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Showing posts from April, 2020

Web sleuths spot British Museum gaffe online

The museum mistook a Turkish copyright notice for the name of a postcard-printing company.

Mourinho says talk of Premier League return offers 'light at end of tunnel'

Tottenham manager hopes season will be completed He feels stadiums will not be ‘empty’ if millions watch on TV José Mourinho said the potential return of Premier League football feels like a “light at the end of the tunnel” and the Tottenham manager is determined to complete the season even if it means matches being played without fans. The league will hold a conference call with representatives of each club on Friday morning aimed at discussing and finessing a plan to bring the game back despite the Covid-19 crisis. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/30/mourinho-says-talk-of-premier-league-return-offers-light-at-end-of-tunnel-tottenham-empty-stadiums

Football quiz: can you identify the fixture from the fan photo?

Can you match the eye-catching photos to the games where they were taken? Frank views Chelsea v West Ham, 2006 Chelsea v Manchester City, 2015 Chelsea v Derby, 2018 Chelsea v Swansea , 2015 Gunning for the manager Norwich City v Ipswich Town Norwich City v Colchester United Norwich City v Peterborough Norwich City v West Ham Hero worship USA v Netherlands, 2019 Women's World Cup England v USA, 2019 Women's World Cup France v USA, 2019 Women's World Cup USA v Japan, 2015 Women's World Cup Mr Angry Argentina 2-1 England, World Cup 86 Portugal 1-0 England, World Cup 86 England 0-0 Morocco, World Cup 86 England 1-1 Rep of Ireland, World Cup 1990 A standout fan Brazil v Portugal, 1966 World Cup West Germany v Spain, 1966 World Cup France v Mexico, 1966 World Cup Argentina v Spain, 1966 World Cup Yes, it is that picture England v Panama, 2018 World Cup England v Colombia, 2018 World Cup England v Croatia, 2018 World Cup Tunisia v England, 2018 Wo

Coronavirus: Fewer loans approved by banks

Fewer coronavirus loans were agreed in the week to Tuesday, leaving half of businesses still waiting.

Coronavirus: AstraZeneca teams up with Oxford University on vaccine

AstraZeneca will make and distribute Oxford University's Covid-19 vaccine if it proves effective.

Coronavirus: Eurozone economy shrinks at record rate

Single currency nations see a sharp fall in GDP during the first quarter of the year.

Underrated Premier League players: part two, from Man City to Wolves

We look at players who have been important to the their clubs but perhaps not always received the credit they deserved Part one: from Arsenal to Liverpool Position Forward Time at club 2011-16 League apps/goals 130/50 Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/30/underrated-premier-league-players-part-two-from-man-city-to-wolves

My favourite game: Netherlands v Czech Republic, Euro 2004

This group game in Aveiro was the match of the tournament, a relentless thriller symbolic of a free-flowing era The game of football is many things to many people. A cash cow, a community lifeline; an intermittent source of national pride. Like it or not, for millions of casual viewers football is also entertainment – but there are no guarantees. We have all sat and watched a match simply fail to happen. But when everything comes together, nothing else compares. Euro 2004 sits at the heart of what may be football’s finest era for pure entertainment – a decade-long run of enthralling summer engagements from France ’98 to Euro 2008. Stupendously talented players were let off the leash, unburdened by tactical dogma. Tournaments were shorter, sharper, yet to sag under the weight of extra numbers and their own importance. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/30/my-favourite-game-netherlands-v-czech-republic-euro-2004

Extreme E teams will have one woman and one man driving

Extreme E teams will field one female and one male driver during races when the new climate aware racing series begins in 2021.

Shell cuts dividend for first time since WW2

Royal Dutch Shell slashes its quarterly dividend by two-thirds amid the global oil price shock.

Coronavirus: Sykes Holiday Cottages faces refunds anger

Customers of the rental agency, Sykes Holiday Cottages, are unhappy that virus-hit holidays are not refunded.

A Michael Robinson tribute, Dave Wottle's heroics and NBA star turns to art

This week’s roundup also features Lionel Messi, John O’Shea, Tour de Yorkshire and the worst golf shots of 2019 1) Michael Robinson, the former Liverpool striker and European Cup winner who was later known and loved for his broadcasting work in Spain, has died at the age of 61. Liverpool posted a tribute of their own , before AS in Spain uploaded a video that they think defined him as a striker , a lovely solo effort in there for you. He was an integral part of Spanish culture, so much so that it was him that showed Fernando Torres around Anfield when the striker signed for Liverpool in 2007. Torres posted this touching tribute to Robinson on Wednesday. Here’s Robinson , in 2017, talking about his memories of Johan Cruyff and Barcelona’s European Cup win in 1992. RIP Michael. Hasta siempre Michael. #YNWA pic.twitter.com/LTCsU0cE7E Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2020/apr/30/a-michael-robinson-tribute-dave-wottles-heroics-an

Coronavirus: How does contact tracing work and is my data safe?

Millions in the UK will soon be asked to download an app that helps to limit coronavirus spreading.

YouTube stars including Saffron Barker unite for lockdown livestream fundraiser

Jack Maynard, Lady Leshurr and Big Narstie are among the names raising cash for the NHS.

Will thermal cameras help to end the lockdown?

Thermal cameras can spot people with a temperature. Will they help to end the lockdown?

Coronavirus: Watchdog threatens legal action on holiday refunds

Firms refusing refunds for cancelled holiday accommodation and weddings are under investigation.

Coronavirus: Sainsbury’s boss says queues set to stay in place

The supermarket says socially-distanced queues are likely to remain 'for the foreseeable future'.

US blacklists five Amazon foreign websites

The US government places some of the online shopping giant’s websites on its “notorious markets” list.

Coronavirus: Stock markets boosted by remdesivir drug hopes

Investors are betting that an experimental anti-viral drug could help countries emerge from lockdowns.

US blacklists five Amazon foreign websites

The US government places some of the online shopping giant’s websites on its “notorious markets” list.

Coronavirus: Serena Williams among stars to compete in Mario Tennis tournament

Naomi Osaka and the Williams sisters will play and be live-streamed on Facebook's gaming platform.

Coronavirus: Why the fashion industry faces an 'existential crisis'

"No-one wants to buy clothes to sit at home in," as Next's chief executive Simon Wolfson puts it.

Coronavirus: 'My cafe's going bust before it's even opened'

A car factory worker turned cafe owner explains how coronavirus is affecting his business dream.

Spotify hits 130 million subscribers amid Covid-19

The streaming giant says it is weathering the crisis - but some analysts are unconvinced.

