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    Who are the ITV pundits for the World Cup 2022?

    THE pundits have been announced for ITV’s coverage of the 2022 World Cup.The tournament, which takes place in Qatar, will see some of the best players in world football compete against each other for glory.
    Qatar will host the 2022 World CupCredit: Rex
    Gareth Southgate’s England side will have to get past the likes of France, Brazil, Spain and Germany in their bid to go one step further than last year’s Euro’s.
    And ITV have confirmed a stellar line-up which includes some big names.
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    Who are the ITV pundits?
    Mark Pougatch will be the lead anchor for ITV’s coverage.
    He will be joined by former Arsenal striker and Match of the Day pundit, Ian Wright.
    Ian Wright will be a part of ITV’s 2022 World Cup coverageCredit: Alamy
    Ex-Manchester United player Roy Keane will also be involved. The Irishman famously left his country’s side ahead of the 2002 World Cup following a disagreement with manager Mick McCarthy.
    He will be alongside Gary Neville who should provide some entertainment following a number of amusing moments as a pundit on Sky Sports.
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    Graeme Souness is also part of the team. The former Liverpool midfielder’s honest analysis of players such as Paul Pogba has made him a regular face on TV.
    Ex-Premier League forward Hal Robson-Kanu should provide some interesting insight. The Welshman scored an iconic goal against Belgium in the Euro 2016 quarter final, taking Wales to the semi-final of the tournament.
    Laura Woods, Seema Jaswal, Joe Cole, Karen Carney, Eniola Aluko, Nigel de Jong and Nadia Nadim will all also feature as part of ITV’s coverage. More

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    ITV announce World Cup pundits as Gary Neville, Graeme Souness and Roy Keane join Wales cult hero and Eni Aluko

    GARY NEVILLE, Roy Keane and Graeme Souness are among the mega names confirmed as ITV pundits for next month’s World Cup in Qatar.The iconic trio have been delighted footy fans with their hot takes for years.
    Gary Neville and Roy Keane are among the ITV pundits confirmed for next month’s World CupCredit: Alamy
    Graeme Souness will also be providing footy fans with hot takesCredit: Getty
    And they are sure to provide more entertainment this winter as England look for a first World Cup win since 1966.
    At the weekend, Man Utd legends Neville and Keane had a huge bust-up over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future.
    Liverpool icon Souness is no stranger to heated debates either.
    And it will be a lively occasion as the globe’s top teams compete for football’s greatest prize.
    READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
    Joining the trio are former Arsenal striker Ian Wright and ex-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole.
    Wales hero Hal-Robson Kanu and Man City favourite Nigel de Jong will also be taking to the studio.
    And three icons of the women’s game will be present too, with Eni Aluko and Karen Carney joined by Nadia Nadim.
    Meanwhile, there are three main presenters in Mark Pougatch, Laura Woods and Seema Jaswal.
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    The commentary team consists of Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Jon Champion, Seb Hutchinson and Joe Speight.
    And co-commentary will come from Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist, John Hartson and Andros Townsend.
    ITV will broadcast a total of 32 matches from Qatar, with the first being Senegal vs Holland on Monday November 21.
    ITV is also showing England’s second group game against the USA on Friday November 25. More

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    Man Utd legend Roy Keane slammed for ‘hammering everything’ in Sky Sports punditry by Richard Keys and Andy Gray

    ROY KEANE has been slammed by Richard Keys and Andy Gray for “hammering everything” in his punditry. The Manchester United legend has built a reputation for his no-nonsense analysis on Sky Sports and ITV.
    Roy Keane’s punditry was criticised by Richard Keys and Andy GrayCredit: Getty
    But in a joint interview with the Telegraph, Keys and Gray – who were sacked by Sky in 2011 – criticised pundits for being too harsh.
    Keys said: “Not everything in football is s***. But it is if you watch British television.
    “I’ve had this conversation with (Arsene) Wenger. He said to me, ‘Why do Sky spend £1.1billion on a three-year cycle of broadcast rights and then spend that period destroying it?’
    “He’s right. I don’t understand it either. If Andy or I had offered a scintilla of the same criticism to the modern player, we would have been out on our ear.”
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    Keys remembers Keane hitting out at him after the presenter criticised the Irishman’s reign as Ipswich manager in 2008.
    He said: “The guys who are criticising were probably the most sensitive of their time.
    “When he was manager at Ipswich, Roy hammered me. Now here he is on everybody’s wishlist, because he comes along and hammers everything else.”
    Keys and Gray were sacked by Sky for making derogatory and sexist comments about female assistant referee Sian Massey in a leaked tape.
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    They now work for Qatar-owned beIN Sports, and Gray claimed he takes a more gentle approach to punditry.
    He said: “We’re too quick to condemn. Rather than battering players, I try to look for reasons why they might be struggling. 
    “Luckily, I had a boss at Sky, Andy Melvin, who taught me: ‘Don’t just criticise, tell me why it’s bad and why it might get better.’
    “Look at how Harry Maguire is being beaten up. And yet Manchester United paid £80million for him. So, he can’t be hopeless. 
    “If I had a bad day on the pitch, I would look at the Sunday papers, see a rating of three out of 10, and that would be it.
    “Now there’ll be memes about you, worldwide.”
    Andy Gray pictured with TV co-host Richard KeysCredit: PA:Press Association More

