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      Who is former Premier League star Fitzroy Simpson?

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      FITZROY SIMPSON is one of Jamaica’s most influential footballers to grace the field – but he has recently been involved in a horrific incident.The ex-Premier League star’s home was targeted by a gunman who fired at the property before fleeing the scene.
      Fitzroy Simpson represented Jamaica at the World Cup in 1998Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      But as of Wednesday, December 14, police reports state that no weapon was found at the crime.
      Fitzroy has had a career full of drama and you can read more on him below…
      Who is Fitzroy Simpson?
      Born in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire on February 26, 1970, Fitzroy Simpson set his heart on being a footballer from a young age.
      Simpson joined Swindon Town in 1987 before signing his first professional contract only a year later.
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      However, Simpson had a debut match to forget as the midfielder was sent off for punching an opponent.
      In the 1992/1993 season, Simpson made the big Premier League switch to Manchester City for £500,000, but the Jamaican struggled to get many first team appearances so he tried his luck elsewhere at Portsmouth.
      This is where Simpson’s career really took off as he would then go on to earn 43 caps for Jamaica, scoring three goals and representing the Reggae Boyz in all three group stage matches at the 1998 World Cup.
      He also was named captain in his first ever international match for Jamaica.
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      But age began to creep up on Simpson and after short spells in Northern Ireland and at lower league teams, the midfield maestro decided to hang up his boots in 2008.
      What has been said about the shooting incident?
      A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to an address in Stratton shortly after 8.15pm yesterday evening (13/12) following reports of what was believed to be a firearm being discharged in the area.
      “Firearms officers attended and extensive area searches and house to house enquiries were conducted.
      “Enquiries remain ongoing. No firearms were located.” More

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      Would Karim Benzema be allowed to play at the World Cup final for France?

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      KARIM BENZEMA topped a fine season by winning the Ballon d’Or.But the Real Madrid striker was then struck by injury after being named in France’s squad for the World Cup.
      Karim Benzema back in training with Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Though Benzema is now back training with Real, with pictures emerging from their Valdebebas base.
      So would he be allowed to play in the World Cup final should France beat Morocco and make it?
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      Would Karim Benzema be allowed to play at the World Cup final?
      Karim Benzema COULD play for France if they reach the World Cup final – as he was never officially replaced in the squad.
      The Real star had been ruled out by French boss Didier Deschamps, but is back training with his club team.
      Marca report he has returned on time and has in fact been training without issue since last Saturday.
      Karim Benzema is training with Real MadridCredit: Getty
      And this means he could make a return to the fold if needed because he was never replaced in the French team.

      World Cup 2022Everything you need to know about the World Cup

      The strong form of Olivier Giroud means such a return is unlikely, however, with the AC Milan star’s goals so far proving vital for his nation in Qatar.
      Benzema missed out on 2018 World Cup glory due to his ongoing issue with compatriot Mathieu Valbuena, which kept him out of the national set-up until 2021.
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      Why isn’t N’Golo Kante playing for France against Morocco in the 2022 World Cup?

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      FRANCE are in the World Cup semi-finals tonight against Morocco – but they must do so without N’Golo Kante. Didier Deschamps released his 26-man squad list before the tournament with the Chelsea midfielder not featuring.
      N’Golo Kante in action for FranceCredit: Getty
      Kante was an integral piece of the Les Blues 2018 World Cup winning side with the then 27-year-old playing every minute for the national side.
      Now four years on, the rise of young talents such as Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni has provided Kante with heightened competition for a place in the midfield.
      And he is not in action for France as they face Morocco in the semi-finals.

      Why isn’t N’Golo Kante playing for France at the World Cup?
      The absence of the midfielder will be a huge blow for France, who face Denmark this week, as well as for Chelsea as shown by their poor defensive record as of late.
      The Blues number six has been sidelined for four months due to a hamstring injury suffered during a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August.
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      The injury has meant Kante will miss the opportunity to help France to become only the third side to retain the World Cup.
      Providing all goes will with the 31-year-olds recovery, it looks likely we will see him return to action soon after the season proceeds. More

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      Why isn’t Paul Pogba playing for France against Morocco at the World Cup?

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      FRANCE midfielder Paul Pogba is not at the World Cup this year.Didier Deschamps’ men will have to do it without their World Cup winning midfielder as they look to retain their title in Qatar.
      Paul Pogba was key for France in their 2018 World Cup winCredit: Reuters
      This comes as a blow as N’Golo Kante is also absent from the squad and Chrisotpher Nkunku was sent home after withdrawing through injury.
      We have all the details on why Pogba is not part of the French squad in Qatar for the World Cup as they face Morocco in the semi-finals.
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      Why isn’t Paul Pogba playing for France at the World Cup?
      Pogba is yet to make an appearance for Juventus since his return to Turin in the summer.
      Therefore, a World Cup call-up was always unlikely for the French star despite his best wishes.
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      He returned to Juventus training in November after having surgery on his knee following injury and may have been optimistic ahead of the tournament.
      However, Pogba carried out tests in Italy and the USA before it was confirmed that he would not be fit for the World Cup.

      A Juventus spokesman confirmed: “We won’t see him until 2023, and his entourage have confirmed that also he will be out of the World Cup.”
      Therefore, France will have to do it without him if they are to once again lift the World Cup. More

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      Who is France vs Morocco referee Cesar Arturo Ramos at World Cup 2022?

