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    Inside Alex Scott’s inspirational life after bravely overcoming domestic abuse hell to become much-loved BBC presenter

    JUST how did Alex Scott go from women’s footballer to a household name as a respected sports pundit?With 1.8 million followers on Instagram and a penchant for split-to-the-thigh dresses, the former Arsenal player is rightly enjoying a career-defining 2023.
    Alex Scott’s life story is an inspirationCredit: Getty
    Scott is currently a presenter on Match of the DayCredit: Reuters
    She is regularly seen at glam red carpet eventsCredit: Getty
    Ten months in and already the London-born presenter has been constantly in demand.
    She flew to Australia reporting on the Women’s World Cup, Monaco for the Europa League draw and even hit up the Grammys, Baftas and Brit Awards red carpets.
    She’s graced the front covers of mags such as Grazia and Stylist and in her rare downtime holidays in Ibiza.
    Today, football fans know the former professional footballer as a knowledgeable pundit on BBC and Sky Sports.
    READ MORE ON ALEX SCOTT
    The beautiful game
    YET Scott made history as the first female pundit on Sky Sports Super Sunday and was the first female to commentate for the BBC at a Men’s World Cup.
    She has said football – and most importantly Arsenal – is in her blood, having signed for the Gunners in 1992 at the age of eight.
    Throughout her 26-year career, the 38-year-old played mostly for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League.
    Scott signed for Arsenal at the age of eightCredit: Instagram @alexscott2
    She won the Women’s Super League with Arsenal in 2012Credit: Getty
    She has said the sport was her ticket “to get on a plane and go to China” and that football allowed her to learn things about the world.
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    Scott retired from the game in 2018 aged 34 after a glittering career which included playing in the squad for the 2012 London Olympics.
    Life after football
    IN 2016, she appeared on Bear Grylls’ ITV show, Mission Survive, which she won.
    And she said it was appearing on the show that ignited “a spark” about a world outside football and being ready for the “next chapter”.
    Scott had already established her media career while still playing football, appearing on programmes such as Soccer AM with other minor roles at BBC Sport, BT Sport and Sky Sports.
    She also graduated with a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting from Staffordshire University while playing for Arsenal.
    She wrote a weekly women’s football column in the Morning Star newspaper and a column in The Independent during the 2014 World Cup.
    Today, Scott is a broadcaster with Match of the Day and Sky Sports.
    Outside of sports, she has participated in the ancestry research programme Who Do You Think You Are?
    In September 2019, she was a contestant on the 17th series of Strictly Come Dancing, paired with Neil Jones. The couple came fifth in the competition.
    Scott earned 140 caps for EnglandCredit: Getty
    Scott appeared for the Lionesses at London 2012Credit: Getty
    Overcoming adversity
    IN 2022, Scott published her memoir “How (Not) To Be Strong” – it went on to become a Sunday Times bestseller.
    She candidly revealed she was beaten with a belt and talked honestly about the fear and terror she and her mum lived in lived with her now-estranged father.
    She said in an emotionally-charged interview on the BBC Women’s Hour Radio show that “all that money will go to help women”, declaring her income from the book sales would go to the women’s aid charity Refuge.
    Scott revealed to Steven Bartlett on his YouTube channel “The Diary of a CEO” that she had a speech impediment growing up and sought help with speech therapy.
    As a child growing up in a house where she witnessed domestic abuse, she disclosed it was easier not to speak – and that her mum didn’t know she had a problem.
    She said that even today there are certain things she can’t say such as cinnamon: “I have to re-word things or memorise scripts so I know that word coming up.”
    Scott also said on the Steven Bartlett podcast that as a result of falling into a daily pattern of drinking alcohol, she sought therapy.
    Scott revealed she was abused as a childCredit: Instagram @alexscott2
    She also revealed she had a speech impediment while growing upCredit: Getty
    She puts her daily drinking habit in part down to the abuse she has received from social media trolls.
    Nowadays Scott keeps her private life just that – yet she does say she loves holidaying on her own and regularly jets off to Portugal to walk in nature.
    Love life
    WHILE she will only say she is “dating” in her memoir, she revealed that she and team-mate Kelly Smith shared a house.
    The former couple were team-mates in America when they played for the Boston Breakers.
    They were together from 2005 to 2013… Scott said she fell “madly and deeply in love” with Kelly.
    Yet today Scott has not explicitly labelled her sexuality and has said she has been in relationships with both men and women.
    Currently, Scott is in a relationship with musician Jess Glynne.
    The Sun revealed the pair have been secretly dating for two months.
    On Tuesday night, the couple partied alongside David and Victoria Beckham at their exclusive Netflix documentary premiere after-party at The Twenty Two in West London.
    A friend said: “Alex and Jess have been a slow burn and they didn’t want to rush things or go public too soon.
    Scott is dating pop star Jess Glynne The Sun can revealCredit: Rex
    The couple have been dating for two months but recently went officialCredit: Getty
    “But they’re officially an item now and seem really happy. They are both strong, independent women with a shared passion and respect of their respective careers, supporting one another from the sidelines.
    “It’s still early days for them, but they’ve met one another’s mates and everyone is super-happy for them.”
    At the 2022 World Cup, seven European nations announced they were asking their captains not to wear the pro-LGBTQ+ One Love armband.
    Scott wore the armband while reporting on the England vs Iran match on November 21 – despite the threat of sporting sanctions from Fifa.
    High honours
    SHE was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to football, taking her mum, grandmother and niece to her investiture at Buckingham Palace.
    Scott is a brand in her own right with paid associations with major names from jewellery brand Pandora to Garnier UK.
    Financial boffins are fuzzy when it comes to her net worth, citing it as somewhere between £1million and £4m.
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    This year she was even awarded an Honorary Fellowship for invaluable contribution to the world of sport, social purpose and inclusion by Queen Mary University of London.
    We reckon we’ll be seeing a lot more of the talented and down-to-earth Scott in the future.
    Scott often steals the show at red carpet eventsCredit: Splash
    Scott has 1.8 million followers on InstagramCredit: Getty More

