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      Boss of new football regulator must be carefully picked to stop ‘some nitwit’ ruining the game, ministers warned

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      THE boss of football’s new regulator must be picked carefully to stop “some nitwit” ruining the beautiful game, ministers have been warned.Rishi Sunak today launched the Football White Paper to create a watchdog to govern the sport.
      Rishi Sunak launched the new footballing white paper todayCredit: Dan Charity / The Sun
      Whitehall sources reckon Gordon Brown might be lining himself up as the regulator’s chairCredit: Getty
      It will have backstop powers to distribute cash from the Premier League to lower clubs if football chiefs cannot thrash out their own deal.
      But Jason Stein, an aide to then-PM Liz Truss who worked on the proposals, warned this could spur smaller sides to collapse talks with the hope of getting more from the regulator. 
      And he said it must not be led by “unhappy grandee MP or connected peer” who knows nothing about football.
      READ MORE ON POLITICS
      Whitehall sources reckon Gordon Brown might be lining himself up as the regulator’s chair.
      Mr Stein said: “As a supporter I am deeply concerned that in half a dozen years the football industry could be run by some nitwit appointed in a back room stitch up with no accountability taking us back to the 60s.”
      The Premier League also demanded that “regulation does not damage the game fans love to watch”.
      Sports Minister Stuart Andrew insisted yesterday these would only have powers of last resort.
      Most read in The Sun
      He told MPs: “We have secured powers within the white paper for the regulator to use should there not be an agreement by the football authorities.
      “We still urge them to get on with it. They still could come up with a deal and I sincerely hope that they can do that.”
      Ministers
      The PM launched his blueprint to clean up the beautiful game and block dodgy owners — three weeks after it was leaked to The Sun.
      Sides will also be banned from joining a European “super league” through the creation of a legal club-funded regulator.
      Southampton fan Mr Sunak has accepted the recommendations in Tory MP Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review.
      Writing together in The Sun, they rail against unscrupulous owners prepared to “recklessly gamble away the future of their clubs in the hope of big money payouts”.
      A staggering 64 clubs have gone bust since it launched in 1992, with Bury the latest to plunge into administration. More

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      Football clubs will be refused a licence if fans don’t have final say over team’s kits and badges

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      FOOTBALL clubs refusing to give fans the final say over their team’s kit and badges will be refused a licence to operate under plans unveiled by Rishi Sunak.The PM today launches his blueprint to clean up the beautiful game and block dodgy owners — three weeks after it was leaked to The Sun.
      Footie clubs will be refused a licence if fans don’t have final say over kits under Rishi Sunak’s plansCredit: Dan Charity / The Sun
      Sides will also be banned from joining a European “super league” through the creation of a legal club-funded regulator.
      Southampton fan Mr Sunak has accepted the recommendations in Tory MP Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review.
      Writing together in The Sun, they rail against unscrupulous owners prepared to “recklessly gamble away the future of their clubs in the hope of big money payouts”.
      The regulator will have “powers of last resort” to raid Premier League cash to hand to struggling lower league teams if footballing chiefs cannot reach a deal themselves.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      A staggering 64 clubs have gone bust since it launched in 1992, with Bury the latest to plunge into administration.
      But economist Len Shackleton, author of the report Red Card, warned regulation would impose “disincentives to investment and innovation”.
      He said: “Governments over the years have ruined many successful domestic industries.
      “Interference in football could well have the same doleful effect.”
      Most read in Football
      Southampton fan Mr Sunak has accepted the recommendations in Tory MP Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review More

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      Rishi Sunak delays announcing football shake-up after bombshell leak to The Sun

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      RISHI Sunak has delayed announcing his footie shake-up after we blew the lid on the plans last week.The PM was due to unveil the overhaul this week but has now kicked it back a fortnight following the bombshell leak to the Sun.
      Rishi Sunak has delayed announcing his footie shake-up after we blew the lid on the plansCredit: Alamy
      Our report revealed plans for a new regulator to block takeovers from dodgy owners while giving fans a greater say in the running of clubs.
      Teams would also be banned from joining breakaway competitions like the European Super League.
      And Premier League clubs would be forced to give more money to struggling lower league sides.
      Insiders admitted the delay was to let the dust settle after the leak so the PM can announce the Football White Paper with fanfare.
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      But Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said: “We urgently need proper football regulation.
      “Bury has already collapsed.
      “Many other clubs have been pushed to the brink.”
      Downing Street said it’s “not uncommon for timings to move on certain policies”.
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      Rishi Sunak could fly to Qatar for World Cup final to watch England make history

