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    ‘I find it very difficult to dress’ – Laura Woods shares rare update as TNT Sports host wows in pink dress

    LAURA WOODS has given a heartfelt update as she celebrated a friend’s wedding.Woods shared some glamorous photos from the event alongside fiancé, Adam Collard and baby boy, Leo Ernie Collard.Laura Woods shared a heartfelt update as she celebrated a friend’s weddingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/She shared pictures of herself alongside Adam Collard and baby LeoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/Woods revealed she has ‘struggled to dress’ since giving birth to baby Leo in JulyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/Woods has 749,000 followers on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/The award-winning presenter gave birth to Leo in January after announcing her pregnancy last July.Woods has taken a step back from life in the spotlight and regular social media posts as she gets to grips with being a new mum.After recently celebrating Mother’s Day, the 37-year-old was seen celebrating the marriage of one of her friends.She was seen wearing a stunning pink bridesmaid dress, while Collard and Leo looked dapper in their own sharp suits.READ MORE ON LAURA WOODSBut Woods saved a special shout-out to the makers of her bridesmaid dress as she revealed she has had difficulty dressing since becoming a mum for the first time.Taking to her Instagram, where she has 749,000 followers, she said: “This bridesmaid dress is from Six Stories btw. Not a gift, I brought it and loved it. “Actually wore two of theirs! They’re a lovely business so wanted to give them a shoutout.”Woods continued: “I find it very difficult to dress since having my little man, unless it’s in a tracksuit.Most read in Football”So very grateful I found them.”She then also shared who made the suit jacket for baby Leo, adding: “And House of Cavani made this little jacket for Leo.”Laura Woods gives birth to first child with Adam Collard as couple reveal sweet name in adorable post Pregnancy Myths explainedThere are a lot of strange myths around pregnancy – and some of them may surprise you…Is it okay to eat prawns when you’re pregnant?Can you have sex during a pregnancy? Can you get a tattoo while you’re pregnantIs it safe to take paracetamol when you’re pregnant?Can you eat mozzarella when you’re pregnant? More

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    Sonia Bompastor urges Chelsea to bounce back from ‘tough’ Barcelona loss by widening lead over WSL rivals

    SONIA BOMPASTOR insists Chelsea “will never give up” as they aim to bounce back from their disappointing Champions League defeat. And the Blues head coach is uncertain whether striker Sam Kerr will return to action before the end of this season.  Sonia Bompastor wants her players to focus on the future with the team returning to WSL action following a Champions League semis first leg loss to BarcelonaCredit: GettyCatarina Macario is among the players likely to be in action for Chelsea when they host Crystal Palace at KingsmeadowCredit: GettyThe Blues hope to register win ahead of their Stamford Bridge duel with Barcelona in the second leg of Champions League last four tieCredit: AlamyThe WSL leaders host Crystal Palace on Wednesday in their first top-flight clash following their 4-1 Champions League semis first leg loss on Sunday. A tough result that left their quadruple hopes and target of winning the contest this season hanging by a thread. While they hope to pull off a huge comeback in their European tie, Chelsea are also focused on claiming an eighth WSL title and sixth FA Cup.  Bullish Blues chief Bompastor, 44, whose team have lost just twice so far this term, said: “It’s always tough to lose especially when you are Chelsea as it’s something you don’t experience a lot.  Read More Football Stories”I will never give up and my players will never give up. This is our mentality. We want to achieve a lot this season. “We have three more competitions to play in, hopefully, until the last moment in the season, but everyone is ready for that.”I have depth in my squad. So every player is ready to compete in every competition, every game we have to play.”While Chelsea do have depth two influential players currently out of action are forward Lauren James and striker Sam Kerr. Most read in FootballThe creative flair and attacking threat James brings was missed by her side during their clash with Barcelona.And her club pal Kerr is continuing her recovery from a knee ligament tear she suffered during a winter training camp in January 2024. When asked about the potential of a Kerr comeback before this season ends, Bompastor added: “I’m not in a position to give any time frame on her return.”I know she won’t be involved in the game this weekend.”After tomorrow’s clash the WSL leaders host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and hope to overcome a three-goal deficit in the decisive leg of their Champions League tie. In addition to being a confidence boost, a defeat of the bottom-placed Eagles would also restore Chelsea’s six-point lead at the summit. Rivals Arsenal are currently second and three points. Bompastor added: “Monday was a difficult day for everyone – staff and players. “But I told my players now we need to look at the future. Palace, who are bottom of the WSL and seven points off Aston Villa, have won just two of their 18 league games so far this termCredit: Alamy”We want to go back to top of the table six and points ahead of Arsenal, that’s the main focus.Read More on The Sun”The only thing we can control now is the future. “We need to show a reaction in this game, that’s the main thing and the most important thing.” More

