Explainers

REBECCA Cooke is the childhood sweetheart of England footballer Phil Foden.And she will be celebrating alongside the Manchester City scarlet later today when they lift the Premier League trophy.
Phil Foden and Rebecca Cooke have been together since their teens
Who is Rebecca Cooke?
Rebecca Cooke is the long-term partner of Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden.
Rebecca is thought to be 22 years old and the mother of one child with Phil.
She tends to keep out the spotlight and has her Instagram account currently set private, though it does seem to suggest that she goes by the nickname Becca.
How long has she been dating Phil Foden?
The exact time at which they started dating is unknown, but they have been together since being teenagers.
At the age of 18 she became a mother to their son, Ronnie.
A fan account of the couple (@beccafodenx) on Instagram shows the two together, along with a closer look at the blonde bombshell.
Rebecca Cooke is supporting Phil Foden and England in QatarCredit: PA
When was Phil and Rebecca’s son born?
Phil and Rebecca have a one-year-old son, born in January 2019 when the football star was just 18 years old.
Speaking to Manchester City at the time, he said: “I was there for the birth. I walked out of the room, gave it a little tear and then went back in like nothing happened.
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“I’m not one for crying in front of people. I like to be on my own, but I was there in the room, watched it happen and it was a special moment.
“Your life changes.”
He continued, speaking of the things he misses Ronnie doing due to football training: “There are things you miss when you’re not there because you’ve got an away game.
“I was there when he started crawling, but I think I was in London when he started to walk.
“Now he’s getting about and walking everywhere, so you have to have eyes in the back of your head or he starts running off.
“It’s unfortunate to miss things like that but it’s a sacrifice that he’ll appreciate when he’s older.” More

A man who goes by the name of Knollsy made headlines after an incident broke out at a West Ham football game.The football fan was watching David Moyes’ side take on Dutch team AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion in May 2023 when family and friends of West Ham players were attacked by rival spectators.
West Ham fan Knollsy was a spectator at the team’s game against AZ Alkmaar in May 2023Credit: freddiebonfa/ Twitter
Who is Knollsy?
Chris “Knollsy” Knoll was one of several Hammers supporters to tackle a group of hooded AZ Alkmaar fans during the May 18, 2023, game between West Ham and the Dutch team.
Knollsy is a father of four and was 58 years old at the time of the incident.
The electrician, who had recently had a hip replacement, suffered a bruised face after stepping in to prevent the home fans, some of whom were wearing balaclavas, from reaching the West Ham section of the stadium.
Speaking about what happened at the match, Knollsy, from West London, told the MailOnline: “I just did what I had to do.
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“I don’t like bullies and had to stop them. I thought the best form of defence would be get to the top of the stairs and attack. I knew they were swinging punches and I just did my best to stand there and take it.”
Pictures posted online after the match showed Knollsy with a torn t-shirt in the stands.
What happened at West Ham vs AZ Alkmaar?
Supporters of AZ Alkmaar reacted angrily to the West Ham’s 1-0 win in the Europa Conference League.
Pablo Fornals’ 94th minute strike sealed the victory, which meant David Moyes’ side progressed to the final 3-1 on aggregate.
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The Hammers’ win sparked AZ Alkmaar fans to attack a group of West Ham players’ family, friends, and coaching staff, who were sat behind the dugout.
Several West Ham players, including sporting director Mark Noble, rushed to help protect them.
One of the people sitting the area the fans attacked was manager Moyes’ elderly father.
Moyes said: “I can’t explain what happened and why it happened. The players were involved because it was the family section. That was probably the reason for the reaction.
“I don’t want that in any way to blight the night because the West Ham fans weren’t looking for trouble. Hopefully they’ll look into it.”
London-born Alkmaar boss Pascal Jansen said he was “ashamed” of the ugly scenes.
There had already been clashes between West Ham and AZ fans ahead of the game’s kick-off.
A local news outlet had described a “grim atmosphere” as football fans in hoodies sparked fights on the streets of Alkmaar earlier in the evening. More