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      BBC cameraman ‘denied entry’ to World Cup stadium ahead of England-USA clash by Qatari authorities over watch strap

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      QATARI authorities allegedly prevented two BBC journalists from entering the stadium ahead of England’s World Cup clash with the USA over a rainbow-coloured watch strap.Natalie Pirks, a BBC Sports Correspondent, claimed on Twitter she was held up outside the Al Bayt Stadium after security spotted her cameraman was wearing an Apple Watch with a rainbow-coloured strap.
      BBC Sports’s Natalie Pirks claimed she wasn’t let in ahead of England’s World Cup clash
      She claims her cameraman was stopped wearing a rainbow watch strap
      England are playing the USA at Qatar’s Al Bayt StadiumCredit: AP
      The reporter shared a picture of her cameraman’s watch, which also had a rainbow-coloured wallpaper on the screen, on her Twitter.
      “Just arrived at the Al Bayt stadium for England’s game and my cameraman, wearing the rainbow-coloured watch strap his son got him, was stopped by security and refused entry,” she wrote.
      “Clearly the message from FIFA is STILL not getting through.”
      LGBTQ+ rights have been under the spotlight in Qatar since the start of the tournament, where homosexuality is illegal.
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      Same-sex relationships in the country are punishable by imprisonment or even death.
      Some supporters and members of the media have had items of clothing with rainbow flags confiscated, and ex-Wales women’s captain Laura McAllister was filmed being told to remove her rainbow-coloured bucket hat.
      McAllister, who is gay and a past FIFA Council candidate, said she was told by security she couldn’t wear the hat for Wales’ World Cup opener against the USA.
      She said she then smuggled the hat into the stadium.
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      In another farcical scene, the team captains of seven UEFA federations including England performed a U-turn on wearing the One Love armband after FIFA said they risked being booked.
      The issue has become so tense that Qatar have since been forced into issuing an assurance to FIFA that the rainbow flag will “not be prohibited” at stadiums in the World Cup.
      Natalie later confirmed that they had been allowed in after calling a hotline set up for journalists and TV crews having issues getting into stadiums.
      “We are now in,” she wrote. “To their credit the Qataris have set up a hotline for crews experiencing problems, this managed to help us eventually get past security.”
      Clearly the message from FIFA is STILL not getting throughNatalie PirksBBC Sports Correspondent
      Other bizarre scenes have taken place at this World Cup, with reports of Wales fans wearing striped bucket hats in the red, yellow, white, and green colours of the country also being told to take them off after they were mistaken for rainbow colours.
      And Qatari officials seized a Brazilian fan’s flag after wrongly believing it to be the LGBTQ rainbow.
      In shock scenes captured on video, security were seen confiscating the flag of Pernambuco State, because it resembles a rainbow in the colours red, yellow, and green.
      A number of football federations have raised similar issues with FIFA, after being promised before the tournament that it would be an open World Cup.
      The global governing body has now sent a note to federations that the tournament’s organising committee has assured that rainbow items will no longer be confiscated.
      And UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly insisted that Qatar have taken “real steps” to ensure the safety of gay fans attending the World Cup.
      Reports claim that security at stadiums have been given instructions to prevent further so-called “localised incidents”.
      However, Natalie’s experience suggests that the message hasn’t been received at all the stadiums.
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      England kicked off against the USA at 7pm in a hotly-anticipated Group B match.
      Victory tonight would confirm qualification to the last 16, after Wales were beaten 2-0 in a shock defeat by Iran.
      Natalie said they were eventually let in after calling a special hotline More

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      ‘We are gutted’ – Gareth Bale heartbroken after loss to Iran but says Wales ‘go again’ as they target win over England

