amazon moved to break BT and Sky’s stranglehold on Premier League football with a deal to broadcast 20 live matches a season.The company has proved that it is willing to spend big on rights if it believes the content can drive subscribers to its Prime membership, who are much heavier and more frequent spenders on Amazon’s sites.In March, Amazon struck an 11-year deal, valued at $1bn (£824m) annually, to broadcast live NFL football in the US.Last month, BT struck a £633m deal with US media company Warner Bros Discovery to create a joint venture pay-TV sport business combining BT Sport and Eurosport, home to rights including pan-European Olympics coverage.In 2018, Amazon broke Sky and BT’s stranglehold on Premier League football by striking a groundbreaking deal to livestream exclusive coverage of 20 matches a season online. | Football |
Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - August 14, 2022 Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Harry Kane headed a last-gasp equaliser to earn Tottenham Hotspur a barely-deserved 2-2 draw in a feisty Premier League derby at Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.Reece James seemed to have sealed the points for the hosts with a 77th-minute strike but Kane rose to head home a corner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and his Spurs counterpart Antonio Conte, a former Chelsea boss, were both shown red cards after the final whistle as tempers boiled over on a sweltering afternoon in west London.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comCentre back Kalidou Koulibaly marked his home debut in style by volleying Chelsea in front from a corner in the 19th minute and the hosts totally dominated the opening period.Chelsea remained in the ascendancy in the second half and should have had the points wrapped up but were rocked when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg equalised in the 68th minute.Tuchel was furious that the goal was allowed, believing Kai Havertz had been fouled in the build-up, and clashed with Conte.Havertz then spurned a glorious chance to put Chelsea back in front but the hosts did reclaim their lead in the 77th minute when James fired past Hugo Lloris from a pass by Raheem Sterling -- a goal that sent Tuchel joyfully racing down the touchline.Tottenham, who began the season in optimistic fashion, could have had few complaints if they had gone home empty-handed but Kane's late intervention means they have four points from two games, the same as Chelsea.Tottenham have won only once in their last 38 visits to Stamford Bridge in all competitions.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
LenDale White Derrick Henry Isn't Washed!!! ... Huge Games Are Coming 9/25/2022 12:30 AM PT TMZSports.com R-E-L-A-X, fantasy football players ... Derrick Henry's big games are coming soon -- so says former Titans star LenDale White, who tells TMZ Sports the big tailback is NOT washed. White joined Chris Johnson in the TMZ office this week ... and guaranteed Henry would be back to form sooner than later after struggling in the opening two weeks of the NFL season. "I honestly don't believe Derrick has lost his step at all," White said. "I feel like once he gets on the right track and [head coach Mike] Vrabel gets those guys going, he'll be Derrick Henry of old -- King Henry." Titans pitch to the left and all three guys (87, 71, 55) whiff on their blocks. That’s absolutely not Derrick Henry’s fault and I don’t think it’s Todd Downing’s either. pic.twitter.com/w1jrSaVnrd— Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman) September 21, 2022 @JaredStillman The words are music to Tennessee fans' ears -- 'cause Henry really has not looked good so far this year. He only has 107 total rushing yards and 1 TD ... and is averaging a mere 3.1 yards per carry. But White says there's a lot of factors that go into all of that -- including injuries and troubles in the passing game -- which he believes will all get worked out soon and allow Henry to thrive once again. White and Johnson were also optimistic that their old Titans squad will flip around their season after starting 0-2. Henry and the rest of the Titans will look to prove the guys right later Sunday -- when they take on the Raiders at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. | Football |
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) takes the field before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Elias Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News)(Elias Valverde II / Staff Photographer)Ah, Madden NFL ratings. Literal video game numbers. The hype around official players ratings builds, and rebuilds, every year. The time to discuss is now. The Madden NFL 23 ratings release this week -- Monday kicked off with the Wide Receiver rankings.Here are some of the notable Madden rankings for the Dallas Cowboys’ receiving crew, and another relevant name.Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns: 90The Dallas Cowboys’ former No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper snuck into the top 10 with a 90 rating. His speed (91), agility (94) and awareness (93) were among the best of competing wide receivers.Cooper finished the 2021 season with 68 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns.CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: 85The pressure is on CeeDee Lamb now as the top guy. His Madden NFL 23 numbers were quite comparable to Lamb, but his awareness (86) was what really separated him from his former pass-catching teammates.While 85 is respectable, Lamb will have plenty of room to grow as Dak Prescott’s top target in the fall. Lamb’s 79 receptions, 1,102 yards and six touchdowns in 2021 laid the groundwork for what could be an even stronger season.Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys: 83If we’re judging by Madden ratings, the Cowboys could do a lot worse when it comes to the top two receivers. Michael Gallup does have an ACL injury to recover from, but Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was pleased by his improvement during the offseason.James Washington, Dallas Cowboys: 74Placed right above Kansas City’s Josh Gordon, James Washington filed in at a 74 to start Madden NFL 23. The former Pittsburgh Steeler was signed by the Cowboys on a one-year deal and will play an important role as the Cowboys enter the post-Cooper era.Others: Jalen Tolbert (71), Noah Brown (70), Sam Fehoko (66), Brandon Smith (62), T.J. Vasher (61),Ratings release scheduleMonday - Wide ReceiversTuesday - Edge RushersWednesday - Running BacksThursday - CornerbacksFriday - QuarterbacksAll stats via ESPN.comRelated:Where Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb ranks among WRs for NFL execs, coaches, players Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.Be the smartest Dallas Cowboys fanGet the latest news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox.By signing up you agree to our privacy policyMost Popular on DallasNews.com123456 | Football |
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2022 - Final - England v Germany - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 31, 2022 England manager Sarina Wiegman celebrates winning the Women's Euro 2022 final after the match REUTERS/Molly DarlingtonRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - England have changed society with their win in the Women's European Championship, coach Sarina Wiegman said after leading the Lionesses to their first ever major title on Sunday, which sparked scenes of jubilation up and down the country.Wiegman's side beat eight-time champions Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley Stadium in front of a record crowd (87,912) in a tournament that smashed records from one week to the next and garnered huge media coverage in Europe.The entire attendance record for a Women's Euros was beaten halfway through the tournament in England and the host nation were ever-present on the front pages of newspapers as they reached their third major final, finally getting over the line.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"I think we really made a change. I think this tournament has done so much for the game but also for society and women in society in England but I also think in Europe and across the world and I hope that will make a (bigger) change too," Wiegman told a news conference."It's really, really nice to see what we saw today when we came into the stadium how enthusiastic everyone was and how the fans have stood behind us."Wiegman led her native Netherlands to the previous Euros title in 2017 and took over England in September last year, transforming the side into a winning machine, as they have not lost yet under the Dutchwoman.They came into the tournament as heavy favourites but among a crowded field and were put to the test by serial winners Germany, who came back from a goal down in a physically demanding final to take it to extra time.However, it was one of Wiegman's astute substitutions, an ever present of England's run to the final, Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly who popped up with the winning goal.The coach conceded that expectations were tremendously high for England, who had not tasted success in either men's or women's football since the 1966 men's World Cup final, an extra-time win over West Germany.But she would not be drawn on whether they could now push on to challenge for the World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand next year, insisting now was the time to let their hair down."So, now we won the Euros now the expectations will go through the roof again! First, we’ve got to party. We are really proud of ourselves of how we accomplished it. We have all seen the development of this game has gone so fast that many countries could win this tournament," she said."It's not easy to win this tournament. And that’s going to be the same at the World Cup next year... But now it’s time to party and then we will have some time off and then we’re going to prepare for the World Cup qualification and then the World Cup and hopefully we’ll do well."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Christian Radnedge
Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Premier League clubs have broken their transfer spending record for a season in the summer window alone.Estimates from Deloitte’s Sports Business Group show gross spending this summer of £1.9bn, surpassing by £487.8m the previous record spent across the summer and January windows of the 2017-18 season.According to Deloitte, the gross spend is 67% higher than the previous summer transfer window’s £1.1bn and 34% higher than the previous record (summer 2017’s £1.4bn).“The 2022-23 season already has the highest transfer spend since the two-window season began, exceeding the previous record by 3% (2017-18’s £1.86bn),” the group said.New ownership acted as a catalyst for increased spending, with Chelsea spending more than any other Premier League club. They spent £157.8m more than they did last summer (2022’s £255.3m; 2021’s £97.5m) and £53.3m more than the next biggest spenders (Manchester United’s £202m).Liverpool’s and Manchester United’s respective moves for the forwards Darwin Núñez and Antony are the most expensive of this summer, both worth about £85m, and Chelsea signed Wesley Fofana from Leicester for an initial £70m.Zal Udwadia, assistant director in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said earlier in the window: “You’ve got the return of fans in full force and new broadcast deals coming into play, you’ve really got clubs with high amounts of confidence and certainty going into this window.“You’ve got a new broadcast cycle that’s starting, where the international portion of the rights have exceeded domestic rights for the first time, and that really again highlights the global appeal of the Premier League.”Premier League clubs signed 19 players from Football League clubs, up from six in summer 2021, with 68% of these players signed for a fee.This summer’s window also saw a different demographic of clubs among the top spenders compared with previous years, with Nottingham Forest recording a gross spend of £126m, marking only the third time Deloitte has reported any club spending more than £100m upon promotion to the Premier League (Aston Villa, 2019: £124.9m; Fulham, 2018: £104.3m).Udwadia said: “The ‘big six’ clubs [are] spending to solidify or break into those four Champions League spots, you’ve got another group spending to try and break into European football and reap the rewards that brings, and you’ve got a whole tier of clubs who are spending just to stay in the Premier League, because the cost of relegation is so high.” | Football |
Gary Lineker has claimed he knows two gay Premier League footballers and said it would be "amazing" if they chose to come out during the Qatar World Cup to send a strong message to the host nation, where homosexuality remains a crime.The former England striker and TV presenter told the Daily Mirror the players had been "very close" to coming out before now.