Premier League's Project Restart: what is it and is it feasible? | Ed Aarons

Can it be safe, how will it work and is it really going to be possible to get the season finished by the end of July? What is Project Restart? It’s the nickname being given to the Premier League’s attempts to resume the season that was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic on 13 March. No matches have been played since the Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, tested positive for Covid-19, with action suspended indefinitely until further notice on 3 April. Clubs and stakeholders have since held regular meetings in an attempt to find a solution and will do so again on Friday to discuss the latest plans, which are thought to involve restarting games on the weekend of 13 June - subject to government approval. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/29/premier-leagues-project-restart-what-is-it-and-is-it-feasible

The Fiver | Football's performative hoo-hah that isn't really getting us anywhere

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! All across the footballing world, after a period of great uncertainty, Important People have started making Big Decisions that are not really decisions. This finally puts the sport in line with other industries such as politics and journalism, so you can immediately see the problem. It’s a performative hoo-hah that isn’t really getting us anywhere. Take the French authorities’ call to cancel the remainder of the season . A bold and decisive move, until you try to work out who’ll get the three Big Vase places up for grabs: Lille, Lyon, Montpellier, Reims, Nantes and Nice are all in with a shout, and we bet every club has an in-house lawyer too. Good luck with that. Chats dans un sac . Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/29/the-fiver-football-big-decisions-that-are-not-really-decisions

Coronavirus: NHS workers get free video games

To say thank you to NHS staff the gaming industry is providing 85,000 games to download for free.

Manchester United to install safe standing area for 1,500 fans

Club intend to have it in place for next season If trial is successful more barrier seats will be added Manchester United will trial 1,500 barrier seats that will allow fans to stand next season, after being given permission by Trafford council. Standing at top-flight games has been banned since 1994 on the recommendation of the Taylor report which followed the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 in which 96 Liverpool fans died. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/29/manchester-united-to-install-safe-standing-area-for-1500-fans-barrier-seats

Coronavirus: KFC to reopen another 80 restaurants

The fried chicken chain has already opened the doors to 20 of its outlets which are doing delivery only.

Ending the Ligue 1 season leaves us with as many questions as answers

Which clubs will be relegated? Who qualifies for Europe? And how will this affect PSG and Lyon in the Champions League? By Eric Devin for Get French Football News So ends the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season. The French prime minister, Édouard Philippe, announced on Tuesday that team sports would be banned until September – even if they were played behind closed doors – meaning that Ligue 1 became the first of the so-called “big five” leagues to end its season. Critics of Ligue 1 will be quick to offer jibes about another procession to the title for PSG but, other than the leaders and bottom side Toulouse, this season has been incredibly competitive. This premature end will come as a bitter blow to the league’s various surprise packages. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/29/ligue-1-season-ending-questions-answers-psg-lyon-champions-league

AI cannot be recognised as an inventor, US rules

The US Patent and Trademark Office rules only "natural persons" can legally be inventors.

Oscars change streaming rules amid battle for future of cinemas

Films that debut on video on demand will be eligible for next year's awards, the Academy rules.

Coronavirus: US economy sinks 4.8% amid pandemic shutdowns

The contraction in the world's largest economy is the most severe since the financial crisis of 2008.

Whirlpool: New warning over fire-prone Hotpoint washing machines

Another 55,000 machines in UK homes should stop being used and need repairing or replacing.

Coronavirus: Half world's workers may see livelihood destroyed

The International Labour Organisation's updated analysis emphasises its severe impact on people in informal work.

Coronavirus: Boeing to cut 15,000 jobs in Covid-19 'body blow'

The plane-maker, already struggling after grounding the 737 Max, plans to axe 10% of its staff.

Underrated Premier League players: part one, from Arsenal to Liverpool

We look at players who have been important to the their clubs but perhaps not always received the credit they deserved Position Centre-forward Time at club 2012-2018 League apps/goals 180/73 Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/29/underrated-premier-league-players-part-one-from-arsenal-to-liverpool

Tiémoué Bakayoko back in Chelsea limbo after Monaco season ends

Midfielder shone in a stellar Monaco side in 2017 but has drifted since, and Ligue 1 cancellation has left his career up in the air It is unlikely to be a glorious return for Tiémoué Bakayoko. There is no gaping hole for the Frenchman to fill in midfield. West London beckons only because the forced cancellation of the Ligue 1 season has brought a premature end to Bakayoko’s loan at Monaco, who are unlikely to have the finances required to complete a permanent deal for a player once regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Europe. Three years ago Bakayoko was one of the hottest properties around, dominating opponents as Leandro Jardim’s dashing young Monaco side pipped Paris Saint-Germain to the French title and motored to the Champions League semi-finals. The team included Fabinho, Bernardo Silva and Kylian Mbappé, all of whom have played brilliantly since leaving Monaco at the end of that campaign or, in Silva’s case, a year later, but Bakayoko was not out of place in thei

For MLS, anything less than astronomical losses could be a victory

The league’s centralised structure should help during the pandemic but it is also vulnerable in a way that European competitions are not The warning from Adrian Hanauer was stark. According to the Seattle Sounders majority owner, the shutdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic could result in “astronomical” losses for Major League Soccer teams. “Hundreds of millions, billions, really big numbers,” he told the Sounder At Heart podcast earlier this month. Hanauer’s remarks were in line with much of what is being said around the soccer world. The sport has never experienced anything like this with entire seasons on hold, soon to be abandoned in some cases , and competitions such as Euro 2020 and Women’s Euro 2021 pushed back a whole year. For all the meetings that have been held and contingency plans drawn up, nobody can guarantee when play will resume. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/29/for-mls-anything-less-than-astronomi

Coronavirus: Odeon-owner bans Universal films in Trolls home movie row

The success of Trolls World Tour means films will simultaneously be released in cinemas and at home.

Who is the shortest goalkeeper to play in the English top flight? | The Knowledge

Plus: club shirts inspired by countries, more defunct kit sponsors and football’s unholy trinity Mail us your questions or tweet @TheKnowledge_GU “Who is the shortest goalkeeper to play in either the old First Division or the Premier League? My guess it was Laurie Sivell who kept goal for Ipswich Town in the 70s,” writes Mitch Mitchell. Peter Tomlin gets out the tape measure. “Laurie Sivell is 5ft 8in tall (1.73m). There are three goalkeepers who have played in the top division in England that are officially recorded as being shorter than him. Ted Burgin was 5ft 7in (1.70m) and Burgin played three seasons in the top division for Sheffield United in the 1950s and won two caps for England B. He was also in the England squad for the 1954 World Cup although he didn’t play. Steve Death was 5ft 7in (1.70m). He played one top-flight game for West Ham v Manchester City in 1969. He is more famous as a Reading player in the lower divisions where he had a very successful career. He also he

The chairman has said he can't afford to keep us – it's a shock but I understand | Frank Nouble

Everything was going well at Colchester but the coronavirus shut everything down and clubs this size are struggling A couple of weeks ago, I had a phone call from my manager, John McGreal. He wanted to deliver some unfortunate news to four players who were out of contract in the summer and tell us that we wouldn’t be offered renewals at Colchester. Due to the circumstances we’re living in right now, he told us that the chairman, Robbie Cowling, couldn’t promise to fulfil our contracts and that is just the way it is. The chairman then called us a couple of days later just to confirm the news and to thank us for our time at the club. He said: “You never know what might happen in the future but I just can’t promise you I will be able to afford the contract I wanted to offer you.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/29/colchester-united-chairman-frank-nouble-contract-coronavirus

Coronavirus: A new way of dating during lockdown

Omar Mehtab looks at how online dating is being reinvented in these times of social isolation.

