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Jordan Henderson insists he has “no regrets” about moving to Saudi Arabia despite the public backlash. The England midfielder was heavily criticised after his summer transfer from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq and then was booed off the Wembley pitch by England fans during the friendly win over Australia on Friday night. The midfielder had been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his time at Anfield and last month apologised for any hurt he caused by moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal. He says his beliefs have not changed and he can do good while playing there. Asked in an interview with Channel 4 whether he had regrets about moving to Saudi Arabia, he said: “No regrets. “I think having someone like myself, with the values that I have, in Saudi Arabia is only a good thing. Before I went to Saudi people knew the groups I supported and helped in the past. “My values haven’t changed as a person just because I’m going to a different country to play football.” Henderson says the booing may have been in part due to an interview he conducted shortly after his move where he claimed the eye-watering wages were not a factor. “After the game I got told there was a little bit going on,” the 33-year-old added. “Of course it hurts because every time you pull on that shirt it’s a proud moment and I’m playing for my team-mates, for my country and for the fans. “So of course it hurts but at the end of the day that’s part and parcel – I’ve had enough criticism over my career so far to be able to deal with stuff like that I’m not the first player to get booed and probably not the last. “I asked that question (why he was booed after the Australia game) and a journalist said it was because I play in Saudi Arabia. It was a decision I made months ago now that doesn’t change who I am as a person. “I did an interview a couple of months ago and maybe some of the stuff that came out didn’t come out in the way that I thought I said it. “An example of that would be when I said I didn’t go out there solely for the money. I think that’s a big difference – it’s not a sole reason going out there for the money.” Asked whether his international chances are harmed by playing in the Saudi Pro League, he added: “There’s no getting away from that. The fitness coaches, sport science coaches are on that and if they see a drop-off I’m sure the manager will tell me. “It hasn’t been an issue so far, I just have to keep an eye on it.” Read More Rassie Erasmus expects England to have ‘some beef’ with South Africa Netherlands stun South Africa in massive Cricket World Cup shock Marcus Smith on ‘modified training’ as England prepare for South Africa semi-final Beth Mead ‘not close’ to England recall, Sarina Wiegman admits Matthew Mott says Ben Stokes ‘spoke really well’ after shock England loss ‘Middle of 2024’ predicted for Savannah Marshall’s rematch with Claressa Shields

By Amy Tennery NEW YORK The Super Bowl may be the National Football League's ultimate prize but the

The Iowa Hawkeyes can and will ruin the college football season if they choose. Terrible offense aside, Iowa is for real.

England are on the verge of joining Scotland at Euro 2024 and would join Steve Clarke’s side at the tournament if they defeat Italy at Wembley tonight. Gareth Southgate’s side are three points clear at the top of Group C with just three games remaining in qualifying. They come into the match knowing that a win would secure their place in Germany next summer but losing to the current European champions would not be a killer blow with fixtures against Malta and North Macedonia still to come. Tonight’s clash is a repeat of the heart-breaking Euro 2020 final where Italy won a penalty shootout at Wembley to claim the title. The Three Lions have since redeemed that loss with an impressive 2-1 win against Italy in Naples earlier in this qualifying campaign but a second victory over the Azzurri will cement England’s prowess ahead of the upcoming competition. Luciano Spalleti’s third game in charge of the national side saw Italy beat Malta 4-0 on Saturday to move above Ukraine into second place in the group and he’ll be hoping to keep that winning streak going this evening. Follow all the action from Wembley below plus get the latest odds and tips for England vs Italy right here: Read More Is England v Italy on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 qualifier online tonight England fans may have turned on Jordan Henderson — but he still has Gareth Southgate When is the Euro 2024 draw?

