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Showing posts from July, 2020

Coronavirus: Lockdown easing delay 'is hammer blow'

As bowling alleys remain shut and beauty salons are still restricted. business groups express dismay.

'Never say never': Newcastle say Ashley still committed to Saudi-led sale

Club director Lee Charnley responds to consortium’s withdrawal Henry Mauriss must show proof of funds if he wants to take over Newcastle’s managing director has raised hopes, admittedly slender, that the club’s collapsed sale to a Saudi-led consortium could be resurrected. “Never say never,” said Lee Charnley as he broke his silence on the £300m takeover saga involving Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Reuben Brothers and Amanda Staveley. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/31/newcastle-say-ashley-still-committed-to-saudi-led-sale-never-say-never-lee-charnley

Australia unveils plan to force Google and Facebook to pay for news

Google and Facebook would pay news outlets in the "world-leading" plan, the government says.

When Leeds, Leicester and Wolves were relegated together in 2004 | Richard Foster

The three clubs went down together 16 years ago. They have all made dramatic, topsy-turvy returns to the Premier League By Richard Foster for the Guardian Sport Network Sixteen years have passed since Leeds last played a game in the top flight, the longest gap between Premier League fixtures for any club. The club were relegated on 8 May 2004 after a 3-3 draw with Charlton at Elland Road. Leeds had been 3-1 up with 15 minutes to play, but two mistakes from Michael Duberry and two goals from Jason Eull confirmed that they would be returning to the second tier for the first time since 1990. “Leeds may be going down, but their fans seem happy enough, as well they might after this six-goal carnival,” read the Guardian’s match report at the time . One optimistic fan at Elland Road carried a banner that declared: “ First Division 2005: champions elect .” Wolves and Leicester were the other two clubs relegated that season, with Leicester also going down after drawing with Charlton . All t

Holiday firm Tui extends suspension of trips to Spain

The tour firm cancels trips to Spain until mid-August but adds more holidays to Greece and Turkey.

Twitter hack: Staff tricked by phone spear-phishing scam

Twitter says employees were tricked into handing over credentials to the cyber-attackers.

Twitter bans ex-KKK leader David Duke

He was permanently suspended for repeatedly violating Twitter's "hateful conduct" rules.

Newcastle fan's view: yes, we wanted the riches but mostly we wanted rid of Ashley | Harry Savill

The Saudi-led takeover’s collapse means years of limbo and misery continue and a sign of hope has disappeared After 16 long weeks, the proposed takeover of Newcastle United – which officially began in January but has been at the forefront of fans’ minds for far longer – has reached a conclusion. The consortium ha s pulled the plug So acute has been the tension over the past few months that at times it’s been easy to forget what exactly we were getting excited about. Most of the headlines that have forensically dissected this seemingly never-ending saga have focused on the buying side, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which in attempting to purchase a controlling stake in the club alongside Amanda Staveley and the Reuben Brothers, would have made Newcastle one of the world’s richest clubs. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/31/newcastle-fans-view-yes-we-wanted-the-riches-but-mostly-we-wanted-rid-of-ashley

Ex-football coach Barry Bennell pleads guilty to nine sexual offences

Former Crewe coach is serving 30-year jail term after being convicted of 50 child sexual offences in 2018 The convicted child sex offender and former football coach Barry Bennell has pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences. The 66-year-old former Crewe Alexandra coach, also known as Richard Jones, entered the pleas at Chester crown court on Friday via video link from HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/31/former-football-barry-bennell-coach-pleads-guilty-to-nine-sexual-offences

Peter Moore to leave role as Liverpool CEO with Billy Hogan replacing him

Moore proud of success but departs with ‘mixed emotions’ Hogan negotiated Liverpool’s £30m-a-year Nike kit deal Liverpool’s chief executive officer, Peter Moore, is to leave the club next month and will be replaced by current managing director and chief commercial officer Billy Hogan. Moore’s three-year contract as Liverpool CEO expires this summer and he is returning with his wife to the United States, where he worked for 36 years for Sega, Reebok, Microsoft and EA before joining his hometown club in 2017. He will oversee a transitional period until the end of August when Hogan, who has worked for owners Fenway Sports Group since 2004, starts as CEO on 1 September. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/31/peter-moore-to-leave-role-as-liverpool-ceo-with-billy-hogan-replacing-him

House prices bounced back in July, says Nationwide

Pent-up demand and the stamp duty holiday boosted prices, but Nationwide warns it could be a false dawn.

Spanish economy feels pain of coronavirus

France and Italy also see double-digit contractions as the pandemic hits growth across Europe.

Kylie and Kendall Jenner endorsed 'knock-off' Apple products on Instagram

They promoted AirPods clones, whose design may be in breach of Apple's intellectual property rights.

Can 'Super Rishi' save the economy from Covid-19?

Will Rishi Sunak's £190bn superpower be enough to counter the economic effects of coronavirus?

Coronavirus: Why some people want to keep working from home

Office workers in England can soon go back to their desks - but many want to keep working remotely.

Willian still wanted at Chelsea but may play his way into Arsenal's hands

Frank Lampard does not want to lose the Brazilian despite having no shortage of attacking options, with more to come At first glance it might seem odd Frank Lampard is so keen for Willian to stay at Chelsea. Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech are already training with their new teammates, Kai Havertz is close to joining from Bayer Leverkusen and there is a danger that the manager is going to become Brentwood’s answer to Ossie Ardiles when he starts working out how to deploy his attacking options next season. Something surely has to give. Werner is going to be competing with Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud up front and can also operate from the left. Ziyech can play on the right or in the hole. Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi are exciting options on either flank, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount all play advanced roles in midfield and although Chelsea are right to focus on improving their goal threat after losing Eden Hazard to Real Madrid last summer that attack i

Celtic chase a perfect 10 but how long can two-team competition continue? | Ewan Murray

Old Firm are the only serious rivals to each other in a Premiership where third place to the rest represents glorious success If we are to assume a suitable element of normality will have returned by May, any Celtic celebration of a 10th Premiership title in succession will be quite the sight. Less is more has never applied to the Old Firm, especially where the making of history is concerned. Celtic will begin their season on Sunday as the legitimate favourites to become the first Scottish club to deliver 10 in a row. Inside Scottish football’s parochial cauldron, that achievement is a key theme to the point where it is already all-consuming. Can Steven Gerrard – who hasn’t won a trophy in two seasons in charge of Rangers – break the run at such a crucial point? All logic would suggest not. Yet if Rangers somehow do win the league, the eruption will be felt in the southern hemisphere. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/j

British Airways owner IAG says recovery will not be before 2023

IAG group says recovery will take at least three years as it announces plans to raise billions in new funds.

NatWest slumps to loss on bad loan provision

The bank has put aside another £2.1bn, expecting more defaults on loans because of the pandemic.

Universal Credit 'failing millions of people', say peers

Lords blame the design of the benefit payment for "soaring rent arrears and use of food banks".

Burberry and Tencent team up for concept stores

The luxury British retailer and China's tech giant have joined forces amid growing national tensions.

League of Legends European Championship cancels Saudi deal after backlash

Fans of the esports league say they were right to highlight Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

Burberry and Tencent team up for concept stores

The luxury British retailer and China's tech giant have joined forces amid growing national tensions.

Car dealer Pendragon to close 15 branches and cut 1,800 jobs

Pendragon, which owns Evans Halshaw, said it needed to ensure the "long-term health" of the company.

Vue announces phased reopening date for cinemas

The chain says its now ready to welcome back customers to some of its venues from 7 August.

Five key moments from the big tech grilling

The heads of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google faced accusations of bias and unfair competition.

TikTok launches £54m fund for European creators to make videos

The video sharing app launched a $200m fund for American users earlier this month.

