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Football star's tragic loss just three months after wedding

<p>English football star Josh Vickers has shared the heartbreaking news that his wife Laura has passed away, just three months after their wedding. </p> <p>The Derby County goalkeeper, 27, took to Instagram on Sunday to share an emotional tribute to his late wife, with a bittersweet photo of the couple on their wedding day on June 1. </p> <p>"I have written and unwritten this so many times and still can't find the right words to say and don't know if I ever will," Vickers began his tribute. </p> <p>"On Tuesday evening my wife lost her long battle against cancer."</p> <p>"Laura is the strongest, bravest and most loving person I have ever met. </p> <p>"Even though everything she was going through, she continued to smile, never letting anything get in the way of having a good time and making a lifetime of memories," he continued. </p> <p>"I will cherish every moment we spent together from the first time we met to the moment you peacefully passed. </p> <p>"I know that you will be looking down on me and continuing to inspire me every day."</p> <p>He then thanked everyone who has supported him through the "incredibly difficult" time and praised his friends and family for being by his side. </p> <p>"I Love You Always &amp; Forever đŸ€" he concluded the heart-wrenching tribute to his wife. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxkZoz6ICvo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxkZoz6ICvo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Josh Vickers (@joshuavickers)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Friends and fans took to the comments to share their support for the grieving goalkeeper. </p> <p>Teammate and Derby forward Martyn Waghorn wrote: "We're all with you mate." </p> <p>"We’re all thinking of you, Josh," Arsenal's official Instagram page added. </p> <p>A few other team members and football players sent their love with a bunch of red heart emojis. </p> <p>"So very sorry to the loss of such a bright star - what a true inspiration she was , thinking of you, family and her friends ❀" wrote one fan.</p> <p>"Thoughts are with you and with the family," wrote another. </p> <p>Although details of Laura's death and battle with cancer are not fully known, Vickers has previously shared how proud he was of his partner for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BztT57OHRus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">undergoing chemo</a> in 2019. </p> <p>"I'm so proud of you!!!! 8 chemo sessions done and stage 1 completed," he captioned the collage of photos including one of Laura graduating, and another of her undergoing treatment. </p> <p>"These last 6/7 months have been far from ideal, but with everything you have been through, you have continued to smile and inspire me every single day," he added. </p> <p>The Derby team have shared their support for their fellow teammate by holding his "Vickers 31" shirt during a match against Carlisle yesterday, after the goalkeeper was absent from the game for personal reasons. </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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Women's football star dies at 27

<p>Sheffield United star Maddy Cusack has passed away at the age of 27. </p> <p>The club broke the news about the sudden death of the midfielder, but did not disclose any information about her cause of death. </p> <p>“Sheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack," the club said in a statement. </p> <p>“Maddy, a women’s team player since 2019 and marketing executive for the football club, passed away on Wednesday."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.</p> <p>The Club and Maddy’s family would appreciate a period of privacy and will not comment further at this sad time.</p> <p>— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/SheffieldUnited/status/1704889740636336480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“This is heartbreaking news for everyone at Bramall Lane," chief executive Stephen Bettis said.</p> <p>“Maddy had a unique position of being part of a number of teams at Sheffield United and was popular with everyone that she came into contact with."</p> <p>“Her personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family — she will be sadly missed."</p> <p>Cusack, a former England youth international player, signed a contract extension with the club in July.</p> <p>She was named as United's vice-captain last month and had just started her sixth season with the team in the second-tier Women’s Championship, making her the longest-serving player in the current squad.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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World Cup star files official complaint over "unsolicited kiss" with Spanish football boss