"It would be great if one or two of them came out during the World Cup. It would be amazing," he said."I know for a fact that some have been very close and contemplated it. There's a couple I know, but obviously it's not for me to say who they are."The tournament kicks off on 20 November in Qatar - a nation where same-sex sexual activity is punishable by seven years in jail, or even death by stoning for Muslim men under Sharia law.
On Thursday, Qatar's World Cup chief Nasser Al Khater sought to give assurances to LGBTQ+ fans that they would be welcomed at the tournamentWhile Qatar is not prepared to change anti-LGBTQ+ laws to respond to concerns of visiting fans, he has insisted none will be discriminated against during the 29-day tournament and that gay fans will be allowed to hold hands. More on Gary Lineker Gary Lineker and Brian Deane among former players demanding help from football authorities in dementia fight Euro 2020:'It is what it is': Liam Gallagher and Ross Kemp lead tributes to England players after penalty heartbreak BBC report: Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball remain highest-paid stars - despite taking pay cuts "All we ask is for people to be respectful of the culture," Mr Al Khater said."At the end of the day, as long as you don't do anything that harms other people, if you're not destroying public property, as long as you're behaving in a way that's not harmful, then everybody's welcome and you have nothing to worry about." Although Mr Al Khater has said fans can display rainbow flags, he said "it's a FIFA matter" whether approval is given for Harry Kane, the England captain, and Gareth Bale, his Welsh counterpart, to wear multicoloured "One Love" armbands that highlight discrimination. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Gay world cup fans 'can hold hands' Lineker's comments come after he was found to have breached BBC impartiality rules over a remark he made about the Conservative Party having Russian donors.The Match of the Day presenter shared an article about Liz Truss, then foreign secretary, urging Premier League teams to boycott the Champions League final in Russia, with the comment: "And her party will hand back their donations from Russian donors?"The former footballer said his tweet was prompted by an article on football, and it was intended as a comment on the sport rather than on politics.However, the BBC said it has upheld a reader complaint made about his tweet from 23 February, and that the finding has been reported to the management of BBC Sport and discussed with Lineker. | Football |
European football saw revenues increase throughout the COVID pandemic despite the almost complete absence of fans, reflecting the overwhelming role TV rights play in financing the modern game.According to a new report from Deloitte, revenues grew by 10% between 2020 and 2021 to £23.3bn, driven by deferred broadcast receipts from the previous year and the success of the postponed Euro 2020 tournament.
Meanwhile, the revenue generated by the five largest leagues - the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 - hit £13.1bn in the 2020/21 season, a 3% increase from the previous year.This was largely dominated by the Premier League and Serie A, however.Many top clubs in the big five leagues faced backlash from fans over last year's European Super League fiasco.
Six English clubs - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - secretly agreed to play in a super league with other elite European teams, but were fined £22m after the plan fell apart in the face of vicious public outrage.Fans criticised the move as a shameless money grab that further distanced the sport from its grassroots. More on Football Police investigations launched into abusive online content during Euros, as Lionesses write letter to Tory candidates for more access to football for girls Football ticket scams increase ahead of new season From Kharkiv bunker to Wembley Stadium: Ukrainian Kateryna Monzul to referee Euro 2022 final The teams face a much larger penalty - a 30-point league deduction and £25m fine per club - if such a breakaway is attempted in future, under a deal with the Premier League. Image: Manchester City won the Premier League last season The Premier League was the only one of the big five leagues to see clubs improve total operating profits, according to Deloitte, cumulatively increasing from £49m to £479m. Premier League clubs' net debt at the end of the 2020/21 season increased just 4% to £4.1bn.In comparison, Championship clubs' net debt at the end of the 2020/21 season was £1.8bn, an increase of 32%.Meanwhile, the wage costs at Championship teams exceeded revenues for the fourth-consecutive year, with a record high wages-to-revenue ratio of 125%."Clubs across Europe played a significant proportion of matches behind closed doors or with reduced capacity during the 2020/21 season, which caused an almost complete loss of match day revenue," said Tim Bridge, lead partner in the sports business group at Deloitte."It's testament to the resilience of the industry, the value driven by broadcast deals and the success of the Euros that the European football market has achieved tenacious growth, in revenue terms, over the past year."However, it is important not to overlook the loss-making position of many clubs," he said."The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed the financial management of European football, with leagues and clubs having to seek external investment and responding to a shift in trends around transfer spending and club operations." | Football |
Welcome to Moving the Goalposts, the Guardian’s new (and free) women’s football newsletter. Here’s an extract from this week’s edition. To receive the full version once a week, just pop your email in below:Euro 2022 is nearly over. If it were up to me, it would last for ever. Throughout we have seen great energy in the stands, amazing football and the whole of England rallying behind Sarina Wiegman’s squad. The idea is to keep the momentum going next season. When the Football Association announced the fixtures for the Women’s Super League 2022-23 campaign, it explicitly said it was “set to be the biggest ever” because of the home championships.Even after all the records and success, there is so much more to achieve. Anita Asante wrote last week about the England team’s lack of diversity and she raises a really important point – where are people looking for talent? Especially at a time like this, when the visibility is high and there are more girls and women dreaming about playing, it is important to think about the future of women’s football in England.Josh Arnold, the manager at the Bloomsbury Football Academy, said that since the start of the tournament he has seen an increase in the number of girls and boys who want to join their team based in central London. “We often say you have to see it to be it. Maybe we’re missing an opportunity. It would be fantastic to see the diversity that really represents the young people playing the game. However, I believe that the current group of players have really inspired the next generation of young footballers.”The founder of east London’s Victoria Park Vixens, Morgan Brennan, feels the main challenge is not to drop the ball after the Euros. For her, the legacy has to be thought of in terms of a broader impact on women’s football, beyond the professional game and big events. She said the Vixens have received lots of messages from women wanting to join and believes this will carry on until the World Cup in 2023. “It’s just getting bigger and bigger – record numbers of young girls playing football in the UK – so we expect that to continue.”At academy and amateur level, the hope is that the FA will increase investment in the women’s game; that, regardless of results, women’s football in England will become a source of joy, money and inspiration. Arnold’s and Brennan’s teams have hosted screenings of matches and some of their players have gone to the stadiums to support England, which helps them deepen their relationship with the game.Young fans in Trafalgar Square for England’s Euro 2022 semi-final. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/Reuters“I believe that the interest will increase if we continue to relate to the players as we do with the men’s team,” Arnold said. “We’ve now all related to these individuals in the team and how they brought us together as a country, so we should now be counting down to the next competition, promoting tickets to their matches, ensuring that they are accessible.”Brennan agrees. “You’ve got young girls from all around the UK who are able to go and watch one of the matches in the stadium and it hasn’t been limited to London. Since it’s accessible and affordable I think that really helped with the turnout. It’s also been amazing to see it on the BBC, also seeing it on billboards all around the country. It’s definitely the biggest moment for women’s football that I’ve witnessed.”Talking pointsAfrican accolades After the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title went to Banyana Banyana, many of the other accolades ended up with South Africa. Andile Dlamini was the best goalkeeper in the tournament, Hildah Magaia’s two goals in the final made her woman of the match and South Africa won the Fair Play award. However, player of the tournament went to Ghizlane Chebbak, captain of the runner-ups, Morocco.Joy for South Africa after winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco in Rabat. Photograph: Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty ImagesSouth America Brazil and Colombia clinched their places at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after reaching the final of the Copa América Feminina. On Saturday, the 17-year-old Linda Caicedo will try to win the trophy for the hosts while Debinha and Brazil seek their eighth continental title.Quote of the weekSouth Africa’s head coach, Desiree Ellis, after winning the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations: “I am so happy. It has been a long time coming. We have worked so hard to get here. We came into this tournament knowing that we had to take it one game at a time and here we are as African champions. Congratulations to all the players and the team staff. This one is for you, South Africa!”Recommended viewingEngland were already on their way to the Euros final, but Alessia Russo had to do it. The backheel + nutmeg combo was just too much for Hedvig Lindahl to handle in the semi-final against Sweden. Does Russo have eyes in the back of her head? | Football |
NFL's Bud Dupree Pleads Guilty To Assault Charge ... In Walgreens Fight Case 8/15/2022 10:00 AM PT UPDATE 11:13 AM PT -- Prosecutors tell TMZ Sports ... Dupree's probation will be supervised. They added Dupree had to go through anger management classes, which they say he has already completed. Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree just pled guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from his role in a fight at a Walgreens earlier this year, TMZ Sports has learned. The 29-year-old football player -- according to a court official -- appeared in a Nashville, Tenn. courtroom on Monday and made the plea after striking a deal with prosecutors. Dupree pled guilty to misdemeanor assault offensive or provocative, the court official tells us. Dupree was sentenced to unsupervised probation for 6 months, according to the official. He also had to pay $418 in court costs. The Titans had practice Monday morning ... though it's unclear if the pass rusher -- who signed a 5-year, $82.5 million contract with the Titans in 2021 -- made it to the workout. As we previously reported, Dupree was initially cited back on Jan. 4 after cops say he attacked an employee at a Nashville-area Walgreens on Jan. 2. TMZSports.com Cops say Dupree grabbed the employee during the incident -- and then attempted to take the man's phone, before eventually fleeing the scene prior to police officers' arrival. Sources close to Dupree allege the employee had heckled the Titans player ... and threatened to spit on the women he was with, inciting the fracas. We've reached out to the Titans, Dupree's attorney, and prosecutors for comment, but so far, no word back yet. Originally Published -- 10:00 AM PT | Football |
Soccer Football - Serie A - Atalanta v AC Milan - Stadio Atleti Azzurri, Bergamo, Italy - August 21, 2022 AC Milan's Ismael Bennacer celebrates scoring their first goal with Davide Calabria REUTERS/Alberto LingriaRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comAug 21 (Reuters) - Italian champions AC Milan were held to a 1-1 Serie A draw at Atalanta on Sunday as Ismael Bennacer cancelled out a first-half goal by Ruslan Malinovskyi in Bergamo.After an even start to the match, Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with a powerful left-foot finish from the edge of the box.Milan midfielder Bennacer scored the equaliser from a corner by Alexis Saelemaekers in the 68th minute, shooting through the Atalanta defenders and into the net off the post.Milan host Bologna on Saturday and Atalanta travel to Verona on Sunday.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Silvia Recchimuzzi in Gdansk, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
The England women's football team have made their first public appearance since their 4-0 Euro 2022 semi-final win over Sweden.The Lionesses gave a jubilant wave as they appeared outside their London hotel following the match that put them into the final.
