
Russian Olympic chief accuses IOC of siding with Ukraine
The head of Russia's Olympic Committee on Friday accused the International Olympic Committee of picking sides after it urged sports federations to show...
2023-07-28 19:47

Leipzig extend manager Rose's deal to 2025
RB Leipzig have extended manager Marco Rose's contract by one year until 2025, the club...
2023-07-28 19:47

Wiegman praises 'fighting' England after Walsh injury shock
Coach Sarina Wiegman praised her England team for pulling themselves together after key midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off in the 1-0 Women's World Cup...
2023-07-28 19:45

England manager Sarina Wiegman reacts to ‘serious’ Keira Walsh injury
England manager Sarina Wiegman confirmed Keira Walsh suffered a “serious” injury against Denmark after the key Lionesses midfielder was stretchered off during the first half of their Women’s World Cup win. Walsh was left on crutches after her studs caught on the turf and she went down holding her right knee, an injury which is likely to rule the Barcelona star out for the rest of the World Cup. The 26-year-old was England’s player of the match when the Lionesses won the Euros last summer and is pivotal to the team’s chances of winning the World Cup in Australia. Wiegman was unable to provide an update on the extent of Walsh’s injury but confirmed the midfielder is likely to have a scan in the coming days. “It did look serious so if you can’t walk off the pitch it’s serious,” Wiegman said after England’s 1-0 win against Denmark. “I don’t know, we’ve just finished the game. “I haven’t heard anything yet. During the game you have to move on and now it is time to look at how she is and the next steps. England’s record goalscorer Ellen White said on the BBC that Walsh was the most important player in England’s Euros winning campaign last summer and that there was no “Plan B” without the midfielder. “Everything came through Keira,” White said. “I dreaded to think of the idea of us ever losing her because she was one of our best players. Beth Mead was scoring all the goals but all of our play came through Keira. “She was the key cog, everything moved through her. I just don’t know who England are going to have now in that six, or even potential double six, role.” Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall also said on the BBC that Walsh’s injury was a “travesty” to England’s chances of winning the World Cup. Eidevall had suggested that the dry pitch at the Sydney Football Stadium may have played a part in Walsh’s injury. “I think it looks very dry,” Eidevall said. “You could see on the movement that when she [Walsh] tries to slide with her right foot, it stops and then twists her knee. “I think another example of that was the celebration for the first goal. Lauren James tries to knee slide but when she does that on the pitch, she just stops and falls over. “It looks funny but it’s a danger to player welfare to have such a dry pitch. It should allow you to slide through. It’s not good enough. “I’m a big advocate of watering the pitches, it makes the passes go faster but it also prevents situations like this. It’s these stopping mechanisms that a lot of the time cause these serious injuries.” England survived a couple of late scares against Denmark and are on the verge of reaching the knockout stages - a position that could be confirmed later today if China fail to beat Haiti in Group D. "We started well, we played well and scored the goal and then we had a little stage in the first half [where] we lost balls we didn’t have to lose,” Wiegman added. "Then we had the horrible moment with Keira. Second half was a fight and the team showed we adapted to the new situation and we had to fight to win. I am very proud of the team." Read More England find World Cup balance but more adversity leaves one defining question England lose the one player who is impossible to replace BBC pundit slams Women’s World Cup pitches after Keira Walsh injury – ‘It’s not good enough’ England find balance but more adversity leaves one defining question England lose the one player who is impossible to replace Bethany England: The Lionesses’ overlooked attacking threat in profile
2023-07-28 19:25

FanDuel World Cup Promo: Bet $5, Win $100 GUARANTEED on ANY Game!
The Women's World Cup is underway and FanDuel Sportsbook has a fantastic promo to score you a HUGE win: Bet $5, Win $100 GUARANTEED on ANY match! Just for placing your bet, you'll be rewarded with $100 whether you win or lose.See below how to sign up and claim this exclusive offer.Fa...
2023-07-28 19:23

Roundup: Talulah Riley, Thomas Brodie-Sangster Are Engaged; Trump Hit With New Charges; John Ross Retires
Talulah Riley and Thomas Brodie-Sangster are engaged, Donald Trump was hit with major new charges, John Ross retired and more in the Roundup.
2023-07-28 19:22

