Talking points as Marseille and Paris prepare to host World Cup quarter-finals
Marseille and Paris take centre stage when the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals unfold on Saturday and Sunday.
England Sport News
I want to play – Harry Maguire admits lack of matches will become an issue
Harry Maguire admits he cannot keep just playing once a month for Manchester United but remains confident of winning back his place and helping Erik ten Hag’s team climb the table.
Premier League players Tonali and Zaniolo leave Italy’s training camp amid betting inquiry
FLORENCE, Italy: Premier League players Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo were sent back to their clubs from Italy’s training camp on Thursday after being notified by police of involvement in a betting investigation. The move comes a day after Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli acknowledged that he is being investigated by Turin prosecutors in the same case for alleged betting online via unauthorized websites. After police were seen at the national team’s Coverciano training center to question the players, the Italian soccer federation announced that Tonali and Zaniolo had been handed official notifications of their involvement in the Turin inquiry. "Regardless of the nature of the events, considering that the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the matches scheduled for the next few days, the federation has decided, also for their protection, to allow them to return to their respective clubs,” the federation said in a statement. Tonali is a midfielder with Newcastle — having transferred from AC Milan in July — and Zaniolo is an attacking midfielder-forward at Aston Villa on loan from Galatasaray. Italy host Malta on Saturday and then visit England three days later in European Championship qualifying.
Children with special needs enjoy fun-filled day at the course ahead of LIV Golf Jeddah
JEDDAH: More than 30 children with special needs were treated to a day of golfing fun and excitement at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City on Thursday, on the eve of the start of LIV Golf Jeddah competition the following day.
English FA criticised for ‘weak response’ to Israel and Palestine conflict
England's Football Association (FA) has been condemned for its “weak response” to the Israel and Palestine conflict by a Jewish communal organisation.
No Israeli, Palestinian flags allowed at Wembley for England games — FA
LONDON: Flags and shirts showing support for victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will not be allowed for England’s games against Australia and Italy at Wembley, the FA said on Thursday. England host Australia in a friendly on Friday before taking on Italy in a European Championship qualifier on Tuesday. “On Friday evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine,” the FA said in a statement. “We will only permit flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality for the competing nations inside Wembley Stadium for the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy.” England and Australia players will wear black armbands, the FA added, and there will be a period of silence before kick off. Hamas killed over 1,300 people after gunmen from the Gaza Strip on Saturday rampaged through parts of southern Israel in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel’s history.
UK envoy lauds Saudi, UK esports partnership
RIYADH: UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton has lauded a Saudi Esports Federation cooperation agreement with its British counterpart, which said the landmark partnership “will set new standards of excellence, education and innovation in the world of esports.”
England rewatch Fiji Twickenham defeat to ‘fuel the fire’ for World Cup showdown
England have been watching footage of their calamitous defeat by Fiji in August as a reminder of what not to do in Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final.