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    How Ruben Amorim can shake up Man Utd by signing modern-day Eric Cantona in maverick with questionable temperament

    MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing up a maverick with a questionable temperament to reignite their misfiring forward line.He plays just behind the striker, weighs in with his fair share of goals and possesses the guile to provide assists for others, too.Cunha gets in a tussle with a member of Ipswich Town’s backroom staffCredit: GettyCantona kung fu kicked a supporterCredit: REXAt 25, he has plenty of experience both here and overseas and is a real crowd favourite — although he never seems to be far away from controversy.Sound familiar?There will only ever be one Eric Cantona in the eyes of the Stretford End, of course.But United’s interest in Wolves’ Brazilian talisman Matheus Cunha has some fans wondering if he could be the man to revive them — just as King Eric did when he joined the club in 1992 at age 26.Read more FootballOld Trafford got a good look at the ace — who has a £62.5million release clause — on Sunday in a forgettable game and liked what they saw. It was Cunha who used his skills to win the free-kick which Pablo Sarabia converted superbly in the 77th minute to guarantee Wolves’ Prem safety.And with that now secured, talk over where the ex-Atletico Madrid man could go next has heated up.Red Devils coach Ruben Amorim made a point of having a natter with Cunha in the tunnel following the Easter Sunday encounter.Mind you, he had nearly let the cat out of the bag in his pre-match press conference.Most read in FootballCunha scraps with Kerkez after Wolves’ FA Cup tie with BournemouthCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKSpeaking about the clash with his fellow Portuguese boss Vitor Pereira, Amorim said: “He has real quality players, Cunha and all these guys.”When asked if that meant he could be a target for United, Amorim hastily backtracked, adding: “I just gave the example because I remembered about Matheus — he’s scoring a lot of goals. Just that.”How the genius tactical play from Nottingham Forest is placing them firmly at the top of the leagueThe forward has 16 goals in all competitions for Wolves this term — with 14 in the Prem, which is a couple more than he got last season.Compare that to United, who have managed ONE goal in four top-flight games since last month’s international break.Cunha has played in Germany and Spain and is now showing in his second full season in English football what he is about.Wolves also play a similar system to United, so he would be able to slot straight into that hole behind the main striker.It all sounds too good to be true — but there is the other side to him.He clashed with a member of Ipswich’s security staff after a home defeat in December, pulling off his glasses and appearing to elbow him.It is a far cry from Cantona’s infamous kung-fu kick at Crystal Palace in 1995, though.The 13-cap star also received a four-game ban following his red card for a wild attack on Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez during an FA Cup tie last month.Wolves fans love him despite his imperfections but he even tested their patience recently.Even though he only signed a new contract at Molineux in January, he suggested in an interview that he may look elsewhere to fulfil his ambitions.Cunha said: “Now, we’re close to staying up. But I’ve made it clear I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.”He quickly claimed his comments had been misinterpreted and he wants to move forward with Wolves.Plenty can still happen before Cunha — who turns 26 next month — is paraded on the pitch at the Theatre of Dreams.Qualifying for next season’s Champions League will have a huge impact on United’s summer budget.Attracting players of Cunha’s quality will also be helped if they return to Uefa’s top table next season.Read More on The SunUnited may still need to clear some space on their wage bill and Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho could be sold to make room.But after witnessing his team draw a blank for the 13th time this season, Amorim is looking at a revamp — and he hopes Cunha could be at the centre of it. More

