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      Everything you need to know about Sidemen v Youtube Allstars football match – from most subscribers to richest player

      by

      ENGLAND may be taking on Ukraine today, but the biggest football match will be between two teams you have probably never heard of.The Sidemen versus The YouTube Allstars will take place in front of a sold-out 62,000 crowd at West Ham’s London Stadium at 3pm — and will be watched by millions online.
      Social media-savvy youngsters will now YouTubers like KSI – but anyone over 40 may struggle to recognise the playersCredit: Alamy
      While anyone over 40 may struggle to recognise the players, to social media-savvy youngsters, they are the Tom Cruises, Brad Pitts and Will Smiths of their world.
      Online, the Sidemen are a group of top YouTube celebrities, including British phenomenon KSI, who is also known for his boxing bouts with YouTuber Logan Paul.
      With more than a billion social media followers among both sets of players, the charity match — which has been running annually since 2016 — is expected to pull in a global audience of more than 20million.
      Last year, the game, held at Charlton Athletic’s ground, raised £1million.
      READ MORE BEAUTIFUL GAME
      The match has since been streamed more than 34million times.
      Tickets for this year’s game, which cost from £8 upwards, sold out in less than 90 minutes and proceeds will go to charities Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), Teenage Cancer Trust and Rays Of Sunshine.
      PR and brands expert Ed Hopkins says: “I’ve been closely watching the incredible journey of Sidemen’s charity game, and it’s nothing short of a masterclass in how to capture the hearts and minds of young people while creating a formidable brand in the world of sports.
      “It’s not far-fetched to imagine Sidemen’s charity game gracing the hallowed grounds of Wembley Stadium in the future.”
      Most read in Football
      Here, we take a closer look at some of the stars aiming to give professional footballers a run for their money.
      THE SIDEMEN
      VIKKSTAR 123
      7.61million subscribers
      Vikram Singh Barn started out by posting gaming videos every day for four years straightCredit: Twitter
      VIKRAM Singh Barn, 28, is one of the most dedicated social media personalities in the world.
      When he first started out, he posted gaming videos every day for four years straight.
      It led to him gaining a combined 3.8billion views and more than 7.6million ­subscribers on YouTube.
      His hard work has also earned him a reported £8million fortune.
      Recently, he has been giving fans a glimpse into his dream home along with his side-hustle as a DJ.
      In April 2021, he proposed to girlfriend Ellie Harlow, 26, in front of Dubai’s gleaming Burj Al Arab hotel.
      KSI
      40.4million subscribers
      UNDOUBTEDLY the biggest name on the pitch will be YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI, who has firmly established himself as one of the world’s hottest internet personalities.
      He started out as a gamer with a focus on Fifa, but now posts everything from reaction videos to a look at a day in his life.
      The Sidemen FC skipper is also a rapper and co-founder of the Prime Hydration drink alongside American YouTuber Logan Paul.
      Real named Olajide Olayinka Williams, the 30-year-old also co-founded XIX Vodka and owns a restaurant chain called Sides.
      KSI, who has kept tight-lipped about who he is dating, has a reported net worth of £21million.
      W2S
      16.3million subscribers
      Harry Lewis, known as Wroetoshaw or W2S, is such a footie fanatic that he has his own football challenge clubCredit: Instagram
      HARRY LEWIS, known as Wroetoshaw (or W2S), is such a football fanatic that he has his own football challenge club,
      KickTown in London, where competitors take on ball-based skills exercises.
      Across his various YouTube channels and social media platforms, the 26-year-old has amassed 16.3million subscribers.
      He typically posts about gaming and real-life football content and is able to pull in tens of millions of views per video.
      He is also known for his real-life challenges with his family and friends, and has a reported net worth of more than £4million.
      ZERKAA
      4.69million subscribers
      Zerkaa began posting Call Of Duty gaming videos, but he expanded his career by covering football content tooCredit: Instagram
      AT 31, the oldest of the Sidemen began his career by posting Call Of Duty gaming videos, which he later expanded to cover football content.
      Since then, Zerkaa, whose real name is Joshua Bradley, has built up 4.69million followers on YouTube.
      Last year, he celebrated ten years of game play.
      He also has a podcast called Homegrown and is estimated to be worth £3million.
      Since 2010, he has been dating Freya Nightingale, 30, who has been dubbed the “merch Queen” due to her regularly wearing Sidemen clothing.
      MINIMINTER
      10.2million subscribers
      Miniminter says he narrowly missed out on becoming a professional footballerCredit: Instagram
      He married singer Talia Mar in a lavish Italian ceremony this yearCredit: Instagram
      HE was man of the match at last year’s game, and having just turned 31, he will be looking to cap off his birthday week with an even bigger impact this year.
      Born Simon Minter, he says he narrowly missed out on being a professional footballer when a clash in fixtures meant he was unable to meet a scout.
      He is another star who started as a Fifa gamer on YouTube, but nowadays he showcases more of his personal life.
      According to reports, he’s the second-richest member of Sidemen and has a net worth of £9million.
      Earlier this year, he married singer Talia Mar in a lavish Italian ceremony.
      YOUTUBE ALLSTARS
      ISHOWSPEED
      20.2million subscribers
      IShowSpeed is a Cristiano Ronaldo superfan who is worth a reported £9.6millionCredit: Rex Features
      IF you ever doubt the pull of YouTubers, just look at the huge crowd who chased a car carrying US sensation IShowSpeed this week in Edinburgh.
      The 18-year-old – real named Darren Watkins – is a Cristiano Ronaldo superfan, worth a reported £9.6million.
      He is one of the biggest streamers in the world and mainly live-streams himself playing games such as Fifa and Minecraft.
      He began dating girlfriend Ermony Renee after meeting her in an ice cream shop in 2021.
      At last year’s charity football match, he was given the yellow card after whipping the referee with his T-shirt.
      XQC
      2.32million subscribers
      xQc is one of the most controversial streamers and has faced several bans for showing explicit contentCredit: Rex Features
      THE 27-year-old Canadian is a former professional player of first-person shooter Overwatch who now mostly posts reaction videos.
      Real name Felix Lengyel, xQc is one of the most controversial streamers and has faced several bans for showing explicit content.
      It doesn’t appear to have hurt his fanbase too much, however.
      He was named the most-watched streamer on platform Twitch for three consecutive years from 2020.
      He will play in goal today, but team-mate IShowSpeed has called him a “skinny pip” and fears he will cost them the game.
      NIKO OMILANA
      7.15million subscribers
      Niko Omilana is best known for parody videos and daring pranks – but he also decided to run for Mayor of London in 2021Credit: Rex Features
      HE may be best known for his parody videos and daring pranks on YouTube, but it was no laughing matter when Niko decided to run for Mayor of London in 2021.
      After managing to rack up 50,000 votes and coming fifth with a campaign based on telling Boris Johnson to “shush”, the 25-year-old returned to his day job after the election.
      On YouTube, he has 7.15million subscribers as well as 2.3million followers on Instagram.
      In 2018, one of his pranks saw him sneak into the ring during fellow YouTuber KSI’s first boxing match against American Logan Paul in Manchester.
      DANNY AARONS
      1.49million subscribers
      Danny Aarons has been rising up the ranks of YouTube with his videos of Fifa gameplayCredit: Rex Features
      ENGLISHMAN Danny has been rising up the ranks of YouTube with his videos of Fifa gameplay.
      His tips and advice have earned him many fans, but there was controversy on Boxing Day last year when he was banned from the game’s Transfer Market feature for allegedly breaking its rules – something that he denied.
      On his channel, which he launched in 2012 with Minecraft videos, he has more than 1.49million subscribers and hosts 1,200 videos.
      The 21-year-old also has a large following across Instagram, gaining around 80,000 views per video.
      MRBEAST
      181million subscribers
      MrBeast is miles ahead of everyone else in the game on YouTube with a whopping 181million subscribers – and is in a relationship with South African Thea BooysenCredit: Instagram
      WHEN it comes to YouTube, MrBeast is miles ahead of everyone else in the game with a whopping 181million subscribers and 47billion combined views.
      He is also a big hit on Instagram, where he has 40.8million followers.Worth a massive £88.2million, the American, real name Jimmy Donaldson, is also one of the most charitable content creators and showcases himself on YouTube gifting fans everything from a private island to hundreds of cars.
      The 25-year-old Kansas native gave a fan $1million in one video and walked around his city giving out $1,000 to a series of homeless people.
      Thanks to MrBeast’s ­lucrative brand endorsement deals, he is able to host several such giveaways without his personal fortune taking a significant hit.
      Read More on The Sun
      He is known for pioneering the genre of videos based on expensive stunts and challenges.
      And he has been in a relationship with South African YouTuber Thea Booysen, 25, since late last year. More