"We want to inspire the nation. I think that's what we're doing," said head coach Sarina Wiegman, who will lead her players out at Wembley Stadium on Sunday."And we want to make a difference, so we hope that we got everyone so enthusiastic and that at the end the whole country is proud of us and that even more girls and boys will start playing football."Read more: Meet the Lionesses aiming for glory at Euro 2022 Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 'We want to inspire the nation and make difference' England will now face either Germany or France, who play on Wednesday in Milton Keynes.It marks the first time since 2009 that the Lionesses are through to a major final.They have never won a World Cup or Euros trophy in their history.Goals from Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby secured the famous win against Sweden, which prompted celebrations up and down the country.England men's captain Harry Kane tweeted: "Yesss @Lionesses! Bring on the final."England's leading goalscorer of all time, Wayne Rooney, wrote: "What a performance by @Lionesses tonight. A well deserved #WEURO2022 final coming up. Congratulations to all the players and staff."Read more:Eight players to watch as tournament gets under wayThe state of the game - from pitches and access to pathwaysWhy England's Lionesses might just win Euro 2022 Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options Prince William, president of the Football Association, tweeted: "Congratulations @Lionesses on making it to the #WEURO2022 final on Sunday."The entire country is so proud of everything you're achieving. We believe in you and will be with you all the way! W."Prime Minister Boris Johnson also congratulated the team, tweeting a flag emoji and adding: "On to Wembley!"A fantastic result for captain @leahcwilliamson and the @Lionesses tonight against Sweden. Come on England, bring it home."And the Lionesses' own Twitter account posted: "SEE YOU AT WEMBLEY." | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Alabama Crimson Tide football team was predicted to win its third straight Southeastern Conference championship, according to a preseason poll of nearly 1,000 reporters covering the SEC Media Days over the last week here with 158 votes to 18 for Georgia.Alabama beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game last season, but lost to the Bulldogs in the national championship game. Head Coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs shake hands after the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)The Crimson Tide was picked to win the SEC Western Division with 1,262 total points, followed by Texas A&M with 968 and three first place votes and Arkansas with 844 and one first place vote. Alabama received 177 – all but four – first-place votes. Ole Miss was picked to finish fourth, followed by LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn.KIRBY SMART, GEORGIA AGREE TO MASSIVE CONTRACT EXTENSIONGeorgia was selected to win the SEC East Division with 1,254 points, including 172 first-place votes, while Kentucky was second with 932 points and four first place votes. Tennessee was third with 929 points and one first place vote. South Carolina, strangely, received three first place votes, but was voted to finish fifth in the East behind Florida.AUBURN'S BRYAN HARSIN SAYS OFFSEASON INQUIRY INTO PROGRAM WAS ‘UNCOMFORTABLE’ Alabama Crimson Tide QB Bryce Young (9) passes during the Alabama Crimson Tide versus the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship, on January 10, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Vanderbilt, amazingly, also got a first-place vote despite finishing higher than fourth one time (2008) since the SEC went to divisions in 1992. Points were awarded on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Missouri was picked to finish sixth and Vanderbilt seventh. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMOnly nine times since 1992 has the predicted champion prior to the season at SEC Media Days proceeded to win the SEC Championship Game, which includes the last two consecutive seasons by Bama. Alabama head coach Nick Saban speaks during NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPMedia also voted on the pre-season All-SEC team with Alabama leading the way there as well with 19 selections:2022 PRESEASON MEDIA DAYS ALL-SEC TEAMOFFENSEFirst-TeamQB –Bryce Young, AlabamaRB – Tank Bigsby, AuburnRB –Jahmyr Gibbs, AlabamaWR –Kayshon Boutte, LSUWR –Jermaine Burton, AlabamaTE –Brock Bowers, GeorgiaOL –Emil Ekiyor Jr., AlabamaOL – Warren McClendon, GeorgiaOL – O’Cyrus Torrence, FloridaOL – Nick Broeker, Ole MissC – Ricky Stromberg, ArkansasSecond TeamQB –Hendon Hooker, TennesseeRB – Chris Rodriguez Jr., KentuckyRB – Devon Achane, Texas A&MWR –Cedric Tillman, TennesseeWR –Jonathan Mingo, Ole MissTE –Cameron Latu, AlabamaOL – Layden Robinson, Texas A&MOL – Kenneth Horsey, KentuckyOL – Darnell Wright, TennesseeOL – Javion Cohen, AlabamaC – Sedrick Van Pran, GeorgiaThird TeamQB –Will Levis, KentuckyRB –Zach Evans, Ole MissRB –Kenny McIntosh, GeorgiaWR –Ainias Smith, Texas A&MWR –Josh Vann, South CarolinaTE – Jaheim Bell, South CarolinaOL – Brady Latham, ArkansasOL – Tyler Steen, AlabamaOL – Javon Foster, Missouri*OL –Jeremy James, Ole Miss*OL – Kendall Randolph, AlabamaC –Cooper Mays, TennesseeDEFENSEFirst TeamDL –Jalen Carter, GeorgiaDL –BJ Ojulari, LSUDL –Derick Hall, AuburnDL –Byron Young, TennesseeLB – Will Anderson Jr., AlabamaLB – Nolan Smith, GeorgiaLB –Henry To’oTo’o, AlabamaDB –Jordan Battle, AlabamaDB – Kelee Ringo, GeorgiaDB – Eli Ricks, AlabamaDB – Jalen Catalon, ArkansasSecond TeamDL –Zacch Pickens, South CarolinaDL –D.J. Dale, AlabamaDL –Ali Gaye, LSUDL –Colby Wooden, AuburnLB –Bumper Pool, ArkansasLB –Dallas Turner, AlabamaLB –Brenton Cox Jr., FloridaDB –Cam Smith, South CarolinaDB –Antonio Johnson, Texas A&MDB –Christopher Smith, GeorgiaDB –Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi StateThird TeamDL –Gervon Dexter, FloridaDL –Justin Eboigbe, AlabamaDL –Maason Smith, LSUDL –McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&MLB –Owen Pappoe, AuburnLB –Ventrell Miller, FloridaLB –Jeremy Banks, TennesseeDB –Kool-Aid McKinstry, AlabamaDB –Trey Dean III, FloridaDB –Trevon Flowers, TennesseeDB –Malachi Moore, AlabamaSPECIALISTSFirst TeamP – Nik Constantinou, Texas A&MPK –Will Reichard, AlabamaRS –Kearis Jackson, GeorgiaAP –Jahmyr Gibbs, AlabamaSecond TeamP – Oscar Chapman, AuburnPK –Anders Carlson, AuburnRS –Ainias Smith, Texas A&MAP –Devon Achane, Texas A&MThird TeamP –Paxton Brooks, TennesseePK –Harrison Mevis, MissouriRS –JoJo Earle, AlabamaAP –Ainias Smith, Texas A&M* – Indicates a tie | Football |
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2022 - Final - England v Germany - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 31, 2022 England's Chloe Kelly scores their second goal REUTERS/John SibleyRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - An extra time strike from forward Chloe Kelly gave England a 2-1 win over Germany in the Women's European Championship final on Sunday to claim their first ever major title in front of a record crowd on home soil.Substitute Kelly reacted quickest to a loose ball from a corner in the second period of extra time to give her side the win and avenge their defeat by Germany in the 2009 Euro final in Helsinki.England coach Sarina Wiegman became the first manager to win the Euros - men's or women's - with two different nations having led her native Netherlands to the title in 2017. She was appointed England boss in September last year and the side has not lost since.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"I just can’t stop crying. We talk, we talk and we talk and we finally done it. You know what, the kids are alright. This is the proudest moment of my life," England captain Leah Williamson said pitchside."Listen the legacy of this tournament is the change in society. The legacy of this team is winners and that is the journey. I love every single one of you, I'm so proud to be English. I'm trying so hard not to swear."On an unforgettable day for England, the hosts opened the scoring in the 62nd minute through forward Ella Toone in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley Stadium, the 87,192 attendance a record for a UEFA tournament, men's or women's. read more Substitute Lina Magull brought Germany back into the game to send it to extra time but Kelly popped up at the right time to clinch it for England and send the home fans wild.Germany suffered a blow in the warm-up as striker Alexandra Popp, who had scored six goals in five games in her debut Euros, suffered a muscle injury and had to pull out of the line-up and was replaced by Lea Schuller.PHYSICAL ENCOUNTERMartina Voss-Tecklenburg's side missed Popp's presence in the box but it was a heavily physical encounter that produced a goalless first half.Toone opened the scoring shortly after the hour mark with a beautiful chipped finish, moments after coming on as a substitute.However, that was cancelled out by Magull who fired in an equaliser from close range 17 minutes later after the hosts had been pushed back by their opponents.The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes to take it into extra time where the atmosphere died down a little as the thought of Germany winning a record-extending ninth Euros crown at the home of English football began to permeate.That was until the 110th minute when Kelly, who had moments before urged the crowd to raise their voices and cheer the side on, reacted quickest to stab in the winner and inflict Germany's first defeat in a major final."It doesn't seem real. I'm buzzing my head off. Honestly the best moment of my career, best moment of my life. I'm so proud to be a part of this group," Toone said.England's Beth Mead won the Player of the Tournament award for her six goals and five assists, helping her side score a record 22 times during the tournament."I am speechless. I’m in shock. I’ve just had a good cry with the family, I wouldn't be here without them," the 27-year-old said."I am so, so proud of this team, I love this team and I love this country."Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Christian Radnedge, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Soccer Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Manchester United arrival in Bangkok - Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, Thailand - July 9, 2022 Manchester United team bus left the Don Mueang Airport REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBANGKOK, July 9 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Thai fans of Manchester United Football Club cheered the squad on Saturday as they arrived at a Bangkok airport for a friendly match with fierce rivals Liverpool next week."United! United!" they shouted when the English Premier League side arrived.Fans were disappointed over Cristiano Ronaldo's absence but found excitement over the new coach, Erik ten Hag, who was joined by midfielder Bruno Fernandes, goalkeeper David De Gea and forward Marcus Rashford leading the arrivals.