Lauren James strike gives England victory to close in on knockout stages
Lauren James’ maiden World Cup goal was enough for England to maintain their 100 per cent record in Group D with a 1-0 victory over Denmark at the Sydney Football Stadium. The Chelsea forward struck the sixth-minute opener, but England suffered a major blow after 38 minutes when midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off with an apparent knee injury and later appeared on the touchline using crutches. James’ goal was England’s first from open play since April’s Finalissima at Wembley, while Denmark came within inches of a last-gasp leveller when Amalie Vangsgaard’s header clipped the post. England now have to wait for the result of China and Haiti in the late kick-off to learn if they have advanced to the knockouts with a match to spare. Sarina Wiegman stuck with the same starting line-up for every game of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022-winning campaign, but she shook things up against Denmark with two changes from England’s 1-0 tournament opener against Haiti. James, who came on as a substitute in that match for her World Cup debut, replaced Lauren Hemp on the left wing while Rachel Daly returned to a more familiar left-back where she started every match of the European Championships. That pushed Alex Greenwood to centre back, leaving Jess Carter looking on from the bench after starting against Haiti. Wiegman’s decisions were almost instantly justified when Daly slipped the ball to James, who curled past Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen. Ella Toone nearly set up James for a second soon after, but this time the 21-year-old was only able to drill a low attempt into Christiansen’s arms. With England largely dictating play, Denmark’s first real chance of an equaliser came when Rikke Madsen collected the ball and pivoted on the right edge of the penalty area but sent her effort across the face of goal. Lars Sondergaard’s side were picking up the pace with Janni Thomsen firing over and ex-Chelsea forward and Denmark skipper Pernille Harder denied by Mary Earps, while at the other end Lucy Bronze nodded Chloe Kelly’s corner over. Then came what could be a devastating blow to Wiegman’s side when Walsh slid to collect the ball and was in immediate pain when she stopped. Walsh waved off help from her team-mates as she could clearly be seen telling the team’s medical staff: “I’ve done my knee.” The Champions League winner, named player-of-the-match in the Euro 2022 final, was stretchered off and replaced by Manchester City’s Laura Coombs. Harder rolled an effort wide to end the first half, while Kathrine Kuhl could not find the finishing touch for Denmark after the restart. Alessia Russo came close to extending England’s advantage when she collected the ball in midfield and drove down the pitch before firing wide of the near post from 12 yards. Earps, who made a vital save to deny Haiti a late leveller, was tested again when she parried Katrine Veje’s cross – which seemed destined to clip the crossbar – out of harm’s way. Both Toone and Russo’s shifts came to an end after 77 minutes as Hemp came on for the former and Russo was replaced by Beth England, who was part of the Lionesses European Championship-winning squad but did not play a single minute. The Spurs striker directed a header wide and Bronze missed from a late attempt from distance. The Lionesses narrowly avoided late drama when a pair of Denmark substitutes nearly combined for an equaliser, but to their relief Vangsgaard’s header from Nicoline Sorensen’s cross came back off the right post, and a leaping save from Earps in four minutes of stoppage time sealed another too-close-for-comfort result. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Diogo Dalot to ‘fulfil responsibility’ of bringing success to Manchester United ‘Matter of when not whether’ UK hosts Women’s World Cup – sports minister Ryan Reynolds reaches out to Manchester United keeper after Paul Mullin injury
2023-07-28 19:19