<p>Jenni Hermoso has filed an official complaint against Luis Rubiales over an "unsolicited kiss" at the Women's World Cup final. </p> <p>Following Spain's victory of England in the final, Rubiales, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief, kissed Hermoso on the lips while congratulating the team.</p> <p>The Spanish footballer is accusing Rubiales of sexual assault, as she said the kiss was not consensual. </p> <p>Despite this, Rubiales has defended his actions and is refusing to step down. </p> <p>The official complaint, which was filed on Tuesday, is key for a preliminary investigation into the incident, which prosecutors at Spain’s top criminal court have opened for the alleged crime of “sexual assault”, to move forward.</p> <p>In the days after the incident, Hermoso said the unwanted kiss had left her feeling “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault”, with a statement on social media describing it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part”.</p> <p>Rubiales has apologised for his conduct but insists the kiss was consensual, as he has refused to quit his role despite both the RFEF and FIFA calling on him to do so.</p> <p>In a display of solidarity, <span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">56 national team members have </span><span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px;">condemned the government for what they deemed to be "<a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/finance/legal/impunity-for-macho-actions-is-over-why-the-entire-spanish-world-cup-team-has-quit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">macho actions</a>".</span></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">A collective statement, issued through their union, was signed by all 23 members of the winning squad, including Hermoso, as well as 32 other team members. </p> <p>In the statement, they declared their refusal to participate in international matches as long as Rubiales remains at the helm of the RFEF.</p> <p>After the official complaint was lodged, the RFEF sacked the head coach of the Spanish women’s team, Jorge Vilda, after he was the only member of the women’s national team coaching staff not to resign in protest at Rubiales’s behaviour.</p> <p>Vilda’s dismissal was confirmed amid accusations he had repeatedly backed Rubiales and saw no issue with his behaviour. </p> <p>In addition to the complaint from Hermoso, Spain’s Sport Administrative Tribunal (TAD) opened a case against Rubiales for “serious misconduct”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

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Soccer’s “greatest domestic treasure” found after 70 years

<p>It took 69 years, but the Soccer Ashes have finally been found. </p> <p>Australian football has been on the hunt for the treasured trophy since 1954, when it - by all accounts - disappeared from the face of the Earth. </p> <p>The “greatest domestic treasure”, a title bestowed upon it by Australian football historian Trevor Thompson, is easy enough to miss at first glance. The hand-carved wooden box is small, but like with most things in life, it’s what’s on the inside that counts - in this case, the ashes of two cigars smoked by the Australia and New Zealand captains in 1923 following their first ‘A’ international match in Australia. </p> <p>The trophy - which is now considered to be a main contributing element in the wider history of Australia’s national team, the Socceroos - serves as the first one ever contested between the rival sides, and was thought up by the then-team manager for New Zealand, Harry Mayer. </p> <p>His belief that the two sides needed something to play for - similar to cricket’s Ashes - led to its creation. Mayer himself - a trophy maker - constructed the piece, combining the likes of New Zealand honeysuckle and Australian maple, including the iconic imagery of kangaroos and silver ferns on its lid.</p> <p>Within the box lies a blue velvet lining, and a silver-plated razor case. The case is a main feature of the trophy, as it once belonged to the-secretary of the Queensland Football Association, Private William Fisher. He had been carrying it with him during the 1915 Gallipoli landing.</p> <p>In the 30 years to follow, the two nations competed for the trophy, and saw it passed back and forth between Australia and New Zealand before its 1954 disappearance. And while some feared it had simply been tossed aside or at worst destroyed, many were not willing to give up on it. </p> <p>Historians Trevor Thompson and Ian Syson, for example, set out in 2019 on a mission to track it down, armed with the support of Football Australian and government funding.</p> <p>And to the delight of soccer fans across both nations, they did it. </p> <p>The family of the late and former Australian Soccer Football Association’s chairman Sydney Storey found it tucked away with a whole host of other treasures - including but not limited to football memorabilia, pictures, newspaper clippings, and other assorted documents - in his garage. It took them a year to identify and verify all of Storey’s vast collection, but it was all worth the wait, with the family reaching out to Football Australia as soon as possible. </p> <p>In the wake of the joyous discovery, there have been calls for the trophy - or at least a replica of it - to once again be implemented, as well as for the trans-Tasman competition to become an annual event. </p> <p>As Ian Syson explained, “this trophy is symbolic of something really important, and its discovery is also really important as well.</p> <p>"Its absence was a symptom of Australian soccer's tendency to forget itself, and for the surrounding culture not to care at all.</p> <p>"This trophy is replete with sacred significance to a country that is so obsessed with its Anzac mythology. For that to go missing, it says a lot about the way this game manages to shoot itself in the foot all the time.</p> <p>"And so maybe this is a sign that the game can correct itself, can fix itself, can remember itself - if there's enough people caring about it, if there's enough people taking an interest in the history.</p> <p>"It means so much for the game."</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

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"No words": A-League captain's wife dies suddenly

