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      Nottingham Forest at WAR with Premier League and FA as they demand VAR audio is made public after incredible statement

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST are at war with the Prem, the FA AND PGMOL.An astonishing day of claim and counter-claim over the fall-out from Sunday’s defeat at Everton saw:Nottingham Forest were left furious after their loss to Everton on SundayCredit: Getty*Forest demand the public release of the conversations between ref Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Attwell*The FA announce they wanted urgent explanations from Nuno Espirito Santo, Neco William and ex-Prem whistler Mark Clattenburg*Forest then repeating allegations that refs’ chief Howard Webb was asked to take Luton fan Attwell off VAR duties for Sunday’s contentious Goodison clash before suggesting their “fears of a sideshow” had come true*Prem chiefs then signalling they will bring their OWN charges against Forest for the incendiary outing of Attwell as a Hatters supporter and implying he was biased against them.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt left tension between the club and the authorities at boiling point with a series of statements issued cranking up the heat.Forest remain furious over the three penalty decisions that went against them in the relegation six-pointer while  Webb is insistent the central claim that he was asked to take Attwell OFF the match is simply untrue.Webb’s position is that, while he did receive a call from Clattenburg on Friday, it was to inform him that Forest thought Espirito Santo might be asked about Attwell’s appointment as VAR in his pre-match news conference.Managers and players have been warned that ANY pre-match comments about officials is an offence, although the question was then not asked.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut Webb is adamant that Clattenburg categorically did not ask for the appointment to be changed and that Forest said they had no problem with it.Forest raised the temperature as they made their demand for the audio recordings of conversations between Attwell and ref Anthony Taylor to be played out on TV.Alan Shearer in X-rated rant against ’embarrassing’ Nottingham Forest statement which cult hero ‘thought was a parody’A club spokesman said: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park. “The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).“We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”Young added another layer when he posted an image of Justin Timberlake’s 2002 song “Cry Me a River”, adding the caption “Old Skool Tunes for Today” accompanied by two winking face emojis.Soon after the Forest statement, the FA said it had “formally requested observations” from Forest, Espirito Santo, Williams and Clattenburg into their public comments.Espirito Santo’s interviews included him saying “it’s been clear what has been happening to us”  and suggesting “if we were in another country, we will start speaking about conspiracy” while Williams claimed:  “The top six teams will get decisions and we won’t.”Then the Prem issued its own statement, saying it was “extremely disappointed” with Forest’s comments and adding: “It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules.”Forest could be charged under Prem Rules B.15 and B.16.Forest have demanded the VAR audio from three incidents at Goodison ParkCredit: RexThey demand that club officials act “with utmost good faith” to the League and that every club must “conduct itself in an abusive, derogatory, insulting, intimidating or offensive manner towards any (other) Club or the League”.Yet that only sparked a further response from Forest who doubled down on Sunday’s initial post-match statement.The club said: “This was an issue we raised with PGMOL prior to the fixture because of the fear of the side show that would ensue if anything went wrong with officiating in the game.“That fear has materialised, as the correctness of three important decisions against the Club have been called into doubt.”Forest made a partial climbdown as the club added: “This is not about individuals but rather how the integrity of the game is seen.“We know match officials do not allow outside factors to influence their decision-making and that all referees are required to declare their ‘allegiances’ to PGMOL to avoid any perceived conflict or harm to the game’s reputation for integrity.“However, it is clear PGMOL must amend its rule on allegiances to account for contextual rivalries in the league table, not just local rivalries.“This is currently not within the criteria but should be. Mere reliance on match officials to recuse themselves if contextual rivalries exist invites conjecture, as some have recused themselves where others have not.”The FA want an explanation from Forest referee analyst Mark Clattenburg for his commentsCredit: PAWhile Attwell is a Luton fan, he, along with all over referees and officials must declare his club allegiance each season, meaning he will not be assigned to Hatters’ games or certain other matches involving direct local rivals.Even the affiliation of a referee’s family can be enough to prevent them being appointed to matches involving certain teams.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt has been noted, however, that Luton’s cause in terms of avoiding the drop would actually have been better served by the match at Goodison finishing as a draw, as it would have kept the Bedfordshire side close to both clubs at the foot of the table.And while Forest insisted the club  only wanted “greater transparency” over ref appointments and that, given a season of controversy “any move which boosts confidence in the system should be properly considered” the outcome is almost certain to be an extremely expensive one. 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      Alan Shearer in X-rated rant against ’embarrassing’ Nottingham Forest statement which cult hero ‘thought was a parody’