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    Sky Sports to make major broadcasting change for Arsenal vs Man City clash as never-before-seen feature introduced

    FOOTBALL fans are set to be treated to a brand new camera if they tune in to watch Arsenal vs Man City on Sky Sports this Sunday.The broadcaster is said to be introducing a never-before-seen angle that viewers will be able to watch the game from.
    Sky Sports are going to introduce a never-before-seen camera angle this weekendCredit: Getty
    Arsenal vs Manchester City is set to be the debut game for the new shotCredit: Rex
    The Athletic have revealed that the new addition is coming to Sunday’s heavyweight clash and will be called “Game Mode”.
    The 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.
    It’ll be the first time the new angle has been used by Sky after it was trialled 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 a separate channel.
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    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.”
    And perhaps there’s no better stage to try out the new tech than during this weekend’s mouth-watering clash between Arsenal and City.
    The Gunners welcome the treble winners to the Emirates with just a single point separating the two sides at the top of the table.
    Anything could happen with important players for both sides out of action with injuries and suspensions.
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    Kevin De Bruyne remains away from the pitch for a prolonged period while Rodri will miss out following his red card against Nottingham Forest for the Cityzens.
    Arsenal on the other hand could be without star man Bukayo Saka after the 22-year-old was forced off during the North Londoners’ 2-1 loss to Lens.
    However he has been called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad which could suggest he is closer to returning than fans initially thought.
    Arsenal could be without Bukayo Saka for the clash this weekendCredit: Alamy More

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    Michael Schumacher update as ex-F1 driver reveals legend’s touching gesture & says he was ‘great guy’

