Football

He's not even an adult yet but Jake Daniels showed maturity beyond his years when he became the only active male professional footballer to come out as gay. The 17-year-old, who plays for Blackpool in England's second tier, was widely praised for his courage. But what's the situation elsewhere in Europe? In France , no active professional footballer has ever come out. French striker Olivier Rouyer revealed he was gay after retiring as a player and coach. Last weekend, players in France's Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 were asked to wear rainbow colours on their shirts as part of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on 17 May. But Paris Saint-Germain's midfielder Idrissa Gueye was omitted from the club's match against Montpellier for "personal reasons". RMC Sport reported he refused to play because he didn't want to wear rainbow colours. On Wednesday the National Ethics Council (CNE) of the French Football Federation (FFF) … [Read more...] about Footballers coming out: What’s the situation elsewhere in Europe?

Stratosphérique ! Le maillot que portait la légende argentine du football Diego Maradona quand il a crucifié l'Angleterre à la Coupe du monde de 1986 a été adjugé pour près de 9,3 millions de dollars, soit un peu plus de 8,80 millions d'euros. Cette vente pulvérise tous les records pour un maillot sportif de collection, a annoncé la maison d'enchères Sotheby's. Cette tunique de l'Albiceleste est doublement mythique. En effet, c'est celle que portait Maradona le 22 juin 1986 au stade Azteca de Mexico. Ce jour là, "El Pibe de Oro" marqua aux "Three Lions" deux de ses plus célèbres buts, entrés dans la légende. Le premier, tricherie manifeste marquée du poing à la 51ème minute, fait encore aujourd'hui l'objet d'une large polémique. Mais de l'aveu de Maradona, c'est "la Mano de Dios" ("la main de Dieu") qui est intervenue à ce moment-là. Le second but, lui, ne prête à aucune polémique. Après avoir pris la balle dans son camp, Maradona dribble et passe en revue … [Read more...] about Football : un légendaire maillot de Diego Maradona adjugé plus de neuf millions de dollars

Neymar led Paris Saint-Germain's title celebrations, but fans of the French champions have stayed away as their protest against the club continues. PSG made sure of the title over the weekend , but their success came in less-than-convincing circumstances. Lionel Messi gave Mauricio Pochettino's side the lead against 10-man Lens at the Parc des Princes, but their depleted opponents still found an equaliser to ensure the spoils were shared on Saturday night. The game was notable for boos directed at Pochettino before kick-off, with reports suggesting the manager could still be sacked despite the title win. Supporters walked out in protest despite PSG reclaiming the Ligue 1 title - having finished runners-up behind Lille in 2021 - but the players still had time to celebrate. It was a fourth Ligue 1 title for Neymar since his world record move from Barcelona in 2017, though the Brazilian missed a chunk of the season through injury. The 30-year-old has just 11 goals in all … [Read more...] about Inside PSG’s private title celebrations led by Neymar as Lionel Messi nowhere to be seen

By Catherine Evans Published 20 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Men's football could pick up a few tactics in diversity from the women's game, according to fans. Footballer Jake Daniels received widespread praise and support as he became the first active player in more than 30 years to come out as gay . But the news has laid bare the differences in how LGBT players are treated. Fans of the women's game said there was less pressure for players to perform to gender stereotypes. In 1990, Justin Fashanu stunned the football world when he told a newspaper he was gay. Rainbow Wall for Wales' LGBTQ+ fans Why Daniels coming out is a watershed moment Others will follow Daniels' path, says Lineker Three decades on, he remained the only male footballer to reveal his sexuality while playing professionally in England's top tiers - until … [Read more...] about Jake Daniels: Is it easier for women footballers to come out?