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      RISHI Sunak could fly to Qatar for the World Cup final if England make it through to the final.The PM is cheering on our boys from the UK for now as they face France today.
      Rishi Sunak could fly to Qatar for the World Cup final if England make it through to the finalCredit: Alamy
      He will host a number of Tory MPs with him to watch the match at his countryside retreat, Chequers.
      And he wished the boys the “best of luck” ahead of the clash.
      No10 said: “He obviously wishes Gareth and the team the best of luck.
      He knows that the team will give everything they can to try and win the match.
      Read more on World Cup
      And he may choose to jet off at the last minute to watch them play in person – if the team makes it all the way through to the end of the tournament.
      But Qatar has been hit with claims of human rights abuses of workers who put together the stadium – and ministers have warned LGBT fans to take care when they visit.
      Mr Sunak has confessed he’s a “massive football fan” and has been keenly cheering England along.
      Prince William previously said he won’t be attending any World Cup matches, despite his role as President of the FA.
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      Man City striker Erling Haaland’s name tops list of difficult-to-pronounce words

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      MAN City striker Erling Haaland’s name gave pundits as many nightmares as he did defences this year.The Norwegian ace, 22, tops a league table of difficult-to-pronounce words.
      Man City striker Erling Haaland’s name has topped a list of difficult-to-pronounce wordsCredit: Getty
      Rishi Sunak’s name was also on the list after US President Joe Biden called the PM, Rashid SanookCredit: Alamy
      Many fans and commentators call him Halland, not Haa-land.
      Other top 2022 tongue-twisters included Rishi Sunak — with US President Joe Biden calling the PM, Rashid Sanook.
      US actor Steve Carell struggled with CBeebies (see-bee-bees) when guesting on the BBC channel.
      In June, ex-PM Liz Truss mispronounced Taoiseach, the head of Ireland’s government, as “tea sock”, not the correct, “tee-shock”.
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      The British Institute of Verbatim Reporters, which handles subtitles, compiled the list for language site Babbel.
      Babbel said: “Many of the words are rooted in languages other than English, so it’s great to see them entering our vernacular.” More

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      Calls for UK asylum scheme for Iran players who could face prison or DEATH after refusing to sing anthem at World Cup

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      SENIOR Tory MPs have called for Britain to open its arms to brave Iranian footballers who could face persecution when they return home from the World Cup.The Iranian XI stood tall but silent as their national anthem played ahead of the clash with England at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday.
      The Iranian national team remained silent during the national anthem before their match against England yesterdayCredit: Getty
      Iran supporters held protest signs with the rallying cries of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ and ‘Freedom For Iran’ at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterdayCredit: Rex
      Iranian fans in the Qatari stadium were moved to tears by the incredible gesture, as massive protests continue to sweep the Islamic Republic.
      But the team’s gesture could land them in serious trouble back home if the brutal Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei decides to make an example of them.
      Political dissent is a crime in Iran – and is one of the offences subject to capital punishment, with 21 protesters already facing execution after sham trials since the start of an uprising in September.
      This week Tory MPs have led called for the players to be offered sanctuary in the UK if they ask for it.
      Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told The Sun: “The Iranian team may choose not to go back to Iran given what’s going.
      “Our government should treat those individuals with an accelerated asylum process if that’s the case.
      “Iran is a dictatorial, brutal regime.”
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      Last night former minister Caroline Nokes told TalkTV’s Late Edition programme the Home Office “has to be ready” for potential asylum claims.
      She said: “These young men have taken a very brave stance in the same way that young women across Iran are also being phenomenally brave.
      “Perhaps we need to look at a bespoke scheme for them so that instantly we know whether there’s going to be a legal route for them into the UK or not.”
      Iranian officials had already been discussing cracking down on perceived disrespect to their national anthem and flag ahead of the World Cup.
      And the national team’s defiance on such an international scale will spark fury amongst the regime – and could spark retribution.
      Massoud Setayeshi, spokesman for the Iran’s Judiciary, said just days ago that punishments could be meted out for those who reject the anthem.
      Iranian courts have been taking a brutal line on people linked to the protests, with more than 15,000 people arrested and hundreds killed by the security forces.
      Most read in The Sun
      Tory MP David Simmonds, who is also Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration, told The Sun: “The brave actions of the Iranian footballers who have heroically stood up to the Government means they could face persecution when they return.
      “This highlights the importance of the U.K. having a strong resettlement scheme for those facing persecution.”
      This morning a No10 spokesperson said they wouldn’t “speculate about what actions individuals might take”.
      But they added: “We do have a proud tradition of providing refuge to those in need and equally we’ve condemned violence levelled at the protesters in Iran.” More

