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      Sky Sports legend reveals how she beat online trolls and the one piece of abuse that ‘really p****d her off’

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      BIANCA WESTWOOD has opened up about the abuse she has faced as a female football reporter.The Sky Sports legend spent 22 years on Soccer Saturday before leaving at the end of last season.
      Bianca Westwood has opened up about the abuse she suffered during his careerCredit: Rex
      The reporter quit Sky Sports after 22 yearsCredit: INSTAGRAM @biancawestwood
      Westwood was a trailblazer for women in football, being the only non-male reporter on screens in 2012 after initially working behind-the-scenes.
      The 49-year-old became a fans’ favourite but has had to battle a barrage of abuse and criticism over the years.
      Westwood has lifted the lid on the difficulties she faced as she worked her way up.
      The West Ham fan revealed she was initially not given a chance to present on Sky Sports as they already had Clare Tomlinson on screen and “one woman was enough.”
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      Westwood eventually got an opportunity but nothing prepared her for the hate she would receive, telling The Mirror: “I obviously knew the game inside and out.
      “I’d been watching it since I was six-years-old but then for some reason there was this backlash online to having a female match reporter.
      “This was just when Twitter was starting to take off – I was really unprepared for that, I was unprepared for that focus and for the vitriol, quite honestly.
      “It was really brutal, it was really harsh, and it was constant. So it kind of set me back quite a bit because I would start overthinking it and I wanted everything to be word-perfect.
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      “Chris Kamara made a career basically out of missing who got sent off, which was hilarious and brilliant and funny, but if I made a slight error then it was like being thrown to the wolves.
      “What really used to annoy me wasn’t people telling me I was ugly or I must have been sleeping with the producer or I was old or I wore too much make-up or not enough, none of that really bothered me.
      “It was when men were saying: ‘You know nothing about football’.
      “That used to really p*** me off because it was like ‘I’ve been watching this probably since before you were born’.”
      Westwood helped pave the way for the likes of Michelle Owen, who is now going around the grounds for Soccer Saturday.
      After leaving Sky, she has since landed a job as a presenter on talkSPORT and host of Jeff Stelling’s live UK tour in 2024. More

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      Former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday favourite now enjoying ‘dream job’ two months after shock exit

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      FORMER Soccer Saturday reporter Bianca Westwood is set to join Jeff Stelling in her “dream job” – just two months after her shock exit. Sky Sports favourite Westwood was among a host of long-serving stars who said farewell to the broadcaster at the end of last season following a raft of budget cuts.
      Bianca Westwood is set to start her ‘dream job’Credit: Rex
      Westwood will join Soccer Saturday legend Jeff Stelling in her new roleCredit: Getty
      Westwood has been enjoying glamour trips to Bali, Malta and BarcelonaCredit: INSTAGRAM @biancawestwood
      Westwood has also been busy content creating on her InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM @biancawestwood
      Westwood, 51, spent 22 years at Sky Sports and was a regular on Soccer Saturday broadcasts for more than a decade.
      Iconic host Stelling was one of the biggest names to leave Sky in the summer.
      The pair had a great on-air relationship, with viewers enjoying their banter as they took in the latest football scores.
      And they could be reunited after Bianca told The Mirror she has landed a new role.
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      Describing it as her “dream job”, Westwood revealed she will host Stelling’s live UK tour in 2024.
      She said: “Jeff texted me in the spring or the summer and said he was doing these shows.
      “He does them with the old panel as well, with Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson and stuff like that, and they came up with the idea of ‘actually Jeff’s got a lot to say as well’.
      “He’s actually a very good raconteur – we did one show just to see what it was like, and he went down like you wouldn’t believe with the audience. They absolutely loved him.
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      “I think if he had a different host he wouldn’t be able to have that risque or harsh banter with someone he didn’t know as well.
      “So I can really stick the boot in, which I’m really looking forward to. I can really wind him up and get paid for it, which is my dream job.”
      For the first time in two decades, Westwood has her Saturdays to herself, and she’s still working out how to use her free time.
      She has made the most of free weekends with some glamorous trips to Bali, Barcelona and Malta.
      She has also been busy content creating with fashion brands Zara, River Island and H&M.
      Westwood began her broadcasting career in the background as an editorial assistant and did occasional pieces to camera, including on the ‘Take it Like a Fan’ segments.
      But her move into a regular on-camera role on Soccer Saturday in 2012 was a rarity for a woman at the time.
      Her remarkable work in the industry has paid off and she will now tour with Stelling and special guests, including Paul Merson next year. More

