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      Why was Didier Deschamps nicknamed ‘The Water-carrier’, and when did he win the World Cup as France captain?

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      DIDIER DESCHAMPS is looking to win his second World Cup as a manager as his France side take to Qatar.The former Les Bleus captain won the biggest prize in all of football in 1998 as a player before winning it all again as manager in 2018. Credit: AFP
      Deschamps joins Franz Beckenbauer and Mario Zagallo as the only people to win the World Cup as a player and manager.
      And he will be hoping to win it again in 2022 as his France side face Denmark in matchday two of the groups.
      Why was Deschamps called ‘the water-carrier’?
      The 49-year-old can have former France team-mate Eric Cantona to thank for his nickname of ‘the water-carrier’.
      He earned the label for his style to win possession from the opposition and then pass forward to the side’s more creative talents.
      While the nickname may seem like an insult, Deschamps was considered one of the greatest defensive midfielders at the time, using his positional awareness and excellent work-rate to stifle any attacks.
      His style helped him win two Champions League titles, one with Marseille and the other with Juventus in a career that saw Deschamps win almost every trophy available.
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      When did he win the World Cup as captain?
      Deschamps was the man to lead France out at their home World Cup in 1998.
      And he did so admirably, playing all-but the final group game as they beat Brazil to lift the famous trophy.
      In a team that had the attacking threats of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps and the defensive unit behind him conceded just twice in the tournament.
      The French captain completed a historic double in 2000, becoming the first World Cup holders to win the following European Championships.
      Deschamps added another World Cup medal to his cabinet when France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final in Russia. More

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      Harry Kane turns up wearing £535,000 Rainbow Rolex before England World Cup win over Iran after OneLove armband banned

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      ENGLAND captain Harry Kane was pictured wearing a £535,000 rainbow watch in Qatar despite the Fifa furore.We reported earlier how Denmark are planning talks with fellow Uefa members over potentially QUITTING world football’s governing body.
      Harry Kane and other players were stopped by Fifa from wearing the OneLove armband at the World CupCredit: Alamy
      That did not stop the star from making his own statement ahead of the Iran matchCredit: Getty
      Kane was spotted wearing the Rolex Daytona Rainbow watchCredit: Getty Images
      The timepiece is worth a mega £535,000Credit: Rolex
      They were one of seven nations, including England and Wales, planning for their skippers to wear One Love armbands in their opening World Cup matches.
      The armbands promote inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights, with same-sex relationships illegal in Qatar.
      Alongside the above three, Germany, France, Belgium, and Switzerland had all planned for their captains to wear them also.
      But the seven skippers were warned by Fifa that they faced a yellow card as a “minimum” punishment for wearing the armbands.
      READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
      Germany sent a defiant message to Fifa with an iconic team photo ahead of their shock World Cup defeat to Japan yesterday.
      Their players lined up for the pre-match team photo and all covered their mouths with their right hand – an act to show they had been silenced by the tournament organisers.

      Now it has emerged that England hero Kane, who was back training today after an injury scare ahead of Friday’s clash with USA, also made his own personal statement.
      The 29-year-old led the squad from the team coach into the dressing-room at the Khalifa International Stadium before the 6-2 win over Iran wearing a £535,000 Rainbow Rolex.
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      Instagram account Insane Luxury Life shared a snap of the timepiece, which was previously worn by Stormzy at the Brit Awards in 2020, and the star wearing it.
      And they captioned it with: “The captain of England @harrykane wears a rare @rolex Daytona ‘Rainbow’ 116595RBOW in 18k rose gold, one of the most sought after pieces on market.
      “This masterpiece is set with 36 baguette-cut rainbow sapphires on bezel, 56 brilliant-cut diamonds on the case and 11 baguette-cut rainbow colored sapphires as hour markers.
      “The Daytona Rainbow was first released in 2012 in 18k white gold and 18k yellow gold, at the time they weren’t much appreciated by the market. #Rolex.”
      They then shared that the retail price is $135,850, while the current market price is $650,000.
      It comes amid news that Qatar has been ordered by Fifa to stop forcing fans to remove their rainbow hats when they enter stadiums.

      Security guards ahead of Wales’ 1-1 draw with the USA cracked down on fans wearing pro-LGBTQ+ clothing at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
      Fans reported being forced to remove rainbow-coloured bucket hats, rainbow wristbands and even rainbow laces.
      And one man even reported he was refused entry to the stadium because he was wearing a T-shirt sporting a rainbow.
      LGBTQ+ rights have been at the centre of controversies around the World Cup – with same-sex relationships punishable by death in Qatar.