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      ALAN SHEARER has slammed Nottingham Forest for their “embarrassing” statement criticising the PGMOL.The club claimed three “extremely poor” decisions were made against them after referee Anthony Taylor failed to award them three penalties against Everton.Alan Shearer slammed Nottingham Forest’s PGMOL statementCredit: GettyOne was for a possible handball against Ashley Young, while the Toffees defender was also involved in two awkward tussles inside the box, possibly making contact with a Forest player.Nottingham Forest said after the match they could “not accept” the decisions, before going on to say they warned the PGMOL that Taylor is a Luton fan.They have now called for public broadcasting of the VAR conversations during the match.Shearer was baffled by the statement, which he criticised on The Rest is Football podcast saying: “What the f*** are Forest doing putting that statement out? It’s an absolute embarrassment.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”‘We told the PGMOL the referee he was a Luton fan’. What on earth are they thinking about?”Co-host Micah Richards joined in with Shearer’s bemusement, saying he could barely believe it was real.Richards added: “Honestly I thought it was a parody account. I was like ‘this is not real, surely this is not real.””I had to check about ten different sources to ensure it was real.”Most read in FootballJamie Carragher and Gary Neville also blasted the statement, with the latter calling it a “scandal”.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWhat have Nottingham Forest said?
      After the final whistle against Everton, Nottingham Forest’s official Twitter account tweeted: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
      “We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.
      “NFFC will now consider its options.”
      Today the club revealed they have requested the PGMOL release the audio recordings between officials during the match.
      A statement read: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park.
      “The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
      “We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”

      Neville also suggested former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg must resign from his role as Forest’s referee analyst.He said: “Mark Clattenberg must resign tonight.”If he saw those words go out in which question the integrity of a referee and claims someone is a cheat for supporting another club, then he’s supporting what is being said.Gary Neville tells Mark Clattenburg to RESIGN from Nottingham Forest role after club’s ’embarrassing’ VAR statement”He would lose all credibility with referees in the game. He should stand down tonight and distance himself from that statement.”The statement is like a petulant child. It’s embarrassing.”Today has been a horrendous day for Nottingham Forest. Possibly horrendous because of the decisions that they’ve had, but horrendous for how they’ve reacted to the situation.”To mention the VAR official as being a Luton fan and inferring in some way that’s had an impact on the decision-making process and suggesting to me as a fan, thinking ‘has he cheated us’, you’re into really dangerous territory.” More

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      Bizarre cup final saw Chelsea star play twice in 24 hours and City awarded outrageous pen as ref ‘was having bit of fun’