Gallery robot helps people experience art from home

The telepresence robot is helping people who would not be able to visit to experience the gallery.

Barclays warns pandemic could cost it £2.1bn

It comes as the bank has reported a 40% slump in first quarter profit due to coronavirus.

Coronavirus; Next expects 40% sales drop amid crisis

The fashion retailer said it expects dramatically lower sales this year amid lockdown.

Former school inspector rates own home schooling 'atrocious'

Andrew Jeffrey writes a mock Ofsted report describing teachers in dressing gowns and pupils playing Fortnite.

Coronavirus 'will hasten the decline of cash'

As people turn to digital payments during the lockdown, there are fears over the long-term future of cash.

French football season cancelled with no games until at least August

Announcement made by prime minister amid coronavirus LFP will meet next month to discuss league placings The French prime minister, Edouard Philippe, has announced there will be no professional football in the country until at least September and the 2019-20 season in Ligue 1 and 2 will therefore end immediately. Matches in France have been suspended since the start of March because of the coronavirus pandemic, with several players having agreed to defer up to 50% of their salaries to help their clubs through the crisis after broadcasters withheld TV rights. Whereas Germany’s Bundesliga looks set to resume next month behind closed doors, Philippe’s speech to the National Assembly on Tuesday confirmed that France was unwilling to risk a further outbreak by sanctioning the return of professional sport. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/28/french-football-season-cancelled-with-no-games-until-at-least-august-prime-minist

Michael Robinson, from European Cup winner to the voice of Spanish TV | Sid Lowe

Although he graced European and FA Cup finals, the former striker, who has died at 61, truly shone as a broadcaster in Spain Michael Robinson had a big heart and loved telling stories. He told stories on the telly, he told stories on the radio and he told stories every time you were with him. Warm, funny, human stories. Endlessly. He could talk and talk, though he listened too. You couldn’t meet him for lunch and get back before dinner. He loved football but above all he loved people, good people. The game, which he understood and communicated better than anyone – an explanation of on-field “reference points” lingers in the mind, a moment’s revelation – was the excuse for everything else, he said. The problem with that is it suggested he wasn’t good at the game, which is what he tended to suggest too. Ian Rush was a genius who made him look good, he would say: all he had to do was nod the ball on, any old place, and it would magically become the perfect assist. As if that was easy. N

West Ham determined to hold on to Declan Rice amid Chelsea interest

Chelsea closely monitoring England midfielder Rice the last player West Ham will look to sell West Ham are determined not to sell Declan Rice despite growing interest in the England midfielder from Chelsea. It remains to be seen how the financial impact of coronavirus will affect the transfer market but Chelsea are contemplating beefing up their defensive midfield options. The 21-year-old started his career at Stamford Bridge and is thought to be interested in returning to his boyhood club, especially as it would allow him to reunite with his best friend, Mason Mount. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/28/west-ham-determined-to-hold-on-to-declan-rice-amid-chelsea-interest

Disney sparks backlash with #MayThe4th tweet

The company suggested it owned the rights to any tweet containing the hashtag.

McDonald’s trials branch behind closed doors

McDonald’s is testing reopening a UK branch this week, but it’s behind closed doors.

Disney sparks backlash with #MayThe4th tweet

The company suggested it owned the rights to any tweet containing the hashtag.

When Arsenal won a 'world title' despite having their physio sent off

Arsenal enjoyed the greatest night in their history in May 1989. A few months later they became unofficial world champions By Steven Pye for That 1980s Sports Blog Arsenal spent a large part of the 1980s avoiding trophies, but then George Graham arrived at the club and, like London buses, one brought many. Some, such as their unforgettable league title in 1989 , will be etched into the minds of fans forever. Others, such as the “world title” the club won in Florida a few months later, are not so well remembered. The game in Miami that August, billed by some as the unofficial World Club Championship, pitted Arsenal against Independiente, the reigning champions of Argentina. It gave Graham a rare opportunity to test himself against overseas opposition and the trip to the US proved popular with the players. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2020/apr/28/arsenal-world-title-1989-physio-sent-off-independiente-u

Coronavirus: Plant growers on brink of insolvency

One-third of UK plant firms say they fear going bust by the end of the year, says an industry survey.

'Walking miracle': Spurs fan beats Covid-19 and gets a nod from Winks | David Hytner

After Malcolm Kitts spent 10 days in a coma with coronavirus and other illnesses one of his heroes made him smile again For Malcolm Kitts, the question was rhetorical. Would he – his godson, Daniel, asked him – like a nice surprise? Kitts, a 62-year-old Tottenham fanatic from Essex, has been to hell and back. A diabetic, he spent 10 days in a medically induced coma as his body fought against Covid-19, viral pneumonia and sepsis. Even the doctors could not explain how he survived. Kitts was dubbed “the walking miracle of Basildon hospital”. So, yes, he would bloody love a nice surprise. Daniel told him to click the video message on his phone, which Kitts did and, rather abruptly, there was one of his Spurs heroes talking to him. It was Harry Winks, addressing him personally and saying how happy he was that Kitts was feeling better. Everybody at Spurs was thinking of him, Winks added, and, hopefully, they would soon see him at the stadium. Continue reading... from Football | The Gua

Football quiz: who scored the last goals at these tournaments?

Who was the last player to put the ball in the net at these World Cups and Euros? Who scored the last goal at the World Cup in 2018? Paul Pogba Mario Mandzukic Kylian Mbappé Antoine Griezmann Who scored the last goal at Euro 2016? Antoine Griezmann Eder Nani Cristiano Ronaldo Who scored the last goal at the World Cup in 2014? Mario Götze Lionel Messi Thomas Müller Miroslav Klose Who scored the last goal at Euro 2012? Cesc Fàbregas David Silva Fernando Torres Juan Mata Who scored the last goal at the World Cup in 2010? Cesc Fàbregas Xavi Andrés Iniesta Jesús Navas Who scored the last goal at Euro 2008? David Silva David Villa Fernando Torres Santi Cazorla Who scored the last goal at the World Cup in 2006 (not including penalty shootouts)? Zinedine Zidane Marco Materazzi Alessandro Del Piero Andrea Pirlo Who scored the last goal at Euro 2004? Theodoros Zagorakis Dimitris Papadopoulos Zisis Vryzas Angelos Charisteas Who scored the last goal at the

David Squires on … my favourite game: Swindon Town 2-2 Manchester United

Our cartoonist casts his mind back to March 1994 and a famous four-goal County Ground showdown Buy copies of David’s cartoons at our print shop Take a look through our cartoonist’s archive Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/apr/28/david-squires-on-my-favourite-game-swindon-2-2-manchester-united-premier-league-1994

Coronavirus risk: 'I call it shop-worker roulette'

The Resolution Foundation says women and young people are most likely to bear the brunt of Covid-19.