Manchester City land Bournemouth's Nathan Aké in £41m move

Dutch defender leaves after Cherries’ relegation City reached deal for Ferran Torres on Wednesday Manchester City have agreed to sign Nathan Aké from Bournemouth for £40m, rising to a possible £41m with add-ons. It takes their outlay in two days to more than £64m after a deal was struck to buy the winger Ferran Torres from Valencia . Pep Guardiola turned to Aké after hitting problems in his pursuit of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. The fee represents a significant profit for Bournemouth, who signed the Netherlands international from Chelsea for £20m in 2017. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/30/manchester-city-land-bournemouth-defender-nathan-ake-in-39m-move

Huawei takes top spot in global phone shipments for first time

The Chinese firm has overtaken Samsung as the world's biggest smartphone vendor.

Kelley O'Hara: the World Cup winner giving female athletes a powerful voice

USA defender on her new Just Women’s Sport podcast and the squad’s resolve to carry on fighting for what they believe in After the USA won the Women’s World Cup in France last year, Kelley O’Hara wrote on Instagram , “Maybe one day I’ll be able to put this journey into words”. One rollercoaster year on and she still can’t. “I don’t know if I ever will be able to because there was just so much emotion and it’s difficult to express through words,” she says with a laugh. The 31-year-old defender has just finished playing in the NWSL Challenge Cup, hosted by her club, Utah Royals. “It wasn’t the ideal ending,” she says of their one win, one draw and three defeats in the first return of professional sport in the US. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/30/usa-world-cup-winner-football-kelley-ohara-voice-female-athletes

Argos axes its catalogue after 48 years

The retailer says it will remove the last of its catalogues from stores by the end of the year.

German economy suffers sharpest decline on record

The economy shrank by 10.1% in the April-to-June period, official figures show.

Training your brain to relax on a virtual island

A headset that can measure your brain's reaction to images could improve mental health.

Ciro Immobile: 'Goldilocks' footballer or deserved goal record-chaser? | Nicky Bandini

The Lazio striker stands one shy of Gonzalo Higuaín’s record and, 14 penalties or not, he has enjoyed a stellar campaign To listen to Ciro Immobile on Wednesday night was to wonder whether he might be in the wrong line of work. “I hate it when I absolutely have to score,” he said at the end of Lazio’s 2-0 win over Brescia. “It just doesn’t sit right.” A surprising sentiment, for a man who has made his living scoring goals – and who happens to be very good at it. Immobile netted his 35th of this Serie A campaign just a few minutes earlier, running on to Joaquín Correa’s through-ball and sweeping one of his calling-card sidefoot finishes beyond the goalkeeper Lorenzo Andrenacci. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/jul/30/ciro-immobile-goldilocks-footballer-or-deserved-goal-record-chaser-lazio-serie-a

Lloyds profits wiped out as bank warns about economic outlook

Britain's biggest retail bank sees profits wiped out as it sets aside another £2.4bn for possible bad loans.

'Coronavirus has delayed my career prospects'

The government can retrain and support people, but are there the jobs to provide employment?

Arsenal v Chelsea, England v Pakistan and Jason Robinson brilliance | Classic YouTube

This week’s round-up also features Annika Sorenstam, Jürgen Klinsmann and the latest in dropped trophy woes 1) Arsenal meet Chelsea in the small matter of the FA Cup final on Saturday. They contested the final in 2002 , of course, when ‘Ooh-aah’ Ray Parlour scored that screamer. Can you remember who scored the goals in the 2017 final, when the Gunners defeated Chelsea 2-1? Neither can we, so here are the highlights . To level things up a touch, here’s a stonking Peter Osgood volley for Chelsea in a 1973 quarter-final. 2) A very happy birthday to former dual-code flyer Jason Robinson. Give him a rugby ball and a bit of space and this is what happens . Here he is giving Chris Latham a terrible time for the British & Irish Lions at the Gabba in 2001. Then there was Robinson’s pivotal try in the 2003 final against Australia, arguably featuring the best try celebration in history . And here’s a five-minute compilation of fine Six Nations finishes for England , just for good measure

Redundancy pay to be protected for furloughed workers

Furloughed workers losing their jobs will be eligible for redundancy pay based on their normal wages.

Paulo Dybala: 'Lots of people pay more attention to footballers than to presidents'

The Juventus forward on joining Common Goal, winning another Serie A title and the Champions League challenge ahead It is only a few days since Juventus beat Sampdoria to seal their ninth consecutive Scudetto, and Paulo Dybala already has his mind on other challenges. Football still has plenty of those in store for him, of course, particularly with his team taking a one-goal deficit into next Friday’s Champions League game at home to Lyon, but recently he has been considering other matters entirely. The most significant outcome is his decision to join Common Goal, pledging at least 1% of his salary to a collective fund which uses football as a tool to educate and empower children and young people and joining Juan Mata, Jürgen Klopp, Megan Rapinoe and his clubmate Giorgio Chiellini on its list of donors, now 159 strong. It is a movement that is slowly increasing in size and momentum, a process that Dybala’s intervention – as the first major South American footballer to sign up – could

Standard Chartered profits take coronavirus hit

The bank, whose biggest market is Hong Kong, faces criticism for its stance on China's actions in the city.

Coronavirus: Samsung profits soar on work from home demand

The world's biggest producer of memory chips sees demand jump as data centres expanded during lockdowns.

Nasa Mars rover: Perseverance robot poised for launch

The one-tonne vehicle will search for signs of Martian life and prepare rocks to send home to Earth.

'I recorded fraudsters stealing my money'

Criminals are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic for gain, according to one leading investigator.

Coronavirus: Samsung profits soar on work from home demand

The world's biggest producer of memory chips sees demand jump as data centres expanded during lockdowns.

Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google face claims of 'harmful' power

The executives of the four US tech giants defend their records at a five-hour hearing in Congress.

Young people 'feel anxiety and terror' using fitness apps

A study of young people finds a fine line between getting results and becoming "obsessed".

Odeon owner and Universal agree on streaming deal

The firms sign a deal allowing Universal to show films in homes after just 17 days in cinemas.

'Academics need to give more to fill pension hole'

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), deficit has more than tripled in two years.

Company bosses pledge to recruit more black staff

Barclays and Deloitte join a group of business leaders committed to increasing workplace diversity.

Wiley permanently suspended by Twitter over anti-Semitism

Twitter was accused of inaction and delay over anti-Semitic remarks posted by the music star.

Football's five substitutes rule doesn't benefit the big clubs – and here's why | Ignacio Palacios-Huerta

The academic and former Athletic Bilbao head of talent ID explains why the issue is not as simple as it appears Last month I was chatting to my friend Ernesto Valverde, the former Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona coach who I got to know well when I was Athletic’s head of talent ID. For once we were disagreeing. He, like many in football, thought that the temporary rule change to allow five substitutions from an extended bench of nine players favoured the big clubs. I insisted it wouldn’t. At the time it felt like the debate didn’t matter much either way, given the rule was only expected to last until the end of the season. Now, however, Ifab has agreed to extend it , to the dismay of many. Burnley’s manager, Sean Dyche, and Aston Villa’s Dean Smith are prominent critics – and one well-regarded journalist recently claimed it “really does not take the brains of Lloyd George to work out that it is a rule which will favour richer clubs who have squads packed with larger numbers of higher-q

Barclays: We want our people back in the office

The bank's boss, who has said big offices might be outdated, now wants staff back in the workplace.

Turkey's MPs vote to tighten grip on social media

Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube will now need to comply with requests to remove content.

Madonna's Instagram account flagged for spreading misinformation

The pop star was censured for sharing a video about a coronavirus conspiracy theory.

Paul Cook resigns as manager of troubled Wigan before appeal hearing

Appeal against 12-point deduction to be heard on Friday Cook linked with Birmingham and Bristol City Paul Cook has resigned as manager of Wigan Athletic after they were handed a 12-point deduction and relegated from the Championship . The club’s appeal against the punishment will be heard on Friday but Cook departs in search of a fresh challenge after three years at the club, including a title-winning season in League One. He led Wigan to 10 victories from their last 18 matches, a return that would have secured their Championship status but for the penalty applied on the final day of the season after their owner put the club into administration in July. The club will argue at the hearing, expected to last about a week, that the deduction should be waived owing to “ force majeure ” circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic shutdown. There is little expectation their appeal will be successful and Cook, who has been linked with vacancies at Birmingham and Bristol City, is understo

Heathrow calls for coronavirus tests at UK airports

The airport's boss says there needs to be an alternative to the "cliff edge" of quarantine.