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    I’m A Celebrity signs England football star for this year’s show

    Lioness Jill Scott has signed up for the new series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!The midfielder, 35, retired after playing in the game that beat Germany 2-1 in the Uefa Women’s final in July.
    Lioness Jill Scott, 35, has signed up for the new series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!Credit: AP
    It has long been rumoured that ITV wanted a Lioness to enter the jungleCredit: Rex
    But her expletives gained almost as much attention as her ball skills when a clip of her swearing at Germany’s Sydney Lohmann went viral.
    A TV insider said: “Jill became an instant star following that memorable moment, with most Brits forgiving the minor outburst.”
    “It was always rumoured that ITV wanted one of the team in the jungle and Jill is a natural choice.”
    Jill presented an award at the NTAs this week and joked that she was skint and had been forced to sell her winner’s medal.
    READ MORE ON JILL SCOTT
    I’m a Celeb returns to the Australian Jungle next month.
    Other stars include former rugby player Mike Tindall, DJ Chris Moyles and comic Seann Walsh.
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    Man Utd legend Gary Neville confirms he will work as pundit for ITV and beIN Sports at Qatar World Cup

    GARY NEVILLE has confirmed that he will work for ITV and beIN Sports at the Qatar World Cup.The Manchester United legend has vowed to highlight human rights issues while working for Qatari-owned beIN.
    Gary Neville will do punditry work in QatarCredit: PA
    He tweeted: “Yes, I’m going to the World Cup and, yes, working for ITV and Bein. I will highlight those issues I have for years.”
    Neville, 47, was critical of living conditions for World Cup workers during a recent trip to Qatar.
    During the Sky Sports documentary, he said: “It’s a Portakabin with four curtains and two lockers on each side.
    “The wealth in this country and that level of accommodation for people, with the sacrifice they are making… It’s inequality like you wouldn’t believe. It’s staggering.”
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    Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, while women have to seek permission from men to marry, travel and pursue higher education via the male guardianship system.
    Neville’s old pal David Beckham signed a multi-million deal with Qatar to be the face of this year’s World Cup – something the pundit failed to mention while interviewing Golden Balls on The Overlap earlier this year.
    Quizzed why he didn’t mention it during a recent appearance on The Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast, Neville said: “I just wouldn’t ask him about human rights in Qatar.
    “The reality of it is he has a deal with Qatar, he’s comfortable with that. There are other people to be fair in Europe and this country… English players will all go over to the World Cup this summer, the FA will go to the World Cup in Qatar and play in Qatar.
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    “If they were that annoyed about it they wouldn’t go. I’ve been to Qatar for the last 10-15 years.
    “I’ve been going to Dubai since 2002, so you could argue in some ways I’m integrated into Middle Eastern society and I like the idea of working in the Middle East myself.
    “I’ll work with Middle Eastern TV companies during the tournament in December and have no problem with that, but still feel comfortable calling out their human rights.
    “I wouldn’t ask David Beckham about human rights in Qatar, I just wouldn’t do that.”
    He then added: “That’s the reality of life. I’m willing to go over and spend money in Abu Dhabi or spend money in Qatar, spend money in the Middle East.
    “Receive money from them for programmes or for what would be television appearances.
    “The reality of it is, I genuinely believe every region in the world has its own c**p, they do.
    “They have their own issues, their own things that they’ve got to deal with.
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    “My view would be that I’d rather work in a world where we do continue to deal with these countries and these regions – but what we try and do is soften their approaches on things like human rights and workers’ rights and the LGBT rights – these are issues that need to be addressed and dealt with.
    “Do we do that in the room or do we do that out the room? I’ve always felt we should do that in the room.”
    BeIN Sports are owned by PSG president Nasser Al-KhelaifiCredit: AP More

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    Atletico Madrid 1 Real Madrid 2 LIVE REACTION: Rodrygo & Velverde goals seal derby win as Los Blancos go TOP of La Liga

    REAL MADRID beat their fierce rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their La Liga derby tonight in Spain’s capital. Goals from Rodrygo and Federico Valverde put Real in control before Hermoso, who was sent off in stoppage time for Atletico, pulled one back late on.