Sony's delayed Last of Us 2 set for June release after story leaks

After major story spoilers leaked online, the hotly anticipated but long-delayed game is due for release.

Coronavirus: Property sales worth £82bn 'on hold'

Some 373,000 property sales are on hold in the UK owing to the coronavirus lockdown, analysis suggests.

Michael Robinson, former Liverpool and Brighton player, dies aged 61

Robinson also played in Spain and settled there Striker was Republic of Ireland international The former Brighton and Liverpool striker Michael Robinson, who finished his career at Osasuna and then settled in Spain, has died aged 61. Robinson’s family used his social media account to write: “With tremendous sadness we inform you of Michael’s death. It leaves us with a great emptiness, but also countless memories, full of the same love that you have shown him. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/28/michael-robinson-former-liverpool-and-brighton-player-dies-aged-61-republic-of-ireland-spain

Juan Antonio Pizzi: 'Bobby Robson led Barcelona through the hardest era in 20 years'

Former Barcelona player and Chile coach on Camp Nou life, Guardiola and why Sánchez could yet shine for Manchester United “Most of the time, you fail; there are many more defeats than victories,” Juan Antonio Pizzi says. He is right, even when it comes to his peer group – possibly the most successful coaching class in history – but it is still an unusual reflection for a man who was La Liga’s top scorer and, as a player and manager, won the league in three countries. All the more so when it is a reflection prompted by the time he led Chile to the 2016 Copa América. Minutes after winning the final, Pizzi sat before the press – and started talking about failure. He laughs now but there was a lesson there. “It’s true: when you take over a team, most of the objectives you set, you fail to meet,” he says. “And however much you try to console yourself with your style, methodology, some improvement, what you want is to win and when you don’t, which is most of the time, disappointment comes

BP profits dive 66% as coronavirus hits oil demand

The oil giant's income falls as global demand slumps due to the pandemic.

Coronavirus: 'Thousands' of North Sea oil and gas jobs under threat

The UK's oil and gas industry says many firms will struggle to survive through the coronavirus crisis.

HSBC profits halved by coronavirus pandemic impact

The bank raised its expectations for bad loans to $3bn due to the impact of the pandemic.

Coronavirus: DJI Mavic Air 2 jettisons drone safety feature in Europe

Mavic Air 2 lacks promised facility to spot nearby aircraft in models sold outside North America.

Luckin Coffee: Scandal-hit raided by regulators in China

The company's shares have slumped this month since it revealed $310m in fabricated transactions.

The Manchester United v Arsenal rivalry revisited – Football Weekly

Max Rushden , Barry Glendenning , Nicky Bandini and John Brewin discuss Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal from 2002, Sir Alex Ferguson v Arsène Wenger, legacies, tackles, Mark Venus, ‘Project Restart’ and Detective Wilson Join the conversation on Facebook , Twitter and email . Max, Barry, Nicky and John discuss the game between United and Arsenal towards the end of the 2001-02 season, where it sat in the evolution of the rivalry between Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, violence in football, and the latest on the effect that Covid-19 is having on football. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2020/apr/27/football-weekly-manchester-united-arsenal-rivalry-project-restart-covid-19-podcast

Liverpool postpone Anfield Road stand expansion owing to Covid-19

Work was scheduled to begin in December New stand expected to be completed in 2023 Liverpool have postponed the expansion of the Anfield Road stand by at least 12 months because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Related: Five substitutions proposed by Fifa to help teams after coronavirus layoff Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/liverpool-postpone-anfield-road-stand-expansion-covid

The Fiver | Diverting attention from the pig's ear they've made of everything

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! Despite the unexpected success of The Fiver’s Stop Football campaign, the Premier League and the government continue to conspire in their efforts to get football started again. The former because it is desperate not to lose out on loads of lovely TV lolly, the latter because they are desperate to divert attention away from the pig’s ear they’ve made of everything Covid-19-related by keeping the proles distracted by some live sporting entertainment on TV. Think of an adult trying to silence a crying infant by rattling a set of keys in front of its maw, in an effort to make it forget what caused it to start blubbing in the first place. “Look at the shiny!” as Frankie Boyle once said. “Look at the shiny!” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/the-fiver-football-premier-league-project-restart

Small firms to get 100%-taxpayer-backed loans

Chancellor Rishi Sunak wants the new scheme to unblock a backlog of applications.

Coronavirus: Greggs to begin reopening shops amid lockdown

The bakery chain plans to reopen a limited number of outlets next month in a "controlled trial".

NHS rejects Apple-Google coronavirus app plan

The UK's contact-tracing app is set to use a "centralised" system that worries privacy experts.

Coronavirus: UK film piracy surges during lockdown

In the UK, US, Italy and elsewhere, film piracy online shot up after lockdown measures came into effect.

Five substitutions proposed by Fifa to help teams after coronavirus lay-off

Plan designed for player safety amid fixture congestion Temporary measure would be at discretion of leagues Teams will be able to make up to five substitutions under a Fifa proposal to help players cope with fixture congestion amid the coronavirus pandemic. The substitutions will be allowed in a maximum of three in-play slots and at half-time to avoid unnecessary stoppages but are being proposed in recognition of the long layoff and anticipated high volume of matches if and when games resume. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/five-substitutions-proposed-by-fifa-to-help-teams-after-coronavirus-lay-off

Football quiz: which goalkeepers faced these famous penalties?

You know who took these penalties but do you remember who tried to save them? Roberto Baggio for Italy in 1994. Dida Gilmar Zetti Taffarel Antonín Panenka for Czechoslovakia in 1976. Piet Schrijvers Ognjen Petrovic Rudolf Kargus Sepp Maier Chris Waddle for England in 1990. Bodo Illgner Walter Zenga Raimond Aumann Oliver Kahn Stuart Pearce for England in 1996. Santiago Cañizares Andreas Köpke Oliver Kahn Andoni Zubizarreta Thierry Henry and Robert Pires in 2005. Joe Hart David James Peter Schmeichel David Seaman John Terry for Chelsea in 2008. Peter Schmeichel Fabien Barthez David de Gea Edwin van der Saar Arjen Robben for Bayern Munich in 2012. Thibaut Courtois Petr Cech Roman Weidenfeller Iker Casillas Andreas Brehme for West Germany in 1990. Sergio Goycochea Carlos Roa Nery Pumpido Fabián Cancelarich Andrea Pirlo for Italy in 2012. Ben Foster David James Robert Green Joe Hart John Aldridge for Liverpool in 1988. Simon Tracey Dave Beasan

Coronavirus: Viral WhatsApp messages 'drop 70%'

The company introduced measures earlier this month to stop the spread of misinformation

Coronavirus: Virus deaths error blamed on computer system

One health board "decided not to use" the same system as the rest of the NHS.