Egypt TikTok: Female influencers jailed over 'indecent' videos

The five young women are sentenced to two years in prison and fined almost $19,000 (£15,000) each.

Verdict that kept Manchester City in Europe delivers some glancing blows

Cas judgment outlines reasons for finding in favour of City, but shows the club’s case wasn’t as ‘irrefutable’ as it made out So Manchester City’s hierarchy won the war they waged furiously against European football’s governing body Uefa, but the reality of the victory does not quite match the claims they made during their long campaign. The panel at the court of arbitration for sport decided 2-1 in City’s favour to overturn the comprehensive guilty finding and two-year Champions League ban imposed by Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) in February, but the published judgment nevertheless exposes a core of contradictions in the club’s case. In May 2019, after the CFCB’s “investigatory chamber” (IC) referred charges to the “adjudicatory chamber” (AC) that City – owned by Sheikh Mansour of the Abu Dhabi ruling family – overstated sponsorships by the state airline Etihad and telecoms giant Etisalat, the club publicly accused the IC’s chairman, Yves Leterme, of bad faith and “a

Which siblings have been signed from different clubs at the same time? | The Knowledge

Plus: more floods of first-half goals, vertical kit sponsors and who is England’s worst goalkeeper? • Mail us your questions or tweet @TheKnowledge_GU “Stockport County have just signed Connor and James Jennings, from different clubs. They are brothers. Have there been many other clubs who have done the same?” asks Dan Levy. It depends what is being asked, Dan. If it is brothers coming from different clubs and signing for the same team and crossing paths there are quite a few examples, but if you are asking if other brothers have signed from different clubs at exactly the same time, as the Jennings did at Stockport, we’re struggling. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/29/which-siblings-have-been-signed-from-different-clubs-at-the-same-time

Coronavirus vaccine: UK signs deal with GSK and Sanofi

The government signs a fourth deal, securing doses of a treatment being developed by GSK and Sanofi.

Bringing Mars back to Earth

An audacious mission to bring rock samples from Mars back to Earth is about to begin - find our more with our illustrated guide

Coronavirus: Nissan shares fall 10% after record loss warning

Japan's second largest carmaker had already been struggling to cut costs and return to profitability.

'Fix your bike' website crashes as scheme launches in England

A website offering £50 bike repair vouchers from the government did not work for about four hours.

Coronavirus: Kodak pivots itself to become strategic drug maker

The former camera maker moves into drug making and secures a major loan from the US government.

How much power does tech 'big four' have?

Regulators are scrutinising Amazon, Apple, Google and Facebook. How much power do the 'big four' hold?

The 1985 English Super Cup – podcast

The best stories from the beautiful game that you may never have heard before, written by some of the world’s leading sports journalists, and spanning more than 100 years of sporting history from across the footballing planet. In this episode: after English clubs were banned from Europe in 1985, the Football League created a consolation competition for them. Read the text version here . Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2020/jul/29/forgotten-stories-the-1985-english-super-cup-podcast

Coronavirus: Kodak pivots itself to become strategic drug maker

The former camera maker moves into drug making and secures a major loan from the US government.

'Fix your bike' website crashes as scheme launches in England

Social media users complain they can't access the government website to get a £50 bike repair voucher.

Coronavirus: Business rescue package has 'delayed the inevitable'

Insolvencies slow during lockdown, but experts say the worst is yet to come.

National Trust joins victims of Blackbaud hack

The charity says a database containing details of its volunteers and fundraisers has been affected.

Championship play-offs, transfer talk and Juve's latest title – Football Weekly

Faye Carruthers , Barry Glendenning , Jacob Steinberg and Jonathan Fadugba discuss the play-off semi-final first legs, this summer’s potential moves and look at Juventus’ record ninth straight Serie A title We start off by looking back at the Championship play-off semi-final first legs, as Swansea and Fulham both defeated Brentford and Cardiff, respectively. We are joined briefly by Fulham podcaster (and occasional Football Weekly producer) Sammy James to discuss their impressive away display in south Wales on Monday night. In part two, we take a deep dive into this summer’s potential moves as the transfer window opens. We look at who the top sides in the Premier League might look to recruit, and who the relegated sides might need to let go. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2020/jul/28/championship-play-offs-transfer-talk-and-juventus-latest-title-football-weekly

Premier League 2019-20 review: our predictions versus reality

We picked Manchester City to win the title and Newcastle, Brighton and Sheffield United to go down. Oh dear The Premier League is too predictable these days, isn’t it? Not for us, apparently. We thought Manchester City would retain their league title; they surrendered it with seven games to spare. We thought Sheffield United would finish last; they ended up challenging for Europe. We thought Newcastle and Brighton would go down; they were safe weeks ago. We thought Norwich, Bournemouth and Watford would stay up; they are off to the Championship. We thought Spurs would canter into the Champions League places; they celebrated Europa League qualification on the final day. Although, to be fair, we knew that Chelsea would finish fourth. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/28/premier-league-2019-20-review-our-predictions-versus-reality

West Ham will step up chase for QPR's £20m-rated Eberechi Eze

No 10 also of interest to Palace, Villa, Newcastle and West Brom Hammers look to offload Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini West Ham have stepped up their pursuit of Eberechi Eze, with David Moyes determined to win the race to sign the Queens Park Rangers forward. QPR are holding out for as much as £20m for Eze, who is also attracting interest from Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion. Although West Ham are unlikely to be able to spend heavily, they have indicated that they are prepared to make funds available to sign the 22-year-old. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/28/west-ham-chase-for-qpr-20m-rated-eberechi-eze

The Fiver | Jack Grealish ending the season much like he started lockdown

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! With just 70 days to go until the transfer window slams shut and The Fiver dreading the nonsensical t1ttle-tattle that will fill every single one of them, now seems as good a time as any to revisit our ambitious and utterly unworkable idea for a blanket rumour blackout around the world. In this utopia, transfer speculation of any kind would be strictly forbidden and all player moves would remain shrouded in secrecy, thereby ensuring fans would not find who has joined or left their club until the team-sheets are announced an hour before kick-off on the opening day of the new season. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/28/the-fiver-jack-grealish-aston-villa

Donald Trump Jr suspended from tweeting after Covid post

US president's son's use of Twitter is limited for 12 hours after he broke its misinformation rules.

Sainsbury's to try out virtual queuing system

A phone app will enable shoppers to avoid long waits in socially distanced queues outside stores.

Wiley: Rapper abuses Jewish critics on Facebook

The grime artist posts new inflammatory comments amid criticism over his previous anti-Semitic rant.

Keep furlough open to prevent 10% unemployment, says research

An economic research group says there is a risk the scheme is coming to an end prematurely.

Selfridges: Staff cuts ‘toughest decision we've ever had to take’

Upmarket department store chain Selfridges is cutting 450 workers, 14% of its workforce.

Premier League 2019-20 season review: our writers’ best and worst

The best players, greatest games and notable signings – plus those that didn’t work out, and what needs to change Ed Aarons: The performances of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mané and Jordan Henderson were crucial for a brilliant Liverpool team that left Manchester City floundering in their wake but Virgil van Dijk held it all together. An inspirational leader in a team inspired by their manager’s vision. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/28/premier-league-2019-20-season-review-our-writers-best-and-worst-players-games-signings

David Squires on … the end of the longest Premier League season

Our cartoonist reflects on the culmination of the 2019-20 campaign, featuring Roy Keane, Jordan Henderson and Watford Buy copies of David’s cartoons at our print shop Take a look through his Guardian cartoon archive Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/jul/28/david-squires-on-the-end-of-the-longest-premier-league-season

Plans to increase FA board diversity blocked, chairman Greg Clarke claims

Clarke says some members declined to back options raised These included new role for Paul Elliott and extra board seats The professional game representatives on the Football Association board have effectively blocked a review of the diversity of its members, FA chairman Greg Clarke has claimed. Clarke has written to FA Council members to say the board met last week and a number of options were discussed with a view to making the board more diverse. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/28/fa-board-rejected-plans-to-increase-its-diversity-chairman-greg-clarke-claims

Greggs sees 'encouraging' sales recovery

The bakery chain saw losses in the first half of 2020 but says sales are now 72% of last year's level.