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      RODRI – look away now. If you aren’t already knackered you will be after reading this.Manchester City’s overworked midfielder broke with tradition ten days ago by pleading for a rest, because the hectic football calendar is catching up on him.Chelsea star Pat Nevin won the 1986 Full Members’ Cup – 24 hours after playing against SouthamptonCredit: GettyAlan Saunders was the referee ‘having fun’ during the Wembley showdownCredit: GettyHe will probably start against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, though, in an example of a thoroughly modern FA Cup semi-final: late kick-off and no replay to drain the legs.Back in 1986, the two teams met at the same ground in the now-defunct Full Members’ Cup on March 23 with both teams having played the day before in the old Division One.City drew 2-2 at Manchester United while Chelsea won 1-0 at Southampton then whizzed back up to London to prepare for the game.Winger Pat Nevin played two full 90-minute matches in 24 hours. A league game and cup final on consecutive days. The stuff of Rodri’s nightmares.READ MORE ON CHELSEAChelsea won 5-4 as 67,000 fans turned up.For slender Nevin, it was a doddle.He said: “Wembley is quite taxing, it’s a big pitch and in those days anyway, quite sapping because it was lush grass. It was asking a lot but I don’t actually remember feeling tired.“But my background was as a distance runner so I could go forever.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“The big, heavier guys struggled more than anyone else. I think Kerry Dixon was injured that day.“The Chelsea fans turned up as if it was the Champions League final. It was weird. Chelsea hadn’t been at Wembley for a long time, so they were enjoying a day out. I think we were 5-1 up with five minutes to go.Chelsea’s plans for £1bn new stadium“The referee was just having a laugh. He gave them a penalty right at the end to make it 5-4. I was furious. I shouted at him, ‘What are you doing?’“He said, ‘I’m just having a bit of fun and will blow up after this, don’t worry.’ I thought, ‘I like your style, mate.'”Chelsea played 52 matches in season 1985-86 and finished sixth.Nevin, 60, said: “If you check, we played a lot of games that year. But it was injuries that got us more than tiredness.“In 850 games as a professional I never once said I was tired, and I wasn’t the only one.“We had much, much smaller squads. You played with injury. The concept of being in the red zone so they take you off didn’t exist. You ran through it.“Players have always pushed themselves to the edge, okay some of us may have two metal hips now because of it, but you take that.“I loved it. I thought ‘Yes, they’ll be knackered.’ Any weakness, you turn it into a positive.“So if I have two games in two days, so do they. It’s, ‘Let’s see if you are as fit as me’. It’s just the way elite sport is.”’I’M NOT SYMPATHETIC’Rodri has played 48 matches this season and is the beating heart of a City team chasing a league and cup double after exiting European competition in midweek.Nevin said: “I am not deeply sympathetic. Nobody is 100 per cent fit.“Rodri has the right to say it. But there are some I think, ‘Come on give us a break.’“In a different era, if you’d said you were too tired and didn’t play next week, somebody else would take your place and you might not get back in.“It doesn’t happen so much now. And if you are on £60,000, £70,000 a week does it matter if you don’t get in?“Back then it was your livelihood. So even if you did want a rest you couldn’t afford it. Not only did you lose your place in the team, but your wages.”The Full Members’ Cup was a substitute for European competition with English clubs banned following the 1985 Heysel Stadium riot.READ MORE SUN STORIESNevin said: “It was completely for the fans, They deserve it. They have waited since Peter Osgood and Charlie Cook. “I was fine after it. It’s not that I am Superman. I am a bit of an oddity.”David Speedie grabbed a hat-trick for the BluesCredit: GettyChelsea were 5-1 up with five minutes to goCredit: GettyCity scored in the 85th and 88th minutes before the controversial 89th-minute penaltyCredit: Getty More

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      Xavi launches stinging attack on referee after Barcelona knocked out of Champions League thanks to ‘mistake’

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      BARCELONA manager Xavi lashed out at the referee following his team’s heartbreaking Champions League elimination.Barca hosted Paris Saint-Germain at the Nou Camp in the quarter-finals with a 3-2 advantage following last week’s victory in the first leg at Parc des Princes.Barcelona boss Xavi lashed out at the referee after the elimination by Paris Saint-GermainCredit: EPAXavi was furious with the referee, who sent him and Ronaldo Araujo offCredit: APThe Blaugrana opened the scoring after just 12 minutes to extend their lead but it all went downhill after that as they lost Ronald Araujo to a controversial red card after he tripped Bradley Barcola.PSG went on to punch their ticket to the semi-finals with a 4-1 victory thanks to goals by ex-Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha as well as a brace by Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe.Xavi’s evening got even worse after he was also sent off for angrily kicking Champions League padding around the VAR monitor near his dugout.As he walked away from the touchline, the ex-midfield maestro could be seen taking off his coat and having a quick chat with assistant Oscar Hernandez.Read More on FootballThe Spaniard was left fuming and confronted referee Istvan Kovacs at full-time, calling him a “disaster before giving him both barrels during his post-match interview.Xavi said: “It’s a pity, our Champions League is over due to referee’s mistake.“I just told the referee that he’s been a disaster. It’s the reality”.This officially marks Xavi’s last Champions League match as Barcelona manager.Most read in Champions LeagueThe Catalan tactician confirmed earlier this season that he will be leaving his beloved club after three years in charge.The 44-year-old head coach missed the chance of leaving the Catalan giants with silverware as his team are eight points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in the table.Football icons’ strange hobbiesPSG are now set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-finals.Dortmund made it to the final four after knocking Atletico Madrid out with an aggregate of 5-4. More

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      Xavi sent off for Barcelona after lashing out moments after PSG levelled tense Champions League tie