PSG's Nadia Nadim: 'I know the value of helping a person when they have no hope'

The Dane discusses the Taliban’s murder of her father, falling for football as a refugee and training to be a reconstructive surgeon “I’m only 32 but I feel like I’ve experienced a lot more, like 200 years of life, in bad ways and good ways,” Nadia Nadim says near the end of an hour-long conversation that has been more exhilarating than sobering. We have moved from the way her life “changed in the blink of an eye” when the Taliban stopped her going to school at the age of 11 and then murdered her father. She has reflected on how her mother found a way to help her and her four sisters flee Afghanistan. We have remembered how she fell for football in a refugee camp in Denmark and her life changed forever. Nadim has since played 92 times for Denmark and, as a prolific goalscorer, become one of the world’s most significant women footballers. She has played professionally in Denmark, New Jersey, Portland, Manchester and now Paris where, before lockdown, she helped PSG reach the Champion

Coronavirus: Israeli court bans lawless contact tracing

Israel's Supreme Court forces the government to legislate if it wants to keep tracking its citizens.

Coronavirus: Timpson warns some High Street shops won't survive

The repair company will reopen some of its outlets this week with strict safety measures in place.

Coronavirus: Airlines urge chancellor to extend paid leave scheme

The coronavirus job retention scheme must be extended beyond June, says Airlines UK.

Microsoft Teams fixes funny Gifs cyber-attack flaw

Security researchers found a way to infiltrate accounts by making people look at Gif images.

Coronavirus: Should maternity and paternity leave be extended?

A petition calling for maternity leave to be extended due to coronavirus has attracted many signatures.

Coronavirus: Online resources for home-learning

Kate Russell looks at some education related websites that could be useful during lockdown.

Coronavirus: Minecraft virtual nightclub raises money for NHS

With the nation urged to stay at home, a night out in a virtual club proves a big draw for three friends.

Coronavirus: Internet child abuse images 'not being deleted'

Campaigners say 90% fewer suspicious web addresses have been deleted during the pandemic.

Coronavirus: Airbus boss warns company is 'bleeding cash'

In a letter to workers Guillaume Faury reportedly said the firm's existence was now threatened.

Coronavirus: Businesses urged to challenge insurers 'trying it on'

Small businesses like pubs and restaurants face issues with insurers not paying out over Covid-19.

Serie A edges towards resumption but La Liga may not return before summer

Serie A sides can resume training on 18 May, says Italian PM Spanish sports minister dampens La Liga hopes of swift return The Italian top flight edged closer to resuming behind closed doors on Sunday after the country’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, gave the go-ahead for professional sports teams to resume training in May. As part of measures to ease the national lockdown during a televised address, Conte said individual training could start on 4 May, with players still respecting social distancing rules, and that team training could begin on 18 May. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/serie-a-edges-towards-resumption-but-la-liga-may-not-return-before-summer

Coronavirus: A visual guide to the economic impact

Key maps and charts explain how the virus has impacted markets and businesses around the world.

Coronavirus: 'If I can't work, I can't feed my family'

How the Covid-19 crisis has left many migrant workers stranded and without money for their families.

Coronavirus: Furloughed workers urged to become fruit pickers

Environment Secretary George Eustice urges staff on furlough to ease a growing crisis on farms.

Coronavirus: Australians download COVIDSafe contact tracing app

The Australian government app notifies users if they have had contact with a user who has Covid-19.

'As if I was in the stadium again' - Wuhan's Jean Evrard Kouassi on team's return to city

Ivorian discusses being away for 104 days, including a difficult time in Spain where ‘people looked at us very differently’ Jean Evrard Kouassi exhales and struggles for words to describe the journey he and his Wuhan Zall teammates have completed. Over the past week he has taken joy in the things that, for an Ivorian footballer living on the opposite side of the world, would usually serve as basic punctuation points in the day. Sleeping in his own bed, cooking his own food, watching his own television; the happiness in recovering these simple freedoms has been profound, even if he cannot stop his mind drifting to an experience that will never leave him. “This is a year I’ll never forget,” he tells the Guardian. “A very, very strange moment. Many things have happened to me that I will never forget in my life.” Related: ‘Keep the change, son’: David Moyes delivering veg boxes not team talks Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/a

Premier League will survive lockdown – it's the rest of sport we should worry about | Sean Ingle

Football’s big hitters will emerge largely unscathed – but minor sports, gyms and recreation centres face a struggle to survive At some point in the coming days, the government’s scientific group for emergencies will receive proposals to get sporting life in Britain back on its feet. And while I understand that the finer details are still being sketched out by a cross-sport working group, the broader brushstrokes – restarting the Premier League, horse racing and cricket behind closed doors, with frequent testing for Covid-19 and appropriate physical distancing measures in place – have been teased and trailed for weeks. Whatever happens next in these discombobulating times it is probably safe to assume that the Premier League will emerge relatively unscathed. True, players might end up a touch less remunerated. And, yes, transfer fees and TV rights will come down. But when the circus cranks up again, it will still be swimming in money and attention. It’s the rest of sport that we shou

Coronavirus: High Street shops preparing ways to reopen

The British Retail Consortium has issued post-lockdown guidance for non-essential retailers.

Alan Pardew denies he will receive bonus for avoiding Eredivisie relegation

Den Haag seven points from safety when season cancelled Pardew was reported to be due to receive £100,000 Den Haag’s manager, Alan Pardew, has denied reports stating he will receive a bonus for avoiding relegation after the Eredivisie season was terminated because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision to scrap the season meant Den Haag, who were second from bottom in the Dutch table, seven points from safety, will survive. The Daily Mirror had reported the former West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager would receive a £100,000 bonus payment. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/26/alan-pardew-denies-he-will-receive-bonus-for-avoiding-dutch-relegation

My favourite game: when Ahn Jung-hwan eliminated Italy from the World Cup

Co-hosts in 2002, South Korea stunned an Azzurri side that included Maldini, Del Piero and Totti Watching the highlights online 18 years later really doesn’t bring home how loud it was, from kick-off all the way to the golden goal. The constant noise that came from an ever-rippling sea of red made the instant of silence after 117 minutes of frenzied football all the more jarring. It was replaced by a deafening roar and the sight of local journalists, sweating in the warm South Korean evening, running up and down the press box steps at Daejeon World Cup Stadium. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/26/my-favourite-game-when-ahn-jung-hwan-eliminated-italy-from-world-cup

Coronavirus: Virgin Atlantic still in talks over bailout

Sir Richard Branson has appealed to the government for help as airlines have been hit by the lockdown.

World Cup questions: Were England robbed by Argentina at Mexico 86? | Barney Ronay

Using the Fifa archive we rewatch a series of memorable games in search of answers we didn’t find at the time You can take our freedom. But you can’t take our grainy old football videos. In this short series I will be exploring the contents of Fifa’s newly released World Cup archive; revisiting World Cup lore and World Cup truisms, and finding out if staring at them in peeled-eyeball detail from the confinement sofa really does reveal their deeper truths. In his brilliant, dashed-off book U and I the novelist Nicholson Baker invented something called closed book examination. This involves taking a much-cherished object – in his case the books of John Updike – and writing down everything you can remember about it without ever looking at the original. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/26/world-cup-questions-were-england-robbed-by-argentina-at-mexico-86

Coronavirus: Can these robot roommates liven up lockdown?