’Outrageous’ car loan commission banned

Car loans that encourage dealers to increase interest rates to get extra commission are to be banned.

Premier League 2019-20 review: what we learned tactically from the season | Jonathan Wilson

Liverpool’s key advantage over Manchester City was their ability to better organise attacks and manage the transition to defence It has become increasingly clear this season that, at elite level, two attributes separate the very best managers from the rest: their capacity to manage the transition from attack to defence; and their ability to organise an attack, particularly against deep-lying opponents. Jürgen Klopp has excelled at both and the Swabian school of pressing, of which he is the leading practitioner , becomes ever more widespread. The figures have been muddied by Liverpool’s recent relaxation but, after 31 games of the season, the week the title was confirmed, Manchester City had scored seven more goals than Liverpool; Liverpool had conceded 12 fewer. Essentially, what separated them this season was that Liverpool defended better. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/jul/28/premier-league-2019-20-what-we-learned

Google's new transatlantic data cable to land in Cornwall

The tech giant plans a new high-end transatlantic data cable to go from the US to Bude, in Cornwall.

David Silva adulation shines light on curious denial of Touré’s greatness | Jonathan Liew

The two players transformed Manchester City into serial winners but will be remembered very differently “Sign Silva first, I will come.” In the summer of 2010, so the story goes, Manchester City’s chief executive Garry Cook was trying to pull off two of the biggest deals in the club’s history. But there was a problem. Yaya Touré was on the verge of joining, but wanted to make sure City signed David Silva first. The Valencia man’s response? “Sign Yaya first, I will come.” They both did and the rest – at least, as of Sunday evening – is history. As Silva took his leave from the Etihad Stadium pitch after his final appearance in English football , the absence of a crowd barely detracted from the warmth of his reception: not just the affection of his teammates and coaches, but weeks and months of tributes and superlatives from the wider game. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/jul/28/david-silva-adulation-yaya-toure-manchest

British Airways faces strike threat over job cut plan

The head of the trade union Unite warns the airline that it plans to move towards industrial action.

Google's new transatlantic data cable to land in Cornwall

The tech giant plans a new high-end transatlantic data cable to go from the US to Bude, in Cornwall.

Amazon takes on supermarkets with free food delivery

Same or next-day delivery will now be free for Prime subscribers in London on orders above £40.

Najib Razak: Former Malaysian PM guilty on all charges in corruption trial

Tuesday's verdicts centred on $10m transferred from a wealth fund to Najib Razak's private accounts.

Coronavirus: Emirates covers Covid-19 medical and funeral costs

The world's biggest long-haul carrier is making the offer to get people flying again.

Premier League 2019-20 review: gripes of the season

The Premier League’s poor response to the coronavirus pandemic and VAR’s persistent failings have stuck in the craw Was this the season when partisanship became rather too acceptable? There was a time when TV and radio pundits had to show a modicum of balance but now much of the chat in the commentary box or studio goes along the line of who supports who. Gary Neville can never hide his allegiances and his and Jamie Carragher’s joshing over Manchester United and Liverpool has become the latest USP for the Sky Sports machine, the professional big-club fan. Micah Richards now operates in this role covering Manchester City. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/premier-league-2019-20-review-gripes-of-the-season

Premier League 2019-20 review: flops of the season

A midfielder who barely played, a forward who barely scored and a once-lauded goalkeeper all had seasons to forget Players | Managers | Goals | Young players | Signings | Matches Welcome to theguardian.com review of the 2019-20 Premier League season. We have nominated some contenders for this category but this is just to get the discussion going: offer your suggestions below the line … Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/premier-league-2019-20-review-flops-of-the-season

Winners and losers as Premier League's 352-day season ends – Football Weekly

Max Rushden , Barry Glendenning , Jonathan Wilson and Lars Sivertsen discuss the final day of the Premier League season, as Manchester United and Chelsea clinch Champions League places, and Aston Villa avoid relegation by a single point. We start by looking back at the race for the Champions League places, as Manchester United and Leicester played a winner-takes-all contest at the King Power Stadium, while Chelsea just needed a point to secure their spot in next season’s competition. In part two, we cross our attention to the bottom of the league as Aston Villa, Watford and Bournemouth all battled to avoid relegation to the Championship. We discuss the futures of Jack Grealish, Troy Deeney and Eddie Howe after a turbulent year. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2020/jul/27/winners-and-losers-as-premier-leagues-352-day-season-ends-football-weekly

Sarri drinks in first Serie A title but his Juventus are yet to 'win and convince' | Nicky Bandini

Winning the scudetto was the minimum requirement but in a difficult season Sarri kept his team on track without excelling Juventus had just won their ninth consecutive Serie A title, but their manager was nowhere to be seen. As the final whistle sounded at the end of a 2-0 win over Sampdoria, Maurizio Sarri headed immediately down into the tunnel, leaving his players to celebrate on the pitch at an empty Allianz Stadium. They would catch up with him soon enough. Wojciech SzczÄ™sny barged in on Sarri’s post-game interview to hand him a lit cigarette, telling him “you earned it”. Back in the changing room, Juan Cuadrado maintained his Scudetto tradition of smothering his boss in shaving foam. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/maurizio-sarri-serie-a-title-juventus-win-convince-scudetto

Premier League 2019-20 review: young players of the season

This year’s suggestions are made up of players who were aged 21 and younger at the start of the season Welcome to theguardian.com review of the 2019-20 Premier League season . We have nominated some contenders for this category but this is just to get the discussion going: offer your suggestions below the line … Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/premier-league-2019-20-review-young-players

Premier League 2019-20 review: signings of the season

From scurrying strikers to impulsive wingers, here are our pick of the top flight’s best new arrivals Welcome to theguardian.com review of the 2019-20 Premier League season . We have nominated some contenders for this category but this is just to get the discussion going: offer your suggestions below the line … Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/premier-league-2019-20-review-signings

Coronavirus: Tui warns against blanket quarantine measures

As travellers from Spain to the UK are told to self-isolate, the firm urges a "regionalised" policy.

Coronavirus: UK economy 'could take four years to recover'

Forecasters say the economy might not bounce back to its pre-coronavirus size until 2024.

Fortnite's British teenage millionaire: One year later

Jaden ‘Wolfiez’ Ashman from Essex is the youngest esports player ever to win a million dollars.

Premier League 2019-20 review: matches of the season

Watford’s jaw-dropping win over Liverpool and Brighton and West Ham’s slapstick six-goal draw stick in the mind Welcome to theguardian.com review of the 2019-20 Premier League season. We have nominated some contenders for this category but this is just to get the discussion going: offer your suggestions below the line … Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/premier-league-2019-20-review-matches-of-the-season

Premier League 2019-20 review: goals of the season

We select a few contenders for the Premier League’s goal of the season – and invite you to have your say Welcome to theguardian.com review of the 2019-20 Premier League season. We have nominated some contenders for this category but this is just to get the discussion going: offer your suggestions below the line … Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/premier-league-2019-20-review-goals-of-the-season

Premier League 2019-20 review: players of the season

We select a few contenders for the Premier League’s player of the season – and invite you to have your say Welcome to theguardian.com review of the 2019-20 Premier League season . We have nominated some contenders for this category but this is just to get the discussion going: offer your suggestions below the line … Sadio Mané (Liverpool) Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/premier-league-2019-20-review-players-of-the-season

Premier League 2019-20 review: managers of the season

As the latest Premier League campaign ends, we nominate some manager of the season contenders Welcome to theguardian.com review of the 2019-20 Premier League season . We have nominated some contenders for this category but this is just to get the discussion going: offer your suggestions below the line … Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/27/premier-league-2019-20-review-managers-of-the-season

Working from home: How to cut your tax bill

Home workers can claim tax allowances for their lighting, heating and other expenses.