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      Keir Starmer admits his fave footie memory was watching England lose to Germany on penalties at Euro 96

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      SIR Keir Starmer last night admitted one of his favourite footie moments was watching England LOSE to Germany on penalties.The self-claimed footie mad Labour chief recalled watching the nation’s humiliation at Euro 96 ahead of the World Cup starting next week.
      Sir Keir is a self proclaimed football fanatic but admits shocking fave football memoryCredit: Alan MacGregor Ewing
      Sir Keir laughed as he described the “agonising” experience of sitting “up almost on top of” Gascoigne in the stands when the England legend missed an open goal during extra time.
      Away from footie, Sir Keir also confessed yesterday he HAS kissed a Tory and he’s not ashamed of it.
      The Labour leader’s admission came after lefty loonies sparked outrage this year for parading around in “never kissed a Tory” t-shirts.
      Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell joined in too, even posting a snap in the top on social media.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      Sir Keir slammed the divisive garment in an interview with The Times, revealing: “I’m afraid I’ve broken that rule”.
      But the Labour chief, who insists he isn’t “tribal”, won’t kiss and tell.
      He said: “I’ve got very good friends who are Tories and they’ve been very, very good friends of mine for a very, very long time, and long may that last.”
      Most read in The Sun More

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      Wrexham forced to release statement banning star striker Paul Mullin from wearing personalised ‘f*** the Tories’ boots

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      WREXHAM have banned their star striker from wearing customised “f*** the Tories” football boots.Paul Mullin, 27, had the political message stitched into his Nike cleats – along with his name and number.
      Paul Mullin is Wrexham’s No10 star striker but caused a stir on social mediaCredit: Gemma Thomas Photography
      The customised boots had the political slogan splashed on the sideCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkGf_DDJlOV/?hl=en
      The design caused widespread reaction on social media when posted on Monday – especially given the current governmental turmoil.
      But the Welsh side took action to ensure they remained a “neutral position” on politics – especially given the Wrexham’s MP is a Conservative after nearly 90 years of Labour domination.
      And the National League club – who are owned by Hollywood actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds – ordered Mullin to delete the photos taken at the Racecourse Ground.
      Boot designers CustomsZebra also incorporated a tribute to singer Jamie Webster and a silhouette of the skyline in Mullin’s hometown of Liverpool into the black Nike Mercurials.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      They also had to take down the photos from inside the stadium and replace them with a plain background on the day before Rishi Sunak officially became Prime Minister.
      Mullin did the same – with the Instagram post liked by former Premier League referee Mike Dean and even club chief Reynolds on TikTok.
      It is unclear if the boots would breach FA rules which bans under Law 4 any “political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo”.
      Promotion-chasing Wrexham face Halifax tonight and said in a statement: “The Club can confirm that the boots revealed by Paul Mullin on social media will not be worn tonight, or in any other Wrexham AFC fixture and that the photographs taken at the Racecourse Ground were done so without our knowledge or approval.
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      “For the record, the pictures wouldn’t have been permitted to be taken, had we known, and the issue will be dealt with privately by the Club.
      “The Club has adopted a neutral position on many matters with a political dimension and intends to continue to do so going forward.
      “The Club also acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whether that be employees or supporters but would also highlight that an individual view cannot be fairly attributed, as the view of everyone or the Club itself.
      “There is no more prominent example of this than the fact that the MP for the constituency within which the Club is found, is a Conservative seat.
      “After this unwelcome distraction, the Club hopes the focus remains on our objectives of gaining promotion on the field and creating community benefit off it, in which Paul Mullin will continue to play a significant part.”
      Mullin came through the youth ranks at Everton and Liverpool before spells with Huddersfield, Morecambe, Tranmere and Cambridge.
      Read More on The Sun
      He joined Wrexham in 2021 and has become an immediate club icon with 43 goals in just 57 games for the Red Dragons, who dropped out of the Football League 14 years ago.
      The National League player of the season for 2021-22 has also struck up a friendship with Reynolds and McElhenney, even posting selfies with the celebrity co-owners on social media.
      Mullin is a hero at Wrexham with 43 goals in 57 gamesCredit: Getty More