    Start time: 8pm BST
    TV/Live stream: ITV 4
    Atletico XI: Oblak, Llorente, Felipe, Reinildo, Carrasco, Witsel, Kondogbia, Koke, De Paul, Joao Felix, Griezmann
    Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, Tchouameni, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Mendy

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    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
    Thanks and buenas noches!
    There’s usually fireworks when Atletico square off against Real Madrid and tonight was no different.
    Atletico struggled to get back into the game once Valverde doubled Madrid’s lead towards the end of the first half, but Diego Simeone can be proud of the character that his team showed late on.
    The sparks really started flying once Hermoso was introduced in the 72nd minute.
    He wasted little time in putting his stamp on the contest and it was his goal that gave Atletico hope.
    However, Hermoso’s red card towards the end of normal time effectively put an end to the contest.
    Real Madrid were in control of the contest for long periods and limited Atletico to half-chances and shots from distance.
    They were in cruise control for most of the second half and were perhaps unfortunate to concede a freak goal that took some of the shine off the result.
    Atletico will travel to Sevilla after the international break as they look to climb the table.
    Real Madrid will host Osasuna as they look to maintain their perfect record this season.
    Thanks again for joining us for another exciting Madrid derby. Adios!

    Atletico’s uncharacteristic defending
    Diego Simeone’s Atletico teams are famed for their defensive abilities but Madrid’s forward line exposed them time and time again this evening.
    The sheer pace of Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr on the break was just too much for an Atletico team that is still trying to find its feet this season.

    Madrid extend perfect run
    Real Madrid’s victory takes them back to the top spot in La Liga, two points above Barcelona.
    They made it harder for themselves than they perhaps should have done in the end, but they will be happy with their work in what is never an easy game.
    Full-time: Atletico 1 – 2 Real Madrid
    Hermoso’s red card was the final nail in Atletico’s coffin and they were unable to fashion one more chance for themselves in the remaining minutes.
    Stay with us for the post-match reaction to another incident-filled Madrid derby!
    RED CARD! Atletico 1 – 2 Real Madrid – (Hermoso)
    90. Hermoso picks up a second yellow just two minutes after his first.
    He tussles with Dani Ceballos in the penalty area while a corner kick comes in.
    Ceballos makes the most of the contact and goes down, prompting the referee to show Hermoso a second yelklow.
    If Atletico are to snatch a late point, they’ll have to do it with ten men.

    Atletico 1 – 2 Real Madrid – Yellow card (Hermoso) (Carvajal)
    88. It’s getting feisty now!
    Hermoso takes exception to a foul on Reinildo by Carvajal on the half way line.
    The two Spaniards square off and both pick up a yellow card for their troubles.
    Atletico 1 – 2 Real Madrid
    87. That goal has understandably changed the atmosphere in the stadium.
    The crowd can sense that they might just nick a point here and Simeone is riling them up.
    Can they create one more chance?
    GOAL! Atletico 1 – 2 Real Madrid (Hermoso)
    83. Hermoso didn’t know much about it, but he’s just hauled his team back into the game!
    Griezmann sends a corner into the crowded penalty area and Courtois flaps at it.
    The ball travels on to Hermoso and deflects into the goal via his shoulder.
    Game on!

    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    80. Toni Kroos has put the ball out of play because Carvajal is laying prone on the pitch.
    Carvajal is claiming an elbow from Kondogbia, but there wasn’t much there in all honesty.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    79. Atletico are huffing and puffing but still can’t find a way past Courtois.
    Correa the latest player to send a weak shot towards goal that Courtois easily smothers.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    75. Real Madrid make their first change of the night as Antonio Rudiger comes on for Ferland Mendy who had been booked.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    76. It’s another double change for the home team as Hermoso and Correa replace Carrasco and Koke.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    72. Atletico are playing in a 4-4-2 formation since that double substitution, but they still haven’t been able to create an opportunity of note in this second half.
    Simeone is making more changes to his team now.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    68. Kondogbia has just been surprised at having the ball nicked off him by a tenacious Rodrygo despite the warnings of 68,000 screaming MAN-ON at him.
    Google translate tells me that HOMBRE-EN is the direct Spanish translation.
    Every day’s a school day.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    64. The cameras have shown Joao Felix trudging his way down the tunnel following his substitution.
    Perhaps he’s picked up an injury, but it’s not a great look when your team are two goals down at home to your rivals.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid – Yellow card (Koke)
    63. Koke has his name taken for a cynical foul on Rodrygo.
    Wouldn’t have been out of place in the NFL, that one.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    62. Simeone makes a double change as Rodrigo de Paul and Joao Felix are replaced by Matheus Cunha and Alvaro Morata.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    61. Atletico play a short corner and Griezmann plays a dangerous cross into the box but his teammates can’t get on the end of it.
    Time for a change of personnel for Atletico.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    58. The half-time break hasn’t done much to wake Atletico up from their slumber.
    Real Madrid have won every header and been quicker to every second ball so far.
    Simeone is turning to his substitutes as a way of getting his team back into the contest.