The BBC's Cody Godwin invites some robots to entertain her - and her dog Bogart - during lockdown.

Coronavirus: Five firms seeing sales boom in the lockdown

Amid all the threats posed by Covid-19 pandemic, some firms are finding ways to forge ahead.

Everton 'appalled' after Moise Kean hosts coronavirus lockdown party

Striker filmed himself partying at home with guests ‘The club has made it clear such actions are unacceptable’ Everton have labelled Moise Kean’s actions “unacceptable” after he flouted coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The striker filmed himself partying at home with guests in a breach of social distancing regulations during the coronavirus pandemic. Kean, who joined from Juventus for a reported £24m last summer, is likely to face disciplinary action. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/26/everton-appalled-moise-kean-hosts-coronavirus-lockdown-party

Even when Sunderland ruled the globe, Club World Cups were controversial

The 5-3 win over the Scottish champions, Hearts, by the 1895 First Division winners was set against a backdrop of unease about money, imported players and new competitions The Club World Cup has never stimulated universal enthusiasm. “The whole case goes to show how undesirable such events are from a sporting point of view, and what a prostitution of titles they are,” raged the Edinburgh Evening News , but that was 1895 and it wasn’t talking about the soft-power festival of greed that, in the distant days before the virus, was supposed to be taking place in China in the summer of 2021. Rather it was talking about the first meeting of league winners of England and Scotland, of the match played 125 years ago on Monday, in which Sunderland became world champions. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/apr/25/even-when-sunderland-ruled-the-globe-club-world-cups-were-controversial

Premier League's virtual comeback a triumph – especially for Diogo Jota | Simon Burnton

The Wolves man’s golden-goal win against Trent Alexander-Arnold kept Liverpool waiting for a title at the climax of a pound-shop version of MTV Cribs It was the least fitting of finals: after a tournament that had featured a net-busting 106 goals in just 18 matches when the best players met there were just two in the final, shared between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota, with the latter eventually winning after 68 impossibly tense, albeit sped-up minutes of golden-goal extra time. Still, after the events of the last few weeks the merest glimpse of the word “live” in the corner of a Sky Sports screen must have been enough to make action-starved fans quite emotional. Related: Esports ride crest of a wave as figures rocket during Covid-19 crisis | Scott Heinrich Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/25/diogo-jota-wins-virtual-football-final-against-trent-alexander-arnold

Finishing Premier League season for the sake of it would be pointless | Paul Wilson

It’s the money men who want games played behind closed doors and any restart would be both artificial and risky Word must have somehow reached Uefa that people are suffering in the present crisis, with the return of competitive football not really their highest priority, since the governing body’s latest edict not only showed uncharacteristic humility but revealed an unexpected shift towards common sense. Of course leagues around Europe should not be penalised for scrapping the present, wrecked, season without playing any more games. Of all the solutions being suggested over the past few weeks this is the obvious one and the easiest to put into practice. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/apr/25/finishing-premier-league-season-pointless-football

Arsenal to return to individual training at London Colney with strict rules

No group sessions for Arsenal when they return on Monday ‘Social distancing will be maintained at all times’ Arsenal’s players will be allowed to work at the club’s London Colney training ground from Monday in a partial re-opening that marks a cautious step towards normality amid the Covid-19 shutdown. Their return comes with a number of caveats and will not involve group training sessions. Arsenal decided to act after a week in which Granit Xhaka, David Luiz, Nicolas Pépé and Alexandre Lacazette were all reminded of their social distancing responsibilities , with all bar the latter being photographed training or playing in north London parks. The squad will now be able to operate, albeit to strict guidelines, in their usual workplace with a sharply decreased risk of flouting government regulations. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/25/arsenal-return-to-individual-training-strict-rules-coronavirus

Chelsea fail to reach agreement with players in ongoing wage reduction talks

Club reject offer of unconditional four-month 10% cut César Azpilicueta negotiating as Frank Lampard sits out Chelsea have still not reached an agreement with their first-team players over pay cuts after rejecting a proposed reduction of 10% over four months put forward by captain César Azpilicueta. The club insist negotiations are both amicable and ongoing, but after originally asking players to take the 30% cut suggested by the Premier League during the coronavirus crisis , Chelsea are unwilling to agree to a 10% cut, which is less than the 12.5% agreed by Arsenal players . Unlike the Arsenal agreement, which contained performance incentives, the Chelsea players’ offer was believed to be unconditional and designed to last until the beginning of next season. Related: Premier League completion 'probably not realistic', says Dutch FA president Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/25/chelsea-first-team-players-c

Coronavirus: Lockdown should ease to help economy, says Philip Hammond

The former chancellor warns that the economy "won't survive" waiting for a vaccine to be developed.

Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur: 1987 FA Cup final – live!

Relive a classic Wembley occasion with Scott Murray Golden Goal: Daniel Harris on Keith Houchen’s header And you can email Scott or post a comment at full-time 6.53pm BST On Tuesday 15 December 1970, the 12th episode of the second series of Monty Python’s Flying Circus aired on BBC1 at 10.10pm. Several sketches destined to become legendary were premiered that evening. Spam, for example, or the one about the Hungarian phrasebook that deliberately mistranslates “Can you direct me to the station?” as “Please fondle my buttocks”. Cutting-edge entertainment that earned a thumbs-up from this very paper: “My hovercraft is full of eels.” “Monty Python gets better and better!” Also part of that episode: World Forum, with guests Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Che Guevara and Mao Zedong. Ostensibly a summit meeting of political heavyweights, it quickly transpires that World Forum is in fact a quiz, and most of the questions are about football, stumping the communist intellectuals entirely.

From Beckham to Hoskins via Corrie: football in films and TV – quiz

How much do you remember about football on the big and little screen? Try these head-scratchers to find out Which TV and film star's father was a scout who helped find Wes Brown and Paul Scholes for Manchester United? Christopher Ecclestone Ian McShane Joanne Whalley Nigel Pivaro In the 1996 film When Saturday Comes, Sean Bean's Sheffield United team is captained by which former player? Tony Currie Keith Edwards Simon Stainrod Mel Sterland The 2006 film Goal was scripted by the writers of which popular 1980s TV series? Boon Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Boys From The Blackstuff Dempsey and Makepeace What is the name of the local football team in Coronation Street? Weatherfield County Denton Athletic Fulchester United Timperley Big Shorts One of the late Bob Hoskins' final screen roles was in a 2011 film centred on which famous match? The 1966 World Cup final Carlisle v Plymouth Argyle 1999 Liverpool v Milan 2005 Liverpool v Arsenal 1989 The football actio

Norwich will not go back on decision to furlough non-playing staff

Club are budgeting for a shortfall between £18-35m Three Premier League clubs overturned decision to furlough Norwich have defended their decision to place some of their non-playing staff on furlough leave during the coronavirus pandemic. Related: Worried League One and Two clubs agree to transparency at PFA's request Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/25/norwich-will-not-go-back-on-decision-to-furlough-non-playing-staff