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      MEXICO’S referee for the 2022 World Cup is Cesar Arturo Ramos, who has made his second trip to the world’s biggest tournament.And he will have a big game on his hands as he takes charge of France vs Morocco in the semi-finals.
      Ramos is taking charge at his second World Cup, after officiating at the 2018 tournamentCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Who is Cesar Arturo Ramos?
      Born in Culiacan in 1983 Ramos began his career Ascenso MX – Mexico’s second tier – where he spent five years from 2006 and eventually progressed up to the Liga MX.
      His performances in Mexico’s top division saw him promoted to Fifa-listed status in 2014 and since Ramos has taken charge of a number of high-profile games.
      The Mexican was in the middle for the 2017 Club World Cup Final between Real Madrid and Gremio, whilst he was also named CONCACAF Referee of the Year.
      Has he officiated at the World Cup before?
      Ramos refereed at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, which was his debut.
      He refereed four qualifiers and has big-game experience, having taken charge of key matches in the under-20 World Cup in 2017.
      Ramos was in charge of Denmark’s clash with Tunisia in the 2022 World Cup.
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      Why is Karim Benzema not playing for France against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup?

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      KARIM BENZEMA is absent from the France squad competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.The Ballon d’Or winner was tipped to be one of the players of the tournament during the World Cup.
      Karim Benzema is out of the World Cup despite making the initial 26-man squad for FranceCredit: AFP
      However, he will not be handed the chance to impress for the World Champions, who face Morocco tonight in the semi-finals.
      And it is a blow for Didier Deschamps’ side, with the forward being their top scorer in 2014 before missing the 2018 tournament.
      Read More World Cup
      Why is Benzema not playing for France at the World Cup?
      Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury in training, handing France a blow after Christopher Nkunku suffered the same fate.
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      The Real Madrid star suffered an injury to his left thigh during training in Doha, with the French federation confirming he will not feature in Qatar.
      After undergoing an MRI scan it was confirmed that he had a muscular tear that would require at least three weeks of recovery, ruling him out of the World Cup.
      France have opted to not call-up a replacement for Benzema and will instead make use of a 25-man squad for the tournament. More

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      When is the World Cup 2022 third place play-off? TV channel and kick-off time

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      IT’S almost time for the match which all teams participating in the World Cup hope to avoid – the third place play-off.Croatia were the first team to book their spot having fell victim to a remarkable Argentina side inspired by Lionel Messi.
      Luka Modric failed to guide his nation to another World Cup finalCredit: Getty
      And the Croats will be keeping an eye on France’s mouth-watering semi-final against Morocco as the losers join Croatia in the bronze medal contest.
      England were comfortably beaten by Belgium in the 2018 third place play-off edition.
      But the 2022 World Cup final warm-up event is expected to be a tighter affair and SunSport has all the information needed.
      When is the World Cup 2022 third place play-off?
      The World Cup third place play-off is taking place on Saturday, December 17.
      Read more on World Cup
      It is expected to get underway from 3pm UK time
      Khalifa International Stadium in Doha is the allocated arena for this huge fixture and it can host approximately 45,000 spectators.
      Belgium beat England 2-0 in the 2018 third place play-off contest.
      What TV channel is the third place play-off match on and can it be live streamed?
      Croatia’s encounter against the loser of France vs Morocco will be shown LIVE on BBC One in the UK.
      Coverage is set to commence from 2:30pm UK time – 30 minutes before kick-off.
      Viewers also have the option to stream the entire action through the BBC iPlayer app or BBC Sport website.
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      Can the third place play-off match be watched for free?
      YES! The third place play-off encounter can be watched for FREE as long as you hold a valid TV license in the UK. More

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      Can January signings play in the Champions League and Europa League or will they be cup-tied?

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      THERE’S no better feeling than hearing your favourite football team has bolstered their squad in January – but can they represent two different teams in Europe?Previously, three new players could be added to the squad between the groups and knock-out stages as long as they had not played in the competition for another club.
      Philippe Coutinho signed for Barcelona during the January transfer window in 2018Credit: Reuters
      And this rule affected Philippe Coutinho when he made his mega £142million switch from Liverpool to Barcelona as the Brazilian had already represented the Reds in the Champions League that season.
      Clubs playing in Europe must still stick to the 25-man limit on ‘List A’ – players born before January 1, 1998 – and meet the quota of eight ‘locally-trained players’.
      However, there has been a slight tweak in what competitions January signings can be involved in.
      Can January signings still play in the Champions League and Europa League?
      Since the 2018/19 season, UEFA confirmed that it no longer matters whether players have played in the same competition for another club, even for another club still in the competition.
      Read more on transfer news
      But teams can still only register a maximum of three new eligible players during the January transfer window.
      Clubs have to communicate their squad changes by 11pm UK time on Thursday February 2, 2023.
      And once all teams changes have been approved, UEFA will release the full squad lists.
      Who has been a recent winter squad edition?
      There has been some big names who have made the switch in time for the new changes.

      Luis Diaz made the winter switch in January 2022Credit: Getty
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      When does the January transfer window 2023 open?
      The Premier League transfer window opens on Sunday January 1, 2023 but different leagues across Europe have different dates.
      Open date by league:

      Premier League – Sunday January 1, 2023
      EFL – Sunday January 1, 2023
      WSL – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Scotland – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Bundesliga – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Serie A – Monday January 2, 2023
      La Liga – Monday January 2, 2023
      Ligue 1 – Monday January 2, 2023 More