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"I'm a bit disappointed that Ronaldo did not join the trip. I still admire him though, because he's my idol," said Adthapong O. Charoenkul, 32, who was among the first in line at Don Muang airport.Manchester United and Liverpool face off on Tuesday, the Southeast Asian nation's first overseas match since the pandemic began. Liverpool are expected to arrive at noon (0500 GMT) on Sunday.The pre-season friendly is part of the teams' tours before the top English soccer league's season begins next month. United will then go on to Melbourne and Liverpool to Singapore."Erik ten Hag is an inspiration to the team. There are lots of rules that players have to adapt to the new coach and new strategies," said Adthapong, who has supported the team since 1999. The coach "will manage to bring the team to second place in the upcoming season."Organisers sold tickets for as much as 25,000 baht ($700) to the match, scheduled to feature a performance by Jackson Wang of K-POP boy band GOT7.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa; Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Published September 11, 2022 9:35AM Updated 2:59PM article COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 10: Camerun Peoples #6 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers rushes for a touchdown during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on September 10, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Photo b COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - On paper, there was no reason to believe that Appalachian State would have a chance Saturday against No. 6 Texas A&M. But Mountaineers coach Shawn Clark, who makes 10 times less than the over $9 million Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher receives each season at the Southeastern Conference school, made it clear to his 18 1/2-point underdog team that the game is not played on paper and mindset would mean everything. "The key was belief," an exhausted Clark said. "You have to believe in yourself and believe in this program. I told them take the logo off of the helmet, take the logo off the field and let’s go play football." And play football they did, with Chase Brice throwing for 134 yards and a touchdown and a stingy defense taking advantage of two turnovers to stun the Aggies 17-14. "It didn’t feel real at first," Brice said. "I’ll be honest, I was just in shock. I just couldn’t believe the way we fought and finished. It was just great." Appalachian State won a week after scoring six touchdowns and 40 points in the fourth quarter in a 63-61 opening loss to North Carolina. "It means something to me to beat the No. 6-ranked program," Clark said. "It’s two different programs. We don’t recruit at the same level. We don’t have what they have, but we have a lot of heart and we have the right kind of players in our program." Clark was thrilled to see Brice lead his team to the win after his school-record six-touchdown performance last week wasn't enough to complete the comeback. "He was crushed," Clark said. "He loves this program and today was his shining moment." Along with the victory, the Mountaineers got a fat $1.5 million check to take back with them to Boone, North Carolina, for playing this game. Appalachian State (1-1) settled for a 29-yard field goal by Michael Hughes to take a 17-14 lead with about eight minutes left after Christian Wells was wide open but dropped a touchdown pass on third down. The Aggies (1-1) had a chance to tie it with about 3 1/2 minutes to go, but a 47-yard field goal attempt by Caden Davis was short. MORE: Texas A&M Aggies Coverage on FOX 4 Camerun Peoples, who finished with 112 yards rushing, had a 1-yard run on third down on the next possession to keep Appalachian State's drive going. He then dashed 48 yards to the 12 on the next play and the Mountaineers ran out the clock. "At the end of the day, that’s my fault as the head football coach," Fisher said. "We have to have guys ready in all three phases. We had chances to make plays in all three phases.. We had opportunities, but we have to coach it better. That’s on me." It’s Appalachian State’s first win over a team in The AP top 10 as a FBS team after losing in overtime to No. 9 Tennessee in 2016 and dropping an OT game to No. 9 Penn State in 2018. The Mountaineers famously knocked off No. 5 Michigan 34-32 with a last-second blocked field goal in Ann Arbor in 2007 when they were still in the FCS. "Respect all those guys they were great," offensive lineman Cooper Hodges said. "But I’m tired of hearing about Michigan. I want our legacy to be Sun Belt champions and I want our legacy to be beating Texas A&M." The Mountaineers kept A&M’s offense in check a week after Clark was left looking for ways to fix his defense after the 63-point outburst by North Carolina. Devon Achane ran for a touchdown in the first half and returned a kickoff for a score in the third, but the Aggies had trouble getting much else going on a mistake-filled day. The Mountaineers outgained A&M 305-186 and had 22 first downs to just nine by the Aggies. They controlled time of possession, too, holding a 41:29 to 18:31 advantage in that area. Fisher said he would consider a change at quarterback this week after a sub-par performance by Haynes King. He added that they probably would have made the switch Saturday if the game had gone differently. "We were but we never had the ball," he said. "If we had got more possessions maybe so." The Aggies were driving in the third quarter when Dexter Lawson Jr. forced a fumble by Evan Stewart after a 13-yard reception and it was recovered by Nick Hampton. The Mountaineers took a 14-7 lead when Henry Pearson grabbed a 9-yard TD reception from Brice with about 2 1/2 minutes left in the third. The lead was short-lived as Achane returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown seconds later. Achane, who is a sprinter on Texas A&M’s track team, juked a defender before shedding a would-be tackler and racing downfield for the score to tie it at 14-all. King was sacked by DeAndre Dingle-Prince and fumbled late in the first quarter. Texas A&M lineman Layden Robinson recovered the ball, but he also fumbled and this time Appalachian State recovered it. They cashed in on the mistake when Ahmani Marshall scored on a 4-yard touchdown run that made it 7-0 early in the second quarter. The Aggies tied it up when Achane dashed 26 yards for a touchdown on the next drive. King finished with 97 yards passing. THE TAKEAWAY The loss puts a huge dent on Texas A&M’s preseason goal of finally contending for a national title, leaving the Aggies in an early hole before they even begin the rigors of SEC play. RECORD TALK Fisher was hired to take A&M to the next level after coach Kevin Sumlin was fired after his sixth season. But so far Fisher hasn't done any better than Sumlin did in his time with the Aggies. Sumlin was 36-14 in his first 50 games and Saturday's loss dropped Fisher to 35-15 in his first 50. POLL IMPLICATIONS The Aggies are certain to plummet in the poll after losing to an unranked opponent. Appalachian State should enter the poll after the big upset. UP NEXT Appalachian State: Hosts Troy next Saturday. Texas A&M: Hosts No. 15 Miami next Saturday night. | Football |
The Football Association is to create a women’s futsal national team for the first time as it tries to grow female participation and capitalise on the football team’s historic Euro 2022 success, the Guardian has learned.An under-19s team will be set up, with the prospect of a full senior team coming later, and the men’s equivalent-age team will be relaunched to compete in the under-19s futsal European Championship qualifiers in January.The move, described as a “game changer” for the women’s game in England, comes two and a half years after the FA axed nearly all funding for the Fifa-sanctioned five-a-side sport and was fined by Uefa for pulling the senior men’s team out of the Euro 22 qualifiers.An FA spokesperson told the Guardian: “We are in the process of finalising exciting plans for futsal … which involve working with the sport’s wider stakeholders and include England representative teams at under-19s level. Full details will be announced in due course.”Leanne Skarratt, a women’s and girls’ coach at Manchester Futsal Club, said: “This is a game changer for women’s futsal in England. Having a national team to aspire to will pave the the way for a new generation of female players, inspiring girls who want an alternative to football and who will be able to represent their country in a different format of the game. One that makes them even better as players.”Manchester’s women’s team compete in tier 1 of the FA-backed National Futsal Series. BT Sport screens women’s and men’s games live as part of a three-year deal agreed last year.At youth level, futsal’s growth in England is sustained by a sponsorship deal signed with Pokemon in 2019. Thousands of girls and boys compete in the national youth cup, which has been running since 2008.When funding to the national team pathway was scrapped in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, the FA dismissed futsal as having only a “limited link” to its pursuit of a major 11-a-side tournament title.Two years earlier, Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, had described futsal as a “key part in our strategy to grow the women’s and girls’ game” in a six-year plan, Fast Forward with Futsal, which included a pledge to create a women’s senior team to compete in the Uefa Women’s 2021 European Championship.It is understood internal divisions over the approach to futsal still exist and that an external partner will be brought in by the FA to run the national teams.Futsal, the indoor game born in South America in the 1930s, is widely recognised as essential to the development of creative and intelligent footballers at youth level in nations such as Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Russia and Iran, where it is the dominant game in schools and a professional sport in its own right.The news comes days after Gareth Southgate said he felt England didn’t develop creative “playmakers” through “youth football and through academies” as well as other nations.Uefa leads the way in pushing youth and women’s futsal alongside football. The third iteration of the women’s European championships and the men’s under-19s tournament take place next year. Spain have won all four tournaments.Northern Ireland are the only UK nation to have competed in the women’s Euro qualifiers.Fifa is under pressure to end its “deeply discriminatory” approach to women’s futsal after a campaign for it to launch a women’s World Cup sustained during the men’s tournament in 2021, which was won by Portugal for the first time. | Football |
The number of children who died in a stampede at a football match in Indonesia has risen to 32.At least 125 people were killed in the crush on Saturday following the game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya in the city of Malang.