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      Meet the Sidemen & YouTube All-stars’ WAGs – from ‘Merch Queen’ to Mr Beast’s girlfriend who had a tricky first date

      by

      IT’S the hotly anticipated charity football match that will see some of the biggest streaming stars on the planet battle it out.Tickets for the Sidemen VS YouTube All-Stars at London Stadium sold out within hours back in June and tens of millions more are likely to be watching online. 
      Sidemen star KSI dodging a tackle from YouTube All-Stars’ IShowSpeed last yearCredit: PA
      The Sidemen are a collective of British streaming stars including KSI, Zerkaa and Vikkstar123Credit: Instagram
      The annual football match will see famous British stars including KSI, Miniminter and Zerkaa take on the likes of Mr Beast, IShowSpeed and Chunkz.
      Last year, they raised more than £1million for charity in a thrilling 8-7 win to the Sidemen before 35,000 spectators at Charlton Athletic’s Valley Stadium. 
      This year will be even bigger, with 62,000 cheering from the stands of the West Ham ground – including the streamers’ glamorous girlfriends, fiancées and wives. 
      From the ‘Merch Queen’ to the novelist and a popular singer with 1.9million monthly listeners, we reveal the love interests of the online-obsessed stars.
      READ MORE ON THE SIDEMEN
      Miniminter 
      Talia Mar is a musician with 1.9million monthly listeners on SpotifyCredit: Instagram
      She’s engaged to Simon Mintor, who’s known as MiniminterCredit: Instagram
      Miniminter, whose real name is Simon Mintor, has been engaged to beautiful British singer Talia Mar, 26, since last summer.
      The 31-year-old Sidemen star met his glamorous beau at Wireless Festival back in 2017 and they confirmed their relationship a year later, according to The Tab.