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      Premier League matches could be shown on new channel as battle for £300m live TV rights hots up

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      PREMIER LEAGUE matches could soon be shown on a new channel as the auctions for live rights looks set to hot up.Top-flight chiefs are allegedly looking at offering an “expanded fifth package of games” to broadcasters.
      A new channel is looking to purchase the rights to screen Premier League matchesCredit: Getty
      They will include “several complete midweek rounds” plus Sunday clashes involving teams featuring in the Europa League.
      And the Daily Mail claims that streaming service DAZN “are expected to target the Premier League matches currently owned by Amazon Prime” in the bidding process.
      Amazon pay around £90m for 60 live matches in three seasons over the festive period currently.
      But it emerged in the summer that all Sunday games will be screened for the very first time for the start of the 2025/26 campaign which has led “to greater interest from broadcasters”.
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      This new update says that “Amazon were effectively given their first set of live rights at a discount by the Premier League six years ago in order to draw them into the market”.
       They also got fortunate when the 2019 to 2022 domestic TV deal was extended on the same terms due to the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing them to keep screening games on the cheaper rate.
      Now the Premier League are “looking for a significant increase from the current £5billion three-year domestic deal” in the next rights auction due to the number of matches available increasing to 270 from 2000.
      The cheapest package available is set to be for around £300m-a-year – which has allegedly led to doubts over whether Amazon will want to fork out that much.
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      But DAZN “are understood to view the expanded Amazon pack as more attainable than the primetime Saturday and Sunday packages” – with Sky Sports and TNT Sports set to retain them.
      Ukrainian-born British businessman Len Blavatnik launched DAZN in 2016.
      They have grown massively over recent years and expanded into a number of sports.

      Now this report claims that they “are ready to make a serious bid for the Premier League’s UK rights” for the very first time. 
      DAZN currently broadcast our top-flight matches to viewers in Spain and the Women’s Champions League in this country.
      And they also shown boxing, baseball and basketball as part of their ever-expanding portfolio. More

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      Gary Neville accused of having ‘agenda’ with brutal put down of Arsenal star during live Sky Sports commentary

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      GARY NEVILLE has been accused of having an “agenda” against David Raya following his criticism of the goalkeeper.Raya started life as Arsenal’s apparent No1 well after replacing Aaron Ramsdale but has had some Gunners fans on edge as of late.
      David Raya has seemingly displaced Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s No.1Credit: GETTY
      Gary Neville branded Raya “nervous” and “jittery” during the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Manchester CityCredit: SKY SPORTS
      Former Wolves midfielder Karl Henry has accused Neville of having an “agenda” against RayaCredit: TWITTER
      His deflected clearance off Julian Alvarez in the first half of Sunday’s match with Manchester City prompted Neville to brand him a “nervous wreck” and “jittery”.
      He said: “I can spot a keeper a mile off that’s a nervous wreck and there’s one right in front of you.
      “The mistake in midweek, he’s carried into this game. He’s not sharp enough and he’s very lucky.”
      Neville’s commentary didn’t sit well with former Wolves midfielder Karl Henry, who questioned the motives behind his criticism of the Spaniard.
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      He wrote on X: “Has Gary Neville got it in for Raya? Or is he just doing his best to get Ramsdale back in?
      “When a commentator has an agenda, they influence millions of fans worldwide. It’s really poor.”
      Henry also took umbrage with Neville’s criticism of Raya after his opposite number Ederson was playing diagonal passes, a number of which he also played.
      He continued: “Ederson. Hits a diag and he’s saying Raya is rocky whilst Ederson is hitting 50-yard diags.
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      Karl Henry reckons Gary Neville’s comments were a borderline “assassination” of David RayaCredit: REX
      “Raya hit two better diags and he doesn’t say a thing.”
      Henry, 40, also likened Neville’s criticism to a public “assassination” of his abilities.
      He added: “I’m no Arsenal fan and rate both Ramsdale and Raya highly. But Neville’s assassination of Raya is poor and unfair.
      “Hope he realises how damaging to the player it can be and stops.”
      Raya ended up keeping a clean sheet as Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners at the Emirates.
      A deflected 84th-minute strike from Gabriel Martinelli sealed the three points for the Gunners and fired them joint top of the table with bitter rivals Tottenham. More