Families and friends of some of the dead have begun mourning the victims as their bodies were returned home.Only fans of the home side, Arema FC, were allowed to attend the match after organisers banned visiting supporters due to Indonesia's history of football-related violence. President Joko Widodo has ordered an investigation of security procedures, and the president of world governing body FIFA, Gianni Infantino, called the deaths "a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond comprehension".
Police said 323 people were injured in the crush, some of whom are still in a critical condition.Witnesses described fans flooding the pitch after Arema lost 3-2 to Persebaya, ending 23 years of being undefeated at home against their rivals. More on Football Harry Kane's message as he joins other football captains to wear anti-discrimination armband in Qatar Boy, 13, breaks 42-year-old record to become UK's youngest senior footballer Premier League to return this weekend - but two more games postponed Some of the 42,000 Arema fans flung bottles and other missiles at players and officials and at least five police vehicles were toppled and set alight outside the stadium.Riot police trying to stop the violence fired tear gas in the stadium, triggering panic in the crowd and sparking the crush as they stampeded for the exits. Most of the 125 people who died were trampled or suffocated. Image: Arema FC players and officials pray for the victims Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said in a news conference: "I ensure that investigation on this case will be conducted thoroughly and seriously."President Widodo has ordered a suspension of the Indonesian premier league until safety is re-evaluated and security is tightened.The nation's football association has also banned Arema from hosting any matches for the rest of the season.Human rights group Amnesty International has urged the Indonesian government to investigate the use of tear gas at the stadium and ensure that those found in violation are tried in open court.Police are still questioning witnesses and analysing footage from 32 security cameras inside and outside the stadium and nine mobile phones owned by the victims, as part of the investigation to identify suspects.The 18 officers responsible for firing tear gas as well as security managers are also under investigation. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 'A tragedy beyond comprehension' FIFA, which has no control over domestic games, has previously advised against using tear gas at stadiums.Hooliganism is rife in Indonesian football, with fanaticism often spilling over into violence.Prior to the stampede on Saturday, 78 people have died in game-related incidents over the past 28 years, according to data from Indonesian watchdog Save Our Soccer. | Football |
DOHA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Ticket sales for the soccer World Cup are approaching the three million mark ahead of the tournament kicking off in Qatar on Nov. 20, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and event organisers said on Monday.The top 10 purchasing countries of the 2.89 million tickets sold are Qatar, the United States, Saudi Arabia, England, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, France, Brazil and Germany, FIFA's World Cup Chief Operating Officer Colin Smith told a news conference in Doha."There is currently either low or no availability for matches," Smith said.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comInfantino, addressing the conference in a recorded video, said 240,000 hospitality packages had been sold for the month-long tournament, making it the "most successful hospitality program ever," he said.Hospitality tickets, which allow access to luxurious stadium lounges, some with free-flowing alcoholic drinks, cost more than $34,300 per person for semi-final matches and the final, according to FIFA's website.Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preview - Doha, Qatar - October 14, 2022 Fifa World Cup 2022 branding is seen at Hamad International Airport REUTERS/Hamad I MohammedQatar, the smallest country to have hosted soccer's global showpiece tournament, is preparing for an estimated 1.2 million visitors during the World Cup, the first to be held in a Middle Eastern country.Thousands of fans are expected to stay in neighbouring countries like tourism hub the United Arab Emirates and fly in to Doha for matches due to limited accommodation in Qatar.The director general of Qatar's World Cup organising committee, Yasir Al Jamal, told the news conference that two million room nights had been sold and Qatar has added an additional 30,000 rooms to accommodate last-minute ticket sales."This has been designed to ensure that all ticket holders have the best chance of securing accommodation," Al Jamal said.With most of the 31,000 or so hotel rooms in Qatar occupied by soccer teams, their support staff and World Cup officials, organisers are offering fans accommodation in apartments, villas, prefabricated metal cabins, desert tents and three cruise ships moored in the Doha port.Japan will be the first team to arrive for the tournament on Nov. 7, Smith said.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Andrew Mills; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Jan Harvey/Ed Osmond/Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
National hero Chloe Kelly - England's supersub who netted the dramatic extra-time winner in the final of the Women's Euros - had to battle back from a serious injury with a fighting spirit she would have first developed in "the cages" of west London.The 24-year-old forward suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in May 2021, and it was not until just weeks before the Euros that she was able to make a return to club football.