<p dir="ltr">The Australian football community has come together to grieve after the shock death of Brisbane player Ulises DĂĄvila's wife, Lily Pacheco, on Sunday.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-83d67cb0-7fff-e941-d560-f2839baf2561"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Macarthur football club shared the heartbreaking news on Monday morning and extended condolences to DĂĄvila and his extended family.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are saddened to hear Ulises DĂĄvila's wife, Lily has tragically passed away overnight.</p> <p>The club would like to express its heartfelt condolences to Uli, Uli Jnr and the extended family during this difficult time. ❀ <a href="https://t.co/I9uwYvaiOp">pic.twitter.com/I9uwYvaiOp</a></p> <p>— Macarthur FC (@mfcbulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/mfcbulls/status/1531066621493657602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">DĂĄvila and Pacheo share one child, two-year-old Uli Jr.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other football clubs and players were quick to share their condolences, including former Socceroos player Robert Cornthwaite.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Devastating. Condolences to Ulises and his family," Cornthwaite tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">"All of us at Brisbane Roar (football club) send our deepest condolences. We are sorry to hear this terrible news," Brisbane Roar wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e26a16da-7fff-0d9b-8d12-fc25d1815a14"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Melbourne FC tweeted: "Heartbreaking news. Everyone shares their condolences."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Wellington Phoenix are saddened to hear the news that Ulises DĂĄvila’s wife Lily has passed away.</p> <p>Uli &amp; his whānau will always be a part of ours.</p> <p>We would like to send our deepest condolences to Uli &amp; his family during this tough time.</p> <p>Kia kaha. <a href="https://t.co/rkaYAOLmg5">pic.twitter.com/rkaYAOLmg5</a></p> <p>— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixFC/status/1531085366656380928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“This is the most tragic news. The entire football community mourns for Ulises and their family. There are no words for this unimaginable grief,” sports journalist Sebastian Hassett wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">The news comes after DĂĄvila was named Bulls player of the year earlier this month, after he signed on with the Macarthur team on a three-year contract last year.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also shared the Johnny Warren medal, awarded to the best player in the A-League, with Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic in 2020/21.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb3d6c7d-7fff-21f7-88f4-72b95c3c48d0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @ulidavila (Instagram)</em></p>

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Do YOU know Joe? Football team's desperate search for 6-year-old superfan

<p>A UK football club is trying to track down a dedicated six-year-old fan who sent 50 cents in a letter to his favourite player. </p><p>The boy, known only as Joe, wrote to Swindon Town FC in a touching note, explaining his love for the football club and the devastating reason why he cannot attend a football game in person. </p><p>The note reads, "Mummy doesn't have any money to come to Swindon games because she has no money for food and has to pay for my dinner at school."</p><p>"I like Swindon Town Harry McKirdy. I will come one day."</p><p>Joe then attached three coins, a 20p, 5p and 1p, to the note and singed his name and age of "6 1/2".</p><p>After receiving the note, the football club shared a photo of it on Twitter in a bid to track down Joe so they can get in touch with him. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">📱 | We have received this letter from Town fan Joe, aged 6 and a half. <br /><br />We'd really love to get in touch with Joe, but we don't have a return address. <br /><br />If anyone recognises the writing or thinks they know who Joe is, please email supporters@swindontownfc.co.uk<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STFC</a> 🔮âšȘ <a href="https://t.co/JFgLgNm2Lz">pic.twitter.com/JFgLgNm2Lz</a></p>— Swindon Town FC (@Official_STFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_STFC/status/1493630090533613574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2022</a></blockquote><p>The post has since received thousands of likes and comments in support of Joe and his mother. </p><p>One social media user said, "I can see there are lots of offers here for Joe and his mum to come to a game. So if you manage to find Joe I'd like to pay for a weeks worth of food shopping for them. Please keep us informed."</p><p>A <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thisisforjoe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JustGiving</a> page has been launched by a likeminded football fan to help find Joe and get him to Swindon for a game. </p><p>The page reads, "Swindon Town FC have been contacted by a young boy called Joe who unfortunately doesn't have the privileges of being able to attend football matches!"</p><p>"This is where football comes together. Lets all get together and fund for Joe &amp; his family to attend a game &amp; for Joe to be mascot for the day giving him an experience for life!"</p><p>The page has already raised over $12,000 AUD, with all proceeds going to Joe and his family once they are found. </p><p>As well as the kindness from these football-loving strangers, the Swindon Town FC tweeted a message saying Joe's letter prompted them to join forces with a local food bank to help their community. </p><p><em>Image credits: Twitter @Official_STFC</em></p>