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      Peter Drury reveals his staggering Arsenal vs Man City notes as fans label Sky Sports commentator ‘the goat’

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      PETER DRURY left fans astonished after revealing his notes for Arsenal’s clash against Manchester City. Drury, 56, was on commentary for Sky Sports during the title clash on Sunday.

      Peter Drury revealed his extensive notes onCredit: X/@SkySportsPL
      Drury was on Sky Sports commentary duty for Arsenal’s clash with Man CityCredit: X/@SkySportsPL
      The pages were splashed full of red and blue colourCredit: X/@SkySportsPL
      Ahead of the match, in which Arsenal emerged 1-0 winners thanks to a late deflected Gabriel Martinelli goal, Drury revealed the extent of his preparation for the game.
      He showed off several pages of notes kept in plastic pockets in a folder.
      Drury joked there would be no point for the camera to go too close because his handwriting was terrible, before explaining each page.
      He said: “I have a front page with the teams on in pencil because we don’t know the teams yet so they’ll be rubbed out. And the referee.
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      “Then lots of blurs of colour (red and blue) of the two teams. Every player with stats and history and all of that.
      “And then the two teams again with their coaches and the history of the fixture, their form, recent results so far and recent formations.”
      He continued: “And then all the other bits I call etcetera. The history of the fixture and so on and then the league table.”
      Reacting to the video online, one fan said: “A modern-day legend. One of the best commentators the game will ever see.”
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      A second wrote: “Work rate 💯🔥.”
      A third commented: “He’s a legend.”
      Another said: “The GOAT of commentary.”
      While another added: “No one does it better ….maximum respect.”
      Drury joined Sky Sports over the summer after the broadcaster announced they were parting ways with Martin Tyler following 33 years of service.
      Other commentators such as Clive Tyldesley have put their old charts up for sale.
      Following the match itself, Erling Haaland and Kyle Walker were seen in a bust-up with Arsenal back-room staff, though City boss Pep Guardiola remained tight-lipped on the reason for the altercation.
      Peter Drury joined Sky Sports over the summerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal won the game for ArsenalCredit: Getty More

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      Sky Sports fans divided by major change for Arsenal vs Man City as it leaves them feeling ‘seasick’

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      FANS were left divided by Sky Sport’s major camera change for Arsenal vs Manchester City, with many claiming the new angle left them feeling “seasick.”The new view was showcased as Premier League giants Arsenal and City faced off in Sunday’s crunch match at the Emirates.
      Football fans were treated to a new Sky Sports camera for Arsenal vs Man CityCredit: Sky Sports
      The ‘Game Mode’ view tracked action from side to side like a video gameCredit: Sky Sports
      The camera was met with a mixed reaction as some fans opted to stick with the original angleCredit: Sky Sports
      And Sky Sports marked the game by introducing supporters to a revolutionary new camera.
      The ‘Game Mode’ view presented fans with a wide-angled camera shot.
      And instead of turning from left to right to match the flow of the action, it instead tracked action from side to side – just like in a video game.
      It was first used last weekend in the WSL match between Arsenal and Liverpool.
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      But it left fans scratching their heads during Sunday’s trial, with some enjoying the new view and others finding it hard to stomach.
      One said: “Watching the match in ‘Game Mode’ is making me a bit seasick.”
      Another declared: “15 minutes into this new ‘Game Mode’ and I feel totally sea sick.”
      One noted: “I tried to be down with the kids and watch the new ‘Game Mode’. It’s not happening.”
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      Another added: “The new camera is really weird.”
      On the flip side, one fan tweeted: “The new angle is pretty cool.”
      Another beamed: “Wow, loving it.”
      One murmured: “Might take a while to get used to but defo think it could be the future.”
      Another added: “Enjoying the camera, you can see more of the pitch and follow a lot more off-ball movement.”
      Arsenal ended up winning the game thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal, their first win over City in the Premier League for eight years. More