How a Chinese agent used LinkedIn to hunt for targets

Dickson Yeo, a PhD student-turned-agent, targeted Americans that had access to private information.

Ryanair swings to loss in 'challenging' pandemic

The airline made a loss of €185m in the April-to-June period, when most of its flights were grounded.

Heathrow Airport brings in robots to fight coronavirus

The airport has installed a number of tech-based measures to help keep travellers safe.

Wiley: Priti Patel probes Twitter and Instagram delay in removing 'appalling' posts

The home secretary says anti-Semitic posts should be taken off Twitter and Instagram more quickly.

Huawei holds summit as global pressure grows

The event comes after China's state media said HSBC played a role in the arrest of Huawei's finance chief.

Hong Kong launches share index of technology giants

Investors will now have greater access to Chinese tech firms including Alibaba, China's answer to Amazon.

Huawei holds summit as global pressure grows

The event comes after China's state media said HSBC played a role in the arrest of Huawei's finance chief.

Hong Kong launches share index of technology giants

Investors will now have greater access to Chinese tech firms including Alibaba, China's answer to Amazon.

Firms with more female executives 'perform better'

Research suggests listed companies do better when women fill more than one in three executive roles.

BAME people set to feature on British notes and coins

Black and ethnic minority figures have never been featured on British legal tender.

Manchester United reach Champions League after Fernandes sinks Leicester

When Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes at the end of January, they were fifth in the Premier League and trailed Leicester in third by 14 points. After a fraught season finale at the King Power stadium, Fernandes’s team held on to a third-placed finish, breaking Leicester’s hearts in the process and, fittingly, it was Fernandes that struck the decisive blow. The midfield signing from Sporting Lisbon has still to lose a league game in United’s colours and his tenth goal for them, from the penalty spot, was enough to make the difference. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/leicester-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report

Watford relegated from Premier League as Aubameyang fires Arsenal win

Some of Watford’s players sank to their knees; others made for the tunnel without a moment’s delay. The whistle had just blown on their five years in the Premier League and nobody could say that, when the occasion demanded they hurl the kitchen sink at Arsenal, they did not go down without a fight. Their caretaker manager, Hayden Mullins, cajoled an insistent performance from his players but it was not enough despite a string of opportunities coming and going throughout. In the end they paid the price for seeing the game slip beyond them in the first period, when below-par opponents scored three times, and the consequences will be severe. Related: Premier League clockwatch: Aston Villa survive at expense of Bournemouth! Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/arsenal-watford-premier-league-match-report

Aston Villa cling on at West Ham to clinch Premier League survival

The full-time whistle blew. One or two of the Aston Villa players let out a roar of celebration, only to be swiftly hushed by manager Dean Smith, warning them the job was still contingent on results elsewhere. For two agonising minutes, Villa’s entire playing squad and staff huddled together, awaiting news from the Emirates Stadium . Suddenly, the huddle exploded. Yes: when the smoke had finally cleared from the longest Premier League season of them all, it was Villa who were still standing. They have clung to the precipice with fraying fingernails and fraying nerves, with reserves of patience and grit perhaps even they were not quite sure they possessed. They looked doomed for much of the season. But they were not. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/west-ham-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report

Bournemouth's victory in vain as five-year stay in top flight comes to an end

It was on the long walk out of Goodison Park towards the temporary changing room behind the Park End Stand that Bournemouth discovered their five-year residence in the Premier League was over. Eddie Howe’s side delivered as they had to, ending Everton’s 11-game unbeaten home run and recording the club’s first ever win at Goodison, but there would be no helping hand from elsewhere. Bournemouth thoroughly merited the win that ended Carlo Ancelotti’s own unbeaten home run as Everton manager but the damage had been inflicted before their arrival on Merseyside. Four points from a possible 24 since the restart had left the visitors reliant on slip-ups from Aston Villa and Watford in their bid for survival. They were not obliged. Josh King, Dominic Solanke and Junior Stanislas all scored to give Bournemouth a fourth away win of the season but, with news of Villa’s point at West Ham filtering through as they headed off the pitch, this was a triumph greeted in almost total silence. Continue r

Aaron Connolly downs Burnley and gives Brighton record points total

Goals from Aaron Connolly and Yves Bissouma helped Brighton to a final-day victory against Burnley, while also guaranteeing their highest Premier League points total since promotion three years ago. Connolly’s second-half strike ensured Brighton finished the season on 41 points, one better than their return two seasons ago when Chris Hughton’s side collected 40 during their first season back in the top flight. Neither side had anything notable to play for at Turf Moor, but Graham Potter’s team were arguably the better of the two during a low-key season finale. Brighton were definitely better in the opening quarter, taking the lead when Bissouma scored his first goal of the season. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/burnley-brighton-premier-league-match-report

Manchester City mark David Silva's swansong with thrashing of Norwich

David Silva’s 309th and final Manchester City Premier League appearance was a canter of a victory. It means the champions of the past two years finish on 81 points, 18 behind the champions, Liverpool, with 102 goals as they bid farewell to Silva – from domestic competition, at least – the key player of the club’s past decade of success. Silva’s silken touch was evident early on as he floated around the Norwich area. Yet City were handed a scare when Onel Hernández beat Ederson before VAR ruled it offside. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/manchester-city-norwich-premier-league-match-report

Divock Origi sees off Newcastle as Liverpool end title campaign in style

Steve Bruce psyched up his Newcastle United players with bold talk about moving “onwards and upwards” but ultimately proved powerless to prevent them taking an optimism-deflating detour against the champions. Liverpool started deceptively slowly, initially giving an impression of a team distracted by holiday plans but, well before the end, Jürgen’s Klopp’s side were emphasising why it would take a particularly brave pundit to bet against their own, infinitely more convincing upward trajectory continuing next season. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/newcastle-liverpool-premier-league-match-report

Mason Mount and Olivier Giroud sink Wolves and seal fourth place for Chelsea

Put the concerns over the defensive frailties to one side for now. Forget about Kepa Arrizabalaga’s lowly save percentage, all those goals conceded to counterattacks and whether this infuriatingly inconsistent Chelsea side will be capable of challenging Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table next season. There is no doubt that Chelsea are a long way from becoming the finished article. There are flaws to eradicate, both in terms of personality and ability, and Frank Lampard still has a lot to learn about management. Yet for all the talk about Lampard’s connections mattering more than his coaching credentials when he landed his dream job last summer, the youngest manager in the Premier League has performed above expectations, defying a transfer ban by leading the weakest Chelsea squad of the Roman Abramovich era into the Champions League after finishing a rather chaotic campaign with a composed win over Wolves. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://w

Tottenham secure Europa League qualification with draw at Crystal Palace

Tottenham Hotspur took a point from Selhurst Park to secure European football next season by the narrowest of margins, beating Wolves into the Europa league on goal difference. Where they might have ended up were it not for Harry Kane’s late burst of form is a moot point. The Tottenham talisman has scored seven goals since the restart and his first-half opener was a regulation finish for him. Crystal Palace, however, were the better side for most of this match and deserved their second-half equaliser, smashed into the roof of the net by Jeffrey Schlupp after a corner. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/crystal-palace-tottenham-premier-league-match-report

Che Adams double gives Southampton comeback win over Sheffield United

No golden boot for Danny Ings but the silver lining here was a rare home victory for Southampton thanks to two goals by their less heralded striker, Che Adams. Naturally Ings also got on the scoresheet, wrapping up the win by converting a late penalty. As if summarising their season, Southampton had to recover from a bad start, with John Lundstram firing Sheffield United into a first-half lead before Ralph Hassenhüttl’s side stormed back. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/southampton-sheffield-united-premier-league-match-report

Chicago Red Stars v Houston Dash: NWSL Challenge Cup final – live!

