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Legendary soccer icon told he has “at best a year to live”

<p>In a heart-wrenching revelation, former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, at 75 years of age, has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.</p> <p>Speaking to a Swedish radio station, Eriksson candidly shared the news, stating that he has "at best a year" to live. Despite the grim prognosis, the decorated football icon is determined to fight and maintain a positive outlook on life.</p> <p>During the radio interview, Eriksson acknowledged the severity of his illness, recognising that the speculation surrounding it was indeed cancer, while emphasising the need to focus on the positive aspects of life.</p> <p>“Everyone guesses it’s cancer and it is," he said. "But I have to fight as long as I can ... It is better not to think about it. But you can trick your brain. See the positive in things, don’t wallow in adversity, because this is the biggest adversity of course, but make something good out of it.”</p> <p>The former manager revealed that his health concerns came to the forefront last February when he stepped down as sporting director at Karlstad Fotboll. Eriksson, who collapsed during a 5km run, consulted doctors, only to discover that he had suffered a stroke and had cancer. Reflecting on the uncertainty of the timeline, he shared, "They don't know how long I had cancer, maybe a month or a year."</p> <p>Eriksson's illustrious career in football spans both club and international management. Leading England's Golden Generation from 2001 to 2006, he guided the team to the quarter-finals in two World Cups and a European Championship. His tenure included coaching legendary players such as Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Michael Owen.</p> <p>In a poignant revelation, Eriksson admitted to his biggest regret during his time with England, expressing remorse for not bringing in a mental coach ahead of the 2006 World Cup. England faced a heartbreaking exit to Portugal in a penalty shootout, marking a pivotal moment that haunts him to this day.</p> <p>Eriksson's managerial journey took him across the globe, starting in his native Sweden and then making a name for himself in Italy with Sampdoria and Lazio. After managing Manchester City and returning to international football with Mexico and Ivory Coast, he had a brief stint with Leicester before venturing into the emerging Chinese Super League. His career concluded in 2019 with the Philippines national team.</p> <p>Eriksson's revelation about his terminal cancer diagnosis marks a poignant chapter in the life of a football icon. As he faces this formidable challenge, his resilience and positive mindset serve as an inspiration.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</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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Former beauty queen collapses and dies at just 25

<p>Former beauty queen Jessica Whalley has been named as the woman who died at ex-English soccer star Michael Owen’s stables. </p> <p>The 25-year-old worked at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, northwestern England, as a transport manager. </p> <p>Reportedly, Jessica felt ill at around 8:50am, and emergency services raced to attend to her in the racing yard, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.</p> <p>Police have stated that the tragic incident is not being treated as suspicious, explaining with their own statement that “at around 8.50am today, police were made aware that a 25-year-old woman had collapsed at a stables on Old Coach Road, Malpas.</p> <p>"Emergency services attended the location and, despite the best efforts of all those involved, the woman sadly died at the scene.</p> <p>"The death is not being treated as suspicious and her next of kin have been informed. A file will be prepared for the coroner."</p> <p>Michael Owen is said by <em>The Sun</em> to have been emotional in the wake of the loss, with one woman sharing on Facebook that it was “so sad seeing him and all his staff in tears today … after such a shock to them … [at] such a young age.</p> <p>"No health problems[,] 25 is no age ... life really is too short for we never really know how long we have ... thoughts go out to her family and friends."</p> <p>The National Association of Racing Staff CEO George McGrath had kind words for the late Jessica as well when he explained that she “was a much loved and respected member of the racing community and taken from us at much too early in age."</p> <p>Manor Farm Stables later released a statement, and tribute to their “valued member”, writing that “it is with deep sadness that we have to announce that a much-valued member of our team died at work this morning.</p> <p>"The family have been informed and both the family and the team at Manor House request privacy at this time."</p> <p>Jessica - or ‘Jess’ to her friends - has been remembered as a hard worker, a respected member of the racing community, and a “much loved” friend. But her professional history isn’t limited to the stables, as the young woman once found passion in the beauty circuit. </p> <p>In 2019, Jessica had the honour of representing the United Kingdom in the Miss Tourism Universe pageant, an event that took place in Beirut and aired on MTV. And in the competition, Jessica made it to the final ten. </p> <p>And it was one of Jess’s friends who shared the final picture ever taken of Jessica, taken a mere three days before, writing alongside the picture that it was “heartbreaking to hear Jess lost her life today at the tender age of 25.</p> <p>“She was riding out doing what she loved. We had so many great times working in Dubai.</p> <p>“May she rest in peace.”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