    F1 pundit Karun Chandhok has revealed a touching story about racing legend Michael Schumacher.The Sky Sports presenter praised the seven-time champion’s kindness that he showed him back when Chandhok was making his Grand Prix debut.
    Michael Schumacher suffered devastating injuries from a ski accident in 2013Credit: PA:Press Association
    The Sky Sports pundit praised the F1 legend for being a ‘great guy’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    The pair briefly crossed over in 2010 and 2011, when the presenter, now 39, was racing for HRT and Lotus.
    The Indian speedster never fully established himself at the top level and moved onto other racing categories, winning the Formula Asia Championship before he took an analyst job with Sky.
    But now he has told of the German racing icon’s sweet gesture ahead of a race.
    Speaking to OLBG, he said: “When I did my first F1 race in Bahrain in 2010….Michael was the first driver that said hello to me and said ‘welcome to F1’.
    read more on schumacher
    “He then spent five minutes just chatting, asking about my background and where I was from and wished me luck for my season.
    “He didn’t need to do that. This was the race where he was making his big comeback with Mercedes and at that time he was the biggest star.”
    The TV pundit continued: “I was a nobody, he didn’t need to do that and I always really appreciated that, the fact he took that five minutes to make me feel welcome in the sport.
    “He was a great guy and a fantastic driver.”
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    “Michael Schumacher was one of my heroes,” he added, stating that no matter what he always “appreciated his utter brilliance”.
    Earlier this week, an F1 pundit was forced to apologise after making a grossly offensive joke about Michael Schumacher on live TV.
    Schumacher’s name was brought up during a post-race discussion on Spanish TV after the Japanese Grand Prix by presenter Antonio Lobato.
    The insensitive comment arose when a fellow pundit said: “Let Adrian Newey [Red Bull’s chief engineer] be shaking because Antonio Lobato is coming.”
    Lobato responded with: “Let Michael be shaking! Well… not Michael, he cannot shake.”
    The remark sparked outrage online among fans, while some even called for the presenter to be sacked by DAZN.
    Schumacher, considered by many to be the greatest driver in Formula One history, hasn’t been seen in public since his life-changing skiing accident nearly a decade ago.
    The racing superstar suffered a horrific ski accident while with his son Mick, on the slopes above Méribel in the French Alps in 2013.
    Any information about the state of his condition is tightly controlled by his privacy-focused family led by wife Corinna.
    His ex-team mate, Johnny Herbert has even said recently that his friends are often left in the dark about his health.
    It comes as earlier this month, Chandhok was lucky to escape an injury after his car burst into flames during a race.
    Chandhok was in seventh place in the Lavant Cup revival at the time of the incident, which forced him to abandon.
    Footage showed the moment an explosion caused his car to spin out of control but the TV presenter managed to steer it onto the grass and out of danger.
    Reflecting on the incident, Chandhok wrote on X/Twitter: “Lucky to get away with that with nothing more than a melted boot.
    Read More:
    “Something went bang and seized up the back wheels and sent me spinning.
    “Such a shame to end a race in my dream GT car like that but happy to get out ok!”
    Chandhok at Bahrain’s F1 circuit in 2010 when he had his touching moment with SchumacherCredit: EPA
    The ex-F1 ace hasn’t been seen in public since his tragic accidentCredit: Getty
    Karun Chandhok’s car burst into flames
    He managed to escape relatively unscathed More

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    Premier League set to be shown on new channel from 2025 – while current broadcaster could AXE their football coverage