      Welsh fan group The Rainbow Wall reported only women were targeted and forced to remove their rainbow clobber.
      And this included former Wales international football star Laura McAllister. More

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      World Cup beer row continues after Qatar U-turn and Budweiser bust-up could rumble into tournament in four years’ time

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      SPURNED World Cup sponsor Budweiser will demand their pound of flesh from Fifa after the late beer in-stadium U-turn.Owners ABInbev agreed an estimated £95m deal to continue as the official beer suppliers to the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico – up £30m from the Qatar agreement.
      There will be thousands of leftover Budweiser following the late U-turn on salesCredit: Getty
      That was on the basis of a 48-team and 80-match tournament across the three countries.
      But it is expected Budweiser will now demand a massive reduction in lieu of taking legal action against Fifa for breach of contract.
      And the blow will be eased further when Fifa confirms early in 2023 that the opening phase will now consist of 12 groups of four teams rather than the planned 16 groups of three, meaning a 104-match World Cup.
      That will offer the brewery a further 24 matches with exclusive sales rights at the stadium plus the likelihood of extra official Budweiser-catered Fan Festivals across the three host nations.
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      Fans were set to be able to drink £12-a-pint beer in the venues at Qatar 2022 before tournament chiefs reversed on their promises at the 11th hour.
      That leaves Budweiser with thousands of crates of beer that cannot be sold.
      So the company vowed to give all the leftovers to the winning country at the World Cup.
      It means supporters can only purchase alcohol at the official FanZone.
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      Furious, regular fans are being forced to pay almost the same amount as the richest visitors to Doha.
      The USA team are among the VIPs staying at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel in the swanky Pearl district.
      A bucket of six 33cl cans of the official tournament tipple is on sale in the hotel’s sports bar for £51.20 – so £8.5 per can, or 26p per cl.
      In the FanZone, it’s £11.62 for a 50cl can – so 22p per cl – in much less luxurious surroundings. More

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      Germany stars in defiant message to Fifa in team photo ahead of Japan clash after World Cup ban on One Love armband

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      GERMANY sent a defiant message to Fifa with an iconic team photo ahead of their World Cup opener against Japan.Hansi Flick’s side were one of the seven European nations that planned on wearing the One Love armband.
      Germany’s players covered their mouths for the team photo in a united stanceCredit: EPA
      Gianni Infantino was in the stadium to see the protestCredit: Getty
      German FA chief Bernd Neuendorf talks to Nancy Faeser as she wears the One Love armbandCredit: Getty
      Faeser had the armband out just a couple of metres from InfantinoCredit: Reuters
      The armband has been used as a message of support and unity, especially for the LGBTQ+ community with England, Wales, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Denmark also set to join with Team DFB.
      However, Fifa made a last-minute decision to ban the accessory – and threatened captains with yellow cards or even one-match suspensions prompting a U-turn from all seven countries.
      It means captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer walked out with the regular generic ‘No Discrimination’ version instead.
      But Germany’s starting XI still made a protest of their own ahead of kick-off in Qatar.
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      The 11 stars, including Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and wonderkid Jamal Musiala, lined up and all covered their mouths with their right hand – as if to say they have been silenced by the tournament organisers.
      That includes Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who was in the stadium to witness the silent stand first hand.
      Like Alex Scott on Monday, German Federal Minister of the Interior and Community, Nancy Faeser, showed her support by wearing the One Love armband inside the ground – and even as she sat right next to Infantino.
      The German and Japanese players also wore training tops with rainbow colours on the sleeves for the warm-up at the Khalifa International Stadium – while Neuer’s World Cup boots feature the colours too.
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      The official Team DFB Twitter account posted: “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect.
      “Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.
      “It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable.
      “That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us.
      “Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.”
      German manager Hansi Flick spoke of his dismay over the armband saga in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. 
      🗣 “It’s a gesture and it’s a start… They say they’ve been silenced but by who? Use your voice! Wear the armband! We always say leadership is about action!@IanWright0 & Roy Keane discuss Germany’s pre match stand pic.twitter.com/bMDRFBQCy3— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 23, 2022

      He said: “About the One Love armband, together with the German FA and other countries, the German team wanted to do this and to take a stand.
      “But now Fifa have threatened us basically with sanctions. The associations that played on Monday (England and Wales), it was very short notice.
      “If you want to run a campaign like this together, you should stick to your decisions.”
      Ian Wright praised the Germany players as “fantastic” for the global gesture in the ITV studio at half-time.
      But Roy Keane encouraged them to go further and show leadership by actually wear the One Love armband for a match.
      Keane said: “It’s a gesture and it’s a start but I think they can do more.
      “They say they’ve been silenced but by who?
      Read More on The Sun
      “They’re the players, the most important people in football.
      “Use your voice! Wear the armband! Stand up! We always say leadership is about action! Go and do it!”
      The silent protest comes after Fifa’s U-turn on the One Love armbandCredit: Reuters
      Manuel Neuer wore the Fifa armband insteadCredit: Getty
      Assistant referee Zachari Zeegelaar made a beeline to check itCredit: EPA
      Neuer sent a message with his choice of boot coloursCredit: Reuters
      Germany’s warm-up tops with rainbow colours on the sleevesCredit: Getty More

