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Some of the best college football players can be on some of the worst teams

David Beckham has come under fire after posting a video of support for England's Lionesses, because of the choice of language used to describe the players. "Hey girls!", the football ace begins, before going on to say: “Seeing you girls play as a team, it’s been really incredible". However, despite the message of encouragement, internet users have been quick to question why he'd referred to them as 'girls' rather than 'women', dubbing the language 'patronising'. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Pubs and bars might open earlier than usual this Sunday so fans can watch England play Spain in the Women’s World Cup final at the early kick off of 11am. According to The Athletic, while they are yet to make a decision, UK government departments are holding talks to override licensing laws which give pubs specific hours to open and prohibits the sale of alcohol before 10am on a Sunday. Rules can be temporarily relaxed by the Home Secretary for “an occasion of exceptional international, national, or local significance” without the need for pubs to apply for a temporary event licence. This has happened for royal events such as jubilees and weddings and the FIFA World Cup in 2014, which was based in Brazil meaning that many games finished late at night in the UK. So hopefully they do the same for the final this weekend. It comes as England beat hosts Australia 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-finals to book their place in the final and in doing so marked the first time England have reached a World Cup final since the men’s team won on home soil in 1966. Meanwhile, the UK government has also said there are “no plans” for a public holiday if England win the World Cup despite even the likes of Labour leader Keir Starmer calling for one. That's a shame, but fingers crossed the government does us a solid on the pubs front. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Australia missed out on a first appearance in a Women’s World Cup final after a 3-1 defeat to England in Sydney. The Matildas fell behind in the first half at Stadium Australia before Sam Kerr levelled with a spectacular finish from distance. But goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo secured victory for the Lionesses late on to take Sarina Wiegman’s side through to a second consecutive major tournament final. Australia had flourished on home soil during the World Cup, even in the injury-enforced absence of star Kerr for much of the campaign, to progress to the last four for the first time. A last-four defeat nonetheless left the nation wondering what might have been, with Tony Gustavsson’s side now heading to Brisbane for the third place play-off against Sweden on Saturday. Domestic media reports took in the defeat and the emotion of the occasion afterwards with a string of headlines and front pages reflecting on their semi-final appearance. The front page of The Australian reflected both the disappointment and how support has swelled behind the Matildas during the tournament, saying: “Dream Kerr-tailed but national love affair’s just begun”. Sydney’sDaily Telegraph similarly played with the star forward’s name, describing the result as a “Heart breakerr”. “Pride and pain,” read the front of Melbourne daily The Age, whileThe Sydney Morning Herald also reflected a similar theme, describing the Matildas as “queens of hearts” over an image showing the Australia squad gathered together in a heart shape after their defeat. In Perth, meanwhile, The West Australian went with “It hurts …but we’re so proud” on the front of Thursday’s edition. Australian television coverage of the semi-final was watched by more than 11 million people on Channel 7 in the country. The broadcast was the most watched TV event in the nation’s history. Read More Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest news as England reach first final Can England break cycle of World Cup shocks or will underdogs continue to thrive? USA face ‘critical’ decision as Andonovski exits after disastrous World Cup

Ella Toone has become a household name thanks to her success alongside the England Lioness squad, and being responsible for one of three goals that propelled them into the World Cup Final, after beating Australia. The 23-year-old plays for Manchester United when she's not on national duty, but has formed an extra-special bond with fellow Lioness and Arsenal player, Alessia Russo. Together the pair have brought England fans hours of joy with their hilarious double-act friendship behind-the-scenes of games, and their on-the-pitch chemistry is making history. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

The PFA have unveiled the six nominees for the 2022/23 PFA Players' Player of the Year award.