      Talia, who is best known for her 2022 song Stay The Night, has a whopping 1.9million monthly listeners on spotify and a considerable online following.
      She has more than a million fans following her content on both YouTube and Instagram as well as 757,000 on Twitch, where she plays video games and sings.
      Most read in Football
      Away from music, Talia had her own fashion line with PrettyLittleThing and was an ambassador for clothing range The Martian Club. 
      The songstress, who released new hit Forget About Your Ex last month, also posts make-up, hair and beauty tip videos online. 
      Zerkaa
      Freya Nightingale is known as ‘Merch Queen’ due to wearing so much Sidemen clothingCredit: Instagram
      She’s dating the Sidemen’s Zerkaa, real name Joshua BradleyCredit: instagram
      Joshua Bradley, known as Zerkaa, is among the Sidemen XI and has been dating Freya Nightingale since 2010. 
      The 29-year-old influencer is often dubbed the “Merch Queen” due to regularly sporting Sidemen’s clothing range online. 
      Freya has her own YouTube channel, which has 268,000 subscribers, where she posts video gaming content and gives fans an insight into her relationship. 
      On Instagram, where she has 436,000 followers, she shares holiday snaps from stunning locations around the world and is often pictured in the fashionable outfits.
      Freya also has 104,000 TikTok subscribers and nearly 1million likes as well as more than 282,000 followers on Twitch.
      Behzinga
      Social media influencer Faith Kelly in a barely-there bikini before her pregnancyCredit: Instagram
      She and dad Ethan Payne, aka Behzinga, is now the mum of daughter OliveCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Ethan Payne, known as Behzinga, became a dad to daughter Olive Ottilie Payne just hours after his win alongside his Sidemen teammates at last year’s charity football match. 
      It’s not known when he started dating girlfriend, Faith Kelly, 23, but she started to appear on his social media channels in June 2021. 
      She’s also an online star with an impressive 1.6million followers on TikTok, where she posts beauty tips along with sharing insights into her life with Behzinga.
      Faye, who has 804,000 Instagram followers, often shares photos of herself with baby Olive and her partner as well as snaps of her horses Cali and Lorenzo.
      Last month, she and Ethan spoke out about the “hate” she received online for dating Behzinga and he described her regularly “getting smoked” by trolls. 
      Vikkstar123
      Vikram Barn, aka Vikkstar123, has been engaged to Ellie Harlow since 2021Credit: INSTAGRAM
      The YouTube star proposed to his girlfriend in front of the Burj Al Arab hotelCredit: Instagram
      Sidemen star Vickram Barn, who is known as Vikkstar123, proposed to girlfriend Ellie Harlow in front of Dubai’s iconic seven-star hotel the Burj Al Arab back in 2021.
      Unlike the Sidemen stars’ other halves, the Brit is very private and is said to be “not really interested in having a lot of followers”.
      That came as a relief to her partner Vikkstar123, who admitted: “I quite like it as well because I like that there’s some part of me that isn’t on YouTube.”
      It’s not known what Ellie, who is believed to be 25, does for work but she is regularly seen in her fiancé’s YouTube videos and at red carpet events. 
      Mr Beast
      Mr Beast’s girlfriend Thea Booysen in one of many glamorous holiday photosCredit: INSTAGRAM
      She’s been dating the All-Star player, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, since 2022Credit: INSTAGRAM
      YouTube All-Star player Jimmy Donaldson, from Greenville, North Carolina, is known as Mr Beast online and has been dating Thea Booysen since late last year. 
      In a podcast, the gaming streamer revealed he “tested” his future beau, 24, on their first date with a list of pre-made questions to test their compatibility.
      And it seemed they had plenty of chemistry because they couple are still together today and regularly feature on each other’s streaming channels. 
      Thea, from Cape Town, South Africa, has 163,000 followers on Instagram and regularly shares gaming videos on Twitch and YouTube, where she collectively has 54,000 subscribers.
      Away from gaming, she has a degree in psychology and law and is believed to be studying For a Master’s degree in neuropsychology.
      She’s also self-published a book last year titled The Marked Children, which she claimed to have started writing for seven years. 
      IShowSpeed
      IShowSpeed revealed his girlfriend Ermony Renee back in 2021Credit: Tiktok
      She’s been dating Darren Jason Watkins Jr, aka IShowSpeed for around two yearsCredit: Rex
      IShowSpeed, real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr, hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, and will be joining Mr Beast on the All-Star team.
      He met glamorous Ermony Renee at ice cream shop United Dairy Farmers and the pair revealed they were dating back in 2021.
      Unlike her YouTube star partner, she keeps her private life to herself and has a private social media account with 10,600 followers.
      Not a lot is know about Ermony, who was nicknamed ‘Dream’ by IShowSpeed, apart from her having studied at Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinatti. 
      Chandler Hallow
      Chandler Hallow and Cara Davis got married in 2022Credit: instagram
      Chandler Hallow, who is one of Mr Beast’s closest friends, has more than four million fans on Instagram alone. 
      The 24-year-old, from North Carolina, revealed he was in a relationship with Cara David back in 2020.
      Read More on The Sun
      The pair got engaged a year later and married in 2022.
      Cara has 102,000 followers on Instagram despite only having 25 posts. More

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      How Laura Woods overcame sexist trolls and sad split to become TV’s hottest new star – and Prem footballers’ celeb crush