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Designer home comes with its OWN footy field

<p dir="ltr">A designer homestead in the middle of the Western Australian bush has been<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-wa-muckenburra-700170614?cid=content-article:buyers:featured-property" target="_blank">listed</a><span> </span>for sale, and its expansive 100-acre surroundings comes with its own private football oval.</p> <p dir="ltr">The home, with its “contemporary industrial meets country resort” aesthetic, took its creator five years to construct.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The purpose-built property is a model of the perfect country retreat dreamed up by its owner, who is an architect and university lecturer,” Nick French, of Dethridge Groves Real Estate,<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/designer-bush-homestead-on-100-acres-just-outside-perth-comes-with-own-afl-oval/" target="_blank">said</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s seamless and all the spaces are huge, which gives a very relaxed flow, and it all sits within a pristine bush setting with no other houses in view.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Along with its three bedrooms and bathrooms, the home boasts oversized entertaining spaces, a library and study, and a courtyard garden and plunge pool belonging to the master suite.</p> <p dir="ltr">The property also comes with a two-storey bunkhouse with two full-sized bedrooms of its own.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite being only an hour from the city, the property has an isolated feel.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The 100 acres of ever-changing natural bush land has many, many species of flowering natives - including some rare orchids,” Mr French said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the natural beauty surrounding the home is a huge bonus, the highlight of the outdoor spaces has to be the quarter-sized AFL oval, along with its own seating for spectators “to take in all the fun”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s also a huge rear entertaining patio with built-in barbeque area and woodfired pizza oven,” Mr French said.</p> <p dir="ltr">With a solar energy system and water tanks capable of storing 90,000 litres, he added that the home also has a 10-star energy rating.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The owners have moved to new employment positions in Victoria and had to sell up both their main home and this holiday home,” Mr French said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It might not be the place you immediately think of when buying a holiday home or a weekender, but it’s only an hour drive from Perth but is completely secluded on its own huge land holding of diverse, native bushland.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The local town is utterly delightful with a number of historic buildings.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The home is open for inspections by appointment, and Mr French said he is welcoming offers starting at $1.7 million.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Realestate.com.au</em></p>

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Football legend dies after 39 years in a coma

<p><span>Jean-Pierre Adams has died at age 73.</span><br /><br /><span>Adams spent 39 years in a coma after suffering an injury and requiring surgery.</span><br /><br /><span>He was administered a near-fatal dose of anaesthetic ahead of the operation, which resulted in brain damage.</span><br /><br /><span>His wife, Bernadette Adams cared for him in their home located in the French city of Nßmes.</span><br /><br /><span>The small south town is also where his budding football career began, in 1970.</span><br /><br /><span>He played for Nßmes Olympique until 1973, before he moved to Nice and played there until 1977.</span><br /><br /><span>He joined French giants Paris Saint-Germain and played from 1977 to 1979.</span><br /><br /><span>PSG released a heartbreaking statement for him, labelling him one of the club's "glorious elders".</span><br /><br /><span>"His joie de vivre, his charisma and his experience command respect. Paris Saint-Germain offers its condolences to his family and loved ones," the club said in a statement on Monday.</span><br /><br /><span>Adams played 22 internationals for France, from 1972 to 1976.</span><br /><br /><span>French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët said Adams "remained present in our memories in such a special and sad way since his dramatic accident".</span><br /><br /><span>"Jean-Pierre Adams was an example by his life course and his career as a respected and feared player, whether with his successive clubs Nßmes, Nice and PSG in the French championship or in the French team," Le Graët said in a statement.</span><br /><br /><span>"He formed a duo of legendary defenders with Marius Trésor which all fans of the Blues and football remember.</span><br /><br /><span>"Jean-Pierre Adams has participated in the history of the French team, in its influence, in its values. Today the French team is in mourning, the Federation is in mourning.</span><br /><br /><span>"We think of his wife, his family and all his relatives to whom we send our deep friendship and our most sincere condolences."</span></p>

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“I am sickened”: Prince William blasts racial abuse