Diogo Dalot to ‘fulfil responsibility’ of bringing success to Manchester United
Diogo Dalot is determined to kick on and help Manchester United fulfil what he calls their responsibility to be successful after committing his long-term future to the club. A decade has now passed since the Red Devils won their 20th league title, with the resulting post-Sir Alex Ferguson era full of ups, downs and too little silverware. Dalot is now under his fifth either permanent or interim manager since joining United from Porto in 2018 but Erik ten Hag’s promising first season suggests the club are back on track. The meticulous Dutchman has changed style and mindset at a club that are desperate to push on from their third-placed Premier League finish and Carabao Cup triumph. Obviously playing two finals, winning a trophy, being up there competing for the Premier League, that's where we want to aim. Diogo Dalot “(Last season) brings us momentum, energy as well, to look back on what we did last year,” Dalot told the PA news agency. “It has to bring us energy to build even more, to raise the bar a little bit higher. “I think we have all the conditions to give a little bit more and plus, so we can even get better from what we did last year. “It doesn’t fully (reflect) on the entire success that this football club works for and deserves. “Like our manager said, we see it as progress, a little step forward. “Obviously playing two finals, winning a trophy, being up there competing for the Premier League, that’s where we want to aim. “We know that it’s difficult, we have a lot of teams to compete (against), but we are Man United, so we have to look (at) that not as a motivation but as a responsibility to fulfil the objectives of this club.” Improving on last season will be a challenge given treble-winning rivals Manchester City’s quality and the improvements made by the Premier League’s other top clubs. But Dalot is in no doubt that United are back on the up and that he is in the right place to succeed, having recently signed a new deal until 2028 with an option for a further season. “I think it’s a combination of me and the club, the connection that we have,” the Portugal international said of that deal. “The project that the club believe that I can be a part of. “Obviously the manager, the important role that he had since he came here to help me to develop even more, so I think this is the perfect combination for me. “I didn’t have any doubts on keeping here at this club and fighting for even more.” Dalot made a mightily impressive start to last season, with rejuvenated Aaron Wan-Bissaka flourishing towards the end of the campaign. Every position we have at least now two players that can play and they can start a game for this club, so this is something that I've always said, and I've always kept on my mind that I like it. Diogo Dalot The United right-backs offer different attributes and their performances have meant that, unlike recent years, there has been little to no talk of the need to improve the position this summer. “If you want to play for this club, you have to be able to compete – not just as a team, but as individual as well,” Dalot said. “Every position we have at least now two players that can play and they can start a game for this club, so this is something that I’ve always said, and I’ve always kept on my mind that I like it. “I like to have this type of competition and I think I have a good team-mate to do that, which makes me even more motivated to raise the level and fight for the position.” Not only do United have depth in different positions but an improved number of leaders. Harry Maguire has worn the captain’s armband in recent seasons and Ten Hag recently named Bruno Fernandes skipper. “To be honest, knowing him as I know him, he’s not going to change the behaviour that he had since he came here,” Dalot said of his compatriot. “When he arrived, he always tried to get this natural leadership that he has inside of him. “He is always a player that you can rely on. Obviously, being there every single game brings you even more confidence to have a team-mate like him, who gives you everything for the team. “And then obviously, the personality that (he) has, that capacity to be a leader and we are happy that he’s one of the leaders of this team.” Dalot hopes to help Fernandes drive standards at United having learned from arguably Portugal’s greatest ever player. Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Old Trafford last November was acrimonious but his impact over two spells at the club left an indelible mark on his United team-mates during those times. Dalot remains close with the 38-year-old world star and said: “I mean, he helped me a lot outside of the pitch. “Whether it’s the way he conducts himself every single day, I think the discipline that he has and he had through all his career brought me a lot. “It was a joy for me to play with him and to be his team-mate. He helped me a lot. “I will keep some things to myself but the general (thing) is that his discipline is what impressed me the most. “Because you can be consistent, but you can be consistent in a bad way, and he was disciplined and consistent in a good way. That’s what I’ve learned the most from him.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ‘Matter of when not whether’ UK hosts Women’s World Cup – sports minister Ryan Reynolds reaches out to Manchester United keeper after Paul Mullin injury Football rumours: Bayern Munich officials fly to London in bid for Harry Kane
2023-07-28 19:16

Lauren James fires England to a 1-0 win over Denmark at the Women's World Cup
Lauren James scored after six minutes of her first start at the Women’s World Cup as England beat Denmark 1-0 in Sydney
2023-07-28 18:59

Walsh's injury against Denmark could further deplete England's Women's World Cup roster
Midfielder Keira Walsh has injured her right knee in a Women's World Cup Group D match against Denmark in yet another setback for European champion England
2023-07-28 18:53

England beat Denmark to stand on verge of World Cup last 16
European champions England stood on the brink of the Women's World Cup last 16 after a Lauren James cracker in the sixth minute gave them a...
2023-07-28 18:50

Keira Walsh adds to England’s long injury list after coming off against Denmark
Keira Walsh added to England’s injury woes when she went down in the first half of the World Cup Group D game against Denmark. Here the PA news agency takes a look at some of the key players missing in England’s World Cup campaign. Keira Walsh Walsh stayed down after stretching to intercept a pass in midfield and could clearly be seen telling the team’s medical staff: “I’ve done my knee.” Play was stopped immediately, despite it not being a head injury, and England’s midfield metronome was carried off on a stretcher after a period of treatment. Laura Coombs took Walsh’s place as a substitute but a prolonged absence would be the latest significant blow to the Lionesses’ hopes of following up their European Championship win. Leah Williamson England captain Leah Williamson was ruled out of the World Cup after she ruptured her anterior cruciate knee ligament during Arsenal’s Women’s Super League defeat to Manchester United in April. Like Walsh, Williamson appeared to catch her studs in the turf with no other player in close proximity. A pillar at centre-back, Williamson has been an integral part of the England set-up and skippered the side to their first major trophy at Euro 2022. Beth Mead Williamson joined a long injury list at Arsenal which includes fellow Lionesses favourite Beth Mead, who has been out with the same injury since November. Mead caused havoc for opposition teams at last summer’s Euros, where she was named player of the tournament and was awarded the Golden Boot with six goals including a hat-trick in England’s 8-0 thrashing of Norway. Fran Kirby Kirby missed the tournament Down Under following a knee injury picked up in Chelsea’s Continental League Cup semi-final win at West Ham in February. The midfielder started every game of last summer’s European Championship campaign – providing three assists and scoring two goals as the Lionesses won on home soil – and scored nine times for Chelsea in 16 appearances across all competitions last season. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ryan Reynolds reaches out to Manchester United keeper after Paul Mullin injury Football rumours: Bayern Munich officials fly to London in bid for Harry Kane British Cycling set to debut Olympic bike at World Championships
2023-07-28 18:29