Chicago and Houston meet in Challenge Cup final in Utah Send Beau a tweet at @duresport or email him 6.36pm BST The half ends with Alyssa Naeher breaking up a Houston attack by blasting the ball into the seats. You could say Houston is lucky to be here after beating a severely depleted Portland team, and Chicago has had some injury woes as well. But the Dash are simply playing smarter than the Red Stars. The defense is usually in the right place aside from an early scramble in which Savannah McCaskill , by far Chicago’s most dangerous attacker, really should’ve scored. At the other end, they’ve been opportunistic, outfoxing Chicago at every turn. 6.31pm BST 45 min Two minutes of stoppage time here. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/jul/26/nwsl-challenge-cup-final-chicago-red-stars-houston-dash-live

Spain travel rules: What are my rights?

The new 14-day quarantine on travellers arriving from Spain has caused much "uncertainty and confusion".

Leicester v Manchester United: Premier League – live!

Updates from the 4pm BST kick-off at the King Power Stadium Premier League clockwatch – live! | Arsenal v Watford – live! Send your thoughts to Rob here 3.33pm BST “Afternoon, Rob,” says Digvijay Yadav. “Do you remember during the last Cricket WC (I am sure you’ll remember it for the rest of your life) when England briefly floundered and looked like they might crash out of the competition prompting you to label them as ‘Bilateral Bullies’? That’s me with this United team if they lose. Boys. Just. Get. The. Job. Done.” Remember it? I barely slept for five nights between the defeat to Australia and the win over India. It’s an interesting comparison, though I don’t really see it myself. I suppose one consolation for United, if they do lose today, is that they can still qualify through the Europa League. I have a feeling Leicester will win 2-1 (Vardy 2). 3.17pm BST Pre-match reading Related: Leicester’s labours must not cloud verdict on Brendan Rodgers' high-flyers | Jonat

Premier League final day clockwatch – live!

Who goes down? Who makes the Champions League? Leicester v Man Utd – live! | Arsenal v Watford – live! Any thoughts? You can email Daniel | tweet @danielharris 3.39pm BST Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile, asks his first XI to haul their carcasses through one more 90. Luke Shaw is injured so Brandon Williams stays in, but otherwise Nemanja Matic, who’s looked like death recently, keeps his spot – I’d have been tempted to play Scott McTominay – and so does Paul Pogba, despite an absolute mare against West Ham. And I’m not even talking about the penalty he gave away, but about how he sat off and allowed Matic to attempt playmaking. 3.36pm BST Casting eyes over these teams, Leicester have gone for safety in numbers, and three centre-backs. They’ve had rotten luck with injuries – both first-choice full-backs are unavailable and James Maddison too, while Caglar Soyuncu is suspended for idiocy. I can see why Brendan Rodgers has left out Ryan Bennett, who was dreadful at Spurs last

Arsenal v Watford: Premier League – live!

Updates from the 4pm BST kick-off at the Emirates Stadium Leicester v Man Utd – live! | Premier League clockwatch – live! Send your thoughts to Simon by email or @Simon_Burnton 3.36pm BST “Surely Arsenal made their changes v Villa b ecause they have a squad of players and some might conceivably have needed a rest after a hard FA Cup semi final vs “the second best team in Europe” and 12 games in 30 days or whatever stupid amount of fixtures they have had?” posits Paul Roome. Oh, absolutely. Arteta picked the team he wanted/needed to pick on the day. Which is fine, but the result did skew the relegation battle in Villa’s favour, and that team selection means he can’t then blather on about respecting said battle without looking like a git, in my opinion. 3.33pm BST Arsenal won’t be playing a back four today, Mikel Arteta confirms. That’s as much as he’ll admit to at the moment, though. There's keeping your cards close to your chest... And then there's this from @m8ar

Marouane Fellaini scores eight-minute headed hat-trick after Covid-19 recovery

Dramatic comeback win for Shandong Luneng over Dalian Pro Former Everton player was recently in hospital with Covid-19 Marouane Fellaini scored a hat-trick of headers in eight second-half minutes to earn Shandong Luneng a dramatic comeback victory over Dalian Pro in the opening round of the new Chinese Super League season. Related: Marouane Fellaini tests positive for coronavirus Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/marouane-fellaini-scores-hat-trick-shandong-luneng-chinese-super-league

Coronavirus: Tui scraps Spanish holidays over quarantine 'blow'

The travel industry reacts with dismay to the 14-day quarantine for travellers arriving from Spain.

Man City's second leg with Real Madrid to go ahead despite Spain quarantine

UK imposed 14-day isolation rule on those travelling from Spain Understood that exemption for sports teams will still apply Manchester City’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid will still be played at the Etihad Stadium despite the 14-day quarantine rule imposed on people travelling from Spain to the UK. Related: David Silva reflects on Manchester City career beyond his 'wildest dreams' Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/manchester-city-champions-league-second-leg-real-madrid-spain-quarantine

'A buyer’s market': will big spenders kickstart transfer merry-go-round? | Ed Aarons

The pandemic has thrown football’s booming economy into sudden crisis – but the era of €100m moves may not be over On 12 July 2019, Antoine Griezmann became the ninth player to move clubs for a fee of at least €100m in 35 months. Starting with the return of Paul Pogba from Juventus to Manchester United in August 2016, Neymar , Ousmane Dembélé , Philippe Coutinho , Kylian Mbappé , Cristiano Ronaldo , Eden Hazard and João Félix have all joined the €100m club during a period that may one day come to be seen as the transfer market’s golden era or the moment football finally lost its marbles, depending on your viewpoint. Yet 12 months after a summer when clubs in Europe’s big five leagues set another record by spending almost €5.5bn on players, the global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic means even some of the sport’s biggest names are feeling the pinch. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/buyers-market

Coronavirus: Travellers from Spain told to quarantine

The new coronavirus rule means people coming to the UK from Spain must self-isolate for 14 days.

Coronavirus: 'Soft play is heading for a cliff edge'

With no date for reopening, children's play centres are closing and hundreds more are under threat.

No end to Covid-19 webcam shortage

The video-call boom means that, months into the pandemic, it is still hard to buy many webcam models.

'It wouldn't be the end of the journey': Solskjær looks beyond top-four finish | Paul Wilson

The Manchester United manager says sealing a Champions League place against Leicester on Sunday would be a step towards chasing down Liverpool and Manchester City The number of times Ole Gunnar Solskjær mentions the journey Manchester United have been on this season you would think he is employed as a travel guide rather than the manager, but though it is tempting to view Sunday’s showdown at Leicester as journey’s end, the Norwegian insists otherwise. “We’ve not ended up anywhere yet,” Solskjær says of the chance to clinch third place in the Premier League table and Champions League qualification. “If we get a result against Leicester I think people will say we’ve not had a bad journey this season. But whatever happens, it won’t be the end of the journey because we’ve still got some catching up to do on the two teams ahead of us.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/25/ole-gunnar-solskjaer-manchester-united-top-four-premi

Eric Dier says abuse from supporters must be taken more seriously

Spurs defender was banned after confronting fan in crowd ‘It’s a massive problem – there needs to be more repercussions’ Eric Dier has described the abuse footballers must endure from fans as a “massive problem” and he wants the authorities to treat it more seriously and hand out greater punishments to offenders. The Tottenham player put himself at the centre of a storm in March when he went into the crowd after his club’s FA Cup penalty shootout loss at home to Norwich to confront a supporter who had hurled obscenities at him. The 26-year-old’s youngest brother, Patrick, had become embroiled in an altercation with the fan, which prompted Dier to take action. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/25/eric-dier-tottenham-abuse-from-supporters-taken-more-seriously

Watford can evoke spirit of Tevez to beat drop, says Hayden Mullins

Caretaker manager was part of the West Ham squad that secured an unlikely escape from relegation thanks to the Argentina striker’s goal at Old Trafford in 2007 Hayden Mullins believes his Watford side can channel the spirit of Carlos Tevez and West Ham’s dramatic escape from relegation in 2007 when they embark on their own survival bid against Arsenal. Tevez was the goalscorer when West Ham won at Old Trafford , against a Manchester United side that had already won the Premier League, on the final day of the campaign. Mullins, who replaced him as a substitute, must now spur Watford to comparable heroics as caretaker manager and thinks he has the tools to repeat the Argentinian’s impact. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/25/watford-can-evoke-spirit-of-tevez-to-beat-drop-says-hayden-mullins