England boss Sarina Wiegman says Beth Mead was “not close” to a recall for this month’s Nations League double-header against Belgium despite her return to action with Arsenal last weekend. Winger Mead made her first appearance since sustaining ACL damage last November when she came off the bench late on for the Gunners against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, going on to set up the winning goal in a 2-1 victory. The Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner and player of the tournament was missing from the 25-player England squad announced on Tuesday for matches against Belgium in Leicester a week on Friday and Leuven four days later. Wiegman told a press conference: “To be honest, she was not close. “She’s in a good place now. She’s been out for nine months, she had her first minutes, which was very nice to see. “She was really happy, the crowd was very happy so it gave a lot of energy too. “But I think she first has to build and show performances at club, and get that consistency back. “Then of course I hope she performs at that level we hope she gets back on and then we have an opportunity to select her, and she has the opportunity to compete with the players who are in the squad right now.” Wiegman’s selection does see Fran Kirby – another who missed the summer’s run to the final of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand because of injury – return to the fold. Kirby has featured in each of Chelsea’s three matches this term, starting Saturday’s win against West Ham, as she steps up her comeback from a knee problem suffered in February. Wiegman said: “Of course it’s very nice that she’s back on the pitch and is fit and healthy. “She did well with Chelsea when she came on the pitch. I think she has been building up to those moments, also during the summer, and she’s shown enough quality in her performance that I think it’s good that she comes back in the team.” Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh is also back after being sidelined by a calf issue for September’s win over Scotland and loss to the Netherlands, as is Mead’s club-mate Lotte Wubben-Moy, who withdrew from the last squad with an injury. There are maiden call-ups for Grace Clinton, the 20-year-old midfielder on loan at Tottenham from Manchester United, and 19-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating, while Katie Robinson, Jordan Nobbs, Laura Coombs and Lucy Staniforth drop out. Wiegman said: “I think, yes it goes fast for both, Khiara at Man City and Grace at Tottenham, but I think they have showed good performances, and what I want to see from them is come in camp, see how they relate to the other players in the squad, and show what they can do.” Keating is among four goalkeepers in the squad, a group also featuring fellow City player Ellie Roebuck and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, neither of whom have made an appearance for their clubs so far this season. Asked if Roebuck and Hampton’s inclusion was an indication that the goalkeeping pool was not as big as she would like at the moment, Wiegman said: “That’s a little bit complicated indeed. “Yes we want players to play, because when they play we can see them and their performances make us pick them. “Both of them have built a little bit of credit with us, because they have been with our team for a long period of time and done well in training sessions, and shown up all the time. “I think they still are with the best goalkeepers in the country and I just hope in the future they do get minutes.” England, who can secure Paris 2024 Olympics qualification for Great Britain via the Nations League, face a Belgium outfit who have four points from their two group games so far. Read More Fran Kirby returns to Lionesses squad as Sarina Wiegman reveals Beth Mead decision Matthew Mott says Ben Stokes ‘spoke really well’ after shock England loss Marcus Smith on modified training as England prepare for South Africa showdown ‘Middle of 2024’ predicted for Savannah Marshall’s rematch with Claressa Shields