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Meet the women who helped Afghanistan’s women's soccer team escape

<p dir="ltr">When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, a goalkeeper for the country’s female soccer team had to make the decision whether she and her teammates should stay in their home country or leave it and their loved ones behind.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fati, whose name and age have been withheld to protect her family’s identity, played with her teammates for years, representing an Afghanistan where women had more opportunity and freedom - and was free of the Taliban’s rule.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I accepted that Afghanistan was over,” Fati told the <em><a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61744830" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I thought there’s no chance for living, no chance for me to go outside again and fight for my rights. No school, no media, no athletes, nothing. We were like dead bodies in our homes.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For two weeks I never slept. I was 24 hours with my phone, trying to reach out to someone, anybody for help. All day and all night, awake, texting and searching social media.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Fati and her teammates managed to escape, thanks to an invisible, international network of women.</p> <p dir="ltr">Haley Carter, a 37-year-old goalkeeper, former US marine and Afghanistan’s assistant coach from 2016 to 2018, described it as a “little virtual operation running out of WhatsApp”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Never underestimate the power of women with smartphones,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Using WhatsApp and other encrypted messaging apps, Carter was sharing intelligence about the situation in Kabul with other marines and National Security staff in an operation dubbed ‘Digital Dunkirk’.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-be646504-7fff-57a9-37d6-18d21379c571"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">She had been enlisted to help Fati and the team flee by Khalida Popal, a former national team captain who left Afghanistan in 2011 because of death threats over her involvement in the sport, and has lived in Denmark since.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/khalida-popal.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Khalida Popal knew time was of the essence for Fati and her teammates, and enlisted the help of Haley Carter to secure their escape. Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">With time not on their side, Popal knew Fati and her teammates had to act quickly, with their sporting involvements making them particularly vulnerable to Taliban investigations.</p> <p dir="ltr">She told the team to delete their social media accounts, burn their soccer gear and bury their trophies - a decision Fati said was hard to do.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Who wants to burn their jerseys?” she said. “I thought, if I survive, I will make [the achievements] again.”</p> <p dir="ltr">At the same time, Carter was working to get the team onto a military plane out of Afghanistan at the earliest opportunity.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Khalida texted all of us saying, ‘girls, be ready to leave the airport together, just one backpack each’,” Fati recalled.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She said: ‘We can’t tell you that we are even sure that you will go inside the airport. But if you fight, you will survive’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When it was time to go, Fati carried as little as possible and wrote Carter’s phone number on her arm in case her phone was stolen or confiscated. Carter also told Fati that they should rotate having their phones on to preserve battery life.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the airport, they were among thousands who had congregated with the hope of leaving - but for many, the struggle would be in vain.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If your name was not on a list, or there wasn’t somebody inside the airport coming out to get you, you weren’t going in,” Carter said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So we had to work extra hard to make sure that marine counterparts at the gates had their information to make sure that they could get in.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Carter told Fati to meet “a guy” at the airport’s north gate with a password that would get them in.</p> <p dir="ltr">When they were turned back, Carter had to recalibrate the plan all the way from Houston.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Fati decided she and the players would try again at the south gate - though they would have to get past the two Taliban checkpoints in the way.</p> <p dir="ltr">After being separated from her brother - who was badly beaten - at the first checkpoint and being kicked and hit herself by men with rifles at the second, Popal’s text message gave her the push to keep going forward.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a thing that lighted up that darkness,” Fati said. “Suddenly, there was something telling me to get back up and I started again in a strong way.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The team regrouped, taking advantage of a moment when the Taliban guards were distracted to make a dash for Australian soldiers at the south entrance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There were so many people but we managed to get past the last checkpoint,” Fati said. “We saw the Australian soldiers and shouted phrases like, ‘national team players’, ‘Australia’ and ‘football’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They looked at our documents and let us through.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Along with some Afghan Paralympians, Fati and her teammates boarded a C-130 military transport plane heading to Australia. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The plane just took off and there was just noise and the fear that we had. Looking around, there were just scared faces,” Fati said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was thinking, you will never be able to see this beautiful place where you made memories and grew up. It’s your last time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-993ff729-7fff-85b3-88bc-c37f1809f0a1"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">She sent a photo and message to Carter, reading: “I made it. We made it”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">“I still can’t get my head around what they’ve been through &amp; what they’ve come from but they just turn up to every session, always have a smile on their face”</p> <p>For <a href="https://twitter.com/gomvfc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gomvfc</a> coach Hopkins, working with <a href="https://twitter.com/AfghanWnt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AfghanWnt</a>’s reminded him why he got into coaching.<a href="https://t.co/vf0w0B7y8g">https://t.co/vf0w0B7y8g</a> <a href="https://t.co/mT7rIcRrte">pic.twitter.com/mT7rIcRrte</a></p> <p>— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sachk0/status/1530135643128745985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">In February, Fati and her teammates trained together for the first time, after Melbourne Victory provided facilities and coaches. She described the feeling as “amazing” and a source of “new hope” for the team.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve locked those smiles in my memory. And I thought, I’m successful. We will not be lost,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Two months later, they played their first match against a local non-league team, though the backs of their jerseys had no names and just numbers out of concern for the safety of their relatives back home.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though their chances of competing internationally in an official competition requires the backing of the Afghan Football Association and the Taliban, Fati still has hope.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The goals instead will be for us to make the national teams of Australia or the country that we are in. Still we are Afghans and, somehow, we will be the representatives of our nationality,” Fati said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2c8bda40-7fff-9d8b-890a-cbdfe5706f00"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Prince George beside himself at Euro2020 Final