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      GARETH BALE was left “gutted” as Wales’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup suffered a huge blow after they were beaten by Iran.The 10-man Dragons conceded twice late on and lost 2-0.
      Gareth Bale was unable to stop Wales from losing against IranCredit: Alamy
      Bale looked ahead to the England gameCredit: Getty
      Wales fans were left heartbrokenCredit: Getty
      Children at Rhiwbeina Primary School, Cardiff, were devastated after the lossCredit: PA
      Wales were hoping to build on their improved second half showing in their draw with USA.
      Instead, Robert Page’s side were second best and deservedly beaten.
      Wayne Hennessey was sent off four minutes from the end of the 90 before the Middle East team took advantage by striking twice deep into stoppage-time.
      Firstly, Roozbeh Cheshmi beat substitute goalkeeper Danny Wayne from distance in the 99th minute before Ramin Rezaeian chipped home Iran’s second.
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      It leaves Wales on one point from two games, which means they MUST beat England on Monday to have any chance of progressing.
      Bale, who has so often been the hero over the years, wasn’t able to rescue Wales on this occasion and was left devastated by the result.
      He told BBC Sport: “We are gutted, there is no other way to say it.
      “We fought until the last second and we need to go again.
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      “We are all gutted but we have to pick ourselves up straight away.
      “It is going to be difficult for us for sure. We will have to see.
      “What can I say? We recover and we have to go again.”

      Asked about Wales’ chances of progressing to the knockouts, the 33-year-old said: “It’s going to be difficult for sure. It depends on the other game, but we’ll see.
      “The red card changes the game completely. We let the first one in, and the second one doesn’t matter. We recover and we go again.”
      Despite the difficult situation Wales find themselves in, boss Page isn’t giving up hope just yet.
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      He said: “We want to finish the competition on a high. It’s out of our hands for going through, but we want to finish with a good performance and a win.
      “We’re low at the moment, but we’ll get them back up tomorrow for a tough game to finish with.”
      Wales’ World Cup dream hangs by a thread after two late goals following a red card for keeper HennesseyCredit: Getty
      Bale admitted he was guttedCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Ask Southgate about Afghanistan’ – Angry Iran boss Carlos Quieroz confronts BBC reporter over protest question

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      ANGRY Carlos Queiroz confronted a BBC reporter for asking about Iranian protests, demanding: Why don’t you ask Gareth Southgate about Afghanistan? Iran’s players refused to sing the national anthem in support of anti-government dissenters before being battered 6-2 by England.
      Carlos Queiroz was an assistant manager at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson during the noughtiesCredit: Getty
      But coach Queiroz took exception to a journalist urging striker Mehdi Taremi – sat beside him when talking to the media ahead of facing Wales – to provide a message for those who have taken to the streets against the authoritarian regime. 
      The Portuguese made a beeline for the reporter at the end of the press conference. 
      And he insisted: “Why do you ask us these questions? 
      “Is it not fair to ask these questions to the other coaches? 
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      “Why don’t you ask Mr Southgate about England and the United States when they left Afghanistan?” 
      Mass protests have been met with a fierce crackdown in recent months. 
      They were sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September after she was detained for allegedly breaking strict rules around head coverings. 
      Before the outburst, Queiroz said: “It is the right of journalists but they should ask the same questions of the others causing problems around the world. 

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      “To make them the only people that need to give answers about human’s problems is not fair or right. 
      “It is time to ask other coaches and players about other issues.
      “The word I use is ‘respect’ for 3,000 years of Iran. It is an amazing place.” 
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      Striker Taremi refused to answer an earlier question before admitting he was not worried about going back to Iran following the team’s protest. 
      He added: “We came here to play football – I cannot change anything.”  More

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      BBC slammed for ‘worst ever’ World Cup advert as ‘disgusted’ viewers say it encourages people to be ‘disrespectful’