Romelu Lukaku hits double as Inter sink Genoa to keep pressure on Juventus

Alexis Sánchez also on target in 3-0 win Juventus to face Sampdoria on Sunday Internazionale put more pressure on stuttering the Serie A leaders Juventus when two goals by Romelu Lukaku and one from Alexis Sánchez gave them a 3-0 win at relegation-threatened Genoa on Saturday. Inter, who have two games left, moved above Atalanta into second place with 76 points, four behind Juventus who host Sampdoria on Sunday. Juve, who have three games to play, will wrap up the title if they beat Sampdoria but they have looked shaky recently with one win in five games. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/25/romelu-lukaku-hits-double-as-inter-sink-genoa-to-keep-pressure-on-juventus

Leicester’s labours must not cloud verdict on Brendan Rodgers' high-flyers | Jonathan Wilson

Despite a dismal run of form caused by injuries and rivals countering Jamie Vardy, reaching Europe signals a triumphant season, even if they miss out on the Champions League It is the age of data and yet it is also the age of impatience. It is an age when Match of the Day provides the xG and yet a manager can come under pressure after three defeats. It is the age when most people understand the phrase “regression to the mean”, yet it is also an age when mayflies have begun using “Watford head coach” to denote something with a short lifespan. There is something deeply paradoxical about the present era of football. Which brings us to Brendan Rodgers. Leicester will qualify for the Champions League for the second time if they beat Manchester United on Sunday or if they draw and Chelsea lose to Wolves. If they do miss out there would be understandable disappointment given they were eight points clear of fifth when the Premier League was suspended. Continue reading... from Football | T

The fight for the Europa League: What Wolves, Tottenham and Arsenal need

Two clubs go into the final day vying for Europe via the league, while the other can spoil the party by winning the FA Cup Sunday’s fixture Chelsea (A) What they need A win if Spurs win or draw Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/25/the-fight-for-the-europa-league-what-wolves-tottenham-and-arsenal-need

Championship play-off chaos awaits four very different contenders

Swansea and Cardiff are outliers compared to Brentford and Fulham, but all will believe they can make it to Wembley One of the most striking images from a wonderfully chaotic climax to the regular Championship season came not on the pitch but in the west stand concourse at the Madejski Stadium, which doubled up as a changing room on Wednesday. Beneath the fluorescent lighting, cable trays and electrical tracking, Swansea players and staff, surrounded by supporters’ flags that had been taped to the walls, formed a giant team huddle, with coach Steve Cooper leading the debrief after his youthful side squeezed into the play-offs on goal difference at Nottingham Forest’s expense on an extraordinary evening. On recent away trips Swansea have, owing to social distancing regulations, held pre-match team talks everywhere from media suites (Middlesbrough) to 4G pitches (Millwall) and even a lounge bar (Birmingham), but now they are playing for the prize of changing at Wembley next month. Co

'We will stay greedy': Jürgen Klopp urges Liverpool to get even better next season

‘Is it possible to improve? I would say yes,’ insists Klopp Lifting title on 96 points ‘cannot be coincidence’, he says The Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has said he wants the Premier League champions to be even more uncomfortable to play against next season. Before lockdown began in March the Reds had taken 82 points - more than second-placed Manchester City will reach if they win on Sunday - from 29 matches, with just one defeat and one draw, virtually guaranteeing a first league title in 30 years. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/25/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-premier-league-champions

3D hand tracking wristband and other technology news

BBC Click's LJ Rich looks at the best of the week's technology stories.

The Premier League's overachievers, underachievers and those on par | Paul Wilson

Liverpool’s ruthless consistency and Sheffield United’s ability to adapt exceeded expectations, but Arsenal and Spurs slumped, while Manchester City and United have been satisfactory League tables may never lie, though everyone knows they can be economical with the truth. By Sunday evening we will have our final Premier League table, after an extraordinarily difficult season is played out to a compromised but fair conclusion. Yet what the record books and finishing positions never quite reveal is what was expected of teams beforehand. Some teams in the top half of the table will be disappointed with their place in the order of things, whereas some teams in the bottom half will be relieved. What follows is an attempt to break up the table into three groups: those who have done better than anticipated, those who have done worse and those who have simply completed the course with an acceptable but unspectacular score. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.thegu

'Everybody trusts him': how Alisson became Liverpool's No 1 upgrade | Sachin Nakrani

The Brazilian’s technique and mentality have been key to the club’s success, says their goalkeeping coach John Achterberg Last Sunday Liverpool’s social media team released a video marking the two-year anniversary of Alisson’s arrival at the club. Across 35 seconds it displayed a rapid-fire collection of the Brazilian’s best saves, all played out to a Samba beat, and with the man himself shouting: “We celebrate now!” into the camera at the end. It was an exciting, high-octane way to celebrate Alisson’s time at Liverpool and, because of that, somewhat inappropriate. For what has stood out about the goalkeeper’s contribution to the team’s success since he arrived from Roma for a then world-record £65m fee is how understated it has been. No dramas, no fuss, just a string of reliable performances from the handsome lumberjack with Eskimo blood. Indeed it says much about how cool, calm and excellent Alisson has been for the world, European and English champions that when he does make a mi

Rachel Daly hopes to ease Houston's pain with Challenge Cup success | Louise Taylor

Yorkshire-born player leads from the front in Sunday’s final as she aims to win a trophy to boost a city hit by the Covid-19 pandemic Rachel Daly has always been a pioneer. As a child, Houston Dash’s captain stood out as the only girl playing for Killinghall Nomads, a junior boys’ side in a village just outside Harrogate, and now she is at the vanguard of a groundbreaking American sporting experiment. On Sunday, at a virtually empty Rio Tinto Stadium in the shadow of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, Daly will lead Houston Dash out against Chicago Red Stars in the final of the National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/25/rachel-daly-houston-dash-nwsl-challenge-cup-final-chicago-red-stars

Amazon, Google and Wish remove neo-Nazi products

A BBC investigation finds white-supremacist books and merchandise for sale on top retail platforms.

Amazon, Google and Wish remove neo-Nazi products

A BBC investigation finds white-supremacist books and merchandise for sale on top retail platforms.

Garmin smartwatch users cannot get hands on data

The firm has not yet confirmed whether it was a ransomware attack, as many are reporting.

The Fiver | Cranking out an endless series of Premier League season reviews

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now ! It looks like we’re going to get there in the end. Despite the unprecedented success of the Fiver’s Stop Football campaign, the Premier League managed to get it started back up again, even if their particular competition is due to stop again on Sunday when the final round of matches is played. Of course, as is customary at this time of the season, The Fiver is shackled to its desk, cranking out an endless series of season reviews while cursing the fact our poor brain is so addled we can’t particularly remember a single thing that happened in top-flight football prior to the last match we watched. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/the-fiver-endless-series-premier-league-season-reviews

Napoli agree initial €60m fee for Lille's Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen

The 21-year-old scored 18 goals in all competitions in Ligue 1 Lille expected to step up efforts to sign Jonathan David Napoli have agreed an initial €60m fee with Lille for Victor Osimhen, with the Nigeria striker set to sign a five-year contract and join the Serie A side in the most expensive transfer deal of the summer so far. Related: 'Frank has to learn': Klopp hits out at Lampard as 'arrogance' row intensifies Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/napoli-agree-initial-60m-fee-for-lilles-nigeria-striker-victor-osimhen

QAnon: TikTok blocks QAnon conspiracy theory hashtags

TikTok has blocked hashtags relating to QAnon conspiracy theory, but videos about it remain on the site.