By Zoe Applegate & Martin Barber Published 22 October 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Exactly 30 years ago, footballer Justin Fashanu hit the headlines as the first professional player to come out as gay. What impact did he make - and why have no others followed him? As a footballer, Justin Fashanu was a ground-breaker. In 1981 he became the country's most expensive black player with his £1m move to Nottingham Forest. Growing up in foster care in Norfolk alongside his footballer brother John, he had risen through Norwich City's youth ranks. His majestic strike against Liverpool in 1980 was Match of the Day's Goal of the Season, cementing his legendary status among Canaries fans. Then, in 1990, Fashanu stunned the football world when he told a newspaper he was gay. Three decades on, he remains the only male footballer to reveal his sexuality while … [Read more...] about Justin Fashanu: 30 years since footballer came out

Australia’s PM accidentally bowls over a child during football match Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Mr Morrison fell on top of him while playing soccer at an election campaign event on Wednesday, before quickly rolling over and checking on the child, television footage showed. The boy got up and exchanged a high-five with Morrison, the footage showed. The moment has been likened to when Boris Johnson knocked a boy over in rugby in 2015. Related articles Man, 20, left without lower half of his body after horror accident Ukraine: Russia 'interrogate militants' threat to surrendered troops The then-mayor of London fell … [Read more...] about Australia’s Morrison channels Boris Johnson as he bowls over child during football match

Australian PM Scott Morrison accidentally bowled over a child during a soccer match today - echoing Boris Johnson doing the same during a rugby match seven years ago. Mr Morrison tackled the child while on a visit to Devonport Strikers Soccer Club in Tasmania today, with the PM deciding to join in a match while still in business dress. After the accident, he reprised his gag from days earlier about being 'a bit of a bulldozer' politically. Mr Morrison's actions echoed those of Boris Johnson, who sent a child sprawling on the floor after he bundled into him full force during a 2015 'friendly' game of street rugby in Japan while Mayor of London. The British Prime Minister 'flattened' the 10-year-old schoolboy as he attempted to show off his rugby skills during a visit to a mini turf pitch in Tokyo. Australian PM Scott Morrison accidentally knocked over a child during a football match - drawing comparisons between the Aussie leader and British PM Boris … [Read more...] about Aussie PM does a Boris and sends a young child flying while playing football – then jokes he’s ‘a bit of a bulldozer’

US football authorities are to pay their men and women the same for international competitions, including in their respective World Cups. The United States Soccer Federation said on Wednesday it will create a mechanism for sharing prize money. Under the agreements, which run until 2028, US Soccer becomes the first federation in the world to award equal prize money from FIFA World Cups to both women's and men's teams. US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement on the federation's website: "This is a truly historic moment. These agreements have changed the game forever here in the United States and have the potential to change the game around the world." US striker Margaret Purce added: "I feel a lot of pride for the girls who are going to see this growing up, and recognise their value rather than having to fight for it. Advertisement "However, my dad always told me that you don't get rewarded for doing what you're supposed to do - … [Read more...] about Footballers’ pay: Deal struck to ensure men and women internationals earn the same in the US

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been laughed at for producing the worst chant of the season after dubbing the words to their usual chant for Manchester United target Ruben Neves. The Portuguese maestro, 25, is a popular figure at Molineux after helping the Black Country outfit back into the Premier League with some mesmerising displays in the Championship . Since then, his stock has risen to dramatic new heights and Neves has been tipped with a summer move in search of regular European football. Man Utd, Arsenal and Barcelona are all said to be keeping close tabs on the slick midfielder who still has two years remaining on his current contract. Despite the constant links away, Wolves supporters are desperate for Neves to stay put and even changed the words to their usual chant to plead that he commits his future to the club. "Don't sell Neves... Who? Ruben Neves... I just don't think you understand. If you sell Neves, Ruben Neves, you'll have a riot on your hands," … [Read more...] about Wolves fans produce ‘worst chant this season’ as they beg Ruben Neves to snub Man Utd

Former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel looks strikingly different in retirement to how he did as a player, having grown his hair out and fallen in love with Instagram. The Slovakian centre-back revealed health reasons have forced him to hang up his boots at the age of 37. Skrtel spent eight years at Anfield before leaving in 2016, and took in spells at Fenerbahce, Atalanta, Istanbul Basaksehir, before a return to his home country with Spartak Trnava. Judging by Skrtel's Instagram page, the former defender has a lot to look forward to, as he now boasts just shy of 900,000 Instagram followers, with the majority of early posts from his time at Liverpool focused on training pictures or dressing room celebrations. However, the defender began to indulge fans in his later years with more posts from his personal life with wife Barbora both at home and on holidays. Recent holiday snaps show Skrtel enjoying trips to Italy and France with his young family, amid posts to fans of his last … [Read more...] about Inside Martin Skrtel’s career from Liverpool hardman to Instagram-lover with gorgeous wife