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    How the genius tactical play from Nottingham Forest is placing them firmly at the top of the Premier League

    THE Champions League anthem will surely ring around the City Ground next season and deservedly so.Nottingham Forest are closing in on a top five Premier League finish after a simply incredible campaign.Nuno Espirito Santo has transformed Forest from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefulsCredit: AlamyCentre-backs Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo have been key to their successCredit: ReutersNuno Espirito Santo’s side stayed up by just six points last season and many predictions for this term had them to be involved in another relegation scrap.But they have defied belief to consistently be closest challengers to Liverpool and Arsenal.Forest are a unique side tactically with some of the league’s most underrated players. Here is how they have shocked everyone this year.Stats just not rightWhen crunching the numbers, Forest’s clinical and resilient side are on show.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAttacking-wise, they rank fourth for shot conversation and 14th for total shots, all while having the least amount of average possession in the division.Only Liverpool and Arsenal have conceded fewer, but Forest do it without pressing as they come in at 18th for winning the ball back in the opposition’s third.So how do they keep so many teams out? Essentially, it is park the bus brilliance.In Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo they have two great box defenders and full-backs, usually Neco Williams and Ola Aina, rarely go forward.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSNuno cuts his team down the middle with a setup that sees six players defend and four attack.When out of possession, they sit on the edge of their own box in a 4-4-2 shape and it is extremely narrow and difficult to play through.They are well-drilled in blocking passing lanes, setting traps to win it back and funnelling the ball wide.Forest then back themselves should a cross come in, having aerially dominant centre-back and a keeper in-form like Matz Sels are a must.Teams have so much of the ball but have nowhere to go, it is the magic of the formation.Forest are so compact and there is no way through for opponentsThe gaps between their lines are tight and set traps and block passing lanesDreaming dreams of our MurilloThe Brazilian 22-year-old is not far off Ruben Dias and Virgil van Dijk levels. He is simply outstanding.He is so good at giving striker’s no space to work with and he is the leader of the back four.Murillo does this amazing thing where if the ball’s on one side of the pitch, he brings the two nearest Forest players closer to him as he marks the rival centre-forward.The team pulls in towards Murillo when a cross comes inWhen opponents are about to cross, Murillo drops two steps and the rest of the team follow suit.We see players put their hands in the air as a signal before a free-kick and the defensive line then drops. Essentially, Murillo does it in open play. It’s amazing.He also bullies the striker before the ball comes in with clever nudges and holding.In Forest’s 2-1 win over Tottenham, Spurs crossed the ball 48 times and scored with their final cross attempt as Murillo gave Richarlison a nightmare night.Murillo and Milenkovic are physical and aerially dominantDon’t Look Back, ElangaAgainst Spurs, Anthony Elanga played like a second striker in the 4-4-2 out of possession shape, ready to use his explosive pace on the break.Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White tucked in to frustrate the inverted full-backs formation that so many teams use, again, giving opponents no space to work with.Wood is the focal point and Elanga is free, ready to float around the striker to cause havoc where he wants.The ex-Man Utd star drifts wide into space that attacking full-backs vacate, where is ready to receive the ball and break from.In transition, passes are always aimed towards Elanga to start the counter-attack.And the team pulls apart opponent’s defensive structures to help with their quick breaks.Wood drops deep to hold up the ball and runners go beyond him, defensive lines then becomes jagged so they can’t play offside as Elanga truly doesn’t look back and sprints forward.Elanga drifts out wide and starts counter-attacksWhere there’s Forest, there’s WoodYou would be forgiven for thinking Wood’s run would not go on… but go on it does.But the veteran striker continues to be the league’s most clinical forward, his 19 goals this season is eight more than his expected goals have predicted (only three of his strikes have been penalties too).Going back to him dropping deep, when Forest win it back with a clearance, he positions himself on the opponent’s midfield with the wide players either side of him.Centre-backs do not want to leave their zone and be dragged miles out, those jagged backline worries, and Wood is able to win headers and flick it on for his speedster team-mates.Wood likes to drop deep and win flick-ons after a clearance to start counter-attacksForest are also happy to go long from goal-kicks and put it on Wood’s head. They have players around him to pick up the loose balls.A throwback centre-forward and it is working wonders.Give ’em EllElliot Anderson is one of the most underappreciated players in the Premier League.His awareness of where to help defensively and his positional play is brilliant and key to Nuno’s system.He can play on the left of a midfield three, the No.6 role, part of a double pivot and further up the field in attack.Read More on The SunAll action Anderson knows when the likes of Elanga, Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi go forward where to fill in and cover.It is exactly what Nuno demands in a setup that prioritises never being outnumbered defensively. More