Relegation zone: What Aston Villa, Watford and Bournemouth need to do

Three clubs go into the final day desperate to avoid dropping into the Championship – one will stay in the Premier League Sunday’s fixture West Ham (a) What they need To match Watford’s result, including no loss of a narrow goal difference advantage, and take a point if Bournemouth win Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/premier-league-relegation-zone-aston-villa-watford-bournemouth-championship

'Frank has to learn': Klopp hits out at Lampard as 'arrogance' row intensifies

Liverpool manager tells Lampard to leave issues at final whistle Lampard regrets language used but not defending his team Jürgen Klopp has told Frank Lampard he should learn to leave his arguments on the pitch as the row over the “arrogance” of the Liverpool bench during Wednesday’s win over Chelsea continued. The Chelsea manager maintains that Liverpool’s coaching staff “crossed the line” with their behaviour at Anfield, although he says he regrets using bad language during a touchline row with Klopp. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/frank-has-to-learn-klopp-hits-out-at-lampard-as-arrogance-row-intensifies

Premier League to start on 12 September but break for players remains an issue

League announces campaign will end on 23 May Restart is three weeks after European finals The Premier League has confirmed the start date for next season but has yet to resolve when some of its players will get a break. The 2020-21 campaign will begin, as widely predicted, on 12 September and is scheduled to end on 23 May. That start date, however, comes only three weeks after the Champions League and Europa League finals, both of which could feature English teams. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/premier-league-confirms-next-season-will-start-on-12-september

Blackbaud hack: More UK universities confirm breach

More than 20 universities and charities confirm they lost data in the ransomware hack.

Intel's next-generation 7nm chips delayed until 2022

The chip-maker is exploring contingency plans following delays developing its future chips.

Solskjær warns Manchester United 'one lapse' could cost Champions League spot

‘We want to go and dominate’ Leicester, says Solskjær A point would guarantee Champions League qualification Ole Gunnar Solskjær has warned that a “lapse of concentration” could cost Manchester United Champions League qualification at Leicester City on Sunday. A point would guarantee United a top-four finish, while victory would confirm Solskjær’s side in third. And though they could still claim Champions League football if they lose against Leicester and Chelsea are beaten by Wolves, the manager insists his team will not play for a draw. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/ole-gunnar-solskjr-urges-manchester-united-to-stay-focused-at-leicester

Coronavirus: Portugal still on quarantine list for holidaymakers

Travellers from Portugal will have to self-isolate but restrictions are relaxed for other nations.

Goldman Sachs settles 1MDB scandal with Malaysia for $3.9bn

The US bank will make a cash payment to the Malaysian government as part of the deal.

French Connection will claim furlough cash bonus

The fashion retailer said it would accept government payments for staff brought back from furlough.

Lovren set for £10.9m Zenit move, Soucek signs permanent West Ham deal

Liverpool defender in line to join Russian champions Soucek has impressed on loan from Slavia Prague Dejan Lovren’s six-year career with Liverpool appears to be drawing to an end with the defender close to joining Zenit St Petersburg for €12m (£10.9m). Liverpool recently took up an option to extend the Croatia international’s contract by 12 months to 2022, protecting his value before an expected transfer and dashing suitors’ hopes of signing the experienced defender on a cut-price deal. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/lovren-liverpool-zenit-west-ham-sign-tomas-soucek-on-permanent-deal

West Ham's Nor Mustafa: 'If I went to buy milk I had a football at my feet' | Suzanne Wrack

Swedish forward was inspired by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and hopes to have a similar impact on the women’s game after battling to the top It is easy to forget that West Ham’s new signing Nor Mustafa is only 18. The forward talks like a veteran about a desire to give back to the game. “Age is just a number,” says the Sweden Under-19 international, whose upbringing did so much to shape her. Born in Sweden to Kurdish immigrants, Mustafa is proudly Swedish but will never “forget where are my parents are from”. Her experiences made her the battling forward she is today and are the reason she has joined Common Goal, which supports players in donating 1% of their income to sporting charities. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/west-ham-nor-mustafa-swedish-forward-zlatan-ibrahimovic-womens-football

Two FA Cup finals in one season: women's football takes unique twist

Fifa allows unfinished 2019-20 competition to resume October final followed by first round proper of new competition The 2019-20 Women’s FA Cup will be completed during next season, meaning two Cup finals will be played in one campaign. The Football Association said on Friday it had special dispensation from Fifa to finish a competition that had reached the quarter-final stage when women’s football was halted by Covid-19. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/two-fa-cup-finals-in-one-season-womens-football-takes-unique-twist

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson named football writers' player of the year

Henderson has captained club to Premier League title Midfielder pays tribute to teammates after winning award Jordan Henderson has been named the Football Writers’ Association player of the year for his outstanding part in Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph. The captain played in 30 league matches until sustaining a knee injury this month that ruled him out of the final four games. Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne was second in the vote. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/liverpool-jordan-henderson-named-football-writers-player-of-the-year

The winners and losers in the Championship this season

A season to remember for Leeds, Saïd Benrahma and Gerhard Struber was one to forget for Charlton, Butland and Woodgate By Martin Laurence for WhoScored The final night of Championship action – for the regular season at least – promised to be a dramatic one. It exceeded all expectations, turning into an emotional rollercoaster for so many clubs. With three teams fighting for the last automatic promotion spot, three aiming for the play-offs and eight battling against relegation, all but one of the 12 games on the night had something riding on it. Ultimately, West Bromwich Albion secured promotion despite failing to win any of their last four matches; Nottingham Forest somehow conspired to lose their seemingly secure play-off spot to Swansea; and both Charlton and Wigan (as things stand) succumbed to the drop. The winners and losers of the final day are painstakingly obvious, but what about the season as a whole? Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguard

Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple hearing faces delay

The anti-trust hearing is set to be postponed after the death of civil rights leader John Lewis.

Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple hearing faces delay

The anti-trust hearing is set to be postponed after the death of civil rights leader John Lewis.

Retail sales continue to bounce back in June

Sales rose by 13.9%, said the Office for National Statistics, with demand boosted by food shops.

Coronavirus: New face covering rules come into force in England

Customers in shops, banks, post offices and takeaways are among those who must now wear masks.

What is redundancy, who can be made redundant and what are my rights?

As thousands of job losses owing to coronavirus are announced, here is a guide to your financial entitlements.

Apple co-founder sues YouTube over Bitcoin scam

Steve Wozniak says the reliance on algorithms to stop such scams is not working.

Germany's Ritter Sport wins square chocolate battle against Milka

Swiss chocolate-maker Milka challenged the German bar's right to be the only square bar in Germany.

Manchester United can forget a title challenge with a defence like this | Jonathan Liew

United’s backline is their weakest link, with crosses a particular trouble spot, and significant reinforcements are needed Naturally, the jokes were not long in coming. Paul Pogba: the solution to Manchester United’s goalkeeping problems. A better reaction save than David de Gea has managed all season. If it wasn’t humour, it was blind fury. “It’s rubbish from him, embarrassing,” Gary Neville chided on Sky Sports. “You’ve got to take that in the face,” James Collins agreed in the studio. And as a tired Manchester United stumbled at home to West Ham , putting their Champions League participation next season in doubt, Pogba felt like a very convenient scapegoat for a team whose current problems go plenty deeper than one pair of wandering hands and one instinctive handball. Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/23/manchester-united-can-forget-a-title-challenge-with-a-defence-like-this

Happiness and sadness abound as Genoa edge out Sampdoria in derby | Nicky Bandini

As the city reconnects two years after tragedy, Genoa and Sampdoria played a Derby della Lanterna unlike any other “Can happiness be sad?” The question was posed by Fabio Quagliarella in an open letter published this week by Gazzetta dello Sport. The Sampdoria captain was looking ahead to Wednesday’s derby against Genoa, but also to the imminent inauguration of the Saint George bridge, built to reconnect a city divided since the Morandi bridge collapsed two years ago. As Quagliarella observed, the new construction will benefit everyone who lives in Genoa. Designed by the renowned architect Renzo Piano, its lights and supporting pillars have been shaped to evoke sailing vessels and reflect the city’s maritime traditions. Yet its existence will always be a reminder of the 43 people who lost their lives. “The light of a new road,” wrote Quagliarella, “cannot ever cancel out the darkness of Tuesday 14 August 2018.” Continue reading... from Football | The Guardian https://www.thegua