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      XAVI was sent off for kicking out during Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.The Barcelona boss lost his cool on the touchline as he booted padding around the VAR monitor.Xavi lashed out on the touchlineCredit: TNT SPORTSThe manager was not impressed with the refereeCredit: TNT SPORTSReferee Istvan Kovacs showed the Spaniard a straight red cardCredit: GettyXavi, 44, was given a straight red card for his outburst by Romanian international referee Istvan Kovacs.The Spaniard was clearly frustrated after signing his side lose a 4-2 aggregate lead on the night.As he walked away from the touchline, Xavi could be seen taking off his coat and having a quick chat with assistant Oscar Hernandez.Fans reacted to the moment as they flooded social media.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne commented: “So stupid from Xavi!”A second wrote: “Poor Xavi.”A third posted: “Xavi is a crybaby.”A fourth said: “Please Xavi, leave now.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother added: “Xavi really leaves our club.”Raphinha had scored the opening goal before Paris Saint-Germain hit back with goals from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersRonald Araujo was also shown a straight red card earlier in the match for a last-man challenge.To make matters worse, moments later, the Ligue 1 side were awarded a penalty as Dembele was fouled by Joao Cancelo.Kylian Mbappe converted from the sport to put PSG 5-4 ahead in the tie.Barcelona then had another blow as Hernandez was given a second yellow card and also handed his marching orders, leaving the team two coaches down.Mbappe sealed the win in the 89th minute as he fired in after a swift counter-attack.Barcelona had gone into the second leg 3-2 up, having won a thrilling first leg at the Parc des Princes. More

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      Footie clash descends into chaos as referee is bitten by SNAKE after bizarre backpack plan goes horribly wrong

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      A FOOTBALL clash descended into chaos after the referee was bitten TWICE by a snake.A game between GFS Leskovac Gornje Sinkovce and Radnik 2013 in Serbia was suddenly interrupted for the bizarre reason.One man decided to use his backpack to try and shove the serpent off the pitchThe incident happened during a game in SerbiaCredit: @fkgornjesinkovceThe game was halted as people tried to usher the serpent off the grass.Footage showed the referee, Aleksandar Gorcic, remaining calm as the snake slithered on.And in the video that has now gone viral someone off the pitch came in and bizarrely tried to throw out the snake with their backpack.But that did not work and the ref then stopped the snake in its tracks by putting his foot on it, picking it up and throwing it off the field.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd fans could only praise Gorcic for his courageous act.As one said: “This needs to be sent to Uefa this referee deserves to referee the Champions League final.Another then put: “Hats off to the courage of the referee.”While another joked about the snake: “Who is the referee?”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAfter the match, reports in Serbia said Gorcic had been bitten twice by the reptile.The club have also confirmed that the snake was not injured.Football stars’ weird phobiasAccording to eyewitnesses, it is a non-poisonous snake, but it still can sink its fangs down, which is what the referee felt on his skin. More

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      Borussia Dortmund have penalty overturned by VAR DURING ex-Man Utd star’s run up in never-before-seen moment

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND were denied a goal in a never-before-seen moment during their game against Borussia Monchengladbach.The Bundesliga giants were leading the match 2-1 at Borussia-Park as they looked to keep pace with RB Leipzig in the Champions League spots.Marcel Sabitzer had two penalties against Borussia MönchengladbachCredit: APHe converted both effortsCredit: GettyThe second was stopped for a VAR check during his run-upCredit: AFPThe referee could be seen blowing his whistle just as Sabitzer was about to strike the ballDortmund started the match well as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside 28 minutes thanks to a brace from Marcel Sabitzer.Monchengladbach found a way back into the tie as Maximilian Wober bagged in the 36th minute.Former Manchester United loanee Sabitzer then thought he had the chance to restore his side’s two-goal lead in the 51st minute.Karim Adeyemi appeared to be brought down by Jonas Omlin as the referee pointed to the spot.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSabitzer stepped up to take the penalty but as he was about to kick the ball the referee blew his whistle once again.As the ball hit the net, the players were subject to a very late VAR check on the incident.The decision arrived to overturn the penalty as Omlin was judged to have won the ball fairly.Fans were left in shock as they reacted on social media.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOne posted: “Sabitzer was taking a penalty, converted the penalty but just when he was about to hit it, the referee stopped him and went for a VAR check to CANCEL the penalty. Remarkable moment!”A second commented: “What in the name of VAR is that in Bundesliga?”I’m Dortmund’s sexiest fan and I double up as a lingerie model and nurse.. Marco Reus is the love of my lifeA third wrote: “The game is gone man honestly.”A fourth said: “Such a heartbreaker.”A fifth fumed: “Since when can you do that.”Another added: “Surely they can’t do that? the pen has already been called.”To make matters worse, the decision denied Sabitzer a hat-trick in the match.Adeyemi was then sent off in the 55th minute for a second bookable offence.However, Dortmund were able to hold on to the slender lead and take three points home with them. More

