More stories

  • in

    Are football players forced to be substituted if they suffer a head injury and what is the rule on concussions?

    FOOTBALLERS often suffer injuries due to the physical nature of the sport – however these injuries range in severity.The game has evolved a long way even in the last 20 years and there are now strict rules that referee’s must follow if a player sustains a head injury.
    The Premier League was the first competition in the world to introduce additional substitutes for concussionsCredit: Emma Simpson / FPA / LDY Agency
    Are football players forced to be substituted if they suffer a head injury?
    Football players will be immediately substituted if they suffer a head injury.
    The head of the PFA’s Brain Health department, Dr White remarked: “Often players will want to continue playing but, with the adrenaline pumping, they may be unaware of the extent of their injury. Possibly there is a delay in the onset of symptoms”.
    “The risk of a player continuing when suffering a brain injury and the consequences of a second hit are severe”, he continued.
    What is the rule on concussions?
    Concussion is a relatively common injury in football and if it is not treated correctly, it can result in lifelong consequences.
    In 2021 the Premier League became the first competition in the world to introduce concussion substitutes.
    This means that teams get two additional substitutions for any players that are removed due to a suspected concussion and these do not count towards their usual substitution allowance.
    During the game, if someone is suspected to have a concussion, they must come off the pitch immediately.
    A player should leave if there are any “immediate symptoms of concussion” or later, any “clear symptoms”.
    If the player is removed from the pitch due a suspected concussion, they should be monitored until they are deemed able to leave the venue.
    And now all players must undergo a pre-season neurological assessment as part of their annual medical check-up, to make sure any head injuries aren’t causing lasting damage.
    Does the game have to be stopped if a player suffers a head injury in football?
    The referee has to stop the game immediately if any player suffers a head injury.
    In the official treatment for injury guidelines produced by the FA for referees, it states: “Play is stopped if, in their opinion, a player is seriously injured or receives a head injury”.
    It also reads: “Any player bleeding from a wound must leave the field of play”. More

  • in

    Why is Ryan Giggs not Wales manager at the 2022 World Cup?

    WALES will be looking to go on a brilliant run at the World Cup but will be doing so WITHOUT Ryan Giggs in the dugout. Giggs was Wales boss since 2018 and managed to steer them through the Euro qualifiers and into Euro 2020 before Rob Page took charge.
    Ryan Giggs won’t be managing Wales this summer at Euro 2020Credit: AFP
    Why isn’t Ryan Giggs managing Wales at the World Cup?
    Giggs was readying his squad for their long-awaited Euros campaign back in 2020 before being arrested in April.
    Giggs, 47, was charged with coercive control and actual bodily harm in relation to his ex-girlfriend, while he was also charged with assault by beating relating to a second woman.
    “We have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Ryan Giggs with engaging in behaviour which was controlling or coercive and assault occasioning actual bodily harm,” the Crown Prosecution Service announced.
    Most read in Football
    As a result, the Welsh FA announced Page would be taking Giggs place as manager for the Euros.
    The head coach was then named the manager of the national team on a permanent basis as the controversy surrounding Giggs continued.
    Who are Wales playing at the World Cup?
    Robert Page will take charge of WalesCredit: PA
    Wales are in Group B for this the World Cup, the same as England.
    They face the USMNT in the opening game before going up against Iran and then finishing the group against England. More

  • in

    Who is Milad Mohammadi, and what was the Iran footballer’s shocking last-minute throw in?

    WHAT was he thinking?1-0 down against Spain in extra-time in their crucial World Cup, Iran full-back Milad Mohammadi tried a more unorthodox throw in, costing his team a valuable 30 seconds in the dying stages of the game. But who is he, and what exactly did he do?
    Mohammadi kissed the ball before he tried the bizarre move
    What did Milad Mohammadi do?
    90 mins, three mins and 30 seconds into 94 mins of extra-time, Mohammadi kissed the ball then took a step back.

    He then looked up and pointed his finger into the sky in tribute or prayer and SOMERSAULTED with the ball in his hands.
    Mohammadi was about to throw the ball in in one sweeping, acrobatic movement but at the 11th hour he changed his mind.

    Because he had stopped his movement and did not release the ball he was allowed to try again and this time he instead took a more conservative approach, throwing the ball back to a team-mate.
    30 whole seconds of extra-time wasted on that throw in and Spain went on to secure their 1-0 win.

    The Iran substitute managed to land his somersault..but then decided completing the throw like that
    Who is Milad Mohammadi?
    Milad Mohammadi is a 24-year-old full-back who plays in the Persian Gulf Pro League for Sepahan.
    He has been capped 20 times for Iran.
    Mohammadi featured for his country at youth level before moving up to the senior ranks. More

  • in

    Who is Robert Page? Wales boss who is taking charge at World Cup 2022

    ROBERT PAGE is the Wales head coach successor to Ryan Giggs who was relieved from his duties in 2020.The Manchester United legend was charged with three offences in relation to alleged assaults on two women.
    Robert Page is Wales’ managerCredit: AFP
    And Robert Page who started off as caretaker manager, is now set to guide Wales through their first World Cup campaign since 1958.
    Who is Robert Page?
    Page first took charge of Wales on a caretaker basis during their international break last November.
    Manager Ryan Giggs was arrested on suspicion of assault and stepped away to leave Page in charge of Wales’ games.
    Page has some managerial experience, having been at the helm at both Port Vale and Northampton Town.
    The 46-year-old was also in charge of Wales’ Under-21 side for a period of time.
    Most read in Football
    As a player, Page made 41 appearances for Wales, with the majority of his club career spent at Watford in the 1990s, where he made 215 apps.
    Page then went on to play for Sheffield United, Cardiff and Coventry before closing out his career with Huddersfield and Chesterfield.
    But now, Page will get the biggest assignment of his career as he takes on the Wales job for this summer’s 2020 European Championships. More

  • in

    Who is Gareth Bale’s wife Emma Rhys-Jones and how many children do they have?