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      THE BBC have been slammed for their World Cup advert as viewers are left “disgusted”.In what has been mistaken as public service announcement about the increase in domestic abuse during competitions, people have branded it “the worst advert ever”.
      The BBC has been blasted for their World Cup advertCredit: BBC
      It’s been branded the ‘worst advert ever’Credit: BBC
      Displayed across London tube stations it’s meant to copy a football score board – but instead reads: “Kid’s nativities missed 1 – 2 Wales highlights watched.
      “Work meetings attended 2 – 7 Refreshing the sport app.
      “Visits to nan 0 – 3 England games seen.”
      “It’s the World Cup, though.”
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      A TV version – which is meant to promote the Qatar World Cup – arguably promotes the “neglecting of animals and kids” instead.
      In the clip a mum is ignoring her child and a dog is lying next to an empty food bowl.
      It also shows a woman zoned-out listening to her neighbour explain a football match and a Santa Claus watching a game rather than speaking to an excited kid about presents.
      One Twitter user said: “Is anyone else disgusted at the BBC’s World Cup advert?
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      “It’s basically saying it’s ok to be more rude, selfish, disrespectful, and neglecting of animals and kids because the World Cup’s on… well done for making this situation worse.”
      Another added: “Is this the worst advert ever? Ffs BBC you have managed to make the World Cup depressing.”
      Meanwhile someone else said: “This is a very strange way to advertise the World Cup.
      “The whole way through it I was expecting the ending to be for a charity helpline – but it’s just a BBC advert?”
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      The Qatar World Cup has made headlines for its controversy with the BBC even deciding against televising the opening ceremony.
      The Beeb were late in broadcasting live from the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday night because they were airing the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Tottenham.
      A BBC spokesperson said: “This is a light hearted take on the nation’s obsession with football.”
      How you can get helpWomen’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

      Always keep your phone nearby.
      Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
      If you are in danger, call 999.
      Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
      Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
      If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
      Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

      If you are a ­victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support ­service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
      Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
      You can also call the freephone 24-hour ­National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. More

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      Wales clash with USA beats England’s thumping win over Iran in World Cup TV viewers war between BBC and ITV

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      ENGLAND and Wales will be duking it out during the final game in the World Cup group stage next week. But another intense match over viewing figures is going on in the background between ITV and BBC.
      BBC’s World Cup coverage includes pundits such as Alex ScottCredit: Reuters
      ITV’s coverage features the likes of Roy Keane and Graeme SounessCredit: Getty
      The two TV channels are sharing the World Cup coverage rights with both hoping to eclipse the other in terms of ratings.
      And following the home nations opening matches ITV have taken first blood in this contest.
      As revealed by Lizo Mzimba, BBC viewing figures for England’s 6-2 thriller against Iran saw 7.38 million people tune in according to BARB overnight figures.
      This does not include viewing figures from other platforms.
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      However, Wales’ clash against the USA on ITV1 scored even higher viewing figures.
      Mzimba said: “An average audience of 9.39m TV viewers watched yesterday’s World Cup 1 -1 draw between Wales and USA on ITV (and ITV+1) between 1900 and 2100, according to BARB overnight figures.

      “This doesn’t include viewers watching on S4C or on other platforms.”
      A late Gareth Bale penalty saw Wales salvage a point in their first World Cup game for 64 years after Timothy Weah opened the goalscoring for the US in the first half.

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      ITV will be covering the next England game when they take on the USA on Friday.
      Meanwhile, BBC will be taking the coverage of Wales vs Iran before they take on both of the final games from Group B.
      Both channels have already had some major talking points during their coverage.
      BBC’s coverage of the World Cup’s opening game was criticised after they elected to not show the opening ceremony on BBC One.
      Meanwhile, on ITV Roy Keane and Graeme Souness were involved in a heated bust-up at half-time of Saudi Arabia’s shock victory over Argentina. More

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      Hilarious moment Gary Lineker trolls Micah Richards at start of BBC World Cup coverage of England vs Iran

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      POOR Micah Richards was hilariously trolled by Gary Lineker ahead of England’s World Cup opener.The Three Lions began their campaign in Qatar with a brilliant 6-2 victory over Iran this afternoon.
      Micah Richards was hilariously trolled live on the BBCCredit: Getty
      Gary Lineker could not resist poking fun at his colleagueCredit: BBC