    PREMIER LEAGUE fixtures could be shown on DAZN from 2025, according to reports.Meanwhile, current broadcaster Amazon are said to be ready to end their football coverage.
    Premier League chiefs are planning a revamp to the way TV rights are sold and DAZN could enter the race to show the actionCredit: Rex
    Premier League TV rights for 2025 to 2029 are set to go on sale soon.
    Streaming giants DAZN will be in the bidding this time but it is unclear if they will be able to match Sky and TNT offers.
    However, the Mail also claim that Amazon are considering pulling out of showing football.
    They have been involved in Prem coverage since 2019 and have shown 20 games per season in a three-year deal worth £90m, or £1.5m each game.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    But their deal finishes at the end of the 2024/25 season and the report claims they are not expected to continue their interest.
    This is amid Premier League chiefs planning a reshape to the way they sell TV rights to make more money.
    In the next batch of sales they hope to make £4bn-a-year, an increase from the current £3.47bn.
    A document will soon be reportedly sent to channels informing them of the supposed changes.
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    Four-year deals that run from 2025 to 2029 will be on offer, as opposed to the three-year contracts currently in place.
    There is currently 200 games on TV per season and the amount is set to rise to between 250 and 270.
    Despite the increase in matches for fans to watch, there will be fewer packages for channels to bid for with five set to be available rather than seven.
    The extra games per package means all broadcasters will be able to show viewers a more “substantial offering”.
    There could also allegedly be an impact on kick-off times.
    Additional Friday night, Saturday lunchtime and evening, as well as Monday night games are set to be available for channels to acquire.
    There could also supposedly be three slots for matches on Sundays but not necessarily a late evening position previously discussed.
    Sky currently pay £9.8m for each game they show with TNT less at £6.25m. More

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    Fuming fans say ‘seriously, WTF?’ as Sky Sports MISS second-half kick-off in Tottenham vs Liverpool game in huge blunder

    FOOTBALL fans fumed at Sky Sports for MISSING the start of the second half of Tottenham’s clash with Liverpool.Spurs hosted the Reds in a thrilling Premier League clash this evening.
    Sky Sports managed to miss the start of the second half of Tottenham vs LiverpoolCredit: EPA
    Andros Townsend and Jamie Redknapp were on punditry dutiesCredit: Sky Sports
    But viewers at home could not watch the restart after the break.
    That is because Sky had not cut back to the live footage after half-time.
    The broadcasters had three advertisement breaks during the 15-minute interval in North London.
    And that saw Kelly Cates, Jamie Redknapp and Andros Townsend forced to cram in a very brief analysis of the controversial Luis Diaz goal that was ruled out for an alleged offside.
    But once they had finished discussing the possible VAR blunder, the game had already kicked off again.
    So the live feed immediately jumped to the ball in play with Tottenham’s defenders.
    And customers stumping up huge money to watch Sky’s coverage were quick to slam the broadcaster.
    One said: “Sky talked about the diaz offside for 10 seconds and started the second half late. Best channel in the UK 👏👏👏.”
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    Another wrote: “VAR officials making two clear errors and Sky Sports missing the start of the second half to get that extra ad revenue in. ‘The best league in the world’.”
    A third added: “Missed the start of the second half. WTF SKY?” More

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    F1 could be set to switch to new channel after 17 years on Sky Sports as company eye up staggering £2BILLION A YEAR deal

    FORMULA ONE could be set to change channel as Apple consider a huge £1.6BILLION bid for the rights.Sky Sports currently boast the rights having originally obtained them in 2012.
    Formula One could change broadcasters in the coming yearsCredit: Reuters
    And they have a deal in place to show the sport until 2029.
    However, Business F1 magazine are now reporting Apple are weighing up the possibility of submitting a bid to become the exclusive streaming rights holders.
    A £1.6bn offer would double the amount the F1 receive for their global TV rights.
    It would likely sit “alongside MLS and Apple TV+ in the Apple TV app” as a standalone subscription service.
    READ MORE ON F1
    The idea comes following the success of the MLS Season Pass – which would be replicated for F1.
    The F1’s US rights are not available for purchase until 2025 when ESPN’s deal comes to an end.
    Apple’s interest comes as they continue to build a portfolio of motorsport content.
    They are developing a huge F1-related film starring Brad Pitt – who was recently seen in the paddock at Silverstone in July.
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    And a documentary about seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton is also in the works.
    Amazon are understood to be considering the purchases of several sports rights deal.
    They already offer an MLS Season Pass and MLB Friday Night Baseball, but are also understood to be interested in the NBA, NFL and Premier League. More