She developed her fighting spirit from an early age - growing up in Ealing, west London, she would play football with her five older brothers in enclosed football areas, known as "the cages".As soon as she finished breakfast, she would head to a cage where she would spend most of the day.Kelly - the youngest of seven siblings - has previously told how her brothers did not treat her differently during their "street football without any rules" - and the mutual respect helped her develop into the player she is today. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Moment England's Chloe Kelly came home Her mother, Jane Kelly, described what her daughter was like as a child: "I knew she'd always do something because she always had a ball at her feet, always played football…"
She told Sky News: "Once she started in the cages, there was no letting go. She used to come in, she had cuts on her knees… I used to say to her 'well don't go then'. And she'd still go back the next day. She was tough as old boots." More on Women's Euro 2022 England star Beth Mead's journey from a small Yorkshire village to the pinnacle of women's football Euro 2022: How Sarina Wiegman's ruthless European style has changed England's fortunes Liz Truss commits to exploring Women's World Cup bid if she becomes PM Her daughter got the winning goal at Wembley after Ella Toone put the Lionesses in front.Jane Kelly said she was feeling "absolutely brilliant" and was "on cloud nine" after the historic victory. Image: Chloe Kelly's mother Jane Kelly says she was 'on cloud nine' Kelly's mother 'keeps watching the game over and over'She added: "When Ella Toone scored, I thought, 'how proud must her parents be?' because we were all so proud. And then when Chloe scored, I was ecstatic. I cried, I just can't put it into words, it was so good.""I keep looking at all the videos. I keep looking at the game over and over. I ain't slept at all."Last year's ACL injury came at the end of an impressive campaign for Manchester City, which led to supporters voting her player of the season.Kelly was unable to appear at the Olympic Games in Japan the following summer and faced a long journey back to full fitness with the Euros on the horizon.Growing up as a season ticket holder at Queens Park Rangers, Kelly had developed a passion for the game, which saw her play in her younger years for her childhood club.But it was a switch to Arsenal's Centre of Excellence which saw her able to develop her skills further and even being given the chance to play alongside her idol, England scoring legend Kelly Smith.The rising star - seen as one of the brightest young talents in the game - scored inside the first 25 minutes on her debut for the Gunners in July 2015.Following loan spells to Everton, she eventually signed a permanent deal with the Merseyside club in 2018 and at the end of that year, made her senior debut in a friendly for England in a 3-0 victory against Austria. Image: Kelly scores England's winner in extra-time at Wembley Kelly's performances continued to attract interest from elsewhere, and she made the move to Manchester City in July 2020.In her first season for the club, she scored 16 goals in 34 appearances - before injury brought her campaign to an end.She penned a new deal with City earlier this year which will run until the summer of 2025. Image: Pic: Instagram/@chloekelly Read more:Brandi Chastain congratulates Kelly over goal celebrationEngland Euro 2022 victory - live reactionSarina Wiegman reveals why she kissed wristband during finalWhat's next for England?But it was full fitness that she really wanted to secure, so she could return for City before the end of the season and stake a claim for a place in the England squad for the Euros being hosted in her home nation.In April, with the beginning of the Euros closing in, Kelly made her long-awaited return from injury and won a place in manager Sarina Wiegman's England squad for the summer tournament. Podcast Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker She was used as an impact sub throughout the competition - but it was her exploits in the final against Germany at Wembley which made history.Kelly came off the bench in the 64th minute to score a 110th-minute winner and give the Lionesses a famous 2-1 win to secure the nation its first major football trophy since Sir Alf Ramsey's victorious side won the World Cup at the same venue in 1966. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player England fans celebrate Euro victory After Ella Toone's opener had been cancelled out in normal time by Lina Magull, Kelly was able to poke home from close range.'What dreams are made of'"This is what dreams are made of," she said during euphoric scenes after the match."Thank you to everyone who played a part in my rehab because I always believed I could be here, but to score the winner - wow!"She mentioned her family, including her brothers - against whom she started her journey to national stardom all those years ago. | Football |
An all-female RAF flypast will grace the skies above Wembley on Sunday in celebration of a women’s football team that this weekend received good-luck messages from the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and the royal family before the Women’s Euro 2022 final against Germany.“Your passion for the game, your tenacity in tricky spots and above all your astounding talent on the pitch have already created a summer of fantastic memories for millions of us,” Boris Johnson wrote in a letter to the England team.“Whatever happens at Wembley this evening, I know that, come tomorrow morning, the pitches and playgrounds and parks of this country will be filled as never before with girls and women who know beyond any shadow of a doubt that football is not just for boys – it really is for everyone.”Keir Starmer, in his letter to the Lionesses, said: “As a parent, I know how vital it is to see strong, successful role models in sport. What you and your team have accomplished this summer will not just be celebrated as a great moment for English football but as one that encouraged and inspired young women like my own daughter.”On Saturdaythe royal family’s Twitter account posted a message saying “There was some special music at today’s changing of the guard” accompanied by a video of the Coldstream Guards playing Sweet Caroline, football’s unofficial anthem, outside Buckingham Palace.The RAF will fly over Wembley before a match that is expected to hit a new attendance record for any Euro final tournament match.Tickets for the final sold out before the start of the tournament, which started on 6 July with England against Austria in front of a packed Old Trafford. The last-minute scramble for tickets has even left the England men’s team disappointed. “Quite a lot of the England men have been in touch, just wishing us well and asking if they can have a ticket,” England midfielder Georgia Stanway said yesterday on Saturday. “Sorry lads, we’re all sold out!”Enthusiasm for the game has been building rapidly throughout the contest and today screens are going up in pubs, bars, gardens and public spaces around the country – including Trafalgar Square in London and Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester – ready for the kickoff at 5pm.Meanwhile, millions are expected to tune in to BBC coverage from home, with audiences expected to break records. The previous women’s viewing figure record was set in 2019, peaking at 11.7 million when England lost to the USA in the World Cup semi-finals.The British Beer and Pub Association predicts 10m pints worth £40m will be sold on Sunday. It is hoped the event will boost trade for struggling pubs by at least a third.“The widespread interest in this year’s women’s tournament so far has been unprecedented,” said Emma McClarkin, the BBPA’s chief executive. “We’re looking forward to fans making the most of Sunday’s final by heading to their favourite pub to cheer England on to victory.”Marcela Villa-Mackenzie, 11, one of the mascots for tonight’s final. Photograph: Sylvia Villa-EcheverriaJo Clark will be one of those watching in her local. She has been a dedicated follower of the Lionesses all her life – but trying to watch games at pubs, even in big tournaments, has always been a deeply unsatisfying experience. During the World Cup, she said, pubs treated it “like the afterthought”.So this time she and five friends teamed up with an east London pub to screen the 31 games themselves in a friendly and inclusive environment.The outcome, Baller FC, has proved such a success that all 200 tickets for their screening of today’s final at the Stag’s Head in Hoxton were snapped up in just a few hours. “It’s been brilliant,” said Clark, 38, who works in business development. “It’s been the best July of my life.”Boxpark, which provides street food, drinks and entertainment under one roof, said more than 3,000 people had bought tickets for its sold-out events at Croydon, Shoreditch and Wembley. At the start of the tournament, it found people were hesitant to come out in support, but since the quarter-finals has seen huge demand.Those who have a ticket for Wembley can expect an “electric” but friendly atmosphere, said Yvonne Harrison, chief executive of the group Women in Football.The atmosphere for the finale of the biggest women’s sport event in history would be “unlike anything we’ve seen”, she said. “It will be a different energy going down Wembley Way to anything I’ve experienced. I’m really looking forward to that.”Commercially, the tournament and the success of the Lionesses had led to a surge of interest from big brands, said Harrison. But, she added, it would be interesting to see whether they stuck around after the Euros.Girls United Football Association, which has worked with more than 650 girls in south London in the last year, said the tournament had enabled it to take dozens of girls to their first football matches, but that impact on participation would not be apparent until the start of the new season.Spokesperson Josh Emerson said a meaningful legacy would be enabling all girls to play football in schools.Sweet Caroline played at changing of the guard before Women's Euros final – videoMarcela Villa-Mackenzie, from south-east London, is one of 10 Girls United players chosen to walk on to the pitch at Wembley with the England and Germany teams at the start of the match. The 11-year-old, who started playing football four years ago, said: “It’s the best thing that I’ve done and I’m really excited.”She said the Euros had changed views of women’s and girls’ football. “People think men are a bit more exciting, which isn’t true, but now people have really thought ‘Oh, women are just the same as men.’” | Football |
At the start of Bengals training camp a year ago, the questions about Joe Burrow were as numerous as the potential range of outcomes.
Would he prove worthy of the first pick? Would he finish the season healthy? Could he make a leap in production after returning from a ravaged ACL? And how would the view of Cincinnati’s future change if he didn’t?
Burrow spent the next seven months laying waste to any questions about his career arc.
Like few things in sports and life, Burrow lived up to the hype. Joey Franchise proved to be the elite quarterback organizations dream about. In two seasons, he has erased a 31-year playoff-win drought and returned the Bengals to the Super Bowl for the third time in the 54-year history of the club. Stardom arrived.
He finished as an MVP candidate and the comeback player of the year, and combining the regular season and the postseason, he was Pro Football Focus’ top-graded quarterback. He shrugged off 70 sacks, an ACL recovery, a throat contusion, an MCL sprain, a dislocated pinky and an ankle injury to will the Bengals to an 8-3 record after the bye week in games he started. That included a win at the No. 1-seeded Titans and two against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Joe Burrow is introduced during a fan rally at Paul Brown Stadium before the Super Bowl. (Katie Stratman / USA Today)
He transformed the Bengals’ culture, expectations and entire brand. His extreme confidence and humble work ethic permeated and defined an often rudderless franchise and reactivated a disconnected fan base. Not a bad encore after posting arguably the greatest season in college football history while winning a national title at LSU.
“He’s everything you would wish for,” Bengals president Mike Brown said, “especially for a quarterback in Cincinnati.”
The primary question surrounding the 25-year-old quarterback a year later: What can he possibly do next? To understand where Burrow could go in his third season and beyond, we must fully understand where he’s been — and the rare company he joined in the process.
Last summer, in advance of Burrow’s second season, I took a deep look at the history of the second-year jump for quarterbacks over the past 15 years. The parameters were at least 350 passes thrown in the first and second seasons. The metric used was adjusted net yards per attempt-plus (ANY/A+). The stat takes the important yards-per-attempt number and weights for touchdowns and interceptions. To account for era, the scale is based on 100 being the average score for a quarterback in a particular season. So, if a quarterback scored 109, he was 9 percent better than the average quarterback that year. If he scored 91, he was 9 percent worse than the average quarterback that season.
Countless metrics, advanced and traditional, are evaluating NFL quarterbacks. Using ANY/A+ was an intentional choice as one of the most correlated to winning, as exhaustively researched by The Michigan Football Analytics Society. ANY/A+ of the past 12 Super Bowl QBs A team with a quarterback outside the top quarter of the league in ANY/A+ has no chance. Every Super Bowl quarterback ranked in the top eight of the league, with half of them in the top three. Efficiency, explosiveness, limiting turnovers and cashing in on red zone opportunities define wins and losses.
Burrow made a jump from 93 as a rookie to 116 last season. That tied his Super Bowl foe, Matt Stafford, for second in the league behind Aaron Rodgers. Burrow’s 23-point jump from his first to his second season was the largest made by a qualifying quarterback since Carson Palmer went up 26 points from 2004 to ’05.
(Note: A quarterback’s first season taking substantial snaps is used as the first year, regardless of the draft year; hence, Palmer’s first season counting as 2004. Same for Mahomes, whose season behind Alex Smith did not count in this study.)
The numbers are backed up by the evaluators. In the latest QB Tiers by the The Athletic’s Mike Sando, Burrow elevated to a Tier 1 quarterback for the first time. His move from 14th overall (Tier 2) to sixth in this year’s edition was the largest leap for any quarterback.
