Tour de France Cycling Boom Helps French Family Firm Make Half a Billion Euros
Groupe Amaury, the closely held family business that owns the Tour de France, saw revenue jump by nearly
2023-07-21 19:29
‘Very hurtful’ – Mary Earps disappointed by decision not to sell replica shirt
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has expressed her dismay over the “very hurtful” decision not to put her replica shirt on sale ahead of the World Cup. The Manchester United star was named the world’s best goalkeeper in women’s football by FIFA in February, and was also appointed vice-captain by England boss Sarina Wiegman for this global showpiece. Earps claimed she only realised her shirt would not be made available by manufacturer Nike in April, and said she has since been “fighting behind closed doors” to find a solution before England open their campaign on Saturday against Haiti but to no avail. The Euro 2022 champion said: “I can’t really sugar-coat this in any way, so I am not going to try. It is hugely disappointing and very hurtful. “It is very, on a personal level, it is obviously hugely hurtful considering the last 12 months especially – and also I think there has been an incredible rise in goalkeeping participation over that year. “I go into grassroots clubs and I am asked to bribe people to go into goal, and I have been to more clubs recently and that’s not been the case. “A lot of that has come off the back of the Euros but also some of my success this year. “For my own family and friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they are going to come out and wear normal clothes and I know that sounds like: ‘Oh Mary, what a horrible problem,’ but on a personal level that is really hard. “You know, (England captain) Millie (Bright) spoke to me a couple of weeks ago or maybe a bit longer and said: ‘Mary, my niece is desperate to get your shirt, where can I get it?’. I was like: ‘Yeah you can’t, it doesn’t exist’. “I think that is a huge problem, and I think it is a scary message that is being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that you are not important. “(Kids) are going to say: ‘Mum, dad, can I have a Mary Earps shirt?’ And they say: ‘I can’t but I can get you an Alessia Russo 23 or a Rachel Daly 9.’ And so what you are saying is that goalkeeping isn’t important but you can be a striker if you want.” England men’s keeper Jordan Pickford also does not have a replica goalkeeper shirt available for purchase on the England store. Earps claimed she offered to fund the shirts herself and that the Football Association (FA) has supported her efforts, but said she was ultimately forced to produce her own limited edition t-shirt because she at the very least “wanted to create something that people could have for themselves” at the World Cup. The PA news agency understands that while the FA is involved in the design of England kits, the manufacturer ultimately determines the commercial direction of what is produced. PA has contacted Nike for comment.
2023-07-21 19:25
Live updates | Australian Travis Smyth aces 17th hole at British Open
Australian Travis Smyth has aced the 17th hole at the British Open
2023-07-21 19:16
Some top US sports leagues have specific anti-hazing policies, others do not
The biggest professional sports leagues in the United States have dealt with hazing issues over the past decade
2023-07-21 18:24
Haiti team guide: Women’s World Cup squad and who to watch
Haiti have nothing to lose on their Women’s World Cup debut as they join England, Denmark and China in Group D. Ranked 53rd in the world, Haiti are one of eight teams playing at the Women’s World Cup for the first time, a stage that reached via the inter-continental play-offs. Rising star Melchie Dumornay scored twice in their final 2-1 victory over Chile, and Haiti have the talent to cause further upsets if they can balance their ambition with defensive organisation. Nicolas Delepine’s side are faced with a tough task, however. Not only will they face European champions England in Group D, but Asian champions China as well. Haiti Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 22 July 2023: England vs Haiti (10:30, Brisbane Stadium) Friday 28 July 2023: China vs Haiti (12:00, Adelaide) Tuesday 1 August: Haiti vs Denmark (12:00, Perth Rectangular Stadium) Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Nahomie Ambroise (Little Haiti), Lara-Sofia Larco (Georgetown University), Kerly Theus (Miami City). Defenders: Tabita Joseph (Stade Brestois 29), Kethna Louis (Montpellier), Ruthny Mathurin (Mississippi State), Betina Petit-Frere (Stade Brestois 29), Milan Raquel Pierre-Jerome (Georges Mason University), Chelsea Surpris (Grenoble), Jennyfer Limage (Grenoble), Maudeline Moryl (Grenoble) Joseph Esthericove (Exafoot) Midfielders: Melchie Dumornay (Lyon), Danielle Etienne (Fordham Rams), Noa Olivia Ganthier (Weston), Sherly Jeudy (Grenoble), Dayana Pierre-Louis (GPSO Issy) Forwards: Roselord Borgella (Dijon), Roseline Eloissaint (Nantes), Florsie Darlina Joseph (Grenoble), Shwendesky Macelus Joseph (Zenit St Petersburg), Batcheba Louis (FC Fleury), Nerilia Mondesir (Montpellier) Key player There is considerable excitement around the 19-year-old Melchie Dumornay, who has signed a pre-contract with European powerhouse Lyon ahead of the new