New Rangers boss Philippe Clement is determined to build a dressing room of winners at Ibrox but acknowledges that he is no football magician. The 49-year-old became the 19th permanent manager of the Govan club following the departure of Michael Beale at the start of the month. After playing at Genk and Club Brugge, Clement won the Belgian Pro League as a manager with both teams but he inherits a Light Blues side who are currently seven points behind cinch Premiership leaders and defending champions Celtic. Speaking at Ibrox, Clement said: “I want to win everything. That’s the mentality when I step into a building, I want to give this mentality also towards the dressing room and create more and more winners in this dressing room. “So we’re going to work really hard to get silverware as fast as possible and to make this story step by step, bigger and bigger. “How fast it comes? You never know I don’t have this crystal ball. “Also I’m not a magician that suddenly can totally change players. But I know if we can work a long time with players that we can make them better.” Clement will give players a chance to impress before he considers changes in the January transfer window. He said: “I’m also somebody who likes to see first, what is the potential that is there already. “I’m not somebody who wants 10 new players every year and say, ‘OK, this one and this one is not good enough’. “I’m somebody who likes to invest in people, who wants to find the key to get the best out of them. “So we need to use the next weeks, months to do that in the best way. “So all the players with me – maybe not with some fans, and that’s a little bit pity maybe – everybody starts with a white page. “Everybody has the chances also until January to prove themselves, to show that they are really good players that they want to be on the pitch, that they want to make the difference for the club, that they want to give everything. And then we will see.” Chief executive James Bisgrove’s next job will be to appoint a director of football. He said: “Certainly in the next few weeks, if not months, we’re having live conversations at the moment. “There are variables in that depending on the individuals that the board believes and the football board and Philippe feel has the best fit. But I believe it will be imminent. “It’ll be a club board appointment that Phillipe will absolutely be part of that process and will meet whoever we bring in before we take that decision. “And that person when they come in will add additional value, expertise and leadership to the recruitment function. “We’ve currently got John Park as the chief scout at the top of that division. “We’ve made some changes to the scouting function recently. We’ve modernised that in terms of some of the processes, additional emphasis on data and video analysis. “And we’ve been I think, more strategic and focused on how we’ve set that up. “Phillipe would have some strong views on that as well. But it’s a decision that the board will take in terms of the long-term football strategy and someone to complete that football board that’s already in existence to make sure we’ve got really robust processes around the decision-making that we take right across the football department.” Read More Shaun Wane urges England to learn lessons from World Cup ahead of Tonga series Wigan captain Liam Farrell returns to England squad for Tonga Test series Mikey Johnston issues Netherlands warning as Ireland look to finish on high On this day in 2018: Shahid Khan withdraws £900m offer to buy Wembley from FA Dallas Cowboys bounce back to edge past Los Angeles Chargers Stephen Kenny focused on fixtures instead of future after Ireland beat Gibraltar

Chelsea have won a battle to buy a significant portion of land next door to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth around £80m. The move opens up the possibility of the club staying at their west London ground – Chelsea’s home since 1905 – and redeveloping the current 40,000-seater stadium, rather than finding a new site, as the owners seek to deliver a major upgrade which competes with leading Premier League venues. The club will buy 2.4 acres of the site, which sits between the stadium’s West Stand and Fulham Broadway Tube station, from Stoll, a charity which provides housing for veterans. Stoll’s board of trustees consulted with residents of the building, Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions, before making the decision to accept Chelsea’s bid from among a dozen on the table. Chelsea approached Stoll six years ago while under the ownership of Roman Abramovich as they drew up plans for a new stadium. Those plans fell through when Abramovic was forced to sell the club over his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, and Stoll put the land up for sale as it sought much-needed funding. New owner Todd Boehly and the Clearlake consortium resurrected Chelsea’s interest this year and the purchase has now been approved, paving the way for a potential expansion of Stamford Bridge which could see the stadium demolished and rebuilt with the pitch rotated 90 degrees to run west to east. The club had originally proposed to buy only a small part of the land (marked in red, below) but negotiated a larger share (blue). However, Chelsea have still not ruled out relocating to a new site. If they do stay at Stamford Bridge, the club would need to either groundshare with neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage, or move into Wembley or Twickenham while the work was undertaken. Stoll will retain a portion of the land at the southern end where it will retain 20 flats, and a leaseback deal will ensure residents do not have to move out immediately. The charity says it will invest the funds in new housing for veterans. Read More Eden Hazard announces retirement from football Arsenal can profit from chaotic title race thanks to three wildcard teams Burnley vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