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      SHE’S the TV presenter famous footballers want to date – and women look up to.With killer looks, an enviable wardrobe and a new Love Island beau on her arm, Laura Woods might just be the sporting world’s answer to Maya Jama.
      Laura Woods’ star is on the riseCredit: The Sun
      Gorgeous Laura has stolen the hearts of Premiership starsCredit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
      This week we revealed Laura enjoyed a low-key date with Adam Collard, 27, in a County Durham pub – after splitting from long-term love England rugby player Alex Corbisiero.
      The TNT Sports host – who won praise for her coverage of the Women’s World Cup for ITV –  is being tipped to become a household name with the potential to earn millions.
      One expert reckons stylish Laura, 36, could bag major fashion deals and presenting jobs away from sport as her star rises.
      Brand and culture expert Nick Ede, who runs a PR firm in London, told The Sun: “There are people out there who are stand out stars and Laura is definitely one of them.
      READ MORE CELEB STORIES
      “Female sports presenters like Gabby Logan and Kirsty Gallacher will always be iconic but Laura is fresh blood and looks like the perfect person to take on the reins.
      “She’s very intelligent and did great coverage of the Women’s World Cup and has shown off her knowledge of different sports.
      “Yet she’s not too pigeon-holed in sport that other presenting roles won’t be offered to her and she could even branch out to fashion and produce her own collections.
      “She’s a British celebrity but her job means she has an international profile and that will really help in her quest to become a big star.”
      Most read in Football
      Nick says Laura dating Adam won’t do her profile any harmCredit: �ITV Plc
      Nick described Laura as the ‘perfect package’Credit: Instagram
      Nick added that dating some like Adam Collard – known for his bad boy antics on Love Island and recent dalliance with Lottie Moss on Celebs Go Dating – will “only elevate her status”.
      “It means Laura might find herself propelled onto the front of newspapers as much as the back, which is something new for her, but she can utilise it in a strong way to raise her profile,” he said.
      “She’s clever and gorgeous and really is the perfect package. She could be on her way to earning millions just like Maya Jama.”
      Humble start
      Laura with Jack Grealish after Manchester City won the FA CupCredit: Reuters
      Laura with former England player Jill ScottCredit: Getty
      Laura, who played rugby as a kid, started her career as a humble runner at Sky Sports in 2009 before working her way up to a producer role.
      She kicked off her presenting career with behind-the-scenes interviews on the darts coverage for Sky Sports’ YouTube channel.
      Laura then got a job on the Saturday morning kids’ show Game Changers before joining the Soccer AM online presenting team.
      By 2018 she was a regular pitch-side reporter on Super Sunday before leaving Sky Sports four years later.
      She was also Talksport’s breakfast show host with Ally McCoist from 2020 until June this year.
      She joined TNT Sports as the lead presenter for the UEFA Champions League and boxing coverage.
      But it was Laura’s knowledgeable coverage of the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup that has really propelled her into the limelight. 
      Hurt feelings
      Laura with Ally McCoisCredit: Instagram
      Laura on A League of Their OwnCredit: Instagram
      She had already won over leading sportsmen with her knowledge and good looks.
      Ex Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek admitted she is his celebrity crush live on air, leaving her giggling.
      And in April boxer Anthony Joshua told her she was his “dream date” after he flirted with her during an interview.
      Laura has also bagged two major presenting awards and has won plaudits on social media for her stunning dress sense.
      But her stratospheric rise to fame has not been easy.
      When she first hit our screens Laura faced criticism that she’d only landed on TV because of her looks – something that hurt her feelings.
      She said: “I accept that as presenters we are putting ourselves out there; we’re essentially targets. I’m learning to live with it because that’s part of our job. You’re never going to please everybody.
      “It would hurt me a lot more if I took it all to heart, so I take it with a pinch of salt now as much as I can.”
      Boxer Anthony Joshua told Laura she was his dream dateCredit: YOU TUBE
      But Laura soon proved the haters wrong, proving herself a worthy adversary to the male presenters.
      She said she “wouldn’t get in the door” without her knowledge adding: “If you don’t have a grasp of what’s going on, you’re never going to get to the top.”
      Laura added: “We are all striving for equality but the reaction to a woman on screen or radio is still not equal. A producer once told me that women reporters have higher to fall from.
      “It stuck with me. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you look, the way your voice sounds.
      “I have had it all in tweets and stuff. ‘You are underweight’. ‘You are overweight’. ‘You have too much make-up’. ‘You look tired’.
      “Men have to deal with scrutiny, too. I know. But their knowledge is never attacked in the same way.
      “Women have transitioned into some sports such as cricket incredibly well. But what is it about football that people can’t accept something if it’s coming out of a woman’s mouth?”
      As well as succeeding in a mainly male dominated world, Laura is famous for slapping down sexist Twitter trolls with witty one-liners.
      On Instagram, when one man told her to get ‘back in the kitchen’ she swiftly replied: “Ohh Mick. Nothing screams ‘I have a small penis’ more than this old phrase.”
      Sad split
      Laura in happier times with ex, Alex CorbisieroCredit: Instagram
      She might be in the public eye but Laura is fiercely protective of her private life.
      Laura dated her ex Alex for eight years and was by his side while he battled testicular cancer in 2019, which later spread to his lymph nodes.
      The retired prop, who played for London Irish and Northampton Saints, now hosts The Scrum Down podcast.
      Laura said the split was her decision, and she’s “never regretted it”.
      “We’d lived in each other’s pockets and breaking up with him felt like coming up for air,” she explained.
      She recently told The Sun: “I am single, but I’m also dating. That’s a part of my life that I have learned to keep private.
      “I don’t want to put my whole life out there for everybody to see. I want to keep some things like ‘that person’ more sacred.”
      Laura grew up in the north east before her family moved to Dagenham, London. Her mum Michelle coached rugby, and dad Steve is a former English cricket player.
      A huge Arsenal fan, Laura says that while she’s living the dream in a job she loves, she wishes she could spend more time with her family.
      She said last month: “I’d really love to get healthy. I want to be able to exercise more and take my dog for long walks.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I’m just tired of feeling tired. I want to give my family and friends more of my attention. I really want to prioritise that part of my life more.”
      Tipped to be propelled to superstardom, it may be a while yet before Laura gets that rest…
      Laura headed to Glasto this yearCredit: Instagram/@laurawoodsy
      Laura would like to spend more time with her familyCredit: C1 Media More

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      Spain’s women won the World Cup, then a man managed to ruin everything