season. The midfielder scored twice as Haiti beat Chile in the inter-continental play-offs to qualify for the World Cup and is regarded as one of the best young players in the world. “You can’t compare Melchie with any other player, she’s special,” team-mate Jennyfer Limage told Fifa. The coach Frenchman Nicolas Delepine helped spark scenes of national celebration when Haiti qualified for their first ever World Cup by beating Chile in the play-off final. With the majority of the Haiti team already playing in France, Delepine took the job from French club Grenoble Foot 38 and wants his team to play quick, attacking football. Read More Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: England build-up to Haiti opener after Spain win How to watch England vs Haiti: TV channel and start time for Women’s World Cup opener Women’s World Cup odds: Who are favourites to win the tournament? England Women’s squad for World Cup 2023 England women World Cup fixtures and route to the final England’s World Cup hinges on a defining question
2023-07-21 18:20
Rapinoe's farewell begins with the U.S. team's opening Women's World Cup match against Vietnam
Megan Rapinoe’s final run on the global stage begins Saturday when the United States opens its quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive Women’s World Cup title
2023-07-21 17:55
American freestyler Katie Ledecky faces youth as the world championships open in Japan
American freestyler Katie Ledecky has never gone home with anything other than a gold or silver medal in the Olympics or world championships dating from the 2012 London Games
2023-07-21 17:54
Real Sociedad midfielder David Silva injures left knee
Real Sociedad midfielder David Silva has injured his left knee
2023-07-21 17:50
Spain lights up gloomy Wellington night with 3-0 win over Costa Rica at Women's World Cup
With three goals in four minutes in the middle of a lopsided first half, Spain shattered Costa Rica’s resistance and created the foundation of a resounding 3-0 win that sent a warning to rivals at the Women’s World Cup
2023-07-21 17:47
England mascot Dave the cat supporting Lionesses from his new home
England’s unlikely World Cup mascot will be watching the Lionesses from his forever home as Dave the cat settles into his new surroundings. While football might not have come home from Qatar, stray cat Dave did after the friendly feline became a firm favourite of the squad as he roamed freely around England’s Al Wakrah training base. Manchester City duo John Stones and Kyle Walker were pictured with Dave on most evenings and the latter said the team would adopt the cat if Gareth Southgate’s men won the World Cup. Despite their quarter-final exit at the hands of France, Dave was still given the chance to travel to the UK and was eventually rehomed by the Football Association’s media operations manager Anna Bush and her family. “There was a discussion around wanting Dave to end up with a family with young children, so I put my hand up and volunteered and my children are absolutely delighted,” she told the PA news agency. “They’ve never had a pet before and what a first pet to have! They (the players) are aware and delighted. He’s got a new home and a family to look after him.” He left Al Wakrah in December, just two hours after the squad had departed for home, and headed to a veterinary clinic where he had blood tests and vaccinations. After being in quarantine for months he was welcomed by his new family, instantly taking to his surroundings and showing he picked up a keen eye for football after his stint as England’s top cat. While Dave lived the life of a stray during the men’s World Cup, he can watch the women attempt to follow up their Euros success from last summer in the comfort of his new home. The Bush family even have a way of making sure Dave – who now has his own Instagram page – is part of any success Down Under as he offers up his match predictions, with a little incentive to back Sarina Wiegman and her team. “He has settled in so well,” added Bush. “He loves the surrounding area and loves it in the sun – he is finding his feet and absolutely loves watching my two boys play football in the garden. “One of them actually coloured in both of the crests ahead of the Champions League and wanted Manchester City to win so he put a few treats down (on the City crest) and so Dave predicted that Man City were going to win the Champions League final and they did! “Now we have to start doing that for the Women’s World Cup I suppose – bring on England on Saturday.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Natalie Grinczer hopes to take advantage after late switch to Lifeplus-Wahoo Early starters battle overcast conditions as Tommy Fleetwood shares Open lead Football rumours: Harry Kane will not sign new Tottenham deal
2023-07-21 17:29
Confident US enters Women's World Cup against underdog Vietnam as quest for 3rd title begins
The United States begins its journey to a record third consecutive Women’s World Cup title with the same confidence it had in winning the last two tournaments
2023-07-21 17:23
England captain Millie Bright given all-clear to start Lionesses' Women's World Cup bid
England captain Millie Bright has been cleared to start the Lionesses’ Women’s World Cup opener against Haiti
2023-07-21 17:17