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>The Cambridge family have been spotted enjoying a day out at the Euro2020 finals, cheering for England as they played against Italy in the nail-biting match.</p> <p>Seven-year-old George was delighted and was seen cheering and clapping on England as they took an early lead against Italy.</p> <p>He was wearing a suit, despite dad Prince William's best efforts to let him wear a jersey in support of his team.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842376/gerge-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d9bce633ab38485f9c215761ff5edcc8" /></p> <p>Tennis star Marion Bartoli said William was in favour but his wife was against.</p> <p>She told<span> </span><em>BBC Radio 5 Live</em>: "Yesterday I had an afternoon tea with the duchess and it was very much a discussion whether George will be allowed to wear the jersey tonight at Wembley or not.</p> <p>"William was for it, Kate not so keen, so we'll see."</p> <p>The Duchess of Cambridge appeared to have won that battle.</p> <p>However, Prince George's tie was in the colours of England, with Prince William wearing the same tie.</p> <p>Unfortunately for the royals and the whole of England, Italy beat England 3-2, with Italy winning the match in a penalty shoot-out.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

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Princess Mary cheers on Denmark with her outfit

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, her husband Crown Prince Frederick and their son Prince Christian supported Denmark against England in the highly anticipated Euro 2020 semi-final last night.</p> <p>Princess Mary, 49, opted to wear the colours of the Danish flag and was by her family's side as they cheered on Denmark.</p> <p>The family were preventing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a protective face mask that was complete with a Danish flag on it.</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/CRCO3eIgI0X/?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/CRCO3eIgI0X/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 (@detdanskekongehus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>However, the trip wasn't without controversy as the Danish royal family are able to watch the match in person whereas millions of Danish fans are forced to watch the semi-final from home.</p> <p>The country's biggest newspaper, Ekstra Bladet, slammed the Danish royal family, with the newspaper editor Henrik Qvortrup saying that "blue blood gives immunity in all respects" as well as pointing out that it "looks a little unfortunate" that the royal family are able to skip quarantine to go to the match.</p> <p>"It's England and UEFA," Christian Kokholm Rothmann, chairman of Danish Football Fans, told<span> </span><em>Ekstra Bladet.</em></p> <p>"It is the size of the wallet that determines whether one can get to football in England. Class division of society has apparently been reintroduced in England."</p> <p>"The ones you have to be really mad at are UEFA. They should have moved the match [from] where the fans cannot access.</p> <p>"The European Championships should bring people together and spread joy, and now it divides people because many who want to see the semi-finals do not have access to it. It's a shame."</p> <p>The Danish royal family hit back saying that it was "completely natural" that "it represents Denmark" at the match.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the presence of the royal family wasn't enough for Denmark to win the game as England defeated Denmark 2-1.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Beauty & Style

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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>Fernéndez 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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Soccer fan captures hilarious selfie with Prince George