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      WHAT kind of twisted world are we living in when the victim of a clear case of sexual harassment, witnessed by millions, has to go into hiding?Meanwhile, the guilty man struts his stuff on the world stage, refusing to accept he has done anything wrong.
      It is awful Jenni Hermoso has been forced into hiding, through no fault of her ownCredit: AP
      There is something obscene about “kiss-gate” Spanish football ace Jenni Hermoso feeling so overwhelmed she has to retreat from public view.
      The World Cup-winning striker has come under sustained attack because the career of Spain’s FA President Luis Rubiales is now on the line thanks to his own sexist stupidity.
      Hermoso’s crime? Having the temerity to confirm what we could all see: The kiss Rubiales planted on her lips, while yanking her head towards him in a vice-like grip, was not consensual.
      But never mind the evidence. From the get-go, Rubiales has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, claiming she consented and whining that he is the victim of a “social assassination” by “false feminists”.
      READ MORE KARREN BRADY
      So that includes the Fifa bosses, who suspended him for 90 days, the prosecutors investigating him and members of the Spanish women’s team and its coaching staff — bar the deeply unpopular head coach Jorge Vilda — some of whom have resigned in protest?
      DEPRESSING STANDARD
      Leaving aside Rubiales’s family — and even they are divided — only the overwhelmingly male Spanish football federation continues to back him, circling the wagons to protect their own, as is so often the case when a man is under attack for bad behaviour towards a woman.
      Instead of stopping him from trying to gaslight Hermoso, they too questioned her account and threatened her with legal action for lying.
      Set aside for a moment that the kiss was filmed from almost every angle and witnessed around the world.
      Most read in Football
      Hermoso herself has stated there was no consent, that it was an “impulse-driven, sexist, out-of-place act”, and that she was put under “continuous pressure” to exonerate Rubiales.
      The whole world witnessed Rubiales plant a big kiss on Hermoso, seemingly without her invitationCredit: Pixel8000
      Why would she lie? It was clear from the outset that by telling the truth she was making herself a target for every macho misogynist in football.
      And there’s no shortage of those. Why would she consent to a kiss from a middle-aged man who had just been filmed grabbing his crotch while standing near Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter Infanta Sofia?
      Also, when did this consent take place? Did he get it from Hermoso in writing before the match?
      It certainly didn’t appear to be under discussion in the heat of the moment before he firmly planted his lips on hers.
      So far, so depressingly standard. It’s a lesson in why women often don’t report sexual harassment or abuse.
      They know that what happens next will probably make things much, much worse.
      Unfortunately for Rubiales and his buddies in the Spanish football federation, Hermoso and her teammates are made of sterner stuff than most victims.
      Hermoso has steadfastly stuck by her story. In a show of solidarity, 23 players of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, as well as 32 other squad members, insist they will not play for their country again while Rubiales remains in post.
      And when the Spanish FA tried to pressure the team’s backroom staff into supporting their boss, they resigned too.
      Sarina Wiegman has even dedicated her Uefa Coach of the Year award to the Spanish team that pipped her England Women’s team in the final, saying they “deserve to be celebrated and listened to”.
      She’s right. The real story here is Spain’s brilliant performance in the World Cup.
      And that is why Jenni Hermoso did not complain instantly about that kiss.
      She had no desire to take the shine off her teammates’ triumph.
      Which is more than can be said for Rubiales, a sad, posturing, middle-aged mummy’s boy, who is putting his own survival above his country’s glory. Time to kiss him goodbye.
      Teens plan is a winner
      National Service proposals are a clever way for teenagers to give back to their communityCredit: The Mega Agency
      THOSE getting in a tizz about plans for a new National Service scheme, championed by Penny Mordaunt, need to calm down.
      It’s not about square-bashing or uniform drills. It’s purely a plan for every 16-year-old to take part in a two-week “civic exploration” trip, which will see them travel away from home to do voluntary work.
      Then they would build on what they have achieved by doing more volunteering in their own community. It wouldn’t even be compulsory.
      Teenagers would have the ability to opt out before they are assigned to a programme.
      I can’t think of a better idea to boost the confidence and self-worth of the UK’s young people, many of whom are still struggling after Covid lockdowns and are preoccupied with social media.
      The Commons leader said last week it would foster “goodwill and community spirit, energy and imagination” and promote “good mental health and resilience”.
      I’m 100 per cent behind her. We should expect more of our young people.
      By showing them how to give something back to their world, we can equip them to play a fulfilling part in it.
      Plane sense
      SOME parents are worried that the Turkish airline Corendon’s plan to launch adults-only sections on its flights will catch on.
      The company promises passengers “a shielded environment” that will contribute “to a calm and relaxed flight”.
      I suspect the mums and dads complaining about this are exactly the sort who ignore their children while they scream non-stop, kick the back of other passengers’ seats and run up and down the aisle while harassed cabin crew try not to run them down with the drinks trolley.
      Why is this controversial? If people want to pay more to avoid putting up with that, then let them. Sounds like a good business decision to me.
      Amanda turns the other cheek
      Amanda Holden had the perfect response to taunts from Andrew TateCredit: Instagram
      THERE is something undeniably satisfying about crafting the perfect response.
      So hats off to Amanda Holden, who managed to resist putting Andrew Tate in his place.
      When the controversial influencer claimed she was too old to pose in a bikini – er, as if – the BGT judge came close to hitting back with a racy picture.
      “I had another shot of me in a bikini with just a close-up of my bum and I was tempted to post it with the caption, ‘Kiss my 52-year-old a***’,” Amanda said.
      “But you just know something like that’s going to go on and on – and in the end, why give him the oxygen?”
      Too right. This failed reality TV star, who is to stand trial on allegations of human trafficking, does not need any more publicity.
      Better to leave him festering in his sad little bunker – or, if guilty, in jail.
      Get ’em in dock
      Cowardly criminals like Lucy Letby will no longer be allowed to skip their own sentencingCredit: PA
      AT last, convicted criminals will be forced to attend sentencing hearings.
      And those who still resist the “reasonable force” permitted by the new law could get an extra two years’ jail time added to their sentences.
      If you commit a crime as vile as child killers like nurse Lucy Letby or gunman Thomas Cashman, you should be forced to face up to the consequences – and left in no doubt about what the world thinks of you.
      Daddy dodge
      THE study that revealed it takes first-time dads two years to feel happy in their relationships again after the birth of their child made me think.
      I don’t doubt that it is hard for men to see their lives completely change overnight.
      Read More on The Sun
      They have to cope with sleepless nights, a grumpy, exhausted partner and hardly any social life. It’s tough.
      But just factor in hormone overload, sore nipples and a body you no longer recognise, and count yourself lucky. More