<p><span>Prince William has received brutal backlash after condemning the racist abuse of England’s Euro 2020 final players.</span><br /><br /><span>"I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night's match," the royal shared on Monday night from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's official Twitter account.</span><br /><br /><span>"It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable."</span><br /><br /><span>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in attendance at the match on Sunday.</span><br /><br /><span>Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, three Black members of England's squad, all received a slurry of racist abuse after they missed their shots during the penalty shoot-out against Italy.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Saka crying breaks my heart man. He's 19, a kid. Most his age are just figuring out what college is. And here is stepping up to take probably most important pen for his country in 50 years.<br /><br />He's already achieved more than most &amp; there's still so much to come. So so proud of him. <a href="https://t.co/IUvBwwsPMq">pic.twitter.com/IUvBwwsPMq</a></p> — angel (@Angelshi_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angelshi_/status/1414345218523025408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>Italy won the shoot-out 3-2.</span><br /><br /><span>England lost the Euro 2020 final in heartbreaking circumstances in front of their home fans, despite initially taking the lead.</span><br /><br /><span>However, William’s public call out received an icy response with many questioning why the royal kept silent while his sister-in-law, who is bi-racial, received a flurry of racist abuse while she served in the royal family.</span><br /><br /><span>“For years #sussexsquad has been told that we are ‘race baiters’ for highlighting the racism against Meghan Markle. Tonight, seeing the abuse hurled at Saka, Rashford and Sancho literally proves what we’ve been saying for years,” one person said.</span><br /><br /><span>Another added: “Prince William performative ally ship. His words would have legitimate credibility right now if he had condemned racist abuse towards Meghan Markle and Archie. His silence and complicity fuelled what he condemns today.”</span><br /><br /><span>A third asked: “Were you sickened by the racist abuse aimed at your sister-in-law Meghan Markle for years? What [about] your own blood nephew Archie?” asked a user, amid a sea of other tweets criticising William:</span><br /><br /><span>“I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. But I love it when it’s aimed at my nephew and SIL Meghan Markle (winks),” another tweet said.</span><br /><br /><span>The official England Football Twitter account tweeted, "We're disgusted that some of our squad — who have given everything for the shirt this summer — have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight's game. We stand with our players."</span><br /><br /><span>The Football Association — England football's governing body — also released a statement via social media.</span><br /><br /><span>"The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media," a spokesperson said.</span><br /><br /><span>"We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.</span><br /><br /><span>"We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences.</span><br /><br /><span>"Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse."</span></p>

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Football club accused of artistic theft

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An Indigenous artist has accused Port Adelaide Football Club of using a stolen design for their 2021 Indigenous Round guernsey, prompting an investigation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The club recently revealed the new jumper and associated merchandise ahead of their match with Fremantle on May 30.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The design was chosen after the club asked high school students to “design a guernsey that represents their family, culture and heritage”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The teen who won the competition last year, which COVID-19 delayed the use of, said at the club’s press conference on Wednesday that she had spent months painting it after finding inspiration from designs she saw on Instagram.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is a big accomplishment for me to have so many people see my artwork,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But South Australian woman Elle Campbell claims the design was her “exact painting” shared online and displayed at an exhibition as early as May 2019.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 281.1418685121107px; height:500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841368/75e502b4955fd26e13b005e9c56763f0872bea54.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5c690d694e07457fa0685707e13b1890" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Wow. This is MY painting, someone has submitted it as their own and PAFC are using it for their guernsey,” Campbell wrote alongside a photo of herself holding the painting and a screenshot proving it was on public display two years ago.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am deeply hurt by the use of this painting and the ‘artist’ claiming this work (to) be their own,” Campbell continued.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The meaning behind this painting was one of my families’ ancient burial ground at Kingston S.E. and the connection we still have with the native flora and fauna on those lands.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My mother had sent me a photo of some kangaroos coming out from the scrub to go have a dip in the water, which was the inspiration for this painting.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the press conference, the student said the top half of her design represented “the ancestors, Dreamtime stories and people looking over us” while the bottom half “represents the skin colour, the sand, the animals, the dirt, anything”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The line in the middle that’s the river, represents food source, water, it’s a way - a river that we follow in order to go somewhere.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The footprint in the river is, as I said before, the food source.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Port Adelaide confirmed they had commenced an investigation into the claims on Friday, May 21, less than 48 hours after the unveiling.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Port Adelaide is aware of allegations that surfaced on social media last night regarding the design of its Indigenous guernsey for the upcoming Sir Doug Nicholls Round,” the club said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Port Adelaide is investigating the allegations and will not make further comment until it has all the information at hand.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Campbell said she was feeling “pretty heartbroken that another Aboriginal woman has stolen my artwork that not only means so much to me but is also one of my first paintings”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The most heartbreaking part is wanting my art to be seen on my own merit, not because something like this happening. That’s now been taken away from me.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Port Adelaide and Campbell have since removed their posts from social media.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: 7NEWS</span></em></p>

