List of All Articles with Tag 'f'

Former England international Ben Foster has retired from football for a second time. Ex-Watford and Manchester United goalkeeper Forster walked away from the game last September, but was convinced to end his retirement and sign for Wrexham in March. Foster saved a stoppage-time penalty against title-rivals Notts County the following month before Wrexham sealed promotion to Sky Bet League Two later in April, but he has now called time on his career following a difficult start to the new campaign. He earned cult status during his second spell with the Welsh club for his spot-kick heroics in the 3-2 win over Notts County and agreed to remain part of co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ambitions plans to haul Wrexham up the divisions when he signed a one-year contract in June. Foster has found life tough in League Two though, conceding five goals in Wrexham’s opening-day loss to MK Dons and he shipped five again in a 5-5 draw with Swindon on Saturday. The 40-year-old has now confirmed his retirement and told the official club website: “The honest truth is that my performances this season haven’t reached the level I demand of myself and I feel that now is the right time to retire. “At the forefront of my mind when making this decision was not only what was best for me but also the club, and making the decision now gives the club every opportunity to assess their options before the window closes. “Wrexham will always have a special place in my heart.” Reynolds said on Twitter: “He built memories I’ll never let go of for as long as I live. I love this guy. Thank you for everything, Ben.” Foster started his career at non-league outfit Racing Club Warwick in 2000 before representing Stoke, Manchester United, Birmingham, West Brom and Watford across more than two decades in the game. He made 390 appearances in the Premier League and played eight times for England, featuring in the 2014 World Cup under Roy Hodgson. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson added: “Ben has been the model professional while at Wrexham and has done everything we have asked of him. “I am sure I speak for everyone, when thanking him for his contribution that went far beyond that one magnificent penalty save against Notts County to help us gain promotion last season. “Wrexham AFC was a better place for having Ben Foster around the club.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live England will learn fate of Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell on Tuesday Football rumours: Manchester United consider move for Marco Verratti The thrills, shocks and many brilliant moments of the World Cup in pictures

England heartbreakingly lost 1-0 to Spain in their first Women’s World Cup final as Olga Carmona’s first-half goal proved enough to break the Lionesses’s hearts. Sarina Wiegman and her players were looking to bring the game’s biggest prize home from Sydney but Carmona drilled a finish into the far corner on 29 minutes and, although Mary Earps brilliantly saved Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty with 20 minutes remaining, England couldn’t fashion an equaliser. It was the first time the England men’s or women’s team have reached a football World Cup final since 1966 and the nation came to a halt for the historic occasion – which was briefly interrupted by an anti-Putin protester invading the pitch in the first half – but were left bereft as Spain saw out the victory. Lauren Hemp came closest to scoring for the Lionesses when her curling effort struck the bar in the 16th minute but Spain were good value for the win as they became just the fifth nation to lift the Women’s World Cup, following in the footsteps of USA (4), Germany (2), Norway (1) and Japan (1). Follow the latest updates as the Lionesses fly home: Read More The two sides of the Women’s World Cup — and the truth about where power still lies England’s impact will last far longer than pain of World Cup final defeat How not to win a World Cup: Spain, Jorge Vilda and the story of a complicated victory