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      Mikel Arteta breaks silence on Gabriel ‘handball’ as Arsenal boss claims ref DID follow rules on ‘scandalous’ decision

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      MIKEL ARTETA has praised the referee for using “common sense” by not issuing a handball penalty in the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich.Gabriel caused a stir after picking the ball up from a short David Raya goal-kick before restarting play during the Emirates clash on Tuesday night.Mikel Arteta has praised the referee for using “common sense” for not giving a penalty against Gabriel in the 2-2 draw with Bayern MunichCredit: GettyThe Arsenal defender picked up the ball from a short David Raya goal-kick before restarting playBased on the word of the law, Arsenal should have conceded a second penalty against Bayern Munich with the referee reportedly “admitting” to seeing a clear handball in the box.Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel was left frustrated, claiming that whistler Glenn Nyberg told him he saw the bizarre incident.But Arteta hailed the Nyberg for making the right decision.He said: “I did notice the Gabriel handball story, especially after where there was a certain reaction from Bayern…”. READ MORE ARSENAL”The referees used the law and the law says to use common sense and whether you take an advantage from that situation which there isn’t any advantage”.According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB): “Referees are expected to use common sense and to apply the ‘spirit of the game’ when applying the Laws of the Game.”This use of common sense is commonly referred to as ‘Law 18′ in IFAB’s Laws of the Game, which does not actually include a Law 18.After the game, Tuchel told TNT Sports: “The referee did not have the courage today to give us a deserved penalty, in a bit of a crazy and awkward situation.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”He admitted on the pitch that he saw the situation and that in a quarter-final it’s not enough for him to give a penalty for a kids’ mistake.”So he admitted that he knows about the mistake the player made. That is a bit frustrating.”What happened to Highbury?In his post-match press conference, Tuchel, 50, later added: “I felt a lot of little decisions go against us… and a huge mistake in not giving us a penalty.”What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He said it’s a kid’s mistake and isn’t giving a penalty for that.”Arsenal will have to pull it back and win at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night to secure a spot in the semi-finals.How Arteta made Arsenal horrible again, with Tony Pulis tactic and gentle star turned into Diego Costa-style hate figureBy Dave Kidd
      BOTTLERS, chokers, shandy-drinking southern softies.
      These were the charges levelled at Arsenal when they blew the title last season.
      And even if the actual reason they failed was because William Saliba got injured and Rob Holding had to start, Mikel Arteta clearly took those accusations to heart.
      If his team are not crowned champions next month, the Gunners boss has categorically ensured that they won’t go down being accused of nicey-niceyness.
      Because, as well as being thrillingly entertaining and free-scoring when they want to be, this season’s Arsenal are also thoroughly horrible.They are not here to make friends. They are not interested in being anybody’s second-favourite team.
      And so, six days after stink-bombing the Etihad with a display of Mourinho-esque anti-football for a 0-0 draw, Arsenal turned up at the home of former bogey-team Brighton and s***housed their way to a thoroughly impressive 3-0 win.
      How wonderful for the travelling Gooners to witness Ben White — against his former club — going down as if he’d taken a bullet to his neck when Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan brushed against him.
      White is renowned as a gentle and decent bloke, intelligent enough to challenge the zeitgeist and claim there might be things in life other than football.
      And yet suddenly he’s become some Diego Costa-style anti-hero hate figure, his wife goading the masses by posting social-media pictures of them playing a childish card game on a sun lounger after he’d refused an international call-up.
      Because Arsenal are horrible again. Even Ben White is a villain.And that might just be Arteta’s greatest triumph.
      Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
      To read more from Dave Kidd, click here. More