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“The greatest of all”: Maradona dead at age 60

<p>The football world is paying honour to one of the game’s best-ever players after Diego Maradona died aged 60 on Thursday.</p> <p>He become renowned for leading the win for Argentina in the <em>World Cup</em> in 1986.</p> <p>The country's president, Alberto Fernandez, has declared three national days of mourning for the World Cup Winner.</p> <p>FernĂ©ndez told media he was “incredibly sad” over the death of Maradona.</p> <p>The football world united to pay tribute to one of the game’s greatest-ever players after Argentine legend Diego Maradona died at the age of 60 on Thursday.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838927/diego-maradona.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8de706950c1e427a9300b96654e2be20" /></p> <p>He won the club’s only two Series A titles and as a result became one of the most beloved men in his homeland and Napoli in Italy.</p> <p>Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed Maradona as a true icon.</p> <p>“Today I say goodbye to a friend and the world says goodbye to an eternal genius,” Ronaldo tweeted.</p> <p>“One of the best ever. An unparalleled magician. He leaves too soon, but leaves a legacy without limits and a void that will never be filled. Rest in peace, ace. You will never be forgotten.”</p> <p>Messi, who took over after the Argentina’s leading player, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram.</p> <p>“A very sad day for all Argentines and for football. He leaves us but does not leave, because Diego is eternal,” Messi said.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CIBeukIlowA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CIBeukIlowA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“I keep all the beautiful moments lived with him and I wanted to take the opportunity to send my condolences to all his family and friends.</p> <p>His former teams also paid homage to the star.</p> <p>“You are eternal in every heart in world football,” the Twitter account of the Argentina national team wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of Maradona holding the World Cup.</p> <p>Napoli’s Twitter said: “Always in our hearts, Ciao Diego.”</p> <p>Boca posted: “Eternal thanks. Eternal Diego.”</p> <p>Fellow celebrity Greg Lineker also took to social media to remember Maradona.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">ARGENTINA: Football legend Maradona dead at 60 <a href="https://t.co/OF5n07ksXf">pic.twitter.com/OF5n07ksXf</a></p> — AFP Photo (@AFPphoto) <a href="https://twitter.com/AFPphoto/status/1331638885810581517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>“By some distance the best player of my generation and arguably the greatest of all time,” he said.</p> <p>“After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God. #RipDiego.”</p>

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“White Lives Matter” banner flown above football match

<p>Burnley have criticised a banner displaying “White Lives Matter Burnley” after it was flown above the Etihad Stadium, during a game against Manchester City on Monday night.</p> <p>The club quickly put out a statement after the banner, which was towed by a plane, flew over the grounds of the stadium.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/AirAds2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AirAds2</a> - care to comment in your ad plane that flew above Burnley FC today towing a banner bearing the legend "White Lives Matter"? For instance, who bought that ad space? <a href="https://t.co/LqUQ5IEhjG">pic.twitter.com/LqUQ5IEhjG</a></p> — Di Middleton QC (@di_middleton_QC) <a href="https://twitter.com/di_middleton_QC/status/1275158013591027713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Just a few minutes before, team members and match officials had taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.</p> <p>“We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor,” the statement read.</p> <p>“This, in no way, represents what Burnley Football Club stands for and we will work fully with the authorities to identify those responsible and issue lifetime bans.</p> <p>“The club has a proud record of working with all genders, religions and faiths through its award-winning Community scheme, and stands against racism of any kind. We are fully behind the Premier League’s Black Lives Matter initiative and, in line with all other Premier League games undertaken since Project Restart, our players and football staff willingly took the knee at kick-off at Manchester City.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">So apparently there was a plane carrying the flag" White lives matter" big disgrace, burnley <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCIBUR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCIBUR</a> <a href="https://t.co/auGrYN2o3w">pic.twitter.com/auGrYN2o3w</a></p> — GROOt (@UncleDr77939074) <a href="https://twitter.com/UncleDr77939074/status/1275144914158878723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>“We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter.”</p> <p>After Manchester City took the victory 5-0, Burnley defender Ben Mee took aim at the banner, saying: “We can talk about football, but there’s something I want to speak about first: the plane banner.</p> <p>“I’m embarrassed and ashamed at the fans bringing that out. They’ve completely missed the point. These people need to come into the 21st century and educate themselves.”</p> <p>“It doesn’t represent what we’re about, what the club’s about, what the players are about and what the majority of our fans are about. We’d heard some whispers that it might happen and the club tried to stop it. I hope it doesn’t happen again. I’m upset that it’s associated with our club, my club.”</p> <p>The former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, said on Sky Sports: “It’s so disheartening, especially with how far we’ve cone in these last couple of weeks. It really does hurt me.” </p> <p>European quality body, Fare, released a statement slamming the stunt.</p> <p>“The racist backlash against the Black Lives Matter movement across Europe is a trend we have seen and documented,” Fare’s executive director, Piara Powar said.</p> <p>“Set against the BLM message of equal rights ‘White Lives Matter’ can only be motivated by racism and a denial of equal rights. It shows exactly why the fight for equality is so important and why the majority of people have supported it.</p> <p>“At this stage we don’t know who is behind this, but it’s clear they don’t see the relevance of the message to football or the impact that racism has on so many peoples lives. So be it. The movement, the issues that are being discussed and the change that will arise is unstoppable. History will judge that this was a moment that led to change.”</p>

