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      When was the last time an England match was broadcast in black and white?

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      A portion of England’s game against Switzerland in September 2018 was broadcast in black and white.This was done to celebrate 25 years of the Kick It Out campaign, 25 seconds of the coverage will be broadcast without colour as the Three Lions face the Swiss in Leicester.
      Many watched the 1966 World Cup win in black and whiteCredit: PA:Press Association
      When was the last time an England match was broadcast in black and white?
      YOU have to go back nearly 50 years for the last time this happened.
      The majority of the country watched the 1966 World Cup win in black and white, but colour television was very much the norm by the late 60s.
      So much so that Match of the Day went full colour in 1969, broadcasting a clash between Liverpool and West Ham from Anfield.
      Not everyone had a colour set by the time the 1970 World Cup, but every programme broadcast on both BBC1 and BBC2 by then was available to watch in technicolour.
      The move by The Football Association at Leicester aims to honour the 25th anniversary of the Kick It Out campaign.
      England will honour the campaign in their game against SwitzerlandCredit: PA:Press Association
      Viewers who tuned into the coverage saw the picture switch to black and white as the teams walked out onto the pitch.
      Paul Elliott, the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board Chairman, said: “Kick It Out have been a catalyst for the change in English football both on and off the pitch and we’re delighted to celebrate their inspirational work in promoting football for all.
      “Hopefully the footage will encourage the millions of viewers at home to spend at least 25 seconds thinking about the importance of diversity in this beautiful game of ours.”
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      Why is Hakim Ziyech playing for Morocco again at the World Cup?

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      NINE months since announcing his retirement from the Moroccan national side, Hakim Ziyech has made a sensational comeback by earning his place on the plane to Qatar.Ziyech returned to the fold in Morocco’s September friendlies against Chile and Paraguay.
      Hakim Ziyech in action for MorccoCredit: AFP or licensors
      And despite the Chelsea forward struggling for form at club level, he was an integral puzzle piece in the African nation as they had developed into a promising side looking to fulfil their potential.
      Now back in the team, Ziyech will be looking to add to his 18 goal tally he has amounted so far in 43 appearances alongside his impressive wonder strike against Georgia.
      Why is Hakim Ziyech playing for Morocco again at the World Cup?
      Ziyech was dropped from the side due to falling out with the former manager Vahid Halilhodzic who accused him arriving late, refusing to play and setting a bad example to the young players.
      Halilhodzic claimed “Ziyech’s behaviour in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player.
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      “As a leader of the team, he has to be a positive role model.
      “He arrived late, and then even refused to work. There was no point in discussing it afterwards – as a coach the answer is right there to see”
      As the door looked locked on international retirement for Ziyech, the Moroccan FA announced the sacking of Halilhodzic just three months before the beginning of the World Cup due to ‘differences in opinions’ about the appropriate preparation of the team.
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      In his place came Walid Regragui and he re-introduced Hakim Ziyech into the sides starting eleven.
      And Regragui has seen enough after three matches to gift Ziyech the opportunity of representing Morocco at the World Cup. More

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      Inside Qatar’s ‘vagina-shaped’ stadium that will host SIX World Cup 2022 games

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      ALL eight stadiums are ready to host the 2022 Qatar World Cup, however one in particular has caught the attention of the fans for the wrong reason.The Al Janoub stadium located in Al Wakrah, 12 miles south of Doha, was the first of the new stadiums to be completed in the run up to the Qatar World Cup.
      The Al Janoub stadium has caught the attention of fans due to it’s resemblance to a vagina
      However the stadium instantly caught the attention of fans in 2019 due to it’s similarities in appearances to female genitalia.
      The 40,000 seater was designed by Dame Zara Hadid, who was also involved in designing the Aquatic Centre for the London 2012 Olympics.
      Her inspiration for the aesthetic was the flowing shape of a dhow sailing boat as well as traditional Arabian pearl diving and a fishing vessel.
      Hadid was quick to bite back at fans comparing her work to the female genitalia saying: “It’s really embarrassing they come up with nonsense stuff like this.
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      “What are they saying? Everything with a hole in it is a vagina? That’s ridiculous.”
      The stadium will be used to host five group stage games, the first of which being France vs Australia, as well as one round of 16 fixture.
      The Al Janoub stadium will also play host to Ghana vs Uruguay in a repeat fixture from the 2010 quarter finals which saw Luis Suarez handle the ball on the line to help push Uruguay through.
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      Despite the crude remarks, the stadium will be equipped with fully functioning air-conditioning help keep the players and spectators cool in the Qatari winter heat.
      Once the competition is over, the top of the stadium will be dismantled and passed onto the developing world as part of the tournaments legacy. More

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      Why does Cristiano Ronaldo do his new ‘sleeping’ celebration?