<p>A lucky soccer fan has captured a selfie with Prince George after seeing the Cambridge family out at a soccer game.</p> <p>Twitter user @CoProNorfolk was at the Saturday match between Aston Villa and Norwich when he noticed the royal family enjoying the game.  </p> <p>Taking a sneaky over-the-shoulder selfie, the fan managed to capture a deadpan stare from Prince George.</p> <p>"Not The Best game of Football I've Seen ... Who's That behind me though??" the tweet read.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Hey .. Self Care Saturday..Out at Carrow Road .. Not The Best game of Football I've Seen @ Carrow Road as Norwich loose To villa 5-1 .. Who's That behind me though ?? <a href="https://t.co/ECtXrjDUbs">pic.twitter.com/ECtXrjDUbs</a></p> — Co•Production Norfolk (@CoProNorfolk) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoProNorfolk/status/1180533852839841794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">5 October 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Prince George and his father William were thrilled at the outcome of the game, which saw Aston Villa winning the match 5 to 1.</p> <p>Princess Charlotte also attended the game, but was less interested in the outcome. </p> <p>In another sweet snap posted by the Kensington Royal Instagram page, Prince George is jumping for joy with his father and mother. There are rumours that the excited royal was shushed by Prince William as they were sitting among the losing home fans and he was being mindful of his son rubbing the win in their faces.</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/B3P_hXWl6fV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3P_hXWl6fV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">🎥 @SoccerAM — a fantastic performance from Aston Villa @AVFCofficial at Norwich today! 👏⚽</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/kensingtonroyal/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Kensington Palace</a> (@kensingtonroyal) on Oct 5, 2019 at 1:27pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>It appears that members of the British royal family aren’t too keen on posing for selfies with well-wishers.</p> <p>In 2018, Duchess Meghan informed fans that she wasn’t “allowed” to take one and back in 2015, Prince Harry said that he “hates” the selfie trend.</p> <p>"I know you're young, but selfies are bad. Just take a normal photograph!" he told a fan in Canberra back in 2015.</p> <p>However, this doesn’t appear to stop fans from getting photos with the Duchess of Cambridge and the Queen herself.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">“We’re not allowed to do selfie” or “Harry don’t want”?!?! <a href="https://t.co/uPEq4uWIJ1">pic.twitter.com/uPEq4uWIJ1</a></p> — PyleArte (@YleArt) <a href="https://twitter.com/YleArt/status/936576010325254145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">1 December 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Aussie hockey players Jayde Taylor and Brooke Peris were stoked to notice Her Royal Highness had “photobombed” a selfie they took together during an event in Glasgow back in 2014.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Ahhh The Queen photo-bombed our selfie!! 😄 👑 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/royalty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#royalty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sheevensmiled?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sheevensmiled</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/amazing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#amazing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Glasgow2014?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Glasgow2014</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Hockeyroos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hockeyroos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AusComGames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AusComGames</a> <a href="http://t.co/ZMtHYFUqHk">pic.twitter.com/ZMtHYFUqHk</a></p> — Jayde Taylor (@_JaydeTaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/_JaydeTaylor/status/492269017215012864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">24 July 2014</a></blockquote>

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Prince William reveals Princess Charlotte’s hidden talent

<p>Princess Charlotte could be the next big thing in the world of soccer, if her father’s words are anything to go by! During a recent visit to the National Football Museum in Manchester, Prince William revealed 17-month-old Charlotte has a particular knack for soccer.</p> <p>“Charlotte is the one who shows more aptitude,” the young royal told women’s team members Steph Houghton and Jill Scott. “George is sort of getting into it slowly, but Charlotte is showing more aptitude.”</p> <p><img width="499" height="320" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28878/soccer_499x320.jpg" alt="Soccer" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>William showed off his own skills for the sport (see above), explaining to 78-year-old retired England national team player Roger Hunt that he still plays soccer when he can. “I play a little bit,” he revealed. “At school and university mostly. Rugby I’ve stopped, too many injuries. I do a bit of swimming as well.”</p> <p>“We do quite a bit of running around after our kiddies,” Catherine added.</p> <p>Prince William has long been a football fanatic, constantly showing his support for Aston Villa and even serving as President of the country’s Football Association.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/the-reason-the-new-portrait-of-queen-elizabeth-is-so-significant/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The reason the new portrait of Queen Elizabeth is so significant</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/queen-warned-not-to-marry-prince-philip/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The Queen was once warned not to marry Prince Philip</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/duchess-of-cambridge-on-commercial-flight/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Duchess of Cambridge stuns passengers on commercial flight</strong></em></span></a></p>

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