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    Carabao Cup fixtures revealed with huge TV clash as Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all play on same night

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S mouthwatering clash with Newcastle headlines the Carabao Cup fourth-round TV fixtures.The repeat of last season’s final kicks off at 8.15pm on Wednesday November 1 in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
    Soccer Football – Carabao Cup – Third Round – Manchester United v Crystal Palace – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – September 26, 2023 Manchester United’s Casemiro celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Peter Powell NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO […]Credit: Reuters
    And the London derby between West Ham and Arsenal is also on Sky on the same night, starting 45 minutes earlier at 7.30pm.
    Incredibly, it means that the two selections will overlap – so fans will be forced to choose between them.
    And there will not be a live match on TV on Tuesday October 31.
    The EFL confirmed the reason for both the United and Arsenal matches being on the Wednesday due to European .
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    A statement said: “As a result of both Manchester United and West Ham United being scheduled for Premier League action on Sunday 29 October and Saturday 4 November, their respective Carabao Cup Round Four will both take place on Wednesday 1 November to allow for the appropriate recovery and preparation time for the fixture.
    “Due to a number of Premier League games taking place on Sunday 29 October, options for live selections on Tuesday 31 October were impacted, meaning both fixtures will be broadcast on the Wednesday, in staggered kick-offs.”
    Strangely, Chelsea are also in action on the Wednesday when they host Blackburn.
    That is despite the Blues not being in European action and therefore not playing on the Sunday before.
    Most read in Football
    In fact, Mauricio Pochettino’s side take on Brentford in the lunchtime game on Saturday September 28 while Rovers host Swansea at 3pm.
    Liverpool’s Carabao Cup trip to Bournemouth is also on November 1.
    Ipswich vs Fulham takes place that night, too.
    That leaves Everton vs Burnley and Exeter’s home tie with Middlesbrough on the Tuesday night.
    Mansfield and Port Vale are yet to confirm their fixture date but it is expected to be October 31 as well.
    Manchester United beat Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley in February to end their six-year trophy drought, thanks to goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.
    Casemiro was on target again on Tuesday as the Red Devils saw off Crystal Palace 3-0 in round three – with Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial finding the net.
    Newcastle, meanwhile, dumped out Manchester City thanks to a solo strike from Alexander Isak.
    THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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    Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime hold talks over shock new Premier League documentary

    THE Premier League’s main UK broadcasters have held talks over a new documentary on the lives of top-flight referees.A fresh report has claimed that an “independent production company are understood to have pitched the programme” to the three domestic rights holders.
    A new documentary on the life of Premier League referees could be in the pipelineCredit: Getty
    And Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime have already discussed the prospect, says the Daily Mail.
    However, they also add that the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL] are yet to sign it off.
    Ex-Premier League referee Howard Webb was appointed as the PGMOL’s first chief refereeing officer last year.
    And he has attempted to make the body more open and “may be receptive to the idea” of the doc. 
    READ MORE FOOTBALL
    Webb recently linked up with Michael Owen in the newly launched Match Officials Mic’d Up programme, explaining controversial VAR and refereeing decisions using audio from in-game conversations between officials.
    The premise of the documentary pitch is believed to be “an attempt to humanise referees”.
    It is also hoping to give football fans a better understanding of how officials carry out their duties and the pressures they face.
    The would-be producers want to film referee training sessions as well as pre and post-game meetings.
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    But the Premier League would also need to give their approval as producer want to use unseen footage from games.
    The Mail says that a source close to the referees said: “It’s a great idea.
    “It would show a different side to them. How hard it is. The pressure they’re under.
    “To officiate a Premier League is not easy. One error and you’re vilified. So something such as this might help people see a different side to officials.” More