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    Man City look to hijack United’s move for Andre Onana replacement Diogo Costa after Red Devils put off by release clause

    MANCHESTER CITY are poised to hijack rivals Manchester United in the race for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.Deposed Prem champions City plan to cash in where their cash-strapped neighbours have failed in chasing the Portugal star.Manchester City are set to hijack rivals Manchester United for Porto goalkeeper Diogo CostaMan City manager Pep Guardiola is on the lookout for a new keeperMan Utd boss Ruben Amorim also wants a keeper but the club is put off by Costa’s £64million release clauseOld Trafford chiefs were put off by a £64million release clause in 25-year-old Costa’s contract.Even though boss Ruben Amorim wants to replace blunder keeper Andre Onana, the price is considered too high.But talks are well underway about bringing Costa to the Etihad as part of a major close-season revamp of City boss Pep Guardiola’s squad.City are braced for current keeper Ederson to quit at the end of the campaign for a megabucks move to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League with just a year left on his contract.Read More on Man UtdThere are also fears that his understudy Stefan Ortega could follow his team-mate through the door.Guardiola wants new faces to help re-energise his four-in-a-row Premier League champions who could be surrendering their crown to runaway leaders Liverpool as early as Wednesday night..He signed striker Omar Marmoush plus defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in January but knows more dealing is needed for his team to regain superiority in English football.Normally dominant City are third in the Premier League table and only just clinging on for Champions League football next season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThey were dumped out in the Last 16 this year by Real Madrid and conceded six goals over the two games.They have let in 43 league goals this season – already nine more than for the whole of last season – and there are still four games to play.Ruben Amorim will go all out to secure Europa League glory for Man Utd Across Manchester, United boss Amorim has had problems between the sticks.Onana was dropped for the trip to Newcastle earlier this month following high-profile errors against Lyon in the Europa League.But money is tight at Old Trafford. Minority stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has waged a campaign of swingeing cuts which includes staff redundancies and cutbacks on perks such as free lunches for ordinary workers. More

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    ‘This is unreal’ – Mikel Arteta accidentally photobombs Sky Sports report as he takes Arsenal dog Win for a walk

    MIKEL ARTETA hilariously photobombed Sky Sports’ report outside the Arsenal training ground on Tuesday. The Gunners’ manager, 43, is preparing for his side’s Premier League encounter with Crystal Palace on Wednesday following their rampant 4-0 win over Ipswich Town on Easter Sunday. Mikel Arteta was spotted taking Win for a strollThe Labrador is considered the ‘club dog’Credit: GettyArteta has led the north Londoners into the last four of the Champions League as well – masterminding a stunning two-leg victory over holders Real Madrid en route to the semi-finals. They face Paris Saint-Germain next week, with Luis Enrique’s runaway Ligue 1 leaders having already dumped out Liverpool and Aston Villa this term. Now, it seems as though Arteta is trying to squeeze as much good fortune out of every inch of the club, including their club dog ‘Win’.While Sky Sports News reporter Gary Cotterill stood outside the Gunners’ training ground, updating viewers on the wellbeing of star winger Bukayo Saka, Arteta crashed the shoot walking Win out of the grounds. Read more FootballOne fan took to Twitter to say that the moment was “unreal”. Arteta brought Win, a chocolate labrador, in to London Colney in 2023, to “develop the family atmosphere” at Arsenal, with Arteta claiming that the dog was “one of us”. Win has not actually brought Arsenal any trophies since their one and only crown under Arteta, which was the 2020 FA Cup. The Gunners are 13 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, with the Champions League their only realistic chance of silverware this term.Most read in FootballCotterill stated that Saka’s ankle injury that he sustained at Portman Road “wasn’t too bad”. That comes after the Englishman was seen with ice around his achilles. Mikel Arteta slide tackles his own player in training a day before Arsenal’s biggest game of the season vs Real Madrid He had been forced off just before the hour mark in East Anglia after a shocking challenge from Leif Davis that saw the Ipswich left-back sent off. Arsenal host Bournemouth in between their European semi-final legs against PSG, before they take on Champions League-chasing Newcastle United on the penultimate day. They travel to already-relegated Southampton to round off their league campaign. More