Premier League completion 'probably not realistic', says Dutch FA president

‘Chances of completing the season are slim,’ says Just Spee Season in the Netherlands was declared null and void on Friday The president of the Dutch football association has cast doubt on the feasibility of the Premier League playing matches behind closed doors in June, even as the British government suggested it might be possible for some sports to resume within a few weeks. Senior government officials including chief medical officers will meet with medical directors of the major sports over the next few days to discuss the challenges each face in returning to action, in the belief that televised events would provide a boost to national morale. The move was a “quickening of the pace” and aimed to restore sporting competition “within weeks”, according to the BBC. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/25/premier-league-completion-probably-not-realistic-says-dutch-fa-president-just-spee

Michael O'Neill's transformational Northern Ireland reign merits acclaim | Andy Hunter

The postponement of the Euro 2020 play-offs means he will focus on Stoke but his achievements deserve wider recognition Michael O’Neill’s exit as Northern Ireland manager was inevitable and just one more, minor piece of fallout from the crisis afflicting football, but that does not diminish the significance of Wednesday’s announcement . A transformational, some might argue miraculous, reign is over and, while the now exclusively Stoke manager insisted he is “not the type of person who wants to do a lap of the pitch”, wider acclaim and recognition are precisely what he deserves. The image of O’Neill leaping through the air and hailstones at the Stade de Lyon remains vivid almost four years on. That joyous eruption had been caused by Niall McGinn’s stoppage-time goal against Ukraine, Northern Ireland’s second in a richly deserved win that would ultimately deliver a place in the knockout phase of Euro 2016. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com

Karen Carney: 'When runs get hard I think of Steph, Stephen and Chris'

Former England winger’s marathon is on hold but she is still raising money for the Derby Rimmer MND Foundation Instead of standing alongside thousands of others to take part in the London Marathon on behalf of the Derby Rimmer MND Foundation, on Sunday the former England winger Karen Carney will be doing her bit at home to help cover the £4bn shortfall charities are facing as a result of the cancellation of sporting events across the UK. For Carney there is a “silver lining” to the race’s postponement until 4 October: the chance to build up “more momentum and have a little bit more of a push to get some recognition out there for the cause”. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/25/karen-carney-england-winger-marathon-fund-raising-steph-houghton-stephen-darby-chris-rimmer-mnd

‘Children in football kits start kicking me up the bum’: my life as a mascot

Remember football – the crowds, the noise, the goofy beaver dancing on the touchline? Welcome to the weird world of the matchday mascot There is no force in the universe more irresistible than a high five from Reading FC ’s lion mascot, Kingsley. The only thing that comes close is a hug from Kingsley’s mascot wife, Queensley. Do not ask why a mascot needs a mascot wife, because I cannot explain that in any meaningful way. Mascots intersect society at the exact same angle as cereal box characters: we never question why they are there, what they mean, or why they never blink; but we do demand complicated backstories for them, and extended family trees. Before all this happened – before the lockdown and the boarded-up pubs, and the groups of no more than two, and the two-metre distancing and the isolation and the ransacked supermarkets, and most crucially the suspension of every single sport on the planet, all at once – I became obsessed with mascots. There they were: jiggling, express

Atmosphere clears to expose foul and corrosive fog of money in football | Simon Burnton

From Newcastle’s takeover to wage deferral dramas, obsessions with the bottom line are in sharp focus without on-field action Sir Keir Starmer’s first outing at prime minister’s questions in midweek was enlightening, in a number of ways. The content of his exchanges with the government’s stand-in shot-stopper Dominic Raab is best discussed outside the sports pages – though I’d summarise it as a knight against the benighted – but the atmosphere also intrigued. For there was hardly anybody there, a scant scattering of suited souls in the historic old chamber while the rest called in their questions, a situation that contrasted with the appearances in the same forum of some modern PMs, who have metaphorically phoned in their answers. The absence of so many people resulted in a lack of the noise and bluster they normally bring with them. The whole thing was of course less of a spectacle as a result – with not as much to see and hear to distract us from the fact that watching a bloke tal

The Fiver | Roy Keane has plenty to say about footballers and salary cuts

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! A mere 42 days after the successful conclusion of The Fiver’s STOP FOOTBALL campaign and football remains resolutely stopped. They said it couldn’t be done, but now each Thursday night, The Fiver basks in the warm, heartfelt applause of strangers who emerge from their front doors to applaud and bang saucepans in thanks for being spared the tedium of having to watch Burnley getting gubbed by Liverpool at Anfield this weekend. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/24/the-fiver-premier-league-roy-keane-jamie-carragher-gary-neville

Dyson Covid-19 ventilators are 'no longer required'

Firm's founder says demand is less than envisioned but the government says tests are ongoing.

Debenhams threatens to keep Welsh stores shut

The retailer says its major outlets in Wales will stay closed unless it gets business rates relief.

Coronavirus: People-tracking wristbands tested to enforce lockdown

Several nations are testing people-tracking wristbands to make sure citizens stay at home.

BBC and Sky show Fifa 20 matches as world sport goes online

Esports and video games including ePremier League fill vacuum left by coronavirus Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage On Saturday afternoon, Sky Sports viewers will be treated to the semi-finals and final of a new football tournament, with an impressive array of players including Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Wilfried Zaha. But the tournament, which is also being aired on BBC iPlayer, will be different to previous televised competitions. Due to Covid-19, it will be held in the Fifa 20 video game over two hours. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/24/bbc-and-sky-show-fifa-20-matches-as-world-sport-goes-online

Officials to investigate potential Covid-19 link with Liverpool match

Several deaths in city have been blamed on 11 March football game against Atletico Madrid Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Public health authorities are to investigate a potential link between a Champions League football match in Liverpool and a potential coronavirus rise in the city. The mayor, Joe Anderson, has commissioned the city’s new public health director, Matthew Ashton, to see if there is any link after a number of deaths were blamed on the 11 March match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/officials-to-investigate-potential-covid-19-link-with-liverpool-match

Football quiz: pubs near clubs – name the stadium from the pre-match venue

If you are missing football and pubs during lockdown then these teasers may help fill a gap Which ground is this pub near? The Valley (Charlton) Turf Moor (Burnley) Deepdale (Preston) Griffin Park (Brentford) Which ground is this pub near? Loftus Road (QPR) Ibrox (Rangers) Vicarage Road (Watford) Villa Park (Aston Villa) Which ground is this pub near? Villa Park (Aston Villa ) St Andrew's (Birmingham City) The Hawthorns (West Brom) Molineux (Wolves) Which ground is this pub near? Old Trafford (Manchester United) St James' Park (Newcastle) Fratton Park (Portsmouth) Blundell Park (Grimsby) Which ground is this pub near? Old Trafford (Manchester United) Goodison Park (Everton) Anfield (Liverpool) Celtic Park (Celtic) Which ground is this pub near? Highbury (Arsenal) Goodison Park (Everton) White Hart Lane (Tottenham) The Boleyn Ground (West Ham) Which ground is this pub near? Etihad Stadium (Manchester City) Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham) T