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      RENOWNED for his iconic “Siu”, Cristiano Ronaldo has debuted his new ‘sleeping’ celebration which has got the world talking.CR7’s trusty ‘Siu” celebration has become a fan favourite, often echoing around stadiums after scoring for both club and country.
      Cristiano Ronaldo performing the ‘Siu’ in front of the Old Trafford faithfulCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Spectators in Qatar will be hoping to witness the celebration live and in person, however it seems as though Portugal’s star man has found a new way to celebrate.
      After introducing the world to his new ‘sleeping’ celebration earlier on in the season, Ronaldo has fans in speculation on what it could mean.
      Why does Ronaldo do his new ‘sleeping’ celebration?
      After first performing the celebration after netting the winner during Manchester United’s 2-1 win against Everton in October, fans believed the celebration could be a nod to him finally scoring his 700th club career goal or even a dig at manager Erik Ten Haag for making him a regular on the bench.
      However club media at Manchester United has since revealed the pose to be an inside joke between the club legend and the other players, with the position replicating how Ronaldo sleeps when travelling with the squad.
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      United released a statement reading: “We can now reveal that Ronaldo’s celebration was a self-deprecating in-joke with his fellow team-mates, highlighting the strong bonds among the players in Erik ten Hag’s squad.”
      They continued “CR7’s celebration at Everton was amusingly a nod to the position in which he sleeps when travelling with the squad, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by his team-mates who are all eager to learn from him.”
      Just like the “Siu”, fans and players have copied the icon’s new pose, including teammate Alejandro Garnacho who asked Ronaldo personally if he could use the celebration.
      With this now in his locker, fans will be left to speculate which celebration he will use if he is able to score for Portugal during the World Cup.
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      Ronaldo isn’t the only player at the world cup with an iconic celebration however, as Kylian Mbappe’s arms crossed as well as Lionel Messi’s point to the sky.
      All three will be strong contenders looking to claim the golden boot, showing off their much loved celebrations in the meantime. More

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      Qatar vs Ecuador: Opening ceremony and kick-off time, TV channel, stream FREE, team news for first 2022 World Cup match

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      WORLD CUP hosts Qatar face their first opponents Ecuador in the tournament’s curtain-raiser on Sunday. The Middle Eastern side take on the South Americans as they look to gain an early foothold in a group also containing Senegal and the Netherlands.
      Almoez Ali (right) will be key to any potential Qatar successCredit: Getty
      2021 Europa League winner Pervis Estupinan (left) will be looking to star for Ecuador
      The Qataris have never qualified for a World Cup before, but are the current Asian champions so will expect to put up a good fight in front of their own fans.
      Opponents Ecuador have qualified for three previous World Cups, with their best previous finish coming in 2006 when they reached the last 16 before being beaten by a David Beckham free kick against England.
      And they impressed in qualifying for this tournament, making it to Qatar with a game to spare as they picked up a fourth placed finish.
      However, they were made to sweat on their place at the tournament after a complaint was filed about them fielding an ineligible player, but ultimately rebuffed by Fifa.
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      What time does Qatar vs Ecuador kick off?

      Qatar take on Ecuador on Sunday, November 20.
      The match kicks off at 7pm UK time.
      It will be held at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor.
      The sides last met in 2018, when Qatar won 4-3 in a friendly in Doha.

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      What TV channel is Qatar vs Ecuador on and can I live stream it?

      Qatar vs Ecuador is live on BBC.
      To stream the game live, head to the BBC iPlayer.

      Can I watch Qatar vs Ecuador for free?
      Yes. BBC is free for all UK viewers with a TV licence.
      When is the opening ceremony?
      The World Cup opening ceremony will get underway from 3pm GMT, an hour before the match kicks off.
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      USA vs Wales: TV channel, stream FREE, team news and kick off time for World Cup 2022 Group B clash

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      WALES face USA in their first World Cup group stage clash on Monday. The Dragons already have an enticing affair with rivals England to contend with in Qatar.
      Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have been integral parts of this Wales sideCredit: Reuters
      Christian Pulisic was brilliant for the USA during World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But a match-up with the United States – who host the next World Cup – should also get fans buzzing with excitement.
      Rob Page’s men will be desperate to repeat their Euro 2016 performance when Chris Coleman’s side reached the semi-finals.
      And Welsh fans will be buzzing at the thought of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau being sang at a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
      USA missed out on the 2018 World Cup four years ago and Gregg Berhalter – a former Crystal Palace defender – is keen to leave his mark on a major tournament.
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      When is USA vs Wales?