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      Fans spot shocking Sky Sports blunder on live TV as they announce Jarrod Bowen has signed seven-year deal with MAN UTD

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      SKY SPORTS suffered a hilarious blunder as they announced West Ham star Jarrod Bowen signed a contract extension with MANCHESTER UNITED. Bowen has stood out for the Hammers this season with a staggering five goals and two assists in eight appearances across all competitions.
      West Ham star Jarrod Bowen signed a seven-year contract extensionCredit: Getty
      Sky Sports host Vicky Gomersall mistakenly announced Bowen signed a new deal with Manchester UnitedCredit: Sky Sports News
      And the East Londoners have rewarded the winger with a new seven-year contract tying him up to the London Stadium until 2030.
      Sky Sports got so eager to announce the new long-term deal that they misspelled the England international’s forename on Twitter.
      The channel tweeted: “BREAKING: Jarred [sic] Bowen has signed a new seven-year deal with West Ham United, Sky Sports news understands.”
      And then presenter Vicky Gomersall suffered an unfortunate slip of the tongue as she announced the 26-year-old had instead signed a new deal with United instead of West Ham.
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      Gomersall said: “Just a little bit of breaking news, we’ll get reaction to this later on in the show.
      “Jarrod Bowen has agreed a new long-term contract with Manchester United, so breaking news for them.

      “A formal announcement expected in the next 24 to 48 hours, so it’s understood the deal will take him up to 2030.
      “As I said we will have more on that a little bit later on the show.”
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      Sky Sports went on to share the clip on social media as they missed Gomersall’s unfortunate error.
      But the popular broadcaster proved to be a good sport about it as she retweeted the clip with a funny apology.
      Gomersall posted: “I think aliens entered my brain. Apologies WEST HAM. I repeat WEST HAM.” More

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      What is Game Mode camera on Sky Sports during Arsenal vs Man City?

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      ARSENAL host Manchester City in a super Sunday classic at the Emirates – and fans will be treated to a new camera angle.The Gunners will be determined to end a horrific run of not beating City in the Premier League since 2015.
      Jack Grealish inspired Man City to a win during their most recent Prem fixture against ArsenalCredit: The Times
      But Pep Guardiola’s men are desperate to reclaim top spot after seeing Tottenham leapfrog them with a 1-0 gruelling away win against Luton.
      And for the first time ever, football lovers will get to see the action unfold on the new Game Mode camera angle.
      What is Game Mode camera on Sky Sports?
      The new Game Mode angle will track the match from line-to-line, similar to the view you would get while playing video games such as EA FC 24.
      It’s unusual name is reportedly as a result of the camera tracking action from side to side in a similar fashion to what fans would experience if they were paying a football video game.
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      It’ll be the first time the new angle has been used by Sky after it was trialed on a WSL match between Arsenal and Liverpool last weekend.
      Fans won’t have to worry about their experience being ruined if they don’t like the new shots as footage from the usual spot will be broadcast on the Sky Sports Premier League channel.
      While the Game Mode camera angle will be broadcast on Sky Sports Football
      What has been said?
      Sky Sports’ director of production, Phil Marshall has said: “We’re very excited to see what ‘Game Mode’ can bring to the overall viewing experience for fans and believe it has great potential when it comes to in-game innovation.”
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      And Premier League head of media operations and innovation, Rachael Nightingale mentioned that: “The Premier League is always looking for ways to enhance the broadcast experience for fans around the world.
      “During this period of testing with Sky Sports and Arsenal, we hope ‘Game Mode’ will provide a new and exciting way to enjoy the action at home.” More