England star Fran Kirby has been named in the Lionesses squad for the first time in eight months after returning from a knee injury - but Beth Mead misses out despite her own recovery from a ruptured ACL. Kirby and Mead were key players as England won the Euros but both missed out on this summer’s Women’s World Cup because of significant injuries, and were major absentees as the Lionesses were defeated by Spain in the Sydney final. Kirby underwent surgery at the end of last season and made her first start of the campaign in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over West Ham at the weekend - Mead, however, only returned to the pitch on Sunday as a late substitute in Arsenal’s 2-1 comeback win against Aston Villa, where she set up Alessia Russo’s winner. But manager Sarina Wiegman has decided that this month’s double-header against Belgium in the Uefa Nations League has come too soon for the Euros golden boot winner. The Lionesses face Belgium in Leicester on 27 October before the return fixture in Leuven on 31 October. Mead had said after her return to the pitch that she was hoping for a recall and insisted she was “ready” to make the Lionesses squad, but Wiegman said the 28-year-old was “not close” after only just returning to the pitch following nine months out. Wiegman said Mead still needed time to “build” her fitness after such a lengthy lay-off. Elsewhere, Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh returns having missed last month’s win against Scotland and defeat to the Netherlands due to a calf injury. Wiegman has meanwhile handed first senior call-ups to 20-year-old Grace Clinton, who is on loan at Tottenham from Manchester United, as well as 19-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating. The Lionesses were beaten by the Netherlands last month in Nations League Group A1 and head into the double-header against Belgium third in the standings. England must win the group to have a chance of qualifying for next summer’s Paris Olympics as part of Team GB. England squad for Belgium double-header Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City) Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal) Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur, loan from Manchester United),Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United) Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal) Read More Beth Mead hopes for England recall after returning from ACL injury The sporting weekend in pictures Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE: Latest Women's Super League updates Arsenal set to welcome Beth Mead back from injury in clash with Aston Villa New Rangers boss Philippe Clement keen to bring winning mentality back to Ibrox Chelsea unlock space for Stamford Bridge expansion with £80m purchase

England could join Scotland in punching their ticket to next year’s Euros should they beat Italy at Wembley on Monday. Gareth Southgate’s side are three points clear at the top of Group C with just three games remaining and know that a win would secure their place in Germany next year. They return to face Italy at Wembley for the first time since their heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the Euro 2020 final, but they will have exorcised some of their demons from that loss with their impressive 2-1 away win against Italy in Naples earlier in the qualifying campaign. Italy beat Malta 4-0 on Saturday to move above Ukraine and into second in the group in Luciano Spalleti’s third game in charge of the national side. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Tuesday’s fixture. You can get all the latest odds and tips here. When is England vs Italy? England vs Italy is due to kick off at 7:45pm BST on Tuesday 17 October at Wembley Stadium. How can I watch it? All of England’s fixtures outside of international tournaments are for now screened free to air on Channel 4, and can be streamed on the Channel 4 website and app. The build-up for the match begins at 7pm. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news Having made a second-string side for their friendly against Australia on Friday, Southgate will likely return to a full-strength side for this must-win clash. Bukayo Saka remains an absentee after his hamstring injury for Arsenal, while Kieran Trippier could deputise at left-back in the absence of both Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw who are out with long-term injuries. Premier League duo Sandro Tonalia and Nicolo Zaniolo remain unavailable for their national side having withdrawn from the squad after their pair were questioned in relation to a gambling investigation by Italian authorities. Elsewhere, Spalleti will have to deal with a number of injuries in the forward line with Federico Chiesa and Ivan Provedel both withdrawing from the squad due to respective fitness issues. In their absence, Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi looks set to retain his place in the forward line having scored his first goal for Italy in two years against Malta last weekend. Predicted line-ups England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Phillips, Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Kane, Grealish Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Frattesi, Locatelli, Barella; Berardi, Raspadori, Kean. Odds England win 8/13 Draw 11/4 Italy win 17/4 Latest odds here. Prediction A full-strength England side to edge out Italy and secure their place in the Euro 2024. England 1-0 Italy. Read More Jordan Henderson: ‘If people want to boo me for playing in Saudi Arabia, that’s fine’ Jordan Henderson set to face Italy despite England boos Ollie Watkins and Lewis Dunk emerge with credit on England’s audition night against Australia Sweden fans given overnight police protection after Brussels shooting Ireland beat Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further questions over immediate future How Scotland qualified for Euro 2024 – and why Germany will be different