How English football responded to the second world war

The Football League and FA Cup halted when war was declared in 1939, but that was just the beginning of another story By Richard Foster for the Guardian Sport Network When the 1939-40 Football League season kicked off on Saturday 26 August 1939, players were wearing numbered shirts for the first time. Bigger changes were to come. Germany invaded Poland the following Friday and the four divisions and FA Cup were halted once war was declared on 3 September. The action stopped after three rounds of fixtures, with Blackpool boasting the only 100% record in the top flight and Leeds bottom of the table having failed to score a goal. Clubs arranged some friendlies but, when the threatened bombings did not materialise, the thirst for competitive football resurfaced and the Home Office agreed to a restructured football programme. Aston Villa and Derby County were among half a dozen clubs who withdrew, principally because many of their players were enlisting for the armed forces. Continue r

PPI deadline prompted millions of new cases, says regulator

Nine out of 10 insurance compensation claims made in the run up to last year's deadline were upheld.

Francis Benali: 'I went to some dark places. I hope this won't be as painful'

Former Southampton player’s love of tough challenges put him in hospital last year but he is doing a charity treadmill marathon Such is Francis Benali’s unadulterated cult-hero status that stickers of him have appeared everywhere from Bali to Budapest but on Sunday his adventures will be confined to a treadmill, with the former Southampton defender running a marathon at home to raise money for charity despite little to no preparation. “I’ve seen one or two that are a little bit risqué, shall we say, not too family friendly,” he says of the stickers, “but there have been some brilliant and wonderfully amusing ones like the Golden Gate Bridge, and places in the far east and Australia. They crop up in some incredible and unusual places.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/24/francis-benali-treadmill-marathon-charity-southampton-hospital-dark-places

Fortnite's Travis Scott virtual concert watched by millions

Travis Scott's 10-minute show wowed players and press - and saw millions take part online.

My favourite game: when Cambridge drew at home to eight-man Cardiff | Max Rushden

Nothing better sums up my experience of being a lower-league fan than a goalless draw against a team with eight men On 28 December 1999, Cambridge United drew 0-0 at home to Cardiff City in Division Two (now League One). Nothing remarkable there. Until you realise that Cardiff City had three men sent off – one for deliberate handball on the line. Yet Cambridge still couldn’t get three points. My memories of standing on the north terrace that day are pretty hazy. But I distinctly remember being excited that David Elleray was the referee . Who knows what mistake he’d made in the Premier League the week before to be sent down to our level but he was by some distance the most famous person on the pitch . And he meant business. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/24/my-favourite-game-when-cambridge-drew-at-home-to-eight-man-cardiff

Phil Neville to see out England Women contract but no decision on Olympics

FA releases statement saying he will leave role in July 2021 Olympics set to start on 23 July and finish on 8 August Phil Neville’s future as Team GB manager hangs in the balance as the Football Association confirms his departure in 2021. With news of Neville’s departure leaked to the press during the week, the FA released a statement on Friday morning confirming that the former Manchester United player was “committed to honouring the full term of his contract with the FA, which will see him leave the role in July 2021”. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/24/phil-neville-to-see-out-england-women-contract-but-no-decision-on-olympics

Manchester United's setup shines as seniors help locked-down youngsters | Tanya Aldred

Club’s compassionate approach recognises that lockdown life ‘leaves a big hole’ for children ripped from their usual routines Last Friday I had a good old-fashioned nosy at Ryan Giggs’s kitchen, close enough to check out his fancy light fittings – if only virtually. Like much of the past month, it was a surreal experience, this one conjured up by the youth development team at Manchester United. When, one Saturday morning in 2014, a man in a padded jacket slid along the touchline to hand me his number on a scrap of paper, I looked at him blankly. He said he was a scout for United and would like to get my son down to the development centre to take a closer look. I was pretty dubious – our little boy was only five. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/apr/24/manchester-united-setup-seniors-help-locked-down-youngsters

UK retail sales fall a record 5.1% as lockdown hits

Shopping declines at the steepest rate since the Office for National Statistics started collecting data.

Treasury considers 100% guarantee on small firm loans

Companies say they are still struggling to get credit to tide them through the coronavirus pandemic.

Victoria's Secret shifts image with new faces for Asia

The lingerie retailer unveils two high-profile brand ambassadors as it attempts to turn around its fortunes.

Recovery expert: 'Some businesses will never reopen'

Adapting quickly, reassuring customers and flexible workforces will be key, says disaster recovery expert.

Coronavirus: Congress passes $484bn economic relief bill

The bill puts more money towards a small business aid fund, overwhelmed hospitals and testing expansion.

Coronavirus: State surveillance 'a price worth paying'

The Tony Blair Institute says a "dramatic" increase in surveillance is better than the other available options.

Coronavirus: Influencers' glossy lifestyles lose their shine

Advertisers are cancelling contracts with influencers who can’t travel to create content in lockdown.

Coronavirus: 'I faked having Covid-19 on Facebook and got arrested'

Across the world police are chasing down alleged symptom-fakers who are being accused of triggering panic.

With humans vulnerable: How about a digital helper?

Robots and digital assistants have proved useful during the Covid-19 pandemic but are still limited.

Uefa tells European leagues to determine placings 'on sporting merit'

No penalties for failure to finish seasons normally Scotland now expected to draw a line under 2019-20 Uefa has confirmed national leagues will not be banned from European competition if they cancel their seasons and must decide for themselves how to determine final placings “based on sporting merit”. The emergency rules were announced after a meeting of Uefa’s executive committee and mark a stark shift in approach from European football’s governing body. The top line remains a “strong recommendation” to finish the season, and even suggests a preference for adopting a different format, such as a play-off, before cancelling. But as the coronavirus crisis deepens there is an acceptance that national competitions – with Scotland and the Netherlands foremost among them - are facing extraordinary circumstances. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/23/uefa-european-leagues-to-determine-placings-on-sporting-merit

Amazon's £250,000 for bookshops fund stuns trade

The online retail giant has long been accused of killing off bricks-and-mortar book sales.

The Fiver | Big Phil Neville and a tenure that has only ever flirted with stability

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! Given the team’s dismal form of late, news that Big Phil Neville is to step down as England Women’s manager when his contract expires next summer – and not therefore guide the team at the rearranged European Championship in 2022 – hardly comes as a surprise. This isn’t so much jumping-before-being-pushed as much as the-pusher-pointing-out-that-the-pushee-had-in-fact-agreed-to-jump-at-a-given-time-and-that-they’ll-be-held-to-that-even-though-the-entire-reason-for-that-particular-jumping-time-has-been-moved-back-a-year-and-the-pusher-could-quite-easily-put-the-jumping-time-back-a-year-if-they-really-wanted-to. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/23/the-fiver-big-phil-neville-england-job