Newly-released footage has shown Sean O’Malley practising the exact punch that won him the bantamweight title at UFC 292. O’Malley knocked out Aljamain Sterling early in the second round on Saturday (19 August), dropping the now-former champion with a perfect right cross then finishing him on the canvas. And the American, 28, has since taken to social media to share clips of his training for the fight, including footage of him in his locker room before the main event. The clips (which you can watch lower down in this article) specifically show “Sugar Sean” practising the right hand that dropped Sterling, with O’Malley’s technique and movements looking identical to their execution in the fight itself. The caption to the post read: “Sean & Tim [Welch, O’Malley’s coach] predicted the KO over Aljamain.” Prior to UFC 292, Sterling had won nine fights in a row, including three title defences – all against ex-champions. O’Malley, speaking in the ring after his victory, said: “It feels right, baby, it feels right. Honestly, this was the most nervous I’ve been for a fight. In my eyes, Aljamain Sterling is the greatest bantamweight of all time, but I never lost the confidence – because I know what I possess in this f***ing right hand, baby! “It only takes one mistake against me. I don’t even know if that was a mistake, I’m just that f***ing good!” Meanwhile, 34-year-old Sterling said: “Sean is a lot better than I thought, man. He did a really good job. He was elusive, stayed on the outside. This was nothing but respect at the end of the day. [We’re] chasing the dream.” O’Malley also used his post-fight interview to call out Marlon “Chito” Vera as his first challenger. Vera, who beat Pedro Munhoz on points at UFC 292, is the only fighter to defeat O’Malley. The Ecuadoran beat “Sugar Sean” via TKO in 2020. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’ Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with one-punch KO of Aljamain Sterling UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with one-punch KO of Aljamain Sterling UFC 292 LIVE: Sean O’Malley stuns Aljamain Sterling with picture-perfect KO Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’

West Ham United open talks with Sevilla over a deal for long-term transfer target Youssef En-Nesyri. The Moroccan is valued at around £35m by his club and scored 18 goals in all competitions last season.

Mauricio Pochettino defends Moises Caicedo after his difficult Chelsea debut against West Ham.

Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone has dropped a huge hint about Sofyan Amrabat's future at the club amid interest from Man Utd.

Organisers of the Dutch Grand Prix are clamping down on the use of flares ahead of this weekend’s race at Zandvoort. Last year’s event, which saw Max Verstappen win his home race for the second time, was impacted by an orange flare thrown onto the racetrack during qualifying. A fan was ejected after throwing the flare onto the circuit, causing a red flag and a delay of the session. While their use have been popular at Zandvoort since its return to the F1 calendar in 2021, organisers have now made it known in no uncertain terms that flares are not allowed this year. “Because of the popularity of the sport and Max, fans brought in these flares in Austria a few years ago,” Dutch Grand Prix director Imre Van Leeuwen told Motorsport.com. “The image looked great on TV and they shot footage with the flares. So a normal fan, not a hooligan but a normal fan, thinks he is a good fan if he brings a flare. “And now you see that there are so many that it’s dangerous and it’s not good for your health. We have to inform people now that you’re not a good fan if you have a flare, you’re a good fan if you don’t have a flare. “And if you see a flare you say ‘Come on guy, that is dangerous for my health.’ It’s also dangerous for the drivers because I think two years ago during the formation lap in Austria, the drivers had poor visions. And that was something a normal fan didn’t know.” Van Leeuwen also announced a specific “information point” at the circuit to report fan abuse, following incidents last year in Austria. “I would be really disappointed in our fans if, as a Ferrari or Lewis Hamilton fan, you wouldn’t feel safe,” he added. “It’s good to celebrate and have a party but it’s not good to intimidate people or behave in a disrespectful way. Of course, we will punish people. We now have an information point so if something happens to you, you can tell your story there.” F1 returns this weekend at Zandvoort with Verstappen cruising to third-straight world championship. The Dutchman has a 125-point lead in the standings with 10 races to go. Read More Felipe Massa starts legal action over 2008 F1 title loss to Lewis Hamilton Fernando Alonso reveals title regret from 20-year F1 career Ferrari boss labels Red Bull’s cost cap penalty a ‘big joke’ F1 2023 race schedule: When is the Dutch Grand Prix? Fernando Alonso reveals title regret from 20-year F1 career Why have Massa’s lawyers started legal action over 2008 ‘crashgate’ with Hamilton?

Monday's football transfer rumours include Kylian Mbappe, Leroy Sane, Ryan Gravenberch, Marco Verratti, Jeremy Doku, Thomas Partey & more.

Joao Cancelo is close to sealing a loan move from Man City to Barcelona.