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      Denmark to hold talks with England over QUITTING Fifa amid huge World Cup row about One Love armband ban

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      DENMARK are planning talks with fellow Uefa members over potentially QUITTING Fifa. They were one of seven nations, including England and Wales, planning to wear One Love armbands before backing down over the threat of yellow cards.
      Denmark held a press conference on Wednesday morning announcing they were considering leaving FifaCredit: Reuters
      Denmark are ready for talks with Uefa’s 55 member states, which includes England, to quit Fifa after the One Love armband rowCredit: Alamy
      Former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt wore a blue dress with rainbow-colored sleeves as she watched Denmark vs TunisiaCredit: AP
      Danish FA (DBU) chairman Jesper Moller said Denmark were considering leaving Fifa and are ready for talks with Uefa’s 55 member nations, which includes England.
      They are willing to discuss a blanket withdrawal from the world governing body.
      The DBU delegation expressed their “anger” at the way Fifa threatened sporting sanctions for the seven captains planning to wear the One Love armband.
      Denmark will not formally support Fifa chief Gianni Infantino in his bid to be re-elected as president.
      Read More World Cup News
      Moller said: “There are presidential elections in FIFA. There are 211 countries in FIFA and I understand that the current president has statements of support from 207 countries.
      “Denmark is not among those countries. And we’re not going to be either.”
      On leaving Fifa, he said: “It is not a decision that has been made now. We have been clear about this for a long time. We have been discussing it in the Nordic region since August.
      “I’ve thought it again. I imagine that there may be challenges if Denmark leaves on its own. But let us see if we cannot have a dialogue on things.
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      “I have to think about the question of how to restore confidence in FIFA. We must evaluate what has happened, and then we must create a strategy – also with our Nordic colleagues.”
      Alongside Denmark, England and Wales, Germany, France, Belgium, and Switzerland had all planned for their captains to wear One Love armbands in Qatar.
      The armbands promote inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights, with same-sex relationships illegal in Qatar.
      But the seven skippers were warned by Fifa that they faced a yellow card as a “minimum” punishment for wearing the armbands.
      DBU chief CEO Jakob Jensen said: “On November 21, England asked for an emergency meeting with FIFA, who came to the English hotel. FIFA said it would at least give a yellow card.
      Read More on The Sun
      “There has been discussion about whether there is a legal basis for giving a yellow card, but there is.
      “The penalty could have been a yellow card, that the captain had not come on the pitch or that he was given a ban.” More

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      Fifa and Qatar ‘at war over rainbow symbols’ as football chiefs ‘demand World Cup hosts end crackdown over LGBT emblems’

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      QATAR has been ordered by Fifa to stop forcing fans to remove their rainbow hats when they enter stadiumsSecurity guards ahead Wales 1-1 draw with the USA cracked down on fans wearing pro-LGBTQ+ clothing at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
      Ex-Wales international Laura McAllister was targeted by security over her bucket hatCredit: ITV
      Qatari officials reportedly tried to remove the rainbow hatsCredit: The Rainbow Wall
      Fans reported being forced to remove rainbow-coloured bucket hats, rainbow wristbands and even rainbow laces.
      And one man even reported he was refused entry to the stadium because he was wearing a t-shirt sporing a rainbow.
      Qatar and Fifa are now at war over the crackdown – with the football bosses ordering Doha to stop taking action against fans, reports inews.
      Crunch meetings have taken place in which Fifa is said to have made its stance clear that “everyone is welcome” at the World Cup.
      READ MORE ON QATAR
      Football chiefs told the Qatari officials that security guards should not take rainbow items off fans at venues.
      LGBTQ+ rights have been at the centre of controversies around the World Cup – with same-sex relationships punishable by death in Qatar.
      Welsh fan group The Rainbow Wall reported only women were targeted and forced to remove their rainbow clobber.
      And this included former Wales international football star Laura McAllister.
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      “I certainly wasn’t going to give it up,” she told BBC Breakfast, saying her treatment was “heavy handed”.
      “It’s an important symbol of everything that we’re about in Welsh football at the moment and hopefully the wider nation.”
      It came just hours after confusion over the “One Love” armband planned to be worn by England skipper Harry Kane and other captains at the World Cup.
      Fifa issued a ban and warned teams they could be issued yellow cards before kick off if they insisted on making the gesture.
      US journalist Grant Wahl said he was detained by security staff after he wore a rainbow shirt to the game.
      He claims a security guard told him the shirt was not allowed and “forcibly ripped” his phone from his hand.
      The reporter said he was held for 25 minutes and told to remove his “political shirt”.
      Wahl said eventually a security commander approached him and apologised – letting him through into the game.
      DEATH OR JAIL
      “But the entire episode left me wondering: What’s it like for ordinary Qataris who might wear a rainbow shirt when the world isn’t watching here? What’s that like?,” he said.
      In Qatar, same-sex conduct is punishable by up to seven years in jail as it remains an offence under the Penal Code.
      According to Article 296, “leading, instigating or seducing a male in any way to commit sodomy or dissipation” and “inducing or seducing a male or a female in any way to commit illegal or immoral actions”
      Radha Stirling, founder and director of the Detained in Dubai legal aid group, previously told The Sun Online: “Sex outside marriage is illegal in Qatar so couples who book hotel rooms together are already in violation of the law, simply ‘hoping’ the law won’t be enforced.  
      “Homosexuality is unlawful and those who share a hotel room could be equally at risk.  
      “Visiting a destination and ‘hoping’ that illegal acts are not prosecuted puts visitors in a dangerous situation.  
      “Qatar’s abysmal human rights record means that abiding by the law does not protect visitors from prosecution or wrongful detention.
      “Qatar should have been required to update laws to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected this year.”
      England were told not to wear the One Love armband in QatarCredit: Alamy More