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Prince William and the Queen named in corruption scandal

<p>Prince William and former British Prime Minister David Cameron have been embroiled in a football corruption scandal.</p> <p>The former Prime Minister and Prince William were in attendance of a meeting during which a vote-swapping deal between England and South Korea was discussed, according to an official report released on Tuesday night.</p> <p>FIFA released the full report produced by their chief ethics investigator Michael Garcia in 2014 after German newspaper Bild obtained a copy and started publishing parts of the report. </p> <p>The report disclosed the full extent of England’s fail bid to stage the 2018 World Cup, with England's football bosses going to great lengths to court FIFA executives, many of them now discredited.</p> <p>The Queen is also mentioned in the report after it emerged that officials discussed the possibility of arranging a meeting with the Queen for a FIFA representative whose vote could have helped England. One South American official asked for an honorary knighthood.</p> <p>The documents reveals Mr Cameron met FIFA vice president Mong-Joon Chung of South Korea in Prince William's suite at the Baur au lac Hotel in Zurich on the eve of the vote in December 2010. Mr Cameron reportedly asked the South Korean delegation to back England's bid. He was told that England would have to agree to support South Korea's bid to host the 2022 tournament. The report states cote-swapping deals are a “violation of the anti-collusions rules”.</p> <p>The report shows the full extent of English officials attempts to court FIFA vice-president and president of North, Central American and Caribbean football confederation Jack Warner.</p> <p>"England 2018's response shows an unfortunate willingness, time and again, to meet that expectation [of Mr Warner]," concludes the report.</p> <p>England’s bid was knocked out in the first round after receiving only two votes. </p>

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Football fan tricks wife into naming daughter after his favourite team

<p>We’ve heard of die-hard football fans, but this is something else.</p> <p>A mad football fan has managed to name his daughter after his favourite team, and (perhaps more impressively) keep the fact that he did so secret from his wife for two years. Clare Smith, from Blacktown in Sydney’s West, revealed the sneaky behaviour in a letter to Take 5 Magazine.</p> <p>Her husband, who remains unnamed, suggested the name “Lanesra” to Clare, and she agreed feeling as though it was “unique and romantic”. So you can imagine the shock when her husband revealed that it was actually a backwards homage to his favourite team “Arsenal”.</p> <p><img width="500" height="498" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/13464/arsenal-fan_500x498.jpg" alt="Arsenal Fan" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / Arsenal Cannon Pics</em></p> <p>To be fair, we think Lanesra is actually quite a nice name! </p> <p>While you’ve got to feel for young Lanesra, we’re sure as she gets older she’ll be thankful that her father didn’t support team like Manchester or Tottenham and adopt a similar naming scheme – (for those playing at home, she’d be Retsehcnam or Mahnettot which aren’t good names for a girl).</p> <p>Also, we hope Clare gave her husband an earful when she found out.  </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/clever-dog-performs-a-handstand/"><strong>Watch gorgeous toy poodle perform a perfect handstand</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/alarm-clock-rug/"><strong>You won’t believe this new rug that’s an alarm clock</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/make-your-smartphone-battery-last-longer/"><strong>How to make your smartphone battery last longer</strong></a></em></span></p>

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