England’s World Cup finalists received a warm welcome as they started their long journey back to the United Kingdom on Monday morning. The Lionesses, who reached the final of the Women’s World Cup, were agonisingly beaten by Spain 1-0 on Sunday. It was the first time any England team had reached the World Cup final in 57 years, but it was not to be and Olga Carmona’s goal secured a first trophy for Spain’s women’s team. Starting their journey home, the Lionesses were applauded through Sydney Airport by passengers in a heartwarming moment. https://twitter.com/Shaimaakhalil/status/1693467798708924701?s=20 https://twitter.com/TomJGarry/status/1693481744777822257?s=20 They walked through in their light blue England tracksuits as members of the public clapped them onto their plane, a fitting tribute to the team who had overcome adversity to reach the final. https://twitter.com/SuzyWrack/status/1693461973445288025?s=20 While it remains to be seen if there will be any events once the team arrive back to celebrate their achievement, it might have to wait until the heartbreak of the defeat has subsided. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader has already led the calls for the Lionesses to be given honours after their journey to the final. It would be a worthy recognition of Sarina Wiegman’s side’s achievement, after just four members of the Euro 2022-winning squad were named in the New Year Honours list, with the rest of the team overlooked. Read More Mary Earps’ Golden Glove award isn’t enough to convince Nike to sell her shirt England’s impact will last far longer than pain of World Cup final defeat The thrills, shocks and many brilliant moments of the World Cup in pictures

The Somali government has suspended TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBET, a betting company, arguing that they are used by

Fans of the Lionesses will still not be able to buy a replica of Mary Earps’ goalkeeper kit despite an ongoing campaign throughout the Women’s World Cup to convince kit suppliers Nike to put one on sale. Nike decided last month that it wouldn’t be making Earps’ goalkeeper kit available to purchase and the decision drew criticism from fans, celebrities, and even Earps herself who called the decision ‘hugely hurtful’. A petition was launched to persuade Nike into a U-turn and that momentum was boosted by England’s No. 1 during yesterday’s World Cup final as she saved a penalty before keeping England in a contest they ultimately lost 1-0. Earps was rewarded for her tournament performances with the World Cup Golden Glove award, the latest accolade added to her growing collection following the Best Fifa Women’s Goalkeeper award last year. Nike issued an update on their decision after fresh calls to produce Earps’ England shirt came flooding in following the 30-year-old’s incredible performance in the World Cup showpiece. In their statement released on Sunday, Nike promised to address the matter in ‘future tournaments’. It read: “Nike is committed to women’s football and we’re excited by the passion around this year’s tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final. “We are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes. “We hear and understand the desire for a retail version of a goalkeeper jersey and we are working towards solutions for future tournaments, in partnership with Fifa and the federations. “The fact that there’s a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women’s game and we believe that’s encouraging.” Speaking about Nike’s initial decision last month Earps was doing all she could to get them to change their minds saying: “I can’t really sugarcoat this any way so I’m not going to try, it’s hugely disappointing and very hurtful. “For my own family, friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they’re just going to come out and wear normal clothes. All my team-mates, they’ve ordered a lot of shirts for their friends and family, they’re talking at the dinner table “I wasn’t able to get this” and I’m saying “I wasn’t able to get it at all”. “I know there’s a lot of people who have spent a tremendous amount of money on outfield shirts and then put ‘1 Earps’ on the back, which doesn’t sit well with me either. “It’s a very scary message that’s being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that “you’re not important”. It’s something that I’ve been fighting behind closed doors. I’ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.” FA Chief Mark Bullingham also had his say on the controversy earlier this week and claimed that the governing body had plans to find a positive resolution for all involved. He said: “Mary is incredibly passionate about growing goalkeeping, as are we. “We’ve got several schemes to get the next generation of goalkeepers coming through. We have got a plan for addressing that issue and it’s something we’ll get to after the tournament.” Read More Fans demand Nike sell Mary Earps’ shirt after keeper’s World Cup final heroics Lionesses have ‘inspired millions’ despite falling short in first World Cup final The anguish, emotion and the story of the Women’s World Cup in photos The thrills, shocks and many brilliant moments of the World Cup in pictures The sporting weekend in pictures We won’t stop – Georgia Stanway vows England will ‘continue to break barriers’