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VARs Darren England and Daniel Cook will return to Premier League duty this weekend following their error in last month’s fixture between Tottenham and Liverpool. England and Cook were the VAR and VAR assistant respectively when Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside in Tottenham’s 2-1 home win. Both officials were stood down the following week, but England will be back as the fourth official for Brentford’s home game against Burnley on Saturday and Cook will return as assistant referee for Sheffield United’s home match against Manchester United. Miscommunication between VAR England and referee Simon Hooper led to Diaz’s goal being wrongly ruled out on September 30, with the incident later described by referees’ chief Howard Webb as “a clear error”. Hooper is the designated VAR for Newcastle’s home game against Crystal Palace on Saturday. New VAR guidelines were introduced in the wake of the Diaz disallowed goal controversy, while audio of the incident was later released. England mistakenly thought the on-field officials had ruled Diaz to be onside, which meant that when he told them ‘check complete’ they believed he had upheld their on-field decision and restarted play with a free-kick. Once play had restarted, there was nothing the VARs could do to revisit the decision under existing protocols. Referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said it would develop a new VAR communication protocol in an effort to avoid similar mistakes being made in future. PGMOL said the protocol would “enhance the clarity of communication between the referee and the VAR team in relation to on-field decisions”. VARs will now also confirm the outcome of the checking process with the assistant VAR before confirming the final decision to the on-field officials. One of the talking points from the latest round of fixtures was referee Michael Oliver’s decision not to send off Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic for a challenge on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. The City midfielder was shown a yellow card before avoiding another shortly afterwards and Webb later admitted Kovacic was “fortunate” to stay on the pitch. Oliver will referee Sheffield United’s home game against Manchester United on Saturday. Read More Howard Webb disappointed by VAR failure to correct ‘clear error’ on offside goal Listen: VAR audio reveals how incorrect offside decision against Luis Diaz was made Liverpool to be sent audio from VAR controversy before it is released publicly VARs at centre of Liverpool error returning to duty this weekend Stephen Kenny not dwelling on past as Ireland return to Faro focused on victory Michael O’Neill hoping to take ‘good feeling’ into Slovenia game

VARs Darren England and Daniel Cook will return to Premier League duty this weekend following their error in last month’s fixture between Tottenham and Liverpool. England and Cook were the VAR and VAR assistant respectively when Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside in Tottenham’s 2-1 home win. Both officials were stood down the following week, but England will be back as the fourth official for Brentford’s home game against Burnley on Saturday and Cook will return as assistant referee for Sheffield United’s home match against Manchester United. Miscommunication between VAR England and referee Simon Hooper led to Diaz’s goal being wrongly ruled out on September 30, with the incident later described by referees’ chief Howard Webb as “a clear error”. Hooper is the designated VAR for Newcastle’s home game against Crystal Palace on Saturday. New VAR guidelines were introduced in the wake of the Diaz disallowed goal controversy, while audio of the incident was later released. England mistakenly thought the on-field officials had ruled Diaz to be onside, which meant that when he told them ‘check complete’ they believed he had upheld their on-field decision and restarted play with a free-kick. Once play had restarted, there was nothing the VARs could do to revisit the decision under existing protocols. Referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said it would develop a new VAR communication protocol in an effort to avoid similar mistakes being made in future. PGMOL said the protocol would “enhance the clarity of communication between the referee and the VAR team in relation to on-field decisions”. VARs will now also confirm the outcome of the checking process with the assistant VAR before confirming the final decision to the on-field officials. One of the talking points from the latest round of fixtures was referee Michael Oliver’s decision not to send off Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic for a challenge on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. The City midfielder was shown a yellow card before avoiding another shortly afterwards and Webb later admitted Kovacic was “fortunate” to stay on the pitch. Oliver will referee Sheffield United’s home game against Manchester United on Saturday. Read More Wigan captain Liam Farrell returns to England squad for Tonga Test series Mikey Johnston issues Netherlands warning as Ireland look to finish on high On this day in 2018: Shahid Khan withdraws £900m offer to buy Wembley from FA Dallas Cowboys bounce back to edge past Los Angeles Chargers Stephen Kenny focused on fixtures instead of future after Ireland beat Gibraltar David Brooks looks to impress for Wales at a major tournament