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      Holland manager Louis van Gaal slams Fifa over OneLove armband snub after threats of yellow cards to captains

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      LOUIS VAN GAAL has attacked Fifa for threatening to book players for wearing the OneLove armband.A number of captains at the World Cup wanted to wear the anti-discrimination symbol including England captain Harry Kane and Holland’s Virgil van Dijk.
      This is Louis van Gaal’s third spell in charge of the national sideCredit: Getty
      But the threat of disciplinary action saw them back down which Van Gaal clearly believes was wrong by football’s world governing body.
      Van Gaal said: “I no longer want to answer political questions, this is time to talk only about football but one thing is clear we are not going to wear an armband if you are going to get a yellow card and we need to question if this is a correct act on behalf of Fifa.
      “You can answer that question.
      “We cannot have Virgil van Dijk on a yellow card. We are here to be world champions, that’s our purpose. All of us need to ask if this is a proper action on behalf of Fifa. That is crystal clear.”
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      Van Gaal was speaking after Holland’s 2-0 win over Senegal courtesy of late goals from Cody Gakpo and substitute Davy Klaassen.
      On the eve of the game he had said he would no longer be drawn on political questions and had instructed his players not to be either.
      Back in March he had slammed the decision for Qatar to be awarded this World Cup.
      He said: “It’s ridiculous that the World Cup is there. Fifa says they want to develop football there. That’s bulls**t. It’s about money, about commercial interests.”
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      Defeat to the Dutch means that Senegal will have to launch a rescue mission if they are to make it beyond the group stages.
      Ecuador and Qatar come next in the African team’s schedule.
      They will be hoping to have Cheikhou Kouyate back in the team after the midfielder sustained an unfortunate and painful injury. More

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      Belgium forced to change away kit for World Cup after Fifa demand one word is removed from their shirt

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      BELGIUM have been forced to change their World Cup kit after Fifa demanded that the word “love” be removed.The Red Devils’ away shirt was based on the Tomorrowland festival’s fireworks show and is supposed to symbolise the shared values ​​of diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
      Belgium will have to remove the word “love” from their away shirtCredit: store.tomorrowland.com
      Captain Eden Hazard will also not be able to wear the One Love armbandCredit: Rex
      It was developed by both Adidas and the Royal Belgian Football Association for the World Cup.
      It also has the word “love” written on the back underneath the players’ squad number.
      However, it now needs to be removed as confirmed by the RBFA.
      A statement from CEO Peter Bossaert read: “The word love must disappear.
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      “It’s sad, but Fifa leaves us no choice. The rest of the equipment remains unchanged.”
      Due to the necessary change, the Red Devils will now wear their red kit for the three group-stage games.
      Roberto Martinez’s side will be facing Canada, Morroco and Croatia in Group F.
      Captain Eden Hazard, like England’s skipper Harry Kane, has also been stopped from wearing the One Love armband.
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      Bossaert added: “Eden will indeed not play with the One Love band.
      “We have no choice, because the penalties are disproportionate. We can’t risk Eden getting a yellow card before the game starts.
      “We were prepared to pay high fines – and we also indicated this in our conversations with Fifa – but there was simply no consultation possible.
      “That means that we cannot continue our action.” More