      Wales’ clash with USA will get underway from 7pm UK time on November 21, which will be 2pm on the East Coast.
      The clash will take place at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
      The stadium was built in 2003 and can hold up to 50,000 fans.

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      What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

      USA vs Wales will be shown live on ITV1 in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the ITV Hub, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The game is FREE to watch so long as you have a TV licence.
      The match is also going to be shown on S4C in Wales.

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      Who is in Wales’ 26-man squad?
      Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester), Adam Davies (Sheffield United)
      Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham), Ben Cabango (Swansea), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town), Joe Rodon (Rennes), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia), Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Connor Roberts (Burnley)
      Midfielders: Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield), Joe Allen (Swansea), Matt Smith (MK Dons), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Jonny Williams (Swindon), Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff)
      Forwards: Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Dan James (Fulham) More

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      World Cup 2022 – Group A fixtures, results, tables and UK TV channels for Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal and Netherlands

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      THE World Cup gets underway in a matter of days and SunSport have been taking a look at what we can expect from each group.Group A kicks off the competition as hosts Qatar take part in their first ever World Cup match.
      This will be Qatar’s first ever appearance at a World CupCredit: Reuters
      Netherlands lost the 2010 World Cup final 1-0 in extra timeCredit: Getty
      Ecuador are Qatar’s first opponents, who will be hoping to use their previous tournament experience to progress through the group stages for only the second time in their history.
      This year’s Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal, will be keen to continue their form in Qatar, but face a tough task against 2010 World Cup finalists Netherlands.
      Louis van Gaal’s men are looking to make up for lost time having not qualified for the 2018 tournament, and are overwhelming favourites to top the group.
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      Group A teams

      Qatar
      Ecuador
      Senegal
      Netherlands

      Group A fixtures
      Sunday November 20

      Qatar vs Ecuador (4pm)

      Monday November 21

      Senegal vs Netherlands (4pm)

      Friday November 25

      Qatar vs Senegal (1pm)
      Netherlands vs Ecuador (4pm)

      Tuesday November 29

      Ecuador vs Senegal (3pm)
      Netherlands vs Qatar (3pm)

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      What TV channel are they on?

      Qatar vs Ecuador – BBC One
      Senegal vs Netherlands – ITV
      Qatar vs Senegal – BBC One
      Netherlands vs Ecuador – ITV
      Ecuador vs Senegal – ITV
      Netherlands vs Qatar – ITV

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      Who is Eric Dier’s fiancee Anna Modler and when are they going to get married?

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      TOTTENHAM Hotspur defender Eric Dier is enduring a pretty chaotic season under Antonio Conte.However, things are a lot more settled in his private life, with the England defender ready to tie the knot with fiancee Anna Modler.
      Anna Modler shared this post on Instagram, confirming their engagementCredit: @annamodler
      The news comes just two months after the pair were reported to be datingCredit: @annamodler
      Anna previously dated former Arsenal star Alexis SanchezCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      From topping their Champions League group to losing to relegation threatened Nottingham Forest, it’s not been a smooth start to the season for Spurs.
      The World Cup looks to have come at the right time for Dier, and fiancee Anna Modler will no doubt be cheering him on from the stands.
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      Who is Eric Dier’s fiancee Anna Modler?
      Anna Modler, who turned 24 this year, is of South African and Namibian heritage.
      The model, who boasts 110,000 followers on Instagram, previously dated former Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez, with the pair spending lockdown together in 2020.
      However, things didn’t work out between the two in Italy, and Modler subsequently found love with Dier.
      When are they getting married?
      The 28-year-old popped the question just two months after their relationship was made official.
      Modler confirmed the news on Instagram, posting a picture of her wearing the engagement ring.
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      Back in September, a friend told The Sun that “Eric and Anna are blissfully happy. They have been seeing a lot of each other.
      “Eric has told pals it has been a great few weeks – getting back into the England squad and landing a stunning girl who was previously on the arm of an Arsenal star.
      “He can’t stop scoring on the pitch, and has netted a cracker off of it.
      “Anna is smitten and has told friends Eric could be ‘the one’. They are getting serious, so watch this space.”
      It’s got a lot more serious now, with the pair committing to each other once and for all.
      However, a date is yet to be set for the wedding, with Dier currently playing for England in Qatar.
      Eric and Anna are said to be blissfully happyCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk More