Explainers

ENGLAND and Australia go head-to-head tonight for the first time since 2016 in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium.But why will the Three Lions be wearing black armbands and where can I watch the match?
England and Australia will wear black armbands for their friendly at Wembley on 13 OctoberCredit: Getty
Why are England wearing black armbands against Australia?
It’s the penultimate international break of 2023 and Gareth Southgate’s England are taking on Australia in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.
Southgate’s men enter the contest unbeaten in their last six matches since the 2-1 defeat to France at the Qatar World Cup.
England have won five during that run, scoring an impressive 19 goals and keeping three clean sheets — drawing only with Ukraine to spoil their 100% Euro 2024 qualification record.
But because of the horrifying events playing out in the Middle East, both sets of players will wear black armbands during the match.
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Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to crush Hamas terrorists after gunmen stormed over the border and brutally executed men, women and children — the act which led the Israeli prime minister to declare his country is at war.
Where can I watch England vs Australia?
The Three Lions take on the Soceroos on Friday October 13, 2023 at Wembley stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm.
Unless you are lucky enough to have a ticket for the game, the best way to watch it is on Channel 4 — or to stream the match via the broadcaster’s website or app.
All of England’s fixtures, aside from those in international tournaments, are now screened free to air on Channel 4.
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How has the FA responded to the conflict in Israel?
There will be a period of silence before the kick-off of the international friendly between England and Australia tonight.
Flags showing support for both Israel and Palestine will not be allowed in the stadium at any point during the evening.
The FA also made the decision not to illuminate the Wembley arch in the colours of Israel — as they did in support of Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) wrote to the governing bodies of major UK sports on Wednesday October 11 to urge them to “mark appropriately” the atrocities.
Secretary of State at the DCMS, Lucy Frazer, said she was “extremely disappointed” at the FA’s failure to show support for Israel.
The FA is planning to apply the same rules for Tuesday’s Euro 24 qualifier against Italy at Wembley.
Instead, inside Wembley the British Red Cross’ emergency appeal to support people affected by the humanitarian crisis will be promoted by the FA.
History will also be made during the friendly against Australia as Stephanie Frappart becomes the first woman to referee a men’s international at Wembley Stadium. More

WAYNE Rooney shot to fame as a teenage star on the football pitch.But away from the sport that made him famous, there has been much talk about whether he has had a hair transplant.
Wayne Rooney seen here in 2002, 2009, and 2023Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd/PA
Did Wayne Rooney have a hair transplant?
Wayne Rooney has had two hair transplants to restore his hairline.
The footy ace is believed to have spent £30K on the procedures after going prematurely bald in his early 20s.
The first op was in 2011, with surgeons moving hair follicles from the back of his head to the front.
Rooney famously shared a tweet saying: “Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25, why not? I’m delighted with the result.”
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He then had a top-up transplant two years later in 2013.
However, experts have warned that Rooney may have run out of “donor” hairs, if he considers another transplant.
Craig Henton, owner of MHR Clinic, told The Sun: “Everyone accepts he uses thickening powders.
“When he doesn’t wear those we get to see the real extent of his hair loss. Sweating also causes hair to clump together and highlights thinning hair.”
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What has Wayne Rooney said about his hair?
Rooney has been very honest when it comes to talking about his hairline.
In fact, he has served as an inspiration to millions of men who also have the same.
This has also likely contributed to the popularity of hair restoration surgery.
In his autobiography, Rooney admitted staring at himself in the mirror and thinking: “Bloody hell, you’re going bald and you’re only a young lad.”
He went on: “You don’t want to lose all your hair, certainly not in your 20s anyway.
“It never really got me down but I have to admit I did find it a bit stressful.
“Any fella who’s lost his hair will know exactly what I mean. It’s not fun.
“So I thought about what I was going to do about it and started thinking – why not get a hair transplant?”
Rooney added: “After a lot of research, I made an appointment to go through with it and get it done.
“But before the last day of the 2010-11 season, I decided to tell the rest of the Manchester United players.”
What did Wayne Rooney look like before his hair transplant?
Before Rooney decided to have a hair transplant, his hairline started to recede.
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By 2009, his hair had visible gone at the sides, and he had a widow’s peak – this is a distinctive, V-shaped hairline.
However by 2011, the hair had begun to thin on the top of the head, leading Rooney to have his first hair transplant. More