      Bukayo Saka grabbed two of the goals while Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford also got their names on the scoresheet.
      The match was being broadcast live on BBC One with ex-England striker Lineker on hosting duties.
      He was joined in the studio at the ground by a star-studded panel of Newcastle icon Alan Shearer, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand and former Man City defender Richards.
      Three out of the four represented the Three Lions at a World Cup back in their playing days.
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      And Lineker was quick to let the odd one out know about it right at the start of the show.
      He said: “Here at the Khalifa Stadium we are joined by two former England captains in Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand.
      “And after Fabio Capello in 2010 and Roy Hodgson in 2014 both left him out, finally, it’s a World Cup debut for Micah Richards.”
      A laughing Richards said: “I’m here! Thank you, thank you.” 
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      Despite the smiles in the studio, there were concerns elsewhere at the Beeb.
      Fans were left fuming after iPlayer went down and left them unable to watch or listen to the start of England’s World Cup adventure.
      Millions will have been tuning in to BBC One to catch all of the action from the game.
      However, loads were left raging after a problem with BBC’s iPlayer forced them to miss the kick-off, which led to Lineker apologising for the troubles at half time.
      They were also unable to tune-in to the commentary on BBC Radio Five Live due to the technical issues – and they quickly took to Twitter to vent their anger at the Beeb. More

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      Gary Lineker forced to apologise to fans live on air after technical issue on BBC during England vs Iran World Cup clash

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      GARY Lineker has apologised on-air to fans watching the England World Cup match on BBC iPlayer following a technical issue.The BBC Match Of The Day host and former England footballer, 61, made the comments during half-time of England’s World Cup opener against Iran, adding that the broadcaster was working on fixing it.
      The pundit made the apology at half-time of England’s opening match against IranCredit: BBC
      Viewers had reported problems with the iPlayer feed, meaning they were unable to watch part of England’s opening match.
      On Twitter, BBC Sport said: “We’re aware of an issue affecting some users on BBC iPlayer.
      The pundit said: “Just a quick pointer, apologies if you have had any BBC iPlayer issues during that first half.
      “We are working to fix them.”
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      “We’re trying to fix this ASAP.
      “Coverage is also available on BBC One and the BBC Sport website and app.”
      It comes as supporters faced ticket problems as they attempted to enter the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar to watch the much-anticipated match.
      Free Lions, the Football Supporters’ Association team that provides travel and logistical advice to fans, said on Twitter: “We’re aware of issues with some e-tickets at the stadium with FIFA’s ticketing app.
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      “The FA is working hard to find a resolution for England fans.
      “If you have issues seeing your ticket on the app, join the ticketing resolution queue at the stadium, but keep checking the app.”
      England went on to win the match 6-2, with a late Iranian penalty providing a face-saving goal for the beaten side.
      Bukayo Saka starred for the Three Lions with two goals in the match, with Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford bagging one each. More

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      BBC iPlayer viewers fume with iPlayer DOWN at start of England’s World Cup opener with Iran

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      FANS were left fuming at the BBC after iPlayer went down and left them unable to watch or listen to the start of England’s World Cup adventure on BBC iPlayer.The Three Lions kicked off against Iran in their Group B opener at 1pm this afternoon.
      England fans were left fuming after a problem on BBC iPlayer left them unable to watch the big gameCredit: Twitter
      The Three Lions kicked-off their World Cup today against IranCredit: Getty
      The problems on iPlayer left many unable to watch or listen to the actionCredit: Twitter
      Fans were also unable to listen to the game via BBC commsCredit: Twitter
      Millions will have been tuning in to BBC One to catch all of the action from the game.
      However, loads were left raging after a problem with BBC’s iPlayer forced them to miss the kick-off, which led to Gary Lineker apologising for the troubles at half time.
      They were also unable to tune-in to the commentary on BBC Radio Five Live due to the technical issues – and they quickly took to Twitter to vent their anger at the Beeb.
      One wrote: “How is BBC IPlayer down during the flipping World Cup?? Poor from BBC!”
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      Another tweeted: “Trying to get in and watch the game on the BBC iPlayer and its down. What the hell is that all about?”
      A fellow viewer trying to tune in said: “BBC iplayer down? Useless @BBCiPlayer sort your stuff out.”
      Another said: “BBC iplayer is down two minutes before kick off. F***ing fantastic.”
      While another raged: “Why the F*** has BBC iPlayer crashed during the first WC game.”
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      England boss Gareth Southgate was himself fuming as his team were denied an early penalty against Iran.
      But he was soon more than happy.
      A double from Bukayo Saka and more from Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford saw England win 6-2. More