Mikel Arteta has not ruled out returning to the transfer market as he expects Arsenal to be without Jurrien Timber for the season after the summer signing suffered a knee injury against Nottingham Forest. It was confirmed earlier in the week that Dutch defender Timber will go under the knife after tests showed ligament damage – with Arteta also insisting the number of serious injuries suffered so early into the campaign is a “big worry” for player welfare. Timber limped out of Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Forest on Saturday, with the club confirming on Wednesday he suffered ligament damage. The PA news agency understands Timber felt no immediate pain after a challenge with Brennan Johnson just before half-time and underwent stringent tests during the interval. Club medical staff believe the outcome of the injury would not have changed had he been substituted immediately instead of playing on for five minutes of the second half before being replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu. Asked about Timber’s situation, Arteta said: “Huge blow. Especially for him after just joining the club. To have the injury he has is a huge blow. “It is for the team because we recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident and he’s not going to be able to do it this season for us. We have to adapt. These things happen unfortunately and we have to move on. “He’s been very good to be honest. He’s a special character. He knows, he’s starting to realise the extent of the injury and the amount of time he’s going to be out. But he’s in a good place. We are willing to help him obviously and be close to him, but we know it’s going to be a long journey.” Kieran Tierney appeared set to depart the Emirates Stadium this season but, with Timber now sidelined and Oleksandr Zinchenko struggling for fitness, the Scotland left-back could now be retained. Arteta, too, suggested Arsenal could dip their toe back into the market following the injury setback. “We didn’t plan with this injury. We have to assess what the options are, what are the best players that we have because, as I said, my challenge is to get the best from the players that we have. I cannot assess anyone who is not here. It is too much for the players Mikel Arteta on player welfare “We are always open and we have to be open as well to react if something happens, not only with an injury but if something happens in the market as well. That’s what we’re doing.” Timber was not the only player to suffer serious injury in the opening weeks of the new season, with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa also forced off. Arteta also highlighted a number of other injury issues when asked if the problems could link back to the amount of football that players are being asked to complete. “Also Emi Buendia, (Thibaut) Courtois, it happened to (Eder) Militao as well – there is something there,” he added. “In the past you can say: ‘yes there have been games, there have been tours as well’. But with games, tours, the World Cup in January, plus this, plus that, plus internationals. It is a lot. It is too much for the players. “It is incredibly demanding, when you see the next 36 months of the calender for these players it is just better not to look at it because it is incredible what they are going to be doing. “We have to look after them but, as a club, when do you look after them? To prioritise other competitions? Then we are the ones that have to look after them – what we really need is to be sitting down (discussing plans), but I think it is too late, at least for the next 36 months it is too late already. “I don’t know who needs to raise a voice here, but there are worries, big worries on that.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Support grows for bank holiday if Lionesses win World Cup final Ella Toone’s PE teacher reveals why it’s no surprise she’s in the World Cup final Erling Haaland one of three Man City treble winners on shortlist for PFA award

Sir Keir Starmer has called for a celebratory bank holiday should England win Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final. The Labour leader said he was “never complacent” as he backed the suggestion in the event of the Lionesses beating Spain. The Government has said an extra bank holiday is not currently in its plans, adding it will find the “right way to celebrate” if England win. Sir Keir – writing on X, formerly known as Twitter – said: “It’s almost 60 years since England won the World Cup. “I’m never complacent about anything… but there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey added: “The Lionesses have made history by reaching the final, they are an inspiration to athletes across the country already. “Winning the World Cup would be a phenomenal achievement. It absolutely deserves to celebrated with a bank holiday.” Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha, when told the Government was pouring cold water on the bank holiday idea, replied on Channel 4 news: “Well I think if the men’s team won the World Cup, I’d definitely think they wouldn’t think twice, right? “So it deserves some kind of marking, it deserves some kind of national holiday definitely or something.” Ms Chadha praised the players who have “absolutely driven” the Lionesses, adding: “Spain is a great team, but I do believe it’s theirs (England) – this is their World Cup, our World Cup.” TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “We all hope our amazing Lionesses can get over the line on Sunday. “And if they do bring it home, the Government should do the right thing and allow the country to celebrate with a special bank holiday. “It would be mean-spirited not to do so.” A Government spokesperson said: “Winning the World Cup would be a massive moment for the country and make no mistake we’ll find the right way to celebrate. “As Sarina Wiegman herself has said, the first thing to do is focus on the final and the whole country will be rooting for the Lionesses this weekend.” It deserves some kind of marking, it deserves some kind of national holiday definitely or something Gurinder Chadha The remarks followed an earlier statement to the BBC which also said: “The current pattern of public and bank holidays is well established and there are no plans to change this.” A petition on the Parliament website has been set up asking for a bank holiday. It states: “I’d like the Government to declare a bank holiday for all workers in the United Kingdom. Then we can celebrate in the achievements of England’s football team.” A 2010 House of Commons library report said the then government estimated an additional bank holiday would cost the economy £2.9 billion. Official figures released last month showed the UK economy contracted in May after businesses across the country downed tools for the King’s coronation. Gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.1% for the month, after increasing by 0.2% in April, the Office for National Statistics said. The contraction was driven by the extra bank holiday weekend for the royal occasion, meaning sectors like construction and finance lost a working day in the month. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ella Toone’s PE teacher reveals why it’s no surprise she’s in the World Cup final Erling Haaland one of three Man City treble winners on shortlist for PFA award Football rumours: Liverpool ramp up bid for Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure

The couple married in June 2022 soon after the termination of the pop star's conservatorship.

When England and Spain meet in the World Cup final on Sunday, millions of football fans will be

'Thunder Road' legend Bruce Springsteen has "been taken ill" and forced to postpone two shows this week.

(Reuters) -British defence group BAE Systems said on Thursday it agreed to buy Ball Aerospace business from Ball Corp for