Toss in Burrow’s leadership and unwavering performances in last season’s most critical moments while helping the Bengals advance to the Super Bowl, and there’s no debating whether he belongs in the conversation with the best in the game. The questions: What comes next? What do we know about his ability to stay there?
The answers require a look back at ANY/A+. Only nine quarterbacks in the past 30 years have posted an ANY/A+ of at least 115 in their second season. So what happened next with that group? What are the odds of a fall from grace? How did their careers advance after the dominant second season?
Here’s the group of quarterbacks and their ANY/A+ for the next three seasons, including the number of seasons in which they posted at least 110: Career arc of QBs with 115+ ANY/A+ in Year 2 PlayerYear 2Year 3Year 4Year 5110+ careerPatrick Mahomes127**127*111N/A4/4Kurt Warner137130*INJINJ6/9Lamar Jackson12510694N/A1/4Jared Goff121120*1021002/6Carson Palmer121117108INJ4/11Peyton Manning12012710911313/17Carson Wentz117**110100712/6Joe Burrow116*N/AN/AN/A1/2Russell Wilson115**109*1231066/10 ** Won Super Bowl
* Lost Super Bowl
There are no guarantees of holding the same high level of play in the long run; however, almost across the board, Year 3 has served as a continuation of the successful second year. Of the eight quarterbacks before Burrow to post this number, a whopping four went to the Super Bowl the next season. And two of them — Mahomes and Russell Wilson — returned after making it the previous year.
Sample-size concerns are noted, but the correlation is remarkable.
Beyond Year 3, the depreciation and lack of consistency in the group start to show up. Some, such as Carson Wentz, Jared Goff and Palmer, fell off. Others battled injury. A select few, such as Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner and Mahomes, sustained Hall of Fame trajectories.
The years after Burrow’s anticipated record-breaking contract is signed and starts to dominate the Bengals’ balance sheet will determine the group with which he ultimately winds up. But for the sake of the upcoming season, judging off the arc of similar performers, Cincinnati should prepare for another fun ride on Burrow’s rising star. Comparisons across generations happen all the time in the NFL, but never more than with quarterbacks. With Burrow, one name repeatedly surfaces.
“Burrow is a young Tom Brady,” one NFL general manager said in Sando’s QB Tiers.
As much as the style of play, leadership savvy and underdog backstory through the college ranks connect him, the name on the ANY/A+ list worth emulating is another used around Burrow inside the Bengals organization: Peyton Manning. Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was an offensive assistant on the Broncos staff with Manning for four years, advancing to two Super Bowls. He sees the traits that lifted Manning as the reason for potential with Burrow.
“To see that and a lot of similar traits in Joe when we first started the interview process, and see how he has developed his processes and what he thinks about football and how he sees it,” Callahan said. “It’s really beneficial to have been with Peyton because there are very few guys as good as him in preparing to play a position. That’s something I’ve tried to impart on Joe and something where he’s naturally that way as it is.”
Don’t expect the uber-competitive Burrow to be thinking about how Manning worked or Brady evolved while grinding through his journey to avenge a Super Bowl loss to the Rams. The key element for finding consistency, in his mind, means not being motivated by what others are doing.
“I don’t think you can go as hard as you can every single day and think about someone else,” Burrow said. “I think you have to think about what you need to do every single day and focus on getting better in certain aspects, whether it’s getting stronger in the weight room and you hit a (personal record) on a lift or you’re getting better technique or you have a breakthrough on the field as far as your mechanics. I don’t go into my workouts every day thinking how I’ve got to outwork this guy. I’ve got to outwork myself from yesterday.” Joe Burrow and head coach Zac Taylor celebrate after a comeback win over the Jaguars last season. (Joseph Maiorana / USA Today)
Head coach Zac Taylor says most days Burrow has already watched whatever he’s about to show him for the game plan. For the man who keeps a chess board in front of his locker at all times, adjustments and scheme changes quickly make sense. Just as important, the high-level conversation that ensues, specifically for a player who is only 25, is where the consistency of play from week to week and — the Bengals hope — from year to year is grounded.
“He doesn’t hesitate to ask questions and ask for further explanation — whereas some guys in the NFL will ‘yes, sir’ you to death that they understand when they really don’t,” Taylor said. “That’s what’s really good about him, is he’ll give you the honest feedback you want.”
Burrow and the Bengals were charmed last season. Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase played nearly every game. Evan McPherson made nearly every deep kick. The opponents were the most injured in all of football. The defense picked off eight passes in the playoffs to set up numerous short fields.
Taylor and Callahan say it’s in seasons when the luck isn’t so charming that Burrow can truly shine. His extreme preparation, in the mold of Manning, and leadership style, as a young version of Brady, can carry the franchise.
These comparisons are unfair entering just his third season, but Burrow’s pace and impact make them improbably realistic.
“What great quarterbacks do is they make everyone around them better,” Taylor said. “They get the most out of everyone else, whether everyone feels like the standard has been raised so that they feel like they have to match what he is doing because he is so prepared and hard working that we have to get to his level. At the same time, they can feel (it) not even with words but his demanding to ‘Get on my level so we can keep doing this.’ It doesn’t have to be in words. It can be done just through actions. He’s really special that way. That’s probably how a lot of the great ones are.” Joe Burrow stayed after #Bengals practice today to get extra sprints in. Wearing the Catapult the strength staff tracked his mph and he was getting after it.
Burrow said he doesn’t do it after every session, but sometimes. These OTAs don’t always provide his desired workout. pic.twitter.com/1TQ5asAqWS
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) May 31, 2022 Defenses won’t play the Bengals the same this season. Burrow knows that. The coaching staff knows that.
Burrow completed 12 passes of at least 50 yards last season, the most of any season in league history dating to 1991, as far back as can be searched. Eight of those went for touchdowns.
To expect Burrow and the Bengals to sustain such a historic pace is unrealistic. Defenses shifted to more two-high shells to keep the passing game in front of them as the season progressed, and that will only grow this year. That’s why Burrow has focused a specific part of his preparation for the upcoming season around growing a precision underneath passing game that can dissect teams on 10-play drives just as effectively as one long bomb.
“We just got to be more consistent, not rely on those big plays as much,” Burrow said. “Teams are gonna be playing (Cover 2) and making us check the ball down and all that, so we gotta be able to sustain drives and run the ball and take what the defense gives us, all the way up and down the field, and then take those opportunities when they present themselves.”
The Bengals will need to be significantly better at specific aspects of offense that dogged them at times last season, but they hope that much of that work is already done. Adding Alex Cappa, La’el Collins and Ted Karras to the offensive line brings stability to the liability Burrow was often working around in 2021.
This will help improve on one of the worst short-yardage conversion rates in the league and sustain drives. But mostly it will be about taking the punishment off Burrow’s body. Yes, the poor line contributed to the 70 sacks he endured during the regular season and postseason combined. But the next step for Burrow is a deeper understanding of how to limit punishment while not sacrificing spontaneous playmaking.
“The sack thing is legitimate, and there’s some things that he can do to help that,” Callahan said. “There’s a time and a place to extend a play; there’s a time and a place to throw the ball away or to take a checkdown or what have you. So it’s hard to sit here and be like, ‘Hey, this is exactly what you got to do.’ Every down-and-distance is different, but there’s moments where he could help take some of the heat off of himself and take a few hits off.” Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald sacks Joe Burrow in the third quarter of Super Bowl LVI. (Kirby Lee / USA Today)
Burrow’s style of play, though, is what put him on the list of the best second seasons in league history. The toughness displayed by taking nine sacks against Tennessee but standing up to deliver the game-winning bench route to Chase with the game on the line is what stands out to league executives ranking him as a Tier 1 quarterback.
He threw deep to C.J. Uzomah on fourth-and-inches in overtime of the opener to set up the victory. He audibled to take the hit against a zero blitz to win the game against Jacksonville, yelling, “You can’t zero me!” all the way to the sideline. He threw behind Chase running the other direction in the end zone on fourth-and-5 against San Francisco. He converted third-and-27 to Chase against Kansas City to win the AFC North. The examples become too many to count.
They became almost ordinary. In many ways, for Burrow, it is.
“It’s wanting to be the guy that has the ball in that situation,” Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher said. “A lot of guys say that because they know that is what they should say and that’s what people want to hear. But there are very few guys who that is who they are. And that is who Joe is. He came to us that way. We are lucky to have him. I wouldn’t trade him for anybody.”
Burrow’s toughness and belief have won over teammates at every stop and keep them wanting to stay on his level. Actions over words. For Burrow, it’s as natural as it is intentional.
“As a quarterback, you’re not playing the same game as everybody else on the field,” he said. “You’re back there, and it’s more of a mental chess match than it is a physical toll on your body. So when you get a chance to show your toughness, I think as a quarterback, you have to. And that’s popping up — and not having bad body language if you get hit — popping back up, getting back in the huddle and doing it again.”
The concept defines Burrow on a micro and macro level: Pop up, get back in the huddle and do it again. Play after play, game after game, year after year.
“He’s the toughest guy mentally I have ever been around,” Pitcher said. “He’s the most confident person I’ve ever been around.”