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      Inside Harry and Kate Kane’s glitzy life in ‘Germany’s Hollywood’ – from restaurant serving £450 caviar to glam WAG pals

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      IT’S been dubbed Bavaria’s Beverly Hills due to its luxurious mansions and high-end restaurants – and now it could be the new home of the Kane family. Harry and Kate, who have just welcomed their fourth child Henry, have reportedly been scouting properties and schools in Grünwald, Munich, where mansions cost up to £18million.
      Harry and Kate Kane look set to move to the stunning, leafy suburb of GrünwaldCredit: Getty
      The couple welcomed their fourth child Henry Edward Kane this weekCredit: Instagram
      Grünwald, which means “green forest”, is a picture-perfect spot with stunning forest walks, an exclusive golf course and plenty of lush restaurants nearby which offer caviar for £450 a pop.
      It’s also a hotspot for some of Harry’s new teammates at Bayern Munich, after he completed a £104million move from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month. 
      £10k per night hotel
      While finding a new pad, Harry has been staying in Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, which is one of Munich’s most prestigious and exclusive hotels.
      The five-star resort, located in Maximillian Strasse, is popular with celebrities and footballers and costs £10,000 per night to stay in one of their suites.
      READ MORE ON HARRY KANE
      It’s believed Kane’s suite has a separate living room, two bathrooms kitted out with plush Carrara marble, silk curtains, six televisions and a range of designer furniture. 
      The hotel has a luxury spa, three award-winning restaurants and a rooftop pool that boasts views of Munich. 
      Harry is currently staying in the five-star Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski hotel, in MunichCredit: Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski hotel
      The plush spot boasts pools and stunning views of MunichCredit: Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski hotel
      £18m mansions
      Located 7.5 miles (12km) southwest of central Munich, Grünwald is a popular spot for Bayern players due to being just a 15-minute drive from the club’s training ground.
      The secluded and sleepy town, known as the “Bavarian Hollywood”, is Germany’s wealthiest municipality and unsurprisingly comes with a hefty price tag to live.
      Most read in Bundesliga
      It’s claimed that Bayern has already found a place for the Kanes – should they choose to live there – and local estate agents have revealed what they may go for.
      A source told MailOnline: “Grünwald is the Bavarian Beverly Hills. It’s the home of the rich and famous and offers the very best in luxury mansions. 
      Grünwald has 11,000 residents including several Bayern Munich starsCredit: Alamy
      There are a number of sports cars that line the streets in GrünwaldCredit: Chris Eades
      Just one of the sprawling properties in GrünwaldCredit: Chris Eades
      “I can assure you that the Kane family will be in one of them and will enjoy their new life here.” 
      The source believed the family would move into a 12-bed home, which had both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a wine cellar, a home cinema and a wellness area. 
      But should that not fit the bill, there are numerous high-end properties for the Kane family to consider. 
      At the top end is the Meleven development, which is described as “an art lover’s home” online and listed for a whopping £18million. 
      The eight-bedroom mansion has its own “small sandy beach”, breathtaking views of the bay Liscia di Vacca and stunning interiors including floor-to-ceiling glass.
      There’s also the luxury home of ex-Bayern defender Jerome Boateng, which boasts 10 bedrooms, a heated swimming pool and a well-stocked wine cave.
      According to Bild, the property is on the market for £10million – despite being bought for £6.4million back in 2016.
      Another among the current listings is a £7.6million  Bauhaus villa, which has a home cinema, sauna, jacuzzi and sprawling gardens.
      There’s also a six-bed villa, which is on the market for £5.5million and has features including open fireplaces, an indoor pool, sauna and spa.
      £450 caviar & pick ‘n’ mix sushi
      The area has a wealth of trendy restaurants and workers say they are loved by current and former Bayern stars. 
      They include Chang, a Michelin guide-listed Asian restaurant, which offers pick ‘n’ mix style sushi for £100, caviar for £450 and ribeye steak for £40.
      Another Bayern star hotspot is H’ugo’s, which specialises in truffle pizza and pasta.
      But should Kane fancy more traditional Bavarian meals – including pork knuckle and schnitzel – it can be found at Alter Wirt and Forsthaus Wornbrunn.
      MailOnline reported that the average price of a meal is £50 per person, a litre of beer costs nearly £10 and snacks are close to £10.
      Bayern Munich stars donned traditional clothing for Oktoberfest back in 2018Credit: AFP or licensors
      And it seems the WAGs aren’t against lapping up the Bavarian spirit eitherCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Aside from upmarket restaurants, Grünwald is but a short distance away from the celebrations for Oktoberfest, which take place in central Munich. 
      The 16-day festival brings in more than six million visitors to the city every year including an array of Bayern stars.
      In recent years, the team has donned traditional Lederhosen alongside their wives and girlfriend to lap up the Bavarian spirit. 
      Celeb pals
      Grünwald is home to 11,000 people and among them are a number of former and current Bayern players and their glamorous other halves.
      Among the current squad living there are Alphonso Davies, Matthijs de Ligt, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Benjamin Pavard and Leroy Sane.
      And Harry’s wife could very easily find herself a new group of WAG pals including Anika Bissel, 22, who is a professional handball player.
      She’s the partner of Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Peter Neuer and could bond with personal trainer Kate through their love of sports.
      There’s also Leroy Sane’s wife Candice Brook, a US model, TV personality and singer, and Mathea Fischer, the partner of Leon Goretzka.
      Lisa Muller is among the many WAGs Kate could cosy-up toCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      Grünwald’s Bel Hair and Spa is reportedly loved by WAGsCredit: Chris Eades
      Harry could soon settle in thanks to a nearby exclusive golf clubCredit: Instagram
      Additionally, she could befriend Lisa Muller, who has been married to Thomas for 12 years and loves horses.
      Should Kate fancy a bit of TLC, she will be able to pamper herself at the local Bel Hair and Spa.
      It’s a popular Bayern WAGs spot, where a wash, cut and blow dry costs £50 and a range of beauty treatments start at £300.
      And for Harry, when he’s not training or enjoying the area’s breathtaking walks, there’s also the exclusive Munchener Golf Club.
      £975-per week schools 
      There are plenty of International schools for the Kanes to choose from for their new little one, including the International Preschool Munich, which has fees of up to £975 per week. 
      The Bavarian International School in Munich-Schwabing describes itself as the “school of the future, today”. 
      The website continues: “Top international teachers there make learning fun and joyful for the 250 children from over 30 nations.”
      Read More on The Sun
      There’s also the Munich International School, which would set them back £7,500 a year.
      And should Harry’s children wish to follow in his footsteps by playing football, German legend Lothar Matthaus coaches the youth teams at local club TSV Grünwald. More