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    Man City 2 Aston Villa 1: Matheus Nunes scores dramatic 94th-minute winner in massive twist in race for Champions League

    IF Manchester City make it to the Champions League then Matheus Nunes will be the toast of the Etihad.And hands up who could have imagined that.Matheus Nunes scored a dramatic late winnerCredit: APHe tapped the ball in at the back post in the 94th minuteCredit: GettyPep Guardiola celebrated wildlyCredit: GettyBernardo Silva opened the scoring for Man CityCredit: ReutersMarcus Rashford converted the spot-kick to make it 1-1Credit: GettyThe £52million midfielder was the unlikely hero sliding home a huge winner deep into stoppage time.He has endured a difficult couple of years at the Etihad since joining from Wolves in summer 2023.Nunes has been used as a makeshift full-back in recent weeks and has done a good job for Pep Guardiola.But few would have expected him to be the match-winner here.  READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis Champions League showdown seemed to be inching towards a draw until sub Jeremy Doku broke clear down the left.His low cross flashed across the face of goal and there was Nunes to slide it home at the back post.With Bernardo Silva also on the scoresheet, this was a night for Pep’s Portugeezers.And all that just when it looked like Marcus Rashford would have the last laugh on his return to Manchester.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHe coolly stroked home a first half penalty which looked certain to earn his team a point.But in the end it proved to be in vain – and surely City will get the points they need for Champions League qualification from here. Ollie Watkins admitted he was fuming at being left out against PSG last week – and here he was on the bench again.However the visitors arrived on the back of 10 win out of 11 in all competitions – and five in a row in the league – so nobody was going to argue with Unai Emery’s selection.And the man picked to start up front in his place, Rashford, almost made an instant impact inside the first 30 seconds.He took a pass from Youri Tielemans in his stride and turned Ruben Dias inside out before firing a low shot against the base of the post.The boyhood United man would have enjoyed that had it gone in but it bounced out straight into the hands of Stefan Ortega.Omar Marmoush got away down the left hand side and crossed into path of Bernardo Silva whose shot just had enough to beat Emi Martinez.The Argentine World Cup winner might be a little disappointed he could not keep it out.But in a week when his future has again been the subject of speculation, Silva was thrilled to score his first goal since Boxing Day.Yet the lead lasted only 11 minutes.Dias seemed to clip Jacob Ramsey as he burst into the box and at first Craig Pawson waved away the appeals.But VAR John Brooks asked him to look at the monitor and he pointed to the spot.Replays showed some contact from the knee of Dias but the Villa man went down rather easily.The home crowd were furious and so was Guardiola, who was booked for his reaction.  Jacob Ramsey won the penalty after a clash with Ruben DiasCredit: GettyPep Guardiola complained wildly and was booked for his protestsCredit: ReutersRashford didn’t let the protests affect him as he sent Ortega the wrong way from the spot to score his fourth goal for his temporary club. For all his ups and downs, Rashford has generally enjoyed playing against City – and once again he proved to be the scourge of Guardiola’s team.This was the fifth time he has found the net against them during the Spaniard’s nine year reign – only Mo Salah and Jamie Vardy have got more.City picked themselves up though and continued to enjoy plenty of the ball as well as some decent chances.Marmoush has really perked up their season since he arrived and his cross flicked off the head of Kevin De Bruyne but was straight into the arms of Martinez this time.Meanwhile Nico O’Reilly sent over a cross from the left that found the head of the onrushing Marmoush but he nodded over the bar.At the other end Rashford got in behind the home defence but Ortega stayed big as he tried to nick it past him.City fans had staged another protest before kick-off over the club’s ticketing policies and some had even stayed away.Yet they missed an entertaining first half. As well as going head to head for top five places, these two could meet again in the FA Cup final next month.Chances continued to come after the break with most of them were coming City’s way with defensive pair Josko Gvardiol and Dias both going close.De Bruyne produced a superb ball over the top which was controlled by James McAtee but his clever lob of Martinez just dropped the wrong side of the post.And the makeshift forward also failed to get a decent connection on a delightful low cross from O’Reilly.’It wasn’t a trip’ – Mark Halsey’s viewBy Mark HalseyFORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey has given his verdict on the penalty call…”I would not have given a penalty in real time. It was normal contact and a coming together between two players.”Pawson was in a great position and also did not see it as a foul. Dias was trying to get out of the way and Ramsey has been clever in winning the pen.”The next question is why has VAR got involved? It wasn’t a clear and obvious error. It’s subjective.”The Prem match centre posted on X: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Aston Villa for a challenge by Dias on Ramsey – and deemed there was a clear trip and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty.”But Halsey added: “It wasn’t a trip. Pawson should have been stronger when he was sent to the monitor and stuck to his original decision.”On Guardiola’s reaction, Halsey said: “Guardiola was frustrated and rightly so but he cannot act like that on the touchline. He needs to set an example.”City had won their last 14 home games against Villa before this – but this was proving a real challenge.And the home side were reluctant to push forward too much – knowing how dangerous Villa are on the break.And that was shown as former City youngster Morgan Rogers played through Rashford who went round Ortega but fired into the side-netting.Marmoush thought he had won it late on but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag.Read More on The SunVilla seemed to have settled for a point but City had other ideas and once again Doku made a difference from the bench.Deep into stoppage time he ran at the visitors defence and Nunes did the rest.Matheus Nunes was the unlikely heroCredit: ReutersFans in the Etihad appeared to be shown a different angle on the big screens than the one the ref was shown at the VAR monitor for Villa’s penCredit: Getty More