Can Burrow be Brady? Can he be Manning, Rodgers or one of his heroes, Drew Brees? Or does this end up going the way of Goff and Wentz, who floundered and were dealt after early breakouts?
When dissecting the key to sustaining success, the difference between those who last and those who flash and fade is the mental aspect of the position. And what makes this staff believe.
“I don’t think there is anything you can measure the key to sustaining success by,” Callahan said. “I think it is how the quarterback is wired. What is their mental makeup? Guys like Peyton, Brady, Brees, those guys are extreme, super tough, super dialed in and unbelievably driven. They don’t allow themselves to fail.
“That’s what makes Joe so much more of an impressive player, is his mindset. It’s what’s going to eventually transcend him and keep him in the top five like those guys.”
(Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images) | Football |
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Channing Stribling, one of the premier defensive backs in the United States Football League, landed with an NFL team this week.The Washington Commanders announced Friday the team signed Stribling, and it appeared he will get a chance to earn a place on the 53-man roster in training camp and the preseason. Stribling is coming off an All-USFL season with the league runner-up Philadelphia Stars.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Philadelphia Stars cornerback Channing Stribling (8) shakes hands with Birmingham Stallions quarterback J'Mar Smith (6) after the USFL Championship game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium July 3, 2022, in Canton, Ohio. (Gaelen Morse/Getty Images)Stribling led the USFL with seven interceptions. It was two more than New Jersey Generals defensive back Shalom Luani, who finished the season with five.Stribling added 16 tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack and was named to the All-USFL team.Stribling appeared on several NFL teams in 2017 and 2018. He also played in the Canadian Football League, Alliance of American Football and the XFL. Channing Stribling of the Philadelphia Stars in the second quarter of a game against the Houston Gamblers at Protective Stadium May 29, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. (Donald Page/USFL/Getty Images)USFL STARS SQUARING OFF IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 'GRATEFUL' FOR OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN LEAGUEPhiladelphia finished second in the North Division to the Generals but beat New Jersey in the playoffs. The Stars lost to the Birmingham Stallions in the championship.The Commanders were 25th in points allowed and 22nd in yards allowed during the 2021 season, finishing 7-10.Washington also signed USFL cornerback DeJuan Neal. Channing Stribling (8) of the Philadelphia Stars celebrates after breaking up a pass in the second quarter of a game against the New Orleans Breakers at Protective Stadium April 17, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. (Rob Carr/USFL/Getty Images)Stribling, Neal and Christian Sam, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys, are among the USFL players who have signed with NFL teams.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPChris Odom, who led the USFL in sacks, reportedly worked out for three NFL teams. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. | Football |
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2022 - Final - England v Germany - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 31, 2022 England's Chloe Kelly scores their second goal REUTERS/John SibleyRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comLONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - England beat Germany 2-1 in the Women's European Championship final on Sunday to claim their first ever major title in front of a record crowd on home soil.England forward Ella Toone opened the scoring in the 62nd minute with a beautiful chipped finish, moments after coming on as a substitute. However, that was cancelled out by Germany's Lina Magull who fired in an equaliser from close range 17 minutes later.The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes to take it into extra time. The sides could not be separated until 110th minute when England forward Chloe Kelly reacted quickest to a loose ball from a corner and poked in the winner.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Christian Radnedge, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | Football |
Camdan McWright SJSU Football Player Killed In Scooter Accident ... 18 Years Old 10/21/2022 12:53 PM PT San Jose State football player Camdan McWright, a freshman running back, was killed on Friday morning ... in a horrifying scooter accident just feet from the SJSU campus. He was 18 years old. According to law enforcement, McWright was riding on an electric scooter at around 6:53 AM when he steered into an intersection and was struck by a school bus that was carrying 14 local high school students. Fatal collision involving school bus in San Jose. @CHPSanJose in charge with @BobNBC providing #update for this #BayArea story I’ve been working on since 6:50ish when it was first reported. pic.twitter.com/yO4rMZA0xx— Henry Mulak (@HMulak) October 21, 2022 @HMulak Authorities say McWright suffered significant injuries in the collision ... and died at the scene. Cops said they do not believe alcohol or drugs factored into the crash. They added that an investigation is ongoing. SJSU officials said Friday following the accident that they were devastated over it all. "We lost an amazing young man tragically this morning," football head coach Brent Brennan said. "Camdan had a bright future ahead of him and everyone in this community that had the opportunity to spend time with him knew that." "We are still trying to deal with the news of this tragedy, and appreciate everyone's support during these difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McWright family and I want them to know we are all here for them. Camdan will always be in our hearts and he will be profoundly missed." McWright just joined the SJSU roster this season after starring at St. Genevieve H.S. in Los Angeles. He had played in one game for the Spartans this season, rushing for six yards on three carries against UNLV on Oct. 7. He would have turned 19 years old in December. RIP. | Football |
Three players were forced off the field after suffering head injuries in the opening three minutes of the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night. The State of Origin decider has kicked off in carnage after three players were forced off the field suffering head knocks.Three players - Queensland's Selwynn Cobbo and Lindsay Collins, as well as New South Wales' Cameron Murray - were ejected just three-and-a-half minutes into Wednesday night's contest at Brisbane's Suncorp stadium. Murray was the first to go after an attempted tackle resulted in a head clash with Maroon winger Corey Oates leaving him dazed and stumbling on field. Just seconds later Cobbo was knocked out, crashing head-first into the hip of the Maroons teammate Patrick Carrigan. The blow left him sprawled across the turf for several minutes until he was driven off the field via medicab in neck brace. He was joined minutes later by his teammate Collins, who was knocked out by fellow Maroon Tom GilbertAll three were ruled out of the game under Category 1 concussion protocols resulting in significant setbacks for both the Blues and Maroons.Former Maroons skipper and Channel 9 commentator Cameron Smith said he's never anything like it, describing the brutal opening minutes of the decider as "all-out warfare"."Wow. I think it was technique first but the way both of these sides have started, Joey, it's all-out warfare," he said in commentary. "It shows everyone watching at home and in the stands, what this means to both football teams."You'd have to go back quite some time to match this physicality, this intensity. We're seeing game one and how fast it was, but I can't say we've seen the hits like we have tonight. It's unbelievable."The Blues faced another scare when centre Matt Burton was left dazed after copping a blow to the head from Maroon Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.He was given the all clear by doctors but was later sin binned alongside Dane Gagai after a brawl erupted two minutes into the second half. | Football |
More than 120 football fans have reportedly died after chaos and violence erupted following an Indonesian league football match. Supporters of the Javanese clubs Arema and Persebaya Surabaya clashed after Arema were defeated 3-2 at the match in Malang Regency, East Java.The head of the Malang Regency health office, Wiyanto Wijoyo, said more than 120 people had died. Officials were still collating the numbers of injured victims, he added. The Associated Press has reported that 127 people were killed, including two police officers.“More than 120 people died, they died of chaos, overcrowding, trampling and suffocation,” Wiyanto confirmed, adding that the total injured were definitely more than a hundred and were referred to different local hospitals.Fighting reportedly started when thousands of Arema fans rushed into the field after their team lost. Persebaya players immediately left the field, but several Arema players who were still on the field were also attacked.Reports said many of the casualties occurred after police fired tear gas into crowded stands, causing panic among supporters at the Kanjuruhan Stadium.The Indonesian league has been suspended for a week as a result of the deadly incident. League officials have claimed the violence caused several deaths, but the number of victims who lost their lives could not be ascertained.“We are concerned and deeply regret this incident,” said Akhmad Hadian Lukita, the president director of PT Liga Indonesia Baru. “We share our condolences and hopefully this will be a valuable lesson for all of us.”The Indonesian football association (PSSI) will launch an investigation into what happened after the game. Neither the FA nor the league officially confirmed the number of casualties.“We announced the decision [to suspend the league] after we received a direction from the chairman of PSSI,” Akhmad Hadian added. “We are doing this to respect everything and while waiting for the investigation process from PSSI.” | Football |
Footballers will no longer take the knee before every Premier League game this season.Instead, the captains of the league's 20 clubs have agreed to use specific moments during the campaign to take the knee "to amplify the message that racism has no place in football or society".
In a statement, the league said: "The Premier League supports the players' decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League's No Room for Racism Action Plan."Players will take the knee during this weekend's opening games of the season, at dedicated No Room for Racism matches in October and March, Boxing Day fixtures after the World Cup has finished, the last day of the season and the FA and EFL cup finals.The Premier League captains said in a statement: "We have decided to select significant moments to take the knee during the season to highlight our unity against all forms of racism and in so doing we continue to show solidarity for a common cause. "We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all."
Players and staff at Premier League clubs began taking the knee prior to kick-off in games in June 2020 to show their support for the movement for racial equality. More on Premier League Premier League footballer arrested on suspicion of rape Premier League final day: Man City on course to pip Liverpool to title after stunning turnaround Newcastle United fan facing ban and fined £300 for making Nazi gesture at Spurs supporters The decision was supported by the Premier League, with players and match officials wearing 'No Room For Racism' badges on their shirts.The clubs began making the gesture in support of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd in the US in May 2020.It was inspired by NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who took the knee during the US national anthem in protest against racism.A total of £238,000 will be donated to youth clubs on behalf of the club captains after £119,000 was raised from the royalties of the badges sold on club shirts last season, with the Premier League matching the amount. | Football |
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