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      Brave Lionesses have inspired a new generation… when I captained England we had to pay to play and washed our own kits

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      IT is hard to believe how much the Lionesses have lifted the game of football in this country.When I captained England to victory in an unofficial world cup in Italy in 1985 the Women’s Football Association couldn’t even afford to pay for a replica of the trophy for each of us.
      The Lionesses have lifted the game of football in EnglandCredit: Alamy
      Maya Jama watches the team at Victoria ParkCredit: Getty
      Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hits the bar for the match
      A decade earlier females were still banned from playing the beautiful game on affiliated grounds.
      Today, thanks to our team of heroes, the whole of the nation has got behind these inspirational young women.
      It is their brave performances on the field and dignified spirit off it that has raised the sport so far.
      Not only did manager Sarina Wiegman’s side become European champions last summer, they went onto become the first England women’s team to reach a World Cup final.
      Read More on Lionesses
      At the final whistle the Lionesses slumped to the ground, heads in hands and teary eyed.
      Their sense of devastation is understandable, because they have given so much to reach the pinnacle of the game.
      But they should leave Australia with their heads held high.
      The women got kicked and got back up again, there was no rolling about.
      Most read in Football
      Our defender Alex Greenwood took a nasty cut over her eye and played on with her head bandaged.
      It was all genuine effort.
      Our goalkeeper Mary Earps was distraught at the end, but she was a real hero making save after save.
      Stopping that penalty gave us hope right up until the end.
      And the superb goals scored earlier in the tournament will live long in the memory of fans.
      It will inspire a generation of young talent.
      At school I was only able to get a kickabout at lunch time with the boys, because during PE lessons it was hockey or netball for the girls.
      When I started playing the beautiful game as an adult, the Football Association still banned females from competing on affiliated football grounds.
      We could only kick-off in parks or on work’s team pitches.
      It cost me money to represent my country when I was first selected to play for England in 1974.
      We had to wash our kits and pay for our travel to the airport.
      The first official tournament was the UEFA championship from 1982 to 1984, which saw us get to the final against Sweden.
      I felt the taste of defeat then, losing over two legs on penalties.
      But I felt proud picking up my runners-up medals and so should the Lionesses.
      We went one better when we took part in the Mundialito – which translates as ‘little world cup.’
      In 1985 I captained the side that played four times in seven days, going on to beat the hosts Italy in the final 3-1 in a tournament not recognised by FIFA.
      Just to represent your country is such an honour, but to lead England to victory is incredible.
      Rather than the 80,000 capacity stadium in Australia that Sarina’s team played in, it was a small ground without stands on most sides.
      We came home and I disappeared back to my job in the office at Northern Dairies in Hull without any fanfare at all.
      That is what is so wonderful about this World Cup.
      They have rightly been congratulated by the Prime Minister and King Charles and should return to a heroes welcome.
      Spain played really well, pressuring the Lionesses and not giving them any time on the ball.
      They didn’t allow us to get into our usual rhythm and England were unable to reach tip top form.
      There is no doubting the dedication and effort of the Lionesses, though.
      England have not complained about going from the Euros last summer to the World Cup a year later, or about the injuries to key players or jet lag.
      We have got used to winning, with this defeat to Spain being only Sarina’s second ever defeat as manager of England.
      It is going to be tough to get over the hurt of losing a World Cup final, but Sarina and her staff will be able to pick them up.
      Read More on The Sun
      There are lots of young players in this team and they will have another opportunity to lift the World Cup.
      The Lionesses have proved that for the women’s game there are no limits to what they can achieve.
      Proud Lioness fans sport their hats outside the Oz stadiumCredit: EPA
      They think it’s all agony as the final whistle is blown and fans are in tearsCredit: Reuters
      Carol Thomas, centre, is a former England Women’s CaptainCredit: Rex More

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      Our England women have been an inspiration this World Cup – here’s what the brilliant Lionesses must do next