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    More Serie A matches postponed including huge clash in title race as Pope’s funeral schedule confirmed

    THE SERIE A have announced the postponement of more matches following the Pope’s death.Pope Francis died of a stroke and coronary failure on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after weeks in hospital with breathing problems.The Serie A have announced the postponement of three more matches following the Pope’s deathThe matches were postponed as they were scheduled for Saturday, which is when Pope Francis’ funeral takes placeIt was then announced that all of Monday’s fixtures would be moved out of respect to the pontiff and played on Wednesday.And now football chiefs announced that Saturday’s Serie A fixtures will also be suspended due to Francis’ funeral.There were three games scheduled for that day: Como vs Genoa, Inter Milan vs Roma and Lazio vs Parma. The match between Inter and the Giallorossi posed as the most crucial encounter with the former neck and neck with Napoli at the top of the table tied on points.Read More on FootballThe aforementioned matches are now expected to take place on Sunday instead. Pope Francis’ funeral will be held in St Peter’s Square, Roman Catholic cardinals decided on Tuesday.And the ceremony will be attended by several world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.The Pope was a massive football fan and watched his home country Argentina win the World Cup in 2022.Most read in FootballFifa president Gianni Infantino issued a statement saying he was “deeply saddened” by the pontiff’s death.Infantino posted on instagram: “I was privileged enough to spend some time with him on a couple of occasions, and he always shared his enthusiasm for football and stressed the important role our sport plays in society. Pope Francis is laid out in open coffin at The Vatican for key ceremony“All the prayers of the whole football world are with him.” More