    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    56. Griezmann dinks the ball towards the back post, but again the Real Madrid defenders clear the ball without being put under too much pressure.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    55. de Paul has earned another free-kick in a dangerous position, just outside the Real Madrid penalty area.
    Can Atletico make better use of this one?
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    54. Griezmann’s cross fails to beat the first man and Real Madrid comfortable clear.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    53. Atletico have a free-kick near the corner flag after good work by Llorente and de Paul on the right wing…
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    50. Real Madrid don’t seem to be missing Casemiro too much.
    They’ve got a ready-made replacement in the shape of Aurelien Tchouameni.
    The 22-year-old Frenchman has dovetailed expertly with the more experienced Modric and Kroos tonight.
    Atletico 0 – 2 Real Madrid
    48. Rodrygo has been a thorn in Atletico’s side all night and he is almost away again after dancing past Llorente near the halfway line, but de Paul comes across to mop up.
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    Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid FREE: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, how to watch

    THE MADRID derby is here this weekend as one of La Liga’s most eagerly awaited fixtures takes place.Real Madrid will be making the short trip to face their fierce rivals Atletico at the Metropolitano Stadium, and there’s a way you can watch it all for FREE.
    Karim Benzema is pushing for a return
    In Real’s way are Diego Simeone’s Atletico
    And Real star man Karim Benzema could return in the big derby.
    Real have been without Benzema for their last two matches, after the French striker suffered a thigh injury in the 3-0 win at Celtic.
    But reports in Spain claim that the talisman is pushing to feature on Sunday.
    AS have reported that Benzema’s availability will be assessed at the very last second.
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    When is Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid?
    Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid will take place on Sunday, September 18.
    The match will kick off at 8pm UK time.
    Atletico Metropolitano Stadium plays host.
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    What live stream and TV channel is Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid on?
    Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid will be broadcast live on ITV4 on TV and live streamed on the ITV Hub.
    In addition, it will also be be shown on subscription channel Premier Sports 2.
    Can I watch Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid for FREE?
    Yes you can. Those in the UK can watch for FREE on ITV4 and stream on the ITV Hub.
    ITV’s coverage gets underway from 7.30pm.
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    ITV announce they will show LaLiga games FREE to air from this season – with Real Madrid or Barcelona in every game

    ITV have announced they will show 10 LaLiga matches free to air this season, with Barcelona or Real Madrid involved in every one.The three-year deal, which was confirmed on Friday, will see games be shown on ITV, ITV4 and ITV Hub.
    Real Madrid are the reigning LaLiga champions heading into the 2022/23 campaignCredit: Reuters
    The first free-to-air match selected is Real Sociedad vs Barcelona which will be on ITV4 from 8.30pm on Sunday, August 21.
    As part of the deal, Premier Sports will also continue to show LaLiga games in the UK.
    Following the news, ITV Director of Sport, Niall Sloane, said: “This deal ensures free to air coverage for all football fans of one of the most entertaining leagues in the world.
    “The deal with Premier Sports will give fans the chance to see some of the most iconic clubs and world-class players in action, live on ITV.”
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    The deal means ITV have secured the rights to show LaLiga football up until and including the 2024/25 campaign.
    Real Madrid are the current LaLiga champions after they clinched their 35th Spanish title last season.
    Carlo Ancelotti’s men finished 13 points ahead of rivals Barcelona and 15 in front of Atletico Madrid.
    And they then also went on to lift a 14th European Cup after beating Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League final.
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    Meanwhile, last season saw Barcelona eliminated in the Champions League group stages for the first time in 20 years.
    They then dropped down to the Europa League but lost to Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.
    However, a trophyless season has been followed up by a spree of summer signings – despite the club’s financial crisis.

    They have brought in Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.
    The Catalan giants are also strongly linked with Marcos Alonso and Bernardo Silva. More