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      DO you like the vibes?” Millie Bright asked on the Lionesses’ Instagram feed.
      Our England women have been an inspiration this World Cup – here’s what the brilliant Lionesses must do nextCredit: Getty
      Our captain was walking onto the training pitch before the final as Heaven Is A Place On Earth played in the background.
      Did we like the vibes?
      Not so sure about the Belinda Carlisle tune, but my word how we’ve loved the vibes.
      Our women have been an inspiration.
      READ MORE ON LIONESSES
      For a long time, blokes like me who were generally positive about women’s football would always qualify our praise by saying something disparaging about the goalkeeping.
      Not anymore.
      It would take a perfect finish to get past Mary Earps, and that’s what Olga Carmona conjured up, burying the ball just inside the far post — about the only place our keeper couldn’t get to it.
      To beat Earps and England only the best would do, and Spain were the best.
      Most read in Football
      Fair play. More

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      I endured the worst sexism when I started out in football, I’m so proud of our Lionesses and how far we’ve come

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      WIN or lose in today’s World Cup final, we should all  say thank you to our heroic Lionesses for giving us reason to be so hopeful, happy and proud this summer.What a massive achievement to go all the way and put England’s women’s football on the global map in the process.
      Whatever happens in the World Cup final, Sarina Wiegman and the England Lionesses are heroesCredit: Getty
      A peak audience of 7.3million tuned in to see England beat Australia on Wednesday, the BBC revealed, even though the time difference meant an 11am kick-off.
      And their thrilling performance was worth the watch.
      The Lionesses are an exceptionally talented bunch and they play brilliantly to each other’s strengths.
      But it’s not just about skills and teamwork. Female footballers who have come as far as these girls must be particularly determined and tenacious.
      READ MORE KARREN BRADY
      And in the excellent Sarina Wiegman they have a coach worthy of their talents.
      Despite playing for the Dutch national champions and representing her country, for most of her own football career she had to work as a PE teacher to supplement her income.
      No seamless lucrative hop from multimillion-pound player’s contract to multimillion- pound manager’s deal for Sarina.
      She had to graft to make her way as a manager. But along the way, she became a gifted and in- spirational leader.
      Most read in Football
      Within three years of gaining her full coaching licence, she led the Dutch women’s team to victory at the 2017 Euros and the final of the 2019 World Cup. Sound familiar?
      Last year, she took the Lionesses to victory at the European Women’s Championship and now our women’s team is in its first World Cup final.
      No wonder the FA are considering her as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate for the men’s national team.But for all her success, she is in a minority.
      Spain, who England will play today, have a male manager, as do many other women’s teams.
      Just 12 out of the 32 squads in this year’s World Cup are headed by female coaches, despite clear evidence that women leading women in sport adds up to success.
      And you have to ask — why are there so many blokes in charge, given that no women manage men’s teams?
      I was the first woman to hold a top-flight role in English football at Birmingham City, after joining the club as managing director aged 23.
      When I started out, I was subjected to the most overt sexist chauvinism.
      A chairman of a fellow football club claimed that I would do a “Sharon Stone” in a football tribunal to get out of a Football Association fine.
      I was banned from boardrooms — which had a “no women allowed” policy — and was once chanted at by 30,000 football fans with words too rude to print in a family newspaper.
      It was a slog and, at times, depressing. I always say that the boardroom door was the first door I kicked down, and I have held that door open as long and as wide as possible to get as many other women as possible through it over the past 30 years.
      So, whatever happens today, I’m proud of how far we have come.
      Women’s football in England has come a long way and a World Cup win would take it to the next levelCredit: PA
      A nation is gripped. And proud. And excited. We are in the finals and bossing it!
      As a result, people are taking women’s football more seriously than they ever have. For which I give a giant hurrah.
      These women deserve to be celebrated, and I back The Sun on Sunday’s calls to give out gongs to the Lionesses.
      But there is still some major catching up to do when it comes to parity with men’s football.
      First, there’s the economics of it. Forget making a profit, or even breaking even.
      Every Women’s Super League club loses money.
      The interest in the game is there on a national level, which is obviously wonderful.
      FIERCE AND FABULOUS
      But it does not yet filter down to domestic leagues.
      So, the truth is that the men’s teams are funding the women’s game.
      Domestic leagues can’t even think about equal pay at this stage as the broadcast, sponsorship and gate revenue of the WSL doesn’t add up to a hill of beans. But this is expected to change.
      The latest figures from 2022 show that the 12 WSL clubs boosted their revenue by 60 per cent in one year — and that’s before the inevitable World Cup effect.
      Nike have not made Mary Earps’ England goalkeeper replica jersey available to fansCredit: AP
      So it’s a shame that sponsors Nike have yet to notice this team is breaking the mould, and they need to address that.
      How ridiculous that fans can’t buy a replica of Mary Earps’ goalkeeper’s shirt because the sportswear giant doesn’t think it’s worth manufacturing one.
      Then there’s the massive disparity in prize money.
      This summer is the ninth Women’s World Cup and each member of the winning team will get £213,000 from a total tournament purse of £88.5million.
      Meanwhile, the men’s purse has grown to £345million.
      In my view, it’s time for FIFA to take the lead. The women’s World Cup earns almost £1billion.
      They rake in SO much money from all these ever-expanding tournaments and yet, from their accounts, which I have studied, it’s hard to work out what they do with it all.
      It would be great if they made it their business to redress the balance by paying female footballers more money from their gate and broadcasting revenue.
      This is something domestic leagues can’t do because their revenue just can’t support it.
      After all, if FIFA can afford to pay their President Gianni Infantino more than £3million a year, surely they can afford to equal the women and men’s prize money?
      Unfortunately, as fierce and fabulous as the Lionesses are, when it comes to women’s football there is still too much uncomfortable mirroring with the world of regular work, where men run the show, get paid more and are taken more seriously than women.
      But the success of Sarina and her team is a great reminder that if you want something done right, get a woman to do it.
      After all, football could be coming home today.
      Read More on The Sun
      If it does, it’s the women’s team who will be carrying it.
      Come on England!
      Attitudes towards women in football used to be archaic, says KarrenCredit: Caters News Agency More