    EMMA RHYS-JONES is the wife of Welsh football ace Gareth Bale.And she’ll no doubt be in Qatar cheering on her husband as he tries to secure World Cup glory with Wales.
    The pair were photographed on e-scooters in Madrid with two of their kidsCredit: Getty
    Here’s everything you need to know about her and when the couple tied the knot…Who is Emma Rhys-Jones?
    Emma Rhys-Jones has been with Gareth Bale for over a decade.
    She grew up in Llanishen, a district in north Cardiff a couple of miles from Bale’s family home.
    The couple began dating in the early 2000s while attending Whitchurch High School.
    They got engaged in July 2016 and Gareth announced the news on social media posting: “She said yes!! This is a birthday weekend I won’t forget for a long time…”
    The pair got married in 2019 – a year after Gareth scored a stunning goal in the Champions League final.
    Gareth Bale with daughter Alba, fiancée Emma Rhys-Jones and baby AxelCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Who is Emma’s husband Gareth Bale?
    Gareth is a professional footballer who plays for LAFC in the United States and Wales.
    He was born on July 16, 1989, in Cardiff.
    He started his football career at Southampton before moving to Tottenham.
    He signed a six year deal with Spanish club Real Madrid in 2013 where he went on to win some of football’s biggest trophies including the Champions League five times.

    Emma and Bale celebrate with daughter Nava after Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph against Atletico Madrid in 2016Credit: EPA
    When was Emma Rhys-Jones’ and Gareth Bale’s wedding?
    Emma and Gareth got married in June 2019 in Mallorca.
    MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
    How many children do Emma Rhys-Jones and Gareth Bale have?
    Gareth and Emma have four children – two daughters and two sons.
    Their first child Alba Violet was born at the University Hospital of Wales on October 21, 2012.
    Their second daughter, Nava Valentina arrived on March 22, 2016.
    The couple’s son Axel was born on May 8, 2018, before their fourth child Xander was born on July 7, 2021. More

  • in

    Who is England vs Iran referee Raphael Claus? Brazilian referee at the 2022 World Cup

    THE Qatar World Cup is here and Raphael Claus has been confirmed as the referee for England vs Iran in the opening round of group games.The South American will join 38 other officials in the middle east as the best teams in the world battle it out for World Cup glory.
    Raphael Claus has been appointed as a referee at this year’s World CupCredit: Reuters
    Here is all the information you need on the man in the middle.
    Who is Raphael Claus?
    Raphael Claus was born in 1979 in Santa Barbara.
    He is one of two Brazilian referees officiating at the tournament, with Wilton Sampaio also making the trip.

    Clauss currently represents the Brazilian Serie A league, refereeing over 40 games in the last 12 months.
    However, he also has experience of blowing his whistle in international tournaments.
    In June 2019, Clauss was selected to referee the Under-20 World Cup, taking charge of the semi-final between Ukraine and Italy.
    The 43-year-old has since been involved in several Copa America matches, officiating in the third placed-final between Colombia and Peru.
    Raphael Claus refereed Lionel Messi and Argentina in the last yearCredit: Getty
    Most read in Football
    More recently, Clauss has overseen plenty of South American World Cup Qualifying matches, most notably watching both Colombia and Chile miss out.
    He has refereed Argentina three times in the last 12 months, producing 19 yellow cards in that time.

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

  • in

    Why is Karim Benzema not playing for France at the 2022 World Cup?

    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.
    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.
    Most read in Football
    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

  • in

    Who is Declan Rice’s girlfriend Lauren Fryer and how many children do they have?

    DECLAN RICE will be hoping to lift the World Cup with England this winter, while he and his teammates will be cheered on by the England fans, and one in particular – his girlfriend, Lauren Fryer.The pair will hope to be celebrating together upon England’s return from the tournament as Gareth Southgate’s team target success in Qatar.
    Declan Rice and his girlfriend Lauren FryerCredit: Instagram @laurenfryer_
    It will not be easy, however, as the West Ham midfielder will know that his country must overcome some of the best nations when they face off at the World Cup.
    But he will be looking to do his country and family proud, and we have all the information on his partner Lauren.
    read more football
    Who is Lauren Fryer?
    Lauren Fryer is Rice’s long-term girlfriend after meeting during their younger years.
    She is from Chessington and has 36,500 followers on Instagram as of November 17, 2022.
    Declan Rice, Lauren Fryer and their dogCredit: Instagram @laurenfryer_
    The pair have been together for seven years, as was revealed on her Instagram when they celebrated six years together in 2021.
    She is supportive of her boyfriend, often attending matches and most notably posted a message to Rice after England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, reiterating her pride in the West Ham captain.
    How many children do they have?
    The pair have just the one child together.
    While Rice did not confirm his son’s birth, back in August he debuted a tattoo with the name of his new-born baby and the date of his birth.
    Most read in Football
    The ink appears to have the name Jude and numbers 07.08.2022.
    As of public knowledge this is the only child that the pair have together, although he often brings his nephew onto the pitch at West Ham which has previously been mistaken as his own son. More