England goalkeeper Mary Earps hits out at Nike for refusing to sell her shirt
England goalkeeper Mary Earps says Nike’s decision to not sell her kit during the Women’s World Cup is “hurtful” and “hugely disappointing”. England’s home and away kits are available for fans to buy, but the Lionesses goalkeeper kits have not been put up for sale by the team’s kit supplier. Earps was England’s goalkeeper when they won the Euros last summer and the Manchester United star was named Fifa’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper for 2022. Follow LIVE: Latest updates as England face Spain in Women’s World Cup final Her outstanding form has continued during the World Cup, including a penalty save in the final to deny Jennifer Hermoso and keep the Lionesses one goal behind at Stadium Australia. Earps said England captain Millie Bright had told her she wanted to buy her kit for her niece, only to find it wasn’t available for purchase. "I can’t really sugar-coat this in any way, so I am not going to try," Earps told reporters ahead of England’s opening game against Haiti on Saturday. "It is hugely disappointing and very hurtful. "My shirt on the Manchester United website was sold out last season. It was the third-best-selling shirt, so who says it is not selling?" "It is the young kids I am most concerned about. They are going to say, Mum, Dad, can I have a Mary Earps shirt?’ and they say, ‘I can’t, but I can get you an Alessia Russo 23 or a Rachel Daly 9.’ “What you are saying is that goalkeeping isn’t important, but you can be a striker if you want." Meanwhile, the FA has confirmed England captain Millie Bright will wear armbands advocating for inclusion, Indigenous People and gender equality in the Lionesses’ respective first three World Cup matches. Players have the choice of wearing one or more of eight FIFA-sanctioned armbands at this tournament, but not the rainbow OneLove design that sparked the threat of sanctions being issued to countries – including England and Wales – during the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar. Should the Lionesses progress past the group stage, which begins with Saturday’s opener against Haiti, the player-led decision is for their skipper to switch out her armband to a new cause for each match. Bright said: “As a group, we felt really strongly about all the causes, and we couldn’t separate one from the other. We feel that they are all important and deserve recognition and our support. “We have only just come to a decision recently as we wanted to take time to process it all and to make sure we spoke collectively. “Supporting Indigenous People is massively important to us as a team, both staff and players. We wanted to come to this country and respect the past, the present and the future. We are aware of the past, but we want to move forward collectively and make the world a better place. It is something that we always pride ourselves on.” Read More Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: Spain open against Costa Rica after Canada held to Nigeria draw How to watch England vs Haiti: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup opener England make decision on armbands for Women’s World Cup matches Anti-Putin protest interrupts Women’s World Cup final Why are England wearing their blue kit against Spain? Sarina Wiegman has already made the biggest decision of England’s World Cup
2023-08-20 19:50
Pep Guardiola praises Phil Foden’s versatility as Manchester City win again
Pep Guardiola hailed the impact of Phil Foden after champions Manchester City continued their winning Premier League start with a hard-fought victory over Newcastle. Julian Alvarez scored the only goal of a tight game at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday but it was Foden who claimed most of the plaudits as City registered a club-record 17th successive home victory. England midfielder Foden teed up Alvarez’s 31st-minute strike during a lively display in which he looked more than capable of filling the playmaking void created by injury to Kevin De Bruyne. “I’ve said many times, Phil can play in all the positions up front,” said City manager Guardiola. “He has an incredible ability between the lines. The way he turns and attacks the last lines – it is one of the best I have seen. “Every control, he knows exactly what is the goal. He doesn’t need two or three touches to get in the right position to attack the goal. In just one touch he is attacking. “Managers adapt skills to the players we have, or the problems we have right now. Phil, I know how good he is in that position, how good he is as a striker or left wing or wing. I am happy because I have the feeling he is coming back. “Still we are not at our best, we still have to make a step, but that is completely normal in this type of period. “Here the biggest difference is the team showed to me, and showed to the Premier League, we are ready to try it again.” Coming off the back of their European Super Cup triumph in midweek, the treble winners were not at their most dynamic. Yet with Foden at the heart of their attack, they repeatedly troubled Newcastle while successfully stifling the visitors’ threat. The result punctured some of Newcastle’s buoyancy after a bright start to the season but manager Eddie Howe emphasised the positives. Howe said: “They controlled it but you have to give them credit. They are a top team and that’s why they win so much. “It’s disappointing not to get anything from the game but we’ll reflect and analyse and there’s so much to take from the game. “We go into another one against Liverpool, which will be similar, and there’s lots to take into that match.”
2023-08-20 18:59
Why are England wearing their blue kit against Australia?
England face Spain in their first Women’s World Cup final as Sarina Wiegman and her players look to bring the game’s biggest prize home from Sydney. Lauren James returns to the bench as Wiegman named an unchanged side for the World Cup final, with the star forward now available for selection after serving her two-game ban. But quite aside from the players on show, one of the early talking points of the match is the fact England are not playing in white - but instead in their changed strip of light blue jerseys and shorts. But the choice is down to Fifa at all World Cup games. The governing body selects all kits, including referee and subs’ bibs, after assessing factors to ensure no overlap not just in actual colour but also which ones could affect viewers who are colour blind. As such, they have determined that the best contrasts across the spectrum are for the gold versus blue - which just so happens to be the same colour scheme used when the teams met in April in a friendly. It’s the first time the England men’s or women’s team have reached a football World Cup final since 1966, with the nation set to come to a halt for the historic occasion. Follow all the build-up to England’s clash against Spain in the final, get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here and find latest tips for the game itself here. Read More England v Spain LIVE: Women’s World Cup final score and updates as Lionesses go for glory Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup?
2023-08-20 18:15
‘Best in the world’: Lionel Messi guides Inter Miami to first trophy with Leagues Cup victory over Nashville
Lionel Messi was once again lauded as the “best in the world” by his teammates after his scintillating start to life at Inter Miami continued as the club picked up their first piece of silverware after a Leagues Cup victory against Nashville. The Argentine opened the scoring with a superb left-footed curling effort from outside the box before Miami were pegged back and sent to penalties after a second-half strike from Fafa Picault. After a drawn-out shootout, it was Miami who would eventually emerge victorious when Drake Callender saved his opposite number’s spot kick to secure a 10-9 victory. “It’s a huge honour to play a role in our first win in a final,” Callender said speaking after the match. "It’s pretty surreal. Very emotional. This team works so hard day-in, day-out to be able to perform like this on a night like this. And to have it come down to the very end, it was amazing to see the grit, just the belief of what we’re capable of. It’s something special and I’m just blessed to be a part of it.” The victory also serves as another reminder of the remarkable transformation in the team’s fortunes since Messi’s arrival. Rock bottom when he joined, the 36-year-old has scored 10 goals in just seven games, leading his team on an unbeaten run which saw them capture the club’s first silverware. Mess’s former Barcelona teammates - Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets - have reuinted with the Argentine in Miami, with the latter lauding him for his influence on the side. "We have infected the team with our spirit, our work, our character and experience,” the Spaniard said after the game. “We are making a solid team and then we have Leo [Messi], who makes a difference because he’s the best in the world. "I am very happy to win our first title in just one month, the club’s first. The team is growing by leaps and bounds and we are very happy." The result also serves as vindication for co-owner David Beckham who spent a great deal of time convincing Messi to make the move and join his team in MLS. “A lot can happen in five weeks,” Beckham joked after the victory. “A lot has changed for us, we will enjoy tonight and then we have to look to the future and continue to build. “We have some of the best players, if not the best player, in the world out there for us wearing pink. We have a bunch of academy players out there too and that is incredibly important. “It’s an emotional night for all of us. It has been a long journey for me. It has been a long journey, I always knew there would be bumps in the road along the way and there was too many, to be honest. Tonight is a night we are going to enjoy. “People ask ‘is it a fix?’ and it is the biggest compliment you can give these players because it is like a movie. You watch them play and it is emotional. Everything about their play is beautiful.”
2023-08-20 17:28
Your dog could fetch $100 an hour as a canine ambassador for peanut butter, Honest Paws says
Does your pup love peanut butter? A job opening that pays $100 an hour might be the opportunity for them.
2023-08-20 17:16
Russian Prosecutors File Claim Against Billionaire Melnichenko
Russian prosecutors filed a lawsuit against sanctioned billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, as President Vladimir Putin increases pressure on wealthy
2023-08-20 16:50
Live – England take on Spain in Women’s World Cup final
Lionesses chasing a major trophy double against Spain. Kick-off at 11am BST in Sydney. Lauren James available after suspension. 0830 – Our reporter Rachel Steinberg is in Sydney for the occasion and is bringing us some pre-match flavour, with both teams having strong support. 0820 – Euro 2022 hero Beth Mead tells Sky Sports: “I’m sure the nerves are setting in and I’m sure they’ll be excited and ready to go, and I’m super excited for them.” “There’s a lot of experienced players on that bus, a lot who’ve experienced that final last year, and they can share that with the girls who’ve not been there before. “It’s been a tough tournament to sit there and watch the games when you know you could have been involved if I didn’t have the injury. I’ll be so proud if the girls lift that trophy but a little touch of sadness because I want to be there with them. I know the others will be feeling the same, Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby and the other girls.” 0810 – England men’s captain Harry Kane urged the Lionesses to “bring that trophy home” and James Maddison said they are “putting so many smiles on faces that (they) probably don’t even realise” in a message of support on social media. Coach Gareth Southgate admitted: “There is of course no advice because you’ve done more than us already!” 0800 – Good morning and welcome to the PA news agency’s Women’s World Cup final blog. Stay here for all the build-up, key match action and post-game reaction as England and Spain clash at a sold-out Stadium Australia. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-08-20 15:55
Protective boot just a precaution – James Maddison plays down ankle injury
Tottenham playmaker James Maddison has allayed fears over a potential right ankle injury by telling reporters he was wearing a protective boot for “precaution” after the 2-0 victory over Manchester United. Maddison starred in midfield to help Ange Postecoglou claimed a maiden Premier League win, with Pape Sarr’s first Spurs strike and an own goal by Lisandro Martinez handing the hosts a fine first victory of the season. Summer signing Maddison completed 90 minutes but was spotted leaving Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on crutches and in a protective boot on Saturday night. England international Maddison did suffer a blow to his right ankle during the second half of the United clash when Antony tackled him inside the area. It was not enough to prevent him finishing the match, but Maddison tried to play down concerns by revealing to the assembled media the protective boot was for “precaution” and he will now aim to recover in time for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-08-20 15:25
Video: Sean O'Malley Knocks Out Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292
Sean O'Malley scored a huge upset win thanks to a big right hand.
2023-08-20 13:56
Women’s World Cup prize money: How much do the winners get?
While England play Spain in the Women’s World Cup final, in the biggest game in football, there is also a record amount of prize money on the line for the winners. Fifa announced before the tournament that a total fund of $152m (£126m) would be paid in prize money during the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Of that, there is a $110m (£86m) performance-based fund, more than three times more than $30m on offer during the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. There is a further pot $42.5m which has been put aside for preparation funding and club benefits. One notable aspect of this year’s World Cup is that players will receive 44 per cent of the performance-based fund which will be paid separately to what each country earns. How much do players earn for winning the Women’s World Cup? Champions: $270,000 (£212,000) Runners-up: $195,000 (£153,000) Third: $180,000 (£141,000) Fourth: $165,000 (£130,000) Quarter-finals: $90,000 (£70,000) Round of 16: $60,000 (£47,000) Group stage: $30,000 (£23,600) How much do teams earn for winning the Women’s World Cup? Champions: $4,290,000 (£3.4m) Runners-up: $3,015,000 (£2.4m) Third: $2,610,000 (£2.0m) Fourth: $2,455,000 (£1.9m) Quarter-finals: $2,180,000 (£1.7m) Round of 16: $1,870,000 (£1.4m) Group stage: $1,560,000 (£1.2m) How does it compare to the men’s World Cup? There remains a huge discrepancy in prize money between the men’s and women’s World Cup. The record prize money of $152m (£126m) announced by Fifa before the tournament remains some way short of the reported $440m (£365m) prize money on offer to teams at last year’s men’s finals in Qatar. Fifa president Giannni Infantino has announced plans to achieve equal pay between the men’s and women’s World Cup at the 2026 and 2027 tournaments. On Friday, the Fifa president urged media and sponsors to step up to help bridge the gap and said women “have the power to convince men” that equity in football can be reached. He said; “The pledge has to be, and to ask everyone, in terms of broadcasters, sponsors, partners, to of course pay a fair price to women’s football. Not to the World Cup, the World Cup has already generated over $570m (£447m), but to women’s football in general in all the countries, in all the leagues, in all the competitions.” Read More Will Lauren James play in the Women’s World Cup final? Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today World Cup final referee: Who will take charge of England vs Spain?
2023-08-20 13:45
How to watch the FIBA World Cup 2023 online for free
TL;DR: ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing streaming sites from around the world. Watch
2023-08-20 12:25
NBA investigating reasons behind Harden calling 76ers president Morey a liar, AP source says
A person with knowledge of the details says the NBA is investigating the reasons behind James Harden calling Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey a liar
2023-08-20 11:28
